This is indeed a serious issue.
Although I don’t know by what means Pennywise utilized, or if it’s an inherent feature of His own.
Anyway, He has a way of making Jiang Xiao forget His existence whenever Jiang Xiao faces Him.
Du Lala, b2, and Jiang Xiao all frowned deeply.
They both hoped Jiang Xiao could help them resolve Pennywise, and this situation was certainly not conducive.
And Jiang Xiao needed to deal with Pennywise to obtain the three strange devices, naturally not wanting to fall into a witless state every time he encountered Pennywise.
But it wasn’t entirely without gain.
If what Jiang Xiao reported was entirely true, then it seems he really did have a restraining effect on Pennywise.
At the very least, Pennywise’s most lethal fear effect couldn’t work on Jiang Xiao.
There were also some downsides, like Jiang Xiao being unable to see through the illusions created by Pennywise.
The first confrontation with Pennywise ended anticlimactically.
After exchanging greetings with Yu Tianci, Jiang Xiao was escorted back to the Underground Mysterious Research Institute by Wang Tiantian and another.
Having witnessed Jiang Xiao’s extraordinary spirit and his performance after the first contact with Pennywise, the staff at the institute also showed a marked change in their demeanor towards him.
The first change was that even the sternest of the scientific researchers now offered their smiles to the trio.
Seeing this, Du Lala couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose and muttered.
"These snobbish fellows, always looking down on us because of our scientific researcher status, have now turned into bootlickers."
b2 also couldn’t help but shake his head with a wry smile.
"Well, it can’t be helped, can it? After all, you don’t have the education and professional level."
It was normal to be looked down upon by these scientific researchers.
After all, they were in positions that not only offered good wages, benefits, and less danger.
Of course, the main reason was that frontline personnel like themselves and the research staff were not in the same system, making comparisons difficult.
It’s like the public security department and the special police department; unless your rank is much higher than theirs, and even then, they might respect you but won’t necessarily heed your commands.
Du Lala and b2 couldn’t help but exchange knowing smiles.
b2 spoke with an unmistakable tone of envy.
"Who would’ve thought, when you mentioned it casually back then, that this Chosen One would really be so awesome. If he truly handles Pennywise, you’ll have made a major contribution."
When that happens, not to mention adjusting rank and privileges, even moving laterally into the scientific research group would be no problem.
And b2 was exceptionally lucky, originally thinking that the emergency team could handle Pennywise. So, he couldn’t resist making a few snide remarks to Jiang Xiao.
Unexpectedly, he was also assigned by the organization to complete this mission with Du Lala and Jiang Xiao.
b2’s spirit lifted, and he quickly stepped forward to greet the elder who was meeting him.
Du Lala followed closely behind, and it was evident that this elderly gent held a high position in the institute.
"Very good, very good, you two needn’t be so formal with me. Today, I came mainly to see this Chosen One, indeed, a young hero appears!"
While making small talk, the elder invited Jiang Xiao and Du Lala into the conference room.
Uh, b2, left standing outside, had an expression of embarrassment and resignation. It seems the organization was indeed planning to focus on cultivating Du Lala...
It was purely because his current rank was temporarily higher than Du Lala’s that he was called over to assist with the task.
"It doesn’t matter, I won’t get to enjoy the meat and the soup this time, but even nibbling on a few bones would help me climb up the ranks."
Those who’ve spent enough time here know one thing well: it’s not your inaction they fear, but your utter lack of movement.
At this moment, Du Lala was somewhat taken aback by the attention.
The kind of bigshots she wouldn’t meet in months, or even years, were now all smiles, trying to establish a connection with her.
She was still unaware of the information about Jiang Xiao that Wang Tiantian and Liu Dengyun had sent back to the institute, so she had no clue about the terrifying extent of Jiang Xiao’s Spirit.
The institute had already made a decision on how to quickly bridge the gap with this chosen one, and it all hinged on Du Lala.
According to what Du Lala had said earlier, she had maintained a very "intimate" relationship with Jiang Xiao back at Wuliang Hospital.
Yet, faced with so many people vying for his favor, Jiang Xiao remained unmoved, and instead hurried them along.
"Okay, all you old men, spit it out if you have something to say, don’t waste everyone’s time here."
Doesn’t this kid understand any social niceties?
The chief sitting at the head of the table cleared his throat and spoke.
"Comrade Jiang Xiao, we are aware of your recent contact and the events that transpired with Pennywise. You must be very confused right now, aren’t you?"
"Yes, it seems that I might forget who Pennywise is when I see him."
It might be hard to understand, but essentially, once Jiang Xiao sees Pennywise, he loses the urge to kill and forgets that the clown before him is his target.
It’s like you want to go fishing and you’ve got a top-notch fishing rod, line, and bait, but then you throw the rod into a tree.
"Right, it’s a painful issue. Have you ever considered wearing Project 135?"
Du Lala immediately stood up upon hearing this, but was quickly pulled back down by an elder next to her.
Asking me to use Project 135.
Jiang Xiao glanced at the old man with a cold expression.
He had seen the research on Project 135.
It clearly stated that using the device could cause irreversible damage to the human body.
Those emergency response team members that night were already prepared to sacrifice themselves, so, of course, they didn’t care about the damage Project 123 could do to the body.
But why should he, Jiang Xiao, risk his life for the people of this world?
You damn well should be unwilling.
Jiang Xiao raised his eyebrows, "I’d be willing to tell your mother... Forget it, I’m in a good mood today, I don’t want to insult you."
"Just wear it when it’s crucial. Think about it, this is a deal. You only get the three bizarre gadgets once you deal with Pennywise. Our compensation is so high, so naturally, this mission comes with certain risks."
In other words, if you want our stuff, you better be prepared to make some sacrifices.
Three bizarre gadgets!
Even the opulent research institute feels the pain at the mere thought.
"You’ve got so many projects; are you telling me that only 135 can take on Pennywise?"
"We have other projects, but their effects might not be great against Pennywise. His existence is quite special. First, you have to see Him, then ignore the illusion, and most importantly, remain unafraid."
Jiang Xiao’s teeth ached; he indeed couldn’t ignore the illusion, otherwise, he wouldn’t have let that clown get away.