"So, we have decided to give you 2,000 merit points." The Bishop smiled at Chen Gu. "I wonder if this will satisfy you."

2,000 merit points! With Qing Ruyan and I each getting a thousand, that's enough for me to get the first Energy Level of the Nuclear Combat Technique. It seems the Atomic Holy Church got my hint.

Chen Gu smiled back. "Of course, I am satisfied."

Qing Ruyan, quite generously, waved her hand. "The 1,000 points are all yours..."

Chen Gu was stunned. "Weren't you saying you were short on money and had a lot of jewelry you wanted to buy?" He suddenly understood. "You and your big mouth! Not a single word of truth ever comes out of it."

Qing Ruyan was taken aback and didn't retort, quietly accepting the blame. But in my heart, I feel utterly wronged, she thought. Initially, giving up 1,000 merit points was meant to get closer to this handsome young man, but what I got in exchange was a scolding.

Qing Ruyan thought fiercely to herself, Consider it the fee for those few times I took advantage!

The Bishop asked, "So, do you want to exchange for the Nuclear Combat Technique?"

"Of course."

Ten minutes later, Chen Gu, with a copied portion of the first Energy Level of the Nuclear Combat Technique, and Qing Ruyan left the church. He had provided the Atomic Holy Church with a legally binding pledge that he would not teach the Nuclear Combat Technique to anyone without the church's permission.

After leaving, Qing Ruyan glanced at the time—it was just past nine. "I'll treat you to morning tea."

Chen Gu looked at her, surprised. "You've been... quite the spender lately."

Qing Ruyan was at a loss for words but sighed internally. Sister, if only you were willing to go back, Dad would buy you anything you want. Alas...

"Are you coming or not?" Qing Ruyan asked, somewhat annoyed.

Chen Gu shook his head. "I'm itching to get back to the bureau to focus on my training."

With a pout, Qing Ruyan waved goodbye. Chen Gu headed straight for the branch office. Since it was the weekend and there were no missions, Group Five's office was unsurprisingly empty.

Chen Gu tidied up briefly before heading to the training ground.

After he left, the girls from the internal affairs group whispered among themselves, "It's so strange. Why does it feel like this little guy isn't as good-looking as before?"

"I thought so too," another chimed in. "I even thought I had become more particular lately…"

Inside the training ground, Chen Gu was the only one there, practicing the Nuclear Combat Technique with his Radiation Missionary ability and failing repeatedly.

There are significant problems with my body, he assessed. Energy is being activated too slowly to meet the requirements of the Nuclear Combat Technique.

But Chen Gu was not discouraged and kept trying over and over again.

After persisting for three hours, Chen Gu came to a conclusion: relying on the training of the Nuclear Combat Technique to repair his body was a dead end.

Chen Gu then switched to Nuclear Explosion Nun. With the memories of a Fourth Energy Level expert to supplement his learning, training the first Energy Level of the combat technique was definitely twice as effective. In just one hour, Chen Gu had made significant progress.

However, standing in front of the mirror and performing a round of the Nuclear Combat Technique, Chen Gu always felt that there was... an indescribable charm to his movements.

It's a bit like the same sword technique: when wielded by a man, it can be vigorous and imposing, but it certainly won't look as good as when demonstrated by a stunningly beautiful woman. The Nuclear Combat Technique, as recalled through the memories of Nuclear Explosion Nun, has precisely that feel. It isn't about being vigorous or imposing, but... it's very beautiful!

"What the hell is this!" Chen Gu was on the verge of a breakdown. He constantly adjusted his movements in front of the mirror, trying to inject some steely, rigid masculinity into his demeanor. Yet, despite his utmost efforts, he only managed to achieve a kind of "androgynous beauty," falling short of the "straight male" vibe.

Two more hours passed, and Chen Gu gave up. He concluded today's training, primarily because he was too hungry and needed to replenish his energy.

After taking a shower, Chen Gu had just reached the office door when Mei Lixue's call came through. "Boluo and Dora specifically asked to see you."

Chen Gu responded immediately, "Okay."

He had wanted to meet them even before he was discharged from the hospital, but the Bureau of Mystic Security had denied the request, as the review of the two was not yet complete.

What surprised Chen Gu this time was that he didn't meet Dora and Boluo in an interrogation room but in a small office instead.

Boluo fully embodied the "freedom" of a professional in the wild, propping his feet up high on the table.

Dora rested her plump, rounded chin on the tabletop, her hands covering her ears, looking completely forlorn.

Upon seeing Chen Gu enter, Boluo complained, "The benefits at your Bureau of Mystic Security really suck. The vending machines in the hallway not only have a poor selection but are also overpriced."

He picked up a can of beer from the table and tossed it to Chen Gu. "This one's on me; it's from my own pocket."

Without waiting for Chen Gu's reaction, he opened a can for himself, gulped it down in one go, and casually crumpled the empty can into a ball.

Chen Gu, holding the beer, really wanted to say, My teacher told me not to drink...

Suddenly, Boluo glared viciously, holding up the crumpled beer can. "Clearly, you kid are a Radiation Missionary, even better at exploding stuff than I am! But that human hand-grenade tactic you came up with—why the heck should I have been the grenade!"

"Now that it's just us two, I really feel like turning this thing into a hand grenade and shoving it right up your little ass!"

Chen Gu curled his lip, unconcerned by the threat. Boluo may lack brainpower, but he's loyal—Hu Ling became a Mutant, yet Boluo still couldn't bring himself to kill him. And I've just practiced the Nuclear Combat Technique. I'm itching to test its power on someone. If Boluo steps up, he'll surely gain some fond memories.

As expected, Boluo couldn't maintain his fierce demeanor. He burst out laughing, hurling the beer can ball at Chen Gu. "HAHAHA, scared you, didn't I?"

Chen Gu dodged, an awkward yet polite smile on his face. I fail to see how he thought I was scared. The guy really is a few brain cells short.

He suddenly thought of a question and quickly asked, "So, you got recruited?"

Boluo put on an indifferent face. "Yeah, my background check must have cleared. The Bureau offered me a spot, and I took it. Looks like we're colleagues now."

"There wasn't much to investigate anyway; my past is pretty clear. I'm a traitor to the Empire."

"Being a mercenary offers freedom, but it's too dangerous. Besides, the status of a professional in the wild isn't something you can exactly flaunt. Might as well take this chance to get a legitimate background."

He still has his reservations, Chen Gu knew. All this talk is just him trying to convince himself. He stayed for me, missing the best chance to escape.

But knowing Boluo's character, Chen Gu didn't offer elaborate thanks. Instead, he just grinned. "Once your paperwork is done, we'll hit a bar. I'm buying."

"Deal, it's a promise!"

He extended his fist, and Chen Gu bumped it with his own.

Then, Chen Gu reached out to ruffle Dora's hair, but she dodged, baring her teeth and glaring at him—a look that was both fierce and adorable.