The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 638: Higher Level

“Haha.” Gao Yang went for flattery. “You live up to your reputation as a genius. The Nine Scions cannot provide you with a lab and the ingredients and materials for medicines and equipment. You won’t be able to live up to your potential with us.”

“You want me to join the Qilin Guild?” Dr. Jia asked.

“Yeah, I’ve written a script for you. Wanna hear it?”

“Sure.”

Gao Yang spoke at a deliberate pace. “You were taken by the Nine Scions. They tried to coerce you into joining through persuasion and force, but you had such a backbone that you would rather die than become in cahoots with the traitors of humanity. The Nine Scions wanted to kill you, but considering how well respected you are, killing you will only anger the three major organizations and create more enemies. Thus, the Nine Scions could only let you go.”

“Now that your lab in Spice Nation was destroyed, and you were eager to continue your research to the benefit of humanity, you reluctantly accepted the help offered by the Qilin Guild after careful consideration. You rebuild your lab in Li City and accept their protection so that you can continue your work in peace, free from disturbance.”

“What do you think?”

“It’s perfect,” Dr. Jia praised. “It fits my character.”

“Then do you agree to help us?”

“No. I can very well follow your script, and there’s nothing you can do to me. It’s the truth that you dare not kill me since that’ll make enemies out of the three organizations. It’ll be your loss.”

“You...” Nine Frost almost gave in to his urge to kick Dr. Jia.

“It’s okay.”

Gao Yang had expected it. He waved a hand to stop Nine Frost, maintaining a smile. “You’re a genius, Dr. Jia. Talking to you about feelings, money, and factions doesn’t make sense. Let’s talk about something at a higher level.”

“What is it?” Dr. Jia narrowed his eyes with suspicion.

“The truth of the Mist World.”

Dr. Jia’s eyes lit up. “You found out already?”

“No,” Gao Yang said with confidence. “But I can help you find the truth.”

“What do you mean?”

Gao Yang played cryptic. “My second request is...”

“Tell me first!” Dr. Jia was anxious.

“I know you want the answer now, but be patient.” Gao Yang extended two fingers. “My second request is an encoding key that will allow me to send a message to all awakeners in the Mist World on my phone. It’s fine if it’s only single use. That’s enough for me.”

“That’s easy. I can do it with a few clicks.” Dr. Jia couldn’t wait. “Come on, tell me how you’re gonna help me.”

“So you agree?”

“Tell me first!” Dr. Jia wasn’t going to just fall for that. “How do I know if you’re lying to me otherwise?”

“Alright.” Gao Yang got to the point. “You know I’m the Divine Scion, right?”

“Huh?” Dr. Jia was confused.

Nine Frost clicked his tongue with a scoff, his arms folded. “You call yourself a doctor, but you’re ill-informed. Captain’s a child between a life monster and a human, known as the Divine Scion or the Blessed Child. He’s one of a kind in the Mist World.”

Dr. Jia gaped.

Gao Yang calmly added, “If you doubt us, you’re welcome to check with those from the three organizations.”

“****!” Dr. Jia jumped to his feet. “Why didn’t anyone tell me something this big? I’m the genius! Why didn’t anyone update me?!”

“Now you know,” Gao Yang said.

“Gao Yang!” Dr. Jia dropped to his knees before him, grasping his hands like his life depended on it and saying in a trembling voice, “No, Master Gao, please allow me to study your...”

Gao Yang extracted his hands. “I’ll give you some blood and energy for your study.”

“For real?!” Dr. Jia perked up.

“For real. Not only that, I’ll also provide you with the blood and energy of a Spectre after the work’s done so that you can study them. Moreover, I know a thing or two about where life monsters were born, and I have some understanding of the Malediction. I can share all that with you.” Gao Yang made a few blank checks. He would make a request to the Spectres after the fact.

“The Malediction is also known as the Cursed Offspring,” Nine Frost added. “I’ll give you a more detailed explanation later.”

“Master Gao! You...you are my new parent!” Dr. Jia had cast away his dignity, and he grabbed Gao Yang’s leg while kneeling. “Please, you have to give me the information!”

“That’ll depend on your performance.” Gao Yang patted his head. “Remember, finish my two requests, and your study must be kept from the three organizations or any other factions.”

“I promise! I swear!” Dr. Jia raised his hands. Then he thought of something. “But I will be under the Qilin Guild’s watch. Even after I finish the medicine, how am I going to deliver it to you?”

“Hah, leave it to this Empress,” said a small voice.

Dr. Jia looked down to see a thumb-sized Nainai standing on the tea table with her arms akimbo.

“Whoa.” Dr. Jia leaned in to take a closer look. “Such an interesting Talent. Give me some of your blood...”

“How dare you! This Empress’ divine power isn’t for mortals like you to...”

“Nainai,” Gao Yang said. “Go as small as you can.”

Nainai did as he said and shrunk further until she was as small as an ant.

“Wow, amazing!” Dr. Jia marveled.

Gao Yang threw Dr. Jia a thick silver ring. “Put this on. Nainai will hide in the ring and follow you. The Qilin Guild will show you respect and offer you protection without treating you like an inmate. There should be no surveillance inside your lab.”

“Once you make what we ask for, Nainai will leave with the batch. Don’t worry about it.”

Nainai had recorded Gao Yang’s image and Talents with level 7 Shapeshifter. As long as she didn’t record anyone else, she could store the Talent for twenty days. After getting the batch, she would escape through the wall with Teleportation at 50% efficiency.

Gao Yang didn’t tell Dr. Jia the details.

“Alright.” Dr. Jia didn’t ask anything else. After making sure that Nainai had hidden in the ring, he put it on.

Gao Yang waved a hand, and Nine Frost handed him a 100-milliliter vial of blood and a Black Gold battery. It was Gao Yang’s blood and vital energy.

He put them in the briefcase and closed it, pushing it toward Dr. Jia.

“They won’t check your personal belongings, will they?”

“Don’t worry!” Dr. Jia pounded on his chest. “If they dare touch any of my stuff, I’ll flip out and never work with them again!”

“Good.” Gao Yang chuckled. “Remember, if you turn on us, you will forever lose the blood and energy of a Spectre and the secrets of life monsters and the Malediction.”

“Don’t worry! I’m a man of principle!” Dr. Jia said proudly. “I don’t make promises easily, but I always honor my promises.”

—Activate Lie Detection.

—The target didn’t lie, and he was neutral.

Gao Yang was satisfied. “You may go.”

“Huh?” Dr. Jia was surprised. “You aren’t gonna escort me?”

“It’s best to make the act more convincing. Find your way back on your own. It’ll be better if you get injured and look like a mess.”

“That’s true.” Dr. Jia took the briefcase and turned to leave.

“You better go back to Spice Nation first,” Qing Ling said, breaking her silence.

“Why?” Dr. Jia didn’t understand. “I should just head to Li City and find the Qilin Guild. Nothing is worth me going back to Spice Nation...”

“I saw your parrot flying out of your house that night. It’s still alive.”

Dr. Jia perked up after a surprised pause. “Green Snake, you and Gao Yang are my new...no, biological parents!”

Qing Ling tamped down the urge to throw darts at his face. She turned away and looked out of the window.