Chapter 416: Heavenbreaker Meeting 2
“Yeah.” Officer Huang put away his phone and sat back down. “It’s very similar to the symbol of the Godbearer Cult, the ouroboros. It is likely the earlier iteration of the Cult’s symbol.”
The others sat down too and started discussing among themselves.
A minute later, when the others had quieted, Officer Huang said, “The second thing Mischievous Monkey recalled is a black and white television on the desk of one of the researchers. It was always playing a silent film. Since the screen was facing right at Mischievous Monkey’s growth tank, he remembers it well.”
Heavenly Dog added lazily, “We spent days watching silent films with Mischievous Monkey and finally found the movie he was talking about, Mr. Chaplin’s Modern Times.”
“About seventy years ago, a black-and-white TV showing Mr. Chaplin’s silent film...” Lithe Snake crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes slightly. “Ha, it was in the West Nation.”
Gao Yang thought back to the information on the Mist World. Indeed, the West Nation was the only place that fit the description.
West Nation was the second largest isolated island in the Mist World with an expansive fictional land, when in truth the area of activity was no bigger than ten thousand square kilometers, and the population, consisting mostly of wanderers and elite monsters, amounted to more than five hundred thousand.
There were awakeners in the West Nation too, but very few; they were either killed, or had moved out to join the three major organizations in Li City.
“We believe it was the West Nation too.” Officer Huang nodded. “We have a tentative hypothesis: seventy years ago, while Mischievous Monkey was an infant, he became the Godbearer Cult’s test subject. The Cult conducted some sort of experiment on him—perhaps he was cloned, or a wanderer infant identical to him was created.”
“Then the ‘twins’ were sent to a family of wanderers in Li City to be raised, until nine years ago, Mischievous Monkey awakened and realized that his brother was a wanderer, thus beginning his pursuit of the truth.”
“Why would the Cult do that?” Nine Frost asked in a low voice. “What’s their goal?”
“Maybe they’re just bored,” Gray Bear joked. It wasn’t really meant to be funny.
“We don’t know.” Officer Huang’s gaze turned serious. “Monsters don’t have proper reproductive systems. How do they procreate, and where did humans come from? Perhaps we’ll find the answer to the questions that have been plaguing us from Mischievous Monkey.”
And perhaps it’ll explain how my wife got pregnant.
Officer Huang didn’t voice that thought.
“That’s all we have.” He turned to Gao Yang.
The others fell silent.
Gao Yang thought for thirty seconds, coming to a rough plan.
He turned to Officer Huang. “Yellow Ox, compile the information from Mischievous Monkey and hand it to Chen Ying.”
Officer Huang nodded.
Gao Yang continued, “Chen Ying, send intelligence agents to the West Nation to investigate. Since the Godbearer Cult had a lab in the West Nation seventy years ago, there should be much to be found. The Cult may even still be hiding there.”
“Remember, don’t venture into the tiger den yourselves. Just gather information, even indirect information. Leave the rest to the team.”
“Got it.” Chen Ying nodded.
He asked with a smile, “Didn’t you ask me out?”
Qing Ling paused. Right. Her sister had asked Gao Yang to have hot pot with her.
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“Let’s go somewhere nearby. I just entered the school and don’t know a lot about Degenerate Street. Do you have a recommendation?”
“I’ll ask her.” Qing Ling closed her eyes. About thirty seconds later, she opened them. “Don’t Stop Drinking.”
It seemed that the sisters had discussed the matter thoroughly.
“A hot pot place?”
Qing Ling nodded. “Yes.”
“Do we go now, or later?”
Qing Ling closed her eyes again. This time, it only took her two seconds. “Now.”
Huh, they’re quick to reach a decision this time.
...
Ten minutes later, the two of them left Borderrunners. The night had already fallen, and Degenerate Street was packed full of college students looking for food or fun, crowding the restaurants and food stands lining the street. Amid the permeating smoke and boisterous hubbub, it seemed as if one could smell the degenerate atmosphere of hedonistic pursuit.
Gao Yang and Qing Ling weaved through the crowd, arriving at Don’t Stop Drinking, a hot pot place on the second floor.
It wasn’t big, clearly renovated from a residential building. Outside of the load-bearing walls, all the other walls had been torn down, the space divided into about a dozen tables with wooden screens.
The design was retro and lived-in. The smell of fresh meat and other ingredients filled the air.
“Welcome, table for two?” A friendly waiter came up to them.
“Three,” Qing Ling said.
“Yeah, we came first to look for a seat,” Gao Yang added without missing a beat.
“Of course. There is a table for three here. This way.” The waiter led them through the main hall to a small space isolated by a screen.
Gao Yang chuckled. It was an open balcony. They sure didn’t waste any space.
Just as well. It’s small, but relatively quiet. And it’s a good vantage point overlooking the artificial lake of the university.
The two of them sat down. The waiter brought them a disposable menu and handed Gao Yang a pencil. “Call me anytime after you’ve marked your order.”
Once the waiter left, Gao Yang gave Qing Ling the pencil. “Go ahead.”
