NOVEL NEXT Ch. 259
Translator: AkazaTL
Proofreader/Editor: JWyck
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Chapter 259
Sure enough, checking the private messages, Jiang Tianming, Wu Mingbai, and Lan Subing each sent one, all asking the same thing—“The mole’s not you, right?”
Too lazy to reply individually, Su Bei responded in their Moyun City group chat.
[EastSouthWest: Think I’m an idiot?]
Though blunt, his reply relieved the trio. He was right—if he were the mole, he’d hide his identity.
They’d only caught his deal with Cyril by chance. With Su Bei’s skills, if he were cautious, how could they have seen it?
Plus, when caught, he didn’t explain, almost brushing them off. His boldness didn’t scream Black Flash mole.
[DeathComes: So, Su Bei, do you know who the mole is?]
[EastSouthWest: Guess.]
Jiang Tianming dropped it. Knowing Su Bei, he wouldn’t answer further. As for whether he knew, Jiang Tianming believed he did but wouldn’t say.
Indeed, Su Bei closed his phone and dove into Destiny’s database. The info was vast and messy—he needed to memorize it fast.
Perhaps because the author wanted more Black Flash ties, at noon, Su Bei got a cooperation invite from them.
Destiny was an intel group but took tasks. His prior Space Lock job for Black Flash was a task, not just intel.
The task was simple: help Class S' mole kill Zhou Renjie. Since the mole and Black Flash’s grudge against Zhou Renjie were no secret, they didn’t hide it, just omitted the mole’s identity and plan details.
Looking at the task, Su Bei hesitated, then closed it. He was tempted to learn Black Flash’s plans but couldn’t take it as it would impact his reputation.
He always completed tasks he accepted, and this one aimed to kill Zhou Renjie. As he didn’t want to, he couldn’t accept it.
Though he couldn’t learn their plans, it confirmed they’d target Zhou Renjie, with Mo Xiaotian acting. The forum was right—using Zhou Renjie as bait could expose Mo Xiaotian.
Su Bei didn’t know what others thought, but he was relieved. This clearly didn’t involve him. Even if the author used him as a shield, it was superficial—the plot wouldn’t touch him.
After two days’ rest, Zhou Renjie returned on the third. It was their first time seeing him in months. As in the manga, he’d slimmed down—not thin, but healthier, from about 170 to 150 pounds, Su Bei estimated.
Everyone except Feng Lan and Ling You was back. Seeing Zhou Renjie, they crowded around. Zhao Xiaoyu spoke first, “Long time no see, Renjie! So glad you’re safe!”
She meant “glad you didn’t betray us,” but that sounded distrustful, so she switched.
“Really impressive!” Qi Huang, though not close, was a former classmate and praised generously, “Going undercover outshone us in the competition.”
“That must’ve been tough. Did the academy give you time off?” Mu Tieren asked.
They saw he’d slimmed, guessing he’d suffered in Black Flash. Returning to classes right after would suck, hence the question.
Zhou Renjie, more mature now, didn’t get cocky from the praise. He nodded, then shook his head, “They offered a few days off, but I refused. I've been away too long—I can’t fall too far behind you guys.”
“Oh, please, you’re way stronger now,” Ai Baozhu called out his fake humility, telling others, “He can hold three people now, and his Ability’s defense is crazy—you can’t get out. Right, Zhaohua?”
Si Zhaohua nodded, having experienced Zhou Renjie’s belly defense. Though, as he was part of the plan, he’d known he’d be fine.
To play along, he’d attacked the space’s interior, so he knew how tough it was, “Renjie’s belly space has no physical form now.”
Right—still dark, but no flesh walls. It was like an infinite void, endless, giving no leverage to break out.
“That strong?” Everyone was shocked. They’d expected progress from his time in Black Flash, but not this great a leap.
Praised on point, Zhou Renjie grinned, coughing to hide it, patting his round belly, “Try it if you don’t believe me.”
He wanted to trap them to show off, and though they saw his mischief, curiosity about escaping his belly made them eager to try.
Mo Xiaotian, silent since Zhou Renjie’s return, spoke, “Can I try?”
Su Bei glanced at him, then away. Even if Mo Xiaotian wanted revenge, he wouldn’t act publicly—he’d have no escape.
Zhou Renjie looked at him, expression unchanged, subtly showing no grudge from their past, treating him like he did others, “Sure. Three at a time to save time. If you’re not out in half an hour, I’ll let you out. Who else?”
“Me!” Qi Huang raised her hand, followed by a curious Mu Tieren.
After they went in, the second batch was set. Only Su Bei, Wu Jin, Si Zhaohua, and Ai Baozhu didn’t sign up.
Even the harmless Zhao Xiaoyu, driven by curiosity, couldn’t resist trying the belly space in a safe setting.
“Su Bei, you’re not trying?” Zhou Renjie egged him on, “Your Ability could get you out.”
He didn’t really think so—he just wanted to trap Su Bei. His near-omnipotent class image made trapping him a big deal.
Plus, the other three didn’t need inviting: Si Zhaohua had tried, Wu Jin lacked attack means, and Ai Baozhu wouldn’t go in. Su Bei was the only one who might break through.
“Pass,” Su Bei wasn’t tempted. Like Ai Baozhu, he didn’t want to enter a belly, saliva or not.
But Zhou Renjie’s space? Su Bei could escape. His Ability ignored physical defenses, acting on fate—making Zhou Renjie sick, dead, or setting himself to “exit” would do it.
Half an hour later, the trio emerged, disappointed. Qi Huang marveled, “Abilities don’t work in there. Is that really your belly? It’s way stronger.”
Before, her flames in his belly would force him to release her to avoid burns—her Ability was a hard counter to his.
Now, her flames only touched the ground, with no boundaries elsewhere. The ground, with maxed out defense, withstood her flames unmoved.
Zhou Renjie’s progress in Black Flash was massive, surpassing his entire prior year.
Emerging, Mo Xiaotian acted normal, starry-eyed, “So cool! Enhanced by Black Flash?”
“Enhanced, sure, but they just used me as a test subject,” Zhou Renjie sneered, “They didn’t care about strengthening me—just tested drugs. I got lucky; the drugs worked.”
To gain trust, he’d accepted their “enhancements.” He got stronger, but gratitude? No way.
Mo Xiaotian’s eyes flashed with surprise, “How? Don’t they… value talent?”
He nearly slipped, catching himself to avoid exposure.
“Still so naive?” Zhou Renjie, exasperated, advised like a veteran, “Even top talent’s just a pricier expendable to Black Flash. I’m not even that great.”
Mo Xiaotian pursed his lips, showing his usual confusion, “How could that be?”
His odd reaction should’ve raised suspicion, but he faced only Su Bei, so others just heard innocent confusion.
Su Bei, knowing his identity, said nothing.
Confused, Mo Xiaotian moved to Su Bei, “North Bro, need the bathroom?”
Lame excuse, Su Bei thought, choking. But seeing Mo Xiaotian had something to say, he nodded, “Sure. Let’s go.”
Mo Xiaotian brightened, chirping “Awesome!” and happily followed.
At the stairwell, Mo Xiaotian didn’t question why they weren’t heading to the bathroom, asking eagerly, “You’re with Destiny, right?”
Su Bei didn’t answer, tilting his head, “Black Flash’s Saint?”
“Amazing! You knew!” Mo Xiaotian admitted without hiding, grinning.
Seeing his reaction, Su Bei raised an eyebrow, “Someone’s eavesdropping.”
Mo Xiaotian’s starry eyes turned murderous, “Who?”
Su Bei got it. Mo Xiaotian didn’t mind exposure because he knew Su Bei was Destiny, not caring if he knew. With others, he’d revert to his initial kill-on-exposure vibe.
Honestly, Su Bei wondered if Black Flash brainwashed him—how else did he switch so fast when his identity risked exposure?
“Kidding,” Su Bei shrugged, teasing, “That tense?”
Even Mo Xiaotian looked exasperated, lunging with a mock growl, “Ugh, North Bro, that’s too much! Joking about that?”
After complaining, he started back, then turned, “So, are you with Destiny?”
“Guess,” Su Bei dodged again.
Mo Xiaotian, ruffling his messy red hair, didn’t press. Knowing Su Bei’s personality, he wouldn’t answer now or later.
But he wasn’t worried. He trusted his grandpa’s intel—Su Bei was Destiny, not a good guy, so he wouldn’t spill.
“I don’t get something. Can you help, North Bro?” Sitting on the field’s grass, Mo Xiaotian rested his chin on his knees, like a sad puppy.
Bored, Su Bei didn’t mind gossip, sitting beside him, “Speak.”
“I told Grandpa to treat Zhou Renjie like me. But from what he said, it wasn’t good,” Mo Xiaotian pursed his lips, struggling, “Did Grandpa lie to me?”
To Zhou Renjie, their bond was average, just better than with Jiang Tianming’s group, so he used Mo Xiaotian as an excuse for his defection.
But to Mo Xiaotian, he was close with all his classmates. Even silent Wu Jin and Ling You liked him—why else were they so nice?
So, inviting friends to his “family,” he hoped they’d be treated well. If Zhou Renjie felt at home in Black Flash, he’d stay, easing Mo Xiaotian’s conflict.
But he never expected Black Flash to use Zhou Renjie for drug tests! He knew they tested on Nightmare Beasts, not people—especially a guest he’d vouched for!
This betrayal left him confused. Why did Grandpa do this when he’d specifically asked for good treatment?
“Clearly, you don’t think alike,” Su Bei lost interest in the family drama, answering casually.
Unsatisfied, Mo Xiaotian tugged Su Bei’s jacket, “Grandpa never lied before! Is it because I’ve been at school so long he doesn’t like me as much?”
Su Bei hadn’t realized Mo Xiaotian was so good at self-doubt. He smirked mockingly, “You know, finding one cockroach in your house means there’s countless more.”
While speaking, he pondered using Mo Xiaotian’s confusion. It wouldn’t make him betray Black Flash, but planting a seed could be key later.
Mo Xiaotian fell silent, understanding Su Bei’s implication—Grandpa had lied before; he just hadn’t noticed.
He didn’t want to believe it, but signs pointed to Su Bei being right. Grandpa might be hiding more.
Before he could process, Su Bei added, “Don’t believe me? Watch quietly when you’re back.”
“I was gonna ask Grandpa,” Mo Xiaotian had other plans.
Su Bei didn’t want that. Mo Xiaotian was soft on those close to him. Asking Black Flash’s leader would get him a convincing excuse, allowing him to brush it off.
But if he observed quietly, his natural intuition would soon reveal Black Flash’s deception.
It wouldn’t make him betray them, but a moment’s hesitation at a critical time would be enough.
So Su Bei dissuaded him, “Asking directly says you don’t trust him. What if it hurts your bond?”
Saying the leader would lie wouldn’t work, but this did. Mo Xiaotian didn’t want to risk their relationship, even slightly.
After hesitating, he agreed, “Fine, I’ll watch. Thanks, North Bro!”
Satisfied, Su Bei nodded and left.
Two more calm days passed; the campaign neared its end. Most Different Space gates were closed, with only one left, soon to be done.
Others couldn’t judge, but Su Bei’s group could—Feng Lan and Ling You’s return made it clear.
Ling You’s impact was obvious, a human superweapon. She said post-campaign, she’d avoid external tasks unless they were critical, staying at the academy or needing approval and strong escorts to prevent Nightmare Beast ambushes.
Before, she wasn’t restricted—she needed training, and her value wasn’t clear, so Nightmare Beasts didn’t prioritize her.
Now, after showcasing her power, she was a target for assassin-type Nightmare Beasts, ready to strike at any lapse.
Notably, Zhao Xiaoyu shone too, ambushing High-Level Nightmare Beasts with [Happiness] under government orders, purifying them before they could react.
She should’ve been targeted like Ling You, but the government’s planning kept her anonymous, safe from retaliation.
Su Bei couldn’t accept losing freedom to stay campus-bound, but Ling You didn’t mind. She wasn’t outgoing—home and school was the same to her. The academy covered food, lodging, and work, allowing occasional outings. She was content.
Their roles were clear, but Feng Lan’s was vague. Everyone knew he’d prophesied the campaign’s start but not what he did during his absence.
In class, Zhao Xiaoyu asked curiously, “So, Feng Lan, did you use your Ability during the campaign?”