Chapter 1913: Reckless

Chapter 1913: Chapter 1913: Reckless

The events that followed exceeded their expectations; several mutated humans suddenly charged out from the security passageways. Had they not evacuated quickly, they would have been trapped in the corridor.

Jing Xie and Shen Wu fought with all their might, carving a path for everyone. This wasn’t the Jiangnan branch of the National Security Bureau but merely an outpost, so defenses weren’t as tight. The unexpected appearance of mutated humans caused severe losses to the guards. Conventional firearms were ineffective against the mutants.

Ye Shikai activated his Inner Strength and swung fiercely at an approaching mutant, slicing it in half. The corpse lay motionless, but soon he noticed that the bodies started emitting smoke and then burst into flames. These flames were reminiscent of those when Aphrodite died—this... was Red Poison Gu.

Once infected with Red Poison Gu, sudden death occurs at a certain point, and the corpse self-immolates until only ashes remain. Thus, after the battle ends, all that remains is the mutants’ ash—nothing useful.

"Everyone, leave here immediately."

"Hurry, hurry."

"Quick."

Bang, bang, bang.

"Mr. Ye, Director Bai, and Jing Xie have all retreated to the basement. Let’s go too," Phoenix shouted.

"Alright." Ye Shikai swung his sword, its Sword Qi repelling the mutants behind them. He turned and jumped into the basement, swiftly locking the blast door.

Bang, bang.

Heavy pounding emerged from outside the blast door, as the mutants attempted to break through. Yet, the door was sturdier than Ye Shikai imagined. It only mildly deformed under the stress, showing no signs of failure.

"What’s the situation outside?" Bai Ni and the others arrived.

"All evacuees have made it inside. As for the others, unfortunately..." Ye Shikai expressed regret over the mutants’ surprise attack that inevitably led to casualties.

Twenty minutes later. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

"It seems quiet outside now." Everyone noticed the sounds of pounding on the basement’s blast door fading away, leading to a calm outside.

"I’ll go take a look," Ye Shikai suggested.

"Alright, be careful."

"Open the door." Jing Xie stepped forward, forcefully unlocking the door. The rest remained vigilant, uncertain of what lay on the other side.

"Open." Jing Xie forcefully twisted open the lock, and Ye Shikai rushed out.

"Cough, cough, why is there so much smoke?"

Everyone coughed loudly as they entered the basement engulfed in smoke from the corridor.

"Quickly, open the windows and vents."

"Yes."

Ten minutes later.

"It’s all ashes here now," Ye Shikai muttered. Everyone observed the scene, their hearts mixed with emotions. All the mutated humans self-combusted, leaving nothing but useless ash. The smoke was emitted during this self-combustion.

"There are our people’s bodies here."

"Quick, see if there are any survivors," Bai Ni ordered, but everyone knew the guards couldn’t have survived the mutants.

"Yes."

This outpost was in the suburbs, devoid of residents. Despite the loud commotion—screams, gunfire, and flames—no one noticed.

They carried the guards’ bodies to the first floor; twenty-three were dead, and a few were injured. The Jiangnan branch would soon take over.

"To think these mutants dared to launch a night attack on our outpost—an intolerable offense," Bai Ni fumed. The mutants were now compliant, and this "large-scale attack" indicated someone’s control, suggesting a premeditated plan.

"Mrs. Bai, stay calm. If the adversaries dared this, they’ve also prepared for the risks," Ye Shikai believed. The culprits weren’t fully confident of eliminating everyone, especially with Ye Shikai present. Hence, they planted Red Poison Gu in every mutant, ensuring that, success or not, they’d die and combust like Aphrodite, leaving nothing valuable behind.

"If they dared riskily kill us all, we must possess something dangerous," Ye Shikai analyzed. This reasoning was sound—deploying mutants carries immense risk. The mass deployment indicated a desperate measure.

"Perhaps because we identified the mastermind—the man in the photo—he took this risky move to kill us all."

"Indeed, but even if he succeeds, it’s useless. We’ve reported everything to Director Jin; he’ll handle it from here."

....................................

The film studio conveyed news: Yueling left, with a plausible excuse. Because of an incident during the equestrian scene, she refused to shoot it further. With no alternative, the crew relocated to film the next scene as Yueling is the lead actress; the director dared not offend her.

Ye Shikai wasn’t surprised. The mutant attack on the National Security Bureau’s outpost was definitely related to Yueling. She might even have connections in Jiangnan aiding the mutants’ concealment.

With Yueling departing Jiangnan, Ye Shikai, Jing Xie, and others had no reason to stay and returned to Yanjing as the HST project wasn’t over; the investigation continued.

Yanjing, National Security Bureau.

"I heard you were attacked last night; were there injuries?" Jin Li asked.

"Rest assured, Director Jin, we’re fine. But the guards sacrificed themselves."

"Their audacity is boundless. If unchecked, Huaxia might fall to mutant desolation." Jin Li’s expression grew grim. The adversaries, bold and reckless since Tianjing’s assassination attempt and mutant raid, posed a growing threat.

"We’ve identified the man, so let’s confront him. Since these mutants are his ’creation’, bringing us trouble, we cannot remain silent," Ye Shikai suddenly suggested.

"Mr. Ye, he’s not from Huaxia and isn’t in Huaxia now; we can’t act abroad," Jin Li explained.

"I know that. But while you’re restricted, I’m free to act."