Awakening Zhongli Template, Retiring on Terra

This... isn't that just like her?

Texas also came to Penguin Logistics to be an unremarkable messenger, all to sever ties with her past.

Despite her excellent performance during missions, she hadn't actually revealed her true strength.

Perhaps Shi Lei, like herself, had memories they didn't want to face, a past they didn't want to mention.

Such similar experiences made Texas empathize deeply. This feeling of being adrift in a foreign land, wanting to change one's identity and way of life – she understood it too well.

"Of course."

Texas readily agreed, looking at the man who trusted her so much, she didn't mind saying a few more words:

"The condition is, will you find it troublesome?"

"No, no, Miss Texas. It's a huge help that you agreed. Also, not touching money is my personal belief. Can you not tell anyone else? Let's keep it our little secret, okay? Although we haven't known each other long, I feel you're very trustworthy."

He'd even handed over his salary directly, how could she not trust him?

Having him come to her specifically for this kind of matter made Texas feel recognized. She immediately got up, picked up the Lungmen Dollars from his desk, and started counting them.

Shi Lei looked a bit embarrassed, scratching the back of his head:

"Miss Texas, I said last month I'd treat you to a meal, but what I have right now is really nothing to boast about. How about I buy you some snacks first, and then treat you to a big meal when I get paid next month?"

"I don't mind that kind of thing."

As the two were chatting, Exusiai returned from the restroom and heard keywords from afar:

"A big meal? What big meal? Are you guys planning another party behind my back? Spill it!"

Shi Lei chuckled and explained:

"No, no, I've only been a full-time employee for a few days, and I didn't get much salary this month. I was just saying I'd buy some snacks first, and then treat you to a big meal next month."

Exusiai patted her wallet and lifted her chin:

"Ah, you've only been here a few days. If anyone's treating, it should be us taking turns treating you. Come on, it's almost twelve o'clock, I'll treat you to lunch at a restaurant."

"I packed a lot of food yesterday, and it's not good to just leave it in the fridge. How about we eat that for lunch?"

At twelve o'clock, the three of them clocked out. They stood together at the stairwell entrance, waiting for the elevator to come up, chatting and laughing.

"Ding!"

The elevator doors slowly opened, and Shi Lei immediately saw Officer Chen Hui Jie inside. She wasn't with Officer Hoshiguma today. Upon seeing him, she got straight to the point:

"Mr. Shi, can I have a word with you privately?"

037 About to be exposed?

"Mr. Shi, can I have a word with you privately?"

Chen Hui Jie's expression was rather serious as she spoke. This made Exusiai suspect that Shi Lei had probably damaged some public property, and she tried hard to suppress a laugh.

Texas glanced over, figuring that Officer Chen wouldn't make things difficult for him, so she didn't ask further.

"Sure."

Shi Lei nodded in agreement, then gave an apologetic smile to Texas and Exusiai:

"Sorry about this, you guys go down first. You can heat up the food, I'll be right there after I'm done talking."

"Okay, hehe, come down soon."

After the elevator doors closed and it began to descend, Chen Hui Jie tilted her head slightly, gesturing to a camera in the corner:

"There's a surveillance camera over there, let's move somewhere else."

"Okay, follow me."

Shi Lei swiped his work ID to open a door and headed towards the northwest corner of the office area, where the balcony was outside the surveillance blind spot.

The wind on the top floor was colder than on the ground, whistling past their faces. Beside the steps was a red ashtray with only a few extinguished cigarette butts scattered inside.

Chen Hui Jie valued efficiency and disliked beating around the bush. Confirming no one else was present, she blurted out:

"Mr. Shi, are you Infected?"

On the continent of Terra, certain individuals could influence the material world through specific mediums.

This medium was usually a Casting Unit.

The Casting Unit received the caster's neural activity and released different forms of energy into the external world.

The targets could be as large as a specific object or as small as the fundamental particles that made up matter. Ultimately, the target material would produce effects consistent with the caster's will.

To enhance the effect, a Casting Staff or Originium product was needed. This product, a combination of Originium Arts theory and industrial application, integrated complex energy conversion circuits to complete a full set of casting actions.

Chixiao, which Chen Hui Jie wore at her waist, was a sword-shaped Casting Staff, making it easier for Originium Arts to condense and form.

Most Infected individuals could use their infected organs to achieve the same effect as Originium products. They could construct energy circuits and release specific Arts with their bare hands.

To be able to create rocks out of thin air to throw at someone, one must use an Originium product or a Casting Weapon. If casting with bare hands, the caster was most likely Infected.

According to the description from the Golden Hook Gang members, Shi Lei cast his Arts without any weapons, seemingly out of thin air. This is something even the High Tower Arcanists of Sargon might not be able to do.

The Casting Unit itself is limited by the Caster's distance, releasing different forms of energy within a certain range. But to form a meteor shower from the sky like Shi Lei did, even with astonishing talent, it's highly unlikely to reach that level.

It was precisely because of this that Chen Hui Jie gradually realized the seriousness of the situation and rushed to Penguin Logistics.

She didn't beat around the bush, getting straight to the point and asking directly if he was Infected.

Shi Lei's expression was strange, but he still answered truthfully:

"No, where did you hear that? I just had a comprehensive medical examination at the Rhine Lab branch a few days ago, and there wasn't a trace of Originium in my blood."

Not Infected, and not using Originium products. Summoning a meteor shower with bare hands was simply too outrageous!

Upon learning the truth, Chen Hui Jie couldn't hide her shock. Her expression turned serious, and she began to explain:

"Lungmen Governor Wei Yenwu issued an order to the Special Inspectorate this morning, demanding an investigation into the meteor that fell around 6 PM yesterday in District 20's dock. I first interrogated the leader of the Green Shrimp Gang. He said he only heard a loud noise but didn't know what happened. Then, we traced it to the Golden Hook Gang. Their testimony confirmed it was you."

From Officer Chen's words, it seemed the higher-ups in Lungmen had noticed him. If he had damaged the dock, he would just pay for it. They couldn't possibly take him to be experimented on, could they?

But with her saying this, she must have her reasons. Perhaps the higher-ups were martial arts enthusiasts who liked to spar? Or maybe they suffered from paranoia and viewed the Rex Lapis's abilities as a threat?

Regardless, it's wise to heed advice.

Officer Chen seeking him out privately meant she didn't want to blow things out of proportion and wanted to resolve it quietly.

The Rock Spine and Jade Shield alone were enough to handle most problems. He would develop other functionalities after leveling up. In the future, he would try to avoid using Meteorite in Lungmen, but he would consider it if he traveled elsewhere.

Before he could speak, Chen Hui Jie continued:

"Don't worry, I'm not here to hold you accountable today. I just want to remind you to be more discreet in the future. I will report last night's incident as a natural disaster. As long as you don't do anything to harm Lungmen, I can pretend it never happened. You don't need to worry about those witnesses; I'll eliminate them in a recent crackdown."

Hearing her state her intention to cover for him, Shi Lei's eyes darted around, and he naturally felt compelled to reciprocate:

"Oh, I don't know how to thank you enough, Officer Chen. I owe you a favor. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

"No need, I'm not asking for anything in return. If you really want to thank me, then thank your kindness and courage for rushing into the fire to save people that day. I watched you go from a wanderer to a Messenger for Penguin Logistics step by step. Lungmen is an inclusive city. As long as you don't commit any wrongdoing, even Infected can find a place to stay.

To be frank, the Governor is my uncle. I can't fully grasp his thoughts, but I know handing you over to him might not be a good thing. In any case, the case from last night is closed. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

Seeing Chen Hui Jie come to warn him, and truly not for personal gain, Shi Lei was surprised and couldn't help but admire the righteous Officer Chen:

"Officer Chen, the promise I just made is a 'Pact' with you. This is not about sentimentality, but about pursuing objective fairness. You don't need to rush to use it; when you truly need help, please remember to find me."

She didn't respond immediately, but stared at Shi Lei for several seconds before nodding solemnly:

"Alright, I hope that day never comes."

December 2nd, 2:10 PM.

Lungmen Lower City, Lin Residence.

Although it was the sunniest part of the day, the slums couldn't feel the warmth of autumn.

The firewood in the fireplace crackled, the flames flickering now high, now low.

A gang member knocked on the door and, upon receiving permission, pushed it open. Feeling the distinct temperature difference between inside and outside, he bowed slightly and reported to the old man looking at a painting:

"Boss, last night's incident in District 20 has been classified as a natural disaster and is now closed."

"Oh?"

When Lin Gerei noticed the anomaly in the sky last night, he had already sent people to investigate District 20. Although the Lower City wasn't his territory, money could pave the way. Such a meteor shower was unprecedented in Lungmen.

Later, he hired an artist from the slums to paint a portrait of a man based on the description of an eyewitness.

What puzzled Lin Gerei was, why would the Lungmen Guard Department conceal what was clearly a man-made event as a natural disaster?

As he was pondering, Lin Yuxia walked by, preparing to go out, and her gaze paused as she swept across the room:

"How do you have his portrait?"

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038 Cross-Server Chat

Lin Yuxia had already found Shi Lei but hadn't revealed any personal information about him to her father yet.

Learning from the previous incident where the maid had snitched, she took precautions. When she found someone to track down Penguin Logistics, she employed a newcomer from the gang who was eager to prove himself and climb the ranks.

No matter what, Lin Yuxia was Lin Gerei's daughter. When father and daughter clashed, the person caught in the middle had the hardest job. So, before assigning the task, she made it clear that anyone who dared to be a fence-sitter would face dire consequences.

She meant it, even the Rat King couldn't save them!

Now that her father had Shi Lei's portrait, if it wasn't for her subordinates informing him, there was another possibility:

"Did you send someone to spy on me?"

Lin Gerei had no idea what kind of relationship this man had with his daughter. But seeing her surprised expression, he quickly reacted. After dismissing his subordinates, he said:

"He's not the person you're looking for, is he?"

Seeing her father pretending to be oblivious even at this point, Lin Yuxia crossed her arms and spoke with a hint of resentment:

"Hmph, you know the answer, why ask?"

Lin Gerei leaned on his cane with his left hand, gently stroking his beard with his right.

He hadn't expected that the future son-in-law his daughter had kept hidden, the one she'd searched for with so much effort, was actually the same person as the man who summoned meteorites from the sky.

Good!

This was truly excellent!

Lin Gerei had his daughter late in life and doted on her immensely. Lin Yuxia was now of marriageable age but had yet to find a suitable partner.

As a father, he naturally wished for an outstanding son-in-law. Someone who could always cherish, care for, and love her. And after he stepped down, someone with enough capability to take over the vast underground forces of the slums.

But looking across the entire slums, there wasn't a single young talent who fit the bill. Those with such abilities would surely prefer to go to the mainland of Yan to marry into wealthy families.

It also wasn't very realistic to look in the Upper City or Core City. Most young men showed apprehension and disdain upon learning it was the Lin family, making a good match difficult.

He had originally planned to step in and break off the engagement once his daughter found someone she liked. But looking at the current situation, there was no need for that at all. If the two could tie the knot, it would solve two major worries for Lin Gerei: 'his daughter's lifelong happiness' and 'the succession of his career.'

With this thought, he narrowed his eyes, a kindly smile appearing on his lips. His daughter had always been unwilling to share with the family, perhaps their relationship wasn't finalized yet. He then spoke to confirm:

"How are things between you and him now?"

Lin Yuxia felt helpless, but there was no such thing as a regret pill in the world. What could be done about something that had already been revealed?

Recalling the scene from that night, her brow furrowed slightly, and she sighed with a shake of her head:

"Unfortunately, he rejected me."

That brat, how dare he reject my daughter!

Lin Gerei grumbled inwardly, but outwardly he feigned concern for his daughter, probing for a solution:

"Tell me, what did he say? I'll help you analyze it and see if you can win him back."