Chapter 128: The Child Who Breached the Perimeter

Zhang Ning knew he was in a tourist area. Rationally, he could have reported a missing relative to the police, but that would inevitably leave behind a trail of suspicion. Even setting aside whether people would believe a child, or whether they would detain him if they did, the probability that his current shell had any connection to his master, Chu Hanyu, was extremely low. What if everyone assumed Chu Hanyu had kidnapped him?

Moreover, Zhang Ning did not fully trust the law and order of this world. What he had seen on the television earlier had instilled in him an inexplicable sense of distrust. It was clear that this plane, while similar to Water Blue Star, was not simple. Therefore, Zhang Ning made a decision: he would go and find his master alone.

Since arriving in the Qing Realm, Zhang Ning had always been under the protection of his senior brothers or his master, or at the very least, had capable subordinates to consult. Surrounded by so many powerful figures, Zhang Ning had unconsciously become indecisive. However, upon arriving in this strange world, once he began acting on his own, even in this same body, he became resolute. It was evident that his mindset had been gradually reshaped by the "might makes right" philosophy of the Qing Realm.

Zhang Ning bought a few bottles of water and some simple medical supplies from a convenience store, left behind a few contingencies in case he failed to rescue his master on his own, and then set off toward the mountain.

Bulin City.
Jingying Mountain.

On the winding mountain road, several police cars were parked along the shoulder, and police tape had been strung up around the area. It was clear that the zone was under lockdown. Occasional passing vehicles, seeing the scene from afar, realized something was wrong and quickly turned around to find another route.

However, the police officers present were not as tense as their setup suggested.

A young man named Guo said lazily, "This is exhausting. Captain Xing, will you treat us to a meal later?"

His colleagues immediately teased him. "Guo, you’re such a glutton! Captain Xing, don’t indulge his bad habits!"

"Exactly, Captain Xing, don’t spoil him, though a free meal sounds great!"

"Hahaha, exactly, exactly."

The man addressed as Captain Xing laughed as well. Because of the lively atmosphere, the stern expression he usually wore softened slightly. "Alright, alright, I’ll treat you all later. Everyone deserves to relax!" The group responded with enthusiastic cheers.

Guo, who had initiated the request for a meal, laughed along with the others, but his eyes remained fixed on Captain Xing with a burning intensity. Guo wasn't really just hungry; he believed there were many ways to build rapport with people, and letting someone owe you a favor—or vice versa—was a safe and unobtrusive method. But why was he going to such lengths?

Guo’s background was not ordinary; he did not come from a common family and had connections. He had his eyes set on high office and had come to the grassroots level to "gild" his resume. Because of this, he knew insider information that others did not, and he was determined to seize this opportunity.

Despite the police cars and the caution tape, they were not ordinary police officers. They belonged to the Fifth Special Security Group, and their headquarters, "Special," was a department dedicated to handling extraordinary incidents.

Captain Xing was the leader of the Fifth Special Security Group in Bulin City. He had no powerful background, which made his ascent to this position all the more impressive. However, he was nearly forty. Although he remained formidable, energetic, and charismatic, in this violent agency, he was the type who was respected but no longer seen as having a future. His age meant he had likely missed his chance to become an "Enhanced One." He was among the best of the ordinary people, but what did that matter?

However, Guo knew something others didn't: Captain Xing had earned the admiration of high-ranking military figures. He was not without a path forward; on the contrary, he had heard that a position in the capital was being kept open for him. Yet, Captain Xing had refused, feeling he wasn't yet worthy—and the position was still being held for him! What an honor and level of regard that was.

In the eyes of the ambitious Guo, Captain Xing was undoubtedly a "blue-chip stock," an excellent future asset and connection. That was why he was pulling out all the stops to build rapport, fantasizing about the day when Captain Xing would become his capable subordinate.

After the group had joked around for a while, they suddenly felt the ground tremble again. They all fell silent, their expressions turning grim. The atmosphere grew heavy. After a moment, it was the steady Captain Xing who spoke first: "Hah, this world..."

There was a reason this group was staying here, and even the minor tremors had not scared them off. Yet, they made no move to take action, which only made it more curious what they were actually doing.

Many in the group wore expressions of indignation, but no one responded to Captain Xing—except for a hot-headed young man named Dong. "Damn it," Dong said angrily, "does that so-called 'Laughing God' really think he’s a god? Before he became an Enhanced One, he was just a regular person..."

"Dong!"

Captain Xing barked a sharp reprimand, causing Dong to shrink back, too afraid to say another word.

"Watch your mouth! Do you want to die?!"

*But you were the one who started it, boss!*

Captain Xing breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Dong fall silent, though he privately agreed with the sentiment. How could he stand those Enhanced Ones? They awakened their powers and immediately thought they were superior to everyone else. The one here in Bulin City was the worst of them all.

He called himself the "Laughing God" and loved nothing more than to watch people in chaos and terror. By all rights, an Enhanced One like that should be eliminated as a dangerous threat, even at great cost. But his power was a vibration ability with an incredibly wide range—strong enough to rival a natural disaster!

The ordinary people of this world knew nothing about Enhanced Ones.

Men like Captain Xing, who were the cream of the crop and paragons of justice, were actually sent here to protect him! They were even maintaining his "game" right now. Captain Xing felt a suffocating rage, but he suddenly sighed. When had the world fallen to this? And who could save it?

*Tap, tap, tap.*

The sound of running footsteps suddenly broke the silence. Captain Xing looked up in surprise and saw a small figure sprinting toward them.

It was likely a well-bred child. He wore a brand-new jacket and shorts, with a heavy-looking backpack on his back, running with a steady gait along the mountain road. Under normal circumstances, Captain Xing would have silently praised the child's parents for their well-rounded education, unlike other parents who only focused on grades and neglected physical health.

But at this moment, Captain Xing did not think that way. His heart tightened, and he picked up a megaphone. "Hey, kid, stop right there! This mountain has been cordoned off. It’s dangerous up there, no entry allowed! Where are your parents?"

Zhang Ning hadn't expected to encounter official authorities here. He stopped, his face full of joy. "Are you a search and rescue team? Someone is trapped on the mountain! Can you take me to save him? I have to find him!"