The silent atmosphere in the room lasted for a few seconds.
Jiang Yun turned her head and looked at Xu Kuan beside her.
Their eyes t, and while they didn’t speak a word, they saw the sa resolution in each other’s eyes.
It was the look of soone grabbing onto driftwood after falling into water.
Jiang Yun took a deep breath and broke the silence first.
"Chairman Fang."
She stood up, her face still pale, but her voice no longer trembling:
"If the Illuminati truly treats people like us as partners like you say... then I am willing to join."
Xu Kuan hurriedly followed suit, standing up straight away.
In his haste, he accidentally bumped into the bamboo chair beside him, causing it to let out a loud "scratch" sound.
Feeling a bit awkward, he rubbed his hands together and nodded repeatedly:
"I...I’m the sa, as long as there’s a place I can settle down, I’ll do anything, I have strength, and I know a bit of technique..."
Fang Cheng sat in the main seat, without imdiately expressing his stance, his gaze passed over the two and landed in the shadow of the corner.
There, a small figure was curled up.
Bean remained with her head down, tightly clutching those two candies in her hands, the candy wrappers making a slight noise.
She seed completely unable to understand the adults speaking about "ideals" or "ho."
She was more like an alard little quail, wishing she could shove her head under her wing.
"What about you, little sister?"
Lin Chuqiao noticed Fang Cheng’s gaze, so she turned and asked softly towards the corner:
"Do you want to stay with brother and sister here and be our partner?"
Upon hearing the question, Bean trembled greatly, shrinking her neck even tighter.
A vague sobbing sound ca from her throat, not daring to raise her head to look at this beautiful woman.
Seeing this, Jiang Yun quickly walked over.
She squatted down, gently pulling Bean’s dirty wrist, dragging her up from the corner.
Then, like a protective mother, she held her in her arms, saying to Fang Cheng and Lin Chuqiao:
"She’s willing."
Jiang Yun’s palm comforted Bean’s scrawny back, with particularly earnest words:
"Though this child doesn’t talk much and her mind is a bit slow, she listens very well and definitely won’t cause problems for the organization."
"Please rest assured, Chairman Fang, I will look after her."
Fang Cheng glanced at the three huddled together, nodding slightly.
For Xu Kuan and Jiang Yun, their declarations at this mont, rather than being inspired by the grand ideals sketched out by him, were more of a bow to harsh reality.
After all, anyone can speak eloquently.
Whether the Illuminati truly is the beacon in the Dark World they describe, nobody is sure at heart right now.
Hearing is false, seeing is true.
In the adult world, trust is never fully established through a few rousing speeches.
It requires ti to validate; trust is a luxury.
While in Xu Kuan and Jiang Yun’s eyes, their thoughts were more pure and direct.
Whether the Illuminati’s purpose is true or false, one thing was undoubtedly real.
This man in front of them, was strong.
Strong enough to treat military ard helicopters as toys, strong enough to turn the arrogant Abnormal rcenary Group into corpses.
This was enough.
In an era where human life is as worthless as grass, being able to be a dog for soone like Fang Cheng is far better than wandering outside being torn apart by wild dogs.
As long as they could survive, even if this was just another wolf’s den, they would accept it.
"Since you’ve all made up your minds and want to join the organization, I need to say so things upfront."
The Professor standing nearby suddenly started speaking, and his easy-going deanor from before vanished, replaced by a business-like expression.
"There are laws in every country, and rules for every profession. The Illuminati is not a refuge, nor is it a retirent ho."
The Professor pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, the lenses reflecting a cold light.
"Starting today, the three of you will be placed on the Illuminati’s observation list. Your status will be ’Preparatory mber,’ and you must strictly abide by all organized rules and regulations."
"Preparatory mber?"
Xu Kuan froze for a mont, repeating those four words.
"Exactly."
The Professor raised three fingers, clearly laying out specific requirents:
"First, the observation period is three months. During this period, we will conduct a comprehensive assessnt of your capabilities, conduct, and loyalty."
"Only by passing the examination can you later beco an official mber, enjoying the core resources and benefits of the organization."
"Second, during the observation period, you must comply unconditionally with assignnts."
"Whether orders co from the Chairman or departntal leaders, you must execute them absolutely, whether it’s repairing cars or sweeping floors."
"Of course, if you have any objections, you can raise them in advance, but once participating in formal actions, you must strictly follow orders."
"Third, and most importantly."
The Professor’s voice dropped as he reached this point, his gaze suddenly becoming piercingly sharp.
"The Illuminati strictly prohibits betrayal and internal strife."
"If I find any of you betraying or divulging any information from here, then you will face the severest punishnt, severe enough to make you regret coming into this world."
He didn’t spell it out, just coldly swept his gaze over their throats.
The unspoken chill made Xu Kuan and Jiang Yun’s hearts quiver, quickly nodding like pounding garlic.
"Understood, we understand!"
Though the rules sounded harsh, and even sowhat inhumane, their hearts felt more assured.
Though they had never been in any Abnormal Organization, they had both worked jobs, knowing a simple truth.
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