If what Number Thirty-Six said was true, then this Number One also possessed S-class strength.
"Indeed a formidable opponent," Chen Jinzhao murmured.
"Strange—"
"Why do I feel a hint of excitement?"
Chen Jinzhao yearned for a battle to the death with Number One. He had always been the type to grow stronger when faced with a challenge. Furthermore, Chen Jinzhao felt a potential connection to the Divine Kingdom Research Institute, which fueled his desire to uncover the mysteries of his own identity.
Upon this thought, Chen Jinzhao's gaze shifted. He asked Number Thirty-Six, "How long do people like you live? Is it comparable to ordinary people?"
Hearing this, Number Thirty-Six showed a trace of bitterness and shook her head slightly. "Roughly half that of ordinary people. It varies from person to person. After surviving the initial threat of early death, most perish in their thirties. It is said they suffer excruciating torment before dying, but I have not witnessed it myself, only heard rumors."
Chen Jinzhao was stunned.
This account aligned perfectly with Xu Nianqing's research findings. He was now increasingly certain of his intricate ties to the Divine Kingdom Research Institute.
There was even a possibility—
The entity manipulating him from the shadows, treating him as a pawn, was the Divine Kingdom Research Institute.
This possibility sent a shiver down Chen Jinzhao's spine.
He shook his head, his gaze firm once more. Regardless of the Divine Kingdom Research Institute's objectives, he believed that reducing them to ruins would solve everything. The current predicament was that Chen Jinzhao had no idea where to find them.
"Tell me everything you know," Chen Jinzhao said.
Number Thirty-Six dared not disobey.
From her, Chen Jinzhao learned that the Divine Kingdom Research Institute was located underground, with surveillance every five steps and seemingly impenetrable security. Not even an errant fly could get in. The research facility where Number Thirty-Six was stationed housed about a thousand people, half researchers and half armed personnel. Coupled with the bio-engineered soldiers within, their combat effectiveness was formidable.
Even Chen Jinzhao was not confident he could escape such a place unscathed.
"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, if you want to find the Divine Kingdom Research Institute, it's best to start by looking into missing persons. People die in the research facilities every day, which is a terrifying statistic. I've also vaguely heard that above Number One, there is a warrior codenamed 'Zero,' whose strength is said to completely overwhelm Number One. However, this might just be a legend, as we have never seen Number Zero."
Chen Jinzhao raised his eyebrows, then nodded and made a mental note.
Whether it was Number Zero or Number One, they were his enemies. He would eliminate them all eventually.
Number Thirty-Six recounted all the details she knew to Chen Jinzhao, then looked at him expectantly. "Lord Chen, that is all I know. Can you spare my life? I am willing to serve you like an ox or a horse from now on. I no longer wish to be a puppet controlled by the Divine Kingdom."
Chen Jinzhao's thoughts snapped back to reality. He looked down at Number Thirty-Six.
Number Thirty-Six suddenly realized something and raised her hand to remove her clothes. Chen Jinzhao immediately stopped her. "What are you doing?!"
"I wish to serve Lord Chen," Number Thirty-Six replied promptly.
Chen Jinzhao said with disdain, "Forget it. Put your clothes back on quickly. I have no interest in you whatsoever."
Seeing Number Thirty-Six still stubbornly persisting, Chen Jinzhao warned, "If you don't stop, I'll kill you right now."
Number Thirty-Six then ceased her actions.
"I said before that if your answers satisfied me, I would let you go." Chen Jinzhao stated.
"But clearly, your answers did not satisfy me."
Number Thirty-Six's face contorted in terror, and she screamed, "Chen Jinzhao, you broke your promise!"
As she sensed imminent danger, she instantly retreated, hoping to create distance between herself and Chen Jinzhao. However, her actions were futile. Chen Jinzhao was no longer the person he used to be. Individuals like Number Thirty-Six deserved to die.
Otherwise, after Chen Jinzhao died, who would be able to control these people?
Number Thirty-Six looked up in horror, only to find Chen Jinzhao appearing before her like a shadow. Before she could speak again, he seized her by the throat, lifting her as if she were a chick. Number Thirty-Six's legs flailed uselessly in the air.
Chen Jinzhao's voice was icy. "I'm sorry, but I must kill you."
"Rest in peace."
Crack.
The light in Number Thirty-Six's eyes dimmed at a visible rate. Chen Jinzhao, certain she was dead, tossed her aside.
Chen Jinzhao looked at the three corpses, a sense of indescribable heaviness settling upon him.
Were the fates of these individuals his own destiny?
After standing in the cold wind for a long time, Chen Jinzhao noticed movement outside the door and said, "He Xiaohu, come out."
A moment later.
A lean figure appeared from the doorway, limping towards Chen Jinzhao.
Who else could it be but He Xiaohu?
He Xiaohu looked at the three bodies on the ground with trepidation. Chen Jinzhao calmly said, "No need to look. They are all dead."
He Xiaohu's face instantly lost all color.
These were three living people, and they were dead just like that? It was highly likely they had all died at Chen Jinzhao's hands.
"I killed them. You are not mistaken," Chen Jinzhao added.
He Xiaohu trembled all over and looked at Chen Jinzhao with a shaky voice. Chen Jinzhao said, "Don't worry, you've helped me greatly this time. I won't harm you. But remember, what happened tonight must not be leaked."
"Don't worry, I absolutely won't tell anyone," He Xiaohu vowed immediately.
"Yes, I believe you," Chen Jinzhao nodded.
He Xiaohu didn't know how he left Chen Jinzhao's old residence. He was numb, like a walking corpse.
He even felt a sense of lingering fear.
If he hadn't come to his senses in time, he too might have died at Chen Jinzhao's hands.
"Perhaps I made an incredibly correct decision," He Xiaohu mused.
Half an hour later.
He Xiaohu heard the piercing sound of sirens outside his house. At first, he thought something major had happened, but upon realizing the situation, he lay back down.
Chen Jinzhao also heard the sirens and went to the entrance of the old residence to wait.
The first to emerge from the police car was Tao Qiyue. She quickly walked up to Chen Jinzhao and first looked him over, ensuring he was unharmed, before letting out a sigh of relief. "How are things here? I was worried after you asked me to investigate, so I came to check on you."
"You can see, I'm in excellent condition," Chen Jinzhao replied.
"However, I killed three people."
Tao Qiyue's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.