Chapter 1

Cao Jing looked at him

Strategic level, your school also organized activities during the National Day, right? You must have gone to the dam to see it. Cao Jing rubbed his fingers vigorously, I remember that when I was young, we organized it too. We offered wreaths. We folded small white paper flowers and placed them one by one in a line.

It is about the same age as I am now

This is the case. My adoptive father, well, I suppose that is what I can call him. My adoptive father has told us this story many times. He said that during the great flood in 1974, he was in the flood control troops on the Cangzhou dam and even witnessed the Dragon King with his own eyes

Dragon King

He has reviewed the documents sent over by fax this time. Lei Xiaoyue, male, thirteen years old, is a first-year middle school student, exhibiting typical emotional events. Based on his experience, Cao Jing estimated that the awakening symptoms may have appeared for two to three months. Generally, parents would only consider it as a common cold or fever, as it is difficult to distinguish between the two based on external symptoms

"Are you the one here to take me away?" The voice was somewhat hoarse, and the person did not move their chopsticks

Evolvers who have not yet been able to control their abilities will experience various anomalies around them. Energy seems to continuously overflow from them, causing various effects on the surrounding environment. For the vast majority of evolvers, their "overflow" at most only disrupts mobile phone signals or heats a cup of water.

The psychological comfort of children is a topic that requires patience and understanding. Cao Jing has some insights in this area, having paid a considerable price for it beforehand. Lei Xiaoyue appears to have the typical foolishness of a boy his age in the photograph, but now, sitting across the table, the boy, restrained in his chair, is glaring at him with a look of resentment

"What abilities do you have?" The young man ignored his words and curiously asked, "I haven't spoken to any other superpowered individuals yet"

Yes. Cao Jing nodded, "One of the strategic levels in 1974, judging from this title and the work he did, it should be related to the ability concerning 'water'. In simple terms, when the flood peak arrived, he withstood the maximum flow of the flood and successfully diverted the river water until the Cangjiang River calmed down again. Then... he died on the dam, and it is unknown whether he died on the spot or succumbed after being sent to the hospital. In simple terms, when the flood peak arrived, he withstood the maximum flow of the flood and successfully diverted the river water until the Cangjiang River calmed down again. Then... he died on the dam, and it is unknown whether he died on the spot or succumbed after being sent to the hospital. I guess he probably exhausted himself."

"Protect yourselves," Cao sighed. "We provide psychological counseling for adolescents who exhibit signs of evolution, offer some simple self-control methods, and register the evolved among the youth. We provide assistance for your families. This is my job"

Will you be very happy?" Lei Xiaoyue asked, "When you are in contact with dreams.

The director of the Youth Evolution Management Office, Old Ma, has gained considerable fame within the municipal system due to his prowess in "begging for alms." Various anecdotes from banquets have provided ample conversation material for his colleagues. Cao Jing offered a cigarette to the police officer and shared a joke about Old Ma, and they arrived at the detention room.

"It's not bad." Cao Jing stood at the door and looked inside for a while, "I'll bring him some food."

When he spoke, he felt that his voice was somewhat muffled

"Let's eat," said Cao Jing, "It is exactly 12:30, which is the time for a meal"

I have heard that the Training Institute is quite terrifying said Lei Xiaoyue with a serious expression

I am being forced

I feel the same way, he thought

"Tell me then," the young man said with dissatisfaction, "if you want me to cooperate with the work."

"It concerns national security," Cao Jing said mysteriously, "I have nothing to disclose."

Cao Jing touched the back of his neck and inquired about the location of the cafeteria, only to learn that no one dared to enter to deliver meals

On the surface, even with a constant smile, Cao Jing exudes an aura that discourages approach. He is tall and thin, with soft movements, draped in a heavy black long coat. In the words of the office director, Old Ma, "It feels like a funeral all day long, just looking at him is inauspicious." Particularly striking is his round buzz cut, which, combined with his unblinking gaze fixed on others, often leads people to believe he has just been released from prison

You understand, this is a torment that is very difficult to endure

I heard that you were detained here because you injured someone at school. " Cao Jing opened his bag, took out a copy from inside, and began to get to the point, "Before this, we were unaware that you had already begun to awaken your abilities. Of course, such incidents have become quite common recently. You are not the first evolver to cause collateral damage due to loss of control over your abilities, nor will you be the last.

The statue of the Dragon King, I remember it seems to be a child

"If you ever find yourself in that situation, you have a choice." After pondering for a moment, Cao Jing said, "No one will force you to do such a thing. When such events occur, you have the right to choose. The Dragon King also agreed before going to the front lines; no one would, and no one could force him. It was just that the circumstances at that time were such that no one had any way out." The Dragon King also agreed before going to the front lines; no one would, and no one could force him. It was just that the circumstances at that time were such that no one had any way out.

A few minutes later, Cao Jing entered the room holding a stainless steel tray. After sitting down, he first glanced at his watch; it was now 12:30, and the second hand was still moving. He pushed the tray across the table and then took out a lunch box wrapped in a plastic bag from his satchel.

"You are a defective product?" The boy's eyes widened.

"No one blames you," said Cao Jing. "There is no need for conflict; we have all lost control at the beginning, and this was not something you could manage."

"That is quite impolite," Cao Jing said as he pushed the white rice aside and picked up a piece of green pepper, revealing a familiar smile. "Especially when said in front of others."

Cao Jing let out a sigh; this might be an entry point. He organized his thoughts.

"If it weren't for the suppressor, I might have gone insane ten years ago and been sent to the Seventh Hospital, bound hand and foot." Cao Jing chuckled softly, making a little joke. "The 'Seventh Hospital' is a nickname for the local mental hospital. He pointed to the silver circular band around his neck, saying, 'Some people really dislike this thing. But for me, it is a guarantee of health. Only after putting on this thing can I get a good night's sleep.'

Quiet. Cao Jing noticed that the sound of the rain outside seemed to be getting louder. He actually did not dislike the rain; he had felt this way since he was very young. The sound of the rain did not make him feel anxious; rather, it brought him a sense of tranquility. Rainy days always reminded him of his childhood, and he liked rainy days. Among his siblings, he was the one who studied, and on rainy days, he did not have to go out to work, so he would read the few books from the welfare home to them.

I have heard that they are implementing militarized management

Cao Jing raised his thermos and took a sip of water, shaking his head and saying, "It is not worth mentioning"

Aren't you from the training institute?

Interestingly, at the age of seventeen, Cao Jing was deemed a defective product by the Human Evolution Review Committee, yet by the age of twenty-three, he had become a member of the reviewers.

I understand a little bit. The young man nodded with an air of maturity.

As a part-time teacher, Cao Jing often encounters such situations. If this world were as simple as in storybooks, where everything is either black or white, it would be much easier for him to teach the children. However, this world is too complex; even Cao Jing himself struggles to understand many things, making it difficult for him to guide them. He is unwilling to tell lies

For example, at the strategic level. "Cao Jing smiled.

Cao Jing parked the electric scooter by the porch, shook off the water from the raincoat, and then walked into the police station

The young man across adjusted his sitting posture, leaning slightly forward, causing Cao Jing to lean back a bit.

What does it mean to take you away?" Cao Jing picked up the stir-fried meat he had made in the morning, noticing the boy's Adam's apple move slightly, "Why should I take you away?

"It cannot be said to be completely normal either," Cao Jing shrugged, pulling aside a bit of his scarf to let the young man across from him see the restrainer on his neck. "However, yes, you can regard me as a normal person in every aspect."

With a pop, the light bulb went out. The broken tungsten filament trembled as it fell, plunging the room into darkness

"Yes," said Cao Jing

Cao Jing suddenly felt a bit cold in the room, and the silence lasted for a while

He glanced through the door; the boy sitting in the confinement room appeared to be under ten years old, dressed in a school uniform, with several band-aids on his rolled-up right arm, and a bruise on his face.

Oh

Lei Xiaoyue's expression indicated that he did not wish to discuss the matter, yet he was prepared.

The young man frowned, "You? A normal person?"

"Are you not even teaching this now?" Cao Jing furrowed his brows, "In our generation, almost everyone knew about this. Of course, it was never mentioned in class, but back then, everyone was talking about it."

"It really is life-threatening; you'll know once you step inside," said the police officer leading the way, pinching his cigarette and pointing to his muscular arm. "Look, even the hair on my arm is standing up."

In terms of personality, Lei Xiaoyue is not more difficult to educate than his previous partner. Thanks to his work, Cao Jing has encountered many dangerous and impulsive teenagers. After several injuries, he understood why everyone in the office rejected fieldwork. However, the special allowance for fieldwork is quite high, and Cao Jing is eager to earn money

No. Cao Jing shook his head while eating, a metallic bitterness rising in his mouth, his fingers tingling. "I am from the Education Bureau. Youth Evolution Management Office. Educational staff."

For a solitary bachelor, the most difficult time in Cangjiang is winter. It generally does not rain, but when it does, the cold is particularly biting. At times, Cao Jing suspects that if the Dragon King exists, does he particularly excel at tormenting people

"I was sent after having breakfast." The young man stared at him with a suspicious look, reached out to grab the chopsticks, and asked, "What is this management office doing? Monitoring someone like me?"

With a hint of aggression and a touch of cunning, Cao Jing carefully observed his expression behind the cover of the water cup, finding no obvious malice. Whenever he encountered a crisis, he would always feel a pain in the back of his neck, which could be a remnant of his past abilities or a biological instinct. This instinct had saved him several times, as "taming" the newly awakened youth was a highly risky endeavor

Cao Jing clasped his hands together, staring into the eyes of the youth across from him. The sound of rain outside continued to persist

If he awakens an extremely rare psychic ability, Cao Jingxin thought, he would be able to penetrate my mind and see what I am recalling at this moment. In that case, it would be very difficult to work. For both the individual and those around them, a psychic evolutionary talent is undoubtedly a disaster

Cangjiang City experiences a rainy season for six months each year, and this city seems to have a special connection with water. On the outskirts of the city, there is a Dragon King Temple, which originally housed the old Dragon King of Cangjiang. After 1974, a reincarnated young Dragon King was added to the temple.

Cao Jing knew that some evolvers could kill with just their eyes. He felt somewhat fortunate that he was still intact at this moment

Cao Jing shook his head, "It's not scary for me. It's somewhat like a boarding school, and it's quite fun. Of course, I grew up in an orphanage, so it doesn't feel much different. However, if you come from a normal family, the first two weeks might indeed be a bit uncomfortable, but it gets better afterwards"

He raised his eyebrows and said, "Haven't you had lunch yet?"

Lei Xiaoyue seems to have something to say

"Have you seen it?" the young man immediately asked and answered himself, "I feel like you must have seen it. This is what you do, right? Have you seen anything strategic? Is it really as powerful as the legends say?"

"It does not. In fact, it has caused me a great burden," Cao Jing shook his head.

"Are you talking about the Cangzhou Dam?" Lei Xiaoyue looked up at the light bulb, its glow flickering. "There is a monument to the martyrs up there; we visited it during the Army Day. I heard that a strategic-level superpower died there, but no one told us exactly what happened."

Yes

The ability to have dreams is not something that can be actively controlled. Unfortunately, I am one of those people. For a long time, I thought I was just the type of person who easily dreams. Every morning when I wake up, I feel as if I haven't slept well all night, as if I have been caught in a sandstorm caused by a thousand dreams. Moreover, due to the environment I was in during my childhood, the dreams I encountered were both damp and cold.

However, the "energy overflow level" exhibited by Lei Xiaoyue is somewhat high, and Cao Jing felt it as soon as he entered the room. The human body—especially those who are well-trained—is very sensitive to signs in this regard; his taste, touch, and hearing were all affected. The bitterness on his tongue, the occasional buzzing sound, and the numbness in his fingertips are all manifestations of his entry into the other party's "field". He could even sense the instability of the other party's current state from these sensations. The bitterness on his tongue, the occasional buzzing sound, and the numbness in his fingertips are all manifestations of his entry into the other party's "field". He could even sense the instability of the other party's current state from these sensations

Cao Jing pondered for a moment and said, "When I am asleep, I can access the dreams of others"

and is responsible for running errands, thought Cao Jingxin

It is not that exaggerated. However, to be frank, managing someone with immense potential like you cannot rely solely on love and gentleness. The training institute places a significant emphasis on discipline, and there is nothing to hide about that. " Cao Jing said gently, "For evolutionaries with exceptional abilities, there will be specialized personnel for tailored training. However, that is a very small number.

"You tell us about it." A fervent light flashed in Lei Xiaoyue's eyes

He appeared to be somewhat confused, Cao Jing thought, he still does not understand anything

Although there is underfloor heating in the room, there are no windows here, making the indoor environment quite stuffy. The central air conditioning is weakly circulating the air. Cao Jing has been here twice; during the first visit, the individual was somewhat mentally unstable, and a section of the wall was burned black. Now, one can still see a patch of white plaster that has been reapplied behind it, resembling a multi-faceted moon growing out of the wall

For example, at the strategic level? The boy's eyes began to shine. Each time they would ask such questions, Cao Jing thought, each time they would inquire about strategic-level issues

Providing psychological counseling to adolescents is a challenging task, and when they possess various evolved abilities, the obstacles faced in this profession ascend to an entirely new realm. Now, Cao Jing can empathize with the feelings of the several teachers who once counseled him.

The city of Cangjiang, divided by the river, is cold and damp in winter. The radiators in the police station provide some shelter, while Cao Jing experiences a sense of stiffness and limited movement in his knee joints due to the freezing cold.