The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 923: Saint Leader

Southern Nanji District, six o’clock in the morning.

The sky was still dark, with only a hint of grayish blue on the horizon heralding the coming dawn.

The Ocean River Union's underground base entrance, once hidden in a forest, now lay in ruins after Chen Ying's bombing. The Heavenly Way had filled the resulting crater, but where trees once stood, only desolate land covered in snow remained.

Four figures stood amid the snow: Liao Liao, Hong Xiaoxiao, Chen Ying, and Heavenly Dog. A black jeep sped toward them, leaving clear tire tracks in its wake. As it stopped before them, a man flashed out—no door opening needed. His hair, now running down beyond his chin, framed a delicate, almost androgynous face. He wore a trench coat, his eyes deep and dark.

When Liao Liao and Gao Yang stood on opposing sides, Liao Liao had only felt fear and dread for the man; now that he became her companion and his story became known to her, Liao Liao felt melancholy, even sympathy for the man when she saw him—although she knew she was in no place to pity him. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

She collected her thoughts and reported concisely, “Captain, the Ocean River Union has moved.”

Gao Yang nodded. Her message had already informed him of this: Liao Liao's insects had scouted the underground base and found no one.

“I can’t be 100% certain, though,” Liao Liao said. “The insects have limited intelligence. They may have gotten fooled by an illusion.”

“Yes, we should make sure.” Gao Yang raised both hands.

Without prompting, Hong Xiaoxiao and Chen Ying stepped forward, each briefly clasping one of his hands.

Gao Yang turned to Liao Liao, who watched with confusion. What are they doing? Is this some corporate culture thing where they have to shake their leader's hands before moving out?

"Let me borrow your Intangibility."

Liao Liao blinked. "You're moving on your own?"

Gao Yang smiled. "Stay put here."

"Yeah!"

Liao Liao bounded forward, clutching Gao Yang's hand with both of hers. "Be careful, Captain!"

What kind of saint leader is this?! He personally goes on a dangerous mission and tells his subordinates to stay behind.

Seriously, I'm ready to cry here.

Armed with Hong Xiaoxiao's Invisibility, Chen Ying's Sensory, and Liao Liao's Intangibility, Gao Yang moved to the unnaturally flat patch of snow a hundred meters away. The metal door beneath his feet felt different from solid ground.

After confirming there was no immediate danger, he teleported through the metal door and plunged into the pitch-black elevator shaft—a five-hundred-meter drop.

Gao Yang plummeted at high speed, his hair and coat whipping in the wind. With a snap of his fingers, he conjured small fireballs that whooshed down the shaft in a spiral, like a ring of light gliding over a black band. They detected no danger.

Judging he'd fallen far enough, Gao Yang teleported to the shaft wall, his feet adhering to its surface. He walked down perpendicular to the wall with casual elegance, as if strolling on flat ground.

The elevator door soon came into view, marking the entrance to the underground base. Rather than immediately teleporting, Gao Yang employed level 6 Sensory from close range, ensuring no Blocking or other concealment had been applied to the base.

For three cautious minutes, he combed through the entire base with Sensory, confirming the union's complete departure. He had to wonder when they'd left.

Less than twenty-four hours after the fight at the Qingyang Bridge, Liao Liao had established an investigation team to watch the Ocean River Union. That meant they had abandoned this base even before then.

They must have left in a hurry. Perhaps they'd left behind some clues.

Gao Yang made his decision and teleported into the elevator. The door opened with a soft hiss. He stepped out into the open.

Before him stretched an empty, brightly-lit hall, wrapped in eerie silence. In its center lay a large pile of ash—the remains of materials and items they hadn't taken with them.

Having visited the Union's base several times before, Gao Yang knew its layout well. He extended his six senses and strode across the main hall, deepening his investigation.

One by one, he checked each area: the office wing, meeting rooms, living quarters, training area, intelligence department, back office, and specialized prison.

There was no one, and no clues or important items to be found.

Gao Yang frowned, a bad premonition settling over him. The Ocean River Union must have moved quietly, preparing for some hidden scheme.

His gaze lifted to the door at the corridor's end. There lay the last room to inspect: the morgue.

The cold metal door was locked, but no barrier or trap protected it. Gao Yang teleported inside.

The morgue was compact, its freezer-like chill maintained by still-running electricity. Amid the permeating cold stood dozens of refrigerated beds. All empty, save one in the corner. On it lay a body bag containing what looked like half a cadaver.

The sight hit Gao Yang like a physical blow. He stood frozen.

Ten seconds passed before his expression settled back into one of calmness. He approached the bed with measured steps, alert for danger.

Shrouded in translucent golden energy, he reached the body bag.

He zipped it down, revealing a girl's pale face.

Someone had cleaned the blood from her hair and face, restored and covered the burned and cut parts of her skin. Beyond her pallor, she looked just as she had in life.

Long black hair flowed softly over her shoulders, arranged with a rabbit hairpin. Her eyes were closed, her button nose still lovely. Her small, full lips had lost all color.

Chilling air continued to flow from above. Her eyelashes seemed to flutter, as if at any moment, she might open those bright, mischievous almond-shaped eyes. As if she might flash those sharp canine teeth with that cute, sweet face and deliver one of her cutting remarks.

“It's been a few days, Gao Yang. You've gone up in the world, it seems.”

“Oh, isn’t it Elder Seven Shadow? It’s only been a few days. How did you become such a loser already?”

“Oh, really? I can’t wait! Make sure to notify me when that happens. I’m attending the funeral banquet.”