Chapter 580: No News at All

I've left you all the money and such, remember to take good care of your younger siblings.

Oh right, this is the abnormal body I bought for you, remember to put it on.

Dad chattered on for a while, pulling out things one by one; Zhang Jie watched, wanting to speak several times but stopping himself.

It's not Dad, can you stop acting like you're leaving a will...?

You brat! Nonsense.... cough.... the truth.

Zhang Jie's father coughed twice, helplessly looking at his three offspring.

To be honest, this trip was basically a one-way mission; I don't know why your mom took on such a task.

But it's fine; if a few years ago I'd been worried that after your mom and I died, you'd have no one to look after you, now it's different—you've grown up.

But....!

Zhang Yan wanted to say something, but Dad waved his hand and cut him off.

It's fine; my wife and I share a cheap life—if we die, we die.

Besides, since we're already considered lowly lives, even if Heaven wants to take us, it won't be that easy!

Zhang Jie stayed in Bengbu; truly, his father's words are too crude....

The young man pondered whether he had the ability to offer his father even a bit of help.

It's obvious he seems unable to do anything now.

Wait, Dad, why not take some of my blood with you?

?

The man was initially confused by the proposal, but after thinking, his son's physique is so special—zero contamination from childhood—even staring at a lethal abnormality wouldn't be a big deal....

His blood.... would it be useful?

Forget it; even if it's useless, it's fine—just treat it as a good luck charm.

Fine! I'll just treat it as a good luck charm!

Dad moved quickly; in just over an hour, a small blood-vial pendant containing Zhang Jie's blood appeared around his neck, and following the shop owner's suggestion, he even made an identical one for Mom.

Does this really work....

Who can say for sure? It's all for luck; in my little pendant shop, many people make charms from family members' hair and such, and quite a few come back.

Then then then! Me too! My hair is long!!

Thus, two small blood vials wrapped in black hair appeared; Zhang Shuo contributed nothing, as he actually had nothing to offer.

Alright, that's it; I won't say more sentimental stuff, Dad—just remember to burn more paper money for me and Mom when the time comes.

Gazing at Dad's carefree back, Zhang Yan held back tears and shouted loudly at him.

Don't worry, Dad! We'll definitely burn paper for you! Lots of it! Burn a whole cart!!!

The man in the distance staggered, helplessly glanced back, then nonchalantly waved his hand.

In the following months, you received no news from your parents; that period was the most gloomy time for the family.

To be frank, no news is still better than receiving a death notice, though it's not much better.

However, although the atmosphere was gloomy, you didn't slack off—older brother's duty shifts increased, and older sister was preparing materials to become an operative of the Abnormal Bureau, after all she's also 15.

Although this world's roads seem myriad, in reality there are only two clearly distinct paths: the mundane and the extraordinary.

Just like in typical urban ability novels, when everyone turns eighteen they face a life crossroads, namely the 'extraordinary' crossroads.

The school will organize an assessment to test whether you have the 'talent' to become an Abnormal Bureau operative; everyone thinks this talent is some kind of ability, and that after the test they will 'awaken'.

But no one tells them that the so-called test subject is not an awakening ritual, but a meticulously planned 'psychological test', and the so-called 'talent' is merely a person's willpower.

Exactly, the pressure in this world's high schools is immense; superficially it's about learning knowledge, but actually it's to train willpower, focus, willpower, and values—all are criteria for whether one can enter the 'extraordinary' threshold.

However, there are also gifted individuals who can 'awaken' their willpower young, and late-blooming 'invincible' people; in short, this is not some dreamt-of awakening ritual.

Older sister, do Mom and Dad still have no news?

..... No.

The couple left a lot of property; although they always cry poor, supporting three people's food and drink doesn't exhaust it.

Then....

Don't ask about that, little brother; come keep me company while I figure out how to write this psychological test.

Having the topic forcibly changed, Zhang Jie wasn't annoyed; he knew that everyone's inner feelings were actually unpleasant.

At least, they still harbor hope that their parents will return.

"14 years old: a year has passed, news.... still none, no death notice, no definite information, but the outcome.... is likely more misfortune than fortune."

However, it's not that there's no good news; the higher-ups have already noticed the anomaly in this forbidden zone and begun organizing senior investigators to explore it, and if the opportunity arises, you might even get to see their... corpses.

What kind of good news is this!!

Zhang Yan, furious, smashed his phone on the ground—could the authorities really be this unreliable? People have been missing almost a year before they send anyone!

Failing to awaken willpower, and with parents still having no news, Zhang Yan's heart is near collapse; in this state, she's even less likely to awaken her willpower.

Zhang Jie frowned, not knowing what to say; the situation is worse than he imagined.

Little Yan.

At this moment, the older brother finally spoke; now he is the family's mainstay.

I'm about to be promoted to elite; when that happens, I'll personally go look for them.

Zhang Jie froze; he then realized his older brother had been an operative for nearly three years, and was no longer an ordinary staff member.

That martial arts manual... indeed gave him unimaginable strength.

Zhang Jie felt something; his vision shifted, and the next moment he stared wide-eyed in shock.

He could see the pollution in the air, discern the essence of some things, while his older brother's body currently had countless dancing black substances hanging from it.

But on his face, for some reason, there was a golden mask; he didn't understand or comprehend it, yet he could feel that his older brother.... is now very strong!

No way! You left... If you also go in! What will I and Xiao Jie do!

The one who reacted most strongly was Zhang Yan; if the older brother leaves, then she.... she will become even more devastated...

Don't worry about me...