The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 946: Quit Smoking

Chapter 946: Quit Smoking

Spectres’ Mansion, late night.

Wang Zikai was playing games with Fresh Snow in the living room, while Gao Yang, War Tiger, and Nine Frost gathered for a meeting.

War Tiger, who had taken over as HR head after White Rabbit's passing, listened intently before breaking into a grin. "Well done, Little Yang Yang. You're practically a prophet."

"Captain." Nine Frost leaned forward, barely containing his excitement. "As you predicted, we got the person who planted the hairpin. It was One Stone and Ting Ting. One Stone has acquired Tracking, and she found her way to us to join us."

Gao Yang nodded, his expression measured. "Go on."

"Hey, wait a moment!" War Tiger held up a hand. "Who is 'us'? The Nine Scions or the Twelve Zodiac Signs? We're making this clear upfront, or it'll be messy once the Nine Scions and the Zodiacs split once more."

"The Nine Scions," Nine Frost replied without hesitation. "One Stone came to us for Vermilion Bird, and she is one of ours."

"Alright." War Tiger settled back, unfazed.

Nine Frost continued, "I left them somewhere safe for further observation. There's still a chance that they are double agents or are under Qilin's manipulation without realizing it."

"Give me the address. I'll make sure of it personally." Gao Yang's tone was steady. Though he had Lie Detection, that wasn't a foolproof method. He planned to have Nainai give them the Empress' baptism after she returned.

"Okay." Nine Frost nodded. "There's another good news."

"Speak."

"Three more members acquired new Talents. Hong Xiaoxiao got Telekinesis, and Yanyan got Cleansing." His voice softened at the mention of the little girl.

"Ah." Gao Yang's response carried no surprise. If anything, he thought Cleansing had come a little too late.

"I had Yanyan use Cleansing on everyone. We don't have to worry about Blood Curse now."

"Good work. Just in case, cleanse Wang Zikai too."

Nine Frost produced an enchanted Black Gold bracelet. "Have him put this on for two days."

Gao Yang took the bracelet, examining it briefly.

"Adept Horse's recovery is progressing well after getting reset," Nine Frost continued. "He truly woke up last night, after acquiring his new Talent."

"Jump," Gao Yang said immediately.

Nine Frost nodded with a smile.

War Tiger grinned, an unlit cigarette dangling between his teeth. "That Rabbit. Adept Horse doesn't even have his legs. Should've given me the Talent."

"We'll just have to wait for Dr. Jia's return," Nine Frost said. "Cybernetic legs won't be as agile as his own, but they could prove more powerful overall."

...

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Raven Shark traveled to the Ni Nation by sea, carrying Dr. Jia's laboratory in Dimensional Storage before returning the same way.

The next morning at six, Qing Ling, Nainai, and Dr. Jia arrived at Li City airport in disguise. Instead of heading straight to S Base, they took a car to an express hotel where Gao Yang, War Tiger, and Nine Frost waited in a double room.

The trio maintained their cover as a middle-aged man, a beautiful stepmother, and their college-age daughter. Suddenly, the beautiful woman with large platinum blonde curls split her constricting pencil skirt and kicked the hotel room door open with her heel.

Gao Yang, War Tiger, and Nine Frost took two seconds to recognize her.

"You're back." Gao Yang smiled at her.

"Yeah." Qing Ling set down her heavy duffle bag and unzipped it, producing two prosthetic legs. "For Adept Horse."

"Haha, no one will say no to a New Year gift." War Tiger strode forward cheerfully, throwing an arm around Dr. Jia as he entered. "The fifth day of New Year is the day to welcome the god of fortune. And you're that to us!"

Nainai was the last to enter. Despite her regular college student attire, she maintained her chuuni demeanor, kicking off her sneakers and bouncing onto the bed with outstretched arms. "My subjects, your empress has returned!"

She launched into a verbose speech that conveyed absolutely nothing.

Wait, why didn't you stop her, Qing Ling? Gao Yang wondered, watching the scene unfold.

Nainai didn't push it too far, though. Once satisfied, she waved her hands to close all the curtains.

"Gao Yang." Qing Ling's eyes met his. "Dr. Jia wants a word with you."

"That's right! I have something major to show you!" Dr. Jia puffed up with pride. "Hah, it's going to shock all of you to death!"

Nine Frost leaned against the window, sipping an energy drink with an impassive face. War Tiger remained crouched, absorbed in examining the prosthetic legs, completely ignoring the doctor. Gao Yang, from his spot on the sofa, offered Dr. Jia only a perfunctory smile.

Their lackluster reactions visibly irritated Dr. Jia. He raised his voice. "I'll get to the conclusion first. I disperse the Mist!"

Swoosh. Gao Yang teleported to his side instantly, guiding him to the sofa with one hand on his back and the other clasping Dr. Jia's hand. "Here, Doctor. Let's get into it."

As soon as Dr. Jia sat down, War Tiger had already come over and fished out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. “The travel must have tired you, Old Jia. Here, want one?”

Dr. Jia turned away with a huff. "No. It's been such a hurried trip that I didn't even have any water."

Nine Frost, now perched on the bed, was already dialing the front desk. "Deliver tea, drink, and coffee to the room. Quickly."

Dr. Jia rolled his eyes dramatically. "Ah, I haven't had a good sleep during the trip. My back aches."

Gao Yang created a double that positioned itself behind the sofa, massaging Dr. Jia's shoulders and back. "Is this okay? Do you want me to go harder?"

Once the drinks arrived and Dr. Jia had been sufficiently appeased, he placed his phone on the tea table. "It's the newest video in the album. See it for yourself."