Chapter 97: Causing Apprehension

Chapter 97: Causing Apprehension

Psychic Research Institute meeting room.

The old man was still presiding over the meeting, but his expression was grim: "Is the Alliance government making a mistake? Their own media in Central Base is promoting a small private base and a minor psychic guild?"

"Now that we're organizing the Psychic Society, and with this wood psychic guild emerging, what purpose does the Psychic Society serve? How is the progress of the society?"

A researcher replied: "Most civilian psychics have registered on the official Psychic Society's website, where they post and accept tasks and exchange training experiences. Currently, there are 40,000 registered psychics, predominantly water and wood types, which is fewer than we estimated. It's speculated that due to transportation difficulties, psychics from various bases still prefer local exchanges. Also, the military has explicitly prohibited psychics from registering on that website, leading to many powerful psychics from major bases not registering. We may need to negotiate with the military."

The old man sneered: "The military would never hand over the information of active psychics to the Alliance government. This is a conflict of core interests; no need for communication. With Guan Yuanfeng standing firm, they won't yield. Let's proceed with organizing the Psychic Congress to elect the president, board members, and establish branch societies in various bases."

"Understood."

The old man then asked: "How is the progress with the recruitment letters?"

Deputy Director Liao Zihuai replied: "Many have responded to the recruitment letters, but most have set numerous conditions, mainly concerning laboratories, housing, research funds, and compensation. However, they tend to downplay their research achievements and directions. It seems such individuals may not be very effective."

"Dongjun has declined the recruitment, citing an unwillingness to leave his homeland."

"Yao Lao has also declined, stating that Central Base is too cold and he prefers to recuperate in the south. Likely, City Lord Gong intervened, given the need for treatment."

The old man sneered: "Dongjun's refusal is to be expected. Green Bird Pharmaceuticals and Dongjun are closely connected; the Gong family would never release him."

Liao Zihuai added: "Dongjun is likely a high-level wood psychic, probably serving the Gong family. Based on our inquiries with their guild members in Zhenbei Base, he is described as very young and gentle, likely under tight protection by the Gong family and rarely seen in public."

"Qin Mu from Green Bird Pharmaceuticals is too shrewd and cautious. They primarily operate with the special forces and have reportedly provided them with numerous drugs and supplies. Our agents couldn't investigate too openly, so we couldn't collect more information."

The old man said: "Qin Mu is another missed opportunity. Such a strong shadow psychic. One misstep leads to another. If we had initially attempted to control Gong Yanqing and thereby take over Green Bird Pharmaceuticals, wouldn't Qin Mu and Dongjun naturally become assets of our institute?"

Liao Zihuai replied: "At that time, Qin Mu and Guan Yuanfeng from the special forces were too closely connected, making it hard for us to intervene. Now, we are simultaneously in contact with Wu Zhou, Gong Yanqing's son-in-law, and Gong Feiyun, Gong Yanqing's nephew, but both are evasive and won't easily commit."

"After all, Gong Yanqing's health has reportedly improved, and he remains very cautious. They currently lack sufficient authority and haven't accessed core operations. Especially Green Bird Pharmaceuticals, which is reportedly managed exclusively by Yuan Xuegang, Gong Yanqing's maternal uncle, with no one else involved."

The old man commented: "To manage a private base as an ordinary individual during the apocalypse, one must be skilled in power plays."

"Still no news about Yao Lao's disciple?"

"None, probably killed by the Gong family."

"Find a way to bring Yao Lao back to Central Base. If we can't, it's normal for someone his age to have health issues. Without anyone to treat Gong Yanqing, he will have to come back to us."

Liao Zihuai pondered: "That's feasible. Qin Mu is currently accompanying Wu Zhou in Zhenbei Base, and Yao Lao is researching new drugs at Green Bird Pharmaceuticals. Our people should have an opportunity to act. What about Dongjun? Should we take any action against him?"

A female researcher suggested: "Dongjun seems soft-hearted and not very guarded. Such a precious psychic ability, yet he teaches it so easily. Looking at their planter forum, there are extensive methods for wood psychic training, with very detailed answers, indicating a scholar fully focused on academic research, likely quite naive in thought."

"Rough estimates suggest that most wood psychics in the country have registered on that planter forum, applying to become guild members just to access the internal member forum and obtain the method of natural force psychic application. The energy of this planter forum is not to be underestimated. I suggest we privately contact him and try to persuade him to come to Central Base. This way, we can convert his influence into the institute's influence."

Liao Zihuai said: "Let's try contacting him online first. We'll also have our people in Beiming try to find out where he is exactly."

The old man urged: "Speed up all actions. Progress in Dark Valley is also slow. Without funds, think of a way! They can sell a mutated agave wine at sky-high prices in a small southern city. You've been researching mutated plants and animals for so long, can't you come up with a profitable industry?"

"There are so many things to brew. They can brew mutated agave wine, can't you make a mutated grape wine?"

The room fell silent for a moment, then the female researcher whispered: "We've tried mutated grape wine, but the effect is quite ordinary, not like the agave wine which briefly enhances psychic abilities. It's speculated to be related to the alcohol's strength and purity, but brewing requires a lot of raw materials. Large-scale cultivation and production of mutated plants require manpower and funds. Hiring psychics also requires funding."

"I previously submitted a research proposal on a new mutated wheat strain. If cultivated, it could be well-promoted during this disaster relief, but unfortunately, the institute didn't approve it. At that time, we approached the special forces, but they didn't agree to cooperate with us in finding samples in Yanling."

"The cultivation cycle of mutated crops is long and requires a lot of wood psychics to cooperate. I think this is the purpose of Green Bird Pharmaceuticals organizing the planter guild. They are very forward-looking and goal-oriented."

"In the past, the lab's funding primarily came from donations by psychics. But now, as mutated plants and animals are evolving, psychics are more inclined to sell them on the market rather than donate them to the institute for research. Additionally, Captain Guan of the special forces has been uncooperative with the Psychic Research Institute's initiatives, requiring official letters each time, which is a hassle. Without military assistance, many of our experimental projects have come to a standstill."

Liao Zihuai nodded in agreement: "This also stems from our institute's lack of prestige and influence. If only we had gotten our hands on the psychic activation data from Cangshan City last time. It's also on Li Xiong, who made all sorts of demands and acted too high and mighty, only to reach out in desperation after being imprisoned, when it was already too late. If Guan Yuanfeng had been more cooperative and taken control earlier, we could have handled Li Xiong and secured the method for activating psychics, which would have completely changed the current situation."

"Even those mutated poppies were wiped out by the special forces. We later found a couple of plants, but mass cultivation was out of the question. Li Xiong had his own techniques, but sadly, he's no longer with us."

The room went quiet for a moment. Then, after a pause, the old man spoke grimly: "Have you picked up on something?"

"All our progress hinges on one person."

"Guan Yuanfeng."

Liao Zihuai said: "After I returned, I checked. Guan Yuanfeng hails from Danlin City, just next to Beiming, so that might explain why he's aiding Gong Yanqing from Beiming."

"But his reputation is formidable, his combat skills are top-notch, and he's got General Tan in his corner. There's no way to take him down."

The old man said grimly: "He's in the way of too many people."

"Get the folks from Beiming to check out Guan Yuanfeng's hometown. See if he's got any family or neighbors there, and dig up his weak spots."

A female researcher said: "I've got a student who was in the special forces and has been to his hometown to fetch him. Should I pump him for info?"

The old man said: "Is it Xiao Su, the light abilities guy? He's too green; don't ask him, or you'll tip off the enemy. He'd definitely spill the beans to Guan Yuanfeng."

The female researcher said: "Yes."

The old man snorted coldly: "The higher his reputation, the harder it will be for him to end well. A knife with such a high reputation, what's the use?"

========

Nanshan Herb Garden.

Patients from Cangshan City have gradually been released from their cells, looking much more stable, with most no longer showing the previous uncontrollable self-harm behaviors.

Shen Lan roughly divided them into several groups, ensuring they move together wherever they go, to look after and comfort each other.

Yao Huan and Zhou Yun discussed and re-examined each patient's pulse, adjusting the prescriptions according to each individual's constitution, focusing more on replenishing qi and calming the mind, nourishing yin and moistening dryness. For those particularly prone to heat, they increased the dosage for clearing heat and detoxifying, with daily medicinal meals as the main regimen.

The prescriptions mainly included lotus seeds, codonopsis, Astragalus, dandelion, honeysuckle, sour jujube seed, and ophiopogon. Zhou Yun checked the medicinal materials and felt the need to go back to Yunding Mountain Villa to pick some more, so he informed Yao Huan and decided to return first.

Yao Huan didn't mind: "You can stay there for a few more days. Here, I have the Taoist priest and the master to accompany me. After so many days at the herb garden, I need to go to the city lord's residence to check on City Lord Gong's condition."

Zhou Yun said: "With Qin Mu and Qin Sheng not here, if you're going to the city lord's residence, I should accompany you."

Yao Huan waved his hand: "No need, no need. It's not suitable for you to show up now. Go tidy up the house. Didn't you say a few days ago that you were afraid the cold would come early and wanted to plant some grains in the community? I'll take the Taoist priest and the master, a few of us old folks can discuss Zen and Tao with City Lord Gong, and bring Xiao Qi along too, let her learn something."

Although Yao Huan didn't know what his student was up to, seeing that Qin Mu and others were taking the lead at Green Bird Pharmaceuticals, he realized his student might have other plans. He had watched the videos about the Wood Guild, and Master Xinhai was very envious, constantly praising him for having a good disciple.

Being experienced and sensitive, he had already sensed that his disciple might have developed some significant theories, whether it was the joint release of psychic abilities or the undisclosed test paper affinity and psychic activation, all too sensitive.

Shen Lan had already laughed beside him: "If Yao Lao is going out, naturally I should accompany him. With me going, Dr. Zhou can rest assured."

Zhou Yun: "..." Suddenly felt that his position as the favored disciple was a bit shaky. The teacher is really too popular.

The next morning, Zhou Yun got up and cooked a pot of yam, red date, and lean meat porridge. After seeing off his teacher, he took Comet back to Yunding Mountain Villa.

=====

Beiming City Lord's Residence.

Yao Huan finished taking Gong Yanqing's pulse: "You can stop taking the medicine after finishing this month's dose. I'll change the prescription for you."

Gong Yanqing was full of joy: "Thank you, Yao Lao. The Ganoderma lucidum spore powder you sent me last time worked very well. I feel much more energetic."

Yuan Xuegang said from the side, "After a thorough evaluation and monitoring, the improvement trend is quite clear. Yao Lao, please have a look at this report."

He handed the examination report to Yao Huan: "The primary lesion remains stable with no significant signs of growth, and a comprehensive examination confirms there are no distant metastatic lesions. Given the current condition, I think we can consider surgery to attempt complete removal. If there’s no further spread, there’s hope for a full recovery."

Yao Huan said, "With the new variant drugs, the treatment results are much better. If your health is good, surgery is definitely an option." He glanced at Gong Yanqing's face: "You’ve been in good spirits lately, which helps with recovery."

Gong Yanqing smiled: "My daughter is expecting, which is wonderful news."

Yao Huan congratulated: "That’s really great news."

Gong Yanqing sighed: "This daughter is truly the only one I can’t let go of. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be pushing myself so hard. A while back, the young couple had a spat, and I put in a lot of effort to smooth things over. Now they’re finally back on good terms."

Yao Huan smiled and nodded, saying something about how family harmony is the best medicine, and noticing that Qi Shuhong had already packed up the pulse pillow, acupuncture kit, and other things for him, he got up to leave.

Gong Yanqing got up to walk him out, smiling: "You’re always running over to the Nanshan Herb Garden—it’s exhausting. What equipment or research can’t we provide here at the medical institute? If you need students, we’ve got plenty here eager to learn from you." He glanced at Qi Shuhong, who just smiled.

Yao Huan said, "The herbs grown there are top-notch and easy to access. This young Qi is quite talented, very studious, a graduate of a top university, and very sharp. Qi, you should consult more with Director Yuan—his expertise is rock-solid."

Qi Shuhong smiled and said, "I’ve read Director Yuan’s research papers on bacterial pharmacology. I was also lucky enough to attend his lecture on bacterial genetics and mutation mechanisms. With variant plants and animals now existing, there’s bound to be a lot of new research opportunities in variant bacteria and microorganisms."

Yuan Xuegang was somewhat surprised: "Where did you graduate from?"

Qi Shuhong smiled and mentioned a university name. Yuan Xuegang laughed: "I actually did give a lecture there."

Gong Yanqing said, "Shall we have lunch together?"

Yao Huan shook his head: "I’ll go back and see what herbs are suitable for you, and change your prescription."

As they walked out the door, Shen Lan had already driven the car over. Qi Shuhong helped Yao Huan and Gong Yanqing say their goodbyes, then got into the car.

Yao Huan asked, "Where are the Taoist priests?"

Shen Lan said, "They are waiting at the Green Bird pharmacy, we’ll go there together."

The car had just started when Shen Lan suddenly changed his expression, glancing at the rearview mirror: "Someone is following us."