Chapter 61

Chapter 61

The residences in Zone D were mostly apartment buildings, with plain concrete exteriors, aged and old. Balconies were adorned with clothes stretched and deformed from too many washes, and the white wall paint in corridors and rooms had almost completely peeled off, revealing the underlying cement surface covered in mold.

Navigating through a narrow corridor filled with miscellaneous items, Jie Linyuan used the key to open a yellow wooden door, as indicated by the room information card from the settlement office. The dormitory's furnishings were rudimentary—a bunk bed at the entrance, a wooden table, two folding chairs, and a wardrobe that couldn't close, making up all the furniture.

Before even entering, Wu Yin displayed a look of utter disdain, as if he wished to tiptoe around; Jie Linyuan, seeing the sour, blackened, and hardened bed sheets left by the previous occupants, also couldn't help but frown; only His Highness, unbothered by the modest surroundings, excitedly frolicked in the cramped dormitory.

Wu Yin and Jie Linyuan finally found a clean and comfortable spot in the room, but no sooner had they sat down than Xue Hongyi, with his keen senses, found them. He parked the mutated Golden-winged Bird and the iconic vintage car of the Flying Hong Mercenary Group downstairs, cheerfully bringing his hot-tempered junior, Xia Yangyan, to visit Wu Yin's "new home."

Four men plus a dog made the room so crowded that there was barely space to stand, let alone sit comfortably.

Jie Linyuan immediately "dutifully" offered to borrow chairs from neighbors and fetch some hot water, with Xia Yangyan quickly volunteering to help and dashing out after him.

Wu Yin, sitting on a folding chair, absentmindedly stroked His Highness's back while listening to Xue Hongyi excitedly unravel the truth behind the Old Bark incident.

—"Bark's daughter was indeed an incurable gambler. In Bark's wife's room, he found numerous IOUs hidden in drawer compartments, amounting to millions. Besides the IOUs, there were several sworn statements of quitting gambling, treasured by the wife."

Additionally, Xue Hongyi found a neighbor living in Zone C, who used to live next to the Barks. The neighbor revealed that Old Bark had a violent streak, not purely abusive for pleasure but could be a genuinely warm-hearted man when calm. However, he was quick to anger and inevitably turned violent during arguments. Bark's wife had complained countless times about her husband's temper and her daughter's gambling, but only ever complained, believing they would both change.

Once, the neighbor saw her injuries and called the police, only to be scolded by Bark's wife, accusing her of trying to get her hardworking husband imprisoned out of spite, infuriating the neighbor to the point of no longer intervening in their affairs.

"Old Bark's wife likely did commit suicide in the attic," Xue Hongyi mused, "I think, in such dire times, with her daughter still recklessly gambling and incurring insurmountable debts, and her husband kicking their daughter out despite the danger of contamination roamers, locking her in the attic. With her daughter's death, her long-held beliefs shattered, realizing the unchangeable nature of people, she chose to end her life in despair."

He sighed, "Though there's still no evidence, this is as close to the truth as I could get. Confronting Bark, he didn't deny it, just kept sighing.

Then I spent three days chasing the Golden-winged Bird across mountains, trying to communicate with it. Finally, it understood my intentions and devastated Bark's sunflower fields, wreaked havoc in the storeroom, and even let the horses out of the stable. Early this morning, it came to me with a saddle, its message clear. I was thrilled, barely managing to ride it without trembling!"

After hearing about the recent events, Wu Yin's concern was singular, "What about the payment?"

He brazenly asked, "The payment? Although the Golden-winged Bird dug up the ground and released the horses, it's unlikely to return, fulfilling our task to drive it away. So, the payment?"

Xue Hongyi: "Uh..."

Wu Yin asked cautiously, "He didn't renege on the deal, did he?"

"No, he didn't... But as you heard, Old Bark's storeroom was left in disarray by the Golden-winged Bird," Xue Hongyi scratched his head, "He said it would take at least a week to sort everything out... The only thing left intact was five pounds of sunflower seeds he had prepared earlier, which are in my car."

He laughed heartily, "A week isn't too long to wait, right?"

Wu Yin: "..." No, it's too long, can't wait.

Wu Yin felt like going downstairs to deep-fry the Golden-winged Bird for not receiving the final payment.

Jie Linyuan and the hot-tempered Xia Yangyan took a whole twenty minutes to borrow a chair. If Wu Yin didn't know that borrowing chairs was just a cover for their real spy work, he'd suspect they had brought back a throne.

"Usually, with their slow and hesitant ways, by the time they move the chairs back, guests are almost ready to leave. Strangely enough, today, whether Xue Hongyi is simply too idle or has other intentions, he sits as if glued to the chair in this shabby dormitory, showing no intention of leaving."

"After finishing the story about old Bark, he started talking about what happened on his bird ride home this morning. The enormous mutant bird startled his grandfather, Xue Yue. After his initial surprise, the old marshal scolded him fiercely and even chased him out of the house, bird and all."

"After his father died due to pollution, Xue Hongyi's grandfather's attitude toward him changed drastically, going from loving and doting to strict and indifferent. As time passed, the marshal became increasingly stern in his presence. Xue Hongyi believed this was his grandfather's way of showing concern, hoping he would mature quickly, but he kept disappointing him…"

"As afternoon quietly shifted to evening, Xue Hongyi, dry-mouthed from narrating one family story after another, found his audience mostly distracted. Yet, he stubbornly refused to leave, racking his brain for new topics."

"Wu Yin didn't speak up to urge him to leave, just slightly furrowed his brow, eyes downcast, silently kneading the back of the Prince's neck, lost in thought."

"As the evening darkened and new topics eluded him, Xue Hongyi enthusiastically suggested that everyone go to Area B for the night market, to enjoy some barbecue and a bit of millet wine."

"Jie Lin Yuan finally realized that this clueless, persistent dog had set his mind on not letting them go easily. He sipped his now-cold tea, glanced subtly at Wu Yin, and seeing no reaction from him, spoke up frankly, 'I'm sorry, Captain Xue, but we have plans tonight. Perhaps we should call it a day?'"

"Unexpectedly, despite his blunt words to send him away, Xue Hongyi showed no intention of leaving, replying with a naive smile, 'Oh, come on, what could you possibly have to do at this late hour? I know you’re short on cash; how about I treat you? Tonight's expenses are on me.'"

"'Xue Hongyi,' Wu Yin finally spoke, cool and detached. He lifted his eyes, his green pupils like two cold, translucent jade stones, shimmering moistly."

"He said just that name, and nothing more."

"But it was this simple utterance that made Xue Hongyi slowly lose his carefree smile. He lowered his head, his bangs covering his eyes. After a pause, he waved his hand, 'Lao Xia, go get some water for the little sparrow downstairs; it must be thirsty by now.'"

"Xia Yangyan understood that the captain wanted to talk privately and exchanged a subtle glance with Jie Lin Yuan before quickly exiting the room."

"Before Xia Yangyan's hurried footsteps in the hallway had completely faded, Xue Hongyi sighed and pointed at the door, 'Xia Yangyan is my grandfather’s man, put in my team to watch me. He’s also a go-between for my grandfather and your partner. It seems they have reached some agreement to betray you. It looks like there will be action tonight.'"

"Jie Lin Yuan: '…'"

"His feelings at that moment were akin to seeing a pig that only ate bran suddenly revealing sharp fangs under its chubby skin, confessing it was actually a wild boar capable of killing a tiger."

"Wu Yin felt a slight surprise, but he didn't show it. He casually picked up the teacup, then put it back with a look of disdain due to the indelible stains on the rim, and said lightly, 'Hmm, I know, he confessed to me.'"

"'…I see, that's good,' Xue Hongyi nodded, his gaze shifting to the backpack at the foot of the bed, '…So, you're planning to leave the southern camp tonight, that's why you're in such a rush to get rid of me?'"

"As he spoke, he glanced at the alert mutant two-headed dog standing up from the ground: 'Quite an appetite, thinking of taking His Highness with you even when you can hardly save yourself.'"

“……”

"Wu Yin remained silent, and Jie Lin Yuan naturally maintained his quietude."

After waiting for a while, Xue Hongyi said, "Not speaking? Then I'll take that as an agreement."

He pulled a Beretta pistol from his waist and slapped it onto the table, "Number Fifteen, His Highness is a precious public asset of our Southern Camp. I won't let you take him, and you can't possibly succeed."

Without waiting for Wu Yin's response, he turned his gaze to Jie Lin Yuan not far away, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes: "As for him, the pride of the Northern Camp, a Z-series War God, half-mechanical life form, Z1932, he cannot leave either."

"Regarding his treatment, I agree with my grandfather's idea. Even as a half-mechanical being, there's a fundamental difference from real humans. He needs a new supreme command to restrict his behavior and better serve humanity."

Jie Lin Yuan's veins on the back of his right hand bulged instantly, and his left pupil shifted to targeting lock mode. He wouldn't really make a move; reason would always suppress his anger. Facing numerous instances of degrading language that obliterated his personality, Jie Lin Yuan always acted this way, adept at enduring silently.

But this time, before he could process his anger, a hand suddenly landed on the back of his hand. The warmth from the skin contact and a comforting squeeze came through. Jie Lin Yuan was startled and looked up at Wu Yin's expressionless side profile, holding his hand firmly without any intention of letting go.

This subtle gesture immediately subdued Jie Lin Yuan's rage, like a crystal clear snowflake falling into a volcano on the verge of eruption, gently drifting down, yet willingly extinguishing the magnificent volcano to protect this perfect hexagonal crystal.

Xue Hongyi also noticed their small interaction, which he found particularly annoying. His tone grew much heavier, "We have already contacted the Wolf Smoke Shelter and the research team of the Northern Camp. After explaining the situation, they agreed that if we can capture this escaped test subject alive, Wolf Smoke is willing to transfer the ownership of Z at a relatively favorable price, and the Northern Camp has offered to remake a new control key for us."

"The only one who can leave the Southern Camp tonight," he said with piercing eyes, "Number Fifteen, is you."

Hearing this, Wu Yin, who had been silent all along, suddenly chuckled, "What, I can actually leave? Xue Hongyi, do you realize my value far exceeds that of ten mutant two-headed dogs?"

Xue Hongyi, somewhat nervously, swallowed, "I know. Although grandfather won’t tell me the details, I can guess that your identity must be that of a super-powered individual, of great research value…"

"In fact, I don’t want you to leave either."

"But my power is currently no match for my grandfather's. He's a staunch executor of the principle that public interest outweighs personal interest. If you fall into his hands, you'll certainly be forced to sacrifice for the greater good. I'm not yet capable of protecting you under his control."

"So I'll send you away from the Southern Camp for now, and bring you back when I'm able. In the meantime, my people will place you in a very safe location and protect you."

"Xue Hongyi," Wu Yin interrupted impatiently, his overly indifferent tone like a bucket of ice water, dousing Xue Hongyi's increasingly fervent emotions, "Stop speaking for yourself. Tonight, I, Jie Linyuan, along with His Highness, two men and a dog, will all leave. None of us will stay behind."

Xue Hongyi's eyes showed hurt, seemingly disappointed by Wu Yin's stubbornness and naivety. He sighed, his tone still sincere and patient: "I don't want to hurt you, Fifteen, don't make it hard for me."

Unable to bear it any longer, Jie Linyuan stood up, his left arm transforming into a black assault rifle, its dark body emitting a metallic sheen symbolic of death. After all, the other party not only knew he was a Z-series mechanical god of war but could also recite his specific model number. Keeping secrets had become as futile as a sieve; there was no need for him to continue playing dumb: "Aren't you a bit too confident? Knowing I'm Z1932, what makes you think you can spout such nonsense here?"

Facing Jie Linyuan, Xue Hongyi's gaze was not so friendly, and of course, Jie Linyuan's look towards him was even more openly provocative and fierce.

Xue Hongyi snorted disdainfully, as if looking at an ignorant and self-righteous clown: "You ask me on what basis—"

"Perhaps because he's a mutant?" Wu Yin chuckled, leaning back lazily in his chair, crossing his legs, "A mutant who thinks he has seen through others' identities while hiding his own very well."