Chapter 93 – When the Roses Bloom (11)
◎ Shaye! Shaye! ◎
Su Cha’s face was as pale as paper, and his limbs were icy cold. Song Ke helped him, laid him flat, and checked his neck; his pulse was very weak.
Lin Youyou dropped the terminal and rushed over, kneeling on the ground. Her expensive silk skirt soaked in blood, but she paid no attention. She wiped the blood off Su Cha’s face, repeatedly calling his name, “Su Cha, wake up.”
Zhuang Qingyan patted Xu Xing’s back. “Quick, go get Fang Zhixu.”
Xu Xing, the only one available, turned and hurried to the guest room.
Rising on tiptoes, before he could knock, Fang Zhixu had already heard the commotion from inside and came out.
His eyes were faintly reddened, his mental state not too good, but he was already alert. Unlike before, he wasn’t excessively indulging in sorrow. Observing the sudden situation at the door, Fang Zhixu briskly walked over and stood beside Song Ke.
“I’ll take over.” Fang Zhixu gently took Su Cha, covering the most severe penetrating wound with his palm. A luminous white aura flowed out of his palm. The immediate concern was to stop the bleeding; otherwise, Su Cha might go into shock and die before further treatment.
“Prepare for surgery immediately. I need the following medications and tools…” Fang Zhixu, calm and composed, started listing the requirements clearly.
Familiar with the process after Song Ke’s previous incident, Lin Youyou and others swiftly acted.
On the makeshift operating table, Fang Zhixu made precise incisions, preparing to cleanse Su Cha’s wound. What surprised him was that although Su Cha’s internal tissues were severely damaged, apart from the residual agitated spiritual power, there were no signs of infection.
“The wound wasn’t caused by a physical object but by an ability,” Fang Zhixu whispered. “The person who attacked Su Cha was quite decisive, striking in a single blow.”
The group felt a heavy sense of concern. Given Su Cha’s cautious nature, whoever managed to injure him was undoubtedly powerful.
The stitching process wasn’t too difficult, and Fang Zhixu swiftly finished. Removing his mask, he said, “Don’t worry. Su Cha has a good physical foundation. His unconsciousness is due to excessive blood loss. Rest for a night, and he’ll wake up tomorrow.”
Upon learning that Su Cha was not in critical condition, the group breathed a sigh of relief.
Song Ke stood up abruptly and headed out.
Zhuang Qingyan reacted swiftly, grabbing her wrist. “Where are you going?”
“To Shaye.”
“The situation is still unclear…”
Song Ke, dragging Zhuang Qingyan and the wheelchair, rushed forward stubbornly, like a determined calf, impossible to hold back.
About to break free, Zhuang Qingyan exerted a little force, clasping her fingers tightly between his. “Shaye is more dangerous than we expected, you…”
Zhuang Qingyan was dragged forward another two meters. Tsk, the little girl is quite strong.
“I need to go back.”
Song Ke’s eyes blazed with an intense fire, but in fact, this nameless anger had ignited long ago. It started with the knowledge of the story between Zhang Wanyao and Fang Zhixu, and hearing about Tian Tian’s encounters, and gradually intensifying with Su Cha’s injury. The more it burned, the stronger it grew. Mu City… Nai Kang… this terrible, rotten place, these despicable people made Song Ke feel a rage she had never experienced before.
She turned to face Zhuang Qingyan, not shaking off his hand but just looking at him, her stubborn eyes shining remarkably bright.
Song Ke’s life philosophy used to be simple: whoever bullied her, she fought back. Likewise, anyone who bullied her companions, she’d definitely fight back.
Zhuang Qingyan felt a pulse at his brow, instantly understanding he couldn’t persuade her otherwise.
He swiftly assessed the combat power of V587 and finally made a decision: “Then let’s go, I’ll go with you.”
“Plus Lu Xiaoyu and Xu Xing.”
Lu Xiaoyu’s mechanical arm nodded in place of him, rarely not objecting to Zhuang Qingyan’s arrangement.
“You two stay behind to take care of Su Cha,” Zhuang Qingyan instructed Lin Youyou and Fang Zhixu.
Three S-class awakeners, along with one B-class group-attack specialist, with this lineup, even if Shaye were a formidable opponent, they could take on the challenge.
“Get ready first, I’ll talk to Fang Zhixu for a moment,” Zhuang Qingyan said.
He scratched Song Ke’s palm, calming her as if stroking a little cat’s fur.
“Alright.” Song Ke, comforted, pulled Xu Xing’s hand and left first.
Once the door closed, Zhuang Qingyan turned to Fang Zhixu, “Get me two doses of the sealant.”
The sealant injection was a therapeutic drug improved with abilities by Fang Zhixu some time ago, containing a high-intensity mixture of radiation and anesthetic substances. It had a compulsory effect to suppress pain and promote nerve activity, enabling Zhuang Qingyan to stand up for a short time without relying on any external aid for his broken leg.
However, this stimulating therapy had significant side effects. If administered improperly, it could cause irreversible damage to bones and muscles.
In compliance, Fang Zhixu gave him two sealant doses, driven by his instincts as a doctor, and cautioned, “This substance is still unstable. It’s better not to use it. Even if you do, remember, a maximum of one dose within ten days. Overdosing could have unforeseeable consequences.”
“I understand, just in case.” Zhuang Qingyan subtly stashed the two sealant injections in his hand.
“Keep in touch at all times, if there’s any news from Su Cha, immediately sync it with us.”
“Alright, take care of yourselves,” Lin Youyou nodded.
*
When Zhang Wanyao returned, there was a large group of private soldiers guarding Miao Lun’s courtyard.
Taking a glance, she intended to walk away but was intercepted by Hu Chao: “The master wants you to wait inside.”
“I’m very tired and would like to rest first,” Zhang Wanyao said with a cold expression.
“The master said for you to wait inside,” Hu Chao remained unmoved.
Zhang Wanyao lifted her steps to walk inside. Within the house, occasional cries of women echoed, the bamboo windows reflecting several tall, blurry figures—these were the awakeners.
Miao Lun was just an ordinary person, particularly treasuring his life, and never straying more than five meters from others, not even shying away when doing those sorts of things.
Intense nausea surged up in waves from her stomach. Zhang Wanyao suppressed the urge to vomit and stood expressionless in the courtyard, waiting.
Different from newcomers like Mu Qin and Ruan Wenjun who rose to prominence through their own abilities in recent generations, Miao Lun’s family had been military warlords in Mu City for generations. Their local power was deeply rooted, existing for a longer time than even the reign of generals. Many clandestine matters inconvenient for generals were completed through Miao Lun’s hands. Hence, his personal relationship with the general was the closest among all the warlords.
Miao Lun could secure a position among the top three warlords despite being an ordinary person, which revealed his deep cunning and ruthless methods.
Although Mu Qin and Ruan Wenjun had gathered a large number of private soldiers, in terms of local influence, Miao Lun was second only to the general.
Nearly half an hour passed before the commotion inside gradually subsided. The door opened, and a bloodstained young girl was dragged out. Zhang Wanyao wore only a simple skirt, feeling chilled to the bone, her lips frozen. As the girl passed by her, she suddenly moved, her bleeding nails accidentally catching Zhang Wanyao’s skirt.
“Mengsao…” The girl seemed delirious, uttering these words before being heartlessly pulled away.
In the Mu City language, “Mengsao” meant ‘little sister.’ Zhang Wanyao hadn’t seen her before and assumed she was another one ‘acquired’ by Miao Lun.
“Come in,” Miao Lun’s voice rang out from inside.
Zhang Wanyao diverted her gaze and slowly moved inside.
Miao Lun’s collar was open, exhaling smoke leisurely, with Godanwei standing behind, a compliant and agreeable look on his face.
“Come, come here.”
Zhang Wanyao sat at Miao Lun’s feet, with Miao Lun pressing her shoulder with the palm of his hand holding a cigarette. He pushed her down until her forehead touched the cold floor, assuming a reverent posture of submission, the waistline bent, akin to a devout bow.
“Do you know why I favor you?” Miao Lun asked.
Zhang Wanyao remained silent, aware that Miao Lun wasn’t actually seeking an answer.
“It’s because you are obedient, compliant, and intelligent. You know what to do and what not to do. I can give you some privileges to occasionally act willfully, but crossing the line won’t be good.”
The scorching cigarette ash dropped down, leaving shallow burns on Zhang Wanyao’s shoulder.
“From now on, you shouldn’t meet anyone from Western Street, okay?” Miao Lun’s command made Zhang Wanyao’s heart skip a beat. Miao Lun knew she had met with Irene, and perhaps he also knew about her assistance to Song Ke yesterday.
‘Not good! The other people in that apartment…’
Zhang Wanyao panicked for a moment but quickly composed herself. Judging from Miao Lun’s current reaction, he was merely warning her to stay away from people from Western Street. He probably didn’t know their true identities. Someone as arrogant as him wouldn’t bother about insignificant individuals.
“…Yes,” Zhang Wanyao murmured softly.
Miao Lun smiled, exhaled smoke, and contentedly admired the helpless rose at his feet.
*
In the Western Street, Irene walked alone on the road.
A notification sound “beep beep” chimed on her device, a video call from her teammates in Ferrara.
Irene answered, greeted by several bright and cheerful faces on the other end.
“Irene, we’re watching the Rainbow Band’s concert!”
“Look, look! There are fireworks and even flower boats, so beautiful.”
“Ferrara is really nice, I wish I could stay here forever…”
These girls, all taken out of Mu City by Irene over the past half-year, were without exception, all awakeners. For ordinary people, especially women, leaving Mu City was as difficult as reaching the sky.
“Irene, when are you coming back?”
“We really miss you…”
Irene abruptly placed her device down with teary eyes, hastily wiping away tears with her incomplete right arm.
“I’ll definitely come back before the match,” she answered with a smile a few seconds later.
Just after ending the video call, she heard commotion ahead. Her eyes turned cold as she quickened her pace.
“Marsha, you’ve been conscripted. Come with us immediately.”
Several private soldiers dragged a girl from a house. Marsha’s parents followed but were ruthlessly knocked down.
“No, let me go! I’m not going!!” Marsha struggled desperately.
Crack!
A slap struck Marsha’s face, causing her braids to scatter, and the arrogant private soldier showed no remorse.
“Just a mere lowly commoner, being able to join Lord Miao Lun’s ‘Rose Army,’ you should feel honored,” he sneered.
“Don’t waste words, just knock her out and take her away.”
Irene leaped onto the rooftop, positioned herself, switching her weapon to a Barrett M82A1 sniper rifle, slowly aiming at the heads of a few individuals.
Marsha was still resisting: “You’ve already taken my sister, I absolutely won’t go with you!”
The private soldiers grew impatient and were about to act.
Bang! A mild sound emitted from the silencer-equipped barrel.
A flash occurred as bullets infused with awakened energy precisely struck the bodies of the private soldiers, tearing them apart instantly.
Hot blood splattered all over Marsha, leaving her stunned.
Irene leaped down from the rooftop and approached her with light footsteps. It was only when she emerged partially from the shadows that Marsha exclaimed in a daze, “Irene.”
Most people in the Western Street knew this ‘Sly Fox.’
Marsha rushed into her arms and wept, “Sister, they took her away. Irene, can you take me with you too?”
Irene patted Marsha’s head, “I’ve killed their men. It won’t be long before they find out. It’s not safe for you to be with me.”
Marsha looked despairing, “Then what should I do? I absolutely won’t go with them.”
Irene pondered, “You should go to Xiangang and find Samuel. It might be tough facing zombies every day, but at least no one will force you to do things you don’t want to do. Are you willing?”
“Yeah!” Marsha nodded through her tears.
“Um, excuse me…” a hesitant voice came from the street corner.
Irene immediately raised her gun, aiming at the newcomer.
A man in his early twenties jumped out from the alley, raising his hands sincerely. His face looked somewhat familiar, seemingly also from the Western Street.
“You’re the Sly Fox, right? I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Kansu, I joined the freelance mercenaries two months ago. I really admire you…”
Irene’s expression turned stern, but she eased the pressure on the sniper rifle.
“Just a moment!” Kansu realized he was talking too much and began sweating profusely, “I mean no harm, I just returned to the city and overheard your conversation, wanted to give you a heads up.”
“A heads up about what?” Irene asked coldly.
Kansu scratched his head, “You probably can’t go to Samuel anymore. I just came from there, and this morning he officially declared his alliance with Shaye…”
