novelraw Page 18
Page 18
He didn't come in completely; he just leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Yuan Hao Qiu's fingers touching the wall. His face was expressionless, only showing a calm that seemed to know everything.
Yuan Hao Qiu instantly entered a highly alert battle stance, his body slightly lowered, his center of gravity shifted forward, his hands loosely clenched into claws, his knuckles slightly white, and pale blue energy threads faintly visible beneath the skin of his arms, while an invisible aura permeated the air.
It's murderous!
He stared intently at Stone, his voice low and hoarse: "Director Stone... I have to go now, there's an emergency at home!"
“Urgent?” Stone raised his thick eyebrows slightly, his tone laced with undisguised sarcasm. “What urgent matter could be more important than being questioned by the police and clearing yourself of suspicion of harboring a wanted criminal? Tell me.”
"No comment!" Yuan Hao Qiu gritted his teeth, his eyes resolute. "If Director Stone insists on stopping me... then I'll have no choice but to fight you!" He adopted a more pronounced fighting stance, and the pale blue energy fluctuations suddenly intensified.
"Oh, really?" Stone seemed to have heard something extremely ridiculous. A cold smile appeared on his lips. He finally straightened up and took a step forward. The oppressive feeling brought by his nearly two-meter height once again spread.
He shook his head slightly, his voice carrying a condescending, judgmental tone:
“Yuan Hao Qiu, you wild superhumans are used to being free and undisciplined. Our official organization is too lazy to arrest you superhumans who haven’t committed any crimes. We’ve let you exist so freely that over time, you’ve developed unrealistic misunderstandings about the power of our official superhumans.”
"You don't really think that we uniformed, rule-following officials are about as good as you lone wolf fighters, do you? Or that we're even held back by the rules, giving you an advantage?"
"Wrong, terribly wrong!" Stone's voice suddenly rose. "The reason the authorities are the authorities is not only because they possess law enforcement power, but also because they have mastered the most systematic and efficient extraordinary knowledge system and combat cooperation methods! Every official rank member is a war machine that has been tempered through countless trials, is well-equipped, and is highly trained! Even among those of the same rank, the combat effectiveness we can exert far exceeds that of you self-taught individuals by ten times! What's more—"
He suddenly spread his arms wide, his already thick arm muscles bulging, and a powerful, heavy, and metallic-like pressure burst forth, far stronger than Yuan Hao Qiu's!
The temperature in the entire interrogation room seemed to drop several degrees!
"—My rank is a whole level higher than yours! I am a Sequence 8 'Combat Expert'! This is the Twilight Harbor Police Station! The location of Twilight Harbor's strongest armed force."
Stone's eyes gleamed with a cold, confident light, as if he were scrutinizing an overconfident ant. "So, you think you can escape from me? Even if you risk your life, you have no chance!"
Yuan Hao Qiu's body trembled slightly under Stone's powerful pressure, and his face became even paler.
Because he understood that every word Stone said was true.
Whether it's personal strength, equipment, environment, or support, he is at a complete disadvantage.
The gap... is too big.
But at the end of despair, a ruthless determination to burn one's bridges and sink one's boats emerges!
He forced his back straight, meeting Stone's imposing eyes, his voice hoarse yet exceptionally firm: "I understand the gap! But... I will not surrender! For my family, I will fight to the very end! Until the very last moment!"
The air seemed to freeze.
The two faced off silently in the narrow interrogation room. Yuan Haoqiu's eyes held a desperate resolve, while Stone's eyes held a cold scrutiny.
The suffocating mystery dissipated, and silence lasted for a full ten seconds, with only the heavy breathing of the two intertwined.
Suddenly, Raymond Stone, who had been expressionless, slowly stretched his lips into a smile that carried a complex meaning.
"Heh." He let out a soft, ambiguous laugh, the sharpness in his eyes seeming to have faded slightly. "Interesting. You rare people usually seem cautious and timid, always wanting to settle things as soon as possible and retreat into your shells, like soft persimmons that anyone can step on. But when it comes to certain situations, you also have this ruthless spirit of risking your life and never giving up. That's truly admirable."
Yuan Hao Qiu remained vigilant, his taut muscles showing no sign of relaxation. Meeting Stone's gaze, he said, word by word, "Indeed. I wonder if Director Stone has ever heard of an ancient saying in the history of our rare race—'Facing a formidable enemy, with no way to retreat, only by sacrificing one's life can one find a glimmer of hope'! This perfectly describes the moment! I will never retreat!"
"'Facing a formidable enemy with no way to retreat, only by sacrificing one's life can one find a sliver of hope'... Hmm, not bad, really not bad."
Stone repeated the ancient proverb, full of Eastern charm, with amusement, his smile deepening and even showing a hint of appreciation.
"I've remembered those words. I'll share them with others when I have the chance, to spread the culture of your rare race."
Then, Stone did something that completely surprised him.
He slightly shifted his burly body to make way for the interrogation room doorway.
"Since that's the case, then you can leave. I won't stop you anymore."
"What?!" Yuan Hao Qiu's pupils contracted sharply, and all the muscles in his body tensed up for a moment. He stared incredulously at Stone, who had made way for him, his eyes filled with extreme vigilance and suspicion. "Are you playing me? Director Stone! How could you let me leave so easily?!"
He absolutely refused to believe that the other party would be "moved" by his words and abandon their duties.
Stone looked at his menacing expression, shook his head slightly, and smiled with a condescending helplessness: "Teasing you? Mr. Yuan Hao, I'm not that bored. You think I was convinced by your fearless spirit? No, you're overthinking it."
He paused, then said calmly:
"I'm letting you go only because I just received orders from my superiors."
Yuan Hao Qiu asked nervously, "What orders?"
“The order is simple: let your Qiu family leave. Immediately, right now.” Stone looked directly into Yuan Hao Qiu’s eyes. “I’m just following orders. That’s all.”
He tilted his head slightly and gestured towards the door. "So, you can leave now. Of course, if you change your mind and want to stay and have a chat, the Muyun Port Police Station would be very happy to oblige. Tea and water will be plentiful."
Yuan Hao Qiu's mind raced, filled with confusion: An order from higher-ups? To let the Qiu family leave? This sudden turn of events must have some hidden purpose, but at this moment, whatever that purpose may be, leaving is the best option.
“Alright!” Yuan Hao Qiu replied decisively without the slightest hesitation, “I’m going!”
He took a deep breath, his eyes still fixed on Stone warily, his body poised to retaliate at any moment, and moved slowly and cautiously toward the door.
His arms were taut, and the blue light flowing from his fingertips had not completely dissipated, indicating that he was prepared to deal with any possible sneak attack or trap.
Stone simply stood there with his arms crossed, staring at him expressionlessly, like a silent mountain, showing no sign of obstruction or disturbance.
One step, two steps... Yuan Hao Qiu finally moved to the doorway and brushed past Stone.
He could clearly sense the powerful aura of a Sequence 8 on the other party, but the other party did not make any move.
He dared not linger, quickened his pace, and stepped into the relatively spacious but oppressive corridor of the police station.
The sound of leather shoes stepping on the cold stone slabs echoed in the empty corridor.
He looked around warily. The police officer on duty at the end of the passage glanced at him briefly before looking down again, as if he hadn't seen him at all.
Smooth sailing without (II) long flag will be full of three Ba!
Yuan Hao Qiu's heart pounded like a drum. He suppressed the urge to run away and maintained his composure as he walked step by step through the corridor and out of the heavy door of the police station.
The cool night wind, carrying the distinctive salty and soothing smell of the harbor, swept over him, bringing a sense of clarity to his sweat-drenched face.
Free?
He turned around abruptly. The police station gate was like the mouth of a giant beast, brightly lit inside, but no one came out.
Overwhelmed by a tremendous sense of crisis and the ecstasy of escaping, Yuan Hao Qiu no longer cared about any pretense or thinking about the conspiracy behind it.
Like an arrow released from a bow, he dashed towards a narrow alleyway next to him, cluttered with debris and reeking of swill!
As soon as he entered the cover of darkness, a pale blue light suddenly shone around him!
"Whoosh!"
With a push of his feet, he lightly leaped into the air, his toes touching the slippery, moss-covered wall, and like a nimble ape, he scaled the low roof.
The tiles made a soft sound under his feet. Without stopping, he darted across the rooftops, which were of varying heights and filled with chimneys and steam pipes, like a phantom blending into the night.
There's only one goal—to go home! Evacuate immediately with your family! No matter what that "higher-ups' order" means, the Qiu family can no longer stay in Muyun Port!
Volume 1: Chapter 18: Removal Surgery
While Yuan Hao Qiu was desperately rushing home.
In the living room on the second floor of the Qiu family mansion, Mingyuan Qiu, a boy who had just turned seventeen, was sitting upright in a dark hardwood armchair.
He tried to straighten his back, attempting to appear more composed, but his slightly trembling fingertips and pale face betrayed his inner unease.
Because he immediately tried to break the "curse" that had been passed down through generations of his family.
Zhang Su stood in front of him, his expression focused.
He reached out his hands and gently placed them on Mingyuan Qiu's shoulders.
The boy's body visibly tensed up.
“Don’t be afraid,” Zhang Su said in a relaxed voice, soothing him. “I need to examine the specific state of that ‘thing’ inside you. Relax and don’t resist my power.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a cold blue light shone deep in Zhang Su's pupils.
He activated the Source Hub's ability, causing it to scan his body.
[Command confirmed. Deep biological analysis protocol initiated. Target: Mingyuan Qiu.]
Yuan Shu's cold, emotionless voice rang directly in Zhang Su's mind. Immediately afterward, an invisible, incredibly subtle field of perception, mediated by Zhang Su's hands, quietly permeated Ming Yuan's body.
This was not a brutal invasion, but rather an extremely precise scan, instantly outlining the subtle life map within the boy's body.
Time ticked by, and the living room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Only the faint sounds of the harbor outside the window and Mingyuan's own increasingly clear heartbeat could be heard.
After about several tens of seconds, Yuan Shu's analysis results flooded into Zhang Su's mind like a cold stream of data:
[Analysis complete. Target: Abnormal parasite within Mingyuan Qiu's body (codename: Black Tai Sui - Immature Embryo)]
R4 [Status Assessment:]
Host physiological function: Very healthy, vital signs stable. No organ failure or severe tissue necrosis caused by parasitism was detected.
Parasite status: In the incomplete embryonic stage (developmental stage: approximately 72%). The core structure has not yet been finalized, and the deep penetration and integration with the host's life network is below the critical threshold (current penetration rate: 31.7%).
Symbiotic stability: In a relatively inert state with low energy activity (periodic dormancy). No signs of active erosion of consciousness or mental pollution were detected.
Feasibility of separation: High. Immature embryos have not yet formed stable "anchor points" or highly active defense mechanisms. Their core energy structure can be precisely located and non-physically separated using "containment protocols."
[Stripping Process Simulation (Optimal Solution)]
1. Procedure: No physical dissection is required. The operator must maintain stable physical contact with the host (it is recommended to use both hands to touch the surface of the body near the lesion area).
2. Energy Guidance: Activate the "Containment Protocol - Targeted Removal" module. This protocol will generate a high-precision, low-intensity constraint field that directly acts on the core energy structure of the embryo.
3. Isolation and Traction: The force field will temporarily isolate the energy link between the embryo and the host's life network and perform reverse energy traction, causing it to detach from the host tissue.
4. Containment and Solidification: The detached embryonic entity will be instantly compressed and solidified by the protocol force field, completing containment.
Risk Warning:
Detachment injury: The embryo detachment process will inevitably cause tearing damage to the already infiltrated and fused host tissues (mainly abdominal connective tissue, some capillary networks, and nerve endings). Estimated injury level: Mild to moderate.
Energy backlash: When the embryonic core is stimulated by the stripping force field, it may generate an instinctive resistance, triggering a weak backlash that exacerbates the host's instantaneous pain.
Postoperative effects: After dissection, the host will experience:
Moderate internal trauma (internal bleeding, tissue tearing).
Temporary disruption of the life energy field (weakness, dizziness, low-grade fever).
Non-functional nerve ending damage (local pain, numbness).
Key point: Post-operative professional medical intervention (hemostasis, anti-inflammation, stabilization of vital energy) is needed as soon as possible, followed by meticulous recuperation. Otherwise, there is a high risk of infection, chronic pain, or the formation of energy blockage points (sequelae).
Zhang Su quickly processed this information, and his tense brows finally relaxed.
The plan was feasible, and far less invasive than he had anticipated! Exposing the target without the need for open surgery was a pleasant surprise.
He slowly withdrew his probing force, his hands still resting on Mingyuan's shoulders.
"Mingyuan," he said, his voice trembling with barely suppressed joy, "good news. The Tai Sui inside you is still in an immature embryonic state; its integration with your body isn't too deep yet. It can be removed."
Mingyuan's eyes lit up instantly, like sparks igniting in the darkness, as he looked excitedly at Zhang Su: "Really? Does Your Excellency mean we're finally saved?"
"For now, I can only say that you can be saved; the others still need further examination." Zhang Su did not immediately agree. "I am certain that I can remove the Tai Sui from your body completely. Moreover, it will not require cutting open your body."
"No need to cut it open!" The boy was overwhelmed with surprise and could hardly believe his ears.
The nightmare that has plagued the family for a century has such a "gentle" solution?
“Yes. As long as I touch you like this, I can use my ability to peel it off,” Zhang Su explained. “However, this process won’t be completely painless; it might even be quite painful, like forcibly pulling out a thorn that’s deeply embedded in your flesh. And after it’s removed, your internal organs will be somewhat damaged, and you’ll need to rest and recover for a while. You absolutely cannot neglect this, or it might leave lasting health problems.”
At this moment, tears welled up in Mingyuan's eyes. He was overjoyed at the prospect of breaking the curse. He took a deep breath, nodded vigorously, and said with the unwavering determination typical of a young man, "I understand! I'm not afraid of pain! I'll do anything to get it out! Please do it!"
After the boy finished speaking, he closed his eyes tightly, his long eyelashes trembling slightly with nervousness.
He straightened his back, gripped the chair armrests tightly with both hands, his knuckles turning white from the force, and his whole body adopted a tense and serious posture, as if facing a storm.
"Good boy," Zhang Su praised softly, his eyes once again becoming incredibly focused, like a hawk locking onto its prey.
"Yuan Shu, activate containment protocol! Target: the immature Black Tai Sui embryo within Ming Yuan Qiu's body. Execute the targeted removal procedure. Calibrate energy output intensity to the minimum effective value, and try not to harm his body."
[Command confirmed. Containment protocol - targeted stripping activated. Target locked, energy channeling initiated.]
hum!
A strange, icy blue light shone from his palm, like flowing liquid starlight, quickly spreading and covering his hands. Then, along the point of contact, it gently yet firmly seeped into Mingyuan Qiu's body!
The light flowed and spread like living water through the boy's veins and flesh.
Within seconds, Mingyuan's entire body, especially his abdominal area, was enveloped in a faint icy blue halo. The blood vessels under his skin seemed to be injected with a weak light source, giving them a strange translucent appearance.