RIACMET chapter 158

 

Liao Yu and the others didn’t understand why Jiang Nian was so excited all of a sudden, so Zhou Li explained Chu Yi’s dual-element superpower.

After hearing this, several people gave a big thumbs-up, jealousy gleaming in their eyes. So this was what it meant to be “one versus a hundred”? Now this was living!

Minister Wang casually waved his hand:

“You’re welcome. We’re also trying to deal with some annoying problems. Otherwise, the entanglement with S Base would’ve been endless.”

He raised his hand to check the time on his watch and gave instructions.

“Jiang Nian, stay here and wait for Chu Yi. Zhou Li, assemble the team. Li Sheng, take the others and choose some weapons. Meet up and leave at 3 p.m.”

“Yes.”

Li Sheng immediately left with the others. Before he left, Liao Yu gave Jiang Nian a long look. Jiang Nian smiled back, offering a reassuring glance.

Soon, the once-busy office quieted down.

Left alone with the big boss for the first time, Jiang Nian sensibly asked,

“Minister Wang, is there something you wanted to say to me?”

Last time, it was Brother Jing. Now it was his turn.

Minister Wang smiled.

“Are all young people these days this sharp?”

Jiang Nian grinned.

“No, maybe I’m just sly.”

Minister Wang smiled, too, but nodded seriously.

“In this world, being a little sly is a good thing, especially for someone like you.”

Catching the deeper meaning in his words, Jiang Nian sat up straight, placed his hands on his knees, and said,

“Minister, I’ll be honest. I’m very nervous right now. Please don’t beat around the bush. Just say what you want to say.”

He liked to play it serious when needed. But if he danced around it too much, he’d be dragged straight into some sly fox’s trap.

“…”

Minister Wang stared at him. For a moment, he was reminded of his last heartfelt conversation with Cheng Jing. These two really were a perfect match.

So he dropped all pretense and asked directly:

“All right, then. I’ll get to the point. Is your purification ability effective against the zombie virus? Have you tested it?”

“…”

The obedient, smiling expression on Jiang Nian’s face froze, and he gradually went quiet. He had to admit, this leader knew how to strike where it hurt. Dropping a bomb like that without warning!

Between denial and admission, Jiang Nian chose silence. After all, denying it would be meaningless since the leader had asked this question.

Minister Wang wasn’t angry or pushy. He explained,

“Don’t be nervous. I haven’t made any official announcement about your superpower. It’s just a guess based on your purification ability. After all, it can purify soil, and the land is contaminated by the apocalypse virus.”

The rise of superpowers was humanity’s way of adapting to and resisting the apocalypse virus. Out of curiosity alone, you would have tried using it on zombies. That’s only logical.”

“…”

Jiang Nian couldn’t refute that. It was a very logical guess. After thinking it through, he asked,

“If I admit it, what are the chances I’ll end up tied to a lab table?”

Why did this have to happen when Brother Jing wasn’t here?

He suddenly felt like cannon fodder in a TV drama, getting into trouble the moment the male lead went offscreen.

“What nonsense are you spouting, kid? Do you think I’m the head of Unit 731[mfn]Unit 731 was a secret military unit of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. It was notorious for conducting horrific human experiments, such as biological and chemical warfare testing. – Vivisection (dissection of living people). – Freezing and dehydration experiments. – Deliberate infection with deadly diseases[/mfn]?”

Minister Wang scolded him, then said firmly:

“The demand for a detox serum is huge. Even if your purification ability works, squeezing you dry would only be a drop in the ocean. Your ability might work on zombies, but you’re a hope, not the final answer. You’re not to be used recklessly.”

“However, if possible, I hope you’ll assist with this matter to the best of your ability and help guide professionals to find a real answer from the first spark of hope.”

The military has always symbolized national order. He’d reiterated his stance numerous times, yet this poor child still didn’t trust him.

Judging by Jiang Nian’s obvious fear and tension, his fear seemed genuine. Could he have once turned to the authorities for help when he was abused, only to be ignored?

“…”

Jiang Nian didn’t know why, but he felt defensive after hearing all that. What he’d heard most often in his previous life was:

—’You have this power—no matter where you go, it’ll be the same. Once it’s exposed, you’ll be a test subject for sure.’

‘Purification is humanity’s hope against the virus, but hope must be sacrificed.’

“… ”

Seeing him lower his head, his eyes slightly red and his shoulders weighed down by pain and exhaustion, Minister Wang didn’t press the topic further. He stood up, walked over, and stood behind Jiang Nian. He patted his shoulder.

Remembering that this boy was still a college student who hadn’t graduated and that it was normal to be afraid of becoming a lab rat, Minister Wang said in a gentle tone, like an elder:

“The detox serum will be developed. It’s only a matter of time. We must believe in science and not believe that sacrificing someone can end the apocalypse. Reality isn’t like a movie.”

“But reality can be even crueler sometimes. I’ve heard some labs have already started conducting human experiments.”

Jiang Nian tried his best to pull himself together. His voice was still a little hoarse. His past life had taught him to view the apocalypse through the lens of horror.

Minister Wang didn’t deny it.

“There are many unknowns. Even in the normal world, illegal organ trafficking exists. Human experiments during the apocalypse are a twisted development, but that doesn’t make them right or normal. At Nancheng Base, no research will ever harm ordinary people.”

“…”

Jiang Nian met his steady gaze, then stood up and bowed deeply.

“I understand. Thank you for your explanation.”

He didn’t directly acknowledge his superpower. He needed to wait until his power range officially reached 500 meters to confirm its final form.

Nevertheless, Minister Wang had gotten the answer he wanted. As for whether Jiang Nian would cooperate, Minister Wang believed he would make a rational decision.

With that, the topic was put to rest with mutual understanding. While Jiang Nian was still trying to calm down—Chu Yi returned with Zhou Li.

He was now dressed in a sharp black combat uniform, looking completely different from the guy in a suit and tie he had been. His hair was cut short, and he had a fierce aura. If Jiang Nian had to describe it, this was definitely the vibe of a true expert.

Chu Yi was used to his startled expression by now and greeted him politely.

Since they would be working together, a quick introduction was in order.

After spreading out a map and explaining the general layout of the mission, Minister Wang simply told Chu Yi to follow Jiang Nian’s lead and said nothing more.

Once everything was clear, Minister Wang handed Chu Yi a full set of field gear and told him to put it on in the office bathroom.

Jiang Nian didn’t hesitate and finished adjusting it just in time.

Zhou Li then sent them off, leaving with Jiang Nian first.

Chu Yi stayed behind to listen to Minister Wang’s final instructions:

“Your task is to protect Jiang Nian and follow his orders. Handle any other superpowered individuals, but stay out of his family matters.”

“Understood.”

Chu Yi replied, then left the office.

The team departed right on schedule at 3 p.m., with Chu Yi driving a seven-seater military jeep.

Jiang Nian sat in the front passenger seat and could feel Chu Yi’s defensive abilities at work at all times. Everyone in the vehicle was within range and felt completely safe.

They were expected to reach their destination by sunset following the route.

Less than an hour into the trip, Chen Shanmin called again, but Jiang Nian hung up right away. After all, they didn’t have any hostages, and the family wouldn’t do anything rash before he showed up, so he let them worry.

He pulled out some snacks and passed them around, placing a few within easy reach of Chu Yi.

“Thank you.”

Chu Yi said politely and began eating without hesitation.

Because of his job and the environment he worked in, chances to eat snacks were rare—almost nonexistent.

Jiang Nian smiled and waved it off. Then, he took the opportunity to ask,

“Brother Chu, um…how many people are you bringing for this?”

Even though it was called a superpowered rescue team, he still wanted to know the specifics.

Chu Yi chewed on some jerky and answered:

“One regiment. Just twenty superpowers.”

Jiang Nian: “…”