Ever since the notification for the Hope Project was issued, unrest had spread through the laboratory.
Tang Xiao was well aware of this—after all, he was the one who had leaked the information.
During previous time reversal, he had already gathered enough evidence. His plan was simple: once he secured a foothold in Bader’s laboratory and gained control over him, he would secretly send intelligence about the King of Mushroom to the leader, prompting them to initiate the Hope Project ahead of schedule.
Just like now. As soon as the project was launched, it immediately drew the attention of most scientists within the Third Eye. The sheer amount of resources being poured into it made every researcher in the field restless with anticipation. Among them, only Tang Xiao, who had experienced this countless times before, remained unfazed. He glanced at the time, picked up some documents, and calmly left the lab.
The others assumed he was delivering experimental data to Bader and didn’t bother looking up. But just moments after he walked out, personnel from the Trial Institute arrived. “Is Researcher Tang Xiao here?”
“He was just here… Maybe he went to deliver some reports.”
“Really? Does anyone know who he was delivering them to?”
“Well…”
Tang Xiao strolled down the corridor, his white lab coat blending seamlessly into the sterile surroundings. Even as he brushed past the Trial Institute officers, no one took notice of him.
He knew exactly what was happening behind him. At this point in the timeline, Bader was likely starting to stir up trouble.
In past time reversal, Tang Xiao had always dealt with such nuisances effortlessly, using them as leverage to tighten his grip on Bader. But now, he was tired of repeating the same process over and over again.
If there was no breakthrough to be found here, then why waste time in the Third Eye?
In the test experimental subject are, researchers conducting experiments on 428 instinctively straightened up when they saw Tang Xiao enter. “Dr. Tang… ah, I mean, Mr. Tang.”
Tang Xiao glanced at the restrained 428 on the operating table. “Running experiments?”
“Yes.”
“Pause it for now. Dr. Bader wants to see you all regarding the recent data discrepancies. He’s waiting in his office for an explanation.”
The researchers groaned at the prospect but took off their gloves. “Please wait a moment. We’ll secure the subject first.”
“No need. I’ll be conducting an experiment myself later. Just leave him here.”
“Understood.”
No one questioned Tang Xiao’s words. In Bader’s absence, Tang Xiao’s authority was absolute. The researchers quickly left, and Tang Xiao turned his gaze to the unconscious 428, subdued by a sedative. A complicated expression flickered across his eyes.
But he wasted no time. He set down his briefcase, pulled out a specialized chemical reagent, and swiftly corroded 428’s body, shrinking it down to a size that fit inside the case.
By the time he emerged from the lab, he had shed his researcher’s attire and now wore the uniform of a logistics worker. His once-striking features had been altered into something utterly unremarkable, allowing him to blend into the crowd with ease.
Don’t ask. Just call it black technology.
“What do you mean you lost him?!” Bader roared. “What the hell are you all doing?! How do you manage to lose a person?!”
“Dr. Bader, please calm down,” a masked man said, puzzled. “We’ve already pulled the surveillance footage. It’s just a missing person case—why are you so anxious?”
Bader fell silent. He couldn’t exactly say that he wanted Tang Xiao out of the way but still needed his research. This whole ploy had been an attempt to catch Tang Xiao in a mistake—one he could then use as leverage before pretending to rescue him.
At that moment, the Trial Institute returned. Their gazes toward Bader carried an odd glint.
“What is it? Did you find him?” Bader asked impatiently.
“Not yet… but we did find this in Researcher Tang Xiao’s residence.” One of the staff held up a stack of documents—evidence of Bader’s bribery, along with proof of his secret dealings with the Huigui Sect to purchase hallucinogenic mushrooms. “Dr. Bader, do you have anything to say for yourself?”
Bader’s vision darkened.
By then, Tang Xiao had already left the base with 428.
He slid into the driver’s seat of a prepared vehicle and, before starting the engine, cast one last glance at the facility in the rearview mirror.
Hah. By now, Bader must have received his little ‘gift.’
Just then, the briefcase in the passenger seat began to stir. Without a change in expression, Tang Xiao retrieved a syringe and administered another dose of the inactive agent. Once the case went still again, he turned his attention back to the road and drove off into the night.
When 428 regained consciousness, everything around him had changed.
He pushed his way out of the case, his body expanding back to its original size, then instinctively tensed, scanning his surroundings warily.
The air no longer carried the sharp scent of disinfectant. The walls were no longer pristine white; instead, they were damp, mottled with mold, and overgrown with patches of moss. The space was small, cluttered with what seemed to be salvaged junk furniture, likely scavenged from a dump.
Tang Xiao stood with his back to 428, busy tidying up the room. His posture was completely unguarded, his back an open target.
Immediately, 428’s instincts kicked in. His mycelium sharpened into deadly points. But just as quickly, he hesitated and simply continued observing Tang Xiao’s movements in silence.
Only when Tang Xiao finally finished setting up a makeshift bed did he turn around—only to find 428 staring directly at him. He rubbed his sore neck nonchalantly. “I thought you’d attack me. Guess not?”
428 remained silent.
“We’re no longer inside the Third Eye’s base. Here, I have no power to fight back against you.” Tang Xiao lifted his hand, revealing the only weapon he had—a gun. His voice carried a hint of quiet provocation. “So? Aren’t you going to try?”
428 remained unmoved, his golden eyes scrutinizing Tang Xiao before quickly shifting away.
He really wasn’t going to attack.
Tang Xiao felt a trace of doubt in his heart, unsure whether he should be relieved or disappointed. He let out a soft sigh.
The fleeting thought brushed past his mind like a dragonfly skimming the water, leaving behind only the faintest imprint before vanishing completely.
He still hadn’t found a surefire way to resolve this disaster. He couldn’t afford to let things end just yet.
Since all his past attempts had failed to uncover a solution within Third Eye, he might as well search for one outside.
And so, Tang Xiao and 428 began an unusual cohabitation. At first, 428 hardly noticed the change in his environment. Even after confirming that he had indeed left the lab, he still instinctively kept to inconspicuous corners every day.
Meanwhile, Tang Xiao was always coming and going, spending most of his time covering their tracks, dealing with pursuers, gathering food, and collecting information.
As expected, taking 428 had not gone unnoticed. Third Eye was not about to simply let go of an experimental subject that had already begun to show such promise.
Tang Xiao led 428 through different bases and settlements. Ever since leaving the facility, 428 had never attacked him again. Eventually, he even started learning to venture outside on his own, though most of the time, he would remain indoors, waiting for Tang Xiao to bring food back.
Tonight was no different.
When Tang Xiao returned to their temporary shelter, he saw that the living room was once again littered with various kinds of garbage—vegetable scraps, fruit peels, and even tattered fabrics that 428 had somehow picked up from who-knows-where. An old television played outdated dramas, but the inhuman creature sprawled lazily on the couch, completely engrossed in the flickering screen.
Tang Xiao glanced at a certain corner of the room. Sure enough, there were severed limbs again. His expression darkened slightly. He set down the cream cake he had bought and stepped closer to the dismembered remains.
One look was enough for him to tell—they belonged to humans. Tang Xiao turned his head toward the couch. The creature there had poked its head out slightly, and the moment its gaze met his, it immediately turned away again.
Tang Xiao withdrew his gaze and focused on inspecting the remains, confirming that they were from the pursuers once again. He let out a sigh.
He had already set ground rules with 428: he was allowed to move around outside, but hunting humans was strictly forbidden. If he broke the rule, Tang Xiao would rewind time to stop him—or, if necessary, return him to the lab.
Having recently gotten a taste of freedom, 428 had no desire to go back to that suffocating research facility. So, for now, he was behaving—only eliminating pursuers or those who attacked him, ignoring everyone else.
Of course, this agreement didn’t come without its price.
Tang Xiao casually dipped a finger into the cream cake. “Dinner.”
Almost instantly, the creature on the couch teleported right in front of him. Even in this form, he was at least two meters tall. The massive figure crouched down, unable to hide his eagerness as he lunged for Tang Xiao’s cream-covered finger.
For some reason, he insisted on eating like this.
If a human had done this, it would have been outright sexual harassment. But looking at the monstrous form before him, Tang Xiao felt no embarrassment—only the unsettling sensation of sticking his hand into a tiger’s mouth.
If not for the fact that 428 had never actually bitten off his fingers before, Tang Xiao would never have allowed this.
The creature paid no mind to the young man's thoughts. His maw, filled with sharp teeth, opened as his unnaturally long, forked tongue wrapped around the human’s slender fingers, savoring the taste.
The scent of flesh and blood, barely concealed beneath a thin layer of skin, tempted him—it felt as if the slightest bite would release a rich, intoxicating essence. The cream itself had no real nutritional value, but its strange, novel sweetness served as a temporary substitute.
Suppressing the tingling sensation in his fingertips, Tang Xiao lowered his gaze and studied the creature. How could he make 428 choose to stand on humanity’s side?
At present, one thing was clear—428 grew rapidly when consuming his flesh. If Tang Xiao hadn’t deliberately kept this growth in check, 428 might have already been powerful enough to tear through an entire base.
The real question was: how far could he evolve? Could he match the King of Mushroom? Or even surpass him?
Based on previous data, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.
But that was a last resort—one he wouldn’t attempt unless absolutely necessary.
For now, he needed to find other options.
From that day on, Tang Xiao made a conscious effort to take 428 outside. Of course, he used the simulated skin he had developed during past reversals to cover 428’s inhuman features. As for their cover story—428 was his mute cousin from a distant place, here to experience life outside.
They harvested herbs with the locals, worked the fields, and even attended bonfire gatherings. But no matter the activity, no matter the local delicacies offered, 428 showed little interest in anything—except Tang Xiao. His unwavering gaze was so intense that it was impossible to ignore.
“You two aren’t actually a couple, are you?” An older couple chuckled at them. “Don’t worry, if your families don’t approve of you eloping, you don’t have to hide it. No one here would judge you for it.”
Tang Xiao gave an awkward smile. “No, we’re not…”
He glanced at 428, only to find—rather unusually—that 428 had finally looked away from him. Instead, his gaze was fixed on a young couple in the distance, whispering to each other beneath the shade of a tree. They thought they were unseen as they stole a secret kiss.
428 watched them for a long moment before silently turning his attention elsewhere. Suddenly, he stood up, his gaze locking onto something in the distance.
Tang Xiao had a bad feeling. With an apologetic smile, he quickly excused himself. “Sorry, I just remembered something urgent—I have to go.”
“Oh, it’s fine, go ahead,” the older man said casually. “It’s about to rain anyway—we were just about to head back.”
As the two left, the old woman sighed. “I wonder what brought them to a place like this. It’s not as safe as the bases.”
“Who cares why?” the old man replied, unconcerned. “Do you even have the energy to worry about other people’s business?”
The woman thought about it and decided not to say anything else.
Just as they had said, the sky soon began to drizzle.
At the entrance of the alley, Tang Xiao opened a black umbrella, gazing indifferently at the heavy, misty sky.
“Do it cleanly. Don't leave any traces. We’ll be staying here for a few more days.”
The monster fought with the masked mans in the alley. Those people had abilities, but they weren’t particularly strong—more suited for reconnaissance than combat.
428 had a ferocious grin on his face. His combat-evolved form finally displayed its unmatched sharpness. The humans’ weapons couldn't last a single round against the mycelium in his hands, which sliced through them effortlessly. The battle ended quickly and without suspense, leaving the masked ones no time to call for help.
The last surviving masked man watched his teammates die miserably at the hands of the monster. His mind collapsed under the sheer horror. Out of the corner of his eye, he locked onto Tang Xiao, who stood at the alley’s entrance, cutting off all routes of escape. In a panic, his body surged with one final burst of power. His muscles swelled as he charged madly at Tang Xiao.
The young man holding the black umbrella watched him indifferently. He neither dodged nor flinched, standing motionless as if he were frozen in fear.
Got him!
The thought flashed through the masked man's mind—his last thought.
A mycelium pierced through the back of his skull. In his final moments, his gaze remained fixed on Tang Xiao.
He had expected to see satisfaction, contempt, or mockery in the eyes of the man who tamed and commanded the monster. He thought he would be ridiculed for his pathetic attempt at resistance. But the last thing he saw was the young man frowning deeply.
Tang Xiao furrowed his brows, watching 428 feast on his prey, casually picking apart human limbs to extract their genetic components. This cold-blooded, merciless predatory instinct—it was natural for a non-human creature, but after all the time they had spent among people, had none of it had any effect on him?
Over the past days, Tang Xiao had introduced 428 to gourmet food, games, and culture—everything intertwined with human society—hoping that at least one thing would catch his interest. But now, it seemed he had been too naive.
If, in the end, there was no other way, and 428 was the only option left, then if he couldn’t ensure that 428 wouldn’t harm humans, he would simply be adding another disaster to the world.
What could possibly serve as a leash to bind him…?
Tang Xiao was lost in thought when he noticed 428 roughly cleaning up the scene. He stepped back to avoid the spreading pool of blood and couldn't help but say, “Don't get blood on me.”
428 turned to look at him, saying nothing. Then, without warning, he swung his hand sharply in Tang Xiao’s direction.
Before Tang Xiao could react, something splattered onto the lower half of his face. He reached up to wipe it and found his fingers smeared in bright red.
His eye twitched. 428 grinned stupidly. For a moment, Tang Xiao didn’t know what to say. He wiped his face hard, smearing a streak of red across his lips.
Suddenly, 428 stopped moving. While Tang Xiao was busy wiping the blood off, the monster crept closer.
“What are you doing?”
428 still didn’t speak. He had never once answered Tang Xiao’s questions. Normally, Tang Xiao had to rely on subtle expressions to guess his thoughts, though he was often wrong.
Like now—428's pupils had slightly contracted, which usually meant hunger and an urgent need to feed. But hadn't he just eaten?
428 bared his fangs and extended his tongue, running it over the bloodstain at the corner of Tang Xiao’s lips.
Tang Xiao’s mind went blank. Instinctively, he tried to retreat but found himself against the wall. 428 closed in, step by step. Just as Tang Xiao was about to demand an explanation, that long, flexible tongue slipped into the gap between his slightly parted lips.
“Mmgh—?!?”
Tang Xiao bit down instinctively, but it was like trying to bite into solid steel—his teeth almost shattered from the force. 428 paid no attention to his resistance. As soon as he tasted the scent inside, he completely lost control.
The black umbrella fell to the ground beside them, its handle slowly being soaked by the creeping blood. Rain dripped from above, soaking their heads. The over-two-meter-tall monster pinned the human against the alley wall.
It wasn’t a kiss. It was feeding.
The monster was ravenous, as if he wanted to swallow the entire tongue down. Blood and saliva mixed, blurring the boundary between them.
But amidst the long, consuming exchange, Tang Xiao's initial struggle faded. His mouth had gone completely numb.
Yet, strangely, 428 didn’t take it any further—he didn’t bite off his tongue. In fact, Tang Xiao even sensed the monster clumsily trying to lick his upper palate.
As if he were awkwardly mimicking something.
The young man looked coldly at the creature lost in his obsession. There was something almost laughable about it. And, unexpectedly, a deep sense of sorrow.
It seemed he had found the leash.
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