Chapter 34 Zhong Ming_1

The following day, Huai Shi saw Liu Dongli at the hospital.

Although he still looked somewhat pale, he was moving without any problems and was able to be discharged after just over a week.

Even though Sublimators' physiques were much better than ordinary people's, to be this unreasonable was seriously abnormal, right?

He himself still hadn't fully recovered from the gunshot wound on his back, and here was Liu Dongli, shot twice and with one lung lobe blown to bits, almost fully recovered?

"What on earth did you take?" Huai Shi asked incredulously, "Weren't you still in the ICU a week ago?"

"Hm? What ICU?"

Liu Dongli looked at him confusedly: "Didn't Ai Qing tell you?"

With that, he fiddled with his eyeball, showing Huai Shi his right eye—in that instant, his pupil startlingly split into two.

Duplicated pupils!

It was the very same bizarre appearance Huai Shi had briefly seen in the church that day.

"Since we are so familiar, it doesn't matter if I tell you. My Stigma is called Zhong Ming, it's a rather obscure one within the Dongxia Genealogy."

Liu Dongli said: "It only slightly enhances vision and doesn't improve my constitution or have any other functions, but during the fusion, it takes a record of my body—like a data backup. If I get seriously injured, as long as I don't die on the spot and get timely rescue, I can gradually recover to my original state."

Huai Shi listened, stunned for a long time before he couldn't help sighing, "So the ICU was a lie too, right?"

"..."

Liu Dongli was taken aback for a moment, then his eyes filled with pity: "Although I don't understand what exactly Ai Qing told you, it seems you've been quite badly deceived by that woman."

Not to mention, you've even lost your car, friend!

Huai Shi averted his gaze.

"Ah, fortunately, I didn't end up with a physical disability this time, otherwise, with all those loans, just the cost of the Silver Blood Potion would have driven me to bankruptcy."

As he spoke, Liu Dongli casually asked: "By the way, where's my car? Didn't someone say they would drive it over?"

"...Uh."

Huai Shi's scalp tingled, and he shifted his gaze elsewhere: "I don't have a driver's license and can't drive, so how about I find someone to take your car for a tune-up and then drive it over to you?"

"Sure."

Liu Dongli nodded, not suspecting a thing, while Huai Shi internally fretted: If that flashy red Maserati turns into a Chery QQ after maintenance, Liu Dongli might hang himself from a tree.

They left the hospital without any further words.

But while hailing a cab, Liu Dongli, smoking a cigarette, suddenly said, "Oh right, about the Red Gloves matter, thank you."

"Hm?"

Huai Shi froze for a second, realizing he already knew and feeling a sinking feeling in his heart: "Oh... sorry, at that time…"

But Liu Dongli patted his shoulder, interrupting him: "So, don't worry about the car; I have insurance."

Huai Shi stood dumbfounded for a long time, touched, but he failed to notice Liu Dongli quietly turning away to wipe a bitter tear while he was moved.

Painful for the money.

If it weren't for his upcoming birthday and the multitude of presents from several rich women, he probably would have really coughed up blood this time.

"Forget it, let's not talk about that."

He waved his hand, flagged down a car, and invited Huai Shi: "Since I'm getting out today and if you feel bad about it, why not treat me to a meal?"

Although he professed to take a heavy toll on Huai Shi's wallet, he actually chose a light-tasting restaurant, casually ordering a couple of dishes. During the meal, Huai Shi also presented Liu Dongli with a carefully prepared discharge gift.

Liu Dongli observed the large box of hair regrowth kits with mixed feelings, biting back his comment.

Indeed, it would have been better to let that bastard die at the hands of the Red Gloves.

After the meal, as they chatted idly, Huai Shi asked, "Now that you've emerged from your troubles, what do you plan to do next?"

"Haven't thought about it yet, maybe take a flight next month and go out for a few days. I've been going stir-crazy, couldn't even leave Xinhai City while serving my sentence. I had to report my whereabouts to the Inspector every day."

As he spoke of the past, Liu Dongli looked haunted by his memories, "Now you've taken on my troubles; you really have jumped into the fire pit. Ai Qing is not an easy boss to work for.

Though you won't lack the necessary protection, and she won't cheat you out of your money, she also has a knack for driving your abilities to their limits. As long as it doesn't kill you, she will push you to the brink... Anyway, just be careful and look for an exit strategy when you can. The Astronomical Society may be a large organization, but their welfare doesn't extend to us lowly foot soldiers."

Huai Shi chuckled dryly, "Although Ai Qing is difficult to deal with, it can't possibly be that exaggerated, right?"

"I'm not sure what your history is with her, but the last person who thought that was her former superior, the previous Inspector of Xinhai City."

Liu Dongli sneered a few times: "Back then, your role as the Secretary was her position, and then a few months later, she got promoted. The poor sod who had the job before her is said to be still in Africa... All I can say is that she truly lives up to the Yin's family reputation. Once she has something on you, it's all over."

"The Yin's family?" Huai Shi blinked, his mind fogging a bit as something rang a bell.

"Forget it, let's not talk about that anymore."

Liu Dongli shook his head, unwilling to continue the subject, "Didn't you say during dinner that you wanted to find the nearby Sublimators' market? Let's pay the bill and head out."

Saying that, he finished his tea in one gulp and got up to head to the door.

He was deeply secretive about the slip of the tongue he had just made, and declined to say any more.

To Huai Shi's surprise, Xinhai, a small city with only seven or eight Sublimators, actually had a market dedicated to them.

And it was not far away, within walking distance.

"This place is more like a service branch; many items are out of stock and can only be ordered from Jinling. If you're not in a hurry, it's better to buy online. If you're in a rush here, the price will be a rip-off..."

As he spoke, Liu Dongli's expression seemed more and more grudging, clearly having been fleeced himself, "Comparing oneself to others will only make one frustrated, eh. We're all Sublimators, but the treatment isn't the same... The other guy is a B-grade protected talent by the Astronomical Society, gets a monthly stipend, and there I am, working as a Cowherd to serve my sentence, tsk..."

"Is he that impressive?"

"No, how should I put it, that guy's soul is quite peculiar, judged by the Astronomical Society as rare, and possibly useful at any time, so he signed a contract. The Astronomical Society guarantees his personal safety and peaceful life, with priority in evacuation and rescue in case of danger. But he must be ready to serve whenever the Society needs him, just like raising pigs. It's surprising that guy can tolerate it."

He paused, his expression turning serious, "Remember, after you go there, make absolutely sure that guy doesn't guess anything related to you, unless you want your life to suddenly turn into a complete mess."

Huai Shi was on guard, "Is it that dangerous?"

"No, dangerous isn't the word, to be precise, that guy is more of the comedic type," Liu Dongli covered his face, "but sometimes, it's the comedic ones that are the most deadly."

"Also, now that you have become a Sublimator, don't casually tell others about your ability, nor should you randomly inquire about others' abilities. Just like my ability, it's especially deadly once the weakness is known to others."

After carefully admonishing him, Liu Dongli then asked, "Since you've joined the Astronomical Society, have you had your soul evaluation?"

"Not yet," Huai Shi shook his head, "I'm going to Jinling next month, Ai Qing said she will take me to the branch for it then."

"Just muddle through it when the time comes, don't foolishly spill everything," Liu Dongli sighed, "I was too honest back in the day and paid the price. Better to be rated a bit weaker, rather than too strong. Stealthy development is the way to go, get it?"

"Sort of?"

Huai Shi half-understood.

Liu Dongli nodded in satisfaction and pointed to the door ahead.

They had arrived.

What was more unexpected was that the Sublimators' market located on a deserted street in the old district was actually disguised as a detective agency.

Judging by the sign that was half broken, it was clear that hardly anyone visited.

As they entered, there was a moldy smell in the room, seemingly long untouched, and a person was sitting at a desk with headphones on, engrossed in a video game.

"Hey, hey, hey, enough already!"

Liu Dongli kicked the chair, "Business is here, and you're still playing games?"

"Hold on, my teammates are AFK in the fountain, it's up to me to turn this game around!"

"You've already fed eight times, what are you going to turn around!" Liu Dongli kicked out the power plug and pointed at Huai Shi, "A client for you, my little bro. Be decent, alright?"

The gamer looked back, a middle-aged face with a scruffy beard, appearing older than his age, and stared at Huai Shi for a while.

"So young and already working as a Cowherd?"

Liu Dongli's face changed as though frightened, and he slapped the back of the man's head, "I told you not to make random guesses when you're idle. What if you guess something and cause trouble?"

"OKOK, what do you need?"

The man, not taking offense, got up reluctantly and gestured them to follow, "Everything is in the back."

"Just call this guy a detective, and when communicating with unfamiliar Sublimators, try to avoid revealing your real name. Find time to come up with a nickname for yourself."

Liu Dongli gave one last reminder and sat down on the sofa outside, "I'll wait here for you. Call me if you need help estimating the price."

Seeing that he had thoughtfully stayed outside, Huai Shi breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

Behind the room was another empty one, filled with cabinets and a computer, resembling the storeroom of a place, and also a huge safe.

"First time meeting, eh? Didn't think Xinhai had new Sublimators." The detective extended his hand, "What should I call you, young man?"

Following Old Liu's advice, Huai Shi didn't give his real name. Shaking hands, he showed a standard smile and introduced himself, "Little Peppa from Huahai Road."

"..."

The detective's expression twitched at the refreshingly unconventional codename, "Alright, this is a station for yesterday's express delivery; the regular stuff is all here. If there's something peculiar you need, I can order it online for you."

"No need, I'm not here to buy things."

Huai Shi waved his hand, leaned forward, opened his jacket zipper, and after making sure there was no one else around, he lowered his voice and asked:

"Bro, you looking for 'stuff'?"