The Omniscient

Chapter 27: The Local Snake

Huang Ji understood that involving aliens in the equation demanded resistance from only a select few.

The Messiah organization was unaware of the full scope of this issue. Their reluctance to step into the spotlight stemmed from a lack of evidence and past devastating losses. With their inferior strength, becoming publicly visible would turn them into easy targets, ensuring their complete annihilation in one decisive strike.

As a result, today’s Messiah could only operate in secrecy—gathering intelligence and stealing technology. While they had managed to acquire some advanced equipment, none of it could serve as irrefutable proof. Publicly unveiling their findings would only lead to inventors “coming forward,” resulting in the loss of numerous members for nothing. They decided to use these items to bolster their capabilities instead.

Among their treasures were two or three valuable items stolen from Illuminati research facilities, including the superconducting block acquired last year. This small reserve of assets was the Messiah’s only foundation—and, in Huang Ji’s eyes, their sole value.

“We share a common goal,” Huang Ji said, “but whether I join you depends on the quality of your other members. For now, I can provide you with funding and minor assistance.”

Huang Ji needed to meet the other members. With just a glance, he could discern everything necessary. For instance, the superconducting block Old Wang thought was well-hidden—Huang Ji already knew its location.

Breaking the Earth’s predicament required careful long-term planning. Huang Ji knew time was tight, and going it alone was not an option. The Messiah’s resistance provided a ready-made platform—he only needed to expel those fated to betray them and take the reins himself. No one was better than him at discerning weak-willed individuals.

“How much funding?” Old Wang asked.

“I need to find him. I’ve already arranged for a ship, but I’m still short by at least 50,000 yuan. More would be even better.”

Huang Ji shook his head. “No rush to leave. At least for the next few months, I won’t be going anywhere. The funds I provide are for procuring some items for me.”

“What? Look at these two lying on the floor—they found my house!” Old Wang protested.

“Their identities aren’t confirmed yet. So far, China is the safest place for you,” Huang Ji replied.

Old Wang pursed his lips, squatting down to rummage through the unconscious men’s belongings. After examining them, he nodded. “You’re right. They aren’t Illuminati. They must be hired thugs.”

Illuminati operatives would typically carry items bearing the All-Seeing Eye emblem.

Old Wang slapped awake the man with dislocated limbs and asked, “Spill it—who sent you to kill me?”

“Nobody sent us to kill you,” the man gasped, fabricating a story. “We just wanted to break in and steal some money. Then you came back, so we tried to grab you and force you to tell us where the money was.”

Huang Ji nodded, casually cracking the man’s joints back into place.

But before the man could sigh in relief, Huang Ji dislocated his arm again, reducing it to limp uselessness.

“Ahhh!”

Ignoring the man’s screams, Huang Ji used him as a practice dummy, honing his proficiency in joint manipulation techniques. Although Huang Ji understood the theoretical principles of dislocating joints, his practical skills were still rough. His earlier precision had been possible only because his target had been stunned by the Air-Expelling Finger, making him a stationary target.

In real combat, Huang Ji’s execution needed improvement, so he seized every opportunity to practice.

“Overuse will ruin his joints. That arm’s as good as useless now,” Old Wang commented dryly.

The man broke out in cold sweat. His livelihood depended on his hands. Without them, he was just another thug.

“No, no! Please! I’ll talk! It’s all a misunderstanding! I’m Xiao Zha. We didn’t come to kill you—we’re not killers! We were sent to capture you alive. I don’t know why, but my boss ordered us to bring you back,” the man cried. Ṙ𝔞Νо₿ËŠ

“Who’s your boss?” Old Wang asked.

“Zhang Junwei...”

Old Wang raised an eyebrow. “Don’t know him. Did someone hire him to do this?”

“Yes! Someone called our boss and asked him to find you. Just finding you and reporting your location would earn a million yuan,” Xiao Zha confessed.

Huang Ji reconnected Xiao Zha’s limbs and asked, “What if you captured him alive? How much would that be worth?”

“Probably more, I guess?” Xiao Zha hesitated.

Old Wang latched onto the uncertainty and pressed, “What do you mean, ‘probably’?”

Xiao Zha quickly explained, “The client only asked us to report your location. They said they’d handle capturing you themselves. But my boss figured you’d be worth more if we brought you in, so he sent us to wait in your house and grab you ourselves.”

Old Wang froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.

He’d wondered why the Illuminati would send such small fry to catch him. Normally, their operations would be far more airtight.

Now it was clear: Zhang Junwei, the local crime boss, had acted on his own initiative.

The Illuminati’s intelligence network in the area was weak, relying on local informants. With money to spare, they didn’t mind outsourcing. But Zhang Junwei, thinking he could profit, had gone rogue, sending his men to spook the target prematurely.

The two men might have succeeded in capturing Old Wang, but it was a gamble. The Illuminati would have preferred to send more reliable agents.

Even if Old Wang were captured, he could still ensure the Golden Elixir remained hidden through suicide if necessary.

“The Illuminati hasn’t arrived yet. This is a good chance. We can leave now and still be safe!” Old Wang said.

Huang Ji had anticipated this and guided Old Wang to the conclusion.

“If the Illuminati knew your location, they’d have stopped Zhang Junwei from acting. The fact that these two never received a retreat order proves Zhang Junwei hasn’t even reported your whereabouts yet,” Huang Ji explained.

Old Wang paused, realizing the logic. Zhang Junwei had tried to capture him first to negotiate for a higher price later.

So, the Illuminati currently had no idea that Old Wang had already been found.

“The only ones who know your location in Shanghai are Zhang Junwei and his men. If we can deal with him, you’ll be safe in this area for quite a long time,” Huang Ji said.

Old Wang let out a heavy sigh, narrowing his eyes as he stared at Huang Ji. “What did you just say? Deal with him?”

“Control him, and you’ll be secure,” Huang Ji replied with a faint smile.

With that, he woke the other unconscious thug and instructed both men to lead the way.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Old Wang begrudgingly admitted that this was a good plan. As long as Zhang Junwei didn’t report his whereabouts, they could keep the Illuminati in the dark. After all, they had no idea where he was.

But Old Wang glanced around and grumbled, “Just the three of us?”

“Capture the leader first,” Huang Ji said firmly.

“And if we don’t get the chance?” Old Wang asked.

Huang Ji replied with confidence, “If there’s no opportunity, I’ll create one.”

“Are you sure about this? These two will definitely tip Zhang Junwei off the moment we get there,” Old Wang said, pointing at the two thugs.

“No, no, we won’t say a word!” Xiao Zha, terrified of Huang Ji, frantically waved his hands in denial.

Huang Ji smiled and pulled out fine needles, inserting them into the area below each thug’s navel. He then began flicking the needle tips repeatedly.

“What... what are you doing?” the two panicked, their voices trembling.

Huang Ji didn’t answer, continuing to flick the needles for a full three minutes before finally pulling them out.

As the needles were removed, both men felt a sudden wave of coldness and extreme weakness wash over their bodies.

“What did you do?!” they cried out in shock.

Huang Ji responded nonchalantly, “Nothing much, just acupuncture sterilization.”

“What?!” The two men were horrified, and even Old Wang and Lin Li couldn’t suppress their shudders.

That... that was enough to sterilize them?

The two thugs frantically checked themselves, fumbling around in panic, only to find everything cold to the touch.

Huang Ji calmly put away the needles and said, “You won’t find a cure for this in any hospital. Only I can fix it.”

What he didn’t mention was that the effects were temporary—he had merely disrupted their blood and qi circulation, cutting off the blood supply to that area. The coldness was due to the lack of proper flow. If untreated within three days, the condition would become permanent.

“Boss! Please spare us! We’ll cooperate completely! From now on, you’re the real boss of this district!” The two men were nearly in tears, begging desperately.

“It’s not me... It’s him.” Huang Ji pointed to Lin Li.

Lin Li froze, tilting his head in confusion. “Huh?”