Chapter 117: Complex

Because of his experiences since childhood, Chen Mu has rich experience with injuries; he knows exactly how to deal with pain and how to keep fighting while in pain.

He slowly rose, putting all his weight on his uninjured leg, trying hard to appear unaffected.

Probably no fracture, but a large bruise is certain.

Chen Mu eased the pain with deep breaths while paying close attention to Zhaotong's movements.

He wasn't sure whether the other would keep his promise.

From Zhaotong's demeanor, this person's strength seemed above Yangbu'an's, and he still looked calm and composed.

He Ying also noticed, moving silently to Chen Mu's side while keeping her eyes fixed on Zhaotong.

Yangbu'an seemed momentarily stunned; he struggled to sit up, looking at the handcuffs on his hands and feet, and asked in surprise, "Can you tell me what ability this is?"

"No." Chen Mu replied bluntly.

"Petty! I already told you." Yangbu'an flushed red, full of indignation.

Chen Mu wanted to say that was your fault, but honestly, someone like Yangbu'an is hard to truly dislike.

"I'm not trying to be the man who's the strongest Special Ability user, so there's no need to tell everyone."

"That… actually makes sense, after all I have lofty ambitions." Thinking this, Yangbu'an's mood improved, and he laughed, "You being able to beat me proves you're strong; once I become the strongest Special Ability user, this record will let you brag for life."

"Then I thank you first." Chen Mu said sincerely.

"Ha, you're welcome."

"If so, can we leave?"

As Chen Mu said that, he glanced again at Zhaotong beside him.

Zhaotong looked at the bound Yangbu'an on the ground, then at Chen Mu, and glanced at He Ying, then smiled, "Of course, I keep my word, please."

Chen Mu didn't dare be careless, backing away while keeping his eyes on the two; only after going far did he bring He Ying and rush out quickly.

Yangbu'an watched them leave all the way, sighing, "What a lucky guy, to have met me this early."

Only after their figures disappeared under the door crack did he suddenly realize a problem: "Hey! Wait, unlock my handcuffs."

But there was no trace of Chen Mu.

Because he feared Yangbu'an's ability, when Chen Mu bound him he wrapped his whole hand in stainless steel, now looking like a robot cat's paw.

"Senior, what should we do?"

Zhaotong crouched, inspected the bonds on Yangbu'an, and found they were completely shaped on the spot, with no gap, so there was no way to pry them open.

"Looks like we can only wait until we get back to talk about it."

"Am I supposed to go back like this?"

"What's wrong, does it hurt?"

It's clear Zhaotong still cares about Yangbu'an.

"It doesn't hurt; aside from restricting movement, it's fine—feels like wearing a glove, actually pretty comfortable."

"That's not bad; when we get back we'll find someone to remove it—I remember someone at the camp can soften objects, and have him help you."

"But I can't walk either." Yangbu'an pointed to his bound feet.

Zhaotong thought, then smiled, "Just wait for the next transport crew; they can put you on a tray and bring you back."

"This… is so embarrassing; my former handsome image is completely ruined, isn't it?"

"What do you suggest we do?" Zhaotong thought, "Your image is already gone; what's there to ruin?"

While the two were discussing,

they heard a clanging sound outside—evidently the next transport squad had arrived.

Among this batch were two people they hadn't expected.

Song Yu still looked dashing; seeing the embarrassed, immobile Yangbu'an, he chuckled, "Little Yang, what happened to you?"

"Senior… Senior Song, how did you come here?"

"The organization assigned me an important task, and told me to bring you along on the way."

"What matter requires Senior Song to personally intervene?" Yangbu'an, perhaps not wanting attention on his sorry state, tried hard to change the subject.

"About Yi Zhong, we'll talk later on the road." Song Yu then turned and said, "Zhaotong should come with us too."

"Okay." Zhaotong nodded.

"By the way, I haven't said yet—Little Yang, what's wrong with you? A peculiar fetish?"

"Don't mention it—I ran into an expert."

"Oh?"

Song Yu felt some doubt, then looked at Zhaotong.

Zhaotong gave a rough rundown of what happened.

"One man and one woman?"

"Yeah."

"Do you know them?"

"They were wearing helmets, so I couldn't see their faces." Zhaotong said, "But if I'm not mistaken, the woman should be He Ying."

As fellow seniors, Zhaotong was obviously not the quiet type like Chen Mu or Wei Dalei; even with the helmet, one could tell He Ying by her build and movements.

"He Ying?" Song Yu was visibly startled.

"Yeah, but I didn't expose them."

"What about the man?" Song Yu asked again.

"I don't know him."

"Describe his appearance for me."

Zhaotong carefully described his build and appearance, then gave a detailed account of what had happened before.

Song Yu listened, nodded slightly: "This person's name is Chen Mu."

"Chen Mu? Never heard of him."

"Actually, when I led the team out a while ago, I encountered He Ying; her ability is to reduce her own weight, and combined with her innate athletic talent, she has great potential in combat."

Failing to recruit He Ying was, in Song Yu's view, a great regret; thus after returning he didn't mention it to anyone, and the few companions with him dared not speak up—especially since Song Yu holds a high position in Qingbei, so he need not report every detail.

"But this time, she didn't make a move," Zhaotong said.

Song Yu nodded: "That Chen Mu, whom we also met that time, was with He Ying, but I know nothing specific about him—what do you think?"

"Being able to defeat Yangbu'an, his strength is indeed formidable."

"Can you tell what his ability is?" Song Yu asked.

After a moment's thought, Zhaotong shook his head: "Hard to confirm; in battle he can suddenly produce a shield, and the metal shackles on Yangbu'an's hands and feet are also his handiwork."

Song Yu also crouched down to examine it, then stood up again and said: "Perhaps it's a kind of metal plasticity ability."

"If we also consider their two helmets, it's likely not just metal."

"Plasticity for all objects?" Song Yu murmured.

"If that's really the case, then it's not very promising in combat either," Zhaotong said.

"Hard to say; this person is a bit hard to describe, but if I had to put it…" Song Yu hesitated for a while before finding the words: "It's very complicated."

"Complicated?" Zhaotong blinked.

"In any case, if we meet again, let's try to avoid conflict."