Chapter 62 Persuasion

Chapter 62 Persuasion

"Qi Jinsi (brother): I mailed you the thing you wanted."

"Qi Jinsi (brother): What do you even need this for? I nearly died in the lab trying to get this for you."

"Qi Yanshen: To help a classmate recuperate."

"Qi Jinsi (brother): ? Who? Were they murdered or something?"

"Qi Yanshen: None of your business. Did Dad ask anything?"

"Qi Jinsi (brother): No. You know the kind of weird stuff I usually ask about. The inhibitor mixed in there even seems kinda innocuous by comparison."

"Qi Yanshen: Get some rest. I'm logging off, got things to do."

"Qi Jinsi (brother): Bye."

Qi Yanshen closed the communication page. Ever since learning Ji Anzhi's identity and physical condition last week, he had contacted his brother, asking him to inquire with their father about whether any drugs could be developed to accelerate the expulsion of the inhibitor.

Since Qi Jinsi was on Sco Star, which was exceptionally close to Military Academy Star, Qi Yanshen received the express package from his brother just half an hour later.

Taking it back to his room and opening it, he found three injection syringes inside. Each syringe contained only five milliliters of a liquid medicine, which presented a deep green color, looking somewhat eerie.

Qi Yanshen flipped through the instructions left by his brother. The medicine could be stored at room temperature, but it was best stored at low temperatures for better efficacy. After use, wait seven days for the fever symptoms to subside before the next injection.

Putting the medicine away, Qi Yanshen pondered how to give this to Ji Anzhi. He couldn't outright tell him that this medicine could accelerate the expulsion of the inhibitor in his body, but he also couldn't be too cryptic, or it might never get used.

After much thought, Qi Yanshen decided to just deliver it to Ji Anzhi. He would send it over first and see if he would use it. Although the chance of him using it was very slim, he had to try.

Qi Yanshen took the medicine and knocked on Ji Anzhi's door.

At that moment, Ji Anzhi was pouring psychic stimulant into Ji Anjue's flowerpot. Ji Anjue was so comfortable its leaves were trembling. Noticing the knocking at the door, Ji Anzhi put away the contraband drug in his hand and went to answer it.

It was Qi Yanshen outside. Ji Anzhi immediately went on high alert, extremely wary.

"Is something wrong?"

Qi Yanshen showed Ji Anzhi the box containing the medicine and explained, "I noticed you haven't been looking too well lately. My father is the head of the Pharmaceutical Department at the Military Academy Research Institute. This is a medicine he developed for physical recuperation. You can give it a try; it should be beneficial for your health."

Ji Anzhi politely declined, "Thank you for your kindness, but my health is fine. I wouldn't want to trouble you."

Qi Yanshen persisted, "It's just a small token of appreciation, consider it a thank-you gift for taking on the Star Chart mission. Please don't stand on ceremony."

Ji Anzhi hesitated, uncertain. Just then, Ji Anjue's voice sounded in his mind: "Accept it. It's effective against the inhibitor in your body."

Ji Anzhi froze. Did Qi Yanshen know about the inhibitor in his body?

Ji Anjue said disdainfully, "You didn't actually think he stripped you naked that night just because you vomited, did you? He stripped you and threw you into a treatment pod."

Somewhat sheepishly, Ji Anzhi accepted the medicine, thanking him, "Thank you. Then I won't stand on ceremony. Besides, the task itself had rewards; there was no need for you to go to the expense."

Seeing Ji Anzhi finally accept it, Qi Yanshen breathed a sigh of relief and added, "It's best to refrigerate the medicine, though room temperature is also okay. After injection, you might experience fever and muscle soreness. These are normal; don't be alarmed."

Ji Anzhi thanked him again. The two chatted for a while longer before Qi Yanshen left. Returning to his room, Ji Anzhi opened the box. Inside lay three injection syringes. Beneath the transparent glass was the eerie deep green liquid. If he didn't know the medicine's purpose, Ji Anzhi would have suspected it was poison.

Taking out one syringe, Ji Anzhi did not inject himself. He placed that one into his space bracelet and put the other two into the small refrigerator in his room. Then he sent a message to Chi Yan, grabbed Ji Anjue and Xiaoxue, and headed out.

Since it was a weekend afternoon, Ji Anzhi arranged to meet Chi Yan at a dessert shop in the permanent trading zone. Chi Yan was a bit late due to some matters, but Ji Anzhi said it was fine.

Xiaoxue and Xiao Bai were playing nearby. Ji Anzhi took out the medicine Qi Yanshen had given him and handed it to Chi Yan, asking her to help analyze its components. Chi Yan asked, puzzled, "What's this?"

Ji Anzhi explained in a low voice, "Medicine to accelerate the expulsion of the inhibitor."

Chi Yan was startled, her hand instinctively clenching before quickly relaxing, handling it gently to avoid damaging the medicine.

Suppressing her excitement, Chi Yan asked in a trembling voice, "Really?"

Seeing Ji Anzhi nod, Chi Yan carefully put away the medicine, even specifically finding a medical cooling box to store it in. Ji Anzhi couldn't help but find it amusing; Chi Yan probably wasn't this formal even when storing her own pheromone inhibitors.

After carefully storing the medicine, Chi Yan had some dessert with Chief Ji. Watching Chief Ji finish only a small 50-gram cake and a cup of black tea before stopping, simply keeping her company in conversation, she swallowed the lump in her throat.

Chi Yan took the initiative to suggest that Chief Ji go back and rest while she applied for a lab to analyze the medicine's components. Ji Anzhi didn't refuse, reminding her not to rush, before picking up Xiaoxue and taking a car back to the dorm.

Upon returning to the dorm, he heard wails coming from the first-floor training room as soon as he entered. No need to guess; Lu Yan was getting beaten up again. Ever since the last incident, Lu Yan's alcohol stash had been completely destroyed, and every weekend he received "friendly" sparring sessions from Jian Fuxu and Qi Yanshen.

The specific effects of these sessions weren't entirely clear to him, but judging by Lu Yan's bruised and battered appearance every weekend evening, the results were clearly very effective.

Ji Anzhi returned to his room and continued tidying up his belongings.

The previous incident had served as a warning. Ji Anzhi hurriedly packed everything related to energy tanks in his room into his space bracelet, especially the energy tank manuscripts. He placed those in a safe before throwing it into the space bracelet—double insurance.

The clothes and accessories in the room were also covered by curtains by Ji Anzhi. Today, he finished the last bit of this project.

After tidying up and confirming nothing was overlooked, he finally relaxed to rest. At that moment, Ji Anjue excitedly caused a ruckus in Ji Anzhi's mind.

"I feel like I'm about to sprout little flower buds! Can you take me to class with you for the next month? I estimate that if you do, I can sprout buds in just a month! I can see my own little flowers!"

With Ji Anjue this excited, Ji Anzhi felt bad refusing. Fortunately, the biological space bracelet didn't isolate psychic energy, otherwise, carrying a shrub to class every day would make anyone look like a weirdo...

Having received permission, Ji Anjue became even more excited. To avoid disturbing Ji Anzhi, Ji Anjue disconnected from the psychic link with him and then linked with Xiaoxue, bothering Xiaoxue so much she covered her ears with her paws, but unfortunately, it was no use.

In the end, Xiaoxue finally couldn't take it anymore and went to bother Ji Anzhi instead, only then did Ji Anjue quiet down.

Unlike the peace and quiet in Ji Anzhi's room, Lu Yan on the first floor almost didn't survive the training room. What was even more infuriating was that he couldn't even complain, since he had brought this upon himself. These beatings were, to some extent, the comeuppance he deserved.

Once again collapsed on the floor, exhausted, Jian Fuxu took pity on him and allowed Lu Yan to rest for half an hour, after which Qi Yanshen would take over.

During the break, Jian Fuxu brought up the energy anti-leakage structure researched during the vacation: "The research institute sent me a message today. That anti-leakage structure can be applied on a large scale to energy tanks. The principal said they'll first manufacture a batch for the First to Third Legions for trial use, after all you three legions face the most troublesome bugs on your front lines."

Troublesome was an understatement. Even outside of bug swarm periods, the bugs on the front lines of the top three legions were 30% more numerous than those on other legion fronts. This was also why Qi Yanshen's first thought upon learning Ji Anzhi's identity was to tell his mother.

His mother was the commander of the Third Legion. According to Federal Military Department regulations, during a bug swarm, the commander must remain at the front line and cannot withdraw until the last moment. Knowing his mother, if the front line fell, she would surely atone with her life. With the bug front showing anomalies this year, he hoped his mother could have one more layer of protection.

Qi Yanshen replied, "How many will be deployed in the first batch for testing?"

"Not sure. The research institute, the mecha company, and the military department are still discussing it. It might take a few more days to finalize."

Now knowing that Ji Anzhi was the black-clad figure from that day, Qi Yanshen felt that things that rightfully belonged to Ji Anzhi should be reserved for him. Given Ji Anzhi's talent, there was a ninety percent chance that the three energy tanks were modified by Ji Anzhi himself.

To some extent, they were illegally stealing someone else's research work and planning large-scale commercial use without the inventor's consent, which was clearly wrong.

With a belated awakening of conscience, Qi Yanshen asked Jian Fuxu, "Discuss with the research institute about setting aside the benefits fund belonging to the developer in a separate account."

Jian Fuxu: "?"

Qi Yanshen explained, "After all, we are illegally using someone else's research findings."

Jian Fuxu understood Qi Yanshen's meaning. Logically, this was indeed the proper course of action. Whether by federal law or common sense, this constituted an infringement of someone's rights and deserved compensation.

However, the interests involved are too significant, and no one would trouble themselves to raise this issue. Although Jian Fuxu is protected by Uncle Lu, there will inevitably be some who feel their interests are being eroded and resort to various underhanded tactics against the Eighth Legion behind the scenes.

"You tell Aunt Qi that if she agrees, I'll do my best to persuade my parents and Uncle Lu, as well as the people at the Military Academy Research Institute."

Knowing that Jian Fuxu had essentially agreed, Qi Yanshen nodded, indicating he would try his best to convince his mother.

Once the break was over, he forcibly woke Lu Yan, who was lying on the floor, and they resumed training.

In the evening, back in his room, Qi Yanshen contacted his mother.

"What is it?"

Seeing his mother's expression gentler than usual, Qi Yanshen knew it must be because of the energy loss-prevention structure.

Energy has only become widespread in the last century. Due to its large capacity and long endurance, about eighty percent of the military uses it. However, energy needs to be extracted from crystals, keeping costs high. Moreover, crystals cannot be used directly, and recharging is slow. With this more effective energy loss-prevention structure, not only is a huge loss prevented, but it also greatly benefits combat readiness.

"Mother, I think we should be cautious about the new technology on the Energy Tanks obtained through the black market. Since we are using someone else's technology without permission, we should still allocate their rightful share."

Qi Lan had also considered this point raised by her child, but only briefly. After all, this technology would eventually be applied across various energy industries. Once this suggestion is made, turning something that could have been free into a paid, or even high-cost, resource would inevitably cause dissatisfaction.

Technology licensing fees in the interstellar realm are not low. Using technology without the developer's consent and then using it privately afterward could result in a penalty of 200% of the profits gained.

However, the law does not punish the masses, especially those in high positions who make the laws. Even if they don't seek the developer's opinion, who would dare sue them? Who would dare oppose the entire Sco Federation?

"I believe I haven't raised you wrong, so I need a reason. If you can convince me, I'll do my best to advocate for it."

Qi Yanshen earnestly analyzed the implications for his mother: "Since the developer was able to create a more efficient and practical loss-prevention structure, and even modified the Mech Energy Tank to store 200 units more energy than the one the Research Institute developed with all its efforts, it proves they are a genius. And with such a genius, it's best for us to focus on winning them over."

Qi Lan calmly countered, "Under coercion and temptation, people always yield." The implication was that winning them over might not be necessary.

Taken aback by his mother's words, Qi Yanshen fell silent for a moment before continuing, "But Mother, are you sure they would actually yield?"

Ji Anzhi would rather risk death than be captured, so coercion and temptation clearly wouldn't work.

Before Qi Lan could speak, Qi Yanshen added, "Moreover, Mother, we can't guarantee that the value they've shown is all there is. What if they are a comprehensively talented genius? Our actions would be no different from forcing them to become a dangerous element."

Qi Lan didn't believe there could be someone exceptionally talented in all aspects. It might have been possible in ancient Earth times, but the interstellar knowledge system is vast. Many people spend their entire lives studying just one field and still may not master it completely. Telling her there is an all-around talented genius is even less likely than a Bug Swarm collectively committing suicide.

Qi Lan stated coldly and confidently, "There is no such genius."

Qi Yanshen understood his mother's perspective. He wanted to tell her that such a genius exists, but he ultimately held back and continued trying to persuade her.

Qi Yanshen countered, "Mother, do you think the developer is working alone or as part of a team?"

"A team." One person couldn't achieve such accomplishments.

"But I think they are alone. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been only one person discovered both times, and the Eighth Legion didn't even find anyone providing support. Someone with full control like that wouldn't be someone willing to be controlled."

"And Mother, we are using technology they developed. Given their deep understanding of their own technology, if we turn hostile and they, once the technology is widely adopted, produce something that could deal a fatal blow to it, what would happen to the soldiers?"

The last sentence struck right at Qi Lan's core. No leader fails to cherish their subordinates, especially with the Bug Swarm approaching. Qi Lan was even more unwilling to see such a situation arise.

Even if there's only a 1% possibility, it must be nipped in the bud.

Qi Lan fell into thought, and Qi Yanshen didn't interrupt. He knew that if his mother wavered even slightly, she would ultimately agree.

Sure enough, after a few seconds, Qi Lan said calmly, "I will handle the negotiations. Get some rest early."

With that, she hung up the call, straightforward and decisive.

Qi Yanshen let out a sigh of relief. His mother had agreed.