The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 849: Clown

“Okay.”

White Rabbit paused, neither planning to return nor in a rush to leave. She took a moment to review the facts. "Dr. Jia's been hiding in the underground lab. The Qilin Guild set up traps and alarms to keep him hidden."

"Then the Guild merged with the Hundred Rivers Union," she continued. "One of their members acquired Blocking, adding another layer of security."

"But the Union sent someone to find Dr. Jia. You sensed it, leading us to our target."

Chen Ying nodded. "That's the most likely explanation."

"Who do you think those two are?" White Rabbit asked.

Chen Ying frowned slightly. "One's definitely human, probably a high-ranking Union member. The other... more like a monster, but with weaker energy. Perhaps Sir Jiang?"

"My thoughts exactly." White Rabbit bit her lip. "But Sir Jiang is strong. Why the weak energy?"

"He might be able to conceal it," Chen Ying suggested, "or he's still recovering from the fight in Ni Nation."

White Rabbit sneered. "I'd prefer the latter." She added, "Liu Qingying told me Sir Jiang sought out Dr. Jia to develop weapons during the civil war. They're clearly in constant contact."

"Then there might be others guarding the lab besides Sir Jiang and an awakener."

"I agree," Chen Ying said.

White Rabbit exhaled. "That's all we can safely deduce. Let's leave the rest to Gao Yang. He's T0.5 now—should handle ten enemies easily, right?"

Despite having stumbled upon the discovery, Chen Ying brightened at their progress. "It seems that you're not very fond of Captain Gao, White Rabbit."

"Oh, I like him alright!" White Rabbit waggled her brows, squeezing her eyes in an exaggerated expression. "As the one-woman HR department, I love youngsters who leave to start their own thing."

Chen Ying chuckled. "Listen to yourself. Aren't we all one big family now?"

"Sure, but every family needs a leader, right?" White Rabbit's eyes flashed with determination. "I'll always be Team Dragon."

Chen Ying paused. "Sorry, I'm Team Yang."

"You silly girl!" White Rabbit's voice rose. "You just haven't seen Captain Dragon's charisma. You'd switch sides in a heartbeat."

"I think you misunderstand Captain Gao. If you really got to know him—"

"La la la, can't hear you!" White Rabbit covered her ears, stomping out of the alley.

Exasperated yet amused, Chen Ying hurried after her, giving her armpits a surprise tickle.

"Hey! You... you've got a death wish... Stop tickling me!" White Rabbit gasped between laughs.

"Do you submit?"

"I... I tap out! Ha ha, I'm tapping out... Take this!"

...

Underground base of the Ocean River Union, the next early morning.

Two guards stood watch at the elevator to ground level. On the left stool sat First Firelord, a skinny, short man with a thuggish air. His shaved hair sported an intricate pattern, and a large gold chain hung from his neck. An unbuttoned black leather jacket revealed a garish patterned shirt—the epitome of a gang member. He looked like a gang member.

To the right, Old Seven perched on his stool. Short and chubby, he wore a baseball cap, loose jumper, and baggy jeans—pure hip-hop style.

Old Seven fiddled with an empty cola bottle. "Heard the news, Bazi? They're saying Liu Qingying's a traitor."

"Where've you been hiding? I already know about the Zodiacs' wipe-out."

Leaning in, Old Seven lowered his voice. "Yeah? Well, did you hear Miss found no Rune Circuits? And the Zodiacs had already left?"

"It's Elder Qin You now. Show some respect." First Firelord's mocking tone belied his words.

"Tsk." Old Seven grimaced. "A clown playing king."

Old Seven didn’t say that out of jealousy for the man’s promotion. His disdain for Qin You wasn't new. Even when Qin You was in Team Chen Ying, Old Seven had pegged him as a snake. Learning of Qin You's role in tracking the Nine Scions to Starcatching Pavilion only doubled his contempt.

For one, the incident had cost many old Union members their lives—including Zhang Wei, Herb Snail, and Buzhou, all close to Old Seven. Moreover, it had crushed any hope of their organizations reconciling to find a way out of the dooming world together, a dream many former Hundred Rivers Union members had clung to.

Old Seven dared voice these thoughts to First Firelord, knowing the man secretly admired Gao Yang and shared his hatred for Qin You.

"Anything new on your end, Bazi?" Old Seven prodded.

First Firelord stretched, crossing his arms behind his head. "Nothing."

"Nothing happening, or nothing you're told about?" Old Seven teased.

"Shut it!" First Firelord growled.

The Ni Nation battle had devastated the Ocean River Union. Ten members lost, including powerhouses like Azure Dragon, Six Rime, and Zero Hatred. Even Elder Yan Liang, critically injured, had vanished from the frontlines.

In the aftermath, the Union held funerals and reorganized their teams, struggling to regroup in the face of their losses.

The surviving members of Team Azure Dragon and Team Yan Liang were put together under Qilin’s personal command with Wandering Tune being the Protector. The team consisted of Qilin (Guildmaster), Wandering Tune (Protector), Harvest Song, Void, Sunny, 0618, Nomad, Sister Ling, Bumblebee, Donxote, First Firelord, Xiao Xin, and Flower.

The other team was under the command of Surnamed Li, including herself (Deputy Guildmaster), Colorless (Elder), Amon (Protector), Canary, Jing Ke, Rewind, Lin Fu, Musashi, Stubborn Weasel, Crimson Bee, Old Seven, Small Luo, and Veggie.

Since Qin You had made another contribution by rooting out Liu Qingying as a spy and experienced a power boost by getting his fourth Talent, he was promoted to an Elder and put in charge of the intelligence department. LIao Liao, on the other hand, was demoted to Protector.

Old Seven was about to probe further when two men arrived for the next shift.

The newcomer on the left, Flower, was a fierce-looking man in his thirties. His large, muscular frame was topped by thick golden curls reminiscent of a lion's mane. Shirtless, he proudly displayed a massive black iris tattoo across his broad back.

His Talent was Telekinesis, serial number 97, Psyche-type.

The man on the right was younger, no older than twenty-five. He had an average build. His greasy black hair seemed to have been left unwashed for days. Several scars covered his sculpted face, appearing to be left by sharp objects. His triangular eyes seemed to glare perpetually. He looked like he was going to lose it and strike at someone at any time.

He was Nomad, with Talent: Rules of Jianghu, serial number 186, Damage-type.

First Firelord was tight with Nomad. He reprimanded, “Won’t you wash your hair already? I can smell the grease from the other side of the room.”

Nomad flipped First Firelord off. He was about to curse First Firelord and his family out when his face darkened suddenly.

Flower froze too, hackles raised.

Old Seven and First Firelord tensed, whirling around. What they saw made them both jump in shock.