Chapter 145: Cleaning Up the Mess

Chapter 145: Cleaning Up the Mess

In the now calm canyon, the blue volcanic lake lay serene and tranquil.

Over thirty people had been rescued and were lying in a row on waterproof mats on the hillside, the rain having washed away the mucus from their bodies.

Not far from them, Guan Yuanfeng, accompanied by Comet, had lit two charcoal fires to keep them from hypothermia. These individuals were all Psychics, with relatively strong physical constitutions, and despite being trapped in the spider cocoons for so long, they still had faint heartbeats.

One of them, for some reason, wasn’t wearing a helmet, and the exposed areas of his face, neck, and hands without protective clothing were corroded by the mucus, leaving pitted scars like burns.

Zhou Yun noticed that he wasn’t wearing gloves either, but his arms were wrapped with a string of metal chains, the front ends of which were sharp and pointed, and the metal material didn’t seem ordinary.

It was likely that this person, like Ren Yuefei and Qin Sheng, was a Metal Manipulator, probably because his body could metalize at any time, and for the convenience of using his abilities, he didn’t wear a helmet or protective gloves.

The skin on his face and neck was severely corroded, with some areas even exposing underlying tissue and muscles. Such corrosive wounds were difficult to treat.

Unlike regrowing limbs, after all, one couldn’t just cut off the head or peel off the entire facial skin for grafting; this required too precise a repair and growth, and with such severe damage, it would be hard to restore to its original state, depending on his own Psychic healing abilities.

Zhou Yun simply cast a Rejuvenation Ability on him, healing the wounds on his face that were still bleeding and oozing pus, but ultimately leaving pitted scars resembling burns. Even if recovery was possible, it would likely take a very long time to maintain the current disfigured state, but surviving was already a stroke of luck.

With so many people, rescuing them one by one was too slow, and being able to organize so many Psychic warriors at once indicated that they were no small figures.

With Guan Yuanfeng and Comet guarding them, Zhou Yun summoned a ginseng and performed a Ginseng Glory Technique to restore their vitality.

In the soft white light, the distinct aroma of ginseng filled the canyon.

However, this area was likely originally the territory of the Volcanic Spider, and other beasts, intimidated by its ferocity, dared not enter. Only a flock of eagles flew in from the sky, but a lightning bolt thrown by Guan Yuanfeng quickly scared them away.

Ginseng naturally had the effects of emergency aid and greatly replenishing vitality, and with the addition of Light Psychics, the thirty people soon gradually regained normal breathing and heart rates.

Seeing Zhou Yun put away the ginseng, Guan Yuanfeng noticed his pale face and realized that he had used a lot of his abilities by casting so many techniques in a row, feeling a bit of heartache: "Are you okay?"

Zhou Yun was in good spirits, after all, he had gained a lot and saved people.

He took their pulses and said, "They’re all Psychics, with stronger physical constitutions than ordinary people, so they’ll all survive. It’s just that we haven’t heard of this spider species before, so we don’t know if the mucus and poison have any side effects."

As he spoke, they heard groans; after all, being Psychics, their recovery abilities were strong, and they gradually woke up.

Zhou Yun and Guan Yuanfeng took out the blankets from their tents and covered them, only to see one of the men sit up. He seemed to have a higher Psychic level and a stronger physique. He got up, coughed a few times, and with difficulty took off his helmet, looking at them: "Are you... the backup from the Xining Base?"

As soon as he finished speaking, their eyes met, and both sides were stunned, while Comet barked threateningly a few times beside them.

The man was initially unsure, but upon seeing Comet, the massive dog, he immediately realized: "It’s you?"

Zhou Yun also immediately recognized this person as the "Young Master Luo" they had met that day, who had tried to snatch the butterfly.

He was speechless: "..."

Guan Yuanfeng frowned and walked over, standing in front of him, asking, "Do you have any contacts nearby? We’ve rescued you, but you need to go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible."

Luo Chenhui’s expression changed repeatedly, and after looking around, he forced a smile: "So it was you two brothers who saved us. We are eternally grateful. We have acquaintances in the Xining Base, and we kindly ask you two brothers to help us contact them. We will surely repay you handsomely later."

Guan Yuanfeng took out his phone and glanced at it: "There’s no signal here. It’s best to leave as soon as possible. It’s getting dark, and we had the dog lure the spider away and sneak into the nest to rescue you. That big spider is dangerous and might chase after us."

Luo Chenhui shivered slightly and looked at Guan Yuanfeng: "We came by plane... If you two have a vehicle, could you go to the Xining Base to inform them for us?"

Guan Yuanfeng said gravely, "This place is too dangerous. The temperature will plummet below freezing at night, and you’re all in a weakened state. Staying here could cause problems." He knew the other party had some character issues and was unwilling to provide free rescue.

"Let’s make a fire here, leave them food, weapons, and medicine, and they can protect themselves. Just take me and Young Master Luo back to the Xining Base, and we will immediately arrange for someone to come and rescue the remaining companions. We will have a handsome reward." A raspy voice spoke up.

Zhou Yun saw the metal manipulator, his face a gruesome sight, sit up, clearly having heard their conversation.

They were about to abandon the others. Zhou Yun felt a cold knot in his stomach as he glanced at the psychic protectors. Some were still unconscious, while others had woken up and were gradually removing their helmets and wet protective suits. Some wrapped themselves in blankets and moved closer to the fire for warmth, still in their damp suits, while those in better condition began to assist their nearby comrades. Everyone appeared drained and pale.

The metal manipulator continued, "Some of our comrades have already escaped and should soon be able to contact rescue for us. We’ll make sure to repay your kindness someday."

Luo Chenhui turned and was startled by the man’s scarred face, but he controlled his expression and chimed in, "That’s right. Do you know General Luo Shouchang from the Sanchu Base? He’s my uncle on my father’s side. Once you rescue us, our Luo family will be eternally grateful. I’ll be taking a post at the Zhucheng Base next year, and I’ll make sure to repay you handsomely, whatever you need!"

Guan Yuanfeng listened as the other party continued to evade revealing his true name, only making empty promises. Clearly, he was from a bureaucratic family, used to sweet-talking and buttering people up, but not one to easily offer real benefits.

However, since he mentioned Luo Shouchang and claimed to be the future Deputy Governor of Zhucheng Base, Guan Yuanfeng figured that once they reached the Xining Base and found the local commander, Fu Shaogang, they could easily verify his identity.

He frowned, ready to demand something tangible, when suddenly, the distant whir of helicopter blades reached his ears.

He looked up and saw a military helicopter slowly descending onto a flat area on a nearby hill. The door opened, and soldiers began to disembark. One person ran down and shouted toward them, "Young Master Luo! Young Master Luo! I’ve brought General Fu from the Xining Base to help!"

Luo Chenhui exclaimed joyfully, "Great! My men have reached the reinforcements!"

Guan Yuanfeng, hearing it was Fu Shaogang, felt reluctant to engage and said, "Now that your people are here, you should be safe. We’ll be on our way."

He turned to leave, but the gloomy man stepped forward and blocked their path, "Wait. You two seized the lightning vine and lightning butterflies in Zhucheng, and now you’ve 'rescued us' from the volcanic spiders’ nest in this perilous spot. It feels like destiny. How can you leave so quickly without letting us repay you?"

He emphasized the words "such a coincidence."

Guan Yuanfeng raised an eyebrow, his authoritative presence flaring up, "If you think it’s too coincidental, should we send you back to the spider’s nest?"

Luo Chenhui quickly stepped forward with a conciliatory smile, "Hey, don’t get mad. My buddy here isn’t great with words. We just feel that we truly have a connection with you and want to repay your kindness as soon as possible..." He secretly cursed Ye Shiqing for his low emotional intelligence. With their group in such a weakened state, a few lightning strikes from this man could easily finish them off.

Indeed, the world was vast, and travel in the apocalypse was difficult. For these two to appear in such a desolate place and save them was indeed suspicious. But even if they doubted their intentions, they should first return to the safe base and then investigate their identities. To confront them directly now was practically asking for death.

Guan Yuanfeng let out a cold laugh, but by then the people from above had descended. The leader, walking with a commanding presence, was none other than Fu Shaogang. His sharp eyes immediately spotted Guan Yuanfeng, and he called out joyfully from a distance, "Brother Guan! It’s you!"

Guan Yuanfeng felt a headache coming on. He glanced at Zhou Yun, who asked with a smile, "You know him?"

Luo Chenhui and the scarred man both turned to look at Guan Yuanfeng. The man from above quickly approached, and seeing Guan Yuanfeng in civilian clothes, he didn’t salute but instead gave him a fierce hug, his eyes brimming with tears, "It’s been so many years! You returned to Zhongzhou but didn’t come to see me before heading south again! Why didn’t you let me know you were in Xining?"

Guan Yuanfeng rubbed his temples, "I’m just passing through on some personal matters. I happened to come across this group being dragged into the spider’s nest and saved them on a whim. I was just wondering how to handle them. Since you’re here, take them back for treatment."

Fu Shaogang’s eyes widened, "These two kids must have had some incredible luck to be saved by you!" Then he suddenly realized, "Luo Shouchang is under your command, right? Was it his request? It couldn’t be that fox Ye, could it? I heard you beat him so badly he fled back to Lindong! Hahaha! I’m overjoyed!"

Guan Yuanfeng: "..." This was exactly why he didn’t want to see Fu Shaogang. The man was a chatterbox, his mouth like a machine gun, never stopping once he started talking. He even suspected that General Tan had sent him to Xining just to get rid of his incessant noise.

He waved his hand to stop Fu Shaogang’s rambling and said coldly, "It’s getting dark. Stop wasting time. These people have been poisoned by the volcanic spiders, and the composition of the venom is unknown. There might be side effects. Take them back to the Xining Base for treatment as soon as possible."

Fu Shaogang reluctantly nodded, "Understood. Let’s get on the helicopter first, and we can talk more there."

Guan Yuanfeng turned to Zhou Yun, who said, "We still have some matters to attend to, so we won’t go to the Xining Base for now. We’ll come in a few days."

Fu Shaogang was taken aback, but Guan Yuanfeng immediately added, "Yes, it’s getting dark. You handle them. I’ll come to the Xining Base in a few days and find you then."

Fu Shaogang, sensing that Guan Yuanfeng’s sudden appearance here as the Southwest Commander likely had other purposes, realized it probably wasn’t just to rescue these two spoiled brats. After all, were they even worth Guan Yuanfeng’s personal intervention?

Fu Shaogang said, "Alright, I’ll see you off." He then turned to his deputy and ordered, "Quickly organize the wounded and get them on the helicopter. Provide them with some first aid."

He escorted Guan Yuanfeng and Zhou Yun down to the valley, away from the others, and then whispered, "Are you here... for another mission? Do you need my assistance? After the volcanic eruption last year, many mutant creatures have appeared here. The locals don’t dare come near this place anymore."

Guan Yuanfeng replied, "It’s nothing, just personal matters. No need to trouble you. But do you know those people from earlier?"

Fu Shaogang scoffed, "Those greenhorns? Not worth my time. One is Luo Shouchang’s nephew, and the other is Ye Yuqing’s cousin. Apparently, they got some information online about powerful mutant volcanic creatures here and brought a group of psychics to try and profit. They don’t know their own limits. If it were that easy to kill those things, I would’ve done it long ago. Why would it be their turn?"

He spat, "Damn it, they all got caught up in it. His subordinates drove to the Xining base and came to me for help. Damn it, I really didn’t feel like saving them."

Seeing Zhou Yun beside Guan Yuanfeng smiling, he involuntarily swallowed the string of curses, only managing to say, "Well, just for the sake of being on the same team, but it's lucky I came over, otherwise I wouldn't have met you. Seriously, you sure you don’t need my help?"

Guan Yuanfeng said, "No thanks, I’m good."

Zhou Yun then asked, "Did Ye Yuqing’s cousin mention his name?"

Fu Shaogang: "...I think he did, but I can't remember." Who’d bother remembering the names of those nobodies? There's so much to do every day.

Zhou Yun laughed, "Then General Fu, don’t forget to squeeze more out of the Lindong base."

Fu Shaogang sneered, "He’s got oil and gas, and so do I. He has a weapons factory with firearms, so do I. I can’t be bothered dealing with that sly fox Ye—dealing with such a person, you'll fall into his trap in no time."

Zhou Yun couldn't help but laugh again.

Fu Shaogang was somewhat puzzled,

Zhou Yun then asked Fu Shaogang, "General Fu, do you know what other mutated beasts are here besides spiders?"

Fu Shaogang frowned, "Spiders, groundhogs, rats, bats, foxes, even rabbits have mutated. Don’t underestimate them."

Guan Yuanfeng said, "Alright, this is far enough. It's really getting dark, you’d better head back."

Fu Shaogang waved goodbye to Guan Yuanfeng and Zhou Yun. Guan Yuanfeng never introduced him, so he didn't inquire, only smiled and bid farewell.

In front of the helicopter, Luo Chenhui watched from a distance as Fu Shaogang waved goodbye to the two men and stood watching them walk away. Though they spoke casually and warmly, seemingly without hierarchy, their body language showed clear, involuntary respect and awe.

He murmured, "Guan... with lightning Psychics..."

Ye Shiqing beside him coldly said, "It's Guan Yuanfeng, who clashed with Ye Yuqing and got demoted from the central government."

Demoted? Too simple. This man is his future superior, and he has already deeply offended him. Luo Chenhui was very irritated and somewhat impatient with Ye Shiqing, only saying, "Brother Ye, you’d better get on the plane and let the doc check you out."

Ye Shiqing was puzzled, "What injuries?" Aside from being wiped out from using his Psychics, he wasn’t hurt.

Luo Chenhui avoided eye contact, unwilling to look directly at Ye Shiqing's terrifying face, "Your face, man—I told you to wear a helmet and gloves today. That spider venom’s nasty..."

Ye Shiqing reached out to touch the unevenness on his face, instantly recalling the burning sensation on his face and neck when he was wrapped in the spider cocoon.

He realized something and rushed to the cargo mirror under the helicopter's nose. The evening sunlight reflected off the mirror, revealing every detail. He suddenly let out a painful howl, "Get me a light abilities healer, now!"