Evil cult?
Tao Ju had never considered that possibility, because Tang Li was the principal person in charge of the High-Energy Center in East 725 District. One of his duties was to crack down on evil cult organizations that abused Extraordinary Abilities to recruit followers and impose physical and mental control.
If Tang Li himself was an evil cultist, the High-Energy Center would be in for one hell of a show.
Deep down, Tao Ju really wanted to watch that show unfold. But when he considered the negative impact it would have on him, he did not want that possibility to become reality. So he argued, "Maybe it's just some kind of enhancement path. The abilities granted by the High-Energy Tide have always been bizarre and varied. As long as it's registered with the High-Energy Center, it should be fine. I haven't heard of any well-known evil cult using this kind of method..."
They said every profession had its own specialties. In truth, Tao Ju's understanding of evil cults was fairly shallow, and he felt somewhat guilty even bringing it up.
Pawa looked at him as though he were an idiot. "You think I haven't read Tang Li's file? He doesn't have a damn enhancement ability. Registered, my ass—the file says he's a purebred bureaucrat who climbed the ranks by selling out his sister. So any ability and temperament he's shown recently that goes beyond common sense is suspicious."
"Is... is that so?"
"Of course. But he doesn't mind exposing it. He even seems to enjoy it." An exaggerated grin spread across Pawa's gaunt face. "That's where our 'Tacit Understanding' comes from. You always need something on the other side, even if it's only a lizard's tail, right?"
Tao Ju only half understood.
Pawa did not dwell on the matter,