Master's Guidance

We walked forward along the abandoned subway station, our footsteps echoing in the empty tunnel. Old Gun was seriously injured. I supported him, feeling his body growing heavier and heavier.

"Old Gun, are you okay?" I asked.

Old Gun gasped for breath: "I'm fine... just a little tired..."

Su Wei walked beside us, holding a data terminal, a trace of worry in her eyes. Black Fox led the way, occasionally looking back at us.

After about half an hour, we finally reached the exit of the subway station. Outside the exit was a narrow alley filled with garbage and discarded mechanical parts.

"The spaceport is ahead," Black Fox pointed to the end of the alley, "but we have to be careful. Genesis Group's people might have set an ambush there."

I nodded and tightened my grip on the Pulse Gun. Although Old Gun was injured, he still pulled out a spare pistol from his pocket and handed it to Su Wei.

"Take this," Old Gun said, "just in case."

Su Wei took the pistol and nodded: "Thank you."

We walked along the alley, being extra cautious with every step. The alley was quiet, only the sound of wind blowing through the trash.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps.

"Someone's coming!" I whispered, pulling Old Gun to hide behind a trash can.

Su Wei and Black Fox quickly hid as well.

The footsteps grew closer. Peeking through the gap between the trash cans, I saw several people in black combat uniforms walking toward us. They were holding weapons, looking like Genesis Group's patrol.

"What do we do?" Su Wei whispered.

Old Gun thought for a moment: "We can't fight them head-on. Let's wait for them to pass, then we'll slip away."

I nodded, held my breath, and waited for the patrol to pass.

The patrol stopped right beside us. One of them said, "The captain said that woman might escape from here. We need to search thoroughly."

"Yes, sir!"

They began searching the surrounding trash, the footsteps getting closer and closer.

My heart was in my throat. I gripped the Pulse Gun even tighter.

Just then, Old Gun suddenly coughed.

The patrol heard the sound and walked toward us.

"There's a noise over there!" one of them said.

I knew we had been discovered.

"Haozi," Old Gun whispered, "I'll fire to attract their attention. You take Su Wei and Black Fox and run."

"What about you?"

"I'll hold them off," Old Gun said, "go now!"

I looked at Old Gun, filled with conflict. I couldn't let him face danger alone, but if we all stayed, we might all die.

"No," I said, "we'll go together."

Old Gun was about to say something when the patrol reached us.

"Come out!" one of them shouted, raising his weapon.

I took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the trash can.

"What do you want?" I asked, gripping the Pulse Gun.

The patrol saw me and sneered: "Kid, hand over that woman, and we'll let you live."

"Dream on!" I said.

At that moment, Old Gun suddenly rushed out from behind the trash can, raised his pistol, and fired at the patrol.

Gunshots rang out. Several patrol members were hit and fell to the ground.

"Go!" Old Gun shouted.

I grabbed Su Wei and followed Black Fox, running toward the spaceport.

Behind us, the patrol began to return fire, but Old Gun covered us, sending bullets flying toward them.

We reached the end of the alley, and ahead was the spaceport. The spaceport was huge, filled with various spaceships, but most were old and dilapidated.

"Where is the ship Old Gun mentioned?" I asked.

Black Fox pointed to a battered ship in the distance: "It's over there."

We ran toward that ship. Old Gun also caught up, but his pace was slowing, and blood was still flowing from his shoulder wound.

"Old Gun, how are you?" I asked.

Old Gun shook his head: "I'm fine... get on board..."

We boarded the ship. Old Gun started the engines. The ship rumbled with a dull roar and slowly left the spaceport.

Through the ship's window, I saw Genesis Group's people chasing us, but they were too late.

"Okay, we're safe for now." Old Gun breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back in his chair.

I looked at Old Gun, filled with gratitude. He had been willing to sacrifice himself to protect us.

"Old Gun, thank you," I said.

Old Gun smiled: "Kid, don't mention it."

Su Wei came over and handed Old Gun a medical kit: "Let's treat the wound again."

Old Gun took the kit and began tending to his wound.

I sat in the pilot's seat, watching the stars fly past outside the window, but my mind was on what had just happened.

Could I actually have gene modification abilities? Where did that golden light come from?

"Old Gun," I said, "do you know why I emitted that golden light earlier?"

Old Gun looked up and glanced at me: "You mean outside the factory?"

I nodded.

Old Gun was silent for a moment, then said: "I don't know. But I have a feeling your genes might not be simple."

"My genes?"

"Yes," Old Gun said, "Do you remember when I told you I found you at the black market?"

I nodded.

"Actually," Old Gun said, "I've never told you the truth."

I looked at Old Gun, full of confusion: "What truth?"

Old Gun put down the medical kit, his expression turning serious: "You are not an ordinary child. Your parents were core scientists at Genesis Group."

I froze: "Genesis Group? My parents?"

"Yes," Old Gun said, "Ten years ago, there was an explosion at Genesis Group. Your parents went missing in that explosion. I found you in the ruins of the black market; you were only six years old."

"Then why did you never tell me?"

"Because I was afraid," Old Gun said, "I was afraid Genesis Group would find you. So I kept you hidden in the black market, letting you live as an ordinary hunter."

I was silent. My parents were scientists at Genesis Group? Then where did my gene mutation ability come from?

"What about my gene mutation ability?" I asked. "Did my parents leave it to me?"

Old Gun shook his head: "I don't know. But I have a guess: your genes might be the result of your parents' experiment. They might have performed some kind of genetic modification on you, but later discovered something went wrong, so they hid you."

I looked at my own palm, filled with shock. So I was also a product of genetic experiments?

"Where are my parents now?" I asked.

Old Gun sighed: "I don't know. Some say they are dead, some say they are missing. But I've always felt they might still be alive."

I was silent for a long time, then said: "I must find them."

Old Gun nodded: "I believe you. But before that, we have to stop Genesis Group's plan. Otherwise, none of this matters."

Su Wei came over, holding the data terminal: "I've analyzed the contents of the data terminal. Genesis Group's Gene Storm plan will be launched in one week. We have to find a way to stop them before that."

"One week?" I frowned. "Time is too tight."

"So we have to contact The Alliance as soon as possible," Old Gun said. "Old Zhou should be sending someone to pick us up soon."

Just then, the ship's communication device suddenly rang.

Old Gun answered the call. A middle-aged man's face appeared on the screen.

"Old Gun, are you all okay?" the man asked.

"Old Zhou, we're okay," Old Gun said, "but Genesis Group's people have been hunting us."

"I know," Old Zhou said. "I've arranged a rendezvous ship. It will reach your location in about two hours. Dock at the nearby space station first, then depart when the rendezvous ship arrives."

"Okay," Old Gun said. "Understood."

The communication ended. Old Gun turned off the device and turned to look at us.

"Alright," Old Gun said, "Old Zhou will send someone to pick us up. Let's dock at the nearby space station and wait for the rendezvous ship."

I nodded, but my mind was still on what Old Gun had said earlier.

Just then, Su Wei suddenly screamed.

"What's wrong?" I asked nervously.

Su Wei's face turned pale. She pointed at the data terminal screen: "Look at this—"

On the screen was a photo. It showed a young male and female scientist holding a baby.

On the baby's chest was a distinct mark.

Exactly the same as the one on my wrist.

And below the photo, text read: "Zhao Tianxiong and Chen Yaqin's son — Chen Hao."

Zhao Tianxiong... Chen Yaqin...

"What... what does this mean?" My voice trembled.