Chapter 148: Heading Back

Chapter 148: Heading Back

The plateau mutated yaks, naturally raised in the cold, high-altitude regions, feed on precious herbs found at high altitudes and drink from mountain snowmelt. They are high in protein and low in fat, with the meat being exceptionally tender and succulent.

Perhaps Guan Yuanfeng had made prior arrangements, as only Fu Shaogang was present at the table with the two of them, which helped Zhou Yun feel more at ease. Each had a small copper pot in front of them, inside which yak bone soup was bubbling as the base. Beside it were freshly sliced pieces of red and white yak meat, reportedly from the best parts of the leg and chest. Slightly curled in the hot soup, the meat was crisp, tender, and delicious. There was also pink yak chest fat, low in fat content and smooth in texture.

The yak's massive leg bones were split open, revealing the pale pink marrow inside. The waiters roasted the entire bones on charcoal fire in the restaurant, sprinkling spices, chili powder, and chopped scallions, making them sizzle and aromatic. Scooping it up with a spoon, it trembled like jelly, tender and smooth, melting in the mouth.

Other dishes included soy-sauce braised yak tail, abalone-stewed yak tendon, hand-grilled yak steak, stir-fried yak tripe, and marinated yak liver. Thanks to the fresh ingredients, the flavors were all authentic.

There was even a specialty dish of charcoal-grilled yak testicles. Fu Shaogang said mysteriously, "This is good, tastes great, tender and smooth when cooked, strengthens the kidneys and waist, very nourishing. Have some, City Lord. This is from mutated yaks, even more potent. The elites from Zhongzhou Base sometimes fly here on weekends just to eat this. When you leave, I'll pack a box of yak penis and testicles for you to take back. You can braise them with beer or make a cold dish."

Zhou Yun: "..."

Fu Shaogang continued, "Speaking of alcohol, I've long heard of your famous mutated agave wine. Of course, tropical crops can't be grown here, but strong liquor sells well here! Why not give us a low-price channel, and we'll distribute it for you, guaranteed to sell out!"

"Also, our mutated herbs here are excellent, but they don't sell well. How about we supply you with herbs, and you turn them into medicine, sharing the profits by equity?"

Guan Yuanfeng finally turned his head, "Since when did you become so business-savvy?"

Fu Shaogang said, "Brother, do you know how long we were snowed in and surrounded by zombies last year? The wild power plants and oil fields were plagued by wolf disasters and zombie waves, and more than half of the workers and soldiers who came to support died! No one wants to go on field missions anymore!"

With tears in his eyes, he said, "I have to pay compensation, promised to provide welfare for their families, and the base is responsible for raising all the widows and children. I still owe a lot! Zhongzhou only cares about us ensuring energy supply, but when have they ever cared about my life or death?"

Zhou Yun was immediately moved, "Everything can be discussed. I'll have Zhu Zhuan talk to you about the details."

Guan Yuanfeng knew that Fu Shaogang, with his resources and power plants, was better off than other bases, but the population was indeed a big issue. However, everywhere has its difficulties. Zhongzhou Base has taken in too many refugees, and every day they need to eat, so the food pressure is immense.

Zhou Yun is soft-hearted; anyone who complains in front of him, he wants to help as much as he can. Even Ye Yuqing, though he speaks ill of him, actually holds no grudges, being broad-minded and kind-hearted.

Zhou Yun didn't know that Guan Yuanfeng had added another layer of filter to him at this moment: to take, one must first give. After agreeing, seeing Fu Shaogang was in an excited state, he took the opportunity to say, "Today in the rabbit valley, there was a patch of volcanic algae and volcanic moss, containing very rich fire psychic energy."

Fu Shaogang had seen many good things today, mainly stunned by the spiders and volcanic rabbits, and didn't pay much attention to these details: "Oh? Does the City Lord have any plans?"

Zhou Yun said, "Volcanic algae can survive through photosynthesis, but only with a large amount of fire psychic energy can they grow so well. I speculate that if they leave the Xuanwu volcanic group, they might not grow as well. I suggest City Lord Fu vigorously cultivate this volcanic algae, perhaps it can be developed into a new energy source."

Fu Shaogang's eyes lit up, "Technology is productivity!" He actively moved closer to Zhou Yun, "Since it was discovered by General Guan and the City Lord, naturally you take the lead. City Lord, whatever I can do, just give the order."

Zhou Yun smiled, "After I return, I'll publish a paper, then recruit some scientists to be responsible for this project. At that time, we might set up a laboratory at General Fu's place..." He had previously achieved related research results, and now going back to redo the experiments would be familiar, plus with the help of his teacher, and after the holiday, some experts from Zhongzhou would also arrive, so results should come quickly.

Fu Shaogang was somewhat expectant, "If it can really be mass-reproduced and utilized, even just for heating, it could benefit so many northern bases."

Zhou Yun nodded, "Try using the bodies of fire psychic mutated creatures as fertilizer, like the volcanic spider meat from today. Besides research, everything else can be used for composting." He himself had packed a large box of spider meat, crystal white, somewhat like king crab meat. He really wanted to try it, but seeing Guan Yuanfeng frowning while cutting and packing it for him, he decided against it.

Better take it back to compost and cultivate volcanic algae. But this is a one-time consumable; to form a long-term circular industry, it's necessary to push forward with research and development as soon as possible. He was originally worried that Guixu was in the south, too far away to manage effectively. He never expected that Fu Shaogang and Guan Yuanfeng knew each other, so now he could really make a big move.

Fu Shaogang immediately said, "I'll have the research institute try it out quickly." He then looked at Zhou Yun with some surprise, "I see those in scientific research, whenever they discover some new mutated creatures or plants, they keep it tightly hidden, waiting for results. Why is City Lord so generous?"

Zhou Yun said, "My strength alone is limited, and I'm not originally a biologist. There are so many mutated creatures and plants in the world, can we ever finish researching them? And now that times are tough, the priority is to let everyone live well. Only then can scientific achievements increase, forming a virtuous cycle."

Fu Shaogang was moved, "No wonder City Lord Liang from Mobei City praised you so much, saying you gave all the research results on shadow hemp to them for free." He then changed the subject, "Since this project is so important, why not suggest that City Lord stay in Xining for a few more days? I'll drive you around. Xining has many mutated creatures and plants that are not found inland, like cordyceps, which have great medicinal value."

Guan Yuanfeng turned to look at him, "Guixu City has many affairs, we need to return as soon as possible." He then explained to Zhou Yun, "Kexin said the new Deputy Governor has already arrived, asking every day where the commander is. It's better to return quickly to avoid trouble."

Fu Shaogang laughed, "Alright, how about I arrange a plane for you to return? Don't worry about the car, I'll have someone send it back."

Zhou Yun said, "Then I'll trouble the City Lord."

With the return trip settled, the three of them enjoyed the meal. Zhou Yun asked with concern about the people Fu Shaogang had rescued.

Fu Shaogang said, "Most of them are psychic warriors, and their injuries aren’t severe. After treatment, they’ve mostly recovered, but they’re temporarily unable to use their psychic powers. Only the young master from the Ye family wasn’t wearing a helmet or goggles at the time, and his injuries are quite serious."

"We’ve mobilized all the light and wood psychic ability users in the city to examine him, and they all say that the facial scars are hard to fully heal, as they involve many delicate facial nerves and dermis. Even with psychic restoration, it’s difficult to control the subtle growth process, which can easily leave scars. Even if we consider removing the damaged skin and grafting new skin or using psychic restoration, the process could further damage the skin, leading to additional scarring."

"Such a large area of corrosive wounds is prone to bacterial and other pathogenic infections, especially from unknown psychic beasts whose toxins and pathogens are still unclear. The fact that he received immediate treatment without side effects, residual toxicity, or life-threatening inflammation is already fortunate. They all say that the one who treated him first was a true expert."

Fu Shaogang understood that it was most likely the East Lord City Master who treated him and subtly praised, "Not just the skin, but his eyes, nose, and mouth were also corroded by some of the mucus that flowed in. His vision and sense of smell have been somewhat affected, and his throat and airways are reportedly inflamed and swollen. That’s why Major General Ye Lihui personally brought a team of doctors to consult on his case."

Zhou Yun smiled and said, "Lindong’s medical technology must be top-notch, so he should recover soon."

Fu Shaogang also smiled, though not sincerely, "Let’s hope so."

Zhou Yun asked, "Which hospital are they at?"

Fu Shaogang replied, "The military hospital is next to the military guesthouse, behind the military headquarters building. I’ll have to meet with them later."

Zhou Yun smiled, "I also have some samples that need urgent processing. I’ll use your hospital’s lab equipment for a while."

Fu Shaogang immediately said, "No problem, I’ll have someone take you there."

===

Ye Shiqing, with his eyes bandaged, was hysterical in the hospital room, though his voice was hoarse and weak, diminishing his usual madness, "Why can’t it be restored to how it was? They’re all useless! Find a higher-tier light healer!"

Ye Lihui could only comfort his son, "The experts said it’s fortunate that you were treated in time, otherwise the toxins would have spread throughout your body, and you might not have survived. It’s already a blessing that you’re in this condition now. The person who treated you initially must have been a high-tier wood psychic, who managed to dispel most of the toxins. It’s a miracle that you didn’t lose your eyesight and that your body wasn’t affected."

Ye Shiqing’s face twisted, making the scars even more prominent and ugly, "A high-tier wood psychic, the one with Guan Yuanfeng, it must be the East Lord City Master! He did this on purpose! He deliberately left me with scars to get back at that useless Ye Yuqing! Let’s go back, stop supplying oil and gas to Guixu City, and unite with other bases to attack Guixu!"

Ye Lihui looked at his son’s disfigured face and sighed inwardly. He had originally found a gentle and beautiful girl from a scholarly family for him, whose parents were both professors. After the apocalypse, the mother and daughter had been struggling to get by. She had been willing, but now, with his son in this state, he doubted any decent girl would want to marry him. What could he do?

He was filled with worry but could only console him, "Don’t be like this. They saved you, and we can’t repay kindness with enmity. Your grandfather said that when you return, we should send generous gifts to Guixu City to thank General Guan for saving your life. Right now, Lindong is unstable, and we can’t afford to create more trouble and make enemies for no reason."

Ye Shiqing’s voice was hoarse and frantic, "So we’re just supposed to swallow this? How coincidental is it that they intercepted the items Luo San and I were after in Zhucheng, and then ran into us here in Xining? The world is vast, who would go to such a godforsaken place unless they were deliberately following us? There must be a traitor in our team. I’ll have Luo San interrogate them thoroughly, and I’ll also interrogate the people who followed me here. Are they Ye Yuqing’s dogs?"

Ye Lihui sighed helplessly, "Just focus on recovering for now. I’ll discuss the treatment plan with the doctors. As more psychics advance in rank, what’s impossible now may become possible later. As long as you’re alive, there’s hope. You’re almost at the fourth level of metal abilities, and it’s said that high-tier psychics have better control over their powers. You might try metallizing your face later, which could help the scars heal."

Deep down, he knew the chances were slim, but he could only comfort his son and give him a glimmer of hope.

He summoned the medical staff to administer some sedatives and sleeping pills to his son. After watching him fall asleep, he left, unaware that some dandelion seeds had drifted in through the window and into the room.

The room was now empty except for Ye Shiqing.

Countless soft vines silently entered the room, quietly covering the surveillance cameras.

Zhou Yun, dressed in a white lab coat, wearing a mask and hat, just like the other doctors in the military hospital, quietly walked into the room.

A cactus injected an anesthetic, and Zhou Yun skillfully made an incision in Ye Shiqing’s abdomen with a scalpel. Next to the metal core, he placed a small shadow hemp core and then performed "grafting."

After that, he used "Revive Spring," and the abdominal wound healed as if it had never been there. Zhou Yun, with the high-level skills honed from working on thousands of shadow ducks, calmly cleaned up the blood and walked out of the room.