142: Diverting attention, special equipment, and the vicissitudes of life

Listening to tunes and singing songs, they hit the gas and arrived at Lian Yin Pavilion.

Shi Sheng, waving his hand amidst calls of “Welcome,” led Yang Dian into the foot massage parlor named Lian Yin Pavilion.

When two technicians pushed open the door and entered, both men stood up simultaneously and pointed at the clock-in device:

“Something came up suddenly, we need to step out for a bit.”

“When the time is up, just add more time yourselves; there’s plenty of money on the card.”

“You two just stay in the room, don’t go anywhere, just wait in the room for us to come back.”

“If you’re not here when we return…”

The technician named Tang Tang covered her mouth and chuckled:

“How could we not do something that lets us earn money while lying down?”

“Brother Shi, you and this boss go ahead and take care of your business. Nono and I will wait for you in the room, we won’t go anywhere.”

With that, she even pulled out her phone and, pulling the tall, long-haired girl named Nono, who seemed a bit shy, started playing Timi.

Yang Dian and Shi Sheng exchanged glances, then walked out the back door of the foot massage parlor, getting into his Cadillac.

After pulling up the car window sunshade and lowering the sun visor, Shi Sheng looked at Yang Dian again:

“No problem, right?”

Yang Dian adjusted the rearview mirror, and only after seeing a large, leafy tree in it did he nod:

“No problem.”

“Romu, that Night Owl, is still watching the Lian Yin Pavilion entrance from the treetop.”

After speaking, Yang Dian looked at the car’s interior again:

“But then again, Brother Shi, this Cadillac of yours doesn’t seem to be the same one as last time, does it?”

Shi Sheng chuckled “hehe,” and held up his fingers in a ‘V’ sign.

“I have five Cadillacs like this.”

“You have five, so what does pointing two fingers mean?”

“It means come every day when you have time, and add two more hours each time.”

“Six!”

...They chatted in the car for a while longer.

When Shi Sheng felt enough time had passed, he picked up his phone, composed a message, then pressed the accelerator, heading straight for the Special Administration Bureau.

“The Deputy Director sent from above has brought two types of equipment that can disrupt space and prevent Awakened with spatial abilities from traversing space.”

“One is a disposable item that can cover a hundred-meter radius, but its duration is only 3 minutes.”

“The other is similar to handcuffs; once cuffed, a spatial ability user is basically incapacitated.”

“We’ll go to her first to get the equipment.”

Yang Dian, typing on his keyboard, was a bit curious:

“There’s equipment like that?”

“Why wouldn’t there be?” Shi Sheng shrugged:

“All things have their counterparts.”

“If humans and animals can Awaken abilities, and unique items containing special powers can be born between heaven and earth, then why can’t there be Ore that can nullify transcendent energy?”

“We have already discovered 7 special Ore veins within the borders of Huaxia.”

“The Ore produced from these veins, after refining, can nullify fire, ice, space, and wind attributes respectively.”

“Once cuffed by handcuffs made from special Ore from these veins, the corresponding energy Awakened basically become ordinary people.”

Yang Dian switched screens, entered the information database, and searched.

Hey, there really was related information.

It was just that there was too much information about the transcendent, and he had been single-mindedly focused on his cultivation, so he hadn’t noticed this information before.

“Basically?” He slid his phone screen while chatting with Shi Sheng:

“So they don’t completely turn into ordinary people?”

“Of course not.” Shi Sheng nodded:

“No matter what, an Awakened’s body has been nourished by energy.”

“Although they can’t compare to a Martial Artist with Qi Circulation Throughout the Body, they are still much stronger than ordinary people.”

Yang Dian mused thoughtfully:

“According to that, being a Martial Artist is still better; the great power belongs to oneself, unafraid of being countered by external objects.”

Shi Sheng, however, had a different idea:

“What you say makes sense, but you also have to consider, can ordinary people practice martial arts?”

“Without talent, without perseverance, without persistence, without resources, even sensing Qi and blood is difficult.”

“After the second Spiritual Qi outbreak, the probability of Awakening increased significantly. Ordinary people might as well gamble on that Awakening probability.”

Yang Dian was noncommittal:

“Without seeing the benefits of practicing martial arts, ordinary people naturally can’t make up their minds to practice.”

“But if practicing martial arts were linked to middle school and college entrance exam scores, and the golden Dao of a Martial Artist’s future prospects were described…”

“I truly don’t believe the number of successful Martial Artists would be less than the number of Awakened…”

...Amidst their back-and-forth conversation, the Cadillac had already driven into the Special Administration Bureau.

The two got out of the car and headed straight for the second floor of the Special Administration Bureau.

What surprised Yang Dian was that he encountered several female Policemen on the way, but their attitude towards him had completely changed.

They greeted him.

But it was just a simple nod of acknowledgment, like ordinary colleagues meeting, appearing somewhat cold, without the usual enthusiasm.

Shi Sheng, noticing the surprise in Yang Dian’s eyes, couldn’t help but smile:

“What, are you a bit disappointed that people aren’t chasing you anymore?”

Yang Dian shook his head:

“Not at all.”

“To be honest, on the high-speed train back from Chengdu, nine women, each with their own unique charm, followed me all the way.”

“If I had agreed, they would have rushed over with just a wave of my hand.”

“It’s just that my will is as firm as steel, unmoved by beauty, and I held my bottom line!”

Meeting Shi Sheng’s laughing gaze, Yang Dian’s tone shifted:

“I’m just curious why their change before and after is so great.”

“Before, they were completely enthusiastic towards me.”

“But it’s only been a little over a week since I left, how can it feel like people have left and the tea has gone cold, turning into this cold demeanor?”

“What else could it be? Isn’t it just that they have more choices?” Shi Sheng pointed to their Team Seven office:

“With the second wave of Spiritual Qi tides, not only have abnormal incidents increased, but the probability of ordinary people Awakening has also grown.”

“In just these few days, we’ve discovered a total of 16 Awakened.”

“Among them, 7 are male and 9 are female. Among the males, 3 are of marriageable age and unmarried.”

“You’re like a stone in an outhouse, stinky and hard, impossible to warm up no matter how much you try.”

“Now that others have new targets, of course they’ve gone after them.”

Yang Dian suddenly understood:

“So that’s how it is.”

“It seems the free breakfasts are gone for good.”

“Everyone’s gone, and you’re still thinking about those few meals, kid?”

...Chatting and laughing, they arrived outside an office door with a sign that read [Director of Information Department].

Shi Sheng knocked, and a crisp “Please come in” came from inside.

Pushing the door open, a female Special Administration Bureau agent, dressed in a Special Administration Bureau uniform, appearing around forty years old but still standing tall and straight, looking heroic and valiant, appeared in Yang Dian’s sight.

“Sister Wu, I’m here to get the equipment.”

Wu Li pushed the box on the table:

“It’s in the box.”

“Do you really not need support from the Bureau?”

“Or should I go with you?”

Shi Sheng put his arm around Yang Dian:

“My brother, Yang Dian, just returned from the front lines in Chengdu.”

“With him taking action, it’ll be a piece of cake.”