Chapter 79: One Wave Has Yet to Settle When Another Rises—The Night Squad’s Soul Infusion

“Please have a seat, Mr. Ren.”
Ma Dafuo gestured to Ren Zhong with a wave of his hand.
Once again, they met in the private reception room on the second floor, the air infused with the delicate sweetness of luxury tea.
Compared to their last meeting, Ma Dafuo’s body language was far more relaxed.
After being indebted to Ren Zhong, Comrade Ma’s trust in him had grown.
Ren Zhong sipped his tea, and without waiting for Ma to ask, he took the initiative: “This morning I acted with Zheng Tian’s squad, accompanying the professional team to the Valley of White Bones…”
“So that’s how it is. Alas. It seems we cannot overcome the hurdle of the census, and now the Descending Demon Infant has become a major threat. Truly, just as one wave settles, another rises.”
After hearing Ren Zhong’s detailed account, Ma Dafuo sighed, his face clouded with worry and anxiety.
Ren Zhong’s eyes shifted, probing, “Town Chief Ma, is the Demon Infant so difficult to handle? Can’t we invite experts from the county?”
“I do intend to bring in level five or six professionals to take a look, but we shouldn’t expect too much. When the Demon Infant first appeared in the Valley of White Bones, many level five and six experts came, but it’s extremely cunning and skilled at hiding. Later, it chose to go dormant, and even if the experts dug three feet deep, they couldn’t find it. I suspect this time will be no different.”
Ren Zhong thought for a moment, then asked, “Did Spark Resources provide any current specific energy response index for the Demon Infant?”
“No. Their report was very simple. They only said the index exceeded the upper limit of the detection instruments; the exact data is unknown.”
Ren Zhong said, “Then I have a hypothesis.”
“Go ahead.”
“I believe the Demon Infant’s index has surpassed fifty thousand. It’s breaking through, attempting to reach level six. If not, after hiding for so many years, it wouldn’t expose itself today. There’s no reason to merely frighten us and let those of us who should have died escape.”
Ma Dafuo nodded, “Your reasoning is sound. I had a similar suspicion. Since you, a survivor, share this view, it’s likely so.”
“Yes. Since we can neither defeat nor catch it, once it finishes advancing, it’ll likely cause chaos. Town Chief Ma, have you considered relocating the town?”
“I haven’t.”
“Why not?”
Ma Dafuo replied, “The Demon Infant has been dormant for decades; a few more months won’t make a difference. For a beast to advance from level five to six isn’t a quick process. Besides, Spark Town will certainly fail the census in two months and be abolished—that’s inevitable. Why bother with the trouble?”
Ren Zhong frowned, “Isn’t that gambling with fate? What if…?”
Though he asked this, his thoughts went deeper.
No one could predict when the Descending Demon Infant would complete its advancement or awaken.
Ren Zhong had never lived to see that day; he always restarted before it happened.
He hadn’t even witnessed the census.
But even if the Demon Infant arrived before the census, Ren Zhong still had room to maneuver.
At least now, he knew of its existence in advance, so when the day came, he wouldn’t be caught unprepared.
That was both a curse and a blessing.
Ma Dafuo countered, “Fate? For us wastelanders, living is always a gamble. Take the centralized sleep pods and the watchmen system. Though nothing major has happened recently, in past years, beasts often broke through at night, causing heavy casualties.”
“Those wastelanders who died in their sleep—wasn’t it just bad luck? Besides, since Spark Town will be abolished, I can’t get new authorization for a town site. Relocation would mean early abolition.”
“Even if authorization was granted, many would die during the relocation and rebuilding process. Rather than struggle with a futile task, it’s better to hope the Demon Infant stays dormant, giving the townsfolk two more months of relative peace so they can accumulate some resources. When the census ends, they’ll have a bit more chance at survival.”
Ren Zhong fell silent.
He knew that as a ‘ancient’ from the twenty-first century, he instinctively reverted to his old ways of thinking when faced with big issues.
But Town Chief Ma, as a native, saw things more clearly.
Of course, Comrade Ma still wasn’t truly clear-sighted.
The truly enlightened ones were the boss of Spark Resources, and enforcer Lin Wang.
Ren Zhong asked, “By the way, the professional team’s hunting style this time was much more aggressive than before, almost as if they wanted to strip the valley bare in one go. Did they explain their unusual behavior?”
Ma Dafuo shook his head, “No. But I know the reason, and it involves me.”
Smart people knew when to stop talking.
Ren Zhong’s chain of logic was complete.
He had let Ma Dafuo in on the census officer situation.
Ma Dafuo had started investigating, quietly gathering information.
Spark Resources noticed Ma Dafuo’s abnormal actions and decided to speed up their withdrawal from Spark Town.
Before leaving, the professional team, under orders from Spark Resources’ higher-ups, violently exploited the Valley of White Bones, inadvertently provoking the Demon Infant!
“Well then, I’ll leave it to you, Captain Ma.”
As Ren Zhong left the town hall, he said this to Ma Xiaoling, who had come to see him off.
Ma Xiaoling shot him an unhappy look, “You haven’t told me the truth. Why should I help you?”
“Please understand my predicament. You and the Town Chief are father and daughter. As an outsider, I can’t overstep my bounds.”
Ma Xiaoling was silent for two seconds, “Fine. But let me remind you, though your constitution is special, staying up all night isn’t sustainable. Professional watchmen aren’t as strong as you, but almost none survive to become citizens. Not everyone dies in battle, you know.”
Ren Zhong nodded, “Thank you for your concern. I used to be a professional researcher. I’ll manage myself.”
“All right, suit yourself. Let’s go. Get in.”
“Please take me to the arms mall first.”
Sitting on the back seat of Ma Xiaoling’s motorboat, lightly holding the armored waist of the driver, Ren Zhong sighed inwardly: as expected, he truly was the source that knocked over the dominoes and brought forth the evil Descending Demon Infant.
Those half-professional team members who died under the Demon Infant’s spawn, originally wouldn’t have died.
Does that make me an indirect killer?
Ren Zhong found he couldn’t answer that question.
After a long time, a self-deprecating smile spread across his face.
I am not truly clear-sighted either.

The subtlety of human nature lies here.
Even after deciding to integrate into this era, knowing that revolution requires violence, when the moment arrives, stray thoughts still crowd the mind.
He sighed again.
Those gentlemen who, in the darkness, discovered the only path for four hundred million people—how clever and strong they must have been.
Their lives never allowed for a second chance.
Yet they succeeded.
…
Chen Hanyu stood at the foot of the sleep pod stairs, fingers tightly interlaced, her face tense, eyes dropped to Ren Zhong’s heels.
A minute earlier, Ren Zhong had called her out from the sleep pod room, led her down the stairs to the corner below the block-shaped pod building.
It was proof that even the king of connections, Mr. Ren, was still a mortal man, subject to worldly desires.
Chen Hanyu figured his repeated indifference to Zheng Tian’s bold advances meant he found her lacking in grandeur.
She knew herself best; she possessed what Zheng Tian lacked.
Mr. Ren was entangled with Manager Ju, so he likely preferred those of imposing stature.
She guessed he had thoughts about herself too.
If anyone else had given such hints, she might have felt annoyed.
But Mr. Ren was different.
If it really happened… it wouldn’t be so bad.
So, now being called out so directly by Ren Zhong, as if to speak words others shouldn’t hear, Chen Hanyu couldn’t help but be distracted, her mind warring with itself.
Ren Zhong had stood with his back to her for nearly a minute, saying nothing, not turning around.
The atmosphere was unbearably awkward and tense. She decided to take the initiative and ask.
“Mr. Ren, is there something you wanted to speak to me about?”
She asked, breathless, her voice betraying her nervous, racing heart.
“What level are you in your career as a disassembler right now?”
Ren Zhong abruptly turned, cutting straight to the point.
Caught off guard, Chen Hanyu’s mind blanked, and she instinctively replied, “Ah? Four… level four, why? Ah! Please keep this a secret, Mr. Ren!”
Ren Zhong’s eyes narrowed, “I knew it.”
A small doubt in his heart was resolved.
He hadn’t understood disassembly before, so couldn’t tell.
Every time Chen Hanyu dismantled a Blade Mantis, she acted as if luck was extraordinary.
Yet nearly every time, she perfectly extracted a level three chip.
She only used level one gloves.
Once could be luck, a fluke.
But repeatedly, it was suspicious.
Ren Zhong had only used a simple trick to catch her off guard and got her to spill the truth.
Goodness.
Truly remarkable.
He had expected her to be at least level three, but had underestimated her.
A phoenix rising from the slums.
A level four disassembler would catch even the professional team’s attention.
Ren Zhong was secretly delighted, though he pretended displeasure. “You and Zheng Tian are of similar age and both ordinary wastelanders. Relying on meager resources, you taught yourself to become a level four disassembler. You’re the real genius. So, when you praised my talent, saying I could surpass you in time, it was just politeness, wasn’t it? You were laughing at me inside?”
He remembered the times he’d boasted to her.
“My talent is beyond your imagination.”
He was a bit embarrassed.
Who knew, while he stood on the fifth floor, she was already on the tenth.
Chen Hanyu shook her head, “I’m not like you, Mr. Ren. I started learning disassembly from the time I can remember. Though I’m only nineteen, I’ve studied for fifteen years. You, Mr. Ren, only took a few days to get the basics. Purely in terms of talent, I can’t compare.”
Ren Zhong raised a brow, “So, it’s a family tradition? Were your parents disassemblers?”
Chen Hanyu’s face darkened, turning slightly away, “Yes. Mr. Ren, what exactly did you want to talk to me about?”
She clearly didn’t want to discuss her parents, diverting the topic.
Ren Zhong didn’t pursue it.
No need.
Some answers were clear just by looking into her eyes.
Ren Zhong even suspected she deliberately hid her abilities, staying with Zheng Tian in a half-professional team, likely due to her and her parents’ past.
“I’ll be direct. I need a helper, someone to disassemble high-level beast chips on site. I’ve tried many times myself—more failures than successes, lost a lot of money.”
Chen Hanyu was puzzled, “Aren’t we already a team?”
Ren Zhong nodded, then shook his head, “I mean not during the day, but other times.”
“What!” Chen Hanyu was shocked, “You’re really hunting at night! How can you!”
While she said this, she thought to herself, so everyone guessed wrong—he and Manager Ju were innocent, at least last night.
She remembered she’d told him to take care of himself that morning, indirectly showing concern for Ju Qingmeng.
What a misunderstanding.
A flush rose rapidly to her cheeks.
Ren Zhong lowered his voice, “Are you interested, Chen Hanyu? We can keep it secret from everyone, just act quietly. I’ll handle selling the spoils and transfer your share privately. Only the Town Chief could notice through surveillance, but he’s already on my side. So we can stay under the radar and it won’t affect your low-profile status.”
Chen Hanyu hesitated slightly and shook her head, “Sorry, I probably can’t. I also advise you not to do this. Sudden death isn’t a joke.”
Ren Zhong paused, then spoke with utmost seriousness, “You have your secrets. So do I. You only need to know I can handle it. As for your arrangement, every night you need only sleep at nine, rise at five.”
“After waking, ride my motorbike straight out the town gate. I’ll inform the guards to let you pass. I’ll wait outside for you; after we meet, we’ll tackle level three or even level four beasts.”
“You know my abilities. I’ll kill, you’ll disassemble chips. We’ll return by six, and I’ll take you home. Just tell others you changed your sleep schedule for fun. No one will suspect anything. This is my master-level time management plan—foolproof.”
Chen Hanyu’s gaze flickered with uncertainty.
But she still shook her head, “With my current ability, level three beasts are fine, but level four…”
“I’ll buy you level two disassembly gloves. With those, what’s your success rate for level four?”
“Over eighty percent for perfect chips.”
“Excellent. Now, think about it: say at first we only have time to kill three level three beasts per hour. I take ninety percent, you get ten. That’s thirty-six points daily. As I grow stronger, for every level four beast, you’ll earn about a hundred points. I can tell you’re living under pressure, afraid. You use coldness to mask your hatred and fear. Don’t you want, someday, to build up the strength to make those you hate pay?”
Suddenly exposed, Chen Hanyu’s face went pale, “No… impossible. That’s a citizen.”
She couldn’t fathom how Ren Zhong could have such sharp insight.
They’d only known each other for less than half a month, yet it felt as if all her secrets were laid bare before him.
Ren Zhong watched her stunned, shocked expression, secretly amused.
In places you couldn’t see, I’ve observed you from angles you can’t imagine, for a very long time…
Every time you hesitated to speak, you revealed information.
“Is that so? A citizen? Have you really given up? I don’t believe it!” Ren Zhong pressed, “If you truly gave up, why invite me into your team? Zheng Tian wears her ambition openly, you hide yours. Right? Besides, so what if they’re citizens? I once heard a saying from ancient times: ‘If the emperor commits a crime, he faces the same punishment as a commoner!’ A citizen is just flesh and blood—one knife and they die the same. Everyone’s life is equal. If someone’s wronged you, they should pay the price.”
“I… I… fine! Mr. Ren, I accept!”
In Chen Hanyu’s eyes, flames finally ignited.
Flames of longing for wealth, power, status—and a hatred she thought hidden, unseen by anyone.
She wanted everything, for the purpose of taking everything from others.
Ren Zhong smiled at her, “It’s settled then. Here are level two gloves—get used to them. This is a spare key to the motorbike. Leave it downstairs tonight, and tomorrow morning, ride out from the north gate. I’ll wait for you three hundred meters ahead on the main road.”
…
Fifteenth day, 5:05 a.m.
Ren Zhong was pushing the electric motorbike into the cargo hold of the Thunder Vehicle.
Chen Hanyu, standing nearby, was pale one moment, flushed the next, inwardly twisted.
She never expected that the righteous, thick-browed Mr. Ren would be so cunning in private.
So the multi-functional Thunder Vehicle Zheng Tian had lamented losing was actually in Ren Zhong’s hands!
You hid it so well from us.
Where’s basic trust between people?
Chen Hanyu recalled that evening.
Everyone was cursing heaven for the loss of the Thunder Vehicle.
Mr. Ren had comforted them, saying it was just a vehicle, not the end of the world, opportunities would come.
Chen Hanyu: Well, thank you, we were indeed comforted.
Though the car was gone, you remained.
Now I understand what you meant by opportunity.
Because the truth is, both you and the car are here!
She recalled the poisonous curse of the brash expert Ou Youning.
Ouch! Fist-sized hemorrhoids…
Quietly, she tensed her rear.
She instinctively reached behind herself.
Ren Zhong, just locking the cargo hold, saw Chen Hanyu’s complicated expression and her gesture.
He instantly understood.
He smiled awkwardly, “Yes, the car is mine. But as you see, I use it for night actions, so I couldn’t say. Don’t worry, the wise avoid superstition—if curses really worked, Lin Wang would have died ten thousand times already.”
Chen Hanyu awkwardly turned away, “Right, that makes sense.”
Before setting off, Ren Zhong glanced at Chen Hanyu, who had pulled out her tablet and was pretending to read again as if nothing had happened.
He smiled inwardly, feeling deeply satisfied.
Excellent, a level-four disassembler beyond expectations; now he could confidently harvest level-three beasts, without worrying about wasting resources.
A top-tier disassembler could become the soul of a team.
Ren Zhong’s night squad had found its soul.