Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1159 - 563: The Lightbearers
Previously on Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups...
The professor stood frozen for a brief instant at those words, then swiveled his gaze toward Fang Cheng.
Fang Cheng offered a subtle nod, maintaining his serene and steady demeanor.
With that confirmation in hand, the professor faced forward again, his voice easing a touch:
"Of course. Our Illuminati is not a gang like the Bloodthorn Mercenary Corps that treats people as merchandise. Your legs are your own; if you wish to leave, you can walk away at any time, and we will not stop you."
His voice then took on a different edge:
"However, since you can’t think of a suitable place to go right now, there is a path before you; it’s up to you how you choose."
Hearing these words, Jiang Yun and Xu Kuan lifted their gazes toward him, a spark of hope igniting in their eyes.
"The Illuminati was established not long ago, and we are in need of like-minded people."
The professor fixed his stare on the trio, pressing on:
"If you are willing, you can choose to stay, join the organization, and become one of us."
"Join you?"
Jiang Yun pressed her lips together and posed the question with hesitation:
"How is the Illuminati different from the Bloodthorn Mercenary Corps? Will it also..."
She hesitated to complete the thought, yet the meaning hung heavy: would it also exploit them or regard them as items for trade?
Having barely fled one trap, the fear of tumbling into another made such worries inevitable.
"If you think we are like those scumbags, we wouldn’t have intervened last night."
Lin Chuqiao advanced, her earlier smile vanishing into a grave look:
"Chairman Fang founded this organization not for power or profit, and certainly not to oppress the weak."
Her gaze met Jiang Yun’s directly, her tone soft but brimming with resolve:
"We, like you, have endured the same hardships; this world brims with hostility toward us."
"Because of this special ability, we are viewed as rejects, experimented on, pursued, compelled to lurk in the dark like vermin, denied even the chance to exist as regular folks."
Lin Chuqiao’s declaration hammered into their souls.
It mirrored the deep-seated anguish and injustices they had suppressed for countless years.
Xu Kuan’s eyes grew misty, while Jiang Yun clasped her hand over her mouth, tears starting to form.
"The purpose of the Illuminati is to establish a true home for mutants."
Lin Chuqiao flung her arms open, her words earnest and fervent, sketching a vision almost tangible:
"Here, there is no discrimination, no oppression, no more living behind masks. We are family, supporting and loving one another."
"What we want to do is help all those like us, who long for a normal life yet are not accepted by society."
"We want to tell the world that we are not monsters, nor commodities to be traded. We deserve to stand under the sun, to have the dignity of living as humans."
"That’s why we risk being hunted by the military to save strangers like you."
"’Home’ and ’Dignity’?"
These concepts wielded an irresistible pull for Xu Kuan and Jiang Yun, who had spent years in terror and wandering.
Bean, huddled in the shadows of the room, slowly raised his head as well.
Within those cautious eyes, a spark of what could be termed ’longing’ appeared for the very first time.
"Il-lu-mi-na-ti..."
Jiang Yun whispered the name, tasting each syllable over and over, her gaze steadily lighting up.
"Yes."
Now, Fang Cheng, who had remained silent in his seat, at last broke his quiet.
He rose to his feet, his imposing stature eclipsing the window’s glow, while etching an even vaster presence into their minds.
"Light represents truth and love, and illumination is our action."
Fang Cheng’s resonant and commanding tone filled the compact space, infused with unshakeable belief:
"The purpose of the Illuminati is to use light to dispel the fog, illuminate the darkness, and ultimately cleanse all filth to establish a new order."
His eyes swept across the three, as he reached out a hand like an offer to embark on an epic quest:
"We aim not only for mutants to live with dignity but to use our strength to correct this distorted, corrupt world, bringing it back on track."
"It will be difficult, and there may be death, but it’s worth trying."
Xu Kuan and Jiang Yun tilted their heads upward toward the figure standing there.
In this instant, to them, he ceased to be a frightful beast.
He stood as a majestic peak, a steadfast beacon through raging tempests.
A fresh wave of fervor and connection surged without warning in their hearts.
