A Show of Force

After making the decision, Cui Man took Zhang Ming onto the Helicopter, preparing to head to the Special Response Department's training base.

"We've already sent someone to inform your parents, and someone will go to the school to help you pack your luggage," Cui Man said, crossing her beautiful legs. Zhang Ming glanced at her legs, which were encased in stockings, and swallowed hard.

Xiao He warned from the side, "Behave yourself, or I'll break your legs."

"Tsk..." Zhang Ming curled his lip in displeasure. "Why is it that no matter what I do, someone always has to tell me what to do?"

"Because this world operates under the constraints of 'laws,' and nothing can be accomplished without rules," Cui Man said, frowning.

"In other words, it's because your power can't break through this 'law'," Xiao He said bluntly.

"I see..." Zhang Ming said suddenly, resting his chin on his hand in deep thought. Cui Man pinched Xiao He's ear and said, "Darling, don't corrupt other children, okay?"

"Then your power should be enough to make you lawless, right? Why are you still so well-behaved?" Zhang Ming asked Xiao He, puzzled.

Xiao He sneered inwardly: Because I can't either, at least not by myself.

"Because he can't beat his girlfriend," Cui Man replied with a smile.

Xiao He thought about it and felt there was nothing wrong with what he said, so he shrugged and agreed.

"Ha! A woman who can't even beat Yinglong... I'd love to see her." Zhang Ming's face was full of longing, but he also quieted down.

After another hour's flight, they returned to the Special Response Department.

Zhang Ming looked around curiously. "This place feels a bit outdated... there aren't even any planes or tanks."

"What do you want? The Bat Cave?" Cui Man said irritably. "Come here!"

When Xiao He arrived at the third floor of the Special Response Department for the first time, he realized that the upper floor was the staff dormitory, and Chen Ting was arranged to live there. However, he would also go to school and take exams, just like any other normal child. The Special Response Department had arranged a special guardian for him.

After all, his abilities aren't the kind that require training.

"Yinglong!" Upon seeing Xiao He, Chen Ting, who was sitting at the table doing his homework, immediately came to greet him. The boy had changed into clean clothes, taken a bath, and tidied himself up. He was actually quite handsome, with thick eyebrows and big eyes. He would probably grow up to be a handsome young man.

"I heard you've been very brave lately," Xiao He said, extending his fist to him. "Keep it up, the mask will be yours soon."

"Mmm!" Chen Ting nodded excitedly, bumping fists with him. "I'll do my best!"

"He's only eight years old after all..." Xiao He sighed inwardly.

At this moment, Zhang Ming excitedly said, "What! Yinglong's mask? I want one too! Hey, beautiful, can I have my own team uniform and mask too? What's my codename?"

"Are you an eight-year-old kid too?" Xiao He rolled his eyes and thought to himself.

"Calm down." Cui Man raised her hand to interrupt Zhang Ming. "Becoming Mutant in the Special Response Department isn't easy. You have to prove your worth. What we need are soldiers who can obey orders, not superheroes who break away from the organization. Even Superman has his dark moments."

"She's actually read DC comics? "Xiao He couldn't help but wonder.

"I understand," Zhang Ming said with a straight face. "I will train hard."

As he said this, a slight, nonchalant smile appeared on Zhang Ming's lips.

Even Xiao He could see through his little scheme. "Just do as you say first, and when we're actually on the field, I can do whatever I want. As the saying goes, a general in the field may disobey the emperor's orders. The Mutant is so important, I don't believe you dare to abandon me."

If even he could see it, Cui Man would certainly be able to as well, but she just smiled smugly and didn't expose Zhang Ming's little scheme.

"Come on, I'll take you to visit a place," Cui Man said with a slight smile. "Perfect timing, we still have some time before Yinglong goes back to eat his wife's lovingly prepared dinner. I'll make sure you understand something before then."

Xiao He glanced at the time; it was already 4:30. He suddenly became a little anxious. "Don't cause trouble, you brats..."

So they took Chen Ting onto the Helicopter and flew towards the Mutant Prison, intending to give Zhang Ming a "show of force".

On the way, Cui Man reminded him, "Remember to protect little Chen Ting later, okay? While we're on the way, let's also make a contract with those unruly guys."

"Okay." Xiao He responded, then turned to Chen Ting and instructed, "Remember to stay by my side and don't wander off."

"Yes!" Chen Ting said excitedly, while Zhang Ming asked curiously, "Where are we going?"

"You'll see when we get there," Cui Man said with a straight face, reverting to the icy beauty that Xiao He had first met.

The Helicopter soon landed on the island in the lake where the Mutant Prison was located. Xiao He hadn't been here for a while; he wondered if those two would behave themselves this time they saw him again.

"Do you know where this is?" Cui Man turned to Zhang Ming and smiled. "This is the Mutant Prison. Those who disobey regulations and commit illegal acts are locked up here. Although there doesn't seem to be any security here, you can live a life of comfort and ease here. But once you get out, you'll face the pursuit of 'Yinglong'."

Zhang Ming glanced at Xiao He suspiciously, seemingly unsure if it was true.

"Let's go, let's go in." Cui Man registered her identity with the jailer at the door, then waved and entered the prison.

Currently, there are only Jin Shaokang and Yue Feng in the prison. Yue Feng is playing basketball on the playground right now, while Jin Shaokang is nowhere to be seen. However, there are actually three Lin Tiannan here, because Zhang Ming is now also "Lin Tiannan," and Chen Ting can also become "Lin Tiannan" if necessary.

Therefore, Xiao He now possesses not only extraordinary intuition, but also super physical abilities, super defense, and super Psychokinesis —all three enhancements combined into one.

As long as he's in Lin Tiannan Prison, he's invincible.

A dark figure suddenly appeared behind him and punched Xiao He hard in the back of the head.

With a dull thud, the punch landed squarely.

But Xiao He only swayed for a moment, then raised his left hand and waved it in the air. Jin Shaokang's figure flew out from a shadow in the distance, as if he had been pulled out by an invisible hand, and fell headfirst to the ground in front of Xiao He.

"Fighting Yinglong?! You didn't tell me about something this interesting?" At this moment, Yue Feng also got excited and charged towards Xiao He like a runaway tank.

Xiao He turned to the side and bumped into Yue Feng with his shoulder.

"Clang!" The sound was like two pieces of steel colliding. The shockwave sent Zhang Ming, who was behind Xiao He, flying backward and landing flat on his back.

"Damn it, they blocked me again!" Yue Feng cursed angrily, then headbutted Xiao He hard on the head.

Xiao He felt as if he had been hit with a pillow; there was some impact, but it didn't hurt.

Yue Feng followed up with another hook punch, which Xiao He dodged by leaning back. Then he jumped up and delivered a heavy knee strike to Yue Feng's arm.

The knee strike sent Yue Feng's arm slamming into his own chin. Yue Feng's body jolted violently, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed onto Xiao He.

Once you get the hang of it, dealing with Yue Feng is quite simple.

Xiao He placed Yue Feng's massive body on the ground, turned to look at Zhang Ming, and seemed to ask, "What? Are you going to try it out with them too?"

"Surrender, surrender!" Zhang Ming hurriedly raised his hands to indicate that he would not resist, secretly astonished: This man is too strong! Not only are his physical abilities explosive, but he also possesses Psychokinesis and the intuition to sense enemies... Resisting him will surely lead to death! Such a powerful man is actually obeying someone else...

Zhang Ming recalled Cui Man's words and suddenly felt uneasy: Yinglong's wife is White Marsh, right? That woman is actually that powerful... How terrifying.

A deep fear of White Marsh was etched into his mind.

"Can't you just behave? You're wasting my time," Xiao He said irritably.

"How about it? Yinglong handsome?" Cui Man lowered her head and smiled at Chen Ting nodded repeatedly.

Then, Cui Man turned to Zhang Ming, "See? You might think that because you're Mutant, you're the center of the world, and everyone needs you and begs you. But the truth is, the earth will keep turning no matter who's missing. As long as you do something illegal, no matter how special you are, you'll just be arrested and imprisoned. Understand?"

"I understand..." Zhang Ming said, then turned to Xiao He, somewhat unconvinced, "What if it were him?"

"It's precisely because he wouldn't do that that he's 'Yinglong,' understand?" Cui Man laughed. "Why is it that some people with superpowers are villains while others are superheroes? Because it's different here."

As she spoke, Cui Man poked Xiao He's chest.

Zhang Ming fell into deep thought, while Cui Man turned to Jin Shaokang and Yue Feng and waved. "You two come here, I want to give you a grand introduction to our Special Response Department's newest member, 'Bixi'."

Jin Shaokang and Yue Feng lowered their heads, looking at the little one in front of them. "..."

"You bitch, are you playing me for a fool?!" Jin Shaokang said irritably, but Xiao He suddenly raised her hand towards him, and an invisible hand grabbed him, making him tense up and unable to move, floating into the air.

"Show some respect to our Sister Man," Xiao He said irritably. "I'll skin you alive, you believe me?"

"Darling, you're the best." Cui Man touched his face and smiled, then crossed her arms and said seriously, "This child's ability is 'Oathmark.' The oath made must be kept, otherwise he will be punished by the oath. Now I'm giving you three choices. First, cooperate with us and obey my orders; second, swear not to use your Superpower and live an honest life; third, stay here."

"What if I don't choose any of them?" Jin Shaokang asked through gritted teeth.

This guy's a real tough nut to crack; he just won't give in. Xiao He couldn't help but think to himself, then said coldly, "If you won't choose, I'll hold your hand and have you make the oath."

Cui Man simply raised her hand to signal him to calm down, then turned to Jin Shaokang and said, "Are you a rebellious teenager? You're over twenty. Can't you be a little more mature? Wouldn't it be better to do something that benefits everyone?"

"Who the hell are you calling a rebellious teenager?!" Jin Shaokang asked angrily, struggling desperately, but he was controlled by Xiao He's Psychokinesis and could not move.

"Alright," Cui Man frowned. "I've investigated your situation. When you were little, your mother ran off with another man, and your father took his anger out on you, beating and kicking you constantly. You were always bruised and swollen and hungry. But that's not an excuse for you to give up. The more painful it is, the more you should seize every little opportunity to find happiness!"

"What do you guys with such privileged backgrounds know! If it were you, how much better off would you be than me?!" Jin Shaokang roared as he struggled frantically.

"What do you know?!" Cui Man angrily stepped forward and grabbed Jin Shaokang's collar as he floated in mid-air. "Stop being so self-righteous! Just because you have an unfortunate past, does that give you the right to deny other people's efforts?!"

Xiao He was startled; it was the first time he had ever seen Cui Man so angry.

"Have you ever seen a young girl training desperately for her family's happiness?! Have you ever seen a man with a terminal illness, barely clinging to life, desperately trying to grasp the last glimmer of hope for his wife and daughter?! Do you know that someone risked their life without your knowledge to shield you from a potentially world-destroying virus?!" Cui Man scolded, giving Jin Shaokang a hard shove.

Jin Shaokang was clearly taken aback. He let out a low roar, but was speechless.

"You know nothing, what right do you have to deny other people's efforts?! Stop wallowing in self-pity. 'Complaining' is the privilege of those who have tried!" Cui Man clapped her hands and said coldly, "Someone like you who gave up without even trying deserves to end up like this. So what if you come from a humble background? It has nothing to do with your current unhappiness! There are plenty of people from humble backgrounds who have achieved happiness through hard work. You are unhappy only because you chose to give up!"

Jin Shaokang was stunned for a moment, then stammered, his face turning red, unable to refute.

"Ha! I like this chick." Yue Feng laughed, arms crossed. "I choose the first option! I'm the kind of man who always does what he says! I promised to help you when I was defeated by Yinglong, and now I'm fulfilling that promise."

As he spoke, Yue Feng extended his hand.

Chen Ting looked at Cui Man with a hint of fear, Cui Man nodded to him.

"I'm here. Anyone who dares to touch you, I'll turn them into mincemeat," Xiao He comforted him.

Chen Ting then approached Yue Feng and extended his hand. "Shall we pinky swear?"

Yue Feng gave a thumbs-up, and Chen Ting made a pinky promise with him. Cui Man reminded him, "Now, say your oath."

"I, Yue Feng, agree to cooperate with the Special Response Department and obey Commander Cui Man's orders," Yue Feng declared loudly. Chen Ting nodded. "A pinky promise, a hundred years from now, and whoever breaks the oath will..." Chen Ting paused, then continued, "... have endless diarrhea."

Red lightning flashed on the back of Yue Feng's hand, followed by a peculiar mark that quickly disappeared beneath his skin.

Is this oath alright? Isn't it too frivolous? Xiao He immediately had some doubts.

But then I thought, for a tough guy like Yue Feng, he'd probably rather die than have his pants soiled in the street, right?

"From now on, you must follow my orders. If you break this oath, you really will have diarrhea until you die," Cui Man said seriously. "Whether you can stop it then will depend on whether this child is willing to make another oath with you."

"Don't worry, I always keep my word," Yue Feng said, standing up and stretching.

"I'll send someone to pick you up and help you find a place to settle down." Cui Man nodded in satisfaction, but Yue Feng stood up and walked into the prison. "No need! This place is great. There's food, drink, and internet. I don't have to worry about being disturbed. I'll have a very comfortable time here!"

"That saves me a lot of trouble..." Cui Man said with a smile, then turned to Zhang Ming behind her.

"I... I choose one!" Zhang Ming raised his hand and said, "Um, I wanted to ask, can I have a code name too? A cool one?"

"If," Cui Man said seriously, "You obediently cooperate with our training and follow orders, you will become a formal employee of the Special Response Department, just like Yinglong. Only then will you have your own codename. Don't think of it as just a codename; there is responsibility behind it, you understand?"

"I understand, I understand! With great power comes great responsibility, after all." Zhang Ming nodded repeatedly, then stepped forward to conclude the contract with Chen Ting.

Finally, only Jin Shaokang remained. Cui Man stepped forward to negotiate with him. "What about you? Have you made up your mind?"

At this moment, Zhang Ming sidled up to Xiao He and whispered, "Brother..."

"What? Don't get any funny ideas, or I'll break your legs," Xiao He said, frowning.

"No, no! I just wanted to ask," Zhang Ming lowered his voice, "You're so capable, why do you take orders from others? Is it really because of your wife?"

Xiao He rolled his eyes and said irritably, "So what if I can do whatever I want? The point of life is to pursue happiness, right? And my happiness has nothing to do with whether I can do whatever I want. Do you understand? Everything I do is voluntary. Just because you don't want to do those things doesn't mean others don't want to."

"Someone always has to do it..." Zhang Ming thought seriously for a moment, then looked deeply moved. "Is this what a hero is? I'm moved! I want to learn from you!"

"Why do I feel like I'm not on the same wavelength as this person?" Xiao He thought to himself.

Ultimately, Cui Man's negotiations with Jin Shaokang also failed.

Therefore, Jin Shaokang stepped forward and made a pinky promise with Chen Ting: "I will stay here."

"Anyone who breaks their oath will forever suffer the pain of being kicked in the little finger," Chen Ting said earnestly.

"This child... is quite vicious from a certain perspective," Xiao He frowned, thinking to himself.

After signing the contract, Jin Shaokang returned to the prison dejectedly, like a wounded tiger, and for a period of time afterward, he was the only one left in the prison.

"Sigh." Cui Man shook her head and sighed, "Well, that kind of stubborn person won't understand in a short time. He needs time."

"I can finally go home for dinner..." Xiao He said, stretching.

On the way, Cui Man kept nagging Zhang Ming: "Your ability is a skill-based ability; it will only be very powerful if used well. Therefore, you need a lot of training to improve your combat power so that you can better utilize your Superpower."

"I have Superman physique?" Zhang Ming said. "Although not extremely strong, I'm stronger than the average person."

"Then they need to train even more." Cui Man nodded, patted Xiao He on the shoulder, and said, "Even a strongman like Yinglong is undergoing training."

Zhang Ming looked at Xiao He with some admiration, while Xiao He felt a sense of pride: he had actually become "someone else's child" one day.

It was already past five o'clock when Xiao He got back to the Special Response Department. He got off the Helicopter and saw Xia Yu and Xie Haining coming to the cafeteria for lunch. It seemed that they had also just returned from a mission.

"Old Xie, Xia Yu," Xiao He greeted them.

"Brother Xiao!" Xia Yu called out happily, rushing to him. "How did your mission with Sister Man go? Did it go smoothly?"

"Not bad." Xiao He nodded, then turned to Xie Haining, "Old Xie looks much better."

"Thanks to you," Xie Haining said softly with a smile, "I just received the Miracle Factor injection yesterday, and the brain tumor has shrunk to a point where it won't affect my health anymore. Two more injections should make it disappear completely."

"Once every three months... that means there are still six months left?" Xiao He asked excitedly.

"Yes," Xie Haining nodded with a smile, "In another six months, I'll be a healthy person again."

At this point, Xie Haining seemed a little shy. He stammered, "Well... it's like this, my wife and daughter are very grateful to you. So, I'm thinking... once I've fully recovered, I'd like to invite everyone to my house to celebrate."

"It's settled." Xiao He shook hands with him and smiled. Xie Haining nodded with a smile, "Yes, it's settled."

"Then we'll have to throw a party!" Cui Man patted Xie Haining on the shoulder and laughed. "It has to be lively."

"Yes," Xie Haining said with a smile, "I'm just afraid of setting a bad precedent."

"Then let's change fg to Lin Tiannan!" Xia Yu said happily from the side.

"That's absolutely right..." Xie Haining was amused and nodded repeatedly. "Then let's go eat first."

With that, Xie Haining and Xia Yu took their leave.

"Darling." Before seeing Xiao He off to his carriage, Cui Man turned to him, cupped his face in her hands, and said softly with a smile, "I'm so happy that you're on my side today."

"It's nothing, it's only natural. I like Sister Man." Xiao He smiled. "Whether it was helping me resolve the 'Lin Tiannan' incident at the beginning, or discovering various ways to use my trashy Superpower, I'm very grateful to Sister Man."

"Tsk, doesn't she like it from a woman's perspective?" Cui Man asked unhappily, arms crossed.

"Theoretically speaking, Sister Man, you're also my type. You have a well-proportioned figure and beautiful legs," Xiao He said seriously. Cui Man smiled with satisfaction and pinched his chin, "That's a good boy... Alright, go back now. Your girlfriend is waiting for dinner."

As she spoke, Cui Man turned to look at Zhang Ming's version of "Lin Tiannan" not far away and instructed him, "Besides the Four Cornerstones, I won't tell other Mutant about your Superpower, and you shouldn't let it slip. It's good that they're obedient, but their greatest use is probably in Mutant Competition to help you trigger your ability, understand?"

"I understand." Xiao He nodded, and Cui Man smiled with satisfaction. "Alright, then let's go back early."