Chapter 61: Outing the Cards

“This is to protect you.”

That hoarse voice said: “I don’t fully understand the specifics, only that it’s connected to the Starlight Group of extraterrestrial civilization, and seems tied to an evolutionary path originating from the stars.”

He hesitated, then said: “Actually, the Zizai Body series of combat techniques you practice—when traced upward—originates from that stellar evolutionary path, created by the founder of Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall based on it.”

“The founder of Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall?” Lin Qing realized.

He knew quite a bit about this great figure’s deeds: founding Chaoyang Martial Dao, establishing Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall, securing investment from the Starlight Group… and more.

His status was so high, he was regarded by countless people worldwide as a god.

“I understand.”

Lin Qing asked: “Is it only the original version of the Zizai Body technique that must be hidden, or are all other techniques forbidden too?”

That hoarse voice said: “All combat techniques promoted by Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall are the same. All four series of the Patrol System techniques involve the stellar evolutionary path.”

Lin Qing nodded slightly.

He was already accustomed to hiding his cards; once revealed, they were lethal.

Even if headquarters didn’t remind him, he would do the same.

“Though only the original technique draws attention, it’s better to start preparing early.”

That hoarse voice said: “Headquarters will also provide various cover stories for talents like you—such as genetic modification, mutation, or biological enhancement—to explain your strength.”

He said: “As for you, headquarters has prepared the explanation that your breakthrough is caused by ‘Class-A Evolutionary Radiation.’”

“Class-A Evolutionary Radiation?” Lin Qing asked, puzzled.

“It’s a plausible cover story. Not knowing it is normal—textbooks won’t mention it.”

The hoarse voice chuckled: “During the 2045 Apocalypse, various special evolutionary radiations appeared worldwide. Though nearly vanished now, some remnants remain. Class-A radiation is one of the more common types—it causes no bodily mutations, only a pure enhancement of physical limits, perfectly masking your condition.”

“2045?” Lin Qing raised an eyebrow slightly.

In his past life, the 2025 Apocalypse occurred due to a suspected global spread of some special energy field.

Global signals became utterly chaotic, and peculiar ‘storms’ ravaged everywhere; many died without apparent wounds, their brains simply ceasing activity.

Those who survived the ‘storms’ were as rare as phoenix feathers.

Fortunately, the ‘storms’ followed certain patterns; many escaped by constant relocation, surviving the Apocalypse.

Though he was one of the lucky survivors of the ‘storms,’ he only lived until 2033 and knew nothing of what came after.

Textbooks glossed over it, and online searches yielded no related data.

Now it seemed the Apocalypse had undergone a special change in 2045?

“Class-A Evolutionary Radiation?”

Lin Qing said: “I’ve never heard of it before.”

“That’s normal. To ordinary people, it’s a secret.”

The hoarse voice laughed: “Class-A Evolutionary Radiation only accelerates physical evolution. Before gene awakening, those exposed to Class-A radiation experience a doubling of their physical limits.”

He said: “Headquarters will soon revise your physical examination report, adding a note: ‘Suspected traces of Class-A radiation exposure.’”

Lin Qing pondered.

Doubling physical limits before gene awakening? If his physical limits doubled, even if he only mastered the techniques at the basic level, his strength wouldn’t be much weaker than now.

That level of strength would be enough to single-handedly crush that underground fighting arena.

Perfect for concealing his techniques.

“Even if you master the original Chaoyang training method, this explanation will suffice.”

That hoarse voice said: “That way, even if you use techniques at the instinctive level, others won’t know whether it’s due to the techniques or simply your superior physical condition.”

Lin Qing nodded slightly.

With official help covering his tracks, he could relax a little.

“Also…”

The hoarse voice added: “In your report on this operation, you mentioned that after killing the underground fighting arena’s director, you found a sun-shaped tattoo on Zhou Yang?”

“Yes.” Lin Qing nodded.

After killing Zhou Yang, he discovered this during the body search.

Earlier, after killing the two Blue Scarves members, he’d found the same tattoo—but he couldn’t mention that. “Headquarters’ advice on this is… be cautious.”

That hoarse voice said: “It’s the symbol of a secret organization called the Illuminati.”

Illuminati? Lin Qing memorized the name.

“Headquarters has long confirmed the Illuminati’s existence.”

The hoarse voice said: “But its members are scattered worldwide; the only common mark is a hidden sun-shaped tattoo. Only when they actively trigger it does the tattoo appear—otherwise, it only surfaces briefly right after death.”

Lin Qing nodded slightly.

Indeed—he’d found several Illuminati members exactly like that.

“In short, the Illuminati is powerful and suspected of ties to the Dark Star Society. You must be careful.”

The hoarse voice warned: “Since the Yuanhong Society is linked to the Illuminati, headquarters will pay closer attention.”

…

After learning the combat technique ‘Strength,’ Lin Qing left the secret room.

With three instinct-level Zizai Body techniques as a foundation, enhanced threefold, he would master the technique ‘Strength’ extremely quickly.

But his mind was turning over other thoughts.

Leaving aside the vast organization behind Yuanhong Society—the Illuminati, whose members span the globe—just the fact that Yuanhong Society could summon Chu Tianyao was dangerous enough.

His strength would enter a rapid surge over the next one or two months, but he had to survive this period.

Live directly at the branch?

Even then, he’d have to go out on missions—opportunities would inevitably arise.

“How should I prepare?”

As Lin Qing pondered his way back to the captain’s office, he glanced at Zhao Jia, sitting nearby, and suddenly had an idea.

“Jia Yi, let’s go talk somewhere?” Lin Qing suddenly said.

“Huh? Oh, okay.” Zhao Jia nodded, standing up.

“This office has no surveillance, but there are too many eyes. How about we talk at my place?” Lin Qing looked at her.

Zhao Jia’s blue eyes lit up immediately as she nodded: “Okay.”

…

Soon after, Lin Qing brought Zhao Jia back to his home.

After entering, he locked the door, drew the curtains, activated the signal jammer and noise-canceling mode, minimizing the risk of eavesdropping, then sat down on the sofa.

Lin Qing glanced at Zhao Jia, who looked somewhat flustered, and said: “Sit down.”

“Oh, okay.” Zhao Jia nodded and sat on the sofa opposite him.

“Zhao Jia.”

Lin Qing interlaced his fingers under his chin, stared at Zhao Jia, and after a long silence, spoke: “You’re a telepathic awakener, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Zhao Jia nodded lightly, then added: “I didn’t mean to hide it from you, it’s just…”

“No need to explain. I know. Telepathic awoken are so rare—there must be reasons.”

Lin Qing shook his head slightly: “I know everyone has secrets. If you’re not comfortable revealing yours, I won’t press. Today… I just want to understand your ability.”

Zhao Jia nodded: “I’ll answer what I can.”

“I heard telepathic awoken have strong perception?” Lin Qing asked.

“Yes.” Zhao Jia nodded. “If I actively release my telepathy to scan, I can detect everything within a five-hundred-meter radius around me. Even when I suppress it, my intuition—or sixth sense—remains sharp.”

“Five hundred meters?”

Lin Qing raised an eyebrow slightly, thinking: “On your first day at the branch, didn’t you use your telepathy to see me before entering the office?”

“Yes.” Zhao Jia said awkwardly: “I was just casually scanning through the door.”

Lin Qing shook his head: “Then you noticed me using the technique ‘Agility’ to pick up orange peels?”

(End of chapter)