Chapter 176: Escaping the Research Institute 21

Chapter 176: Escaping the Research Institute 21

Mommy Sheep had to admit that Qin Fei's calmness had a very soothing effect. Although he did not truly answer her question, his demeanor of having everything under control did make Mi Yang feel relieved.

Mi Yang slumped back into the chair and opened the live stream panel, only to find all the fans in the chatroom mocking her.

"Hahahaha, Sheep's ears are really soft. Whatever Xiao Qin says, she believes it."

"No boundaries at all, this is sheer indulgence! Indulgence, I tell you!!"

"Conclusion confirmed, this must be a mother."

Mi Yang looked at Qin Fei with a hopeless expression.

NPC Rodney did not keep his promise; he left them in the interrogation room for a long time until Mi Yang started dozing off again before any movement was heard at the door.

Mi Yang quickly sat up straight.

Beside him, Qin Fei had not felt sleepy at all. The young man kept his clear, gem-like eyes open, his spine straight, and stared at the interrogation room door like a poised leopard ready to pounce.

With a "creak," the door opened. This time, fewer people came than last time—only Rodney and another NPC dressed similarly in heavy protective gear.

From the gaps in the protective gear, one could see that the new NPC was a middle-aged man with a beard.

Qin Fei's gaze swept over the top of his head.

"Wanderers Legion - Level 1 Member - Xuanhui: Affinity — Not Pursuable (Xuanhui is the strategist, leader, and head of the Wanderers Legion. He is an extremely rational person whose sole obsession in life is the underground research institute buried deep beneath the ground.)"

His sole obsession in life.

Qin Fei stared at those words and blinked.

The two NPCs locked the room door from the outside. Leaders were indeed leaders; even their entourage was different from ordinary people.

Although only two people came this time, Rodney carried a square object in his hand.

At first, Qin Fei couldn't see what it was, but when Rodney squatted in the corner and fiddled with it for a while, the lights in the entire room suddenly turned on.

It turned out to be a small generator.

The two NPCs sat down, and Xuanhui spoke first, "This gentleman..."

Xuanhui's eyes scanned the paper used for note-taking earlier: "Mr. E0079. May I ask if your urgency in finding our leader is because you have something to say?"

Before the NPCs entered, Mi Yang had already sealed her mouth with tape and now sat silently like a mascot.

The three people in the interrogation room all looked at Qin Fei, who appeared relaxed and showed no signs of nervousness.

From Xuanhui's NPC information, if anyone in the Wanderers Legion knew a way to deal with the Research Institute, he was likely that person.

Qin Fei wanted to get that method from Xuanhui.

But he couldn't ask directly.

He needed to use some tactics.

Qin Fei's smile deepened: "If I'm not mistaken, you are one of the leaders of the legion."

The young man's posture was casual, but his gaze towards the NPC was direct and unflinching.

To control a conversation in a favorable direction, one must first control the pace of the conversation.

Qin Fei chose a very straightforward approach.

He slightly raised his chin and threw out a topic the NPC couldn't easily refuse: "I came to you because I have something important to discuss. You've lived on the surface for so many years, and your primary goal has been to destroy the Research Institute, right?"

Qin Fei spoke slowly, and Mi Yang's eyes widened more and more as he listened.

He heard Qin Fei say, "If I told you that I possess some information that can be used against the Research Institute and its founder, Mr. Edward, would you be interested in hearing me out?"

Mi Yang: "????"

Mommy Sheep swallowed silently, feeling like her head was full of mush.

Xiao Qin... does Xiao Qin really know? No, no, he definitely doesn't. This is 100% a lie. If Xiao Qin really knew how to deal with the Research Institute, he would just do it himself and wouldn't need to play mind games with the NPCs here.

So, he's lying.

What if he gets caught?

Qin Fei's topic had an exceptionally good effect. After he finished speaking, Xuanhui became visibly excited.

However, he regained his composure quickly. Even through the thick goggles, Qin Fei could see the eyes behind them glowing brightly, as if burning with two flames.

"You want to tell us about the weaknesses of the Underground Research Institute?" Xuanhui tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

After a brief moment of excitement, reason took over again. Could there really be such a good thing?

"What is your purpose?" Xuanhui asked.

Xuanhui sensed that the captured youth wanted to take control of the conversation.

The NPC was unwilling to let go and tried to regain control.

Unfortunately, he failed.

Because Qin Fei smiled and said, "What if I told you I have no purpose?"

"Or rather, my purpose aligns with yours. I just want to destroy the Research Institute, but I don't have enough power alone."

"To be frank."

Qin Fei straightened his posture as he spoke, causing both of the people opposite him to hold their breath involuntarily.

"Even this arrest was intentional on my part," Qin Fei said.

Qin Fei employed a clever strategy. He began deliberately blurring the positions of the negotiating parties. Once the NPCs could believe that he truly stood on their side, everything would become much easier.

"I know it's hard for you to believe, but many years ago, my father was also a member of the Wanderers' Legion."

Qin Fei fabricated a background story given to him by the instance and attributed it to a non-existent "father."

If he had boldly claimed that he was once a wanderer himself, enduring humiliation and hardship underground with the sole purpose of returning to the surface with crucial information, such a statement would have been more powerful but also easily exposed.

If Xuanhui casually asked him a few questions about the internal workings of the Wanderers' Legion, he would be caught in a lie.

However, if he were a child living in the underground world who inherited his father's legacy, everything would become more plausible.

Xuanhui's expression softened considerably.

He recalled the comrades he had known throughout his life, those he later lost.

Some were killed by monsters on the surface, while others were taken away by the Guard Team of the Research Institute, never to be seen again.

Xuanhui had once believed that those taken to the Underground Research Institute must have faced torture and torment.

But now, upon realizing that among the hundreds of companions they had lost, there might be a few individuals whose abilities allowed them to preserve some sparks even within the oppressive environment of the Research Institute.

Their will could continue to be passed down within an organization entirely opposed to the wanderers.

Xuanhui suddenly felt a burning emotion surging within his chest.

He knew clearly that he shouldn't let the words of a captive stir such strong emotions.

Many in the Underground Research Institute were extremely cunning, yet the eyes of the person before him were clear and bright, like the finest amber.

It was difficult to detect any trace of deceit.

Qin Fei always managed to make every word he uttered convincing.

The NPCs themselves didn't realize that under Qin Fei's combination of bait and emotional appeals, the distance between them had significantly narrowed.

The hostility and suspicion that had permeated the interrogation room's air were gradually dissipating.

To make his words more credible, Qin Fei even began to elaborate extensively.

He described how he escaped from the water prison, infiltrated the staff of the Research Institute, and how the captured wanderers left clues for future generations...

All these details were attributed to his non-existent "father."

After twenty minutes, when Qin Fei finished his narrative, even Mi Yang almost believed that he really had a father in the instance.

The two NPCs behind the interrogation desk exchanged glances, seeing mutual resonance in each other's eyes.

"So." Xuanhui tapped the table. "We can start discussing the weaknesses of the Underground Research Institute that you mentioned."

Qin Fei only smiled without speaking.

"The radiation on the surface is severe," he suddenly changed the subject. "Living on the surface must be very stressful, right?"

Xuanhui frowned slightly. "Indeed."

"The living conditions here are average, and the power supply seems inadequate."

"What is your source of food? After over fifty years, livestock and farming supplies must be maintained, but the surface world doesn't seem suitable for these activities."

Qin Fei continued talking, not caring whether Xuanhui responded.

Xuanhui remained silent, his frown deepening.

Then, Qin Fei suddenly brought the conversation back on track.

"I know you are planning to deal with the Research Institute," he said abruptly and solemnly.

Like a rubber band stretched to its limit and then released, though the NPC hadn't spoken, the player could read everything from his expression.

"Your actions must have been attempted more than once and failed."

Qin Fei stated confidently.

After accompanying Researcher Edward on a mission, Qin Fei became increasingly certain of this.

The main battlefield of the Underground Research Institute was still underground, and their control over the surface was limited.

Given this situation, it was strange that at the beginning of the instance, fifty wanderers were imprisoned in the underground water prison all at once.

Throughout his journey, Qin Fei observed that unlike the numerous personnel in the Research Institute, the number of wanderers was much smaller.

For the Research Institute to capture so many wanderers with minimal forces was highly unusual. The most likely scenario was that the wanderers had launched an offensive but failed, leading to their capture.

Xuanhui's gaze was probing. "What do you mean?"

Qin Fei straightforwardly stated his request: "Your actions against the Research Institute must be based on some weaknesses you've identified."

"I also have knowledge of some of the Research Institute's weaknesses. Out of respect for my father, I am willing to share this information with you."

"However, before that, you must first share your information with me."

"You should know—" Qin Fei's tone was very sincere. "Although my father came from the Wanderers' Legion, I was after all raised underground. My father's teachings and the indoctrination from the Research Institute have shown me two completely different images of the Wanderers."

"I have no good feelings towards the Research Institute; I am willing to contribute to its destruction. But honestly, I cannot fully trust you either."

"Before I give something, you must let me gain something first, so I can see your sincerity in cooperation. Let me believe that you won't kick me out once I reveal my secrets to you."

Qin Fei blinked, his gaze sincere and innocent, as if everything he said had only surface-level meaning and no ulterior motives.

The two NPCs behind the interrogation desk began whispering again. Although Qin Fei's request wasn't unreasonable, they still needed to deliberate.

Mi Yang was astounded.

Goodness, is this what it means to get something for nothing? And it seems like Xiao Qin might actually succeed.

If those two NPCs could indeed provide details on how to destroy the Research Institute, then Mi Yang felt that the truth players had been pursuing for so long might indeed be hidden in this abandoned building.

Tasks that NPCs find difficult might not be impossible for players.

As long as those two NPCs were willing to share their methods, victory would be within reach.

Qin Fei lowered his voice in the interrogation room: "Why can't you tell me? Your plan failed, which means there were significant flaws. Honestly, given my position in the Research Institute, if I wanted to, I could find the answers myself without much time."

Qin Fei once again took control of the situation.

Now, it wasn't him waiting for the Wanderers to give him an answer but giving them a chance to prove themselves to him.

Mi Yang looked at Qin Fei with admiration, replaying in his mind the series of moves Qin Fei had just made.

"Follow us," the NPCs finally decided.

Rodney turned off the lights in the interrogation room, while Xuanhui opened the door.

This time, no one escorted Qin Fei and Mi Yang; their restraints were removed, and they followed the two Wanderers out of the room openly.

They were brought in blindfolded and kicked, but now they were being cautiously escorted out by the NPCs.

The stark contrast delighted the audience in the live-streaming hall, who cheered excitedly at the broadcasters' brilliant performance.

"You're right; we did organize an operation recently," Xuanhui led the two players towards the nearby stairs.

Qin Fei's intuition hours ago was correct; this was indeed an abandoned building.

The entire wall facing outside was damaged and fallen, allowing a direct view of the outside world from the corridor.

The sky was gray-black, and heavy rain was pouring down.

Qin Fei glanced outside; they were now about ten floors down. The streets outside the building were severely flooded, almost turning into rivers.

The low-rise buildings lining the streets were dilapidated, and upon closer inspection, there were many unusual ripples in the floodwaters.

Something was moving beneath the water, spreading in all directions.

Xuanhui's voice came from ahead: "...Since you understand the tense relationship between the Wanderers and the Research Institute, I'll be straightforward."

"In our last failed operation, we lost fifty companions. We planned to assassinate Edward."

"Researcher Edward is immortal," Qin Fei interrupted Xuanhui.

He was trying hard to play his role: someone who knows a lot and has deep insights into the Research Institute and Edward's secrets.

"Researcher Edward is a monster, and many high-ranking researchers in the institute are too. Edward possesses extremely powerful abilities and cannot be killed easily by ordinary means," Qin Fei said.

Everyone in the Research Institute knew that Researcher Edward was special, but specific information about his monstrous abilities was not widely known.

Qin Fei's casual statement further earned Xuanhui's trust: "Yes, we tried many methods, but none succeeded."

"Edward is immortal; we've known this for a long time, but we refused to believe it."

Xuanhui sighed.

"He can reverse time; any harm inflicted on him is meaningless. He is the strongest monster in the Research Institute, the only A-class monster."

Qin Fei's pupils constricted slightly.

The only A-class monster.

Indeed, the missing A-class experimental subject in the Research Institute's monster system was Edward himself.

However, Qin Fei never sensed any trace of contamination from Researcher Edward.

This was strange. Whether Edward had merged with an A-class experimental subject or was one himself, he should not lack the aura of contamination.

"Edward founded the Research Institute fifty years ago. In these fifty years, through his relentless efforts and persistence, the number of monsters in the world has increased significantly."

The world once belonging to humans has become a den of monsters.

"The reason for his great success is that he possesses a secret technology."

Qin Fei and Mi Yang tensed up; the NPC seemed about to reveal a crucial point.

"What kind of technology?" Qin Fei asked casually, making it impossible for Xuanhui to discern whether he was just going along or genuinely curious.

Xuanhui gave him a long look: "It's a method to create metal materials resistant to radiation."

Metal materials.

Qin Fei thought of the entire Research Institute.

The cold, silvery-gray Research Institute.

Those ubiquitous metal walls, ceilings, and floors.

"It was because he obtained the method to create that material that Edward was able to successfully build his underground fortress. He conducted countless heinous experiments within the Research Institute."

Xuanhui truly hated Researcher Edward; he couldn't help but grind his teeth as he spoke, clearly trying hard to tarnish Researcher Edward's image in Qin Fei's mind.

"You're still young, so perhaps you don't know that there weren't nearly as many monsters on the surface back then."

"Fifty-five years ago, the calamity erupted. An unprecedented radiation disaster accelerated the world into an apocalyptic era. Although many monsters had already appeared at that time, they were not entirely the same as the monsters we see today."

"Those monsters lacked intelligence. Although they underwent mutations due to radiation, overall, they were just highly aggressive beasts." Xuanhui's expression was complex.

"But now, I don't know what exactly Edward did in the Research Institute, but ever since he started releasing the experimental subjects back into the ocean, marine life has mutated more and more thoroughly."

Once upon a time, bloodthirsty fish with sharp teeth emerged from the sea, even capable of walking on land.

This alone was enough to terrify humans.

But over time, this situation showed no signs of improvement.

"In fact, the radiation on this planet is weakening," Xuanhui sighed.

More than fifty years ago, when the calamity first erupted, the radiation on the surface was even stronger than it is now.

Yet, as the radiation weakened, the mutations of the monsters escalated due to the Research Institute's involvement.

These experimental subjects possessed strange abilities; their bodies grew larger, they could change forms, and they couldn't be killed by ordinary bullets.

They transcended human understanding, becoming mythical creatures straight out of legends.

"We are helpless against these experimental subjects," Xuanhui said. "Edward sowed the seeds, so he should also reap the consequences. We can't kill Edward, so we plan to capture him and force him to end all of this."

"He can reverse time, travel back to the past, and if he goes back before everything happened—"

In theory, this plan was completely feasible.

In reality, however, neither Xuanhui, Rodney, nor any other wanderer believed they could accomplish this task.

Even if they managed to capture Researcher Edward, how would they force him to comply with their demands?

They were just ordinary people, while Edward was a monster, utterly inhuman.

"If only I had known this would happen, I should have killed Edward fifty years ago when he brought that initial 'experimental subject' he caught from the ocean, along with the USB drive containing the data, and called everyone to build the underground world with him."

The NPC let out a long, drawn-out sigh.

Back then, he was just a child, unable to foresee such things.

But he missed that opportunity, and in the decades that followed, he never got another chance.

Qin Fei, however, focused on another point: "The initial experimental subject?"

"Yes, the initial experimental subject. Although it was one of thousands of mutated objects Edward caught from the sea, it was different from the others."

"Edward kept it well-guarded, and very few knew about that experimental subject. But as far as I know, it was the reason why Edward wanted to establish the Research Institute."

"After catching that experimental subject, Edward studied it for five full years in the abandoned Research Institute on the surface. Five years later, one day, Edward suddenly decided to build the Underground Research Institute."

Everything since then developed gradually into its current state.

Qin Fei's eyes flickered: "Where is that Research Institute? Is it far from here?"

Xuanhui nodded: "Yes, the ruins of the Research Institute are right beneath this building. I can take you there directly, but it's just an empty shell now, with nothing worth seeing."

After fifty years, anything valuable would have been looted by the Wanderers' Army long ago.

While engaging with Qin Fei, Xuanhui was also making his own calculations.

In fact, if the person in front of him really held a certain position within the Research Institute, as he claimed,

then whatever information he planned to bring them didn't matter much.

Whether that information would actually be useful wasn't important anymore.

The person himself was the greatest resource. If he could return to the Research Institute and act as their insider, the plan the wanderers had pondered for a long time but failed to achieve might—

The rain grew heavier, almost drowning out their conversation.

They were approaching the lowest level when a hurried footsteps rushed towards them, and a panicked voice shouted:

"Mr. Rodney! It's bad, it's bad! A monster has broken into the power distribution room!!"