Weapon System 2. Unconventional Family Traditions

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Today, Zhang Mingjing suddenly gained superpowers, though it was nothing more than heightened senses and reflexes—ten times sharper than those of ordinary people. His speed and strength were five times greater, and he had the added ability of synesthesia. Still, equipped with these skills and eager to rush home and report the day’s events to Zhang Yidao, he sped down the road at eighty kilometers per hour. It seemed not only he but even his bicycle was blessed with newfound abilities; passersby mistook him for some marvel of high technology.

By the time he arrived at the building, the bike tires were steaming hot, billowing white vapor—a sight that could only be described as exhilarating.

He let his bicycle tumble to the curb and dashed into the stairwell.

His family lived on the twelfth floor. Both elevators were stuck in the twenties, stopping every other floor.

Patience gone, he pushed open the emergency door and bounded up the stairs.

Ah! This young man, never athletic, seemed to have rockets on his feet today, leaping two steps at a time and clearing a full flight in a single bound.

As he unleashed his powers, fear only grew in his heart. He muttered under his breath, “This must be possession! I’m surely haunted!”

With a father who dabbled in the supernatural every day, it was no wonder his psyche bore such a shadow.

But for the Elders of the Fifth Dimension, Zhang Mingjing’s abilities were already sufficient. The point was not how many powers he possessed, but that their consciousness and the mental model implanted within him were now entangled. This ensured that any discovery or action Zhang Mingjing made would be synchronized with them; they could even issue command programs, directing him to carry out various tasks.

Did this mean Zhang Mingjing had unknowingly become their puppet?

It was hard to blame them. In truth, they wished for him to have more and greater abilities, hoping he might one day wield the Fifth Dimensional mind model independently. Was that not generous enough?

Alas, the human body proved inadequate. The mind model standard to Fifth Dimensional energy beings simply wasn’t compatible with a material vessel like a human—an issue of version incompatibility.

The physical body was, frankly, too primitive to harness the Fifth Dimensional mind model. Over ninety percent of its powerful functions remained dormant—a tragic waste, if not a cause for regret.

Yet, looked at positively, did this not mean Zhang Mingjing had untapped potential?

But should he one day master most of its functions, could the Elders truly accept it?

That, perhaps, was a tension for the future.

...

Zhang Mingjing burst into his home, shouting anxiously, “Zhang Yidao, I’m possessed! I’ve been taken over by a ghost!”

Only the family pets came to greet him.

The dog, a full-grown husky named Ascendant, and the cat, a mature Garfield named Immortal.

Of course—another of Zhang Yidao’s eccentricities.

Suddenly, the AI housekeeper chimed in, “Zhang Yidao says he’s out serving a client with Xiao Nüxia. He’ll be back later.”

Their AI housekeeper had a name—Real Person—and a distinctly feminine voice.

Xiao Nüxia was Zhang Mingjing’s mother, the very woman who’d outwitted Zhang Yidao himself.

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His father insisted he call him Zhang Yidao, as a constant reminder to remain vigilant.

But Xiao Nüxia was no easy opponent; she’d managed to keep Zhang Yidao besotted with her for all these years, deep in love as ever.

“Damn, they’re always home at this hour. But at the critical moment—gone.” Zhang Mingjing hurried into the room where Zhang Yidao performed his rituals. The door bore the inscription “Never Forget Your Original Intention,” a testament to Yidao’s struggles between ideals and love.

Mingjing grabbed a stack of talismans from a drawer and plastered them head to toe, finally feeling a bit more secure. Suddenly, exhaustion swept over him; he collapsed onto the sofa.

Ascendant and Immortal immediately curled up beside him, offering their silent, furry comfort. Even Real Person showed undisguised concern: “Zhang Mingjing, your physical readings are far above normal. Do you need me to call a doctor?”

“No need… Just get me a glass of water.”

Moments later, a small housework robot trundled over, balancing a cup of water on its head.

He was utterly spent, especially mentally, too tired to fetch the drink. So Immortal helped himself first. Mingjing didn’t care; after a while, he gulped down the water and promptly fell asleep on the sofa.

When Zhang Yidao and Xiao Nüxia returned, they were startled to find their son covered from head to toe in talismans.

Zhang Yidao was tall and gaunt, Xiao Nüxia, comfortably plump.

Awakened, Mingjing explained everything that had happened.

At first, they didn’t believe him, but after witnessing his one-finger strike and his leaps up the stairwell, they were left astounded, excited, confused, delighted, screaming inwardly at the sheer impossibility of it all.

Zhang Yidao’s reaction, in particular, held a peculiar undertone.

After watching Mingjing’s demonstration, he suddenly turned and strode into the room marked “Never Forget Your Original Intention,” knelt with a thud before the statue of the founder, and began kowtowing fervently.

“Xiao Nüxia, what’s up with Zhang Yidao?” Mingjing asked.

“You’ve struck the deepest chord in his soul today.”

“Isn’t that chord you and me?”

“No. You and I are the acquired chord. That one is innate.”

“Innate?”

“Mhm.” Xiao Nüxia nodded toward Ascendant and Immortal.

“Oh!” Realization dawned on Mingjing.

Suddenly, Real Person announced, “Mr. Ma downstairs wants to know if we’re renovating. He says there’s been a constant banging from our floor, and his heart just can’t take it. He asks if we can hold off until he’s out for his morning walk.”

Xiao Nüxia and Mingjing exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

At the sound, Zhang Yidao emerged from his room.

He grasped Mingjing’s shoulders, tears in his eyes, a clear trickle running from his nose—was it snot or tears?—and sobbed, “Zhang Mingjing, I’ve cultivated for twenty-six years and gained not a single supernatural hair. Then I was outwitted by Xiao Nüxia and fell into the mortal world. Now, I can only gaze longingly at the Way! Who would have thought you’d gain enlightenment from a car crash? Truly, the founder has pitied me, seen my undying resolve, and granted my dream through you. Do not let me down!”

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“Come on, Zhang Yidao, are you sure that’s what’s happening?” Mingjing retorted.

“Of course he’s sure. He prays every day before the founder’s statue for you to become immortal,” Xiao Nüxia teased, flopping onto the sofa with a laugh.

“What? Zhang Yidao, you really pray for that? Seriously?”

“Have you ever seen me cry, or weep today with such mixed emotions?”

“Well, no.”

“So Xiao Nüxia speaks the truth. I just thanked the founder in there!”

“Wait, are you cursing me to die?”

“Idiot, I’m praying for your immortality!”

Xiao Nüxia rolled her eyes, stifling a laugh.

“Look, didn’t you escape death today? Didn’t you gain some cultivation? Isn’t that the founder’s blessing? Didn’t his immortal spirit, moved by my devotion, bestow this upon you?” Zhang Yidao was so excited he was practically foaming at the mouth.

Mingjing stared blankly at his father, wondering, “Could such things truly happen?”

“You’ve fulfilled my dream. I ought to thank you!”

“Thank me?”

“Yes!”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Alright! Give me twenty thousand yuan, and I’ll install pet assistants for Ascendant and Immortal so they can go out on the streets.”

“Ahem…” Zhang Yidao’s face darkened. Letting go of Mingjing, he turned and retreated to his meditation room, calling out, “What’s for dinner?”

“Hahaha…” Finally, Xiao Nüxia couldn’t hold back her laughter. “He claims I led him astray, but he’s just as greedy, angry, foolish, and loving as anyone. Good thing I, Xiao Nüxia, am magnanimous, or I’d have long been smothered by resentment from carrying the blame all these years!”

“Ugh!” Mingjing muttered, “The two of you are such drama queens.”

“Zhang Mingjing, come in here!” Zhang Yidao suddenly called.

Xiao Nüxia rose, walked over, and gently ruffled Mingjing’s hair. “Go on, son! Maybe Zhang Yidao is finally going to teach you his cultivation method.”

“Hehehe…” Mingjing couldn’t help but laugh, his whole upper body and organs shaking with mirth.

To his surprise, Xiao Nüxia was right—Zhang Yidao was indeed about to impart a meditation technique.

“These Earthlings are truly a bizarre lot!” muttered the Elders of the Fifth Dimension.