Chapter 23: Family Apartments

The doll stood before the door holding a sign, her every movement radiating anticipation and nervousness.

It took Li Yelaie a few seconds of contemplation before he realized what was happening.

When he had followed the doll's advice to distance himself from the battlefield earlier, he seemed to have mentioned something about treating her to a meal next time.

Uh... that was actually just a polite formality.

Much like the common greeting, "Have you eaten?", it was merely a social pleasantry.

But the girl had taken it seriously, having specially changed into a new doll costume and waiting here expectantly.

Even for someone as stingy as Li Yelaie, it was difficult to find the words to refuse.

However, Li Yelaie needed to rush home immediately; everything that had happened today had left him shaken.

He had finally been targeted by certain organizations, whether it was the Ember Church or the organization behind the Black Umbrella. They had likely all noticed him by now.

Whether it was his unique ability, "Myriad Facets," or the conspicuous feat of shattering the Ghost Immortal's altar, both would trigger the vigilance of those organizations. When the young man with the Black Umbrella had threatened Li Yelaie with his family, he had already felt the onset of fear.

He understood that no matter how powerful he grew, he could not stay by his family's side forever.

He had to arrange for Li Yunyan's safety first.

Thus, Li Yelaie composed his thoughts and said to the doll, "I have an urgent matter today. Can we do it in a few days?"

The doll's disappointment was visible; her arm holding the sign slumped, and the sign itself seemed to lose its luster, turning a dull gray.

She was truly saddened, thinking that the only companion who could remain unaffected by curses was now distancing herself from her.

If Li Yelaie's gaze could pierce through the mask, he would have seen a beautiful, profoundly dejected face with moist eyes.

She did not show the strength she projected; the sudden blow to her hopes made her legs feel weak.

Sensing her thoughts, Li Yelaie immediately added, "You know I encountered an enemy today. He threatened my family. Although he's a familiar face, I'm still worried. I plan to go home immediately to pack and prepare to move."

The doll instantly regained her vitality and raised the sign again.

[Threatening family? That's too despicable! (╬￣皿￣)]

[Have you thought about a new home yet? (O_o)??]

"Uh, not yet," Li Yelaie said, shaking his head. "And my sister doesn't know I'm a Psionic, nor does she know Psionics even exist. I'm thinking about how to tell her the truth."

[Some colleagues are like that too. They don't want their families involved in danger or worried, so they keep their identities hidden. But since something like this has happened, you have no choice but to come clean. (`へ*)ノ]

[As for a new home, don't just pick any place. Safety must come first. You are a member of 'Champion,' so you can ask the 'Champion' branch about their policies for family members. I live in the branch headquarters, so I don't know much about it. (ω)(._.`)]

"Okay, thank you. I'll treat you to a meal once I've moved!" Li Yelaie thought for a moment before realizing that Yang Chen's codename was 'Champion,' and he nodded to the doll.

He then walked briskly toward Yang Chen's office.

As he passed the doll, he heard a somewhat muffled female voice: "You're welcome..."

Soon, Li Yelaie arrived at Yang Chen's office.

"I was just looking for you," Yang Chen said with a smile. "Generally speaking, we don't interfere in the private lives of Handlers. However, when some Handlers start making a name for themselves, they easily attract the hostility of certain bastards. Therefore, we do have policies to protect family members.

For example, there is an apartment in the Ring District, four kilometers away from this branch. It is a safe point used by our Handlers to settle family members and some protection personnel. There will be several Handler teams and a squad of Iron Guards guarding it in secret."

"Is it expensive?" Li Yelaie inquired. "I don't have many Megacity Credits in my account."

Li Yelaie had some savings now, but not enough to buy a house.

"You can purchase it with Merit Points, as long as you aren't looking for a luxury villa. A standard three-bedroom, one-bath apartment only costs twenty Merit Points. If you don't have enough, I can cover it for you. You can pay me back when you have the chance," Yang Chen said.

Li Yelaie did a mental calculation.

Based on the quotes he had heard from the detective, the exchange rate for Handlers to acquire Merit Points fluctuated between 15,000 and 20,000 credits per point.

That meant this house would cost Li Yelaie somewhere between 300,000 and 400,000 credits.

This was a massive sum. With Li Yelaie's previous salary, even if he didn't eat or drink, it would take at least twenty-five years at the lowest price to afford it.

However, compared to other houses in the Ring District... the price he had inquired about earlier was around 800,000. That was already a bargain.

Furthermore, with Handler teams and Iron Guards guarding the complex day and night, the price would naturally be higher than a normal house. Over a million credits?

This must be an internal benefit provided by the Handling Department to its Handlers.

Twenty Merit Points—even without encountering major incidents, he could save most of that through daily missions in a year, and the Captain could even advance the payment.

After thinking it over, Li Yelaie nodded. "I have enough points. I'll buy it there."

Though he was usually stingy, when it came to his family's safety, Li Yelaie would not hesitate.

"Alright, I'll give you the address. Someone will receive you when you arrive; it's basically move-in ready," Yang Chen said.

Then, glancing at the Snowman Doll peeking through the door, Yang Chen smiled at her and said to Li Yelaie, "Go back and have a proper talk with your sister. Besides, her situation also requires this kind of protection..."

The words were loaded with meaning. *'Her situation'?*

Li Yelaie's heart skipped a beat as he looked at Yang Chen.

He knew in his heart that Yang Chen had realized Li Yunyan was tainted by a curse and was a Liminal.

Generally, such Liminals were to be kept under supervision.

But out of trust in Li Yelaie, Yang Chen had not pursued the matter.

"Thank you, Captain," Li Yelaie responded softly.

He then left the room.

As Yang Chen watched Li Yelaie depart, the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a lonely sigh.

Who would ever want their family to become Psionics? It was both a blessing and a curse.

At that moment, someone walked into the room—it was the Investigator who had previously communicated with Li Yelaie.

He sat down brazenly across from Yang Chen's desk, tossed a cigarette to Yang Chen, and lit one for himself. He took several silent puffs before exhaling a smoke ring.

Yang Chen did the same, exhaling smoke.

The two remained silent, with only the glowing tips of their cigarettes flickering through the haze.

"Old Huang, how is your investigation going? How do you plan to report to the higher-ups?" Yang Chen asked.

"Don't be so formal with a senior," the Investigator said, narrowing his eyes. "The fact that he can see the doll's face means his curse resistance is extremely high. There are only three possibilities.

First, he has a natural, extremely high resistance to curses. Such people usually possess anti-Psionic abilities, but he doesn't.

Second, he has come into contact with some kind of Forbidden Object that prevents him from being affected by curses. An A-grade Forbidden Object capable of suppressing the doll's curse? Looking at his history and range of activity, he wouldn't have had the chance to encounter such a thing.

Third... his status is incredibly, incredibly high. So high that it exceeds the influence of curses. Even the 'God-Chosen' we caught earlier didn't show this level of resistance. He..."

The Investigator looked at Yang Chen and voiced his suspicion: "Is there a terrifying existence behind him?"

"That existence is stronger than the Ghost Immortal! That's why the Ghost Immortal retreated. It makes sense; after all, his 'Overlord Mask' is so unique. Using the power of Myriad Facets to manifest the Spiritual Eye... what if he has more than one mask? I can't even imagine how high his ceiling is if he has a second or third one!"

"Jealous?" Yang Chen smiled. "He's my team member. No room for you!"

"Aren't you worried?" the Investigator frowned.

Yang Chen laughed. "I choose to believe in him. He has acted in accordance with my expectations. I only need to wait for his success and applaud him. I know what the higher-ups are suspicious and worried about. But as long as I'm here, there won't be any chaos."

After watching him for a long time, the Investigator shook his head. "Since the 'Fierce Gun' kid took over the 'Champion' title, his temperament has certainly improved. Fine, as an old teammate, I'll help you out to prevent other departments from getting suspicious. But I will still report the truth to the top."

"That's enough." Yang Chen nodded and asked, "A drink tonight?"

"No, I have to head back to headquarters." The Investigator stood up to leave.

As he reached the door, he turned back to Yang Chen. "Stay alive. I don't have many old teammates left. Don't let the title of 'Champion' crush you."

"Don't give me a eulogy. Get out, get out!" Yang Chen waved him off dismissively.

***

On the other side, after leaving the branch, Li Yelaie immediately hailed a taxi back to his old apartment. When no one was looking, he even used "Air Stepping" to reach his floor at maximum speed.

He planned to pack his belongings tonight and move directly into the family apartment. That was the safest way.

Thus, when the front door of the house opened.

A panting Li Yelaie looked at Li Yunyan behind the door and said, "Sis, I have something to confess to you."

"Confess..." Li Yunyan's face changed. "Finally! Are you finally going to confess that you're being kept by a rich woman? Tell me, how old is she? I can handle it!"

Li Yelaie's face twitched, completely ignoring the joke.

Instead, he entered the room, closed the door, and began packing his luggage.

"What? You're actually leaving?" Li Yunyan looked heartbroken. "You've changed! Are you really going to abandon your sister, who relies on you for everything, just for that rich woman? *Sob sob sob!*"

"Can't you just ask that rich woman if her gender is a strict requirement? I can do it too! Let's go together, let's go together!"

"Ow!" Li Yunyan suddenly cried out in pain, and Li Yelaie pinched her cheek, saying, "Stop playing around. You pack your bags too. We're moving tonight!"

"Are you really making me go host a rich woman?" After breaking free from his hand, Li Yunyan rubbed her cheek and asked warily, "Wait, is the person keeping you a man or a woman?"

Despite her words, she began packing alongside him.

Though she didn't know why, she chose to trust her brother, as she always had.

After a moment of thought, Li Yelaie performed "Air Stepping" right in front of her.

He stepped seven times in mid-air, one meter above the ground, walking back and forth.

This caused Li Yunyan to exclaim, "A Dou Zong powerhouse! Terrifying! My brother has the aura of a Great Emperor!"

*'What kind of pre-calamity novels has this girl been reading?'*

Li Yelaie felt speechless.

After landing, he began to tell his sister, bit by bit, about everything he had encountered these past few days.

Of course, he still kept the existence of the Shadow hidden.

He only mentioned the Skin-Peeler, Psionics, Handlers, the Handling Department, and the potential dangers he now faced.

Li Yunyan's expression shifted from initial surprise and curiosity to gravity, and finally to deep worry.

"You went through all that and didn't tell me!" Li Yunyan punched Li Yelaie hard in the chest. "So, you're saying my current condition is just like your luck—it's a... curse?"

Li Yelaie nodded solemnly. "Indeed."

"Does that mean I can become a Psionic too?" Li Yunyan's face showed a hint of astonishment.

Li Yelaie continued packing and said, "Let's move first, then talk."

Li Yunyan suddenly stopped her movements and asked in a low voice, "Brother, can you quit your job?"

Seeing Li Yelaie's confused look, she continued, "It's too dangerous. Skin-Peelers, Void Creatures... they are all very dangerous things."

"Your brother is still very strong. Didn't you just say I have the aura of a Great Emperor? If the heavens hadn't given birth to me, Li Yelaie, then..." Li Yelaie responded, "Besides, only the official authorities can find a way to resolve a curse."

"We don't have to resolve the curse. We've lived like this for years, and nothing bad has happened to us," Li Yunyan whispered.

"Don't worry, it won't be too dangerous," Li Yelaie replied. "Encountering enemies is a low-probability event. Now that I have a kind boss and a beautiful senior looking after me, our lives will be stable once we move into the family apartment. We can consider it then, okay?"

Li Yunyan suddenly spoke up: "Tell me more about this 'beautiful senior'!"

"Tsk!"

By the time Li Yelaie and Li Yunyan finished packing, it was around ten o'clock at night.

There were far fewer pedestrians on the streets.

For the curse-afflicted Li Yunyan, this was a good thing.

At this moment, she wore a pair of headphones and sunglasses, looking youthful and beautiful.

With one hand carrying a suitcase and the other gripping Li Yelaie's arm, she walked out of the house with her eyes closed.

This was the first time in three years she had left the house.

Although she still didn't dare open her eyes, she had at least temporarily left that cramped space.

Li Yelaie, carrying various bags and bundles, led Li Yunyan carefully out of the apartment stairwell.

However, on the first floor of the building, he saw a Snowman Doll.

She was leaning against a streetlamp, boredly spinning the sign in her hands.

Upon seeing Li Yelaie, she raised the sign.

[I am here to protect you during your relocation (ω)]

Before Li Yelaie could speak, he felt his sister pinch him.

She had opened her eyes at some point and whispered a complaint: "And you said you weren't being kept by a rich woman?"