Chapter 158 – What Artificial Monster Could Possibly Be a Match for Me? Don’t Worry

For now, they could only set aside the question of the sniper’s identity.

Qin Ling had helped them narrow the search down to Z City No. 1 Middle School. Any further investigation would have to wait for new leads.

Their attention returned to He Mingyuan, who was kneeling on the ground.

A chill ran down his spine.

Not one of these girls was human. He had never encountered so many Dark Realm Disaster entities in one place before.

Judging by how mercilessly they had wiped out the mercenary squad, he probably wasn’t making it out alive…

Just as He Mingyuan expected, Shi Yu bluntly informed him that he was going to die.

“I know all about the dirty deeds you’ve committed.”

“So don’t bother pretending you’re innocent. I’m not going to give you false hope, either.”

“Tell us one last thing, and I’ll give you a quick death.”

“Don’t worry. Whether you talk or not, we won’t hurt your family.”

“We’re on the side of justice.”

Justice?! How could they call themselves just when they killed and committed arson alongside Dark Realm Disaster entities?!

He Mingyuan calmly replied, “You must want to know where Shuguang Technology’s artificial superpower user laboratory is.”

“That’s right. Hurry up and tell us.”

“In your dreams!” He Mingyuan shouted furiously. “Our artificial superpower user research is meant to benefit Z City! To benefit all humanity! We’re doing this to eliminate Dark Realm Disaster entities like you!”

“Heh. Spare me the noble act,” Shi Yu said. “Do you dare claim you never abducted innocent people for human experimentation? And what about that town in the northern suburbs that was turned into a graveyard? Do you dare claim it wasn’t destroyed by a monster that escaped from your laboratory?!”

He Mingyuan’s silence was as good as an admission, but he still didn’t believe they had done anything wrong. “Every great cause demands a small price.”

“Still unrepentant, huh?” Shi Yu beckoned with one hand. “Thor, you can start torturing him now.”

Thor had barely gotten started before the so-called tough guy He Mingyuan spilled everything.

Then Shi Yu personally gave him the quick death she had promised.

“Now that we know where the laboratory is, we’ll move tonight and destroy it.”

With everything settled, they began cleaning up the scene.

As anyone who had killed before knew, killing was easy. Disposing of the bodies was the hard part.

But with Lin Xi around, even that became incredibly easy.

She flicked out a few tiny blasts of Fireball, and the bodies of Old K, Beast King, Succubus, and He Mingyuan evaporated just like Fleetfoot and Flame Emperor had.

Afterward, the efficient Dragon Maid Thor swiftly cleaned up the murder scene.

Not a speck remained. Not a single trace was left behind.

…

“Xun, He Mingyuan has gone off the grid.” Zhao Xing had contacted Xia Xun.

Ever since they learned from the Guard Corps that the blood and muscle tissue samples were synthetic, Zhao Xing and Xia Xun had suspected Shuguang Technology of illegally conducting artificial superpower user research.

Since Shuguang Technology was one of the Countermeasures Bureau’s biggest financial backers, the two of them had no choice but to investigate in secret.

Only after digging deeper did Zhao Xing discover that the mild-mannered and refined Commissioner He had a long list of skeletons in his closet.

He had been planning to take action against He Mingyuan first, only for the man to suddenly disappear.

That was why he had called Xia Xun to discuss their next move.

“Could it be… that bastard realized we were about to come after him and fled ahead of time?”

“It’s possible,” Xia Xun said. “Shuguang Technology may have informants inside the Countermeasures Bureau and the Guard Corps. They might already know about our secret investigation.”

“Now that He Mingyuan has escaped, what should we do next, Captain?”

“Don’t worry.” Zhao Xing chuckled. “The monk may run, but the temple stays put.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve got good news. I found the address of their secret laboratory!”

“Amazing, Captain!”

“It took quite a bit of work,” Zhao Xing said smugly. “Originally, I planned to capture He Mingyuan and have him confirm whether the lab address I obtained was real.”

“Unfortunately, the brat escaped. Now that he’s on the run, they might relocate their lab too.”

“There’s no time to request authorization, Xun. We’re moving out now.”

“We’re heading straight for their secret lab!”

“No problem,” Xia Xun said. “Captain, come pick me up.”

“Where are you?”

“At home, having dinner.”

“You’re eating at home? Did you cook it yourself?”

“Yep.”

“Huh?! Since when did you know how to cook?”

“Uh, well… I need to work on my cooking skills so I can become a good wife and mother someday.”

“Xun?! You’re seeing someone? Congratulations! What’s she like? Want me to vet her for you?”

“I don’t need you to vet her, Captain. She’s wonderful-the best person in the whole world!”

“Love-struck brain alert!” Worried that Xia Xun might have been deceived by someone with bad intentions, Zhao Xing warned her, “Love is blind, and an outsider often sees things more clearly. You should tell me who she is so I can judge her character for you.”

“I already told you, she’s the best person in the world,” Xia Xun insisted. “I don’t need you to judge her.”

“The more you say that, the more worried I am that you’re being deceived… At least tell me who she is.”

“No.”

“Seriously? You’re even keeping it from me?”

“I’m not deliberately hiding her from you, Captain. It’s just… she hasn’t accepted my confession yet!”

“What?!” Zhao Xing was dumbfounded. “You were the one who confessed, and she still hasn’t accepted?! You’re a Magical Girl! Is… Is she really that aloof?”

“She’s not aloof at all. She’s so warm and caring, just like the sun.” Xia Xun smiled blissfully. “She’ll accept my confession sooner or later. Once we’re officially together, you’ll find out who she is, Captain.”

“Fine, fine.” Since Xia Xun refused to say, Zhao Xing couldn’t be bothered to keep asking. “I’ll head over and pick you up now.”

“By the way, should we bring more people for tonight’s operation? There might be artificial monsters or something in their secret lab…”

“No need,” Xia Xun said. “What kind of artificial monster could possibly be a match for me? Don’t worry.”

…

“What kind of artificial monster could possibly be a match for me? Don’t worry,” Lin Xi said to Shi Yu. “You only need to stay by my side and protect me.”

Their car was heading toward Shuguang Technology’s secret lab.

Lin Xi had tremendous offensive power but poor defenses. Aside from being immune to fire-based attacks, almost any other attack could prove fatal.

“Just like when you blocked Fleetfoot’s blade for me this afternoon. I haven’t even thanked you for that yet.”

“There’s no need,” Shi Yu said. “I’ll protect you forever.”

“I’m the one who’ll protect Master forever,” Thor declared. “I’ll definitely outlive Shi Yu.”

Shi Yu laughed. “I have an artificial body, and you want to compare lifespans with me?”

And just like that, the two of them started arguing again over which of them could remain by Lin Xi’s side forever.

Lin Xi couldn’t be bothered to mediate.

Lu Yi was asleep with her head resting on Lin Xi’s lap. Rather than waste her energy breaking up the argument, Lin Xi preferred to spend more time petting the Neko.

Zheng Mo, their Captain and driver, spoke up. “We’re almost there. Everyone, stay sharp.”

In the front passenger seat, Qin Ling began handing out balaclavas.

“Put these on once we arrive.”

That afternoon, they had gone after the First Blood mercenary team with the intention of wiping them out, so they hadn’t bothered wearing masks.

But there might be researchers inside the lab who had been coerced into participating in the experiments. Those people needed to be rescued, not killed.

Therefore, they couldn’t let anyone see their faces.