Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups-Chapter 1159 - 563: The Lightbearers

The professor was momentarily stunned by the words and turned his head to look at Fang Cheng.

Fang Cheng gave him a slight nod, his expression calm and composed.

Having received the acknowledgment, the professor turned back, his tone slightly softer:

"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."

At this point, his tone shifted:

"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."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun and Xu Kuan raised their heads to look at him, a glimmer of hope flashing in their eyes.

"The Illuminati was established not long ago, and we are in need of like-minded people."

The professor looked intently at the three, continuing:

"If you are willing, you can choose to stay, join the organization, and become one of us."

"Join you?"

Jiang Yun bit her lip and asked hesitantly:

"How is the Illuminati different from the Bloodthorn Mercenary Corps? Will it also..."

She didn’t dare finish her sentence, but the implication was clear: would it also use them or treat them as trade commodities?

After all, having just escaped one den only to fall into another, such concerns were unavoidable.

"If you think we are like those scumbags, we wouldn’t have intervened last night."

Lin Chuqiao stepped forward, the smile on her face fading into a more solemn expression:

"Chairman Fang founded this organization not for power or profit, and certainly not to oppress the weak."

She looked into Jiang Yun’s eyes, her voice gentle yet full of strength:

"We, like you, have experienced the same ordeals; this world is filled with malice towards us."

"Because of this special ability, we are seen as outcasts, studied, hunted, forced to hide in shadows like mice, stripped even of the right to live as ordinary people."

Lin Chuqiao’s words struck their hearts like a hammer.

This was precisely the pain and grievances they had buried deep inside for many years.

Xu Kuan’s eyes reddened, and Jiang Yun couldn’t help but cover her mouth, tears welling up.

"The purpose of the Illuminati is to establish a true home for mutants."

Lin Chuqiao spread her arms wide, her tone sincere and passionate, as if painting a dream within reach:

"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 words held a fatal allure for Xu Kuan and Jiang Yun, who had long lived in fear and drift.

Even Bean, tucked away in a corner, quietly lifted his head.

In those wary eyes, for the first time, there was a gleam of something called ’longing.’

"Il-lu-mi-na-ti..."

Jiang Yun murmured, repeatedly savoring the three syllables, her eyes gradually brightening.

"Yes."

At this moment, Fang Cheng, who had been sitting quietly, finally spoke.

He stood up, his tall figure blocking the light from the window, while casting a grander shadow in their hearts.

"Light represents truth and love, and illumination is our action."

Fang Cheng’s deep and powerful voice resonated in the small room, carrying an undeniable conviction:

"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."

He glanced over the three, extending a hand as if inviting them on a great journey:

"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 looked up at the man before them.

At this moment, in their eyes, this man was no longer a terrifying monster.

He was a towering mountain, an unwavering lighthouse amidst stormy seas.

An unprecedented sense of passion and belonging stirred inexplicably in their chests.