CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 55: APPLICATION TO THE ZODIAC DEPARTMENT

"So, I wonder how Minister Long has considered it?"

After Wu Liang finished stating his hypothesis, he looked down and continued eating, suddenly speaking up about two or three minutes later.

"Oh? What should I consider?" Minister Long feigned ignorance with a question.

He had guessed what this kid wanted to discuss, but he couldn’t be the first to bring it up. Wu Liang had to point out the issue, making what he’d say next appear more valuable.

"Hehe, since Minister Long plans to make us 007, there should be some benefits, right? You can’t expect the horse to run and not feed it grass!"

Wu Liang said calmly while taking a sip of soup.

City-Destroying Level ghost?

He cared, of course he cared!

If he could capture such a level ghost into the Ghost Compendium, he could basically ensure absolute self-preservation when the second Supernatural Calamity arrives, and even better protect his parents!

But before that, he must not let Minister Long see that he was actually interested in the ghost itself.

He needed to appear a bit petty.

"Benefits, of course, there are. How about your brother’s life?" Minister Long put the Magic Cube on the table.

Wu Liang tilted his head, a bit perplexed. This wasn’t quite what he had imagined.

"Your brother, Wu Ming, is like us, a Symbiont, and all Symbionts face the same problem—lifespan," said Minister Long, pointing at Sister Yang to continue, "For example, her—"

"According to the corrosion level of a Fierce Ghost’s possession on the body, she can live at most five more years. I can live up to ten years, which is an irreversible drawback."

After speaking, Minister Long didn’t even blink as he pinched his finger and let a drop of his blood fall onto the table, immediately catching Wu Liang’s attention.

Because his blood was clearly not red!

It was an eerie black, yet upon closer inspection, still had a reddish base, like it was red-black, and carried a slightly rotten smell.

This clearly was not normal.

"You see, everything has a price. Fierce Ghosts bring us powerful strength while offering our life to the Grim Reaper, which is why the people at the institute look down on us, thinking we’re just short-lived ghosts."

"That’s why Awakened are the right path; at least they won’t die from it."

Talking about the people from the institute, Minister Long wasn’t as furious as before.

"As far as I know, a normal Symbiont can’t live more than five years from the moment of possession. You might as well calculate how long your brother can live."

After hearing this, Wu Liang couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.

No wonder he always felt Minister Long’s power was so extraordinarily strong, even with seven Fierce Ghost minions himself, he didn’t feel assured in defeating him.

So that’s how it was!

Exchanging lifespan for power? Terrifying!

Unfortunately... he himself seemed not to have paid any price!

The Fierce Ghost Minions didn’t even dare to speak loudly to him (except for the Puppet Ghost, that foul-mouthed rebel), let alone corrode his body!

How long can he live? If nothing unexpected happens, perhaps he can live to be an old man and bring his sons and grandsons to sweep your graves...

Of course, Wu Liang wouldn’t dare to say such cheeky words in front of Minister Long.

"With such a short lifespan, how did Minister Long achieve ten years?" Wu Liang nailed the critical point.

Hearing his focus, Minister Long naturally smirked, as this was exactly the benefit he planned to offer the Wu brothers.

So he took out two metal badges from his pocket, one engraved with a lifelike dragon relief, and the other topped with a horned goat’s head.

"In addition to the local Awakened teams, the official has an independent team, called—Zodiac Department, where everyone is a Symbiont and holds the highest authority outside headquarters across national branches."

"I am the Dragon, she is the Goat."

"Though the people in the institute dislike us, they are vigorously exploring methods to extend Symbiont lives and have made some progress."

After saying this, Minister Long glanced at Wu Ming.

He hoped to see the hope for life from this Symbiont companion’s eyes, but unfortunately, he couldn’t get his wish.

Not a hint of emotional fluctuation could be seen in the other’s eyes, precisely as previously assessed, normally too abnormal.

Little could he imagine, Wu Ming at this moment was actually disguised by a Puppet Ghost.

Its mind was filled with only one thought—slightly unsatisfied! If they could add more food, would Minister Long treat again?

Seeing no result from his observation, Minister Long continued speaking, "Currently there are three vacancies left in the Zodiac Department, and I can recommend Wu Ming for an application letter."

"In this way, you can also reasonably enjoy the institute’s achievements and obtain methods to extend your lifespan."

If Wu Liang were truly a Symbiont, this proposal would be irresistible, as it essentially meant mobilizing national resources to help extend your life!

Unfortunately, he was not a real Symbiont.

"I have two more requests. First, starting today, I want internal access equivalent to your material review privilege, Minister Long. Second, my brother and I should have preemptive decision-making power when encountering supernatural events!"

Wu Liang said slyly.

These two requests were naturally well-considered. Although the Ghost Compendium was convenient for finding ghosts.

Finding people was a different issue.

The whereabouts of his parents required official assistance for higher-tier intelligence channels!

And the latter was naturally to prevent the need for cumbersome procedures when he hunted down Fierce Ghosts in the future; high efficiency sometimes was a hidden risk, raising suspicions.

"No problem!"

"You can use my ID card to look up information, and when dealing with supernatural events I’ll say you’ve reported in advance, but remember one thing—"

Minister Long squinted, his eyes flashing red as he said, "Never reveal even a bit of information to others."

Wu Liang agreed wholeheartedly.

It’s understandable as Minister Long probably wants to prevent widespread social panic leading to disorder.

"Alright, that’s settled, I’ll draft a contract and send it to you. Be sure to sign and stamp it."

"Huh?"

Now it was Wu Liang’s turn to be stunned.

He felt like what he was doing was thrilling like 007, but the word ’contract’ made him feel like a laborer sold into a black coal mine.

"Why? It’s the modern society now, without a contract, what if I don’t keep promises?" Minister Long was somewhat puzzled.

He thought signing a contract surely was for the Wu brothers’ good!

Listening to the drifting direction of their conversation, Sister Yang couldn’t help but sigh with her hand on her forehead.

In a way, she suddenly felt these two were quite alike.

One inexplicably lives as a normal person, seriously clocking in for work every day and even a bit of a money-grubber; the other is in a high position yet chats happily with the lowest ordinary newcomer, even needing contracts for secret identities.

Can only say... both are quite talented.

"By the way! There’s something else I’m concerned about!" Wu Liang suddenly stood up and said.

"You’re the Zodiac Goat, not the ’Yang’ with the wood radical?"

Sister Yang finally couldn’t hold back.

Why at this point his focus veered off-topic?

"Get lost! You’re the cow horse!"

Watching Sister Yang furiously pick up her plate and walk out, Wu Liang smiled meaningfully.

From today, his schemes would get louder!

City-Destroying Level ghosts, missing-in-action parents, the Ghost Compendium’s strange emotion suppression, and the second Supernatural Calamity.

These matters, he will tackle each one by one...