Chapter 27: 096 Disaster Flood

"Pfft!"

This time, Li Chenqiu couldn't hold it in; the drink he had just taken into his mouth sprayed out instantly.

"Oh dear, what's wrong with you?"

Zhu Cheng patted Li Chenqiu on the back with concern and tore off a paper napkin to hand to him.

"It's nothing, I just took a sip of water and happened to choke when you patted me, Uncle Zhu." Li Chenqiu took the napkin and wiped his mouth.

"Sorry, sorry, I don't know my own strength. Please don't take it to heart," Zhu Cheng said apologetically.

"It's fine, it's fine. Uncle Zhu, you should keep watching the news. You really need to stay updated on reports regarding public safety!" Li Chenqiu waved his hand. He was genuinely afraid that if the man kept talking, he would expose all his secrets.

"Eat, eat, it'll get cold if you don't," Li Ji said, placing a piece of fatty meat into Zhu Cheng’s bowl.

"Why are you serving me? This is so embarrassing!"

"It's all right, eat more and talk less."

The video on the television was not long, lasting only a few minutes, and it soon came to an end. The screen flickered, and the anchor appeared once again.

"After killing the Fourth Action Team, this Awakened took hostages and retreated to the bridge. Because the surveillance cameras on the bridge were destroyed at the time, we do not have footage of what happened there. However, we have invited the operational commander at the time, Zhang Kong, to reconstruct the situation for everyone. Please, welcome him."

The anchor looked to her left. The burly Zhang Kong walked from the side of the screen to stand beside her, his expression grave as he faced the camera.

"Hello everyone, I am Zhang Kong, the commander of that operation. Let me recount the events of that day." Zhang Kong’s face was heavy, his eyes filled with undisguised fear and agony.

"At the time, we had deployed our land, sea, and air forces to completely surround this Awakened. We thought we could eliminate him, but… we severely underestimated him. He had no intention of negotiating with us; he killed the hostages immediately. Enraged, I gave the order to clear the area, and the helicopters launched a full barrage of missiles. Faced with these terrifying weapons, the Awakened laughed, caught a missile with his bare hand, and crushed it to pieces without a single scratch. The other missiles were also frozen in mid-air by his water manipulation and detonated on the spot. The force of the explosion destroyed the Lujiang Bridge. Just as I was about to order the second wave of attacks, I witnessed a scene I will never forget for the rest of my life!"

Zhang Kong fell silent. He propped his forehead with his hand, hiding the upper half of his face in shadow. After half a minute, he continued:

"Airplanes and tanks forged from water surrounded us completely. There was no escape; we were nothing but lambs waiting to be slaughtered."

Just as I thought the Special Ability Bureau was about to be wiped out, the Awakened gave a playful laugh, slapped me a few times, and said something I will never forget: 'Killing you all is so boring. I want you to live under my shadow, let the Bureau fear me, let the entire city fear me!' After he finished speaking… he dissolved into a sky full of raindrops and vanished without a trace…"

By the end, Zhang Kong’s voice was trembling uncontrollably. If the female anchor beside him hadn't been supporting him, he likely would have collapsed to the floor.

"Thank you, Commander Zhang Kong, for telling us everything that happened on the bridge. Could a few people please help Commander Zhang off the stage?"

Sitting in front of the television, Li Chenqiu’s eyes widened, and the speed at which he chewed his food slowed to a crawl.

*What the hell? This was my doing? Creating planes and tanks out of water, crushing missiles with bare hands, freezing all missiles with a single thought…*

*If I were that strong, why would I wait for a rainy day? I would have marched into the Special Ability Bureau solo on a sunny day! This is complete nonsense, isn't it?*

At that moment, the eyes of Li Ji and Li Qingxia both darted toward Li Chenqiu, their dark pupils filled with tumultuous shock and suspicion.

*Is our little Qiu really this monstrously powerful?*

"Horrifying! I can't believe this Awakened is so powerful!" Zhu Cheng put down his bowl and chopsticks in shock, his brows and eyes knit together in terror.

"It can't be that strong, right? It feels a bit exaggerated," Li Chenqiu said, feigning calmness.

Zhu Cheng replied righteously, "The Special Ability Bureau wouldn't lie; this concerns public safety!"

"Indeed, when it comes to matters of great importance, the Bureau wouldn't lie," Li Chenqiu agreed.

On the screen, after Zhang Kong was led away, the anchor, Yang Hua, spoke calmly:

"The Special Ability Bureau has reported this Awakened to the Security Coordination Bureau. Their Disaster Rating Department has completed its assessment of this Awakened. Please, take a look."

Yang Hua stepped to the side, and the electronic screen behind her lit up. Li Chenqiu’s appearance and information from that time appeared on the screen.

[ID: 096 Disaster Water]
[Disaster Level: High-Risk]
[Ability Level: A]
[Forbidden Level: Above Five-Forbidden]
[Region: City 11]

"Although this Awakened is exceptionally powerful, please do not panic. The Security Coordination Bureau has accepted this high-risk case, and a team will arrive soon to eliminate the threat. If you spot any traces of 'Disaster Water' in the city, please contact the Special Ability Bureau immediately. Goodbye!"

*Beep—*

The television screen flashed, and the movie continued playing as usual, but the room remained abnormally quiet.

Li Chenqiu pursed his lips. He looked calm on the surface, but his heart was in turmoil.

*This is completely ridiculous! I only have the strength of the Third-Forbidden approaching the Fourth-Forbidden right now. How could they rate me above the Five-Forbidden?!*

That aside, the most serious part was the "High-Risk" label; the weight of those two words was too heavy. It wasn't that he was afraid, but being labeled High-Risk would be very troublesome. Not to mention anything else, the "Extreme Water" ability was practically a trademark of "Disaster Water" and could no longer be used casually. After all, the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the Security Coordination Bureau were absurdly efficient.

It was said that years ago, a High-Risk threat used his ability to roast a wild boar in a no-man's-land. The Bureau followed that single lead for thousands of miles and hunted him down in City 98! Of course, there might be some exaggeration, but it demonstrated the power of the Bureau.

"High-Risk, indeed!" Zhu Cheng stood up. "A High-Risk threat has appeared in City 11. The Public Security Bureau must be going crazy right now. I need to head back."

"Finish eating before you go. You've barely touched your food," Li Ji said politely.

"I'm already quite full. Thank you for your hospitality!"

Li Chenqiu wiped his mouth and stood up. "I'll see you out, Uncle Zhu."

...

Li Chenqiu saw Zhu Cheng to his car before returning to the hotel room.

As soon as he stepped through the door, he felt as if the air had frozen—it was suffocating and silent! Li Ji remained in the same posture as before he left, sitting quietly in her chair. Upon hearing the movement at the door, she turned her head stiffly.

In an instant, Li Chenqiu felt as if he were being stared at by some prehistoric beast, and goosebumps broke out all over his skin.

"Li Chenqiu, are you a kangaroo, so—"

Just as Li Ji was about to scold him, Li Chenqiu pressed a finger to his lips, made a shushing gesture, and tapped the wall with his finger.