"So you're Tyson Tian's big brother? What brings you here today?" Ian Song sized up the newcomer.
Haoran Tian smiled, "It's really nothing serious. Tyson got shown up by Vice-Captain Lu before and insisted I come help him save face. As his second brother, I couldn't say no, so here I am, doing him a favor."
Hearing that, Ian Song was sure—Haoran Tian was a classic smiling tiger, and the really fake kind at that.
"So, Mr. Tian, what do you have in mind?" Ian Song asked.
Haoran Tian kept smiling. "I hear Vice-Captain Lu is a Psychic Adept?"
"That's right."
"Perfect. I'm a Psychic Adept too. How about we have a little duel—hypnosis style?" Haoran Tian's eyes narrowed, a cold and dismissive glint flashing through.
"Mr. Tian, you really know how to joke! Landon just became a Psychic Adept, how could he compare to you?"
A new voice chimed in—it was Ryan Zhou and Leon Liu, arriving together.
"Ah, Captain Zhou, Deputy Captain Liu. Respect." Haoran Tian cupped his fists to both.
"You're too polite, Mr. Tian."
"No need for all the formality, Mr. Tian."
Ryan Zhou and Leon Liu both replied with friendly smiles.
Haoran Tian was pretty famous in Plumridge City, since he worked for the Military Council. Even though he hadn't officially joined up, his influence was strong.
"Mr. Tian, it's true Landon and Tyson have some misunderstandings. How about I have Landon apologize to Tyson and we call it even?" Ryan Zhou suggested with a smile.
"Yeah, Mr. Tian, better to resolve things than make enemies." Leon Liu added.
"Little brother, what do you think?"
Haoran Tian didn't answer directly. Instead, he turned to Tyson Tian.
"No way! I'm already the laughingstock of the Special Police base. Just an apology and letting it go? That's way too easy on him!" Tyson Tian snapped.
Ryan Zhou frowned and looked at Tyson Tian. "Tyson, honestly, you're mostly responsible for this mess. How about giving me some face and backing off a little?"
"Why should I give you face?"
Tyson Tian shot Ryan Zhou a scornful look.
Ryan Zhou's face instantly darkened. He'd been polite to Tyson Tian only because of his second brother. Now Tyson dared to insult him? That was seriously crossing the line.
Just as Ryan Zhou was about to lose his temper, Haoran Tian glared at Tyson and quickly apologized to Ryan, "Sorry, Captain Zhou. Tyson's still young and doesn't know any better. Please don't hold it against him. Tyson, apologize to Captain Zhou!"
By the end, Haoran Tian's tone had turned stern. He was clearly annoyed with Tyson—Ryan Zhou might just be a captain, but he had the Zhou Family behind him. Until Haoran broke through to two-star Psychic Adept, he couldn't afford to go up against the Zhou Family.
Seeing his second brother was mad, Tyson Tian realized he'd messed up. He quickly said to Ryan Zhou, "Sorry, Captain Zhou, my bad!"
Ryan Zhou's face softened a bit. "Glad you know how to admit your mistakes."
Haoran Tian spoke up again, "How about this—if Vice-Captain Lu can block my hypnosis once, we'll call it even. Vice-Captain Lu, what do you think?"
"Mr. Tian, Landon just became a Psychic Adept. How could he possibly block your hypnosis!"
Ryan Zhou's tone cooled. Haoran Tian might be gifted, but he wasn't part of the Zhou Family, while Landon Lu was someone the Zhou Family wanted to recruit. Psychic Adept duels could easily turn someone into a vegetable if you weren't careful, so even if it meant offending Haoran, Ryan wasn't about to let Ian Song risk it.
"That's no fun. How about we hypnotize each other—one round each?" Ian Song suddenly suggested.
Ryan Zhou was instantly alarmed. He barked, "Landon, don't be reckless! Do you even know Mr. Tian's mental power? He's got at least nine points—he'll be a two-star Psychic Adept soon!"
"Hahaha!"
Haoran Tian laughed loudly, "I like young guys like Vice-Captain Lu! Of course, I can't bully the junior. If you can block my hypnosis, this bottle of Psychic Solution is yours!"
As he spoke, Haoran Tian pulled out a pricey bottle of Psychic Solution.
"Great, thanks a lot, Mr. Tian!" Ian Song grinned.
Seeing Ian Song smiling, Haoran Tian's lips curled in mockery. 'Doesn't know his limits. He actually thinks he can win my Psychic Solution.'
"Landon, what are you doing!" Ryan Zhou snapped again, his tone now sharp and disappointed. He was starting to think Ian Song was blinded by greed and didn't know his own limits.
"Captain, thanks for your concern. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!"
Ian Song gave him a little smile and added, "Mr. Tian, could you hand that bottle to Captain Zhou for safekeeping?"
"What, you think I'll cheat?" Haoran Tian's face suddenly turned cold.
Ian Song just smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
That set Haoran Tian off. With a flick of his wrist, the bottle of Psychic Solution sailed over to Ryan Zhou. His voice was icy: "Let's begin!"
"You want to go first or should I?" Ian Song asked.
Haoran Tian clasped his hands behind his back. "Since you just became a Psychic Adept, I won't bully you. I'll give you three chances—as long as you can make me move half a step in any of them, you win!"
"Then I'll get right to it!"
Ian Song's voice suddenly took on a weird tone. Then, to everyone's shock, Tyson Tian suddenly lunged forward and punched Haoran Tian.
Haoran Tian had all his attention on Ian Song, never expecting Tyson Tian to attack—especially since Tyson was barely a meter away.
So, disaster struck.
With a miserable yelp, Haoran Tian was sent flying, blood pouring from his nose—Tyson's punch had landed squarely on it.
"Mr. Tian, you lost!"
Ian Song said with a smile.
Ryan Zhou and Leon Liu were stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but grin. 'Landon Lu is seriously crafty.'
"You—you cheated!"
Haoran Tian got up from the ground, glaring at Ian Song in anger.
Ian Song snorted, "There's an old saying: 'All's fair in war.' You only said I had to make you move half a step—you never said how. Of course, if you really can't accept losing, you can take your Psychic Solution back."
"Who says I can't accept it! I want a rematch!" Haoran Tian spat.
"Sorry, I don't have time to play with you again." Ian Song shook his head.
"I'll put up two more bottles of Psychic Solution!" Haoran Tian produced two more bottles.
"If Mr. Tian insists, I guess I'll have to accept!" Ian Song replied.
Seeing Ian Song agree, Haoran Tian was delighted. "But just so we're clear—you can't play dirty this time!"