Chapter 91: The Evening Banquet

The electronic alarm shattered the silence, and outside the window, the sky had quietly darkened.

The neon lights shimmered in a dazzling array of colors, like the most splendid galaxy in the night sky. The interplay of light and shadow wove flowing tapestries, setting the dominant tone of this sleepless city.

Li Nanke slowly emerged from a deep, drunken slumber, his head throbbing painfully, his body utterly exhausted, yet the restless agitation within him had significantly eased.

He no longer suppressed the extraordinary power coursing through his body. As his formidable physical functions revived, the headache and fatigue quickly faded.

Li Nanke opened the window. The city at night was always so enchanting—streets bustling beneath the neon glow, flying cars speeding by. Everything seemed vibrant and full of life.

Taking a deep breath of the cool air, he felt a flicker of clarity. He also sensed that his mental imbalance was only a temporary retreat, like the ebb and flow of tides, soon to surge back again.

“Alcohol and sleep—only a temporary fix…” he murmured to himself. After much contemplation, he finally took out his communicator and dialed a number.

The person on the other end was named Lina, a member of the logistics department’s medical team.

Li Nanke knew quite a few people from logistics and intelligence—new interns always liked to make friends.

“Hello, Lina. I need a favor. Do you know any psychiatric healers? The kind who can perform flying knife techniques?”

A young female voice replied through the communicator.

“Of course, Researcher Li. But if it’s a private job, the price is a bit steep. If it’s a family member with mental issues, you could try applying through the Control Bureau for possible free treatment.”

“It’s a civilian extraordinary friend who’s been a bit restless lately. I need a healer who can keep things discreet, you know what I mean?”

For certain reasons, Li Nanke didn’t want his risk of losing control to be discovered by the research team or Director Frank.

“A civilian extraordinary with potential loss of control… Got it. I’ll connect you with an experienced healer who won’t spill secrets. Wait for my message. We can negotiate the fees later.”

“Thanks a lot.”

After hanging up, Li Nanke transferred a thank-you payment. Lina would likely take a cut from private job referrals, but business was business.

Apart from necessary investigations, the Control Bureau didn’t routinely monitor the personal lives of every internal staff member.

Li Nanke was well aware of this and thus wasn’t worried that asking Lina to help find a healer would attract attention. As long as it didn’t involve serious violations or potential security threats, the Bureau generally stayed out of such private matters.

—

Lina didn’t ask for money, only sending a lipstick emoji with the message: If you want to thank me, just buy me a drink this weekend, Mr. Lee.

Ha, I want to keep our friendship pure, but you’re aiming for a more intimate connection.

Li Nanke glanced at the time and got up to leave, heading to the research team’s banquet.

The banquet was held at a high-end hotel, occupying the entire top floor’s revolving restaurant.

Li Nanke wasn’t sure whether the Control Bureau’s funding was too abundant or if Director Frank’s family was just that wealthy.

Thinking it over, it was probably the latter, as the towering hotel with over a hundred floors belonged to the Vistaria family.

The spacious hall was set with several long tables covered in exquisite white linens, adorned with silverware and tall wine glasses. Each chair was tied with a delicate silk ribbon. The tables were decorated with small bouquets and elegant candle holders.

One side of the restaurant featured a small stage where a band played soft music.

The melody flowed gently, adding a relaxed and joyful atmosphere to the banquet. Next to the stage was a row of high tables laden with an array of delicacies and drinks, including fine cakes, desserts, and various cocktails and wines.

The research team members arrived one after another, numbering sixty-seven. They no longer wore their standard research uniforms but formal attire—men in suits and women in stunning evening gowns. Director Frank appeared solemn in a well-tailored black suit, radiating gravity.

Jiang Lei, spotting Li Nanke's arrival, immediately approached him.

“Little Li, you won’t believe it. The director heard that the forbidden artifact had hidden properties and came straight to the lab, spending the entire afternoon there.”

“And the result?”

Jiang Lei continued, “Of course, no problem. After the director’s personal verification, your discovery of the hidden traits was confirmed completely accurate. The director has already reported this to the department. Once approved, our whole team will receive a reward—especially you, Little Li.”

“Can I get some more pheromones as a bonus?” Li Nanke joked half-seriously.

Jiang Lei rolled his eyes. “You think pheromones grow on trees? The director just rewarded you recently. Enhancing extraordinary powers must be gradual—you can’t get buff overnight.”

“Besides, we researchers don’t need to fight. Our powers assist the research. Enough is enough; no need to take risks absorbing too many pheromones for forced advancement.”

“After all, research demands wisdom and patience.”

For some reason, whenever Jiang Lei mentioned pheromones, he sounded a little sour.

Li Nanke nodded in agreement. “You’re right, Jiang. My discovery of the hidden property relied more on theoretical knowledge and experimental skill than on extraordinary power.”

—

Jiang Lei was momentarily speechless but couldn’t help punching him lightly. “Keep up the chatter and next time at the night club, you’re paying.”

Leaning closer, he whispered, “I heard the director wants to promote you.”

Li Nanke raised an eyebrow. “So soon?”

Counting on his fingers, he had only been at the Control Bureau for a little over ten days. Such a quick promotion was rare.

But cracking the hidden properties of two forbidden artifacts in such a short time was even rarer—an exceptional achievement warranted a fast-track promotion.

Jiang Lei casually remarked, “You’re from the Myriad Phenomena Division, different from us ordinary researchers. Maybe one day you’ll even enter the Apocalypse Council and become a big figure.”

“The Apocalypse Council… Jiang, I’m just a Myriad Phenomena type, only shining in research. I don’t have much potential for extraordinary advancement. How could I become a top-tier extraordinary?”

Li Nanke smiled wryly. To keep gaining pheromones, he quietly maintained his researcher identity at the Control Bureau.

The extraordinary power he wielded now was still far from breaking the shackles of reality and walking openly under the sun.

Perhaps only when he mastered enough power, becoming a top extraordinary and a true ruler, would he be qualified to trample this decadent world.

Before Jiang Lei could say more, Director Frank waved at Li Nanke from afar.

Beside Frank stood a young blonde woman.

She wore a black evening gown, its tight design perfectly outlining her slender neck, slim waist, and graceful curves. The neckline dipped just right, revealing pale collarbones and an enticing décolletage, adding a touch of seductive allure.

Jiang Lei subtly nudged Li Nanke and said, “Little Li, that’s the eldest daughter of the Vistaria family.”

“Here comes the immense wealth. Go on, don’t keep her waiting.”

(End of chapter)