Chapter 34: Redemption [Future Journey]

[This week’s episode superpower has refreshed; the following are selectable abilities:]

1. Superpower Episode [Cognitive Modification]: Can modify any creature’s cognition of things—make a cat see a bone as fish, a dog view a rock as meat, a person mistake someone else’s wife for his own girlfriend; all worldly cognitions are yours to dictate.

2. Superman Episode [Laser Eyes]: Eyes can fire rays as hot as the sun’s core. Note: Must pair with [Steel Body]; otherwise, the eyes will be scorched by sun-like temperatures.

3. Redemption Episode [Future Walk]: Can travel to key future time nodes relevant to oneself; can observe, can communicate, but cannot change, cannot interfere.

It was time again for the weekly episode superpower selection.

Still no option 4 this time.

But the ability not chosen last time had reappeared in the list; looks like refreshed abilities weren’t a one-and-done—might encounter them again later.

—Redemption Episode [Future Walk]

Lu Qingqi’s gaze lingered on this option for a moment, then swept over the other two: Superpower Episode [Cognitive Modification], Superman Episode [Laser Eyes].

The first one held no appeal for him.

After all, he wasn’t some hentai protagonist—really pick that, would he have to follow hentai plots?

He was a pure love advocate, and he had a girlfriend!

Though lately he wasn’t sure if she’d cucked him, but without solid proof, just pretend it didn’t happen.

The latter, Superman Episode [Laser Eyes], sounded powerful and badass just from the description.

But it required pairing with [Steel Body]; without that, his eyes couldn’t withstand the sun-core heat of the lasers.

After a simple elimination, he selected Redemption Episode [Future Walk].

Truth be told, he’d long wanted to chat with his future self, ask about superpower thoughts—best if he could learn why his abilities didn’t work on Liu Wangjiang.

Just then, his phone rang—it was Monkey calling.

“Young Master Lu, the video investigation’s got results.”

Lu Qingqi frowned.

“Send them over if you’ve got ’em.”

Monkey choked a bit, hemming and hawing.

“Results are in, but gotta wait two more days.”

“Why?”

“The guy I found needs his weekend off—won’t work overtime.”

Lu Qingqi fell silent for a moment, then replied,

“Got it.”

He added,

“You’ve worked hard this stretch; transferred you some cash—go have fun.”

“Thanks, Young Master Lu! You’re too generous, Young Master!”

Listening to Monkey’s thanks, Lu Qingqi said no more, hanging up directly.

He turned into the bedroom; when he emerged, he wore a sharp, neat outfit.

Back in the living room, he closed his eyes slightly.

[Future Walk]

His stomach hollowed out instantly, intense hunger surging in.

But he’d prepared; he shoved a few compressed biscuits into his mouth, chewed them to mush, swallowed with water—barely tamping down the hunger.

At that moment, specks of starlight gathered in the living room’s center, woven by invisible hands into a door’s shape.

Excitement flickered in Lu Qingqi’s eyes; he straightened his collar, stuffed a few packs of compressed biscuits into his pocket, and stepped through the door.

“Future, here I come!”

……

What was the future like?

In Lu Qingqi’s eyes, an avid novel fan, the future should be like in sci-fi works—universal cybernetic implants, mechanical AIs serving humanity; at worst, a cyberpunk world!

One step out the starlight door, and the youth stood on a park path.

Distant mountains mirrored in the nearby lake, sky piercingly blue, clouds fluffy white; the air brimmed with fresh grass-and-earth scent.

The scenery was so stunning it left him dazed.

Where the hell did this drop me?!

Still in the country?

Still the future?

Where’s my robot butler?

My cyborg upgrades?

My neon-flickering cyberpunk streets?

Not even a shadow!

This environment, this absurdly fresh air—more like some eco-perfect park; where was any “future” vibe?

He instinctively pulled out his phone to check the time, maybe connect to confirm location.

The screen lit up, but signal bars were empty—no network at all.

“Figures,”

Lu Qingqi scratched his head, muttering softly.

“Future world’s gotta have 7G everywhere; my outdated 4G phone can’t connect—normal.”

Pocketing the phone, he began scanning around.

Plenty of people in the park, all high-value beauties.

Sleek sportswear on aloof big-sis types with full auras; bobbed hair on girl-next-door sweeties flashing dimples when smiling; black skirts on delicately made-up goth girls.

“Has gene optimization gone universal in the future? Everyone’s a stunner?”

Lu Qingqi marveled inwardly, curiosity winning out; he approached a nearby girl doing high kicks.

She was about twenty, ponytail sleek, white tank top over black leggings—exposing a slim yet toned waist, each kick bursting with energy.

“Excuse me, miss,”

Lu Qingqi kept his tone friendly as possible.

“Could you tell me where this is? Still Nanbo City?”

The ponytail girl paused her moves, turned her head; clear almond eyes sized him up with blatant surprise, like he was some oddity.

She said nothing, just silently stepped aside a few paces, widening the gap, then resumed her high kicks—as if his question had been mere wind.

Lu Qingqi grew more puzzled by the reaction.

“Didn’t hear? Or doesn’t wanna deal? Language barrier maybe?”

“Still in the country? Still the Huayuan Federation?”

He tried a few more passersby, but they all reacted like the ponytail girl—glance of surprise, then back to their own business.

The sun sank gradually westward, afterglow spilling over the earth, gilding everything gold.

Lu Qingqi realized this neighborhood was insanely vast; he’d walked half a day, no exit in sight.

Then, his stomach growled, hunger waves crashing in.

He plopped onto a public bench, pulling out compressed biscuits to munch.

Talk about failing before starting—stuck in a neighborhood over language issues.

Pathetic.

Suddenly, a tantalizing aroma wafted over.

He swallowed, looking up instinctively; a white-haired, blue-eyed girl approached, holding a roujiamo toward him.

The girl was strikingly beautiful: four deep-blue diamond marks dotted her fair forehead, snow-white hair cascading smoothly to her waist, faint orchid scent clinging to her.

Mid-biscuit chew, Lu Qingqi caught the smell, couldn’t help swallowing again.

A roujiamo appeared before him; he looked up at her, puzzled.

“This for me?”

The white-haired blue-eyed girl nodded.

The youth took it without overthinking, devouring it in huge bites—two mouthfuls gone, but too hasty; it caught in his throat.

Seeing this, the white-haired blue-eyed girl handed over a water bottle.

“Drink some water; don’t choke.”

Lu Qingqi grabbed the water, gulped it down, caught his breath, then thanked her hurriedly.

But the next second, realization hit; he stared at her in shock, eyes wide with disbelief.

“You understand me?”

“What else?”

The girl’s sapphire eyes curved into crescents, tone playful; she tilted her head halfway, asking,

“What’re you doing in my neighborhood?”

Lu Qingqi blanked at the question, scratching his head on reflex, mumbling,

“I’m here looking for……”

He trailed off mid-sentence.

Right—this was the future; couldn’t say he’d time-traveled from the past to find himself.

Eyes darting, he pointed at his face.

“Looking for a relative—my cousin, few years older, looks a lot like me; seen him?”

Based on what he knew of himself, if future-him unlocked badass superpowers—like [Steel Body] or [Magnetic Field Manipulation]—

He’d either be a god among men or Earth’s ruling overlord!

Everyone would know him!

Claiming a “lookalike cousin” shouldn’t stretch it.

The white-haired blue-eyed girl listened, shook her head gently, tone even.

“No men like you around here.”

Lu Qingqi’s disappointment crested, but her words turned.

“But I do know who you’re looking for.”

“Who?”

His eyes lit up instantly, pressing eagerly.

The girl raised her hand, slender finger pointing at herself; a sly glint flashed in those blue eyes, winking playfully.

“The one you’re looking for—isn’t it me? Past me~~”