NOVEL NEXT Chapter 279: 9.25
"Take the test, sir."
The guard's tone toward Jiang Jiamian was noticeably softer than before. After Jiang Qing's astonishing results and her insistence on waiting for her brother, he now regarded Jiang Jiamian with more respect, a family of such talent deserved better treatment.
Jiang Jiamian stepped forward without hurry. His expression was calm, almost indifferent, as he pressed his fingertip against the testing device.
Almost instantly, the red line shot upward.
Straight to the top.
The guard lurched out of his chair so fast it nearly toppled backward. His eyes bulged as he stared at the glowing screen. "Wh-what? Full value? Is it broken?"
Xiao Jinfeng and Chen Ran didn't so much as blink. Their faces remained calm, as though this was exactly the outcome they had predicted.
Jiang Jiamian, meanwhile, allowed himself a tiny smirk. "Yes, clearly broken. It can't measure me properly."
Perhaps the instrument's test range needed to be set wider.
The value had already maxed out, yet he still had power to spare.
Jiamian tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Perhaps I should try again?"
Still dazed, the guard nodded automatically. "R-right, just lift your finger and press it down again."
Jiang Jiamian did so obediently. This time, the light surged up once more but steadied at 98.
A murmur ran through the watching soldiers. Ninety-eight, nearly perfect.
Even so, Xiao Jinfeng and Chen Ran showed no surprise. For them, this was natural.
The system hissed in his mind. "Host, you fool! Two different results in a row? They'll think the instrument's broken, not that you're this powerful!"
Jiang Jiamian's expression flattened. "Do you think I wanted that? The first time I couldn't control it. This toy doesn't even tell me how it measures power."
A tall tree attracts the wind, stand out too much, and trouble is sure to follow.
How could he not understand such a simple truth?
The problem was, he had no idea how much of his ability he should reveal…
After all, who knew how this lousy instrument even measured power?
In the end, he could only test it and see.
System: "..." It thought the host was showing off. Turns out he's just clumsy.
The guard scratched his head, still muttering. "Inaccurate… must be inaccurate." Then, as if struck by inspiration, he dashed into the gatehouse and returned with not one but three additional testers.
Jiang Jiamian: "…"
Seriously? Three at once? What is this, a science fair?
The guard slammed them onto the desk. "Again. Use all three."
Suppressing a sigh, Jiang Jiamian obliged. One finger on each tester in turn.
98. 98. 98.
Uniform results across the board.
The guard froze, then slapped the desk and exclaimed, "Holy hell, it's real! Ninety-eight! No way, I need to report to the boss!"
He spun toward the inner gate, clearly ready to sprint.
"Stop!" Jiang Jiamian's sharp command rang out.
The man halted mid-step, shoulders jerking. Slowly he turned, face pale. "Y-yes? Did I… do something wrong?"
Jiang Jiamian pressed a hand to his forehead. "Shouldn't you finish processing us first? Let us in, then make your report. As for your leader, we'll meet him soon enough."
The guard blinked, then nodded sheepishly. "R-right. You're right." He turned toward Ling Zhuang. "Then, sir, your test…"
"He doesn't need one." Xiao Jinfeng interrupted smoothly. He stepped forward, pulling a paper from his pocket. "Professor Ling is our mission's objective. The base leader specifically requested his return. Here's the stamped order from Director Fang."
The guard checked the seal, his eyes widening further. "Indeed. Then all of you, please proceed inside."
He waved them through.
The Gale Squad filed in first. Their identities were already registered with the base system, a quick face scan was all they needed. Jiang Qing, Jiang Jiamian, and Ling Zhuang followed close behind.
But just as Zheng Shuqiu and Shen Hao carried the limp Xue Fang forward, the guard's arm shot out. "Wait! What's wrong with him?"
Shen Hao stiffened, his voice flat and cold. "He fainted."
The guard eyed Xue Fang's pallid, bruised face with suspicion. "Fainted? He doesn't look… normal."
Shen Hao's expression tightened. He wasn't much of a liar. "He…"
"He fell from a platform while fighting zombies and lost consciousness. The bruises are from the fall." Zheng Shuqiu cut in quickly, forcing a smile.
The guard hesitated. But in the end, the facial recognition system cleared them all. He shrugged and waved them through. "Fine. Go on."
No one sane would drag a zombie into the base. That thought alone kept his doubts at bay.
Inside the gates, the atmosphere shifted immediately. The air smelled of disinfectant and oil. The noise of hundreds of voices echoed between the concrete walls. Barracks lined the inner road, and soldiers patrolled in neat formations.
"Let's go directly to Fang Jing." Xiao Jinfeng said, leading the way.
"No."
Ling Zhuang's quiet voice cut across the group. He lifted his eyes, calm but firm. "We can see him. But not all of us."
He raised one pale finger toward Xue Fang. "That's a zombie. Take him to quarters. I'll arrange matters later."
There was no lab yet, and he didn't know Fang Jing well enough to expose everything at once.
Xiao Jinfeng blinked, then nodded slowly. "You're right. Better not risk it."
He turned to Shen Hao and Zheng Shuqiu. "You two, take Xue Fang to his quarters. Chen Ran and I will escort Professor Ling. Jiang Jiamian and Jiang Qing should come too, Fang Jing will want to see them."
The orders were clear. Shen Hao and Zheng Shuqiu hefted Xue Fang and headed toward the residential district.
The rest of the group continued deeper into the base.
Unbeknownst to them, barely ten minutes later, another vehicle arrived at the gate. Fang Geng, still bloodied and barely conscious, was dragged forward by two men. Behind him, the small cluster of onlookers who had earlier dispersed now slunk back into the open, their eyes glittering with malice.
Trouble was already on its way.