Chapter 89 (1/2)

As if it was an unwritten rule, the majority of the inhabitants awaited the arrival of the gangster quitely. The leading members even prepared the portion of the Crystal Pea that was to be handed over to the gangster.

”Fifteen kilograms of the Crystal Pea, you can have it weighed on the scale.” The leading member was the stout woman he saw in the office. She handed the container to a man who held a semi-automatic rifle.

”Why do they have firearms?” Witnessing the process so far, Chang turned his head, asking Rui.

”You can see them with guns from here?” Rui was perplexed, standing in the crowd.

”I guessed, the shadow seem like guns.” Chang answered ambiguously, adding, ”Why do they have guns? I thought only the military have them.”

”It's because they have connections in the military.” Rui dropped his question about Chang's unusual vision. ”The military would have confiscated them if they were not s.h.i.+elded.”

”I see.”

The gang didn't leave yet as the man checked the container. He pushed the three girls who the gang had taken away before to the stout woman.

”These cuties are from your community, aren't they?” The leading gangster was a muscular man with tattoos covering his body, and it was him, who carried a semi-automatic rifle. ”Our people are done using them, so we're returning them to you. We don't have extra food to keep them around.”

The leader commanded the inhabitants to line up in two rows and looked at their faces one by one.

”I've returned your girls scot-free! I kept my promise already. Don't hate me on this, this is the way the world should be.” The two lines slowly formed as the leader ordered them to do so. He tilted his head to hint for another three gangsters to come from the gang and examine these inhabitants' faces. ”Let's search for some beauties.”

As the tattooed man ordered, the gangsters scanned and examined the inhabitants one by one. If they found a young woman, they would size her up to check her face and body. If it was a man, what they did most of them time was just to glance, unless what they carried intrigued the examining gangster.

Chang was unfortunate that his handgun gathered interest.

”What is that thing on your shoulder? I can't tell if it's a gun or bazooka.” It was the leader who checked Chang, his finger slight moving away from its usual place on the holster. ”I want to see it, take if off!”

”This is a fake gun, there is no point for you to waste time on it.” Rui cut into the conversation before Chang could explain.

”Who the f*ck are you? Go away.” The leader goggled at Rui then stared at Chang again. ”I said take it off!”

”...” Brows knotted, Chang refused to move even an inch. The handgun was his last chance of survival if the gene-altered soldiers ever found him, he simply couldn't give it up.

However, if he didn't give away his handgun now, an argument could easily start between him and the gang. If it came to that, they would be tangled in a bout of fierce fighting. Although he knew that these autonomic groups were nothing to be afraid of, but since they had connections with the military, it might get involved if he killed any of them.

The consequences of attracting military's attention was obvious - he might once again be spotted by Zhuo. In this critical moment, he didn't want to cause trouble for Qing Shui.

Thus, after weighting the advantages against the disadvantages, Chang decided to turn in his handgun to the gang leader.

It was at the exact moment he made a decision when the leader lost his patience. Perhaps he was irritated by the fact that his scouting didn't work well, and that made him feel disgraced. He lifted his right leg, kicking at Chang's stomach.

Chang clearly saw the leader's each move as if the gangster kicked in slow motion. Every inch of the motion's curve was captured by his eyes, and the information entered his brain through the retina. The world seemed static to him in this second. He could predict when and where the foot would go up and down. It was all clear as day to him.

In a blink of an eye, Chang already knew what posture he should use to receive this attack and at the same time how to kill this person in the most effortless way. He even had ample time in that brief moment to a.s.sess how he could avoid the blood splas.h.i.+ng on him by having the dagger on his waist p.r.i.c.k on his neck out of instinct.

This was Qing Shui's ability - micro observation, rapidly using a.n.a.lytical skills and observation to cope with an attack while preparing for a precise counter-attack.

This wasn't a real fighting technique but more practical than any move. In combat, it was all about strategy. However, humans weren't computers. They couldn't make the best moves by calculation. The only way of improving strategic planning was through repet.i.tive practice so that it became an instinct.

Qing Shui's ability was different. He could employ a big part of his frontal cortex into rapid calculation. He wasn't a super computer, but he was stronger than any calculation machine when in crisis.

Chang was gifted this ability from the transgene operation. Therefore, he calmly waited for the foot's impact with his stomach, even though he could kill the man in a flash.

Chang was thrown to the ground, but it wasn't painful at all. He didn't even feel that the leader's kick held any power. If he didn't act deliberately, the kick couldn't have thrown him on the ground. Chang decided to finish his act and wrinkled his face as if he had suffered from the impact.

”Please, I'll give it to you.” Chang pressed on his stomach with one hand and removed the handgun from his shoulder. He pushed it forward to show his submission.

Picking up the handgun, the leader realized it was unusually heavy. His face betrayed his astonishment.

”It's a real gun, huh?” The leader flipped the cover of the holster to check the mechanics. He was extatic when he realized he'd found a jackpot. The handgun was pointed to Chang's face, and the man smirked. ”An alteration, isn't it? Feels nice in my hand. Where did you get it, little b.a.s.t.a.r.d?”

Chang didn't dare to loosen his guard as the muzzle was pointing right at his face and thought up an excuse. ”I found it on a corpse.”

”I see,” the leader murmured, distracted by the giant bullets in the cylinder. After a bit, he casually asked, ”I am taking this beauty away, what do you think?”

”Nothing that I want to say.” Chang shook his head innocently. ”It is the rule that I must comply with.”