In a side pocket of his backpack, Chen Gu took out the stiff cover of an Atomic Holy Church scripture he had found in Dilina's room on the Four Hundred Braves.

All of Chen Gu's personal belongings had been scanned by the Bureau of Mystic Security's cleanup team after the operation, while he was undergoing surgery—after all, the involvement of the Mutant necessitated extreme caution.

But what he had found on this mission was his to keep.

Chen Gu was on a mission for the Atomic Holy Church, not the Bureau of Mystic Security.

Of course, if he had found something truly important, like the items in the laboratory of the Four Hundred Braves, the Bureau would have undoubtedly "confiscated" them without hesitation.

However, the Bureau had casually overlooked the cover of a scripture.

Chen Gu looked at the item, a relieved smile touching his lips.

The journey to the Yingudusi Devil's Pit had cost him greatly, and this item might just be his greatest reward. Fortunately, the cleanup team hadn't discovered its secret and had left it for him.

He found a small knife and gently cut open the cover, revealing a glove as thin as a cicada's wing nestled inside.

Chen Gu didn't need confirmation from the Atomic Holy Church to be absolutely certain: this was the publicly listed item [Status 3-04], the Apocalyptic Holy Hand!

Dilina was known as the "Rebel," but on the Four Hundred Braves, she had still maintained a devout faith in the Atomic Holy Church.

At first, Chen Gu hadn't understood why. But after Leder explained the true story behind the Four Hundred Braves, he quickly surmised that Dilina might not have betrayed the Atomic Holy Church. Instead, she might have been the liaison between the Church and the dictators of that era.

She had represented the Atomic Holy Church aboard the Four Hundred Braves, ensuring cooperation between the Church and the dictators.

But her true identity could not be exposed, hence the nickname "Rebel."

This would explain how Dilina, supposedly only a Second or perhaps Third Energy Level Nuclear Explosion Nun, had managed to defect from the Holy Church, taking a precious [Status] item with her.

It had simply been entrusted to her by the Holy Church.

Chen Gu gently slipped on the glove. The artifact, as if alive, quickly fused with his palm. Even though Chen Gu knew he was wearing the glove, he couldn't see it, and his sense of touch remained as sensitive as if his hand were bare.

The Apocalyptic Holy Hand required a full set to be ranked as a [Status] item. A single glove, though its power would undoubtedly be greatly diminished without its pair, still far outstripped most other artifacts,

such as Chen Gu's previous [Azure Sky Wings] and [Blazing Banner].

With Milna Katerina's memories active within him, a simple clench of his fist allowed him to feel the power of the atom, as if it were entirely within his grasp!

If he wished, with a mere gesture, he could now channel the Third Energy Level strength of a Nuclear Explosion Nun with the help of this artifact!

Yet, Chen Gu couldn't help but give a bitter smile.

Obtaining great power was certainly good, but if his physical condition didn't improve, being stuck at the First Energy Level for life meant his strength would peak at the Third Energy Level.

However, Milna Katerina was at the Fourth Energy Level, and Griffin Wester and Derek Kun Shen Ken were both at the Fifth Energy Level.

From the memories of these practitioners, he knew just how powerful the higher Energy Levels were. If he could only see such power but never achieve it himself, it would be an agonizing torment.

No matter what, I have to find a way to recover my health.

Actually, there was another item from this trip that the Bureau had "confiscated"—the round object Chen Gu had found inside the avian mechanical creature.

The cleanup team judged it to be an egg of an uncertain species. Worried it might hatch into something dangerous, they took it away.

Furthermore, the leader of the cleaning crew repeatedly promised Chen Gu he would be informed about its subsequent handling.

Chen Gu had picked up the object out of curiosity at the time and didn't really care that it was taken away.

The next day was Thursday, and Chen Gu went to school as usual in the morning.

Rumors about Liu Shichan's sudden disappearance and various "insider stories" had already begun to circulate among the students.

The Liu Family was accused of treason, and the entire clan had vanished overnight.

Liu Jianrong had evidently been prepared, having transferred all valuable assets beforehand, leaving behind a mess, such as dilapidated factories and their large workforces.

The city government had to clean up their mess. Otherwise, if the factories closed and all those workers lost their jobs, it would create a major problem.

The city government handled the Liu Family's affairs discreetly, with no media coverage. However, on some local forums, people mysteriously mentioned things like, "The vast Liu estate was empty overnight," and "The Liu family's helmsman quietly left the hospital in the dead of night."

The "Number One Gang of Lubei Middle School," the Dead Phoenix Gang, founded by Liu Shichan, was in a state of panic.

But Chen Gu had no intention of succeeding her as "Gang Leader"; at most, he would secretly look out for Liu Shichan's friends.

After two more days, the weekend finally arrived. Early in the morning, Chen Gu woke Qing Ruyan with a phone call. "I'm going to the Atomic Holy Church. Are you coming?"

He could have arranged this with Qing Ruyan yesterday, but he felt she had been acting strangely lately, completely different from before. Could she be thinking of offering herself in return for me saving her life? I'm also worried that this damn woman, far from telling a single truth, has acting skills worthy of an Oscar and is planning to trick me again. So, Chen Gu had hoped Qing Ruyan wouldn't come.

To his surprise, Qing Ruyan immediately replied, "I almost forgot about that! Let's meet at the church entrance. How about 8:30?"

"Alright," Chen Gu agreed, feeling a bit helpless. I call you at the last minute, and you agree so readily. Where's your pride as a beauty?

Chen Gu arrived at the church entrance ten minutes early, keeping an eye on the time. He planned to go in alone the moment it hit 8:30 if Qing Ruyan was late. However, she arrived at 8:20.

Aren't girls supposed to have countless preparations before going out, definitely delaying them by at least half an hour? And doesn't that delay time correlate with their looks?

He glanced at Qing Ruyan. She wore light makeup yet still looked as ethereal as a deity. He silently praised her natural beauty in his heart; it needed little adornment to shine.

The same Bishop greeted them as before.

He looked over the information they had submitted, then pondered for a moment.

After a phone call and some discussion with the church higher-ups, he returned with a smile. "You both did very well on your mission."

"Although you didn't fully trace the Rebel's movements in the Yingudusi Devil's Pit, you've gathered plenty of clues. And it can be confirmed that Dilina perished in that battle."

This was Chen Gu's little ploy.

He had emphasized that they found the wreckage of the Four Hundred Braves, leading to the inference that Dilina had perished at that time.

This was a hint to the Atomic Holy Church: We know about your collusion with the dictators back then, and Dilina is the proof. You'd better give me some hush money.