novelraw Page 197
Page 197
"you sure?"
Nie Qingyun remembered this very clearly, so he affirmed:
"I was very close to that guy in combat, there was no way I could have misjudged him."
“I saw it too!” Cheng Yuqiu raised his hand and chimed in.
Upon hearing this, Qin Hehuan rested her chin on her hand and began pacing back and forth in thought.
Half a minute later, he suddenly stopped and looked at Nie Qingyun with a serious expression.
"That's not blue blood."
"There is an extra reagent in the blood, a light blue organic solvent that helps implanted mechanical tissue resist rejection. The human immune system will reject any mechanical tissue. Although drugs can be injected to suppress rejection, they will also reduce immunity."
"The main function of this blue liquid is to disguise itself as a glycoprotein. Since human cells recognize each other through surface glycoproteins, this solvent can adhere to the surface of mechanical organs, making the body's immune cells think that the mechanical organs are 'part of the body,' thereby 'setting the mechanical organs as trusted programs' and no longer attacking them."
"This technology is found in only one place in the world—the Jonster Brotherhood."
Nie Qingyun frowned and thought carefully for a moment.
The name wasn't too unfamiliar. Unlike the Sabak, where Qin Hehuan belonged, the Jonster Brotherhood was a standard family business, much like the old-fashioned mafia. It was not small in scale, but it certainly couldn't compare to a large conglomerate like Sabak that covered all areas.
Thinking of this, Nie Qingyun raised his head and asked a question.
"As far as I know, the Jonster Brotherhood is involved in the pharmaceutical industry..."
"That's just a superficial business," Qin Hehuan's expression grew colder and colder, and the atmosphere became oppressive.
"Their real expertise lies in cloning technology."
"Cloning technology?"
Just as Nie Qingyun was about to speak again, Qin Hehuan suddenly took two steps forward, tilted her head back, and brought her mouth close to his ear, saying in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"The Witch's Wand project was terminated not only because of economic and public pressure."
"There is an even more important reason -- it cannot be mass-produced."
"Moreover, the 'key' to a qualified person is too rare."
"In other words, without Cheng Yuqiu, the Witch's Staff is just a piece of broken metal."
"Conversely, suppose we could artificially create a 'key'..."
Upon hearing this, Nie Qingyun instantly realized what was happening, feeling a chill run down his spine. He then slowly said:
"Even if the [Witch's Wand] can't be replicated, it can be used as a prototype to develop many derivative weapons..."
Qin Hehuan nodded and said coldly:
"Regardless of whether they have enough technology and resources to build quark weapons, the consequences of Cheng Yuqiu being captured are unimaginable."
Chapter 268: The Protagonist in Qin Hehuan's Heart
Indeed, whether in the past or present, simply wanting to live a peaceful life is not an easy thing.
After listening to Qin Hehuan's words, Nie Qingyun sat back on the sofa opposite the desk, leaned back, stared straight at the ceiling, and kept thinking about his current situation and countermeasures.
On the other side, Cheng Yuqiu and Saotome did not hear the whispered conversation between the two.
For Cheng Yuqiu, future plans and the path she would take were not within her consideration. As long as she could stay by Nie Qingyun's side, that was enough. As for what would happen next, she would deal with whatever came her way.
Saotome is similar. Since following Qin Hehuan, she has mostly played the role of an executor. Whether it is experience or knowledge accumulation, she is not yet able to help the other party make decisions. Therefore, in this room now, only Qin Hehuan and Nie Qingyun truly understand the situation and are responsible for preparing countermeasures.
At this moment, neither of them looked too good. Just as Saotome was hesitating whether to say something to lighten the mood, Nie Qingyun suddenly let out a long sigh and complained.
"Sometimes I really envy those guys in stories..."
"No need for extraordinary abilities, no need to worry about complicated matters, just rely on luck to reap rewards without effort, and then live a leisurely life in a secluded corner..."
"And then one day, will we be wiped out without pain along with some nuclear bomb that suddenly falls?" Qin Hehuan suddenly interrupted.
Undeniably, her skill in pouring cold water on the situation was truly impressive. Even Saotome, who was taking notes nearby, couldn't help but twitch her lips and quickly tried to smooth things over:
"Well, those kinds of dangerous things don't just appear out of nowhere..."
"Is that so..." Upon hearing this, Qin Hehuan glanced at Nie Qingyun, and then, whether intentionally or unintentionally, suddenly brought up the civil war that had lasted for several years in Lebanon more than twenty years ago.
"Seventeen years ago, the USA, on behalf of the European Union, provided a great deal of technical and equipment support to radical reformers in Lebanon, including a nuclear weapon called 'Crimson Queen'."
"This 2,000-ton nuclear bomb was later detonated in Damascus, reducing the local population of two million by half."
"Most of them died during afternoon tea and on their way home from get off work."
"From beggars on the street to wealthy people who have realized their life's value, no one is spared."
"Among these people are executives of multinational corporations and government officials. Without exception, they are all 'winners in life' in the eyes of ordinary people."
"But when they died, they were like ants on the roadside, without even leaving their names."
"In war, some of the ambitious men look forward to change, rejoice at the impending changes, and vow to take back everything that belongs to them."
"Some people are plotting, either for desire or for lofty ideals, to transform one idea after another into a reality that is very different from what they expect."
"However, for the vast majority of insignificant individuals, all of this merely represents the capriciousness of fate and the brevity of life..."
At this point, Qin Hehuan paused, then looked at Nie Qingyun and continued in a softer tone:
"At any given time, how much truth a person can learn and to what extent he can influence his own and others' fate depends on his level and position."
"In my opinion, calling those guys you just mentioned 'protagonists' is an insult to the word."
"Of course, I'm not saying that being ordinary is a fault, it's just..."
"I don't think you're the kind of person who would willingly give up and just look up and sigh 'fate is fickle' when destruction comes, right?"
Saotome and Cheng Yuqiu's mouths were agape before they knew it; for them, what Qin Hehuan was talking about was simply too far removed from reality.
They have lived in peaceful inland areas since birth, and their affluent living conditions mean they don't even need to think about their future life and work.
But Nie Qingyun was different. He had personally experienced the war and witnessed the city being razed to the ground by artillery fire. The images of people screaming and wailing in the sea of fire are still deeply etched in his memory.
At the same time, I deeply realized how insignificant an individual is in the face of war.
It was this underlying PTSD that led him to spend his entire life searching for the optimal solution for survival.
By now, he had long since had enough of that feeling of helplessness, so he resolutely raised his head and looked at Qin Hehuan, saying in a low voice:
"Even if I die on the road of resistance, I will never let Cheng Yuqiu be taken away from me."
Qin Hehuan was clearly taken aback. She looked quietly at Nie Qingyun, whose clear and resolute eyes were exactly the same as when she was exiled in the lecture hall.
Clearly, the other party was not intimidated by his words. Rather, this guy, whose head was full of women, never had the option of handing over Cheng Yuqiu in the first place.
At that moment, a bright glint suddenly flashed in Qin Hehuan's eyes; she had been waiting for Nie Qingyun to say those words.
Because not only the Jonster Brotherhood is facing its current situation, but they will also face many more dangers and predicaments in the future that are even worse than what they are facing now.
Qin Hehuan knew all too well that those who lacked firm will and awareness could not pass the [Trial].
Therefore, she needs a companion she can rely on no matter what.
And now, she has the answer.
Like her, Nie Qingyun was the kind of person who would never easily compromise with fate.
As long as this remains unchanged, they will have plenty of countermeasures to come up with.
"In that case, let's talk about countermeasures." Qin Hehuan smiled, this was the first time she had used the word "we" today, which meant that from this moment on, she would become a comrade-in-arms with the other party.
When he looked up, he saw Cheng Yuqiu sitting on the sofa, her face flushed, shaking Nie Qingyun's neck while trying to cover up her misunderstanding and shouting:
"Idiot, don't just say things that make people embarrassed!"
Clearly, this young lady hadn't been paying attention to the previous conversation from the beginning; she had only heard that resounding "confession."
Looking at Nie Qingyun, who was huddled in the corner of the sofa and unable to fight back after being "bullied," Qin Hehuan suddenly recalled all the things this young man had experienced since the apocalypse.
He was hurt while sacrificing himself for others, and then betrayed and exiled by everyone.
Then there was the snatching of Cheng Yuqiu right under her nose, and later, her encounter with and defeat of extraordinary individuals like Liu Chengyuan…
None of these things, I doubt, would be easy for most people to do...
Qin Hehuan's expression faltered slightly, as if she realized why she always disliked "other people's stories".
Because those were all too "mediocre".
Whether it's Marvel's Superman defeating the villains or an ordinary passerby finding a cheat code and achieving a comeback.
No matter how strong or capable these people are, they are simply doing what they are capable of.
What she longed for were those miracles that were originally impossible...
Seemingly sensing the other's gaze, Nie Qingyun finally found a gap, used his arm to push Cheng Yuqiu away, and then looked at Qin Hehuan.
"I already have a solution."
The latter came to his senses and, before he could even speak, caught a word in the other person's eyes that perfectly matched his own thoughts.
Kill them all.
Chapter 269: The Real "Magic"
Yes, exterminate them all!
Qin Hehuan's gaze suddenly sharpened at that moment.
It wasn't that she wanted to do it, but they had no choice because of their current situation.
Even though the apocalypse has arrived, plunging the world into chaos, many forces will still survive.
Any force that wants to gain a foothold in a chaotic order cannot bypass the element of power.
The Jonster Brotherhood was the first to target Cheng Yuqiu and take action, but they certainly won't be the last.
Before they can completely control the Witch's Wand, they must make those who covet it think twice before taking action.
Therefore, this time we must use a more radical approach to give these "intruders" a direct response.
Even if victory is ultimately lost, or even if a crushing defeat is suffered, the enemy must still be made to fear.
Seeing that Nie Qingyun was almost "bullied" to the bottom of the sofa, Qin Hehuan finally couldn't stand it anymore and deliberately put on a stern face and said to Cheng Yuqiu:
"Yu Jue, don't disturb me and Nie Qingyun's serious conversation."
Upon hearing this, the latter stopped what he was doing, pursed his lips, and was about to argue when he saw the other person's serious expression, so he held back.
After Nie Qingyun sat down again, Qin Hehuan spoke in a slightly reproachful but not harsh tone:
“I’m telling you, since you’ve taken her custody from me, you should take some responsibility.”
"Yu Jue is willful by nature. If you don't keep a close eye on her, when will she ever be able to stand on her own?"
Nie Qingyun shrugged noncommittally; he had already figured out exactly how to get along with the young lady.
If the goal is simply to make the girl more obedient, there's no need for lecturing; just re-establishing the subordinate relationship will suffice.
But what he needs is not a handsome man with rotten eyes as a tool for sexual gratification.
What he wanted was a complete romantic relationship with the young lady.
They don't compromise on anything except feelings.
To others, having such thoughts in a post-apocalyptic world might seem like a sign of mental instability.
Nie Qingyun did not deny this, after all, human joys and sorrows are not universally shared.
Regardless of whether poetry and distant places truly exist in this chaotic world, he will not confine himself to the mundane realities of the present.
Seeing that Nie Qingyun was unresponsive, Qin Hehuan had no choice but to turn her attention to Cheng Yuqiu. Before she could even speak, Cheng Yuqiu abruptly grabbed Nie Qingyun's arm and pulled her into a hug.
"I don't need to stand alone, I have guards!"
Seeing this, Qin Hehuan took a deep breath, frowned, and crossed her hands, speaking with a hint of exasperation, like a parent giving a lecture:
"Of the four virtues of a woman, the virtue of wifehood is the foremost, as it is the foundation of proper conduct."
“Since you have inherited the bloodline of the Historio family, you should maintain your elegance and uphold the family’s dignity and virtue.”
"I won't listen! I won't listen! I won't listen!" Before Qin Hehuan could finish speaking, Cheng Yuqiu had already covered her ears like an ostrich.
Clearly, this kind of scene had happened quite a few times before between the two sisters.
On the other side, Nie Qingyun's lips twitched and his eyes widened slightly.
The fact that Qin Hehuan spoke of these virtues and precepts for women, which were only learned by women in ancient feudal times, made him feel a strange sense of incongruity.