Chapter 190

Chapter 190

As Feng Chen's psychic barrier resonated with impacts, Lin Fen patted his shoulder, "Get up first."

Bi Nunu followed behind the Black Lion, passing through the gap. Lin Fen's gaze paused upon seeing Bi Nunu, then he brought the lantern closer for a better look.

Bi Nunu glared back fiercely, baring its teeth and raising its claw in front of Lin Fen's eyes, swiftly extending its claws.

Lin Fen was unfazed by the threat, even examining the leaves on its head before putting down the lantern, "Very beautiful."

The growling sound from Bi Nunu ceased, yet it still waved its claw in front of Lin Fen before retracting it and continuing to climb upwards.

Lin Fen fired a volley of bullets downwards, covering the open section of the electric net, then grabbed the rope with the lantern in hand. As he left the net, he pressed the controller in his hand, and the net buzzed with electricity.

The membrane layer above also opened a gap. After everyone and the quantum beast passed through, Lin Fen sealed the membrane layer again, "It's safe up here; you can remove the psychic barrier now."

A path had been carved into this segment of the cliff, extending upwards in a zigzag pattern. Although steep and narrow, Yan Bubu was finally able to stand on solid ground. His arms trembled non-stop from the prolonged climb, prompting Feng Chen to ask, "How are you feeling? Do you want to rest on these stone steps before we continue?"

Yan Bubu was about to agree but changed his mind upon seeing Lin Fen below, "I can keep going, I'm fine."

Feng Chen looked at his retreating figure with surprise, then glanced back at Lin Fen, his lips curving almost imperceptibly.

About ten minutes later, the group finally reached the mountain top.

The summit was unlike what Yan Bubu had imagined; instead of being cone-shaped, it was surprisingly flat.

They were greeted by a forest with lush trees, a path extending into it. The low trees on either side were trimmed into spherical shapes, and street lamps hung at intervals.

Yan Bubu felt as if he wasn't on a mountain top but had returned to the Sentinel Academy, seeing the small garden in front of his house.

In fact, the small garden at Sentinel Academy couldn't compare to this place, lacking such tall and lush trees.

"Wow..." Yan Bubu exclaimed in amazement. Feng Chen also stopped in his tracks, with Bi Nunu and Sasa Ka widening their eyes.

Lin Fen walked past them, a vulture perched on his shoulder, asking, "I tidied up this forest. How do you like the arrangement?"

Yan Bubu hurriedly nodded, "It's beautiful, really beautiful."

"Good taste," Lin Fen, without looking back, tossed something over his shoulder. Yan Bubu quickly caught it, finding it to be a strip of jerky.

After biting off a small piece, Yan Bubu said to Feng Chen with a hint of surprise, "Salt, it's salty!" Then he fed the remaining half to Feng Chen, urging, "Try it, it's salty!"

He and Feng Chen had lived in the Mimosa Gorge for so many days without tasting salt once. Now, the saltiness of the jerky made it taste incredibly good.

Lin Fen stopped, turned around, and frowned, "What kind of days have you been living? You haven't even tasted salt?"

Feng Chen, chewing on the jerky, briefly replied, "Fell off a cliff, took a few days to heal."

Lin Fen tilted his head, pondering, then nodded in understanding, "Got it."

Yan Bubu, worried about Yu Yuan, asked, "General Lin, how is Uncle Colonel Yu?"

Lin Fen replied naturally, "He's been sick lately, not in good health, resting at home."

"Oh, is it serious?" Yan Bubu immediately inquired.

Lin Fen responded, "It's nothing, just a cold. He was just sound asleep, you'll see him when he wakes up later."

Feng Chen looked at the robust trees on either side and the glimpse of stone tables and chairs among the woods, asking, "Are these trees mutated species? Is it safe to rest here?"

Lin Fen extinguished the lantern in his hand and replied lightly, "What does it matter if they're mutated? Once subdued, they obey."

Bi Nunu, initially on guard while observing the forest, seemed shocked to hear Lin Fen's words, as if the statement was beyond its understanding, yet somewhat thoughtful.

Yan Bubu looked at the spherical-shaped trees lining their path, "Just you and Uncle Colonel Yu living here, and you keep it so well-maintained?"

"I dislike disorder, whether it's soldiers or mutants. Under my command, they must follow rules," Lin Fen replied.

Bi Nunu slightly opened its mouth, then tugged at Sasa Ka's mane, silently exclaiming to it.

Feng Chen led Yan Bubu, following behind Lin Fen, out of the forest to a field of crops.

Yan Bubu, looking at the well-grown eggplants and soybeans, quietly asked Feng Chen, "Brother, are these crops mutated too?"

Feng Chen glanced at him, pointing upwards, "Those are high-pressure sodium lamps." He chuckled softly, "Mutated crops..."

Yan Bubu muttered unhappily, "The lights aren't on, I didn't see them just now."

"Do these crops look like mutated species to you?"

Yan Bubu was about to wrap his arm around Feng Chen's in a playful gesture, but noticing the vulture on Lin Fen's shoulder intently watching them, he quickly straightened up and walked forward without glancing sideways.

The vegetable garden wasn't large. Beyond it lay another forest, with a winding corridor built through it. Yan Bubu was surprised to find that the corridor was well-constructed and made of some special material.

"I didn't build it; I don't have such ability," Lin Fen, always ahead, explained as if he had eyes in the back of his head, "This used to be Anbu Jia's research institute. All the buildings, including the generator and some basic facilities, were constructed by them."

"So it was Anbu Jia's research institute! But where are they now? How come you and Colonel Yu live here now?" Yan Bubu asked.

"This way," Lin Fen turned off the corridor onto a gravel path, "How the institute became mine, you ask? Simple, I killed all the people from Anbu Jia."

Bi Nunu, leading Sasa Ka by the mane and looking around, was slightly shocked by Lin Fen's words, then stared intensely at his back for several moments.

At the end of the gravel road stood a gray, sturdy building, looking like a fortress.

"Here we are, home," Lin Fen pointed at the fortress.

Upon entering, they found a large hall, empty and seemingly the former reception area of the research institute. Lin Fen led them through the hall into a suite behind, which showed signs of habitation.

The living room wasn't large, furnished with a sofa and chairs, all arranged simply, fitting Lin Fen's style.

"Make yourself comfortable on the sofa."

Lin Fen took off his wide-brimmed hat and hung it on a coat rack by the door, revealing hair flecked with numerous silver strands.

Yan Bubu looked at his hair, feeling somewhat surprised.

He was only in his forties, in the prime of life, and yet his hair was already half white. It seemed that, despite the apparent tranquility of the mountain, these years had been tough for them.

After hanging his hat, Lin Fen turned and caught Yan Bubu's gaze, asking, "What is it?"

"Nothing, just noticed your hair..." Yan Bubu pointed at his head.

Lin Fen touched his hair, realizing, "Surprised to see my hair turned white?"

In the well-lit room, Yan Bubu noticed not just the white in his hair, but also the new wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. Yet, with his deep-set eyes and strong facial features, the wrinkles and white hair didn't detract from his handsomeness, but rather added a mature charm.

"Not surprised... well, a bit surprised... I mean, it's fine... No, what I meant by fine is actually really good," Yan Bubu stammered out an explanation.

Lin Fen didn't mind Yan Bubu's words, sizing him up and then ruffling his hair, "Not bad, still the same feel, like touching wool. You must keep it this way."

After tousling Yan Bubu's hair, Lin Fen turned to Feng Chen, his eyes gradually showing a trace of emotion. He patted Feng Chen's shoulder, "Good lad, not bad at all, you've grown taller than me."

Feng Chen smiled.

Lin Fen asked, "What's your level?"

"A level."

"A level?" Lin Fen raised an eyebrow, "Is this the result of an official test?"

Feng Chen honestly replied, "I achieved it when we fell off the cliff. Haven't had the chance to test it yet."

Lin Fen's gaze shifted back and forth between him and Yan Bubu, gradually becoming more meaningful.

Yan Bubu hurriedly explained, "Actually, it's because we deeply bonded after falling off the cliff, so it hasn't been tested yet. First, we combined our psychic powers, which greatly increased Brother's level, then I experienced a bonding fever—"

"Cough cough." Feng Chen suddenly covered his mouth and coughed loudly, interrupting Yan Bubu. Yan Bubu, seeing his intense coughing, asked with concern, "Why did you suddenly start coughing?"

A glint of amusement flashed in Lin Fen's eyes. Skipping the previous topic, he continued to ask Yan Bubu, "You probably haven't been tested either. What's your estimated level?"

Yan Bubu thoughtfully replied, "If I had to estimate... probably just a Bright Guide."

"Just a Bright Guide..." Lin Fen nodded and pointed to the sofa, "Don't just stand there, have a seat. I'll go boil some water for tea."

Yan Bubu and Feng Chen sat on the sofa, curiously observing the room. Yan Bubu noticed the closed door opposite them, presumably leading to the bedroom.

Thinking that the sick Yu Yuan might be in that room, he felt a surge of excitement, yet he refrained from directly asking Lin Fen, instead glancing frequently in that direction.

Lin Fen boiled water in an electric kettle on a small table in the corner. Noticing Yan Bubu's glances, he explained, "That's our bedroom, but since Yu Yuan fell ill and didn't want to infect me, he temporarily moved to the upper floor. He's not here right now."

"Oh, I see." Realizing Yu Yuan wasn't in that room, Yan Bubu withdrew his gaze.

While Lin Fen boiled water, Bi Nunu paced nearby, seemingly wandering aimlessly but actually glancing at him and the kettle from time to time.

"Anbu Jia left behind quite a few treasures in this institute, including more tea than we can drink," Lin Fen said as he took out three cups. Noticing Bi Nunu hovering nearby, he asked, "Do you want some?"

Bi Nunu nodded, and Lin Fen fetched another cup from the cabinet. When Bi Nunu gestured towards the Black Lion lying beside the sofa, Lin Fen said, "Alright, I'll make five cups."

Once the water boiled, Lin Fen added it to the cups containing tea leaves. As Yan Bubu was about to help with the cups, he saw Bi Nunu already bringing one over. After placing the cup, it turned to fetch more.

"Thank you," Lin Fen said.

Bi Nunu showed no reaction but clutched its paws excitedly when Lin Fen bent down to put away the tea box.

Yan Bubu had been watching Bi Nunu serve tea with wide eyes and, as it turned to continue, he opened his mouth in astonishment, whispering to Feng Chen, "Did you see that? What's happening with it?"

Feng Chen whispered back, "It has found an idol to worship."

Yan Bubu murmured in disbelief, "...An idol to worship... I was hoping it would confront—"

"Confront who?" Lin Fen asked, without turning his head.

Yan Bubu jumped, "Right, to confront those mutated species."

Lin Fen said nothing more, simply patting Bi Nunu's head as he turned, "Good girl."

Bi Nunu accepted the praise with pleasure, casting a slightly smug glance at Yan Bubu, as if showing off.

Yan Bubu: ...

After Lin Fen sat down on the opposite sofa, Yan Bubu straightened up, sensing the conversation was turning serious. Feng Chen also leaned forward, ready to listen.

Bi Nunu, leaning against the Black Lion, had a cup of tea in front of both of them, sitting quietly.

"I know you have many questions for me. Ask now, and I will tell you everything I know," Lin Fen said, picking up a cup of tea and leaning back on the sofa, gently swirling the froth on top.

The room was quiet, the only sound the gentle clinking of the cup lid. Feng Chen had so many questions for Lin Fen, but they all jumbled up in his throat, leaving him momentarily unable to utter any.

Lin Fen sighed softly, "You want to know what exactly happened back then, why the codebox didn't appear? Why Yu Yuan and I disappeared and hid here?"

Feng Chen replied, "I already know some of it, from Kong Siyin and Red Spider."

"Red Spider?" Lin Fen heard this name for the first time.

Yan Bubu explained, "The Anbu Jia follower who ambushed you and Colonel Yu at the entrance of the underground shelter, knocking you both unconscious."

Lin Fen realized, "So he's called Red Spider. Yes, it was him, with a shuttle red spider quantum beast. Yu Yuan and I fell for the ambush and were taken to Abel's Tear while unconscious."

He then looked at Feng Chen, "Impressive, you even found out who ambushed me. Who gave you the clue? Kong Siyin?"

"Yes, and it was also him who later found out that you were taken from the shelter's exit and discovered the clue about the shuttle red spider," Feng Chen responded.

Lin Fen blew gently on his tea, "Since you've talked with Kong Siyin, you know about the loss of the codebox. Did you find anything odd in that process?"

"Odd?" Feng Chen paused, then after a moment of thought, said, "You were supposed to hand the codebox to Kong Siyin, and there should have been soldiers guarding outside. But when Kong Siyin left the room, there were no soldiers, and someone swapped the box."

Lin Fen nodded in approval, "When Kong Siyin showed me the fake box in the elevator, I knew the swap had to have occurred just after he stepped out of the room."

"So you suspected Chen Sizhe or Ran Pinghao at that time?" Feng Chen asked.

Lin Fen said, "Only they could have left the door unguarded, but I didn't have time to deal with it then. My priority was to block the exit of the underground shelter."

"But the people who ambushed you were from Anbu Jia," Feng Chen's expression grew more solemn, "This implies that the Eastern-Western Alliance's officials were colluding with Anbu Jia to take the codebox."

Lin Fen took a sip of his tea, "Very good, deducing so much from a single detail."

Feng Chen's face showed a hint of embarrassment, "Actually, I hadn't noticed this detail before, nor had I thought in that direction. It was only when you asked me if I found anything odd that it dawned on me."

Lin Fen said, "When I was your age, even if someone had pointed it out, I wouldn't have thought of these things. You've done well. Besides, you must have trusted Chen Sizhe or Ran Pinghao a lot, so even after hearing the whole story from Kong Siyin, you wouldn't think too deeply about it because subconsciously you believed they were not involved."

Feng Chen asked, "What about Kong Siyin? Didn't he know?"

Lin Fen sighed softly, "Kong Siyin seems shrewd, but at heart, he's a scholar, not like people like me. It's better this way. If he had found out Chen Sizhe or Ran Pinghao were indeed involved, he might have disappeared from this world already."

After a moment of silence, Feng Chen asked, "Do you know which official was involved in this?"

Lin Fen didn't answer directly but asked meaningfully, "What do you think?"

Feng Chen replied, "Chen Sizhe."

Lin Fen nodded, "You're right. It was Chen Sizhe who colluded with Anbu Jia, and he was involved in swapping the codebox."

Yan Bubu, who had been listening intently, couldn't help asking, "How can you be sure it was him? Of course, I understand it must be him, since I'm also great at analyzing. Plus, Mr. and Mrs. Feng were detained by him, so he must be a bad person."

"You knew that General Feng and his wife were taken by him?" Lin Fen asked.

Feng Chen quickly caught the implication in Lin Fen's words and pressed, "What do you mean?"

Lin Fen looked at Feng Chen and slowly said, "After Yu Yuan and I were taken to Abel's Tear Institute, we met your parents. It was they who helped us escape."