Chapter 111 She Is One of the Greatest Sentries of the Federation

Chapter 111: She's One of the Federation's Greatest Sentinels

After Fu Yanhua departed, Jin Ming had matters to discuss with Fu Zhangzhou and Lu Tianlin. Not wishing to intrude, Fang Ran and Fang Liyu exited the conference room ahead of them.

The two walked to a sofa in the outdoor rest area and sat down.

As this section was tucked away in a corner, few District 5 staff members passed by.

Fang Liyu had likely come straight to the conference room after returning from District 12, as a clear weariness showed on her face. Yet, the moment she sat down, she pulled out her terminal and began checking her work messages.

She scrolled down, item by item, then suddenly frowned.

"Fang Ran, earlier at the training ground... you encountered a Sentinel who seemed to be going berserk?"

"That's right," Fang Ran confirmed. "We were just there for a training mission, but that S-class suddenly went wild. Fu Zhangzhou and Lu Wenchuan subdued him when they realized something was amiss."

"Sister Fang, I heard that S-class Sentinel only advanced after arriving in District 5. Besides him, there's also someone I know..."

He then briefly recounted his encounter with Zhao Hengming at the cafeteria the day before.

"Although this person's situation is somewhat different from today's S-class Sentinel, they gave me a very similar feeling. What's more, both were recruited by the Research Institute from various districts. Isn't that... too much of a coincidence?"

The more Fang Liyu listened, the graver her expression became. She rubbed her temples and murmured, "It's the Research Institute again..."

Again?

Hearing Fang Liyu say this, Fang Ran realized she must have recently dealt with matters concerning the Research Institute.

"Sister Fang, you... probably know more about this than I do, right?"

"Indeed," Fang Liyu nodded. "I've long been aware of their recruitment of Sentinels and Guides across the Federation."

"Initially, the Research Institute's tasks were uniformly posted on the central system. Sentinels and Guides from each district could decide whether to accept them based on their own circumstances, and these tasks could also earn daily points. But as the number of tasks gradually increased, over a year ago, the Research Institute applied to the Central Office for independent recruitment rights for Sentinels and Guides."

Over a year ago?

Fang Ran was instantly taken aback.

If it was over a year ago... wasn't that around the time he transmigrated here?

The original host fell into the sea, and Zhao Hengming quickly transferred districts—both events happened just after the Research Institute obtained the right to recruit Sentinels. Then he arrived in this world.

Was he overthinking it, or was there truly a connection here?

After a moment of thought, he asked, "Sister Fang, what are the Research Institute's tasks generally about?"

Though somewhat puzzled by his sudden question, Fang Liyu still answered, "Mostly data monitoring during combat or purification, and of course, various biological materials used in experiments."

Is it really that simple?

Fang Ran hesitated, then asked, "Then... would they experiment on Sentinels and Guides?"

Fang Liyu paused, her tone somewhat hesitant. "I can tell you... that's actually happened before. But after the incident, the Federation government and the Guide Committee quickly intervened."

"The Central Office in District 12 now strictly monitors such experiments, especially those involving human experimentation on Sentinels and Guides—that is absolutely prohibited."

Is that so?

But that day... Zhao Hengming said he was lured to District 5 with the promise of advancement and became that monster after taking some drug.

Did they even know they were test subjects for the Research Institute?

"But... isn't the Research Institute's main focus on purification drugs for Sentinels? Wouldn't that require Sentinel cooperation too?"

"Mm," Fang Liyu replied. "The Sentinels tested for such drugs are those who cannot be purified or who cannot find a Guide with a compatibility rate higher than 15%. Of course, these individuals must also be evaluated before joining such experiments."

Hearing this, Fang Ran felt somewhat puzzled. "But earlier, Fu Yanhua said he could provide drugs for breakthrough advancements or to improve compatibility rates... Wouldn't that also require human testing?"

Fang Liyu smiled at him. "Fang Ran, the Central Office in District 12 can restrict the Research Institute, but it cannot interfere with Hua Yan Pharmaceutical."

"Although they collaborate deeply, Hua Yan is ultimately an independent entity. The center has no authority to inquire about the nature of their research."

"You should understand how the Sentinel and Guide Center operates. Besides support from the Federation government and cooperation from major factions, the most crucial aspect is sponsorship from corporations..."

She said meaningfully, "And Hua Yan is the largest pharmaceutical group in the Federation."

Fang Ran understood what she meant.

When interests are tied together, sometimes one has to turn a blind eye.

This suggested... perhaps some higher-ups in the center knew what they were doing but chose to ignore it.

Fang Liyu then added, "This meeting was proposed by Fu Yanhua."

"Director Jin was against it from the get-go, but those in the Central Office kept pressuring him. He was too worried, so he came to District 5 with us and is heading back to District 12 soon."

Recalling the scene in the conference room earlier, Fang Ran asked curiously:

"Sister Fang, Director Jin... seems to have a pretty good relationship with Lu Tianlin?"

Fang Liyu smiled, leaned back on the sofa, and shook her head.

"They've been friends for decades. Ever since I started working with Director Jin, I knew they were connected. The funniest part is, rumors outside always paint them as rivals fighting over interests."

"How could that be..."

"If they didn't trust each other, how could Director Jin hand District 4 over to him?"

Is that how it is?

Then... was the Lu family's opposition to Lu Wenchuan's sudden transfer because they were afraid of leaking the plan and drawing unnecessary attention?

That actually made sense.

Lu Wenshan initially didn't treat Zhong Wan well, but he didn't make things difficult for him either. Later, he didn't even oppose Lu Wenchuan being with him.

After saying all this, Fang Liyu closed her eyes, looking very tired, and rubbed her temples again.

Fang Ran knew she was somewhat exhausted, but he still carefully asked the question that had been on his mind these past few days.

"Sister Fang, I have one more question."

"Who exactly... is Fu Zhangzhou's mother?"

Fang Liyu opened her eyes, looked at him for a few seconds, and suddenly smiled.

"Fang Ran, are you that concerned about Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou now?"

Fang Ran blushed under her gaze. "No, it's just that when I went to deliver something to Sister Lu Tang that day, I saw the statue in the square..."

"Oh." Fang Liyu responded, seemingly recalling it as well.

"I've seen the videos and reports. When the Marauders assassinated Zheng Mingyu, Fu Zhangzhou and Lu Wenchuan were also at the scene."

"The prototype of that statue is indeed Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou's mother."

A look of both nostalgia and deep respect appeared on Fang Liyu's face.

"She was one of the greatest Sentinels of the Federation."