Chapter Sixty: The Troublesome Thorns

Thorn: "What's going on?"

The reply came swiftly.

Ji Cheng: "Reporting to the organization, in fact, I am an undercover agent sent by the City Defense Department of New Harbor New City to infiltrate your group."

Thorn: "Quite honest of you. Then I might as well tell you plainly—we've long suspected something was off about you."

Ji Cheng: "The organization truly is formidable. My real name is Ji Cheng."

Thorn: "Ji Cheng? I wouldn't have guessed it was you."

So far, every exchange had unfolded exactly according to the City Defense Department's plan.

The spy operation had been conceived on August 23rd—that was the day Zeng Hang asked Chen Qian to deliver a message, seeking Ji Cheng's help against the Black Island group.

According to Zeng Hang, once Ji Cheng agreed, the whole scheme began operating covertly around him.

This communicator was originally used by the Black Island group for recruiting new members. After the City Defense Department's criminal investigation experts obtained it, they registered under a false name—but purposely left traces of inconsistency, making it easy for Black Island to spot something amiss.

Ji Cheng: "I was just an ordinary citizen of New Harbor New City. Last month, the organization seized me and took me to a laboratory where they injected me with Tyrant Serum. Unexpectedly, I survived. Later, the City Defense people extracted the Tyrant Serum from my body and sent me here as a spy..."

"...But recently I discovered that even after the Tyrant Serum was removed, I still suffered occasional mental disturbances... The New Harbor Research Institute couldn't solve it... So I genuinely wish to join the organization, hoping you can fix my mental anomalies."

He recited the prearranged story with ease, not deviating a single word.

Thorn: "Ha, after all that, you expect me to believe you?"

Ji Cheng: "?"

Thorn: "Actually... you're an ability user, aren't you?"

Ji Cheng was genuinely startled at first, surprised that the Black Island group even knew this. But then he recalled Zeng Hang mentioning such a possibility, so he tentatively typed:

"Is it because Director Zhong found my file in the ability user database when he checked?"

Thorn: "As long as you know."

This was acceptable; Ji Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. The City Defense Department was prepared for this scenario.

He continued typing:

"I'm not really an ability user—it's all a misunderstanding."

Thorn: "Explain."

Ji Cheng: "I was previously selected for the 'Template' program at the New Harbor Research Institute. For confidentiality, they upgraded my profile to ability user level."

Thorn: "'Template' program? Is it related to the large-scale gene sequencing New Harbor did years ago?"

Ji Cheng: "Yes."

Thorn: "Tell me more."

Ji Cheng: "As far as I know, the program compared and screened the genomes of many ability users to find similarities, then summarized a genetic template. They theorized that those matching the 'template' would be structurally more suitable for gene assimilation."

The 'Template' program had already been confirmed as abandoned, so Zeng Hang decided to repurpose it as Ji Cheng's token of loyalty.

Thorn: "So you're someone with a high 'template' match?"

Ji Cheng: "Yes."

Thorn: "If your potential is so great, why would New Harbor risk sending someone like you as an undercover agent?"

Wow, that's sharp thinking.

Ji Cheng paused, then typed: "Because they later discovered the 'Template' program was fundamentally flawed. Not just me—a lot of high-match young people proved to have no real potential."

Thorn: "Wait a moment."

The other party fell silent; Ji Cheng reckoned they were verifying his story.

Five minutes later.

Thorn: "Even if this information is true, it still doesn't fully prove your claim."

He gave up.

Ji Cheng rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply.

Had he known it would be so troublesome, he wouldn't have taken on this task.

After a few seconds, he called Zeng Hang.

"Minister Zeng, they don't believe what I told them."

Zeng Hang sounded calm on the other end: "Master Ji, what stage are your discussions at?"

Ji Cheng, looking defeated, said, "I told them about the template program, but they still say there's no proof."

"In that case, Master Ji, tell them..."

Ji Cheng listened as Zeng Hang dictated, then typed to Thorn: "Reporting to the organization, although my information was later sealed, I believe you can find records from half a year ago, when I was tested for assimilation in Old New Harbor City. That should prove I have no astonishing potential..."

The test at the Blue Algae training ground was kept confidential by Zhou Ze's order, so the publicly available information still showed Ji Cheng's assimilation rate at 55%.

"...Also... damn City Defense Department..."

"So please believe, I sincerely wish to join."

The other side paused again, but this time didn't keep Ji Cheng waiting long.

Thorn: "I didn't expect you to be so earnest. I'm quite pleased."

Ji Cheng humbly responded to the praise, sincerely seeking guidance on how to further serve the organization. The two enjoyed a friendly, half-hour exchange online.

At last, Thorn typed:

"Tomorrow at ten a.m., Floor 27, Xinliu Tower. I'll formally induct you into the organization. As for your mental anomalies, don't worry—we'll send experts to New Harbor New City within the month for comprehensive research and examination."

Success.

Once he showed up tomorrow and officially joined Black Island, he could safely head to the Hive Laboratory.

Ji Cheng put away the Black Island communicator, ended the call with Zeng Hang, and took out a small notebook, drawing a line through "Contact Black Island Organization."

"Now, the second task is a big shopping spree."

Judging by the time, the reward for exploring and developing the RX-23 mining zone should have arrived.

Last time, he was rushed by Lu Shangbo’s transferred mission, so he hadn’t had a chance to properly browse the mall before setting out. This time he had money and a few days to spare—he couldn’t resist indulging.

Ji Cheng opened his wrist computer and was about to log into the ability user virtual mall when he had a new idea.

"Shana, Anchan."

A flash of white light outside the computer, and two slightly ethereal girls appeared at Ji Cheng’s side.

They were the recently acquired Data Ether Forms.

"Read the mall information and recite it for me," Ji Cheng said, stretching his legs comfortably.

Since he now had Data Ether Forms, it was time to live like an officer, not wear himself out over every little thing.

Besides, he was nurturing them, after all.

Ji Cheng rubbed his temples and silently recited:

"Silver crown hangs the cross, Celestial bow shoots Sirius, Flame turns Yung, North turns Shang, Dragon and serpent entwine, Perseus gazes afar, Golden blade bears frost."

It was a mnemonic from the Galactic Empire’s primer, called "Thirteen Provinces," which students were required to memorize.

Ji Cheng knew it well because it was also the activation phrase for the Data Ether Form attribute panels.

When the Galactic Empire manufactured them, they built in visual attribute panels for user convenience. To avoid accidental activation, they chose this moderately long and widely known rhyme as the trigger.

As soon as he finished reciting, attribute panels appeared beside Shana and Anchan.

Ji Cheng glanced at Shana, who was closer.

Name: Shana
Field Research: Level 0
Particle Technology: Level 0
Space Transport: Level 0
Biogene: Level 0
Industrial Development: Level 0
Materials Science: Level 0
Mechanical Control: Level 0
Computer Theory: Level 0