Chapter 115

Chapter 115

After lunch at Bitao Tower, Chu Ya took Shen Juanjuan back to the orphanage. Yun Tuo was initially worried, but after Xiao Rui assured him that his men would remain at the orphanage, and with Chu Ya's persuasion to let the two spend more time together, Yun Tuo stayed at Bitao Tower.

Although Xiao Rui had sent enough food to last the orphanage for several months, Rong Chen had suffered enough from begging for food at the Angel Orphanage and was unwilling to rely on others indefinitely. So, the day after Chu Ya returned to the orphanage, the two of them went to the farming area.

Rong Chen did not expect the farming area to be so heavily guarded, with people holding guns standing watch, making him nervous when he had to hand over the contract and verify information.

"Since you've come to Linya City, don't you know what kind of people are here?" The person leading them into the farming area said, "If there were no guards, all the crops in the entire farming area would be looted in half a day."

"Yes, yes, I understand, it's just that I'm not used to it yet," Rong Chen smiled.

Unlike Cloud Peak where every inch of land is valuable, the farming area in Linya City is vast, with several farming buildings constructed. Chu Ya walked forward and saw that the crops grown in these buildings were similar to those in Cloud Peak, mostly high-yield, short-growth-cycle sweet potatoes and soybeans, with corn being the most common, and occasionally wheat, rice, and vegetables, which should be the farmland of large gangs like Bitao Tang.

The orphanage's leased plot was on the third floor of Building No. 16, not very large, but if planted with sweet potatoes, it could provide for the nearly two hundred people in the orphanage.

Rong Chen was extremely fond of this plot, picking up a handful of soil and grinding it between his fingers, praising how fertile the land was, saying the sweet potatoes grown here would definitely be large and sweet.

They immediately bought a batch of sweet potato seeds from the farming area management. The next day, under the escort of Xiao Rui's men, they brought a group of managers and some senior students to plant the seeds.

Chu Ya noticed a small, isolated patch of land behind a stone pillar, only about two or three square meters. Because it was blocked by the stone pillar from the high-pressure sodium lamps that served as artificial sunlight, no one had rented it, leaving it abandoned.

He found the manager and asked to rent this piece of land. The manager waved his hand indifferently, "Plant whatever you want, no one has rented this land. But I must warn you, that spot doesn't get any light, so you might not be able to grow crops there."

Chu Ya thanked him and asked, "Do you sell flower seeds here?"

"Flower seeds?" The manager was taken aback, perhaps not expecting someone to want to plant flowers instead of crops, "We don't sell flower seeds here."

Disappointed, Chu Ya asked again, "Is there anywhere in the city where I can find flower seeds?"

The manager thought for a moment and said, "Only a few major forces in the entire Linya City grow some flowers, and they keep some seeds here. Since you're planting a small amount, I'll give you some. By the way, there's a type of flower that likes shade, which would be perfect for that spot."

With food and a place to stay, they had settled down in Linya City. The laboratory in Bitao Tower was also set up, and research on black rot disease officially began.

Linya City was often in conflict, but the church where the orphanage was located remained relatively peaceful. Although some minor forces discovered that the broodmother in the church had been eliminated and had thoughts of taking over, the presence of Xiao Rui's men guarding the orphanage's gate, along with a group of idle quantum beasts, deterred them before they even engaged in battle with the students and sentinels of the orphanage.

Perhaps at Yun Tuo's request, Xiao Rui also sent several skilled men to the orphanage to become military instructors for the students. Chu Ya noticed that the combat knowledge and skills they taught were very standardized, clearly indicating systematic training, leading him to guess that these men were likely former regular soldiers who had come to Linya City for unknown reasons and became Xiao Rui's subordinates.

Yun Tuo had been busy with the laboratory, and it wasn't until half a month later that he visited the orphanage again.

"Xiaoya, I have to leave Linya City for a while," Yun Tuo said.

Chu Ya had heard him mention this before, so he wasn't surprised, only asking, "When are you leaving?"

"Tonight."

"Will Chairman Xiao go with you?" Chu Ya asked.

"Why would he go with me?"

Chu Ya looked surprised, "Aren't you lovers?"

Yun Tuo laughed and ruffled his hair, "Who says lovers must always be together? We each have our own things to do."

In Chu Ya's understanding, if two people had developed to a certain level, they should be inseparable. But he knew that every couple had their own way of interacting, so he just nodded.

Yun Tuo continued, "Don't look so dejected. I'll be back once I finish my business, at most in two or three months."

Seeing Chu Ya's unease, Yun Tuo, who originally wanted to tease him, softened his gaze. "Relax, even if I'm not around, Xiao Rui will protect you. If anything happens, just go to him."

"Can't you stay?" Chu Ya asked gloomily, looking down.

Yun Tuo explained, "This time, I need to contact the forces in Wuma Highlands and Zia Island. They have been opposing Cloud Peak, and if we can ally with them, we can develop for a few years and then stand against Cloud Peak."

"Stand against Cloud Peak?" Chu Ya raised his head.

"We can't let Gu Lin off, but dealing with him isn't easy; he has Cloud Peak behind him. And Xiao Rui is well aware that Cloud Peak won't let Linya City alone and will eventually make a move. We've discussed it, and rather than passively waiting, we should prepare in advance. I'll contact the forces opposing Cloud Peak, while Linya City must no longer be divided. Xiao Rui must unify the major forces in the city."

Chu Ya felt a surge of excitement, and the long-standing frustration in his heart dissipated. "We're going to oppose Gu Lin and Cloud Peak?"

Yun Tuo nodded, "Yes! But it's a long process, and we need to take it step by step."

Yun Tuo left by boat, and Chu Ya went to the dock to see him off alone.

"Didn't Chairman Xiao come?" Chu Ya asked.

"I didn't tell him I was leaving today to avoid... Well, I'm boarding the ship now, see you in three months." Yun Tuo smiled, picked up his simple luggage, and walked onto the ship.

"Remember, start counting from today, three months," Chu Ya shouted at his back.

Yun Tuo made a gesture without turning around, indicating he understood.

The ship sailed away from the port, and Yun Tuo's figure became a small dot, but his crested goshawk still hovered above the dock, looking around. It finally turned reluctantly and flew out to sea as the ship moved farther away.

Just as Chu Ya was about to turn around, he saw a white-tailed sea eagle suddenly appear in the sky above the dock, let out a long cry, and flapped its wings to chase the ship. It soon disappeared into the sky, obviously being recalled by its owner nearby.

After Yun Tuo left, everything was on track, but the Teddy Bear had not been defeated and returned to Shen Juanjuan's mental domain, so the area around its mouth remained bald.

"Chubao Long, why hasn't your beard grown back?"

A group of children and quantum beasts were playing in the front courtyard of the church, which served as a playground. Lin Duozhi asked curiously, and the leopard cub reached out a paw to touch the Teddy Bear's mouth, causing the Teddy Bear to quickly dodge.

The Black Wolf was wrestling with the BlackandWhite Panther and looked over when he heard this, only to be pinned down by the BlackandWhite Panther. The Black Wolf growled lowly and flipped over to pin the BlackandWhite Panther down again.

Shen Juanjuan said, "My beard didn't grow back after I shaved it last time."

"I want to shave my beard too," Chen Hongliang touched his lips, and Tang Yuanyuan grabbed his hand and pressed it to her chin, "Beards grow here."

"What beard do you want to shave? Where did you get a beard from?" A manager passing by with two iron buckets said, "You’re still so young, and you’re already thinking about shaving beards."

"Ugh… I clearly have a beard; the manager doesn’t understand anything." Shen Juanjuan wrinkled his face.

Tang Yuanyuan hesitated, "Maybe we’re too young; we’ll have beards when we grow up."

"Little Cudragon is even younger than us, and he has a beard. The manager doesn’t understand anything," Chen Hongliang whispered.

Yu Datou: "Mm-hmm."

"Don’t I? The class bell has rung, and you guys are still here. Do you want a few whacks with the ruler?" the manager shouted.

The orphanage had entered its regular schedule. At this time, they should have been in class, but the children were used to being idle and didn’t want to attend. They just played on the playground.

At the request of the instructor, a large sandpit was dug on the right side of the playground to serve as a fighting arena. At that moment, the sandpit was filled not only with children rolling around but also with quantum beasts playing. A kangaroo quantum beast was being pinned down and rubbed in the sand by a fox quantum beast.

The managers of the orphanage were busier than before. They had to take turns planting in the farming area, prepare three meals a day, and handle various daily affairs. They were already accustomed to the children skipping classes, so they would only shout a few angry words or threaten them with a ruler when passing by, but since the children wouldn’t go into the classroom, they didn’t have the time or energy to discipline them.

However, Xiao Rui not only sent a combat instructor but also a cultural studies instructor. When Shen Juanjuan and the others didn’t return to the makeshift classroom in the side hall, the cultural studies instructor appeared on the playground.

Over the past few days, the cultural studies instructor had shown his strictness. He raised his wrist to look at his watch and shouted loudly, "It’s already been five minutes into class, but some students haven’t returned to the classroom. If these students return now, they will only stand for one period. I’m starting the timer now; every additional minute will add another period of standing."

"I don’t mind standing."

"I love standing; my butt itches when I sit and listen."

"I’ll just play; if I get penalized, so be it."

...

The cultural studies instructor continued, "Based on the rule of standing for one period for each minute late, if the penalties for the morning classes aren’t enough, then they will continue standing and won’t be allowed to eat lunch!"

As soon as the cultural studies instructor finished speaking, the playground fell silent. The children rolling in the sandpit, including the quantum beasts, stopped their play.

"What did he say? Is he letting us eat lunch? But we just had breakfast," Shen Juanjuan whispered to the child beside him.

Chen Hongliang scratched his face, "Maybe because we eat a lot."

Tang Yuanyuan stomped her foot anxiously, "He’s telling us to go back to class! If we don’t attend, we won’t be allowed to eat lunch!"

The children finally realized what was happening. Hearing that they wouldn’t be able to eat lunch, they all rushed toward the classroom, and those in the sandpit quickly climbed out. In an instant, the playground was left with only the quantum beasts.

The main hall had been converted into a practical combat classroom. The older students stood straight, feet slightly apart, hands behind their backs, wearing the combat uniforms Xiao Rui had sent, listening to the instructor explain combat techniques.

When the middle and younger students rushed into the hall and hurriedly ran toward the opposite corridor, none of the older students turned their heads; they continued to look at the instructor in front.

Shen Juanjuan ran while turning his head to search for Chu Ya among the older students.

"Brother," Lin Duozhi, running behind him, whispered softly.

Wang Chengcai, who was standing in the formation, had just turned his head when the instructor shouted, "Wang Chengcai, step out! Do one hundred squats over there!"

Lin Duozhi was immediately scared into silence.

Liu Sijin also saw Liu Zhen in the formation, only pressing her lips together and looking at her without a word.

Shen Juanjuan ran almost to the corridor and found Chu Ya standing in the center of the first row.

Chu Ya was also dressed in a black combat uniform, his pants tucked into his boots, looking the same as the other older students, but his tall figure and demeanor stood out distinctly.

Just as Shen Juanjuan was about to call out, Liu Sijin patted his waist and whispered, "Don’t call him."

Shen Juanjuan glanced at Wang Chengcai, who was still doing squats, and held back from making a sound. However, just before entering the corridor, he saw Chu Ya’s gaze fall on him.

"Hehe…" Shen Juanjuan immediately grinned.

Chu Ya quickly looked away.

During the time Yun Tuo was away from Linya City, ten more children at the orphanage entered the differentiation phase, including Chen Hongliang. Every night, the uncontrolled mental powers would wander and play around the church.

The managers on night duty were frightened more than once. Sometimes the flashlight would suddenly turn off and then turn on again repeatedly. Other times, a basin in their hands would suddenly slip and spin in the air…

The nights at the church were already eerie, and even though the managers knew it was the children’s mental powers causing trouble, they couldn’t help but make wild guesses and get scared.

Chu Ya suggested to Rong Chen that the managers no longer need to stand night watch. Since mental powers roamed everywhere at night, it was like having several people patrolling, which was safer than the managers standing watch. Rong Chen agreed, and the managers were finally spared the nightly frights.

In the two months since Yun Tuo’s departure, Xiao Rui indeed kept his word, constantly sending people to watch over the orphanage and blocking many small factions’ moves.

While major factions wouldn’t bother with the church, the smaller ones were very envious. If they could possess the buildings of the church, they could use it as a base and rapidly expand their influence. Previously, they couldn’t do anything about the church because of the Broodmother inside, but now that the Broodmother was reportedly cleared out and only a group of children lived there, they began to have ideas.

People kept coming to raid the orphanage, but they were all driven away by the people Xiao Rui sent. They understood that the church belonged to Bitao Tang and didn’t dare to act further. However, at some point, the rumor spread throughout Linya City that Xiao Rui’s illegitimate child was being raised in the church.

Some people no longer dared to seize the territory, but others had different ideas. Capturing Xiao Rui’s illegitimate child seemed better than seizing a church.

Tonight, Linya City was unusually quiet, without a single gunshot. The church was shrouded in deep darkness, and everyone was fast asleep.

A dozen dark figures crept forward through the wilderness, gradually approaching the church.

"The people from Bitao Tang are guarding the gate, and there’s someone every hundred meters outside the wall. But there’s a corner at the back that’s a blind spot for them. We can climb in from there."

"They say there are quite a few kids inside. Which one is Xiao Rui’s illegitimate child?"

"Just get in. Grab a dozen and interrogate them. Kill those who don’t talk. Are you afraid we won’t find his illegitimate child?"

"Alright, stop talking."

The dark figures crawled forward on the dry grass, avoiding the Bitao Tang guards, and finally reached the corner of the wall.

Two iron claws were thrown over the high wall, and two figures climbed up first. But as soon as they landed in the courtyard, they sensed something was wrong.

"Xiao Si, don't you find it strange?"

The person called Xiao Si surveyed the courtyard, only seeing the vague outlines of the houses and the towering spire of the main hall in between.

"What's strange?"

"I can't put my finger on it, but I feel like something is watching me."

"Now that you mention it, I have the same feeling."

"I heard the church used to be haunted often. Could it be—"

The two stood still, shivering as they looked around, but found nothing. At this moment, several quantum beasts surrounded them, with a kangaroo standing right in front of them, staring at them face-to-face.

"Let's go, they're coming in soon. We should move forward."

As soon as he finished speaking, the kangaroo punched them twice, and they instantly fell down.

Those waiting outside the wall also sensed something was wrong. Someone suddenly covered their face and asked in a low voice, "Why did you hit me?"

"When did I hit you... Liu Cheng, what are you doing?"

"S-s-save me, I'm being strangled, my neck."

"What's wrong with him? I, I—oh no, we've been discovered. There's actually a sentinel guide here, run!"

"Xiao Si and the other one are still inside."

"We can't do anything about it, let's go!"

The shadows turned and fled back toward Linya City, with a group of psychics chasing after them, throwing some and tripping others. The commotion quickly alerted the Bitao Tang members, and gunfire erupted once again.

When Chu Ya was woken up, he immediately covered Shen Juanjuan's ears. The other children from the orphanage woke up, poking their heads out of the windows and running down the stairs into the yard.

"There are two people under that wall, beaten up with bumps all over their heads, the older students are holding them down."

"The manager has a rope too."

Shen Juanjuan started tossing and turning restlessly, so Chu Ya held him and gently patted his back. Just as he had calmed Shen Juanjuan back to sleep, Chen Hongliang's voice came from outside the window: "Those two are being carried around by the quantum beasts, they're screaming like crazy, hahahaha! They look like two big sweet potatoes!"

Chu Ya felt a sense of unease, and sure enough, Shen Juanjuan opened his eyes, sat up abruptly, and asked groggily, "Have we eaten? Is it breakfast time?"

Chu Ya whispered soothingly, "It's still night, not yet time for breakfast. Go back to sleep."

"Mmm... Shen Miaomiao." Shen Juanjuan closed his eyes and lay back in Chu Ya's arms, mumbling, "I want to eat big sweet potatoes, two big sweet potatoes."

Chu Ya covered his ears, "Go to sleep, go to sleep, you can eat breakfast when you wake up."

Laughter and shouts echoed through the yard, and Shen Juanjuan suddenly turned his head to look out the window. Chu Ya knew covering his ears wouldn't work anymore, so he sighed and let go.

"Hey, what are they doing? There are so many people outside, what are they doing?"

Chu Ya turned on the light, grabbed a nearby shirt to dress Shen Juanjuan, and squatted down to put on his shoes.

"Shen Miaomiao! What's happening outside? Chen Hongliang and Tang Yuanyuan are all outside!"

"Let's go, I'll take you to see the commotion."

There were many children in the yard, and several heads poked out of the windows of the nearby small buildings. The two men who had been knocked unconscious by the kangaroo had now awakened and were being tossed around the yard by the quantum beasts, each one grabbing a piece of their clothing.

The children chased after them, laughing and cheering. As soon as Shen Juanjuan stepped out of the building, Liu Sijin waved at him, "Shen Juanjuan, come and see. These are two thieves, caught by the quantum beasts."

Shen Juanjuan ran over quickly and joined a group of younger students chasing the quantum beasts.

"Are they thieves? Did they come to steal our sweet potatoes?" Shen Juanjuan asked while running.

Chen Hongliang said proudly, "There were a lot more people outside the wall earlier. I tickled someone's foot, and he, he said, 'Who's tickling my foot?'"

"Hahahaha, so funny, who's tickling my foot? Why is that so funny?"

"I can't run anymore, I've run so many laps," Wang Xiaoxi panted.

Tang Yuanyuan stood a short distance away, watching them and asked curiously, "Why are you running? Can't you just stand here and watch? The quantum beasts are just running in circles anyway."

The two men who had climbed over the wall continued to be tossed around by the quantum beasts, and the students laughed loudly. The two men, pale-faced and eyes closed, remained motionless until the Bitao Tang members entered the orphanage and took them away.

After this incident, those who had intended to take advantage of the orphanage completely gave up their plans. A rumor even spread outside that the church housed a secret army of the Bitao Tang, all sentinels and guides. These people had taken drugs to appear as children and were undergoing training in the church. Once trained, they would blend in harmlessly across Morna, including Cloud Peak and the Abyss, becoming hidden pawns for the Bitao Tang.

Xiao Rui would visit the orphanage when he wasn't busy, checking on Chu Ya, and sometimes drive Shen Juanjuan and the Teddy Bear to the beach.

"...I think sometimes, one has to believe in fate. When you meet that person, you just have to accept it."

Some armed figures in black were scattered along the beach, constantly vigilant. Xiao Rui reclined against a large rock, raising his glass, "This is what's called destiny, a trial in your fate."

Shen Juanjuan put down the stone he was playing with, picked up his juice cup, and clinked it against Xiao Rui's, nodding, "A trial in fate."

Xiao Rui took a sip of his drink and whispered, "But also a blessing in fate."

"Right, a blessing in fate."

Xiao Rui turned his head to the right, "What do you think?"

The Teddy Bear lay beside him, legs crossed, looking at the sky with an unlit cigarette in its mouth.

Hearing Xiao Rui's question, it removed the cigarette, flicked it, thought for a moment, and then seriously growled.