CHAPTER 465: CHAPTER 462 [UPGRADE AND UPDATE]

Chapter Four Hundred and Sixty-Two: Updating and Upgrading

"Actually, doing business is really tough these days. My family business might look big, but the burden is heavy too. So many people rely on me for their livelihood. Every day, as soon as dawn breaks and I open my eyes, I am reminded of the many mouths I have to feed. If something were to happen to me, I have no idea how many people would end up sleeping on the streets..."

Xiao Guohua spoke as if baring his soul, sighing, "To tell you the truth, brother, I might look impressive on the outside, but deep down, there’s only one word to describe how I feel: exhausted!"

Chen Nuo just smiled amiably at the side, puffing on a cigarette, not saying a word, just listening to Xiao Guohua’s performance.

Exhausted? Of course, he was exhausted. Even Ma Yun is tired, and so is Wang with his ’small goals’. But if you randomly ask a common person if they would like to switch places, would they be willing to? And ask Xiao Guohua himself, would he want to trade his life for that of an ordinary person? Not likely!

Chen Nuo just laughed off such sly humility.

Xiao Guohua naturally had his intentions when he said these things. Playing the sympathy card and displaying weakness was one aspect; on the other hand, it was also a way to ensure his self-preservation. If something happens to me, then many would lose their rice bowls and have to sleep on the streets... so, you really can’t lay a finger on me, otherwise, you would really be committing a terrible sin! Chen Nuo understood all these intentions.

After smoking a few cigarettes, he didn’t bother with more.

Actually, it was quite cold on this late autumn night, especially in the outskirts by the mountainside, and it was also quite damp.

Chen Yanluo was not afraid of the cold, but Mr. Xiao was having a tough time handling it.

He was only wearing a shirt that evening, and now with the night breeze blowing, Mr. Xiao’s whole body was shivering, his shoulders hunched into a ball.

However, Xiao Guohua knew the score. He was essentially kidnapped by this man, who now appeared calm and relaxed, standing there smoking and chatting idly with him. This guy is ruthless! It was one thing to act pitiful and complain a little, but to actually grumble or make demands would mean he was out of his depth.

After waiting around half an hour or so, Xiao Guohua felt almost frozen, stamping his feet on the ground back and forth.

Suddenly, Chen Nuo tossed the cigarette pack in his hand over to Xiao Guohua.

Xiao Guohua quickly caught it with both hands and heard Chen Nuo laugh and say, "Alright, they’re here."

"Huh?" Xiao Guohua was startled.

Chen Nuo pointed to the distant road down the hill where a car was approaching.

In the moment Xiao Guohua was still dazed, Chen Nuo had already tossed the car keys to him.

"Mr. Xiao, drive yourself away."

Leave? Xiao Guohua caught the keys but didn’t react immediately—he was simply too scared.

"What? You don’t want to stay and watch something thrilling?" Chen Nuo looked at Xiao Guohua with a smile.

Only then did Xiao Guohua truly understand. "Really, you’re letting me go? You said it yourself, brother!"

Chen Nuo gestured. "Hurry up and go. I mean what I say. And later on..."

"I’ll take my people for team building first thing tomorrow morning! I won’t be back until after the New Year! And... from now on, I’ll treat Luo Dachanzi with the respect I would show my own father!"

Xiao Guohua rushed to the car, dove inside, locked the doors immediately, and then started the engine.

Due to being so excited and nervous, it took him three tries to insert the car key and start the engine. The moment the car started, Xiao Guohua couldn’t help but glance out of the window.

He confirmed Chen Nuo was still standing in his original spot without moving. He’s really letting me go! Xiao Guohua didn’t think any further. He started the vehicle, floored the gas pedal, and hurriedly turned onto the road.

He dared not even turn his head, fearing that Chen Nuo might stop him again, so he just kept driving towards the mountains!

Who cares? The priority is to get away from this place! As for where this road leads... does it matter? Once I get far away, I can slowly find my way!

With both hands trembling on the steering wheel, he took one more glance in the rearview mirror.

As expected, a car had slowly pulled up right in front of where Chen Nuo was standing.

Am I curious? Of course, I am! But at this moment, nothing is more important than saving my own life. Run!

「·」

Chen Nuo frowned as he looked at the car that had stopped in front of him.

In the dead of the night, parked right before him, its headlights unabated, the light shone directly in his face.

He stepped to the side, his expression one of melancholy as he watched someone push open the car door and climb out from the driver’s seat.

Alas... that was careless. I shouldn’t have given the cigarette pack back to Xiao Guohua; I should have kept one for myself.

「·」

The teenager who got out of the car stood in the glare of the headlights, his face shrouded in shadow.

He had a sort of impressive aura about him.

Chen Nuo didn’t really care much though.

However, with his powerful spiritual perception, he easily made out the other’s features, even though the youth was backlit by the headlights.

After seeing clearly, Chen Nuo raised his eyebrows slightly. Indeed, a good-looking kid.

A fair and delicate young man with clear eyes, he had the sort of appeal that would be popular with girls twenty years later, like a charming "puppy" allure.

However... those tattoos—a green dragon on his left arm and a white tiger on his right—are a bit much. He looks quite young, perhaps around fifteen or sixteen... At that age, he should be in school studying, not trying to act like a gangster.

"So you’re the one who kidnapped Xiao Guohua and made him call for help?" The young man walked closer, then casually sat on the hood of the car, eyebrows raised as he looked at Chen Nuo.

"Yeah, that’s me—you didn’t get the wrong person," Chen Nuo replied with a smile.

"There’s nothing mistaken about it. Who else would be standing by the roadside at the foot of a mountain in the middle of the night," the young man’s face held a sullen and fierce smile. "Since I found the right person, that’s all that matters."

Chen Nuo asked, "Aren’t you going to ask me where Xiao Guohua is?"

"I’ll take my time to look for him once I’ve dealt with you," the young man said as he surveyed the surroundings. "The place you’ve picked is not bad."

"Oh?"

"It’s picturesque, and the surrounding wilderness is deserted. If I kill you here, I can just bury you and no one would find out."

Chen Nuo sighed, "Such a young age, and already so vicious. If I may ask... are you of age yet?"

The teenager’s expression soured!

Chen Nuo shook his head. "Oh, asking directly about age isn’t polite, is it? Then let me put it another way. Uh... when you go to the hospital, do you go to the pediatric department?"

"FUCK!!"

The young man’s face changed, and he burst into an angry shout! Instantly his figure flashed, and as he raised his hand, an invisible sharp force landed right where Chen Nuo was standing!

SWISH!

The spot where Chen Nuo had been standing, near a tree as thick as a thigh, was suddenly cleaved in half, and the top part of the tree crashed to the ground!

But the young man’s face changed!

The person before him had disappeared!

He suddenly sprang forward two steps and flicked his hands. On the tips of both hands appeared several thin snap-off blade segments, sandwiched between his fingers.

"A Mentalist with telekinetic abilities? Pretty good use of Telekinesis," Chen Nuo’s voice came from behind. "For your age, that’s quite a talent. Looks like that Mr. Gai does have some capable people under him."

The teenager, with a grave face yet not panicking, silently turned around and shot out the knife segments from his fingers!

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! Several blades sliced through the night air!

Chen Nuo’s figure vanished from behind him again, and the knife segments embedded themselves in the car’s hood.

Chen Nuo, however, was now crouching on the roof of the car, smiling at the teenager not far in front of him.

The teenager, with a fierce expression, huffed coldly and lunged forward.

Chen Nuo let out a "huh" as he watched the young man leap onto the roof, his fingers slicing towards Chen Nuo with a blade edge. In one move, Chen Nuo reached out and slapped the teenager’s wrist, then pulled him closer and with a twist, moved behind the teenager.

The teenager huffed, seemingly indifferent to the pain, his fingers repeatedly twitching.

"Huh?" Chen Nuo laughed, and with a slight exertion of force, forced the teenager to kneel on the roof of the car with one knee.

Then Chen Nuo, with his free hand, gently pinched in the air!

"Are you waiting for this?" Chen Nuo’s fingertips conjured a blade out of thin air and gently tossed it to the ground, whispering, "When you used Telekinesis to control the blades and shoot them at me, you clearly shot eight, but only seven hit the ground. One was still hidden in mid-air, ready for an ambush. Quite a sinister tactic for someone so young."

It was then that the boy’s complexion truly changed as he struggled forcefully, revealing a hint of cruelty as he twisted his arm with all his might!

Chen Nuo frowned and simply let go.

The boy, taking advantage of the release, leaped from the car and fell onto the ground. He tumbled twice before getting up, but one of his shoulders had been dislocated.

He grunted, and then with a swift movement, the dislocated arm popped back into place.

"Good use of Telekinesis," Chen Nuo shook his head. "Do you realize that if I hadn’t let go just now, your arm would have snapped with the way you struggled?"

"You just want to keep me alive to interrogate me," the boy gritted his teeth. "You’re strong! It seems that this time, my boss miscalculated and did not expect Luo’s House to find such a powerful expert like you."

Chen Nuo shrugged his shoulders. "So, are we still fighting?"

"You are a Mentalist, too, but far more powerful than me," the boy shook his head in surrender. "As fellow Mentalists, when there is a gap in levels, I am naturally at a disadvantage against you. There is no chance of winning."

"Then let’s have a chat," Chen Nuo said with a smile as he hopped down from the roof of the car. "Tell me about that Mr. Gai of yours."

"If I don’t talk, will you kill me?" the boy sneered.

"Yes," Chen Nuo nodded.

"Then kill me," the boy said defiantly, standing tall. "Being defeated by a Mentalist stronger than myself is not dishonorable. But you will be killed by others later on; I have no regrets about that."

Chen Nuo laughed. Why do all these Ability Users have such strong professional ethics nowadays?

"Look, kid, you’re just earning some money doing jobs, but that’s no reason to throw your life away for your employer," Chen Nuo sighed. "How much did this Mr. Gai pay you?"

"One million. A million a month. There’s an extra charge for dangerous jobs, and half a million more for a kill."

Chen Nuo nodded. "That’s not much money." He thought for a moment, then smiled. "I’ll offer you more. Just tell me about Mr. Gai’s business, will you?"

"No matter how much money it is, it’s a deal I’ve accepted. If I changed employers just for more money, what would that make me?" The boy was quite firm. "Just kill me if you must. Mr. Gai will surely send someone else to finish you off."

Chen Nuo nodded. "Interesting... How many people have you killed?"

"Not a few!" the boy responded coldly. "When you kill me, if you feel like it, there’s no need to bury me. I’ve seen the map; there’s a reservoir near the mountain. Just throw me in there."

"Alright, I’ll tie a few stones to your body," Chen Nuo said as he nodded.

With that, he took a step forward, and his body instantly appeared in front of the boy!

A flicker of doubt flashed through the boy’s eyes, which was swiftly replaced by a fierce light!

As Chen Nuo approached him, the boy’s eyes suddenly brightened, and between them, an invisible spiritual power condensed, solid and pure, forming a telekinetic needle that he thrust savagely toward Chen Nuo’s forehead!

Chen Nuo sighed.

The telekinetic needle stopped in front of Chen Nuo, caught by his Mentality Cocoon. Then, under the devouring force of his spiritual power, the boy’s telekinetic needle rapidly dissolved!

Only then did the boy’s face turn ashen.

Chen Nuo shook his head. "Young, yet so devious, and even at death’s door, you make a final stand. You do have the making of an assassin. But then, since you’ve chosen this life, why bother about rules? Ability Users who cling too much to their obsessions tend to have short lives."

As he spoke, Chen Nuo extended a finger and flicked it gently against the boy’s forehead.

Without a sound, the boy collapsed to the ground.

Standing over the boy, Chen Nuo looked down at him for a few seconds, his face growing increasingly odd, then shook his head.

Not talking, huh? Others might have no way to make him talk, but... Chen Yanluo has a special gift. Spiritual interaction!

A strand of spiritual power slowly entered the boy’s consciousness...

Then, within less than ten seconds, Chen Nuo’s eyes suddenly widened, and he hurriedly withdrew his spiritual power.

A look of shock even appeared on his face!

He stared at the boy lying on the ground, scrutinizing him several times, seemingly in disbelief, then quickly used his spiritual power to inspect his own Consciousness Space.

Chen Nuo was stunned!

「·」

In Chen Nuo’s Consciousness Space, 17 cracks had once appeared!

Through a series of efforts, coupled with the ability to perform spiritual interactions, he had engaged with 17 different Ability Users.

Each Ability User that had interacted with Chen Nuo received feedback on their abilities and saw an enhancement.

At the same time, each one left a trace of their own essence in Chen Nuo’s Consciousness Space, equivalent to a part of their original spiritual consciousness.

This essence was used to repair the 17 cracks in Chen Nuo’s Consciousness Space!

And just now, when Chen Nuo tried to use his spiritual power interaction ability to read the teenager’s dreams...

An anomaly occurred!

Chen Nuo was surprised to discover that the essence of the teenager’s spiritual consciousness had flowed into his own Consciousness Space!

Then...

Of the original 17 cracks, the spiritual essence mending one of them... was... replaced!

The old membrane dissolved, and the essence of the teenager’s spiritual consciousness formed a new membrane, fusing with that crack!

It then quickly merged with Chen Nuo’s Consciousness Space!

What... does this mean?

Chen Nuo was stunned for a moment, and after checking again, he started to understand!

The mended section of the crack that had been replaced was the weakest and thinnest among the 17 cracks in his Consciousness Space.

If he remembered correctly, Chen Nuo recalled that this replaced spiritual power was from when he went to Thailand to help Li Qingshan find his missing son. During the search, Chen Nuo had enlisted the help of an Ability User known as "Rat" and performed a spiritual interaction with him.

Rat’s abilities were quite average, and the spiritual essence he provided had formed the weakest patch among the 17 mended cracks in Chen Nuo’s Consciousness Space.

And now, it had been replaced!

The teenager’s spiritual power was clearly stronger than Rat’s, with the replaced, healing membrane looking much more stable in strength and thickness.

The degree of fusion with his Consciousness Space was also more perfect.

What was going on? Does my Consciousness Space play favorites, preferring the strong over the weak? Was the previous material too low-grade, merely a stopgap? And now that it found better material, it automatically swapped it out for the new one?

The key point was, after replacing one of the 17 cracks with a better one...

Chen Nuo found that the operation of his Consciousness Space was much smoother than before, and the strength and efficiency of its spiritual power generation had also noticeably improved!

It even comes with an automatic strength enhancement?

Upon this thought, Chen Nuo’s heart stirred...

If... if all seventeen cracks could be replaced with essences from Controllers... No, that’s not quite right; one of the cracks was already mended by The Son of the Sun’s essence. But anyway... if all seventeen cracks were replaced through spiritual interaction with stronger Ability Users... then my strength...

Chen Nuo’s eyes suddenly lit up!

「·」

Thailand, Bangkok.

In a nightclub, a scream suddenly erupted from a VIP booth.

Shortly afterward, several panic-stricken young men and women ran out, with some also loudly calling for help.

After chaos for a few minutes, people from the nightclub went over to check what happened.

It was quickly understood.

Someone had died.

No one knew whether they drank too much alcohol, took too many drugs, or had some heart disease or high blood pressure.

A sudden death!

And to make matters worse, the identity of the deceased sent a cold shiver down everyone’s spine!

A crime lord from Bangkok’s Underground World!

The ruthless individual known as Rat!

Dead!

While embracing a woman and enjoying his drink, he suddenly, without a sound, knocked his head on the table!

He stopped breathing out of the blue!!

There wasn’t the slightest sign of injury on his entire body!