Zhou You pondered, "If there's an entrance beneath the stone slab, how did they manage to replace the slab after entering?"

"I don't have that answer. Aren't you going to hurry, Mr. Zhou?"

Zhou You replied leisurely, "There's more than one place with stone slabs."

Chapter 104: Internal and External Collaboration

Indeed, there was nothing beneath the stone slab that Shao Qi pried open. Zhou You nonchalantly passed by, using his psychic power to probe deeper. This wasn't as simple as sensing on the surface; it required meticulous scanning.

The area was vast. The day had just begun to brighten, affecting everyone's vision. Surprisingly, amidst the rubble, there were cockroaches and rodents – nature's ultimate survivors. Probably they'd outlive humans.

"Do you think they're aware we're here? If they know we're looking for an entrance, what might they do?" Zhou You walked behind Qin Lifei, flipping stone slabs as Qin cleared the snow, testing the ground beneath each with no findings.

"If I were them, I'd probably set a surprise trap at the entrance. But surely, there's no surveillance here?" Miao Miao looked around, the snow-covered expanse devoid of any flora. Even if there were cameras, they'd be hidden under the snow.

"Our movements aren't exactly quiet; they might hear us from below."

Shao Qi took a step back, positioning himself opposite the direction of the incoming vehicle. He scanned the surroundings, committing the terrain to memory and speculated on where the enemy might have established their refuge.

He raised an eyebrow, pulling out a grenade, and warned the people in front: "Stand back. I'll clear the area first."

He tossed grenades into several spots, explosions echoing continuously. There was no doubt that the people below heard it. The snow was blasted into the air, melting into droplets that fell, infuriating everyone.

Zhou You stayed at a distance, sensing erratic psychic energy nearby. Could it be from Shao Qi? However, after deploying the grenades, Shao Qi retreated to a small mound, arms crossed, observing the ruins.

Zhou You traced the direction of the psychic energy and quickly found their hiding spot. It seemed the explosions had alarmed them, prompting them to use their psychic abilities to scout the vicinity.

It was surprising to find psychic manipulators among them.

He advanced a dozen steps, recalling a stone slab that once lay here. Now buried in mud, he stepped on it. The ground caved in, revealing an entrance with stairs below.

Shao Qi jogged over, remarking, "Looks like you stumbled upon a great find."

Recalling their previous agreement, Zhou You responded with a grin: "Much appreciated."

Both took a step back, exchanged glances, and simultaneously threw a smoke grenade inside. Soon, thick smoke billowed out, accompanied by intense coughing sounds.

Everyone readied their weapons, aiming at the entrance. As the first person crawled out, Zhuo Hao fired, hitting the man's knee. He screamed and clutched his injured limb.

Those behind hesitated at the sight, but the smoke inside was too dense. Without proper ventilation, the smoke would only intensify.

In the thick fog, identities became indistinct. A voice yelled, "Move!", and someone rushed toward the entrance.

A gunshot rang out, but no screams followed. Jiang Shun's bodyguard emerged, dodging a bullet and charging at the shooter, Miao Mie, who cursed, "Damn, always targeting the easy ones?"

Soon after, two bullets whizzed by; he dodged one but was struck in the scapula by the other. Killing was no longer an option for him.

The following escapees were martial experts. Each was swiftly dealt with. By the time the researchers emerged, they could hardly stand, no longer discerning danger.

"Count heads," commanded Shao Qi. Zhuo Hao and his team began securing the scene. After a quick tally, he reported, "Thirty-six researchers and twelve guards."

"Which one of you is Dr. Jiang?" Shao Qi inquired, circling the researchers. Jiang Shun confidently stood up, "Here."

He knew he couldn't hide, especially with Lin Shuqing behind him. If looks could kill, Lin would have died countless times. He must have leaked the location—typical coward.

"Dr. Jiang Shun, I'm familiar with you," Shao Qi evaluated him, sighing, "Once a top internal medicine doctor in our country. Why did you choose this path?"

Jiang Shun was indeed a medic, serving for thirty years. Before the end times, he was a hospital dean. A single catastrophe disrupted his life and humanity. However, it introduced intriguing evolutions, too captivating for him not to research.

"There's no profound reason, just curiosity. Any novelty demands study for proper utilization. We're just doing what our predecessors did. Without experts like us, could simple-minded, brawny folks like you change the world?"

Zhou You mused, "Why do those with malicious intentions always see themselves as saviors? As if the world wouldn't turn without them."

Shao Qi retorted, "Research has ethics, not arbitrary whims, especially not at the expense of others' lives. From what I see, your 'achievements' are non-existent."

Jiang Shun's gaze sharpened, asking in a low tone, "Have you encountered the three?"

Qin Lifen's shoulder throbbed with pain once again. He sneered, "Those three monstrosities are your creation? With your expertise, you'd do humanity a favor by just ending yourself rather than unleashing such horrors upon us."

His shoulder wound had been bandaged, but the seeping blood indicated the shape of the injury. Jiang Shun knew this wound all too well, having seen numerous guards perish under those very claws.