A Night of Desperation

Chapter 128: Wish (2)

“Transport in batches!” Yu Hong decided.

Immediately, the two of them each grabbed a crate and carried it away.

Trip after trip, until eventually, the Behind Person couldn’t hold back any longer. This time, it moved at a slower pace than before, trying once again to attack Yu Hong. Clearly, it bore a grudge, completely ignoring Li Runshan and focusing solely on Yu Hong.

Yu Hong managed to freeze it again using a radiation grenade. After finishing it off with his bare hands, it finally quieted down.

The two of them made a total of eight trips, bringing back not just the crates but also some miscellaneous items from the post office. It was a dangerous journey, but they managed to complete it.

By midday, Yu Hong instructed everyone to rest and eat while he entered the cave. He approached a plastic container holding a red lizard and several cockroaches.

The container was divided into two sections—on one side was a red lizard about the length of a forearm, while the other side contained several black cockroaches, each the size of a walnut.

Yu Hong closed the panel to prevent any leaks of information.

Then, he carefully observed the lizard and cockroaches.

The large lizard had rough skin, bulging eyes, and a red, umbrella-shaped crest growing from the back of its neck.

“Simply having a fixed protective zone won’t be enough to guard against future high-risk Evil Shadows. I need to gather more intel in advance so I can prepare properly.”

“If the Black Mark can synthesize Luminous Stones and wild grass, why not try synthesizing Luminous Stones with cockroaches and lizards?”

He decided to experiment.

What he wanted was a creature with the cockroach’s adaptability and reproductive abilities, combined with the lizard’s strength and regenerative power.

“Let’s give it a shot.”

Yu Hong took out a Great Luminous Stone and placed it on the container.

Then, he pressed one hand firmly against the box.

“Enhance the Black Lizard: Focus on gaining the cockroach’s adaptability and reproduction while retaining the lizard’s regeneration and growth. Fuse the Luminous Stone’s radiation against the Evil Shadows.”

After setting the parameters, he prepared himself for a long synthesis process.

Soon—

A black line flashed.

“Enhance the Black Lizard?”

The Black Mark’s prompt echoed in his mind.

Yu Hong glanced at the countdown displayed on the container’s surface: 5 days, 18 hours, and 41 minutes.

Whew… He let out a breath of relief.

Fortunately, the process was shorter than he expected—possibly due to his recent internal energy improvements.

“Yes!” he confirmed in his mind.

Hiss!

In an instant, a terrifying suction force drained both streams of his internal energy completely. Not only that, but it also began to sap his physical strength and mental energy.

His consciousness grew increasingly fatigued, and his body felt weaker and weaker.

Since breaking through the second level of his technique, he hadn’t experienced anything like this in a long time.

Seconds later, the draining process ended.

Yu Hong nearly collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Dizzy, he saw white spots flickering across his vision—just like when he had synthesized the Luminous Grass, only this time, it felt even more exhausting.

Slumped over the table, he took over ten minutes to recover his senses.

Seeing the countdown progressing on the container, he exhaled slowly, then dragged himself to a chair and sat down heavily.

The excessive energy drain made his eyelids droop uncontrollably.

Instead of resisting, he simply leaned on the table and drifted into sleep.

*

*

*

Baihe City

One new ship after another, forming a fleet of cargo vessels, carried away the vast majority of supplies from Hope City.

Inside a research institute within the compound—

Wei Hongye held an investigation report in his hands while looking at the burly one-eyed man standing respectfully before him.

“Yu Hong, estimated to be between twenty and thirty years old, slightly over 1.7 meters tall, weighing 67 kilograms. He suddenly appeared in Baiqiu Village a few months ago and was rescued by Lin Yiyi, a solitary resident of the village. Later, he moved out to live alone. He is suspected of having discovered a hidden research facility nearby. Luminous Stones, Rune Boards, and possibly glowing wild grass—all are likely research outcomes from that facility.”

After reading the report, Wei Hongye’s expression turned displeased.

“This is all the information you gathered when I asked for a comprehensive report?”

“Based on your mention of that special glowing wild grass capable of repelling Evil Shadows and Blood Tide Insects, we cross-checked multiple biological research lab projects but found no records of any related studies. This means it’s certainly not a recent research project,” the one-eyed man responded calmly.

“This is too little. It’s not nearly enough.”

Wei Hongye should have left on the ship long ago, but he had deliberately delayed his departure for one thing—the research discoveries in Yu Hong’s possession.

“What about Lin Yiyi? According to postal records, she has been exchanging letters with Yu Hong.”

“We don’t need to take action on that. Madam has already gone to visit Miss Lin Yiyi,” the one-eyed man replied respectfully.

“Alright, can you send people to Baiqiu Village?” Wei Hongye asked unwillingly.

“I’m afraid not, sir. The outside is overrun with whisperer. No one is willing to venture out. Aside from sea routes, all land roads are at risk of encounters with whisperer. None of our men are willing to take the risk,” the one-eyed man declined flatly.

“Alright then, what about Lin Yiyi’s information?” Wei Hongye shifted his focus.

“This is quite comprehensive.” The one-eyed man pulled out another report and handed it over.

Wei Hongye took the report and examined it carefully. This time, the document detailed Lin Yiyi’s background, parents, family, birthplace, abilities—everything was extremely thorough.

Originally, he had only intended to investigate Yu Hong before looking into Lin Yiyi. But when his eyes landed on the last section of the report, they lit up slightly.

“An enhanced version of the Red Value Detector?”

At the very end of the report, it mentioned that Lin Yiyi had survived alongside her teammates, including the captain, thanks to an enhanced Red Value Detector gifted by a friend.

“Was this Red Value Detector project assigned to any research institute?” Wei Hongye immediately associated it with Yu Hong.

A fully augmented individual with intellectual disabilities managing to create such an advanced detector? That was obviously impossible.

“There was. According to protocol, it was assigned to Chen Jinbiao from the Fifth Research Institute, commissioned by the Third Unit of the United Military’s Augmented Forces. But the Fifth Institute is long deserted, and Chen Jinbiao left just yesterday. You can take over the project yourself.” The one-eyed man replied.

“The Augmented Forces…” Wei Hongye pondered while holding the report. “Not easy to deal with. I know the Third Unit; their captain has some connections. And if Yu Hong does have research capabilities, there’s no need to make an enemy of him just yet.”

The one-eyed man, however, could see that the director was very interested in the enhanced Red Value Detector. A smirk appeared on his face.

“Director, the situation outside is extremely dangerous. The Whisperers are only the first wave—after that, high-risk Black Disaster from the frontlines will keep leaking in, and even we wouldn’t dare face them. That Yu Hong, stuck out there in the wild? He’s as good as dead.

Since that’s the case, why worry about him? Whatever we need, we just take.”

“You have a point. But that woman from the Third Unit… Her little sister isn’t someone to mess with.” Wei Hongye frowned.

“Who exactly are you concerned about?”

“Xue Chengjing. One of the ace members of the Augmented Forces. Ranked third in Baihe City’s comprehensive combat competition. That one has a nasty temper—not easy to handle.” Wei Hongye shook his head.

“Her?” The one-eyed man sighed in relief. “All the top ten experts in the Augmented Forces left three days ago on the cargo ships escorting the big shots out. As an ace, Xue Chengjing must have been among them. The city barely has anyone left now—we’re among the last to depart.

By the time the final ships leave the day after tomorrow, we’ll just quietly take what we need. No one will know. Then, you can reestablish the project under a different name using the enhanced detector, and the benefits will be yours.”

Wei Hongye’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

“That makes sense!”

His ultimate goal was to claim the technology for himself. If the Luminous Stone Grass was out of reach, then switching targets was just as good.

“And what about Lin Yiyi? How do we handle her?” He put on a concerned expression.

“Once you’ve produced results and secured a higher status in the United Military, who would care about the opinion of a mentally deficient augmented person? And as long as we act swiftly and discreetly, she won’t even realize the detector is in your hands.” The one-eyed man provided a well-thought-out plan.

He knew his role well. Wei Hongye could undoubtedly come up with this strategy on his own, but as a research director, he would never explicitly say such things.

“You handle this,” Wei Hongye finally smiled.

He was about to leave soon. To climb higher, to gain more power, status, and resources—sometimes, one had to do what needed to be done.

Thinking this, he sighed inwardly.

“Now that I think about it, it might be better if Yanxi doesn’t get what she wants too easily. Harris, go inform them.” He lowered his voice.

“As you command.” The one-eyed man, Harris, nodded with a smirk. As the security chief for Wei Hongye’s research institute, he specialized in both protection and dirty work—these kinds of under-the-table operations were second nature to him.

“Also, retrieve that detector. Make sure to do it under Chen Jinbiao’s name. If we get caught, Xue Chengjing will be a problem.” Wei Hongye ordered.

“Understood. You won’t be disappointed.” Harris grinned confidently. “We’ll grab it and go. In this chaos, no one will ever notice.”

*

*

*

The dazzling sunlight bathed the land, while lush green grass stretched endlessly into the distance. Rolling hills rose and fell, draped in a vibrant emerald cloak.

An off-road vehicle, bearing the logo of “Shanxi Green Grid Tourism Agency,” moved slowly along a yellow road winding through the hills.

“This is such a waste of money. I told you we should just stay home, but no, you insisted on dragging us on this trip.”

A familiar, slightly aged male voice sounded from Yu Hong’s right.

“I finally saved up enough vacation days, Dad. Just enjoy the trip, alright? We’re already here.” Yu Hong responded naturally.

“It’s rare for Honghong to travel with me. You should complain less. Once he gets married, chances like this will be even fewer.” Another familiar voice, belonging to an elderly woman, chimed in from the other side.

“It just feels like such a waste of money.” His father sighed.

“Honghong is different now. Making money won’t be a problem for him.” His mother reassured him. “Look at the weather—so nice, so open. Let’s sing a song!”

“What song?” his father asked.

“In the quiet village, snow drifts down~~~”

“Under the gloomy sky, doves take flight…”

Knock, knock, knock.

Yu Hong opened his eyes, staring at the smooth stone ceiling of the safehouse.

The walls were coated with a black, sand-textured metallic finish, deep and solid.

He lay on the ground beside the table, unsure how long he had slept.

“So I only messed up the lyrics because of my dad, huh?” He turned over and sat up, his head feeling numb.

Knock, knock, knock.

The door was still being knocked on.

Yu Hong glanced at the countdown timer on the box, brushed off the dust on his clothes, and walked toward the door, pulling back the viewing panel.

“You’re here!!”

Outside, Li Runshan’s face twisted in manic joy.

“My buddy is here!! He brought the sunlight materials!!!”

He clutched the door with both hands, his eyes shining as if they were about to emit light.

(End Of Chapter)