The morning mist was burning off the peaks of Iron Cloud Mountain.
Lin Hao stood by the open door of his black sedan, holding the glass jar filled with the moss-green "Body-Refining Pills."
Lin Meng stood in front of him. She was wearing fresh clothes provided by Fatty Zhang, high-end athleisure wear that looked stylish but allowed for movement. Her skin still had that faint, impossible luster from her breakthrough, but she had tied her hair back to look more... normal.
"This is your first mission," Lin Hao said, handing her the jar.
Lin Meng took it with both hands, treating it like a holy relic. "What do I tell them?"
"The truth. Mostly," Lin Hao said. "Tell them these are herbal supplements I got from a connection. Tell them it's high-end, traditional medicine. They're feeling good right now because of the 'miracle' morning, so they'll be receptive. Tell them this will keep the pain away permanently."
"And if they ask about you?"
"Tell them I'm busy with school and... a project," Lin Hao said. "Which is true."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. It was a printout he had made ten minutes ago from a generic "Senior Citizen Wellness" website. It depicted stick figures doing gentle stretching.
"And give them this."
Lin Meng looked at the paper. "Yoga?"
"Not anymore," Lin Hao said.
He placed his finger on the paper.
"System. Object Upgrade."
[Object: Printed Yoga Guide] [Upgrade: Mortal-Grade (Peak) 'Five Animal Frolics' Health Qigong]? [Cost: 100 UP]
"Confirm."
[Deducting 100 UP. 309,730 UP Remaining.]
The ink on the page seemed to shimmer. The stick figures didn't change shape, but the intent behind the drawings shifted. The angles of the limbs, the breathing instructions in the captions, they reorganized themselves into a set of movements designed to perfectly circulate Qi through a "Waste Root" talent without straining the body.
It wasn't a combat technique. It was a longevity technique.
"This is 'Health Qigong'," Lin Hao explained. "It looks like stretching, but it matches the pills. Make them do it every morning. Tell them it's required for the medicine to work."
Lin Meng nodded, tucking the paper into her pocket. "I'll make sure they do it. Dad loves following instructions."
She looked up at him. "And what about me? When do I come back?"
"Focus on school for now," Lin Hao said, opening the car door for her. "Practice the Clear Water Chant at night. Keep your head down. Don't show off your strength. If you punch a bully through a wall, the BSA will come knocking, and our cover is blown."
"I know," she said, her eyes serious. "I'm a hidden piece."
"Exactly."
He watched her get into the car. Fatty Zhang was in the driver's seat, ready to take her back to the city.
"Be safe, Agent Lin," Lin Hao said with a faint smile.
Lin Meng grinned, the first genuine, carefree smile he'd seen on her in years. "You too, Boss."
The car pulled away, disappearing down the winding road into the fog bank.
Lin Hao stood alone on the driveway.
He checked his balance. [Upgrade Points (UP): 309,730].
His family was upgraded. His base was secure.
Now, he was alone. And he had a massive pile of points burning a hole in his pocket.
He turned back to the manor.
"Time for the main event," he whispered. "Time to become a Peak-Grade monster."