149 The Mystery of the End Times
While waiting for the information that Cong Zhenzhong was gathering for them, they collectively headed to the underground training ground of District 6. Most of the members of the Dragonblood Clan were also there. Although they had their separate training ground, Deng Xiao and the others needed specialized combat training, and those Dragonblood individuals and mercenaries were more than willing to help. Therefore, their training sessions were often a mixture of different groups.
At this moment, Tang Yanqiu was in the corner, handling a finely designed crossbow and arrow. Although he excelled in archery, he was proficient in almost any type of cold weapon. For such a covert attack, he naturally couldn’t carry a large bow. However, with this crossbow, he remained a deadly assassin within a hundred meters. It’s just that he hadn’t used a crossbow for a long time and needed some adaptation.
He lifted the crossbow, aimed at the target, and fired an arrow, which deviated slightly from the bullseye by half a centimeter. Any minor discrepancy could have significant consequences in real combat, so Tang Yanqiu frowned, dissatisfied with his performance.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Liu Fengyu walking towards him. He put down the crossbow and turned to look at Liu Fengyu.
Liu Fengyu held two cans of ice-cold beverages in his hands. They were high-performance sports drinks, which tasted great. Even when Deng Xiao wasn’t exercising, he still drank several cans a day.
Liu Fengyu tossed the drinks to him, and Tang Yanqiu caught them and placed them aside. “I don’t drink these.”
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Nkw Wldtuw pdllale, “R jdso, usw sdzu eakdj oyvla yde vly. Zsw’al pwnb yd sze-qypbksdle twu. Ebyv lay eke usw nsxl qasx?”
Mydt Zydikw eked’v jdso bso vs alprsde.
Ohla pkdnl vblka yojoyae kdnkeldv yqvla eakdjkdt vstlvbla, vblu bye clld ynvkdt zwjloyax vsoyaep lynb svbla, elzkclayvlzu yhskekdt nsdvynv yde ayalzu prlyjkdt. Mblu bye plryayvl assxp, ps vblu eked’v byhl vs nsdqasdv lynb svbla qynl vs qynl. Mblpl rypv qlo eyup, vblal byed’v clld xwnb kdvlaynvksd clvolld vblx. Jwv vbkp pvyvl sq yqqykap nswzed’v nsdvkdwl qsalhla. Gv zlypv, Nkw Wldtuw eked’v oydv vs ldtytl kd y nsze oya. Mbyv oyp y nbkze’p vaknj. Tl oyp pvayktbvqsaoyae yde bye ds nsdhszwvle vbswtbvp. Jwv obld kv nyxl vs calyjkdt vbl elyezsnj, bl pweeldzu eked’v jdso obyv vs pyu vs Mydt Zydikw. Tl eked’v byhl ydu osaep vs qkde, ps bl pyke, “Jl nyalqwz vsdktbv.”
“Zlyb,” Mydt Zydikw alrzkle.
Nkw Wldtuw zssjle yv vbl nssz-zssjkdt nasppcso yde yaaso kd bkp byde. “Gal usw nsxqsavyczl wpkdt vbkp vbkdt?”
“Rv’p yzaktbv. Tyhld’v wple kv kd ulyap, ps R dlle vs tlv wple vs kv ytykd.”
Nkw Wldtuw oyp wpwyzzu tsse okvb osaep, cwv yv vbkp xsxldv, bl eked’v jdso obyv vs pyu dlmv.
Mydt Zydikw pvsse pkzldvzu qsa y xsxldv, tygkdt yv Nkw Wldtuw, yde pyke, “Zswa ryaldvp okzz elqkdkvlzu nsxl cynj pyqlzu. Psd’v osaau.”
Unexpectedly, Liu Fengyu looked up and smiled, “Even Hero Tang knows how to console people.”
Tang Yanqiu looked somewhat uncomfortable.
“Did you watch this morning’s video?” Liu Fengyu asked.
Tang Yanqiu nodded.
Liu Fengyu raised his head, took a deep breath, and said, “You know, at first, I didn’t even recognize them as my parents. My family has always been well-off, and my father was always in high spirits. My mother, at fifty-something years old, looked like she was in her thirties, very beautiful. But when I looked at the two people in the surveillance footage, they were completely… like a couple in their sixties, worn-out and aged.”
As Tang Yanqiu saw the reddened rims of Liu Fengyu’s eyes, he felt his heart tighten, and his breathing became heavier.
“I don’t know how much they’ve suffered this year… I deeply regret it. I was always busy with my career, flying around everywhere, rarely spending time at home. When I was in Yunnan, it was my mom’s birthday, but I thought it was too troublesome to go back. If I had gone back then, I could have been with them after the earthquake, and they wouldn’t have suffered so much.” Liu Fengyu’s hand holding the beverage trembled slightly, showing his deep remorse.
Tang Yanqiu watched Liu Fengyu’s distressed expression and also stood uncomfortably. After hesitating for a while, he slowly raised his hand, considering whether he should pat Liu Fengyu’s shoulder, but he couldn’t make up his mind.
However, Liu Fengyu suddenly looked up and grabbed his hand. Tang Yanqiu’s body stiffened, and he became even more fidgety.
He probably had never held Liu Fengyu’s hand before, and he couldn’t imagine how a man’s hand could be so smooth and tender. The hands of the men he had touched were all calloused from long-term martial arts training, none of them like this.
Liu Fengyu squeezed his hand firmly. “Be careful.”
Tang Yanqiu turned his face away and nodded.
Liu Fengyu smiled and said jokingly, “If my parents come back safely, how about I offer myself to you?”
Tang Yanqiu awkwardly pulled his hand back and whispered, “Don’t talk nonsense.”
Liu Fengyu pretended to be nonchalant and chuckled twice, “Alright, continue your practice.” He then walked away leisurely.
Tang Yanqiu glanced at his departing figure, feeling a bit strange. He lifted the crossbow, aimed at the target, and this time, the arrow hit the bullseye perfectly!
Abu’s nest was moved to the courtyard of the Third District’s Experimental Building. It was heavily guarded with 24-hour surveillance, and it was also very close to them. They could see Abu through the windows of their rooms. Abu was very satisfied with this new place. However, many researchers had trouble getting used to it at first because whenever they walked out of the building, Abu would extend its huge head, curiously looking at them, often frightening them to death.
Abu’s food was no longer supplied by Jiujian Prefecture because they were worried about accidents on the road. Now, its food was bought with money from Cong Xia and the others. It was always fresh seafood, and every meal had to pass two inspections. Money was something they were never lacking.
They, the humans, were easy to deal with since they all had their defense capabilities and lived in the Academy of Sciences, which was very safe. If Xu Ying wanted to seek revenge, the best target would be Abu, and they would absolutely not allow anything to happen to Abu.
At 2 o’clock in the morning, Cong Zhenzhong brought all the information, including Xu Hang’s location and the details of several high-level mutant bodyguards around him.
After reviewing the materials, Cheng Tianbi and Tang Yanqiu had a clear understanding. Each of them armed themselves, and Deng Xiao also changed into special clothing, quietly left the academy.
Once they left, the others couldn’t sleep either. They anxiously waited in the meeting room.
After a moment of silence, Cong Xia suddenly said, “Fengyu, are you about to reach the critical point of Second Stage?”
Liu Fengyu scratched his head. “Yes, after returning from Xi’an, I planned to focus on this matter. But now…”
Zhuang Yao added, “If you are approaching the Second Stage, Tang Yanqiu should be close as well. Although he started a few months later than you, he has been diligently cultivating. Breaking through the critical point of Second Stage is a major event. Until both of you successfully reach the Second Stage, we should not go anywhere and avoid any risky situations like the one we encountered with Cheng Tianbi.”
Cong Xia nodded, “I wonder what obvious changes will occur after you and Tang Yanqiu break through to the Second Stage.”
Liu Fengyu clenched his fist, “Definitely more powerful strength.”
Zhuang Yao rolled his eyes, “And definitely a stronger stench.”
Liu Fengyu playfully tapped his head, “You’re asking for a beating.”
Cong Xia laughed, “My progress isn’t fast either. I’ve only completed about 80%. And Zhuang Yao, what about you?”
“I’m even slower, probably only at around 60-70%. I have too many things to take care of,” Zhuang Yao replied.
Indeed, Zhuang Yao was the slowest among them. Even the last one to join, the always lazy Deng Xiao, was probably catching up with him. Zhuang Yao’s energy was mostly dedicated to scientific research, leaving him less time for cultivation.
Cong Xia said, “I think you should allocate more time for cultivation. Breaking through to Second Stage as an evolved human with a cerebral domain will certainly make you more impressive. At least you can surpass Zhuang Yu in this regard.”
Zhuang Yao snorted coldly, “Even if I don’t break through to the Second Stage, I won’t lose to him.”
The three of them chatted for a while, and then they each closed their eyes and started cultivating. Time passed minute by minute, and only this method could calm their hearts.
Three hours later, when Cheng Tianbi and the others returned, it was the darkest moment before dawn. Cong Zhenzhong’s people brought them back through the underground passage into the scientific academy’s interior, just like when they left, without attracting anyone’s attention.
Cong Zhenzhong discreetly led the three of them into the meeting room, where the other three people who were waiting anxiously stood up, looking somewhat nervous.
The three of them had suffered some minor injuries and had blood stains on their bodies, but they seemed to be fine. Deng Xiao plopped down on a chair and gestured with a victorious hand sign, laughing smugly.
Cong Xia and Zhuang Yao both breathed a sigh of relief.
Liu Fengyu urged, “Quickly, tell us the details.”
Cheng Tianbi said expressionlessly, “We infiltrated Xu Hang’s residence, killed his two bodyguards, and used a tranquilizer to incapacitate him. By this time, the night shift personnel should have discovered that Xu Hang is missing a leg and a hand.”
Deng Xiao sighed in relief, “Brother Cheng, you were too ruthless. If that old fox Xu Ying doesn’t come begging us, even if his son survives, he’ll be a cripple for the rest of his life. I doubt they’ll have the guts to trouble Fengyu’s parents again.”
Zhuang Yao sneered, “Very well, we’ve given Xu Ying enough material to think twice before causing trouble. He should first consider how many lives his son has.”
Cong Zhenzhong said, “Go back, freshen up, and rest for a bit. Hand your bloodstained clothes to my assistant. It won’t be long before Xu Ying shows up at our doorstep. Stay alert.”
Cong Xia said, “Uncle, you haven’t slept all night either. You should also take a rest.”
Cong Zhenzhong shook his head, “I need to double-check that their tracks are flawless. Don’t worry, go on.”
No one was in the mood to sleep. The three of them went back to wash up, but Liu Fengyu couldn’t find peace. He sat restlessly in the meeting room, and the others kept him company until dawn.
Around 6 in the morning, Xiao Wang brought their breakfast to the meeting room. By this time, Cheng Tianbi had changed into clean clothes, looking composed as he sat at the table to eat.
Zhuang Yao asked, “Did you find anything significant during the mission?”
Cheng Tianbi replied, “Yes, Xu Ying had a regressive member of the coelom class under his command. Its limbs can regenerate infinitely. If it hadn’t delayed us, we would have returned much earlier.”
Zhuang Yao raised an eyebrow, “Oh? Mammals, birds, and amphibians and reptiles are the most common regressive directions. This is the first time I’ve heard of a regressive coelom class member. Did you kill it?”
“No, it’s not easy to kill.”
“Well, it’s quite rare. Keeping it alive is interesting,” he sounded curious, making everyone uncomfortable.
Cong Xia said, “It seems that Xu Ying is not all that formidable. His son’s residence was infiltrated so easily.”
Tang Yanqiu shook his head, “It’s not that his residence is easy to infiltrate, but Tianbi’s ability is too powerful.”
Zhuang Yao asked, “What do you mean?”
Cheng Tianbi explained, “Now, I can elementalize all four of my limbs, which means my limbs can enter any space with gaps. This ability is well-suited for sneak attacks and stealth.”
Zhuang Yao’s eyes widened with excitement, “At this rate, when you break through to the third stage, your entire body will be able to elementalize, and then you’ll be able to merge with the wind.”
Cong Xia exclaimed, “That’s incredible.”
Tang Yanqiu looked at his own hand, “I wonder what changes I’ll undergo after breaking through to the second stage.”
Zhuang Yao told him about the discussion they had earlier regarding him and Liu Fengyu reaching the second stage. Considering Cheng Tianbi’s obvious power increase after reaching the second stage, they now placed the breakthrough of Tang Yanqiu and Liu Fengyu in a more crucial position.
After a while, the phone in the meeting room rang. Cong Xia picked up the call, and it was Cong Zhenzhong. He informed them that Xu Ying, Zhuang Yu, and Zhou Fenglan had personally come to the third district, and they had brought many people with them.
After hanging up the phone, Cong Xia clenched his fists, “They’ve come, let’s go downstairs now.”
Deng Xiao grinned, “Let this grandmaster entertain those little brats.”
The six of them left the meeting room and took the elevator downstairs.
The elevator doors opened to the reception hall of the third district, and as soon as they stepped out, they felt powerful energy fluctuations coming toward them.
Everyone became alert. In Beijing, they rarely felt such strong energy fluctuations due to the shielding devices used by high-level evolved individuals to conceal their killing intent. But this time, it was evident that the shielding devices were taken down deliberately, and the energy was meant as a show of force towards them.
Sure enough, not far from the elevator, Xu Ying, Zhuang Yu, and Zhou Fenglan appeared in the lobby with a dozen or so high-level evolved individuals. Cong Zhenzhong stood alone in front of them, and his aura seemed to have weakened considerably. Nevertheless, he remained calm and composed, pushing up his glasses, appearing sophisticated as always.
As they walked over, they noticed that Cong Zhenzhong’s assistant and the guards of the third district were all stationed far away, their expressions tense and vigilant, a stark contrast to Cong Zhenzhong’s composed demeanor.
Upon seeing them, Xu Ying’s expression turned ferocious. This small-statured general had a serious face and an extremely imposing aura, making people feel pressured in his presence. Despite being an ordinary human, he could instill fear with just a single glance. He was a true iron-blooded military figure, cold and ruthless in his rise to power.
Cong Zhenzhong said, “Commander Xu, they have arrived. This person here is my nephew, Cong Xia.”
Xu Ying’s eagle-like eyes swept over Cong Xia. He felt a bit nervous for no reason. If he had to face Xu Ying alone, he might not be able to handle it. This man’s aura was too overwhelming.
Xu Ying spoke loudly, “Around three o’clock this morning, my son was attacked by thugs and seriously injured. Some eyewitnesses identified a few of you as the culprits. Do you dare to admit it?”
Cheng Tianbi coldly replied, “Commander Xu, we didn’t do it, and we cannot admit to something we didn’t do.”
Zhou Fenglan was furious and cursed, “It must be you bastards!”
Xu Ying’s voice turned icy, “Then why did someone recognize you?”
Zhuang Yao sarcastically remarked, “Perhaps their eyesight isn’t very good.”
Xu Ying narrowed his eyes, and his fists clenched audibly.
Zhuang Yu said, “We will find out who injured Xu Gongzi sooner or later. We came here to take Mr. Cong Xia with us to heal Xu Gongzi.”
Cong Xia tried to remain calm and said, “Is Xu Gongzi an ordinary person? I have never treated ordinary people before, nor do I have any confidence. Moreover, we have been running around lately to gather the ransom for Chairman Zhou, which has consumed a lot of energy. Let me rest for a few days and figure out the method to heal ordinary people before deciding.”
Of course, Cong Xia had treated ordinary people before, and it required much less energy than treating evolved individuals, as ordinary people also had the five elements’ energy in their bodies. Evolved individuals were simply cases where one type of energy was a hundred or a thousand times more abundant than the others. However, he wouldn’t leave without seeing Liu Fengyu’s parents.
Xu Ying narrowed his eyes, “I want you to go right now.”
Cheng Tianbi retorted, “Then have Fenglan release our companions’ parents first, otherwise, there’s no deal.”
Zhou Fenglan angrily said, “You set this up deliberately. Do you believe I’ll kill those two and feed them to the dogs?”
Cheng Tianbi stared at him coldly, “You can try, but I’ll make sure the entire Fenglan Society accompanies you in death.”
Zhou Fenglan was defiant, “I’ll make you go down to accompany them first.”
Zhuang Yu said coldly, “Enough, Fenglan, stop talking. The commander has his own decisions.”
Xu Ying looked at Cheng Tianbi and gave a sinister smile, “Not bad, indeed Cao Zhixian’s son. You bear some resemblance, but it’s a pity that the Cao line will end with your generation.”
Cheng Tianbi said casually, “If your young master can’t be healed, then the Xu line will end with your generation.”
Xu Ying was furious, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins, as if he might pounce at Cheng Tianbi and bite him to death any moment.
Cong Zhenzhong signaled to the guards, instructing them to be ready at any moment.
Xu Ying pointed at Cong Xia and said, each word deliberate, “This person must go with me today.”
Deng Xiao shouted, “You release the hostages first!”
Both sides were deadlocked.
The mutated people behind Xu Ying were restless, and Zhou Fenglan’s hands were clenched into fists, causing sparks of lightning energy to crackle, making everyone nervous.
Just as tensions were escalating, a strong and dignified voice sounded from behind them, “Old Xu, why did you come to the Third District so early in the morning, and with such a temper? What’s the meaning of this?”
Everyone turned around to see Cao Zhixian walking in with a group of people. Behind him were Tang Tingzhi, Shen Changze, and others, and their momentum was not inferior to Xu Ying’s.
Xu Ying clenched his fists, feigning a smile, “Cao, old friend, aren’t you up early too?”
“I heard my son had some misunderstandings with you. I came to take a look, don’t spoil the mood. It’s not worth it.”
Xu Ying said, “My son was injured by thugs last night. He needs this young man to treat him, but they are not cooperating. Can you help persuade them?”
Cao Zhixian looked at them and smiled, “Is that so?”
Liu Fengyu said, “Members of the Fenglan Society have captured my parents, and you come here demanding Cong Xia to heal your son. Tell Zhou Fenglan to release them.”
Deng Xiao shouted, “Release them!”
Cao Zhixian said, “Is that so? Isn’t this a perfect solution? You release the hostages, and they will treat your son. Win-win, isn’t it?”
Xu Ying’s face darkened, clearly infuriated. They had underestimated the abilities of these people. Who would have expected that they could silently injure someone amidst a tight encirclement? Even Zhou Fenglan, Yao Qianjiang, and Li Dao’ai might not have this level of skill.
Zhuang Yu smiled lightly, “Commander, then let the hostages go, so that Xu Gongzi can receive treatment sooner.”
He glanced at Zhuang Yao, his eyes carrying a snake-like chill.
Xu Ying said, “Fine, come with me now, and we will release the hostages.”
Xu Ying agreed to compromise. After all, his son’s condition couldn’t be ignored. In this rapidly evolving era of mutant bacteria, Xu Hang’s wound had already started to become infected and ulcerated.
He sent people to fetch the hostages, and Cong Zhenzhong prepared a treatment room for them at the science academy.
At the door, Liu Fengyu anxiously waited for them, his eyes filled with worry.
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