Chapter 56

Chapter 56

The torrential rain had continued for several days without any sign of letting up. The streets of Mixin Town were flooded to the ankles. Shen Juanjuan had run out of the food he brought back from the orphanage and needed to go back to collect more.

When Chu Ya was at home, he no longer needed a wheelchair or crutches, though his gait was still somewhat unsteady. He busied himself in the house, warming the last two bean cakes, slicing them, and arranging them on a plate. After breakfast with Shen Juanjuan, he prepared to take him to the orphanage.

"My feet are too tight in the rain boots... My raincoat hood is blocking my face..."

Chu Ya carefully adjusted Shen Juanjuan's raincoat and rain boots, then carried him to the wheelchair and opened the door. However, upon reaching the entrance of the garbage dump, they found that the water in the open fields was too deep to see the ground, making it likely that the wheelchair would get stuck in a pothole.

"What should we do? Your wheelchair can't move through this," Shen Juanjuan asked.

Chu Ya turned his head to look at the Black Wolf not far away. Sensing his gaze, the Black Wolf immediately approached.

"Silver Wolf, the water on the ground is too deep; I can't take him to the orphanage. Can you take him there? Just deliver him to the orphanage."

The Black Wolf showed no sign of displeasure and lowered itself, allowing Chu Ya to lift Shen Juanjuan onto its back.

"Ah, ah, hahaha, hahaha." Shen Juanjuan laughed nervously and excitedly, sitting stiffly and not daring to turn his head.

The Black Wolf turned around, about to step forward, but suddenly yelped and twisted its head to look at its back and the two small hands holding on. It looked at Chu Ya with a pitiful expression, as if it had just been pinched by Shen Juanjuan.

Shen Juanjuan stopped laughing, looking at it and then at Chu Ya, quickly defending himself: "I didn't hit it, I really didn't! It's lying again. Look at my feet, they didn't move, and neither did my hands."

The Black Wolf drooped its eyelids and bowed its head, looking long-suffering.

Chu Ya sighed inwardly, embracing the Black Wolf's large head and whispering in its ear, "You are my quantum beast, a B+ quantum beast, better than ninety percent of all quantum beasts. I trust your abilities and believe you will safely deliver him to the orphanage."

The Black Wolf lifted its head, its furry face beaming with pride. It glanced at Shen Juanjuan, then took the sterile bag from Chu Ya's hand.

"Alright, Guide Shen Juanjuan, B+ Quantum Beast Silver Wolf, you can set off now." Chu Ya tapped his forehead and gave them a military salute.

The Black Wolf immediately turned, but Shen Juanjuan urgently said, "Wait." He pouted at Chu Ya, "You haven't done that, that thing yet..."

Chu Ya understood, raising his hand to pat his head, "Scram."

Shen Juanjuan smiled, then said, "Be meaner."

Chu Ya cleared his throat, "Scram!"

This time, Shen Juanjuan was satisfied and also saluted, "Let's go!"

"Let's go!"

The Black Wolf, with Shen Juanjuan's excited shouts, dashed into the rain, leaping onto the rooftops along the street, and bounding across the open fields toward the orphanage.

Chu Ya watched the black dot disappear into the rain before turning back. With the damp weather these past few days, he planned to dry the clothes he washed last night using a heater when he got home.

As Chu Ya passed through the garbage dump and the long street, he suddenly paused at the corner of an alley, his smile freezing on his face.

At the entrance of the alley stood a man in a black raincoat, holding an umbrella, half his face hidden in the shadows.

Chu Ya stared at the familiar face, unable to speak or move, hearing only a sharp noise in his head, his heart and blood frozen solid in the cold air.

The scene overlapped with the one where he had carried his mother out of the plantation, with Gu Lin waiting in the rain like a demon from the underworld, wielding a cold iron hammer, shattering his life from that moment on.

The rain poured heavily, the world filled with the sound of rain. Gu Lin stepped towards Chu Ya, slowly walking behind him and pushing the wheelchair forward.

"Xiaoya, it's been a while."

Gu Lin's tone was the same as usual, as if he were returning from the military academy on a weekend, stepping into Chu Ya's home and greeting him casually.

Gu Lin pushed him into the alley, then familiarly entered the front yard, heading straight for the passage leading to the back yard.

"Do you find it comfortable living here? I lived in Mixin Town for a while when I was young, then moved to Keke Town. This courtyard belongs to a friend of my father's; I used to come and play here. By the way, there used to be a plum tree here, and I once picked and tasted a plum." Gu Lin winced, "It was so sour, I still remember the taste."

Only when they entered the passage, the light dimmed, and the rain softened, did the deafening noise in Chu Ya's head stop, and the frozen blood began to flow, bringing back the sensation in his body.

He said nothing, pulling out a dagger from his waist and thrusting it forcefully towards Gu Lin's chest.

Gu Lin still wore a smile, only deflecting Chu Ya's wrist when the blade approached. But in the instant he moved, Chu Ya pressed down his arm, directing the dagger towards Gu Lin's lower abdomen.

His movement was too quick, forcing Gu Lin to retreat rapidly, dropping his umbrella in the water. Though he avoided the stab, the blade left a bloody scratch on his hand.

Sss—

A black snake suddenly appeared on his shoulder, hissing fiercely at Chu Ya.

Chu Ya, driven by hatred, pushed the wheelchair forward as Gu Lin retreated, his dagger following with continuous strikes.

While blocking, Gu Lin said, "I almost forgot, though your mental domain is damaged, your physical strength is that of a B+ Sentinel. I underestimated you."

"Then die!" Chu Ya hissed through gritted teeth.

They retreated from the passage to the front yard, enveloped by the heavy rain. Chu Ya's raincoat slipped off, his eyes reddened with rain and rage, attacking relentlessly.

The black snake lunged at him, and he punched blindly in that direction, the loud thud sending the snake flying back to crash against the wall, landing in the rain like a broken rope.

Driven by hatred, Chu Ya unleashed unprecedented combat power, despite being in a wheelchair, challenging Gu Lin, an A-level Sentinel who was a half-grade higher, and making him struggle.

Gu Lin narrowly avoided another stab from Chu Ya's dagger, his face darkening, a hint of cruelty appearing in his eyes. He no longer relied solely on physical attacks, suddenly unleashing his mental power, striking Chu Ya's chest like a heavy hammer.

Chu Ya's wheelchair flew backward, crashing heavily into the courtyard, leaving him motionless for a long time.

Gu Lin, breathing heavily, wiped the rain from his face and slowly approached Chu Ya.

Chu Ya no longer felt the pain in his body. After catching his breath, he tried to push himself up.

Rainwater streamed down his pale face, his wet hair covering his forehead, revealing a pair of bloodshot eyes glaring at Gu Lin like a wild animal ready to pounce.

Gu Lin walked up to him and asked, "Hate me?"

Chu Ya gritted his teeth and continued to get up. Gu Lin shook his head, his tone filled with helplessness, "Xiaoya, you're still so impulsive. Your uncle used to say you lacked composure. Have you forgotten that?"

Chu Ya panted, "I haven't forgotten, I haven't forgotten about you, the ungrateful beast. I haven't forgotten how you were like a homeless stray dog before Mother took you in. Yes, I despise you; I've always despised you. The biggest mistake my parents ever made was pitying you, that stray dog, and letting you rot in the abyss, like a maggot."

Gu Lin tilted his head and looked at him, "Want to kill me? But what can you do to me? There are many people in this world who want me dead, including your father, Chu Chengyu. But here I stand, watching his son flounder like a wet dog, while he lies cold in his coffin. Oh, right, land is precious at Cloud Peak, but the late president of the Morning Star Club still has a grave, buried in his beloved Cloud Sea Plantation, where the air and environment are quite good, very good indeed."

Chu Ya, who had been trying to get up, froze upon hearing this, staring blankly at the ground in front of him, as if even his breathing had stopped.

"By the way, there's another unfortunate piece of news for you: Yun Tuo is also dead."

Chu Ya heard the intense noise again, piercing through his eardrums, causing a tsunami-like roar in his mind, so loud it could drown out all other sounds, yet it couldn't block out Gu Lin's words, which persisted in drilling into his ears.

"...He led a group trying to escape... then turned back alone... when we caught up with him by the sea... he fell into the water and died..."

"Ahhh—" Chu Ya let out an agonizing scream, veins bulging on his neck. Intense hatred and pain made him suddenly leap up, the dagger in his hand aimed at Gu Lin's face.

The black snake appeared again, biting down on Chu Ya's wrist, but he felt nothing, continuing to thrust forward.

Gu Lin didn't try to block it forcefully, only summoning his mental energy to form a defensive shield in front of him.

Bang!

The defensive shield shattered under Chu Ya's dagger, the blade breaking into several pieces and flying away.

Chu Ya, holding the broken blade, continued to lunge forward. Gu Lin stepped back to avoid it, and his mental energy struck, hitting Chu Ya hard on the back of the neck.

Chu Ya stumbled forward two steps, then stopped, slowly turning around. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, mixing with the rainwater beneath him, instantly disappearing.

He glared at Gu Lin, his body swaying, finally unable to support himself and collapsing to the ground.

Chu Ya lay on the ground, his cheek pressed against the cold rain. His mind was dazed, wanting to get up, but his body wouldn't obey, moving only his fingers slightly.

He felt Gu Lin crouch beside him, and someone else enter the courtyard, a voice not entirely unfamiliar asking, "Did you kill him?"

"How could I? No."

Chu Ya forced his eyes open, seeing a tall, thin officer in his blurred vision, recognizing him as Jin Gao, Gu Lin's guide.

"Did you find out where the thing is?" Jin Gao asked.

"My cousin has a short temper; he attacked before he could speak."

Chu Ya's face was patted, and Gu Lin leaned down to ask, "Xiaoya, where did Uncle hide that thing?"

Chu Ya showed no reaction, his gaze unfocused, staring into space.

"Xiaoya, do you know that Uncle was conducting an experiment, one that was almost successful? He put the research results in a box and hid it in a secret place, telling you where it was. If you tell your cousin where Uncle told you, he will take you back to Cloud Peak, treat your injuries, and let you return to the military academy to continue your studies. Of course, you can continue to hate me, and I won't make things difficult for you, fulfilling these promises to you."

Chu Ya's eyes remained vacant, staring ahead.

"Xiaoya, there must be a reason for what your cousin is doing. Do you know what Uncle was researching? It was a cure for black gangrene. Just when success was within reach, he said the research would not be made public and would only be used to treat members of the Morning Star Club. So many people are threatened by black gangrene: ordinary citizens of Cloud Peak, miners, residents of Keke Town, and even children in the orphanage... should they be left to die just because they lack noble status and identity?"

Gu Lin sighed deeply, "Do you think I'm not suffering? They were my aunt and uncle. Everything I've done is for the greater good. I've said so much, and you probably don't believe your cousin now, but you'll understand my dilemma later."

After saying this, Gu Lin picked Chu Ya up from the ground, and Jin Gao held an umbrella over them as they walked to the backyard.

"I'll send you back to rest now. Get well soon, and your cousin won't pressure you. Stay here if you want, and when you decide to tell your cousin where the box is, come find me at Cloud Peak."

Gu Lin carried Chu Ya into a room in the backyard and laid him on the sofa. Jin Gao went to the bedroom and brought out a blanket to cover him.

"Medicine? Did you bring any medicine?" Gu Lin asked.

Jin Gao took a bag of medicine from his bag and placed it on a nearby table.

"These are for treating injuries. Take care of your wounds first, and your cousin will be waiting for you at Cloud Peak." After saying this, Gu Lin studied Chu Ya's face, then leaned down and whispered in his ear, "Do you know what the black line on your wrist is? It's black gangrene. Only by finding what Uncle left behind and creating a cure for black gangrene can you survive."

Chu Ya lay motionless, his eyes vacant, staring at the ceiling, like a wax figure with its soul removed.

"Let's go," Gu Lin said to Jin Gao, then strode out of the house, pausing at the door to glance around the room.

His gaze swept over the old furniture polished clean, the neatly arranged old teapot and cups, and the few toys that clearly came from somewhere, and he chuckled softly, "Obsessive-compulsive disorder."

They walked out of the courtyard, and Gu Lin stopped, "Isn't the black line on his wrist growing too slowly?"

"I noticed that too," Jin Gao said.

"That's strange. Could it be that it hasn't been successfully activated?"

"If it hadn't been activated, there wouldn't be a black line. His is not growing, similar to the condition after treatment."

Gu Lin thought for a moment, "Regardless, as long as it's activated, he has no other choice. To survive, he must find that thing."

After walking for a while, Gu Lin looked around the street and suddenly said, "Did you hear that? He cursed me."

Jin Gao glanced at him, "Don't take those words to heart."

"He called me a stray dog, a maggot." Gu Lin laughed, "How many years has it been since anyone called me that?"

Before Jin Gao could respond, he added lightly, "My cousin has a bad temper; he needs to be tempered. Since he's being raised by that child, let's have the child leave him."

They hurriedly left Mixin Town, and a row of military vehicles waited on the main road. A line of soldiers and two lieutenants stood at attention when they saw them.

Gu Lin got into the car, and Jin Gao said to the two lieutenants, "Go to the orphanage and find a child named Shen Juanjuan. Make sure he stays there and doesn't leave."

"Oh, and one more thing," Gu Lin rolled down the window and stuck his head out, "Be gentle with the child."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "Give the child two choices, let him choose to stay at the orphanage, and inform Chu Ya of his decision." Gu Lin's lips curled into a slow smile, "That would be more interesting."

Shen Juanjuan rode the Black Wolf to the back yard. Before he could even dismount, he found himself suddenly thrown off. With an "Ouch!" he rolled over and got up, seeing the Black Wolf leap over the wall with ease.

"I'm going to report you, I'll tell Shen Miaomiao on you." Shen Juanjuan clutched his buttocks and shouted angrily.

The Black Wolf poked its head out from behind the wall, a plastic bag in its mouth. It blew a puff of air, inflating the bag to make a rustling sound, as if mocking Shen Juanjuan, before disappearing over the wall again.

Enraged by this provocation, Shen Juanjuan picked up a stone and threw it at the wolf, then quickly crawled into the hole, standing up to search for the Black Wolf.

But the Black Wolf was already gone from the back yard. After searching several times without success, he sulkily made his way back to the dormitory.

The Black Wolf ran across the wilderness toward Mixin Town, its face full of joy. But when it stepped into a puddle, its legs suddenly went weak, as if struck by a heavy blow, causing it to stagger to the side.

It showed a fierce expression and dashed madly toward Mixin Town, but its body seemed to be hit repeatedly, finally collapsing on the ground and vanishing into thin air.

Rong Chen was arranging the kitchen staff to carry food buckets when his phone rang.

"Manager Wang, oh, alright, we're on our way back. What? A row of military vehicles parked outside Mixin Town? Some are already heading to the welfare home? Alright, noted, we'll prepare here."

After ending the call, Rong Chen rushed out of the canteen as if facing a great enemy, but then paused, remembering something.

The call said the military vehicles were parked outside Mixin Town.

Outside Mixin Town...

Chu Ya?

"Dinner is ready, dinner is ready."

Shen Juanjuan was playing and laughing with the children in the dormitory. Hearing the dinner announcement, he immediately ran out of the dormitory toward the canteen.

The crowd was dense, everyone crowding at the entrance, chattering loudly. Rong Chen ran to the entrance and pulled two older students out of the crowd: "Hong Wenzhi, Liu Xiaozhuang, go to the washroom quickly and close the door after you enter."

"...Okay." The two older students had just fought that morning and took this as punishment, not daring to disobey, they turned and headed to the washroom.

Rong Chen pulled the outermost student out, shouting Shen Juanjuan's name twice, then instructed the two older students: "No fighting."

"We won't fight."

"Good, then, run fast, be quick."

The children continued to push and shove. Rong Chen shouted a few times but no one listened, so he took out a ruler and started hitting the outermost ones. Other managers also came over, and for a moment, the sound of rulers cracking filled the air. The children who were still pushing and shoving became obedient and began to move out in an orderly manner.

"Shen Juanjuan, Shen Juanjuan." Rong Chen, sweating profusely, called out twice and finally heard Shen Juanjuan's response from deep within the crowd: "I'm here, I'm here."

"Hurry, hurry, clear the way." Rong Chen pushed the children in front of him, and Shen Juanjuan struggled to get out.

"Shen Juanjuan." Several children, including Lin Duozhi, looked somewhat nervous.

Shen Juanjuan wasn't panicked, saying while squeezing through, "They're calling me to get food, to get food."

Rong Chen saw Shen Juanjuan emerge from the crowd and was about to reach out to pull him when he heard someone urgently calling Chief Administrator Chen.

He turned around and first saw several military vehicles parked outside the gate, followed by two lieutenant officers and a dozen soldiers entering the playground, with several managers looking panic-stricken and helplessly calling out for Chief Administrator Chen.

Rong Chen's face turned pale, and he immediately turned to Shen Juanjuan and hissed, "Follow them to the canteen." Then he smiled and walked forward, "What is this..."

"Are you Chief Administrator Chen? I'm Xie Hongwei, he's Yu Zhen. We've been ordered by Chairman Gu to find a child named Shen Juanjuan," said Lieutenant Xie Hongwei.

Before Rong Chen could respond, enthusiastic students began shouting, "Shen Juanjuan, the officer uncles are looking for you." The crowd parted, revealing the little boy standing in the middle.

The boy wore a water bottle and a large backpack, with a cotton hat covering his ears. He looked around nervously and moved to the side like the others, pretending not to be the one called.

Rong Chen stood beside Xie Hongwei, his face as white as paper.

He assumed that the fact that Shen Juanjuan had already transformed had been discovered, unable to speak a complete sentence, he trembled and reached for his phone, intending to call Director Liu.

"Lieutenant Xie, do you really need to choose someone now? They haven't eaten yet," Rong Chen's voice was dry and hoarse.

Lieutenant Xie replied, "Chief Administrator Chen, we're not here as scouts or to select anyone. We just need to talk to Shen Juanjuan for a few minutes, ask him some questions."

Rong Chen's heart skipped a beat, slowly lowering his hand from the phone.