Chapter 145.2 – Fire Seed (14)
◎ The master of the Northern Base ◎
Outside the capsule, Zhigler was pretending to doze off with closed eyes. Sensing the person next to him standing up, he immediately questioned, “What are you doing?”
Xi Ze shrugged, adopting a somewhat carefree attitude, “Bored, just getting up for a stroll.”
“Don’t forget our mission,” Zhigler warned in a deep voice.
“Mind your own business,” Xi Ze retorted. Both of them were S3-level awakeners. Zhigler was approaching middle age, while Xi Ze was only twenty, with a promising future. He considered himself a step above the older man.
Xi Ze sauntered over to where Song Ke was held, unceremoniously knocking on the glass.
“Hey, what kind of monster are you? How can you withstand such intense radiation?”
“Or maybe you have some way to resist radiation? Tell me, I’m all ears.”
Song Ke stared at him with a deep gaze, her eyes seemingly unmoving for a long time.
Xi Ze found himself displeased under Song Ke’s gaze, but more so, a subtle sense of envy. S7 level or not, she ended up as a captive, subjected to inexplicable experiments.
Ning Rong’s assistants had already fled in panic, and in the chaos, no one remembered to shut down the instruments. Xi Ze, hands in pockets, casually approached the scale meter. Suddenly, he pressed the start button, initiating the radiation beyond 130%.
“Have you gone mad? Who gave you the right to mess around?!” Zhigler roared.
“Just playing around. Anyway, she’s fine,” Xi Ze blocked Zhigler’s punch, activated his field, and turned towards Song Ke with a mischievous grin, “Doctor must have taught you, remember to raise your hand when it gets unbearable, okay? Raise it high.”
“Stop it immediately!” Zhigler unleashed his full awakened energy, and Xi Ze responded with an equal pressure.
Inside the capsule, the just-stabilized radiation instantly surged to its peak again. Song Ke’s dark pupils became deeper, her cells burning fiercely throughout her body. Chaotic screams filled her ears, and her cognitive abilities gradually diminished.
Unnoticed on the spectrum analyzer, the stable double helix of DNA underwent rapid changes, forming a completely unfamiliar structure, grotesquely resembling the skull of some fierce beast. Meanwhile, Song Ke’s awakened energy value had surpassed 20,000!
Song Ke slowly raised her hand. Behind Zhigler and Xi Ze, the instruments began to float. A deep blue light flashed, transforming into a fierce Tang sword. The back of the blade “clang” hit the glass, leaving an extremely subtle crack.
The two fighters abruptly stopped, looking at her in astonishment.
It was just a very small crack, but it was enough.
A thousand-mile dike collapsed because of an ant. Song Ke pressed her palm against the glass, and her powerful awakened energy pushed outward.
The entire glass shattered with a thunderous crash, breaking into tiny remnants.
*
Zhuang Qingyan browsed through the report on Song Ke, which could be described as mind-boggling. His eyes grew deeper in contemplation.
Ning Rong stared at his face and sighed deeply. “Genes are truly miraculous. Back then, no one believed you were father and son. Now… anyone with eyes wouldn’t make a mistake.”
Zhuang Qingyan didn’t respond immediately, frowning as he asked, “How much excessive radiation did you expose her to?”
Ning Rong was momentarily speechless. “Um… 130%.”
Zhuang Qingyan sneered, “130%? Regular instruments must be close to their limit, right? I heard that this laboratory is sponsored by He Qiuhong. Are you working for her? What about your research, is it for the ‘Fire Seed’ or the ‘Eternal Project’?”
“…”
“Never mind, I’m not interested in knowing. Now, take me to see Song Ke.”
Crash! As they were talking, the ceiling suddenly collapsed, and a slender figure rapidly descended, pressing onto someone.
The person beneath emitted clear sounds of bone fractures, and blood gushed from their nose and mouth. As they turned their pale face, it revealed the S3-level domain-type awakener who had provoked Song Ke—Xi Ze.
“Sister!!”
“Captain?”
Members of V587 were about to cheer and rush forward but suddenly halted their steps. Something was evidently wrong with Song Ke. Her eyes were pitch black, devoid of any smile. With blood-soaked hands, she raised the Tang sword and unhesitatingly…
…stabbed it into the heart of the fallen person!
“Ah————!!”
The powerful surge of awakened energy from Xi Ze, on the brink of death, shattered the glass in the corridor.
Boom! Amidst the puzzled and alarmed expressions of everyone, another person fell from the ceiling.
Slightly better off than Xi Ze, Zhigler’s awakened energy field shattered, and blood spurted from his mouth. Crawling on all fours, he tried to escape the scene.
Holding the Tang sword, Song Ke stood up, coldly pointing it at his neck.
In a critical moment, reinforcements from the Awakened Department arrived, unleashing various abilities against Song Ke without any regard.
“Song Ke! Stop!” He Qiuhong’s holographic image lit up, sternly commanding.
Song Ke appeared like a reaper, the Tang sword swirling as hot blood splattered, swiftly harvesting the lives of her enemies. V587 still hadn’t figured out the situation, but if their captain was involved, could they just stand by and watch? Instantly, they joined the fight.
“From now on, pretend you don’t know me,” Zhuang Qingyan whispered, lowering his voice, pushing Ning Rong away from the center of the battle.
Song Ke was in a frenzy of killing, and the floor was covered with a dense layer of bodies. The tip of the blade continuously dripped blood, leaving crimson footprints with each step. Only a few remaining awakeners, who could still stand, retreated in fear.
Rapidly, Lu Xiaoyu said, “Three S-levels are coming, including He Qiuhong’s specialized car. We won’t make it if we don’t leave now.”
Lin Youyou anxiously called out, “Song Ke, can we leave first?”
Alone in the blood-soaked battlefield, with a trail of bodies, the determined figure didn’t respond. Lu Xiaoyu urged, “Three S-levels are on their way, including He Qiuhong. We need to leave now!”
Zhuang Qingyan waded through the blood and bodies, resolutely approaching Song Ke.
Song Ke, with a blade in hand, noticed him approaching and coldly aimed the weapon at him.
“Song Ke,” Zhuang Qingyan’s voice was gentle and soft, “it’s me, Zhuang Qingyan. Quiet down and look at me.”
“Do you remember?”
Song Ke quietly stared at him, holding the blade, and in her pitch-black eyes, a small Zhuang Qingyan was reflected.
Despite the relentless screams around her, she was plagued by hallucinations.
Who was it?
It was her.
She was smashing things with a loud crash. Was it a door or glass? She couldn’t remember.
She only remembered that time, the arrogant young man sitting with crossed legs outside, complaining incessantly:
“It’s hard to find a quiet place…”
“He won’t let me participate in projects, but makes me carry the data every day.”
“Is he really my dad? He assigns so much, how can I remember it all in one day…”
Thud, thud, thud! She forcefully banged on the door, trying to get the other person’s attention.
“Be quiet,” the young man turned his head, and his beautifully curved eyes glared at her dissatisfied.
But it hurt so much. She could only use even more force to bang. Thud, thud, thud!
The young man clicked his tongue impatiently and slowly approached, squatting in front of her. His slender fingers swiftly manipulated a control panel.
A pile of colorful nutrients dropped from above, thud! Many hit her head.
“Now you can be quiet, little thing.”
Initially puzzled, she quickly realized and tore open the packaging, eagerly drinking. Whether it was a psychological effect or not, the pain inside her seemed to diminish slightly.
“Looking at you closely, you look really ugly, huh?”
The young man observed her and quickly turned his eyes away in disdain. “Are these genes from lizards?”
Her eating motion paused imperceptibly. What did ugly mean?
Unaware, the young man yawned and continued to casually flip through the data. He looked somewhat tired and indifferent, with a brilliantly beautiful side profile, and a teardrop mole shining.
…
“Song Ke, I am Zhuang Qingyan.”
“Look at me, just one glance. Do you remember?”
Someone seemed to be calling her from a distant place.
“Zhuang… Qing… Yan.”
Song Ke’s hoarse voice slowly uttered three words. The dark color in her eyes receded, and her consciousness returned to her body.
Zhuang Qingyan sighed in relief, taking large steps forward, tightly embracing her blood-soaked figure. “It’s me, it’s okay now. Don’t be afraid.”
Like comforting a child, he gently patted Song Ke’s back.
The distant screams disappeared, and the burning cells in her body gradually calmed down. Song Ke lowered her head, glanced at her blood-stained hands, belatedly recalling what had happened just now.
A group of awakeners rushed in like a tide, surrounding V587 still in the corridor.
Under the protection of the Lin siblings, He Qiuhong appeared behind the crowd, her face darkening. Glancing at the convulsing bodies of Xi Ze and Zhigler she angrily said, “I only asked you to cooperate with the inspection, Song Ke. Did you resist orders and harm your fellow awakeners? Don’t you want to stay at the Northern Base?”
Song Ke stared straight at her. “Inspection, I cooperated.”
He Qiuhong’s mouth tightened into a straight line. She raised her hand, about to say something.
“Clang—”
A Tang sword whizzed past her ear, and Song Ke swiftly moved forward, passing through layers of awakeners, heading straight towards He Qiuhong like a lightning bolt.
Startled, Ling Yue and Ling Yan quickly intervened, but were blocked by six mechanical arms and the ever-present Su Cha.
He Qiuhong was forcefully pulled out of the crowd by Song Ke’s domineering strength, her neck pinched, and pressed to the ground, her face turning purple.
“Are you insane…? Daring to attack—”
The aftermath of the burning cells hadn’t completely subsided. With an indifferent expression, Song Ke raised the Tang sword high, casting a cold light. He Qiuhong, now no longer composed, displayed an expression of utmost horror.
“I really cooperated,” she pleaded.
The tip of the blade slowly pierced He Qiuhong’s heart. Song Ke’s hand remained steady, and her expression was unwavering.
“The first day we came here, you said the Northern Base respects strength.”
“You seem to be… only B-level, right? Why… don’t I dare to kill you?”
He Qiuhong’s pupils contracted, her face instantly turning ashen.
“Wai—”
In the nick of time, another formidable unfamiliar S-level awakener approached. His arms were like steel, gently deflecting Song Ke’s blade. He calmly looked at Song Ke. “Please wait a moment.”
Song Ke observed him for two seconds, then stepped back, unceremoniously pulling out the Tang sword from He Qiuhong’s chest.
“Ugh!” He Qiuhong groaned.
The unknown man helped He Qiuhong up, then turned his gaze towards the confrontation in the corridor. His authoritative voice echoed in everyone’s ears:
“Stop.”
V587 remained motionless. On the other hand, the people from the Awakener Department retreated two steps obediently, including the Ling siblings.
The man silently opened the terminal, and a holographic image slowly appeared. An old man leaned against the window, his side profile resembling a statue. He spoke with a world-weary tone:
“I heard from Zimei that a young S7-level has arrived at the base, diligent and with excellent combat talent. She keeps talking in my ear every day, making me curious. Qiuhong, I’ll have Bai Qi go and receive this person. Do you have any objections?”
He Qiuhong, protecting her neck, respectfully lowered her head, “No, Teacher.”
The old man nodded, “Awakened people, the key in the phrase is not in the ‘awakened,’ but in the ‘people’ at the end. They are first and foremost people with flesh and blood, just like the millions in the base. Remember, this is our foundation. Some things cannot be reversed.”
He Qiuhong didn’t dare to refute a word, bowing with deep respect, “Yes, I will remember the teacher’s teachings.”
The old man sighed softly and turned his gaze to Song Ke standing in the corner:
“You are the Song Ke that Zimei mentioned? I am Ye Zheng. I would like to meet you and your friends in person. Do you mind?”
Song Ke didn’t answer immediately.
The old man spoke politely and patiently without rushing, waiting for her to respond.
After a while, Song Ke nodded slowly, “Alright.”
“Today’s events end here. Bai Qi, please bring them back.”
The image of the old man disappeared from the air, leaving everyone in the room in silent shock.
Wasn’t He Qiuhong powerful?
As the second in command in the Northern Base, the highest official in the Awakened Department, she could control everything in B10, doing as she pleased, even forcefully conducting experiments on a powerful S-level awakener.
But one thing, since the establishment of the Northern Base, was deeply ingrained in everyone’s hearts.
— The true master of this city was the one with the last name Ye.
