Achieving Demon Godhood from Unlocking Talents

Chapter 234: Chapter 148: The Accidental Truth

"Captain, Brother Chen, Fang Xu."

"I’m not much of a talker, but I wish you all a bright future and all the best!"

That night, at an outdoor food stall.

The night was dark, illuminated only by the bright lights of the stall.

The members of Team Three were gathered together. Although Xiong Cheng wore a reluctant expression, he still raised his drink and offered his well-wishes.

With a silent sigh, Lu Chao raised his glass in response and patted his shoulder.

He could take two people from the Patrol Department with him to the Superpower Sub-Bureau in Red Maple Shelter City, so naturally, he chose the people he trusted most.

After some discussion, both Chen Xiao and Fang Xu were interested and wanted to go with him.

As for Wang Shisong and Xiong Cheng.

The former was no longer young and had a wife and daughter to care for.

The latter had elderly parents and younger siblings still in school who needed his support.

These were their ties, the very motivation and reason they had joined the Patrol Department in the first place.

"You kid, don’t look so down. You’re making this too sappy."

Chen Xiao clinked his glass against Xiong Cheng’s, put an arm around his shoulder, and said with a laugh, "It’s not like we’re never coming back."

"Besides, we haven’t even left yet. You’re acting like we’re saying goodbye tomorrow..."

He and Fang Xu didn’t have many ties. Their families were well-off, and they both wanted to take this opportunity to venture out and see the world.

Fang Xu nodded along, also adding a few quiet words of comfort.

After spending all this time together, he had developed a strong sense of belonging and camaraderie with Team Three, and he considered every member a friend.

"That’s right, Xiong Cheng."

Nodding, Wang Shisong chimed in with a teasing smile, "Besides, I’m still here, aren’t I?"

"And who knows, maybe they’ll all come back one day, and we’ll end up in the same branch again."

He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

Although they all knew it would be difficult to see each other again after the transfer, they had a tacit understanding not to say it out loud, wanting to preserve this friendship for as long as possible.

Xiong Cheng understood, as did Chen Xiao and the others.

Eventually, all eyes quietly shifted, landing in unison on Lu Chao.

Beneath his short crew cut, his features were square-jawed and masculine. His steady demeanor always gave people a sense of security and reliability.

"No matter what the future holds, or how far we each go our separate ways."

Meeting their gazes, Lu Chao’s eyes were bright as he raised his glass to clink with theirs. "Team Three is forever."

As his words fell, the five of them looked at each other.

Some eyes were filled with reluctance and well-wishes; others were bright with expectation.

All these emotions were contained within their glasses of juice and tea, and with a final motion, they drained them all.

That night, Lu Chao spoke more than he usually did.

The transfer orders were out; he was no longer the captain of Team Three.

But he still wanted to fulfill his final duty and leave them with a favor they could call on.

At the end of dinner, he left instructions for Xiong Cheng and Wang Shisong, telling them to be cautious in the future and to seek help from Captain Yang if they needed it. He also reminded Chen Xiao and Fang Xu to spend this time with their families and wait for his signal before saying their final goodbyes.

Eventually, the night deepened.

The five of them went their separate ways. Lu Chao watched them get safely into a tram or a taxi and depart.

Even at a farewell dinner, he didn’t drink any alcohol.

This was partly out of consideration for Xiong Cheng and the other Fighting Level team members, and partly because he wanted to remain as clear-headed as possible.

The transfer was official, but he still had some time before he had to leave.

What he had to do now was ensure his own safety and the safety of those important to him amid the chaotic situation.

At this thought, he glanced at the side of the road.

The surveillance from the Biotechnology Company had disappeared at some point and hadn’t reappeared since.

It seemed just as Captain Yang had said; perhaps they were intimidated by Mr. Ji’s reputation and had backed off.

However, he knew they had only backed off because there wasn’t enough evidence.

If the truth were ever discovered, he would surely be hunted down as a wanted man, with no escape.

’So...’

’It’s time to prepare to leave.’

The thought flashed through his mind as Lu Chao started walking toward his apartment building.

It wasn’t just about getting away.

After all, Red Maple Shelter City was a megacity on par with Yao Capital. The transfer order required him to report within a month, so he naturally needed to make some preparations.

Whether it was increasing his Life Energy further or achieving a breakthrough in his Martial Skill, either would certainly help him better handle whatever came next.

Lost in thought, Lu Chao’s pace was unhurried as he drew closer and closer to his apartment building.

He was almost home.

TAP TAP TAP!

Suddenly, the sound of rapid footsteps rushed toward him, growing closer.

Looking over, he saw a figure in a worn-out suit jacket stumbling out from an alley corner.

His hair was a mess, and the marks of his cybernetic implants were quite conspicuous. However, the exposed fluorescent patterns were extremely dim, as if low on power.

He was clutching his right leg and abdomen, seemingly stabbed and bleeding, and he limped heavily.

A flicker in his eyes—despite the darkness and the limited light from the streetlamps, Lu Chao still recognized the man.

’Li Heng...’

One of his old companions from the orphanage.

He had been on a transport job outside the city when a war started by the Wilderness Warlords startled a herd of Mutant Beasts. A saber-toothed wild boar had overturned his truck, leaving him severely injured.

Afterward, forced to cover the costs of the company’s vehicle repairs and his own medical rescue, he had to get organ replacements and fell deep into debt.

But Lu Chao remembered that Li Heng’s situation had seemed to be improving recently.

He also seemed to have been in contact with Lin Ze, who had recently gotten out of prison.

’But now?’

"Don’t run!"

"Stop, you bastard!"

Angry shouts suddenly echoed from the back of the alley. Soon, two figures burst out of the darkness, appearing under the streetlamp at the alley’s entrance.

One was holding a blood-stained knife. The other was clutching something hidden inside his clothes that looked like a gun.