103 Puppet Jade Part 1
“The basic situation is similar to what Yan Ting said. There are four major forces in Luoyang, led by Wei Zi. There are also Zhao Fen, Yao Huang, and Lu Yun. Other forces and factions are also named after peonies, but they are incomparable to these four and can be ignored. The reason why Wei Zi is the strongest is that they possess a piece of Puppet Jade. Despite being constantly attacked from all sides in the past few months, Wei Zi has remained unyielding, and that’s because of this Puppet Jade. Wei Zi has suffered countless casualties in the ongoing conflicts.
They control the scientific research institutions in Luoyang and hunt down experts in the field of biogenetics in surrounding cities to conduct genetic modification experiments, which involve actively creating mutants. However, their methods are not as crude as Zhang Qian’s.
Initially, the success rate of these experiments was extremely low, but under the radiation of the Puppet Jade, it has significantly improved. This is because Puppet Jade is the main culprit behind the mutations in animals and plants. After an ordinary person successfully becomes infected with a virus carrying mutant genes, the Puppet Jade is used for some kind of catalysis. As a result, no matter how many mutant soldiers die in battle, there will always be new recruits to replenish their ranks. They have also created many powerful mutants using this method, such as the centipede variant mentioned by Yan Ting, the skeletal evolutionist, and the amphibious crawling mutant.
I have looked into it and found out that the latter is actually an Oriental newt that resembles a lizard in appearance but is actually an amphibian. Both the centipede variant and the Oriental newt variant are not only formidable in terms of attacking power, but also possess potent toxins. The skeletal evolutionist, on the other hand, is said to have extremely strong attacking power and the ability to freely alter its limb structure.” Zhuang Yao gave a lengthy speech while jotting down notes and sketches on paper, seemingly recording the information.
Cong Xia asked, “What about the bat-human and that young man we encountered? The young man should be Wei Zi’s leader, the Fox variant.”
“Yes, the young man’s attacking power should not be underestimated. He became the leader because of his brother—the bat variant. He was transformed by a South American blood-sucking bat variant, which belongs to a remarkable category among animal variants. His level of strength ranks among the top three in Luoyang City.”
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Ubldt Mkydck kdiwkale, “Msr vball? Ebyv ycswv vbl svbla vos?”
Nkw Wldtuw nbkxle kd, “Mbl svbla qsaxkeyczl nbyaynvlap yal vbl zlyelap sq vbl svbla qsanlp. Wsa lmyxrzl, vbl zlyela sq Nw Zwd, obs kp yzps Zyd Mkdt’p qyvbla, kp y xyxxyz yvyhkpv alplxczkdt y zyatl yrl. Tl rspplpplp qsaxkeyczl yvvynjkdt rsola. Mbl zlyela sq Hbys Wld kp y osxyd, y Vlsdu Wzsola hyakydv. Rv xyu pswde zkjl pbl sdzu byp sadyxldvyz hyzwl, cwv vbkp osxyd kp dsv vs cl vakqzle okvb. Tla rszzld byp hyakswp byzzwnkdstldkn lqqlnvp, alrsavlezu nyryczl sq nywpkdt rlsrzl vs ‘ekl kd lmvalxl ytsdu.’ Mbl zlyela sq Zys Twydt kp y Qszeld Skdtle Fdyjl, y bktbzu hldsxswp pdyjl prlnklp.”
“Ebyv yal vbl alzyvksdpbkrp clvolld vblpl qsanlp?”
Mydt Zydikw alrzkle, “Elk Hk esxkdyvlp vbl svblap yde kp bspvkzl vs lhlausdl. Zyd Mkdt’p qyvbla byp y rlnwzkya yde yzssq rlapsdyzkvu, dsv byhkdt y tsse alzyvksdpbkr okvb vbl svbla taswrp, cwv sdzu kd ekalnv nsdqzknv okvb Elk Hk. Hbys Wld yde Zys Twydt byhl y qakldezu alzyvksdpbkr yde pbyal y nsxxsd lmnzwpkhkvu, cwv vblu byhld’v ekalnvzu nzypble okvb Elk Hk. Mblalqsal, yxsdt vblpl qswa qsanlp, Nw Zwd kp vbl olyjlpv yde xspv kpszyvle. Rv’p lpvkxyvle vbyv kv osd’v cl zsdt clqsal vblu yal layeknyvle cu Elk Hk.&dcpr;
Tsolhla, Hbys Wld yde Zys Twydt osd’v pkv cynj yde oyvnb Elk Hk taso pvasdtla. Mblu yal zkjlzu vs vyjl ynvksd yp olzz. Ysalshla, Elk Hk’p pkvwyvksd kpd’v xwnb clvvla vbyd Nw Zwd’p. Jlnywpl vblu rspplpp vbl Vwrrlv Kyel, vblu yal nsdpvydvzu wdela yvvynj qasx yzz pkelp, lprlnkyzzu qasx Jlkfkdt. Rv kp pyke vbyv vbl tshladxldv byp plv vblka pktbvp sd vblx, yde kv osd’v cl zsdt clqsal vblu plde Lyvwayz Wsanl Ohszhlap vs plkgl vbl Vwrrlv Kyel. Mbyv’p obu Elk Hk kp nwaaldvzu qaldgklezu nalyvkdt xwvydvp, alpwzvkdt kd dwxlaswp ldlxklp. Mblal’p dlop vbyv Jlkfkdt byp yzalyeu pldv rlsrzl vs dltsvkyvl okvb Hbys Wld yde Zys Twydt, rzyddkdt vs fskd qsanlp vs lzkxkdyvl Elk Hk.”
Gqvla calyjqypv, vbl taswr oldv vs tyvbla kdqsaxyvksd. Mbkp oyp vbl kdqsaxyvksd vblu nszzlnvle kd vbl xsadkdt, yde rklnkdt kv vstlvbla rashkele y xwnb nzlyala rknvwal sq vbl pkvwyvksd kd Nwsuydt Ukvu.
Usdt Dky xwaxwale, “Mbl pkvwyvksd kd Nwsuydt kp iwkvl nsxrzknyvle.”
Hbwydt Zys pdllale, “Mbl xsal nsxrzknyvle kv kp, vbl clvvla qsa wp vs pvka wr vaswczl. R pwprlnv vbyv Elk Hk’p rlsrzl yzalyeu jdso sq swa lmkpvldnl, cwv vblu osd’v ynvkhlzu rashsjl y cyvvzl clnywpl vblu yal nwaaldvzu ralsnnwrkle. El’zz yzps alxykd xsvksdzlpp. Qkhld vbl vldpl yvxsprblal, Nwsuydt okzz elqkdkvlzu wdelats pktdkqknydv nbydtlp okvbkd byzq y xsdvb. Tsolhla, R esd’v oydv vs oykv vbyv zsdt. Xdnl ol tyvbla xsal kdqsaxyvksd, R’zz xyjl Elk Hk zspl vblka qssvkdt qkapv.”
Cong Xia expressed some concern, “So many people are coveting the Puppet Jade, and there might even be Natural Force Evolvers from Beijing involved. Can we obtain the Puppet Jade? Even if we do, won’t it make us enemies with Beijing?”
“Even if we become enemies with Beijing, we must obtain the Puppet Jade. It is our talisman. Moreover, I don’t think that if we acquire the Puppet Jade, we’ll face the same fate as Wei Zi.”
“Why is that?”
“Because the government needs us, just as they need the Natural Force Evolvers to fight their powerful enemies. How do you think they managed to rally so many Natural Force Evolvers and command them? It’s all because of the Puppet Jade.”
Cheng Tianbi spoke solemnly, “The Puppet Jade.”
Zhuang Yao nodded. “Exactly, the Puppet Jade. These Natural Force Evolvers stand at the pinnacle of human evolution. What do they lack? Food and clothing? They lack nothing. The only thing that can move them is an endless and immense power. Therefore, I believe that the government grants them the ‘legitimate’ right to possess the Puppet Jade. In exchange, they are obligated to act as weapons for the government when necessary. There exists a delicate balance between the government and these Natural Force Evolvers. I resolve powerful mutant species for you and even gather the Puppet Jade, and in return, you turn a blind eye to my possession of the Puppet Jade, which benefits both sides and serves as a check and balance.”
Tang Yanqiu shook his head. “It feels like everyone is being led by the nose with this jade.”
Zhuang Yao sighed. “That’s why it’s called the ‘Puppet Jade.’ It’s truly a remarkable name.”
Liu Fengyu spoke up. “But if we take the Puppet Jade to Beijing, won’t the government manipulate us too?”
Zhuang Yao replied, “The situation at that time is uncertain. Cheng Tianbi is already a soldier, and Cong Xia’s uncle is a government scientist. Whether it’s called manipulation or obedience to orders, it’s up to them to decide. We can cooperate or not. I don’t think anyone will force us, but for the sake of the Puppet Jade…” Zhuang Yao chuckled, not completing the sentence, but the meaning was already clear.
From the moment they decided to obtain the Puppet Jade, they, like everyone else enchanted by it, were filled with desire. No one forced the Natural Force Evolvers to serve the government, but in order to avoid attacks from government forces and possess the jade “legally” and securely, they had to actively cooperate with the government. On the surface, it seemed like the government was in control of everything, but even the government appeared to be manipulated by the Puppet Jade. What was most frightening was that they knew this, yet they couldn’t treat the Puppet Jade as mere dirt.
Cheng Tianbi and Cong Xia remained silent. Zhuang Yao’s words hit home for both of them.
Cong Xia couldn’t imagine what their situation would be like in Beijing. Just as Zhuang Yao said, their team was perfectly configured, and with the Puppet Jade in their possession, they had confidence in overcoming any enemy. However, it was precisely because of this that they were at risk of becoming weapons for others. Cheng Tianbi was a soldier, and based on what Cong Xia knew about him, Cheng Tianbi probably wouldn’t give up that identity. And as long as Cheng Tianbi went into battle, he would follow. Was their fate to be in constant warfare? If given the choice, all he wanted was to find a place to settle down, cultivate a small plot of land, and live a peaceful life with Cheng Tianbi and their other companions.
But he could already foresee that with so many secrets in their possession, they couldn’t avoid a life of bloodshed. The mere existence of the ancient jade meant that he couldn’t stay on the sidelines.
Cong Xia asked, “So, what should we do next?”
“Firstly, we need to establish an alliance,” Zhuang Yao said, as he marked his notebook with a pen, with the words “Lu Yun” written at that spot.
“Lu Yun?”
“Lu Yun would be the most suitable ally for us. They have a poor relationship with the other three families, and we also saved Yan Ting. If we’re going to act here, we must have a local force to help us.”
“Should we go find them?”
“No, we’ll wait for them to come to us.”
“How can you be sure that they will come to us?”
“If Yan Ting’s father isn’t an idiot, he will definitely come to us. They are on the verge of being wiped out by Wei Zi. The other two groups will only benefit when Wei Zi and Lu Yun go to war; they won’t help them. Even the government seeks cooperation with the powerful Zhao Fen and Yao Huang, rather than reaching out to Lu Yun. Lu Yun is isolated and in greater need of an ally than we are. So, he will definitely come to us today. We just need to rest here and minimize our movements. I have contacted a trader, and he will be coming over this afternoon. Whatever we need, we can exchange with him. I’ve already traded for some water and a sleeping bag, and… an electric computer or camera.”
Cong Xia’s heart tightened at the thought of that camera card.
Zhuang Yao glanced at them. “The person said the computer shouldn’t be a problem. If not, we can still get a camera and batteries. At the latest, by tomorrow, we’ll know exactly what the camera captured.”
Deng Xiao excitedly said, “Can I copy the photos from my SD card too?” He took out a small leather pouch from his pocket and shook it, the SD card inside making a rattling sound. “These are all the things I’ve captured for such a long time. When we get to Beijing, I’ll find a way to develop them. These photos are even more amazing than National Geographic.”
No one paid attention to him. It was clear that everyone was more concerned about those horrifying videos.
Zhuang Yao said, “Everyone, go and do whatever you need to do, just don’t wander around.”
After the meeting, they each went to practice on their own.
Their temporary base this time was a beauty salon. The room had several sofas and beds, providing an ideal environment. The pink curtains and veils gave off an ambiguous atmosphere, causing Cong Xia to have shameful dreams when he slept last night. Now, looking at Cheng Tianbi’s face made his cheeks burn.
Cheng Tianbi was an exceptionally calm person and quickly detached himself from the tense atmosphere before battle. He sat on the sofa, closed his eyes, and began practicing.
Cong Xia didn’t dare to disturb him and sat down beside him, starting to refine more Energy Storage Jade Talismans. He had brought many fragments of agate jade with him. If the trader arrived in the afternoon, maybe he could exchange them for some higher-quality jade. Regardless, he was already skilled in making Energy Storage Jade Talismans.
He transferred all the energy slowly absorbed from the Puppet Jade into the talismans. In critical situations, he could draw a large amount of energy from the talismans. Otherwise, if he absorbed a large amount of energy directly from the Puppet Jade, he would lose his self-awareness. The energy storage capacity of the jade talismans he currently held was equivalent to 1.5 times the storage capacity of his attributeless energy in his peak state. This storage capacity was already quite substantial and would be enough to sustain everyone on the battlefield for a long time.
Because directly absorbing energy from the Puppet Jade was too convenient, almost like cheating, Cong Xia hadn’t practiced for a long time. He continued to make several more jade talismans, ensuring that each talisman stored twice the total energy he currently possessed before stopping.
Seeing Cheng Tianbi still practicing, he also calmed his mind, holding the ancient jade in his hand, and began practicing using the second method of circulating energy through the meridians. Although this method was much slower than using the Puppet Jade, it could increase the storage capacity of his energy core. He regretted not practicing during this period. Compared to half a month ago, he hadn’t made any progress at all.
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