The capital of Shenzhou, the heart of the nation’s power and resources, was home to architecture that often felt heavy enough to stifle the breath. Within a restricted zone in the central district, the headquarters of SPACO stood like a silent, bluish-gray beast, guarding the core secrets of the country.
Inside the top-floor study, which was decorated in a classical yet cold style, the light was somewhat dim. Thick leather dossiers were stacked on the bookshelves, and the air carried a faint scent of ink and sandalwood. The dull tick-tock of an old-fashioned wall clock was the only sound in the room.
Luo Changhe sat behind a wide mahogany desk, a pair of silver-rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. Those hands, which had once torn through countless Heterosequence monsters in the wilderness, were now steadily flipping through a thick document.
On the cover of the document, the words “National Punisher Academy League” reflected the cold light of the lamp.
Knock, knock.
The rhythm of the knocking was precise—three light taps followed by one heavy one. This was a unique habit of his secretary, who had followed him for many years.
“Enter.” Luo Changhe didn't look up. His voice was as steady as deep water in an ancient pool, carrying the natural aura of authority of a man in power.
The man who pushed the door open was his secretary. He looked like a sharp, capable young man, but he only looked young; in reality, he was already forty years old, a middle-aged man through and through.
He walked quickly to the desk, bowed slightly, and handed over a list. “Director, the list of participants from the Yuanxing City Punisher Academy for the league has been submitted. After final verification… Luo Yang’s name was not found on it.”
The finger Luo Changhe used to flip the page paused for a moment. He took off his glasses, rubbed his throbbing temples, and a trace of helplessness flashed in his deep eyes.
Then, he gave a self-deprecating laugh. “It seems that brat is determined to avoid home. He’d rather stay in a small place like Yuanxing City than return to the capital to show his face. What, does he think this place is too crowded to accommodate his little crazy streak?”
“Director, Luo Yang’s file was personally reinforced by His Excellency Luo Xingbang. It is under the highest level of red encryption. Our people find it difficult to conduct a deep investigation without alerting someone with his level of authority.”
The secretary lowered his voice, his expression somewhat troubled. “However, according to feedback from the eyes we’ve placed in Jiangnan Province, he is indeed still in Yuanxing City and has been consistently active on the front lines of clearing missions.”
Luo Changhe put his glasses back on, his expression returning to its usual coldness. He stood up, walked to the bookshelf, and let his fingertips glide across the rows of dossiers representing his achievements.
“Even though my father is an old stubborn man with high authority, he can’t cover the entire sky in this game of Shenzhou by himself. He wants to protect this fledgling eagle and keep him away from the vortex of the capital. I understand his intentions. Since that’s the case, as his son, it wouldn’t be right for me to go against his wishes.”
Luo Changhe paused, his tone becoming profound.
“For now, continue to let that brat roam free. As long as he doesn’t poke a hole in the sky over Yuanxing City, let him be. If anything happens to him, report it to me immediately.”
The secretary nodded and then continued his report. “There is one more thing. Luo Yang has been frequently entering and leaving the Yuanxing City Punisher Association today. According to the news sent back, he seems to be seeking the auxiliary materials needed to break through to the Clear Heart rank.”
The originally calm look in Luo Changhe’s eyes suddenly rippled with intense emotion. He turned around abruptly, his expression becoming serious and sharp.
For a Punisher, every breakthrough into a major realm was like forging iron. If the primer was poor, the blade would never become a divine weapon in its entire life.
“He’s going to break through to the Clear Heart rank? How old is he to have reached this level?”
The secretary was startled by his reaction and took a moment to confirm in his mind before answering, “He… should be eighteen this year.”
Luo Changhe pondered for a moment, his voice low and decisive. “Give the president of the Yuanxing City Association a call. Tell them to put the best things they can possibly provide on the table for him.”
At this point, Luo Changhe stopped and added, “The cost will be fully covered by the Luo family, through a private account. As for whether that kid knows it’s the Luo family’s doing, it doesn’t matter. What if he finds out? I am his own father.”
“Understood. I’ll see to it right away.” The secretary took the order and retreated swiftly.
Luo Changhe sat back in his chair, looking out at the rolling silhouette of the capital through the window.
He knew his son very well. On the surface, he seemed absurd, even a bit crazy, but in reality, he was prouder than anyone.
“A fledgling eagle always wants to fly further. As his father, I have to at least place a soft cushion underneath him.”
He murmured softly, his gaze gradually becoming as unfathomable as an old lion’s. “But it’s coming soon. Once the league begins and the winds of change gather, I’m afraid you won’t be able to stay hidden any longer.”
...
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Yuanxing City.
The afternoon sun was still scorching, and a faint scent of asphalt filled the air.
Luo Yang, wearing a pair of clean white casual shoes and with his hands in his pockets, slowly strolled through the doors of the Punisher Association. His slightly messy black hair looked somewhat flamboyant in the sunlight, and a faint, casual smile played on the corners of his mouth.
However, as soon as he stepped into the hall, he felt an unusual atmosphere.
The staff members, who usually treated him with a mix of politeness and fear, now looked exceptionally uneasy when they saw him. Their eyes even held a strange, careful reverence.
“Expert Luo, you’ve arrived.” A middle-aged manager in the association uniform walked over quickly, fine beads of sweat on his forehead. He offered a smile before even getting close.
“Where’s the stuff I wanted?” Luo Yang gave a smile.
“My deepest apologies, Expert Luo.” The manager wiped his sweat, bowing even lower. “Regarding the gene potion you requested, due to a temporary provincial reallocation of materials, it is being replaced with a higher-quality new product. To ensure everything is perfect, we will perform high-precision energy measurement and purification again. I’m afraid I must trouble you to come back after five o’clock this afternoon to pick up the goods.”
Luo Yang narrowed his eyes slightly and habitually tilted his head. This “material reallocation” excuse wasn’t new in the association’s system, but for such treatment to appear at this critical juncture, he couldn't help but feel there was something fishy going on.
He sized the man up suspiciously, making him feel a chill down his spine. However, thinking that his breakthrough was imminent and that he did indeed need a higher-quality primer, he didn't press the matter further.
“Five o’clock, right?” Luo Yang curled his lip and glanced at the clock in the hall. It was only just past three.
“Fine, I’ll come back this afternoon then.” He gave a casual reply and turned to walk out.
Stepping out of the association building, the rolling heat waves made him feel a bit irritable. His current state was at the critical point before a breakthrough. The blood energy within him filled his body, as if something was trying to break through the soil.
Punishers needed to use a large amount of combat to pressure their spirit and squeeze their blood energy. Only after the purity, structure, and total volume of the blood energy were strengthened step by step to reach the critical point could they break through to the next major rank.
With every major rank passed, the blood and the spirit sea within a Punisher would undergo a transformation, being elevated to a higher tier of existence to accommodate more and more refined blood energy and mental power.
It was like an experience bar in a game. Once it was full, one leveled up, it reset to zero, and the experience needed for the next level would begin to accumulate again.
“Tsk, it’s frustratingly restless.” Luo Yang talked to himself as he turned a corner into a cafe that looked elegantly decorated with a bit of a bourgeois feel.
There weren't many people in the shop. As Luo Yang pushed the door open, the wind chimes hanging on the doorframe made a crisp sound that felt particularly abrupt in the quiet afternoon.
As he was looking for a seat, he saw a very familiar figure sitting in a secluded spot by the window.
“Lin Ze?”
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