CHAPTER 61: 59, NINTH-LEVEL EXPERTS

Lu Lin was taken aback when he saw the person in the car.

Wasn’t this the big brother who had been sitting and watching the show without moving when Wang Shao brought people to cause trouble just now? He hadn’t expected him to be some kind of Boss.

"Do you know me, young man?" Zhao Lei asked.

"I don’t know you, but I saw you enjoying the show from the sidelines earlier," Lu Lin replied.

Zhao Lei laughed.

Louder laughter came from the back of the car.

"HAHA, Boss, you usually tell us you’re a super master, about to be Titled King, and now, back in your hometown, no one even knows you."

"I really don’t know how you have the guts to brag to me and Xiao Li. Now your cover’s blown, huh?"

Lu Lin heard the voice and peeked in curiously.

Inside the car, there was indeed a girl wearing tight, all-black leather clothes and pants, her hair in a double ponytail, and possessing a curvy figure. She also carried a long knife on her back. With her hair tied up, she looked dashing, exuding the vibe of a female spy from a movie.

"Xiao Yan, shut up. You’re too noisy," Zhao Lei said, his expression displeased.

"Young man, don’t mind her. Let’s find a place to chat. I happen to be quite interested in the Jin Hao Group’s affairs."

Lu Lin shook his head.

His mom had told him back in those years that boys must protect themselves when they’re out and about. Who knew who this big brother in front of him was? What if he took him to some desolate place and subjected him to merciless torture? Who would Lu Lin turn to for justice then?

"No need, big brother. My mom told me to be home and asleep before 8 p.m., or she’ll lock me out."

Lu Lin said this very seriously, and his earnest appearance made Xiao Yan in the car unable to help but giggle, her chest rising and fall with her laughter, which made Lu Lin’s blood surge a little.

"Alright then. How about I treat you at the Green Willow Residence tomorrow at noon? Would you honor me with your presence?"

Lu Lin hesitated.

He didn’t think there was anything particularly noteworthy about himself. Why would this big brother in the car invite him repeatedly?

"Big brother, could you briefly tell me your purpose first?" Lu Lin asked. "A free meal is tempting, but I have a weak stomach. I’m afraid of indigestion."

Zhao Lei found his words amusing, and the corners of his mouth quirked up slightly.

"Fine, I’ll be brief. I am Zhao Lei, a Level 9 Star Core Warrior, currently serving as a Safety Consultant in the Federal Star Core Fighter Crime Investigation Department. I’m looking for you to talk about Wang Lihe and the Black Shark Society."

Lu Lin naturally knew that Wang Lihe was the CEO of the Jin Hao Group. But hearing Wang Lihe’s name mentioned in connection with the Black Shark Society put Lu Lin on alert.

Could it be that Zhang Haibo and his group came looking for trouble tonight under the instruction, or direct order, of the Black Shark Society? No, that’s not right! Wait a minute.

Lu Lin’s eyes suddenly widened as he stared at Zhao Lei. "Big brother, are you joking with me?"

"A Level 9 Star-core Martial Artist?"

"A Safety Consultant for the Federal Star Core Fighter Crime Investigation Department?"

Zhao Lei nodded, indicating that Lu Lin was correct.

But Lu Lin still found it hard to believe.

How could it be possible? A living, breathing Level 9 Star-core Martial Artist standing right in front of him? Was he dreaming?

As previously mentioned, most Star Core Warriors in the Human Federation, regardless of their level, would reside on alien planets. There, they would live, learn, or venture deep into Exotic Battlefields for combat practice. In normal society, it was rare to encounter a Star Core Warrior above the First Level. Yet, this person was claiming to be a ninth-level expert.

This didn’t make sense.

"Yes. This is my identification. You can log into the Federal Official Website to verify my information," Zhao Lei said, taking out his physical ID card. Lu Lin quickly snapped a photo of it.

It would be a bit inappropriate to check someone’s identity right in front of them.

"This is my personal assistant, Xiao Yan."

"And this is my combat assistant, Xiao Li."

"Young man, I’ll contact you tomorrow to confirm once I’ve booked a private room at the Green Willow Residence. I hope you won’t stand me up."

Lu Lin nodded hesitantly.

"Alright, it’s getting late, so I won’t keep you any longer. Lu Lin, we’ll see you tomorrow."

"Goodbye, Lu Lin! We’ll be waiting for you tomorrow, okay?"

After Zhao Lei finished speaking, he closed the car door, and they drove off. As they were leaving, the girl named Xiao Yan deliberately rolled down the window to wave goodbye to him.

Lu Lin waved back casually. Once their car was gone, he quickly began to analyze the situation.

Firstly, just by looking at the man named Zhao Lei, almost anyone would assume he was an ordinary person. However, with the aid of his Perception, Lu Lin could faintly sense an immense energy within the man. It was like an ocean: calm on the surface, but with turbulent Star Power energy roiling beneath, almost condensed into a tangible substance. His power was far, far greater than that of his teacher, who was a Level 6 Star-Core Fighter. This realization increased Lu Lin’s trust in Zhao Lei’s identity.

If the man harbored any ill intentions toward him, Lu Lin could vanish from this world in an instant.

Secondly, Lu Lin could sense extraordinary Star Power fluctuations from both Xiao Li, the girl who had invited him, and the curvaceous Xiao Yan in the car. Comparatively, they should be a notch stronger than Secretary Hou from the Tongyuan City Guard House, who had just been promoted to the Fourth Level. They were at least at the Fourth Level, possibly even Level Five.

Lastly, Lu Lin was almost certain that the Safety Consultant ID Zhao Lei had shown him was genuine. The federation, to maintain its authority, strictly prohibited citizens from privately producing any kind of identification. All processes related to the production, manufacturing, sale, and creation of identification were under federal control.

"Lu Lin, who was in that car?" Da Xiang and Wang Juan asked, walking over when they saw Lu Lin still standing there after the car had left.

"A Big Shot," Lu Lin said. "A master who’s reached the ninth level as a Star Core Warrior. He said he saw my incredible intelligence and wit and wanted to take me as his Direct Disciple. Plus, he claimed he would give me billions to help my cultivation until I reach his level of strength."

"TSK!" Da Xiang and Wang Juan both gave Lu Lin a contemptuous look, then turned and walked away.

The hospital they were at wasn’t far from the Lishui Bay Residential Area, so they decided to stroll home.

Walking into the residential area, Lu Lin noticed that all the lights in his house were off. It was past eleven, and his mom and dad had work tomorrow; they definitely wouldn’t have waited up for him.

Lu Lin went upstairs and carefully opened the door to his apartment, worried about disturbing his parents. He closed the door, changed into his slippers, and tiptoed towards his room.

BANG!

The living room light suddenly turned on. Startled, Lu Lin saw his mom and dad sitting on the sofa, all four of their eyes staring intently at him.

"Ah, Mom, Dad, you’re still awake?" Lu Lin said, patting his chest and feigning shock. "It was pitch black; you nearly scared me to death."

When he saw his parents remained silent, he grew a little uneasy.

"Well, Mom, Dad, I’m back now, so you two should get to bed."

"I’m off then. Goodnight, Mom, Dad!"

Lu Lin walked all the way to his room door. Just as his hand grasped the doorknob, before he could press it down...

"You! Get over here!" Lu Lin’s dad commanded sternly, holding a bamboo stick, which he then slammed fiercely onto the coffee table.

"Dad, what are you doing?"

"I’m sleepy. I want to go to bed."

"Sleep?" His mother, Meng Yu, sneered. "At a time like this, you still dare to think about sleeping? If you don’t explain things clearly, you can stand at that door until dawn. If we have to, we’ll take a day off work tomorrow to stay with you all day."

"Mom, what’s going on?"

Lu Lin mentally replayed the day’s events, trying to recall anything that might have warranted his mom’s attention, but nothing came to mind.

"You little rascal! Come here and see what this is!" Meng Yu played a video clip on her Personal Terminal.

Lu Lin’s eyes narrowed instantly. "Holy shit..."