Chapter 396: Having Someone to Help Is Better Than Fighting Alone
The Zhu Family had already done a lot for Xiao Ye; they didn't need to do anything more.
Xiao Ye would definitely deliver on the benefits he had promised them.
But Zhu Chen had other ideas.
He no longer wanted to just cultivate within his family or enter the mortal world each year, hiding his identity to do a few good deeds and accumulate merit.
The Zhu Family's work involved revealing heavenly secrets, and accumulating merit could help them live better—or rather, longer.
But merit wasn't so easy to accumulate. The usual good deeds only earned them a tiny bit of it.
Great acts of charity, on the other hand, were rare. Some cultivators with average luck might never encounter such an opportunity in their entire lives.
From the Taoist School's perspective, the things the Angel Association did went against the Heavenly Dao.
If they could eradicate them and bring fortune to the people, it would surely be a great act of merit.
So, as soon as Zhu Chen learned of this, he immediately found Xiao Ye and said he wanted in.
Having an ally was better than fighting alone, so Xiao Ye agreed at once and brought him along.
After the meeting, Yi had to go report back.
Xiao Ye, meanwhile, took Zhu Chen to a private kitchen to get lunch.
"Given your identity and your divination skills, I'm guessing the Angel Association's next move will be to inject you with a drug, just like they did to me."
Zhu Chen didn't seem to mind. "I had my father perform a divination for me. This time, as I enter the world, though it will be a mix of good and bad luck, there will be a silver lining."
"If I can first avoid the misfortune, the good luck that follows will surely benefit me greatly."
That may be so, but Xiao Ye still needed to be fully prepared.
"I had no choice when I was injected, but this time, we can prepare in advance."
"To prevent any unexpected changes from delays, my guess is they'll inject you as soon as tomorrow."
As soon as Xiao Ye finished speaking, his phone rang.
He answered. As expected, it was Yi. "Tomorrow at ten a.m. See you at the lab."
Hanging up, he raised an eyebrow. "See? I was right. The injection is tomorrow. Just follow my lead. Don't worry about anything else."
"If I need your help, I'll ask. If not, just do your own thing. If the Angel Association gives you any orders, just let me know."
Zhu Chen had no objections. He was just here for a share of the merit, so naturally, he would listen to Xiao Ye. "Okay, I understand."
After they finished eating, Xiao Ye had someone escort Zhu Chen home. Only after confirming he was safe did Xiao Ye relax a little.
The Angel Association didn't play by the rules. Who knew if they might just grab Zhu Chen and inject him in secret?
「The next morning.」
Xiao Ye and Zhu Chen arrived at the lab once again.
Yi was already waiting for them. "You two really cut it close. Could it be that Mr. Zhuxian is a little reluctant?"
"No, it's just a habit of mine."
"I see. In that case, how about we have a private chat?"
Although Xiao Ye had brought Zhu Chen, the Angel Association's rules stated that members could not know each other's identities.
They certainly wouldn't be assigned missions together unless it was absolutely necessary.
People from families like the Xiao Family and the Zhu Family couldn't be allowed to team up; otherwise, they would become a huge problem.
They had to be kept separate, to foster rifts and opposition between them, so they could better serve the Angel Association.
Zhu Chen pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No. Before I officially join the Angel Association, I must stay with Xiao Ye."
"I don't trust you. I only trust him. He can guarantee my safety, but you won't."
"So I'm staying with him. Otherwise, I'll quit right here, right now!"
Yi could understand Zhu Chen's reasoning. People with strange and unusual abilities like him were bound to be more protective of their lives. In their eyes, killing someone was just too easy.
So easy, in fact, that it made them develop a certain fear of the world—what's commonly known as paranoia.
They wouldn't leave a single hair or skin flake anywhere. They would do a final sweep before leaving any place, just to deny anyone the opportunity to act against them.
"Fine. Mr. Xiao can come along, then. But you can't stay together forever."
Zhu Chen nodded. "I know. Once I understand you all well enough, I naturally won't need Mr. Xiao anymore."
"This way, please."
The two followed her to her room in the laboratory.
Although she had been living here for several days, the room had no signs of life.
"Mr. Zhuxian, we sincerely welcome you to the Angel Association. Everything you desire, the Angel Association will provide."
"I know that your Taoist School wants to bring fortune to the world, which happens to align perfectly with the Angel Association's philosophy."
Zhu Chen cut her off. "You can skip the high-sounding principles. Nothing you say will change my mind."
"As for what the Angel Association is really like, I have my own eyes and can judge for myself."
"My time is limited, and I have a lot on my plate recently. Can we get straight to the point now?"
"O-of course!" Yi felt a bit awkward but didn't let it show. "Then I'll be direct. To join the Angel Association, you must be injected with our drug."
"But rest assured, you will receive an antidote every month. This substance causes no physical harm; it's merely a means of control."
"As long as you don't betray the Angel Association, nothing will happen. Furthermore, if you work for the Angel Association continuously for three years, we will give you the final antidote."
The Angel Association was confident it could completely turn Zhu Chen and Xiao Ye into its own people within three years!
Zhu Chen nodded and held out his arm. "Then let's do it. My goal is to accumulate merit. Don't come to me for anything that isn't a good deed."
Yi said nothing. 'Once he's injected with the drug, he'll have to do it whether it's for merit or not!'
She took out the vial. Just like before, it contained a faint blue liquid.
Suddenly, an alarm blared from outside.
Yi immediately looked back, and Xiao Ye seized the opportunity to swap the drug.
He had made an identical replica based on the previous drug, even managing to match the color one-to-one.
Inside, however, was merely saline solution, completely harmless to the human body.
"What's going on?" Yi didn't leave. Instead, she took out her walkie-talkie to ask.
"Apologies. The alarm was from the lab. A reagent spontaneously combusted, but the situation is now resolved."
Only then did Yi relax. She turned back, picked up the vial again, and said, "Don't worry, it won't hurt."
After the injection, she immediately destroyed the vial. "Alright. Mr. Zhuxian is now one of us. Welcome to the Angel Association."
"There's a video conference next. I'd like you both to attend. Follow me."