Chapter 117

The testing lab.

This crucial facility within the Special Department housed the culmination of centuries of scientific endeavor. Its purpose: to provide advanced, user-friendly equipment.

Besides meditative cultivation, the Special Department's experts needed to regularly practice their unique skills. After all, practice makes perfect. Dealing with agile, malicious entities demanded quick reflexes.

One-Eyed Man, the Special Department's leader, appeared.

His presence drew attention, not for his looks, but because it was the first time anyone had seen him personally escorting two strangers—and a peculiar chicken—into the lab.

"The Chief brought strangers here? Could they be newly recruited experts?"

"Highly possible."

"He brought in the four veteran masters, too."

They whispered amongst themselves. The older man was undoubtedly powerful, and the younger one must be his apprentice. It wasn't that they underestimated the youth, but as young members themselves, they projected their own abilities onto him, assuming they were comparable.

Feigning casual passing, they tried to eavesdrop.

"So many people," Lin Fan remarked.

"So big! And so many strange things," Old Zhang added, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

One-Eyed Man observed the two, recalling Hao Ren's advice: communicating with the mentally ill wasn't about clarity, but simplicity, following their train of thought.

Honestly, it was challenging. He even considered hiring a specialist in communicating with the mentally ill for the department.

"Follow me," he instructed, leading them inside.

His priority was understanding their cultivation methods. Directly asking was futile, as demonstrated by…

"How do you cultivate?"

"Electro-shock therapy, Half-Step Cosmic Circulation, feeling nature."

See? Utterly nonsensical. Talking to a brick wall would yield similar results.

They reached a scanning device. The technician greeted One-Eyed Man respectfully. He believed this wasn't subservience, but respect for a champion of Yanhai City's safety.

"Prepare the machine. Scan them," One-Eyed Man ordered.

"Yes, sir," the technician replied.

One-Eyed Man watched Lin Fan and Old Zhang gaze around with childlike wonder. Anyone unaware of their situation would be completely fooled by their innocent expressions. Clear eyes, naive faces – the epitome of harmlessness.

But having personally experienced their "brilliance," he knew the danger they posed.

He was curious about Old Zhang's acupuncture, but more than that, he was apprehensive. Curiosity killed the cat, a lesson he'd learned the hard way. He constantly reminded himself not to re-open old wounds.

"Stand there. I'll give you a full check-up," he said, forcing a smile. He needed to win them over with kindness. Hao Ren, if present, would have nodded approvingly, albeit noting the slightly strained smile and unconvincing acting.

"I'm very healthy," Lin Fan declared.

"Be good. The check-up is for your own good. Look how hard the technician worked to start the machine. Don't let his efforts go to waste," One-Eyed Man coaxed.

Lin Fan considered the technician and agreed. He couldn't let the man's hard work be in vain. He approached the technician, extending a hand. "Hello, I'm Lin Fan. Thank you for your hard work."

His behavior was normal, friendly, and considerate.

The technician stared, bewildered. He'd encountered all sorts, but never this.

After a moment, he shook Lin Fan's hand. "Hello." The simple greeting betrayed his unease.

Lin Fan smiled and stepped into the machine, curiously examining the circular device.

"Give me the full data analysis," One-Eyed Man told the technician.

The technician nodded. The machine whirred to life, light bathing Lin Fan's body. He felt nothing, but found the process fascinating.

Special Department members gathered to observe. This auxiliary device measured various bodily indicators, compiling comprehensive data.

One-Eyed Man watched intently.

Soon, the technician returned with the data sheet. A cursory glance revealed nothing unusual. But the Chief wouldn't prioritize an ordinary young man. Perhaps he had hidden talents?

"Chief, the data is here."

"Good. Have him checked as well." One-Eyed Man took the file without immediately reviewing it, directing Old Zhang to be scanned next. He then glanced at the cowering demonic rooster, dismissing it as an insignificant pest he could crush at any moment. If not for the complicated communication with the two patients, he wouldn't tolerate a demonic entity within the Special Department.

The rooster felt his gaze and lowered its proud head, submitting to the stronger presence. It reminded itself that it was an inside agent, a hero in the eyes of its demonic brethren. Its current suffering was for their future victory.

Your gaze is full of disdain, but remember, one day my claws will be on your face, and I will look down at you with equal arrogance. This was the inner monologue of the egg-laying demonic rooster.

One-Eyed Man reviewed the data, his brow furrowing. Something was amiss.

"Impossible…"

The data showed Lin Fan as an average person. With anyone else, he wouldn't think twice. But he knew Lin Fan was no ordinary individual. He'd seen the videos, the strength displayed was far beyond human capabilities.

He looked up at Lin Fan, who offered a warm smile, which somehow felt sinister, like a villain in a horror film.

He continued reading, lost in thought. Something was wrong.

Old Zhang's data arrived, identical to Lin Fan's – completely normal.

Do I really need to try again? The thought filled him with dread. Have I grown complacent in my position, yearning for retirement? Or am I simply suicidal? He quickly dismissed the idea.

The scans were done, but he wasn't giving up.

"Come with me." He had a new plan.

The testing lab was vast, easily accommodating thousands. A running track was a standard feature.

"See this track? Can you run a thousand meters in a minute?" he asked.

"Running?" Lin Fan questioned.

"I don't enjoy exercise," Old Zhang replied.

They exchanged glances, then grinned. "But we can try."

One-Eyed Man, accustomed to their peculiar communication style, simply said, "Begin."

He intended to conduct a thorough assessment, determined to uncover their abilities. As the Special Department leader, not knowing his members' capabilities was a dereliction of duty.

He watched, arms crossed.

They started running. There was no burst of speed, just an ordinary, unremarkable pace.

Then, the unexpected happened. Old Zhang stumbled, apparently hurting his knee. "Lin Fan, I can't run anymore. I'm tired."

One-Eyed Man's eyelid twitched. Are you kidding me? Not even two hundred meters, and you're tired? Am I a fool for wasting time with them?

He didn't leave, continuing to observe.

"I'll carry you," Lin Fan said, crouching beside Old Zhang. "Don't worry, I won't abandon you."

A touching scene, enough to bring tears to one's eyes. One-Eyed Man's lips twitched. He muttered under his breath, "They'd be great in a drama." This scenario would attract a wave of fans.

The growing crowd made him uncomfortable. He'd brought them here; they needed to perform, to save face.

There was another test, but was it necessary? He was losing faith, confident only in the severity of their conditions.

Lin Fan helped Old Zhang to One-Eyed Man. "You seem unhappy. What's wrong? Tell us, and we'll try to help."

"Yes, we like helping others."

One-Eyed Man stared at them, his expression strange. Why am I unhappy? Do you really have no clue?

"You…"

Beep! Beep! A piercing alarm blared. Red lights flashed on the ceiling. This was the Special Department's emergency alert, reserved for high-level demonic entities.

One-Eyed Man's face hardened. He told them to stay put and hurried away, followed by most of the senior members. They knew what the alarm signified.

Lin Fan and Old Zhang stood there, puzzled. The bustling lab was suddenly deserted.

"They're all gone," Lin Fan observed.

"What about us?" Old Zhang asked.

Lin Fan, holding the chicken, pondered, then said calmly, "Let's go for a walk."

"Okay."

They left, chicken in tow.

At the exit, a massive barbell blocked their path. Its plates were the size of millstones, incredibly heavy. Even regular members struggled to lift it.

"They shouldn't leave things lying around. It's a hazard."

"They need to watch the evening news."

"This behavior shouldn't be encouraged."

Lin Fan picked up the barbell as if it were a plastic toy and moved it to a clear space. Effortlessly.

The technician who had administered the test was tidying up when he witnessed Lin Fan's feat. He froze, jaw agape, as if he'd seen a ghost.

After they left, he approached the massive barbell, feeling dwarfed by its immense plates.

He paused, then assumed a horse stance, gathering his qi. Grabbing the barbell, he strained, face reddening, and roared, "Up!"

Pfft! A rogue fart escaped. The barbell remained motionless.

"Impossible! The data showed they were ordinary. They lifted it, why can't I?"

He was not one to give up easily. He focused his qi again, using all his strength. Head raised, teeth gritted, veins bulging. His legs trembled with the effort.

Plop!

This wasn't a fart. It was wet. And sticky.

A distinct odor filled the air.

The technician gasped, clamping a hand over his backside and scurrying towards the restroom.

Damn! I crapped myself. Thankfully, no one noticed. He was mortified.

He was utterly confused. He knew the barbell's weight. It was designed for the strongest Buddhist monks, far beyond the capabilities of ordinary members.

And yet, those seemingly ordinary men had lifted it with ease.

Was the machine faulty? Or am I weaker than a normal person, reduced to the level of uselessness?

He pushed those thoughts aside. Cleaning himself up was the priority.

This day was far from pleasant, full of unpleasant surprises.