RIACMET chapter 163

 

The merciless threat left Chen Shanmin too scared to say another word.

Even Chen Xiuling, who had been screaming nonstop earlier, fell silent out of fear—afraid that her stepson might actually shoot her husband. She clung to her daughter, sobbing as she tried to stop the bleeding and treat the wound.

She was full of fear and hatred, but what she truly couldn’t understand was why Jiang Nian had suddenly gone mad. He clearly hadn’t been like this before. Chen Shanmin had told her that he could be controlled.

She tried appealing to the people around her for help, but no one looked her way. Even Li Shuhui, who always seemed softhearted, stared back coldly.

Jiang Nian’s teammates simply watched the chaotic “family reunion” unfold with cold detachment.

Chu Yi was just following orders. Minister Wang had instructed him beforehand, so when Jiang Nian fired the first shot, Chu Yi immediately mobilized 300 troops based on the real-time situation.

Soldiers armed with live ammunition now entered through the church gates, and the advance team was already stationed around the perimeter. The helicopter was under control, and all exits were blocked off.

The twenty superpowered individuals who had been scattered regrouped with the main force and entered the church under Chu Yi’s command.

Liao Yu and the others were firmly on Jiang Nian’s side. They already knew from Cheng Jing how Jiang Nian had been tormented by this family and how they had nearly cost him his life.

People shouldn’t preach forgiveness to others when they’ve never suffered the same pain. Facing a family that was still scheming against Jiang Nian and his whole team, whether from personal or collective interest, these selfish people deserved what was coming to them.

Everyone knew what kind of person Jiang Nian was. If he wanted someone dead, that person probably deserved it.

When they saw Chu Yi unleash the full force of the army, Xiao Liu and his crew were completely overpowered.

They thought they were setting a trap to capture one person, but the other side came prepared with overwhelming firepower. The difference in scale was ridiculous.

What good was their power-nullifying shield underground? The other side brought an entire army.

A small trap meant nothing against bullets and artillery.

“… ”

Chen Shanmin’s lips trembled, but he ultimately remained silent.

In the past, he would have shouted and lectured Jiang Nian like a proper father. But the truth was, their relationship had shattered during their last argument before the apocalypse. If not for Xia Weiwei’s plan, the S Base’s agenda, and Chen Yue’s condition, they wouldn’t be speaking now.

The Jiang Nian who was pointing a gun at him now was nothing like the son he remembered. His once gentle face was now filled with cold, bone-deep hatred and a murderous aura; he looked as if he were facing his worst enemy.

Suddenly, Chen Shanmin recalled Chen Yue’s strange behavior, and a chill ran down his spine.

Could Jiang Nian’s behavior be related to something Chen Yue said?

Or did he already know everything from the beginning?

“Heh.”

Jiang Nian clearly read his thoughts and sneered.

“What kind of offer did Xia Weiwei give you to make you go through all this trouble to trap me here?”

Chen Shanmin quickly shook his head.

“No, it really was Xiao Yue. He’s infected and wants to see you.”

Jiang Nian didn’t let him finish.

“Chen Yue’s infection is a separate issue. I’m asking about the deal Xia Weiwei and the S Base made with you. Lie again, and your daughter’s other leg will be the price.”

Chen Yue had only recently been infected. However, Xia Weiwei and the S Base had set their trap long ago, so don’t try to mix things up.

“You’re insane…”

“Chen Shanmin, tell him! Just tell him already!” Chen Xiuling cried out, her voice shrill, still hugging her daughter tightly.

“3… 2…”

Jiang Nian ignored her and stared coldly at Chen Shanmin.

The truth about Chen Yue could be addressed later. However, everyone here had the right to know about the offer made by Xia Weiwei and S Base.

“…”

Chen Shanmin took a few deep breaths, looked toward the church, and then looked at the people around him. Finally, he sighed and began.

“S Base is targeting brain-evolved mutants. The team in charge of that group is related to Cheng Jing. You’re Cheng Jing’s boyfriend, and he treats you incredibly well. If you go to S Base, Cheng Jing and the brain-evolved mutants will follow.”

He paused for a moment. Seeing that Jiang Nian wasn’t angry, he continued.

“Originally, Weiwei said that if you came with us to S Base, our family could enter the central zone and enjoy the best resources. But if you refused, we’d only be allowed to live in the inner zone.”

“Then Xiao Yue got infected. Weiwei and Professor Xia said that if she made it to S Base, they could use the latest anti-virus agent to slow down the infection. But if you didn’t come with us, we wouldn’t be allowed in.”

“…”

Jiang Nian had expected as much. Still, hearing it laid out so plainly made his blood boil. Liao Yu and Li Liang clenched their fists tightly.

Uncle Li, a fellow father, gritted his teeth, clearly holding himself back from punching the man in the face.

But Jiang Nian kept his cool.

“So basically, if I’m not your bargaining chip, you all get left behind by S Base.”

In other words, he was just a tool.

“…”

Chen Shanmin gave a stiff nod. He glanced at Xiao Liu and Da Jun, then took a step forward and aimed the pistol at Jiang Nian. He whispered,

“Just like I said over the phone, Xiao Yue wants to see you. He said that without your power, there’s no point in going to S Base. If the family could be together, there’d be no need to go at all.”

He softened his tone, as if trying to reason with a child:

“I know you’re angry with me. I was wrong; you have every right to be upset. But we’re still family. We were hoping you could take us back to Nancheng Base with you…”

Chen Yue awoke from her coma unnaturally, claiming to have “dreamed” of the future.

He said that Xia Weiwei and her daughter were lying and that the new drug at S Base was ineffective against the zombie virus. It was just an excuse to run human trials. He said that only Jiang Nian’s power could combat the virus.

Only his family knew about those words, which came from Chen Yue. At first, he didn’t believe him, but after confirming that Jiang Nian’s powers were unique, he began to reconsider.

Besides, Jiang Nian seemed to be doing pretty well after the apocalypse. He had a capable team and was clearly respected at Nancheng Base. So why keep relying on Xia Weiwei?

Xia Weiwei had stationed her people—Xiao Liu and the armed soldiers—in the basement church. The situation had to be reported before anything could be done. What he hadn’t expected was for Jiang Nian to just start shooting.

Either way, they had to get through this moment first. He regretted what happened to Linlin but believed her broken hand could be healed. There were rumors that brain-evolved mutants and healers were working together. As long as she made it to S Base with Jiang Nian, she’d be fine.

“…”

After experiencing what he did in his last life and hearing his “father” try to convince him to cooperate again, Jiang Nian almost laughed in rage. They were trying every possible route, hoping that if one failed, another might work.

Did Chen Yue have memories from the past life and assume he didn’t? What a joke.

He could practically hear Chen Shanmin’s mental abacus clicking. All right then—let’s play this game to the end.

After a moment of thought, he said coldly,

“Call Xia Weiwei now. Use whatever method you want, but trick her into coming here. I know S Base has no shortage of aircraft.”

Revenge had to be served thoroughly. If Xia Weiwei escaped this time, who knew what she might do in the future?

Jiang Nian could only feel at ease after seeing his enemies dead with his own eyes.