Ch. 161The Gap in Strength Was Too Great (2/3)
Chapter Summary
Key Plot Points and Events
- After the Xia Super League team retreats, Zuo Yi reflects on their suspicious attempt to seize the Silk Weaver. He concludes that the League likely raised the creature and that information about its location probably came from the Superhuman Administration.
- Zuo Yi believes the Silk Weaver’s escape and presence at the ranch are part of a larger, unresolved situation. However, he remains unconcerned because his strength protects him from future schemes.
- Zhong Ming reports the incident to the Superhuman Administration. A support team is dispatched, originally to rescue Zuo Yi but now arriving to clean up the aftermath.
- Zuo Yi leaves Zhong Ming to wait for the support team so he can return to pick up Bao’er. He reassures Zhong Ming that Renata’s group is unlikely to target him and tells him to reveal Zuo Yi’s identity if they do.
- Zuo Yi gives Zhong Ming the butterfly knife dropped by Little Li as a keepsake, and Zhong Ming thanks him sincerely.
- The scene shifts to the Xia Super League’s Jiangnan headquarters in Cloud Summit Building, where Chairman Kou Hai questions Renata, Little Li, and Steel Bullet about their failure.
- Renata explains that their intelligence was flawed and that Zuo Yi killed the escaped Experiment Subject No. 2, took its Superhuman Source, and immediately used its ability against them.
- Body-camera footage confirms that Zuo Yi decisively defeated the group. Kou Hai is especially surprised that Zuo Yi could reproduce Experiment Subject No. 2’s web ability.
- Renata estimates that Zuo Yi is at least B-Rank and possibly A-Rank. Kou Hai realizes the Superhuman Administration may have secretly acquired an A-Rank expert and decides to take further action by making an important phone call.
Character Developments
- Zuo Yi: Demonstrates confidence, strategic awareness, and protectiveness toward Zhong Ming. He deliberately draws the Xia Super League’s hostility onto himself to shield Zhong Ming and shows complete faith in his own overwhelming strength.
- Zhong Ming: Gains confidence and emotional gratitude toward Zuo Yi. Though initially worried about being left alone, he insists that his position in the Superhuman Administration means he is not afraid of the Xia Super League.
- Renata: Proves honest and perceptive by giving Kou Hai a complete account of the defeat. She recognizes the enormous gap between Zuo Yi and her team and openly acknowledges that he may be A-Rank.
- Little Li: His arrogance is undermined by the encounter. Known for never missing with his throwing knives, he could not even bring himself to attack Zuo Yi and dropped his weapon.
- Steel Bullet: Becomes visibly intimidated and confirms that Zuo Yi’s web was even stronger than Experiment Subject No. 2’s.
- Kou Hai: Reveals himself as calculating rather than impulsive. Although furious, he controls his emotions, analyzes the evidence, and responds to the possibility of an A-Rank opponent by beginning a larger strategic move.
Significant Themes
- Overwhelming strength and power imbalance: The title is reflected in Zuo Yi’s effortless defeat of a powerful team and the Xia Super League’s realization that ordinary rankings may not explain his abilities.
- Protection through strength: Zuo Yi uses his reputation and power to protect Zhong Ming, showing that strength can carry responsibility toward weaker allies.
- Secrets and institutional conflict: The Silk Weaver’s origins, the escaped experiment, and the possible involvement of the Superhuman Administration suggest hidden agendas and rivalry between powerful organizations.
- Information and intelligence failures: The Xia Super League’s operation collapses because their intelligence was incomplete, while Zuo Yi begins to suspect a much larger conspiracy.
- Recognition of a new threat: Kou Hai’s fear of a possible A-Rank expert shifts the conflict from a failed capture mission to a broader confrontation between organizations.
Character Interactions
- Zuo Yi reassures Zhong Ming, praises his courage, and offers practical protection by telling him to invoke Zuo Yi’s identity if threatened.
- Zhong Ming’s gratitude deepens after Zuo Yi protects him and gives him Little Li’s butterfly knife.
- Kou Hai interrogates Renata’s group without openly condemning them, though he subtly mocks Little Li’s failure.
- Renata defends herself and Little Li while emphasizing Zuo Yi’s terrifying mental and combat abilities.
- Steel Bullet supports Renata’s account by describing how completely Zuo Yi’s web immobilized him.
- Kou Hai’s final phone call signals that the Xia Super League will not simply abandon the matter.