Use first and repay later: Advance the future cultivation fruits

Chapter 76: 76, Original Research Institute

“Urban circle?”

Lin Qing wasn’t surprised at all.

After all, the two transport vehicles that carried the trafficked people bore the mark of the urban circle.

These kinds of transport vehicles, not even the Patrol Chief had the authority to inspect.

“Yes, the urban circle.”

Kou Guoyong nodded and said, “About a decade and a half ago, the Bright Society in the urban circle had a significant figure who, it was said, set up the ‘Original Research Institute’ in the name of the Bright Society. They conducted gene modification experiments on living humans, killing countless tens of thousands.”

“Original Research Institute? Optimizing the genes of Earth people…” Lin Qing mused thoughtfully.

“Yes.”

Kou Guoyong sighed and continued, “It is rumored that in the extraterrestrial civilization where Intelligent Star Group comes from, Genetic Awakening is innate, whereas for us Earth people, it might take tens of thousands to see just one successful Genetic Awakening. This is even considering the introduction of the Sunrise Training Method by the Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall; without it, the numbers would be even fewer.”

Lin Qing nodded slightly.

He had also heard that practicing the Original Chaoyang Method could increase the probability of Genetic Awakening.

Though it was still difficult even with the increased probability, it was definitely much easier than not practicing at all.

“That significant figure in the Bright Society was exactly the one snatching people to conduct these gene modification experiments.”

Kou Guoyong said, “Back then, some were willing, while others were forced, but the mortality rate of the experiments was so high. Very few survived, not to mention the few that were successfully modified. Consequently, the method faced a lot of resistances back then, and I heard that significant figure was also imprisoned.”

He shook his head slightly and said, “I never imagined that the Bright Society is still collecting living people today, probably for gene modification experiments.”

Lin Qing suddenly understood.

No wonder the Bright Society had so many people with modified genes.

“The urban circle doesn’t care?” Lin Qing couldn’t help asking.

“How could such a trivial matter concern the urban circle?” the Patrol Chief shook his head and said, “Look how many people were caught this time.”

Lin Qing fell silent.

Outside of the urban circle, as opposed to inside it, it indeed seemed like two different worlds.

“The only requirement the urban circle has for the entire world is surface-level stability.”

The Patrol Chief spoke with a rare touch of sarcasm, “So… that’s why it has turned into the situation we see today. Otherwise, if there were a clear prohibition, who would dare to defy it?”

Lin Qing slowly shook his head, “No wonder the Bright Society is so brazen…”

“However, the Bright Society wasn’t always like this at its inception, and its pinnacle is long past.”

Kou Guoyong expressed with some nostalgia, “I was born after the ’70s, and the Bright Society’s peak was even earlier. I heard that the Bright Society already existed during the Apocalypse Period, before the rebuilding of civilization.”

“The Apocalypse Period?” Lin Qing couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows slightly.

“Yes.” Kou Guoyong nodded and explained, “The earliest purpose of the Bright Society was said to be finding a bright future for Earth, no matter one’s status or background. As long as one could be of help to Earth, that was enough, and as a result, they recruited many members. Each member had a sun tattoo, though it was different from the pattern now in use.”

Lin Qing then understood.

No wonder members of the Bright Society were dispersed all over the world, even in the urban circle.

“However…”

Kou Guoyong sighed, “As the Bright Society’s power grew increasingly formidable, the mix of members became more diverse, and different factions developed. Internal conflicts grew larger and larger, and to this day, it has fragmented and declined significantly.”

“It’s still strong despite being in decline?” Lin Qing couldn’t help sighing lightly.

“Even a starving camel is bigger than a horse.”

Kou Guoyong suddenly lowered his voice, speaking mysteriously, “I heard that both the Chaoyang Martial Arts Hall and the Dawn Group are organizations that split off from the early Bright Society, which is why they were named as such.”

Lin Qing was startled.

At first listen, it seemed to make sense.

Sunrise and dawn both signified light, and indeed they were both established after the birth of the Bright Society.

“The Bright Society now is nothing like it was back then.”

Kou Guoyong shook his head slightly, “The ones stirring up trouble this time are probably the remnants of the ‘Original Research Institute’ that was established by a certain big shot of the Bright Society who was imprisoned more than a decade ago.”

“The Original Research Institute…” Lin Qing remembered the name.

“This case involves the Original Research Institute, so it might be better for the Inspection Headquarters to handle the investigation.”

Kou Guoyong looked at Lin Qing and instructed, “The Original Research Institute has created too many modified people. Even if the urban circle doesn’t mind, it’s terrifying for us. You’ll need to be very careful.”

Lin Qing nodded slightly.

Without even thinking, he knew that an influential force established by a big shot of the urban circle, even just the remnants, would be far more powerful than underground forces like the Yuanhong Society by who-knows-how-many times.

“However, you don’t have to worry too much.”

Kou Guoyong offered words of comfort, “The Yuanhong Society may have the background of the Bright Society’s Original Research Institute, but you have the even more powerful Inspection Headquarters behind you, and the Headquarters, in turn, is backed by an extremely powerful force within the urban circle.”

Lin Qing nodded, saying, “I understand, it’s them who should be more afraid.”

If they were truly strong enough, they wouldn’t have become an underground force hiding in the shadows.

Of course…

Whether it was the Inspection Headquarters or the Original Research Institute, as far as he was concerned, they were both colossal forces that were difficult to resist.

Besides having the support of the Inspection Headquarters, his own strength was also very important.

The potential threat from the Bright Society’s Original Research Institute made Lin Qing realize even more that… his strength was still far from sufficient.

He had to keep moving forward.

…

Days went by.

The interrogation of the members of the Yuanhong Society was coming to an end, and those who had been kidnapped were gradually being sent back to their homes.

Due to the involvement of the urban circle and the Bright Society, the City Patrol Bureau decided to keep the commendation ceremony low-key. It was just the leaders of the City Bureau who personally presented the medals and gave higher honors, foregoing any ceremony.

Lin Qing didn’t care about these formalities in the first place so naturally, he didn’t mind them.

Three days later.

Although the new set of merits hadn’t been assigned yet, Lin Qing returned to the division’s secret room where they studied Combat Skills.

“Lin Qing, why are you here again today?”

That somewhat hoarse voice laughed, “Oh, it’s been six days, it seems… you’ve mastered the Combat Skill ‘Soft’?”

“Yes,” Lin Qing nodded slightly and said, “I’m here to learn a new series of Combat Skills today.”

“A new series?”

That somewhat hoarse voice said, “You haven’t trained all the Free Body Series Battle Techniques to the Instinct Level yet, and frankly, I don’t recommend that you waste your time on a new series of Combat Skills, but… could you tell me why?”

“I disrupted the plans of the Bright Society’s Original Research Institute during my recent Patrol mission, so I need to increase my strength as much as possible,” Lin Qing replied candidly.

“The Original Research Institute?”

That hoarse voice came to a realization, “You indeed need to be cautious, but since the Headquarters is now also investigating the Original Research Institute, and the Institute is under great pressure, you don’t have to worry too much.”

He paused and then said, “However, it’s right to have your life in your own hands. If you want to learn a new series of Combat Skills, there’s nothing wrong with that. It will just delay the progress of you training the Free Body Series Battle Techniques. Just make sure you think it through.”

“I’ve thought it through,” Lin Qing nodded.

He didn’t have much to think over.

Since he had already trained the Free Body Series Battle Techniques to the Instinct Level, there would be no impact.

“Alright.”

That hoarse voice asked, “Which series of Combat Skills would you like to train next?”