Chapter 318: Research Has Made Progress

Ying Duo stared at the TV screen expressionlessly, his game controller clicking pa‑pa, while the pixelated character on the screen leapt up and down through a level full of traps and monsters, moving so swiftly it almost left afterimages.

"Left! There's a trap on the left!"

Qi Hengyu let out a roar, but the character he controlled crashed straight into a rolling boulder, and his health dropped by a third in an instant.

Ying Duo said nothing, merely gave him a calmly steady glance.

That look was more lethal than any mockery.

"........ What do you mean?" Qi Hengyu's mouth twitched.

"Nothing." Ying Duo withdrew his gaze, pressed the controller in quick succession, and precisely jumped over three consecutive pits.

"I just think your skill level as a teammate is worrisome."

"You!"

"Playing games is not the same as real combat!" Qi Hengyu stuck his neck out to argue, "In real combat I can rely on reaction and strength, but this crappy game only lets me press a few buttons."

Ying Duo gave no reply, just glanced at him again.

That glance meant: Oh, so what?

If you're bad, practice more; don't play if you can't afford to lose.

Qi Hengyu felt his blood pressure soaring.

Next to them, Shen Zexi couldn't help but laugh, while steering his character to follow behind Ying Duo, collecting dropped items, and soothing the tension with a gentle voice.

"Alright, alright, Qi Hengyu is just new to this genre; a bit more practice and he'll be fine. Ying Duo, have you played it before?"

"Hmm."

Ying Duo answered succinctly, his hands moving no slower, "I've been bored with this side‑scrolling run‑and‑jump style for ten years."

Qi Hengyu: "....... Then why are you still so enthusiastic?"

Ying Duo: "Because having teammates who hold me back adds challenge."

Qi Hengyu: "......."

"Shen Zexi, don't block me; today I must show him what physical transcendence is."

Shen Zexi hurriedly stretched a hand to stand between them, a helpless smile on his face.

"Alright, alright, if Ying Duo pulls out a bomb later, wouldn't you get blown up?"

Qi Hengyu choked a little, reluctantly sitting back down.

The three continued to push through the level.

Ying Duo handled damage and scouting, Qi Hengyu took hits with his face, and Shen Zexi provided healing, status removal, and desperate clutch saves from the rear.

"....... Why is your hand speed so slow?" Ying Duo didn't turn his head, simply switched his attack target.

Shen Zexi paused his actions, "I'm a mage."

"It has nothing to do with Aberrant Arts," Ying Duo said evenly, "it's just slow."

Shen Zexi: "......."

Qi Hengyu finally seized the chance, gloating gleefully.

"Hahaha, you got scolded by this kid too!"

Shen Zexi shook his head helplessly, but didn't get angry.

He knew Ying Duo's way of speaking was like that—no malice, just stating facts, though those "facts" often gave people a heart attack.

Halfway through the game, a knock sounded from outside the door.

"Mr. Shen, someone is looking for you," the guard's voice came through the door panel, respectful.

Although the few of them were detained here as suspects, they were still the family head's classmates.

Shen Zexi set the controller down; the Chen Family was currently under martial law, so few could come in to see him.

He stood up and brushed his coat.

"You keep playing, I'll step out for a moment."

Ying Duo and Qi Hengyu's attention remained on the screen, they replied casually.

Shen Zexi pushed the door open and saw Min Tianyou waving at him.

"Is there any progress on the investigation?" Shen Zexi asked bluntly.

Min Tianyou shook his head, "The Invader's methods are sophisticated; so far I haven't found any breach in the Chen Family's barrier."

"The news came from Mitra Academy, about Ying Duo... about the Mutation Source on his head."

Shen Zexi's expression tightened slightly.

"The Academy's research institute has made progress," Min Tianyou said evenly, "they hope Ying Duo can go to the lab for a checkup; after assessing the situation, they may consider a conservative treatment first."

Shen Zexi was silent for a few seconds, his peripheral gaze flicking toward the Chen Family guards stationed nearby.

"Has the Supervision Bureau not dispatched any personnel yet?"

Min Tianyou shook his head.

"First, a serious offender escaped, so most of the Supervision Bureau's forces were sent to chase and seal off. Around noon today, another Aberrant Species sighting was discovered in Tianmian City, and the freshly recalled troops were reassigned there."

He didn't continue, but Shen Zexi understood.

The Supervision Bureau was completely unable to spare manpower.

"Meng Kexin and Chen Mo Zhi are already negotiating with the steward."

Min Tianyou told Shen Zexi not to worry too much; at least Meng Kexin and Chen Mo Zhi are fully on their side, though Min Tianyou himself didn't know how these people had built such trust in such a short time.

"If it's just moving Ying Duo from the Chen Family to the Academy's research institute, the steward should relent, since Ying Duo is still a guest of the Chen Family for now."

He paused, his light-colored eyes narrowing slightly.

"But, Shen classmate, there's something I must clarify in advance."

His voice softened, clearly more solemn than before.

"If Ying Duo encounters any mishap during this process," he stared at Shen Zexi, "everyone who guaranteed Ying Duo will be held accountable."

He didn't specify what "accountable" meant; Chen Mo Zhi, although now the acting head of the Chen Family, actually holds little real power.

In other words, if Ying Duo has any accident, the Chen Family will hold Shen Zexi and his group accountable.

Shen Zexi did not answer immediately.

The air fell silent for a few seconds; the Chen Family's courtyard was exquisitely designed, and in the distance a low hum of the city's workings could be heard faintly.

Then Shen Zexi gave a light smile.

The smile was faint, not forced, just a strange calm.

"Understood," he said.

"If anything goes wrong, we'll take responsibility."

Min Tianyou said nothing more, only gave a slight nod, then turned and left.

"Then I'll go inform the steward."

Shen Zexi stood in place for a moment, then turned and strode back to the guest room.

The door swung open; inside, a fierce battle was in full swing.

Qi Hengyu was swearing at the screen, while Ying Duo, with a calm face, dealt damage, and the two characters had already progressed to the final BOSS.

"Shen Zexi, you're back," Qi Hengyu said without turning his head, "Come quickly, we can't beat this BOSS!"

Shen Zexi walked over, but didn't pick up the controller.

He looked at Ying Duo, at the still vivid Ying Guang Lu that shone under the screen's myriad special‑effect lights.

"Ying Duo, the Academy sent word that there's new progress on the research of the Mutation Source on your head, and they need you to return for a check."

Ying Duo's fingers paused.

The avatar on the screen, having lost control, was swatted away by the BOSS's claw.

He didn't mind, turned his head toward Shen Zexi.

"........ Now?"

"Now."

Shen Zexi nodded, "The Chen Family will arrange an escort; we'll go with you."