The First Order

Chapter 1031: Qing Shen and Qing Zhen

Translator: Legge

What kind of person was Luo Lan in the past? He could remain in bed in the stronghold without moving for three days straight and had led a comfortable life back in Stronghold 113. Basically, other than matters concerning the Qing Consortium’s combat brigade that he led, there was nothing else that required his attention.

Based on what he said, his younger brother was around for everything. All Luo Lan needed to do was enjoy himself until the day he died.

But when Luo Lan started putting himself through this grueling training, everyone realized his innate willpower was very strong.

Zhou Qi had previously speculated that if the world of supernatural beings was really determined by their mental fortitude, then the higher that was, the greater their potential.

This willpower did not fully manifest itself as “toughness.” For example, Li Shentan had never shown himself as someone tough before. It was just that the mental patient’s inner world was extremely complicated.

Zhou Qi looked at Luo Lan and suddenly started looking forward to the heights the fat man could reach.

“I’ve always had a question that I’m very curious about.” Zhou Qi asked, “If we measure the threshold between normal people and superhumans based on the Saboteurs’ willpower theory, Qing Zhen should also have awakened as a superhuman. In my opinion, his mental capacity is much larger and more complicated than most people in the world, so why hasn’t he awakened his power yet…. Or could it be that he’s already achieved it but did not tell me about it?”

After saying that, Zhou Qi fell into deep thought. If Qing Zhen were really a supernatural being, he would not have needed to engage Zhou Qi’s help back at Mt. Ginkgo.

At this moment, Luo Lan was panting heavily as he threw his heavy field pack onto the ground. He was on the verge of collapse. The accompanying doctor who was close by immediately packed the first aid box and prepared to come over, but he was stopped by Luo Lan with a gesture. That was because the topic they were discussing right now was not something that others should hear.

Luo Lan said, “First of all, I’ve confirmed that my younger brother has not awakened any powers yet. He might hide something like that from others, but he will definitely not keep it from me.”

“Then why has he not awakened his power?” Zhou Qi asked.

“He probably doesn’t think it’s necessary.” Luo Lan sighed and said, “Y’know, if other people suddenly tell me that superhumans are no big deal, I’ll definitely think they’re being hypocritical. Although they say they look down on such people, they actually want to become superhumans more than anyone else.”

“Did Qing Zhen ever say something like that?” Zhou Qi asked.

“No.” Luo Lan laughed bitterly as he lay on the ground. When he was finally able to catch his breath, he continued, “But there was a time when I heard someone with the condition to awaken their power could do so after going through a long period of arduous cultivation and trekking for tens of thousands of kilometers. So I asked Qing Zhen if he wanted to give it a try, but he said it was unnecessary since he did not have the time for that. He did not look down on supernatural beings, but I know what he meant. In Qing Zhen’s opinion, even if he were not a supernatural being, he could still achieve whatever he desired. So there was no need for him to waste his time to go through that process of awakening.”

Luo Lan felt there were probably not a lot of people in the entire Alliance of Strongholds who were as confident as his younger brother.

At this moment, the sound of a vehicle driving came from the outside of the mountains. Luo Lan sat up and looked towards the road where the sound was coming from. This valley had already been sealed off by the Qing Consortium’s troops, so whoever could drive in here in such a manner must be Luo Lan and Qing Zhen’s trusted aides.

However, Luo Lan and Zhou Qi were a little surprised by the person who had arrived. It was actually Qing Zhen sitting in the back of the off-road vehicle!

“How does he have the time to come here?” Zhou Qi muttered.

“No, that’s not my younger brother,” Luo Lan refuted.”Tell the guards around us to stay away.”

Zhou Qi raised his eyebrows. “Do I need to excuse myself too?”

Luo Lan said, “No need. You’re one of us.”

Zhou Qi raised his eyebrows again.

When the vehicle drove over, Qing Shen jumped out of it and walked over with a smile. He looked at Luo Lan’s expression and said with a smile, “How did you distinguish between me and your brother?”

After making sure no one was around, Luo Lan said, “The two of you come from different environments, so your personalities are quite different. Your behaviors are totally different. Strangers might not notice it, but I do.”

After that, Luo Lan even inspected the scar on the back of Qing Shen’s hand. Qing Shen had deliberately left this mark to reassure Luo Lan and gain his trust.

Luo Lan let go of Qing Shen’s arm and said, “What are you doing here?”

“Your younger brother asked me to come and see if you were alright. After all, everyone heard about how you’ve been training like crazy out here. He was afraid you’d cripple yourself in training.” Qing Shen laughed as he found a small folding chair and sat down. His white suit was spotless, and from the way he dressed, Qing Shen looked no different from Qing Zhen at all.

Currently, Qing Shen’s existence was the Qing Consortium’s top secret. Most of the time, Qing Shen would be the one showing up to solve the Qing Consortium’s problems. Meanwhile, Qing Zhen remained hidden in the shadows.

This also left Luo Lan a little puzzled. Based on his younger brother’s character, he must be taking every step cautiously like he did now because he had sensed great danger coming.

Qing Zhen was not a quiet person, but he had gone completely silent as though he were playing a game of chess with an invisible opponent.

Luo Lan asked Qing Shen, “Where’s my younger brother?”

Qing Shen said with a smile, “I’m just his double. If even you, his older brother, don’t know his whereabouts, how could I possibly know? A double doesn’t have much authority, right?”

Luo Lan was a little puzzled. “I’ve always been very curious. Logically, with your talent and the training you received at the Pyro Company, you should be able to live very well wherever you go. Why’d you choose to come to the Qing Consortium to be a body double for someone else?”

After all, there was no freedom in being a body double. Qing Zhen would still be the one making the arrangements for any operations.

If Luo Lan did not know what Qing Zhen was capable of, he might still be worried that Qing Zhen could get replaced by Qing Shen. But now, he realized Qing Zhen was much more cautious than he had imagined. Zheng Yuandong, Qing Zhen’s bodyguard, had already received orders that he could kill this body double at any moment if he went past a certain security perimeter.

The security perimeter was well-guarded, so Qing Shen would not have any opportunity to try to replace Qing Zhen.

Qing Shen did not mind this at all. It was as though he had never thought of seizing Qing Zhen’s authority by replacing him. Therefore, this left Luo Lan a little puzzled as to what he was really after.

However, Qing Shen did not directly answer Luo Lan’s question. Instead, he said to Luo Lan with a smile, “Your current diligent and hardworking attitude feels more like the Luo Lan from more than a decade ago. I’m a little curious about something. What happened to you over a decade ago that made you suddenly act like a bum? I know it’s actually just your disguise. After all, you secretly helped Qing Zhen with so many things behind his back. That’s not something a bum is capable of. Why’re you willing to hold yourself back and serve as Qing Zhen’s foil?”

Luo Lan sneered and said, “I’m happy doing so. What business is it of yours? I’m the one asking you here: What’s your intention for serving as his double?”

Qing Shen smiled.. “That’s right, I’m happy doing so as well, so what business is it of yours?”