Chapter 414: Zhang Wei

Inside his system, Gao Yang continued with his musing.

I have Lucky, so I know that the Talent isn’t actually bad; it just needs time to grow. Used well, it’s just as good as any of the top twelve Talents.

Based on the hypothesis that the head and the tail were connected, the other 11 low-ranking Talents must be powerful as well. At least, they shouldn’t be described as weak, or they would have unusual powers.

Then why hasn't anyone with the bottom Talents show themselves other than me and Zhang Wei? It doesn’t make sense.

Now, the answer was clear.

As Liu QIngying speculated, they had been around, serving the Godbearer Cult in the dark—the Tails!

Gao Yang thought back to what No.10 had said.

“Hehe, of course you have never seen me. You people don’t hang out with lowrankers like me...That’s why, hehe, I’m going to turn all of you into my toys...”

“I can’t tell you. Boss said that it’s not yet time for Tails to make an appearance... Hehe, we’re gonna give you—all of you—a big surprise then. Hehehe...”

No.10.

Gao Yang checked the tenth lowest Talent.

Cockroach, serial number 190, Life-type.

Description: a cockroach.

It fits!

No.10 was the owner of the number 190 Talent.

Cockroaches were known for being difficult to kill. Wasn’t that the perfect description for No.10’s ridiculous power?

Even after getting his heart pierced by a sharp object, his head cut by Qing Ling’s Tang Dao, his head destroyed again by Gao Yang’s Fire Punch after No.10 went berserk with the Godbearer’s Cult insidious solution, he remained alive.

Then like a headless cockroach, he fled quickly.

Gao Yang looked up at the bottom Talents in order.

Lucky, serial number 199, Miracle-type.

Description: a lucky person.

Confidence, serial number 198, Psyche-type.

Description: a confident person.

Painter, serial number 197, Time-Space-type.

Description: a person who loves painting.

Firework, serial number 196, Element-type.

Description: a person who loves releasing fireworks.

Flake Out, serial number 195, Knowledge-type.

Description: a person who often flakes out.

Strong, serial number 194, Buff-type.

Description: a strong person.

Buy Off, serial number 193, Summon-type.

Description: a charlatan.

Patient, serial number 192, Poison-type.

Description: a patient.

Unreachable, serial number 191, Guard-type.

Description: an unreachable person.

Cockroach, serial number 190, Life-type.

Description: a cockroach.

Grumpy, serial number 189, Damage-type.

Description: a grumpy person.

Strange, serial number 188, Support-type.

Description: a strange person.

Yes, Tails must be composed of awakeners with the lowest-ranking Talents.

Outside of me and Zhang Wei, they are likely to have all joined Tails and served the Cult.

Something was bothering Gao Yang, though. The list had been around since the time of the Elusive Sect. Who could’ve been the one to compile the list?

One possibility was Alcoholic.

Perhaps she had acquired the Talent list when traveling to the future and brought the list back to her time. However, that would create the grandfather paradox.

Another possibility was that the list came from a lightbringer or an observer of the pride monsters.

Officer Huang, for example, had gotten the list from Sir Jiang. Although it wasn’t a hundred percent accurate, it wasn’t that different from the now formalized list.

Alright, let’s stop here.

[Access ends.]

Gao Yang opened his eyes and saw that Liu Qingying had parked the car in front of a gas station.

She had gotten out of the car and was leaning against the car door. Under the setting sun, the evening wind lifted her dress and revealed her long legs.

Gao Yang got out of the car too and went up to Liu Qingying. “I’ve sorted out what I know. I’ll give you my conclusion.”

“I’m all ears.” Liu Qingying smiled.

“I believe your speculation is right. The Tails consist of awakeners with number 199 to 188 Talents. Outside of Zhang Wei, member of the Hundred Rivers Union, that is.”

And me, but I’m not gonna tell you that.

“Those awakeners are no weaklings, and they each have very special power.”

Of course. No.10 may as well be unkillable. The other members of the Tails must be formidable in their own way too.

As for Zhang Wei, who had Confidence, there was no telling if he had simply not found his potential, or if he was pretending to be weak on purpose.

Gao Yang turned to Liu Qingying. “I’ll give you something else. You better look into Zhang Wei. He could be—and I do mean ‘could’—a spy the Godbearer Cult planted in the Union.”

Although from what Vermilion Bird had learned from Black Tortoise, Dust, the spy planted in the Union, was a woman, Zhang Wei seemed like the most likely suspect at the moment. There was a possibility that he was also a member of the Tails and had joined the Union to spy on them.

Gao Yang then added, “Please contact me as soon as you find anything. Your help will be rewarded handsomely.”

Gao Yang was now in charge of Operation: Heavenbreaker, thus granting him a lot of authority. As long as it was related to the investigation into the Godbearer Cult, the fund he could access was basically limitless.

“Of course.” Liu Qingying nodded. “I’ll consider this an A+ intel. If there’s more to it, it’ll be S-class intel.”

“No problem.” Gao Yang didn’t hesitate.

The world suddenly dimmed like God had taken back the light. There was nothing save for Gao Yang, Liu Qingying, and the convertible beside them.

Then Gao Yang felt something gently knock him on the forehead.

“It seems your time’s up.” Liu Qingying smiled.

“Until next time,” Gao Yang said simply.

“Until next time, Elder Seven Shadow,” Liu Qingying said with a reluctance to part—it could be her genuine feeling, or it could be an act.

...

Gao Yang opened his eyes and saw that it was a Black Gold bracelet that was knocking his forehead, gently and rhythmically.

Once, twice, thrice.

“I’m awake,” Gao Yang said a little hoarsely.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Qing Ling lifted a hand and splayed her long, slim fingers. The Black Gold bracelet flew back to her in a whoosh.

Then she untied her ponytail and brushed her long hair back, lying down and rolling to her side with her back to Gao Yang. “Wake me up in half an hour.”

Gao Yang paused.

Ah, you thought we’re taking turns keeping watch. You sure are cautious, not relaxing your guard even at Amon’s place.

“Sleep. I’ll wake you up in thirty minutes.”

“Hm.” Qing Ling made a small sound before falling silent.

I lied. Rest well until morning comes.

Gao Yang looked at Qing Ling softly from the back.