Chapter 23: Rebirth and Revelation

Li Wei awoke to the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant call of birds. His eyes fluttered open, revealing the canopy of trees above. For a moment, he lay still, the memories of agonizing pain and certain death flooding his mind. Yet, here he was, very much alive. As he rose to his feet, he marveled at the state of his body—restored, revitalized, and brimming with newfound energy.

He took stock of his surroundings. The forest was eerily quiet, with no sign of the Angel Gene researchers. They had left him for dead, casting his body aside like so much refuse. But something had changed within him. His mind buzzed with memories of powerful arts, ancient techniques that he had never encountered before. It was as if the biochip had unlocked a hidden reservoir of knowledge, implanting skills and abilities that defied belief.

Li Wei realized he had been given a second chance, and he intended to make the most of it. His first thought was of vengeance. He would hunt down every person involved in Angel Gene's cruel experiments. But for now, he needed to regroup and gather his strength.

He found a nearby cave and made it his temporary hideout. From this secluded spot, he watched the facility where he had been discarded, waiting for the cover of night. When darkness fell, he set the place ablaze, ensuring that no trace of his survival remained. The flames roared, consuming all evidence of the atrocities committed within its walls.

With the facility destroyed, Li Wei ventured deeper into the forest, eventually coming across a rundown house. The building was abandoned, its windows shattered and its walls crumbling. Inside, he found a set of old clothes, which he quickly donned. The fabric felt rough against his skin, but it would do for now.

As he settled into his new disguise, Li Wei began to sift through the flood of memories and knowledge now at his disposal. The arts he remembered were astonishing—techniques for manipulating energy, bending elements to his will, and moving with the speed and stealth of a shadow. These were not mere martial skills; they were the secrets of ancient masters, passed down through generations and now residing within him.

Li Wei understood that what he had received was only a fragment of a much larger whole. There were more cores like the one implanted in him, hidden across the Earth, each containing knowledge and power beyond imagination. He needed to find them, to unlock their secrets, and to harness their power.

As he sat in the dilapidated house, Li Wei's mind raced with plans. He would use his newfound abilities to dismantle Angel Gene from within, piece by piece. But first, he needed to learn more about the organization and its operations. He would need to infiltrate their networks, gather intelligence, and strike from the shadows.

With a deep breath, Li Wei steeled himself for the journey ahead. He had been reborn from the ashes of his torment, and now, he would rise to become a force of retribution and justice. The path would be long and fraught with danger, but he was ready. The world would soon learn that Li Wei, the top assassin, was far from finished.