Chapter 131: There Will Be Time in the Future

Chapter 131: There Will Be Time in the Future

Lin Dong Base.

"Ye Yuqing did not go to Central Base."

"We have already informed the military at Central Base to be on the lookout. Ling Dingxiu is alone with Ye Yuqing, and their target is quite obvious; it's impossible not to notice them. The tracker on him has stopped working, likely removed by himself. Now we can only search base by base."

Ye Lihui stood at the lower end of the spacious study, reporting with his head bowed in submission.

A hand, wrinkled like tree bark, slowly twirled a pair of white jade walnuts. Ye Zixi sat in an armchair, his beard and eyebrows as white as snow, exuding an air of authority: "You let a fool steal him away and couldn't even catch up. You really are something."

Ye Lihui looked ashamed: "Now even the southern regions are experiencing snowfall, with zombies and mutated beasts roaming everywhere. It's impossible to survive outdoors. As long as they enter any base, we can track them down. I'm just concerned they might risk boarding a ship, making it impossible to track them."

Ye Zixi was silent for a while: "Venturing out to sea is highly risky. If they do go out to sea, it would be difficult to contact them for some time, which might actually be beneficial. His limbs are useless, and he is blind; there's only so much he can accomplish."

"The immediate priority is to stabilize the base's situation as quickly as possible. As long as we control the base and can command the three armies, the alliance military will have no choice but to accept the transfer of military authority. Proceed with preparing for my crystal core transplant surgery."

Ye Lihui was shocked: "Are you really willing to take such a risk? You possess a dual affinity, and we haven't yet located a dual wood and water crystal core."

Ye Zixi said: "A water core will suffice. We are out of time. Ye Yuqing is no fool. Even with just his words, he can sway other officers, and the alliance military heeds his advice. The officers of the three armies are not taking any action, possibly because Ye Yuqing is physically weak, and the freezing weather outside has prevented them from contacting him, or they might be biding their time."

Ye Lihui said: "Should we wait until after the New Year? I'm already reaching out to contacts in Beiming, hoping to find a way to get in touch with Dongjun, to seek medical assistance for you under a different identity, and offer him substantial rewards to activate your psychic ability. Guan Yuanfeng's dual abilities are likely his handiwork, which would be more reliable."

Ye Zixi shook his head: "That was indeed the optimal plan initially. It's our fault for alienating him from the beginning. But now time is against us. We must seize control of the three armies before Ye Yuqing does, stabilize morale, and secure support from the alliance military. Your qualifications are lacking, and I am too old. I must awaken my psychic ability as quickly as possible."

"Moreover, Ye Yuqing must now harbor deep hatred for Shiqing, but he will still show me some respect. With his limbs gone and eyes blind, he will need care. Don't let his heart grow cold. We are family; when we meet him, we should talk properly and try to persuade him to come back. We will take care of him and find a way to activate his psychic ability."

"But for now, proceed with the surgery. Fortunately, we previously spent a lot to bring experts from Li Xiong's side. Now they can't go back and are completely loyal to us. The difficulty was originally with psychic affinity, but now with the test paper, it's much simpler, and the success rate is greatly increased."

Ye Lihui hesitated: "But the expert from Li Xiong's side said that even if the transplant surgery is successful, there are still side effects. The current test subjects have just undergone surgery, and it's not yet clear if there are any side effects."

Ye Zixi said: "Guan Yuanfeng may also have side effects. He refuses to let the Psychic Research Institute study him, probably because there are issues. Artificial transplants might not be as good as natural ones."

"Moreover," Ye Zixi's face was stern: "If I don't awaken my psychic ability, I won't be able to suppress Shiqing. If we continue to let him go unchecked, we won't be able to control him. How many guards' hearts have been chilled this time? Ye Yuqing was already very popular. If you had even half his ability, I wouldn't need to step in to clean up this mess."

Ye Lihui was full of shame: "It's my incompetence."

Ye Zixi sighed deeply: "Out of jealousy, he could do such a thing to his cousin. As his psychic level gets higher and higher, how can we control him?"

Ye Lihui hesitated for a while: "His mother and I are arranging a marriage for him. Maybe with a wife and children, he will be better."

Ye Zixi paused: "Last time, Miss Liu from Baihe City, who was a rare light ability user, came with full sincerity wanting to form an alliance through marriage, but she left in a hurry after just a few days with him. He has a strange temperament; otherwise, with such a family background, he should have been married long before the apocalypse. You better be mentally prepared."

Ye Lihui explained in a low voice: "Girls with psychic abilities have a wide range of choices. Shiqing is dull and doesn't know how to sweet-talk. His mother and I discussed that we shouldn't look for a psychic, just someone gentle and well-educated. With his temperament, maybe getting him married early would be good."

Ye Zixi said: "What if the child inherits his temper?"

Ye Lihui's face turned pale, murmuring: "We only have this one child. I've asked the experts; it's not certain. Maybe if he meets a very obedient wife and has children, becoming a father might change his temperament."

Ye Zixi said somewhat helplessly: "Do as you wish, but treat the girl well, be more generous."

Ye Lihui said: "I know, I will surely treat her like my own daughter."

Ye Zixi said lightly: "Prepare for the surgery first. I need to awaken my psychic ability as soon as possible."

Ye Lihui hesitated: "There are still risks. You are old, and I am really worried."

Ye Zixi was extremely disappointed with this indecisive son of his, but for now, he could only keep him close, saying with frustration: "To achieve great things, some risks must be taken. In this regard, Ye Yuqing is much stronger than you. He is decisive in handling matters, and this time he left resolutely, even though it's freezing outside."

"He can no longer trust us."

===

Nanshan Medicinal Garden.

Zhou Yun was performing surgery on Ge Chen, who was fully anesthetized.

The red fire core was instantly removed, and a water core of the same size was swiftly inserted. Zhou Yun skillfully performed the graft.

In the green light, the water core merged into the dantian meridians. Zhou Yun gently tapped, infusing his own water energy into it, causing the newly fused water core within Ge Chen's body to start circulating, moving upward along the meridians.

Before the surgery, Ge Chen had refrained from using his psychic powers for an extended period, and the blood and energy in his body had significantly replenished.

The fire energy in his meridians was nearly depleted. As the water core circulated, it seeped into every part of the meridians, but inevitably clashed with the residual fire energy.

Under anesthesia, Ge Chen's body trembled uncontrollably.

Zhou Yun summoned a psychic ginseng, and a soft light enveloped Ge Chen's body, mending his weakened and deteriorating meridians, healing the wounds Zhou Yun had just inflicted, restoring them to their original state.

Gradually, the trembling subsided, and color returned to Ge Chen's pale face.

Zhou Yun washed his hands, satisfied. Practice makes perfect; the surgery appeared to be a success.

However, for Ge Chen to flexibly use this new water core power, he would essentially need to start training from the beginning. Moreover, his future psychic powers level would likely not be very high, given the severe damage his meridians had previously suffered.

But it was still a positive outcome. At least the side effects from the conflicting abilities would gradually fade, and his lifespan would be extended.

He exited the operating room to find the Nirvana Team waiting. They rose to their feet upon seeing him.

Shen Lan asked, "Did the surgery go well? It seemed too quick."

Zhou Yun smiled, "Everything went smoothly. Now, it's all about rest and recovery."

Taoist Master Yunyin said, "Old Ge can also enjoy a good New Year."

Master Xinhai said, "Amitabha, now we can embark on our mission with peace of mind. If we hurry, we can return in time for the New Year."

Zhang Guangming said, "I'm just concerned Old Ge will be upset if he finds out we left him behind."

Shen Lan said, "There will be plenty of opportunities for missions in the future."

Zhou Yun smiled and offered a few instructions on what to monitor, then went to change his clothes and went upstairs to visit Ye Yuqing.

In the immaculate ward, a radio was playing the latest alliance news.

Ling Dingxiu came out with a tray and stood respectfully when he saw Zhou Yun, "Dr. Zhou." He used to address Zhou Yun respectfully as City Lord Zhou, but after noticing everyone else called him Dr. Zhou, he quickly adapted.

Ye Yuqing's hospital bed was adjusted higher, and he lay reclined, his eyes covered with a white gauze, hiding the ugly wounds. A wide strap crossed under his hospital gown, securing him to prevent him from falling off the bed.

His complexion had improved significantly. Though he couldn't see, he turned his head, "Dr. Zhou?"

Zhou Yun went over and sat down, "Feeling better? Have you been turning over as advised?"

Ling Dingxiu said, "Yes, I turn him over every fifteen minutes."

Zhou Yun nodded and said to Ye Yuqing, "Let me check your pulse." He placed his hand on the carotid artery at Ye Yuqing's neck, focusing on the pulse.

Ye Yuqing said, "Much better. After drinking the ginseng chicken soup, I really feel warm all over. I used to feel cold all the time. This morning, Yao Lao also came and gave me acupuncture. I feel much better."

Zhou Yun nodded, "Yao Lao said your case is quite rare. He hopes to publish some research findings."

Ye Yuqing was silent for a moment.

Zhou Yun suppressed a smile: "You're doing much better now. Also, after your injury, the wound was promptly treated with light psychics, so your vitality wasn't severely damaged."

Ye Yuqing seemed to realize something: "Dr. Zhou, you mean..."

Zhou Yun said: "If we delay, your body might weaken further, leading to muscle atrophy, osteoporosis, circulatory issues, and psychological problems, which won't help your recovery. Therefore, I plan to transplant a light crystal core into you as soon as possible."

"Light psychics are known for their strong healing abilities, and they also have strong self-healing capabilities, which should help in your recovery."

Ye Yuqing's spirits lifted: "Thank you, Dr. Zhou."

Zhou Yun said: "No need to thank me. I'm just looking forward to seeing you all go at each other."

Ye Yuqing: "..."

Zhou Yun smiled: "Getting the surgery done early will let everyone enjoy a peaceful New Year."

==

Returning to the villa from outside, he was greeted by the enticing aroma of sizzling pork belly. He was truly hungry, set the loquats he was carrying aside, and walked into the kitchen to see Guan Yuanfeng holding a wok: "What are you making that smells so amazing?"

Guan Yuanfeng honestly replied: "Last time you made that pork belly and shrimp pot, it was delicious. I was just trying to recreate it."

Zhou Yun glanced at the pork strips: "The meat looks great."

Guan Yuanfeng said: "Today, the Jingnan base sent over some live pigs as a reward for the garrison troops, and they set aside a few mutated pigs for you to celebrate the New Year. I had one slaughtered, gave half to Yao Lao, and had Qin Sheng arrange for someone to cook it. Comet is there too, and we saved a pig leg for him."

Zhou Yun nodded in agreement. Qin Mu and Qin Sheng picked two young men from the old street gang to take care of Yao Huan, who were diligent and efficient, taking care of household chores, hygiene, and three meals a day without any issues.

Qin Sheng, Qi Shuhong, and Hua Rou would drop by to visit Yao Huan now and then. Yao Huan really liked young people and enjoyed teaching them.

Zhou Yun peeled a loquat and handed it to Guan Yuanfeng, who ate it and asked curiously: "Where did you get these loquats?"

Zhou Yun smiled: "Today, the teacher mentioned he wanted to eat loquats, saying the ones from his hometown are the sweetest and juiciest. So, I quickly grew a plant in the nursery, picked some for him, and brought the rest back for you to try."

Guan Yuanfeng nodded: "Your skill is practical. If all wood abilities reached high levels, no one would have to worry about hunger."

Zhou Yun said: "Yes, but the third level is the ceiling for most people. Perhaps the next generation of psychic newborns will be stronger than ours."

Guan Yuanfeng asked: "Why?"

Zhou Yun explained: "Natural selection. The weak die, and the strong genes are passed on. The energy of psychic abilities probably also follows a general conservation, transferring among plants, animals, zombies, and humanity." He peeled another loquat for Guan Yuanfeng.

Guan Yuanfeng ate it and said: "You eat yours, I'm almost done here. How was the surgery today?"

Zhou Yun said: "Of course, there were no issues with me performing it. I plan to perform the transplant surgery on Ye Yuqing soon, and also use it as a reference for Zhu Zhuan's next transplant. He is physically strong and in good condition, but delaying further could worsen his physical condition, especially with potential psychological issues, which would be detrimental to the surgery."

"There are also ready-made light crystal cores. Qin Mu found several while at sea, specifically for Zhu Zhuan, and generously shared one with General Ye this time."

Guan Yuanfeng said: "You decide. I asked him if he needed to contact his trusted officers, and he said no, probably having his own ideas. Currently, there haven't been any major changes at the Lindong base."

Zhou Yun nodded: "If the surgeries for Ge Chen and Ye Yuqing go well, Zhu Zhuan is next. The teacher is actually quite anxious, but I advised him to wait and see the effects on others first." This was an area he hadn't explored in his previous life and wasn't confident about.

Guan Yuanfeng said: "Being cautious is right. However, Dong Kexin probably guessed something and privately told me one day that she would be willing to participate in any psychic ability activation experiments."

Zhou Yun was surprised: "Kexin is indeed clever, it's not strange that she guessed. But why is she so eager?"

Guan Yuanfeng smiled: "She has a crush on a psychic and hopes to become one herself."

Zhou Yun nodded: "We do need female volunteers. I'll find an opportunity to test her."

Guan Yuanfeng said, "They've all been tested. Kexin has Fire Psychic abilities, and Jiang Rongqian has water core skills." He laughed, "Kexin even prepared her own *Crystal Cores*. She mentioned that signing up now ensures the city lord will personally perform the surgery. If it becomes widely available in the future, who knows who will do it. She's determined to grab this chance, no matter what."

Zhou Yun smiled, "Alright, I'll find a chance to give her a comprehensive physical exam to check her body data."

The fragrant slices of pork belly were layered in a clay pot already lined with enoki mushrooms, followed by cabbage and glass noodles, and topped with shrimp and garlic sauce. Covered and cooked on high heat, it quickly turned into a savory shrimp and pork stew.

Guan Yuanfeng learned quickly and was doing a decent job. Zhou Yun chuckled, "General Guan's cooking skills are about to graduate."

Guan Yuanfeng replied, "Serving the city lord is part of my duty."