Chapter 289: World Trade Center
A hoarse voice—like it hadn’t been used in a long time—suddenly spoke: “Bottom… button.”
Lu Weiyi turned and saw the man in the bed was actually awake.
He pressed the lowest button as instructed, and the noise ceased.
The man on the bed had messy hair and a beard like it had been chewed by dogs. His cheeks were sunken, but his eyes were shockingly sharp.
Strangely, his stomach bulged outward as if something was inside.
He stared silently at Lu Weiyi.
Lu Weiyi suddenly became interested. He walked to the foot of the bed and saw a thick medical record hanging there. He flipped past the most recent entries and went to the very bottom.
After checking the date, he looked at the man in surprise. He had been here for half a year.
This was likely the longest-held prisoner in the lab.
But…
Lu Weiyi looked more closely and realized that the man’s crystal core was still intact. It hadn’t been removed.
However…
Something felt off.
Just as he was about to study him more closely, Zhuang Mingxu’s voice called from the hallway.
Lu Weiyi put the medical record down and walked out. The man just silently watched him, saying nothing more.
“Over here,” Lu Weiyi responded, quickening his pace.
Zhuang Mingxu had a faint scent of blood on him—unnoticeable unless up close. His expression was calm as he walked over to Lu Weiyi. “Are we leaving?”
“There are still some powered security guards here. I knocked them out and locked them up earlier, but they’ll be waking up soon.” Once they awakened and used their powers together, the lab might not be able to withstand the chaos.
Suppressing them by force would require constant use of mental power, and Lu Weiyi didn’t want to waste energy here. He looked at Zhuang Mingxu, hoping for a good plan.
“Zhuang Mobai had a stock of syringes that temporarily suppress powers—just like the ones used on the Only Team. They don’t have many side effects, but they take a long time to metabolize.”
“Give everyone a shot. Once we’ve dealt with the situation at hand, we can come back and handle them later.” Zhuang Mingxu led Lu Weiyi toward the supply storage, asking, “Are the others still alive?”
“There are some still alive. My uncle said there are quite a few soldiers inside, apparently people he knows. He doesn’t have time to deal with it right now, so he’s leaving it for later.”
As they talked, they each gave one of the security personnel an injection and then left the lab.
*
After learning the drug had no side effects, the team members finally relaxed—but the situation still didn’t allow them to breathe easy.
Before evening, the person sent to deliver a message to Zhao Qiang returned, bringing back his response:
[I’ve been very busy lately. Let’s arrange a gathering in the future.]
That was clearly a rejection. Likely out of courtesy because of their recent trade for a plant-type crystal core, or perhaps Zhao Qiang hadn’t yet made up his mind to move against them—so he maintained a facade of politeness.
Even with the best persuasion, it requires a face-to-face meeting to be effective.
Without that meeting, it’s all for nothing. Zhuang Mingxu couldn’t possibly go spreading the word through a messenger that their squad could help Zhao Qiang level up safely.
That would only make them a perpetual target.
Just as he was considering whether to investigate Zhao Qiang’s usual haunts or track his movements over the next couple of days to try and intercept him, Jindiao came running back.
The sound of his heavy footsteps could be heard even before he entered the courtyard, like something repeatedly slamming into the ground.
Surrounded by soldiers who naturally had light and swift steps, this kind of noise could only mean an urgent situation—or a long period of running.
Zhuang Mingxu and Lu Weiyi exchanged glances and looked toward the door through the window.
Jindiao burst in, panting heavily. Barely able to stand still, he gasped, “Captain Lu, our squad was ambushed. Many were injured. Can we borrow your squad’s healer?”
“Yes,” Lu Weiyi replied.
Zhuang Mingxu stood and led the way upstairs while asking what happened.
After Lu Xiao retrieved Qi Lin, he sensed something was off with the Zhuang family and forbade the smaller squads from leaving. But there were still many teams that had already gone out and hadn’t returned, so they hadn’t expected an ambush now.
“They didn’t get a clear look at who it was, but there are only a few bases nearby,” Jindiao said through clenched teeth.
“The Hunter’s Guild is in chaos now, and all the healing-type ability users are under tight protection. It’s not easy to borrow one, especially…”
Especially now, when all the major factions are itching to make a move. No one wants to associate themselves with Lu Xiao.
Even if they don’t openly refuse, the result is practically the same.
Zhuang Mingxu nodded and explained the situation to Xu Yi and Dean.
“They can’t be brought here?” Antonio was the first to voice his dissatisfaction.
“They’re too seriously injured. Moving them might be dangerous,” Jindiao said politely. “Don’t worry—I’ll protect them with my life. As long as I’m breathing, no harm will come to the healer.”
Dean patted Antonio’s arm and stepped out from his embrace, standing firmly. “Let’s go.”
“Thank you, thank you!” Jindiao said quickly.
Zhuang Mingxu took out some crystal cores from his space and handed them to Dean.
“No need for crystal cores. I’m already grateful you’re willing to help. I can’t ask for more,” Jindiao said quickly.
“It’s fine. We’re family. No need to be formal,” Zhuang Mingxu replied.
Jindiao immediately realized the man before him must be the squad leader’s nephew and was impressed by his tact.
No wonder someone like him, an ordinary person, had such a powerful boyfriend.
Zhuang Mingxu discreetly squeezed Dean’s arm, silently signaling him.
Their crystal cores had been purified and were safer to use, but it was best not to let that information spread.
Dean understood and gave a solemn nod.
“Do you have weapons with you?” Zhuang Mingxu asked as they went downstairs.
Dean nodded. Aside from some food, his space was packed with weapons Antonio had stuffed in—including a crystal-core gun. He wouldn’t be helpless even if surrounded by zombies.
Once he was confident the two would be safe, Zhuang Mingxu allowed Jindiao to take them away.
In the living room, Lu Weiyi thought for a long while, then turned to Qi Lin. “Come with me later.”
“Okay,” Qi Lin agreed.
Once Zhuang Mingxu sent them off, Lu Weiyi informed him that he’d be heading out. Zhuang Mingxu was worried, but the situation was urgent. There was no time for discussion. Any hesitation could cost the whole team their lives.
And without powers, going along would only hold them back. All he could do was instruct Qi Lin to keep a close eye on Lu Weiyi.
He wanted to tell Lu Weiyi not to use his abilities unless necessary—but really, what could he do without them?
Zhuang Mingxu stood at the door, watching until the two disappeared from sight, but they didn’t turn back.
Being part of the squad, he couldn’t find his role anymore.
He wanted to be strong, but without powers, what could he possibly do?
Zhuang Mingxu thought of the base—small in number, but a safe fortress. At that moment, he made a decision:
He would build this base well, make it Lu Weiyi’s strongest support. Even if one day Lu Weiyi’s powers faltered, he’d have no worries at his back.
*
Still riding in their two-seater electric cart, Qi Lin was driving and asked Lu Weiyi, who sat in the passenger seat, “Squad leader, where are we going?”
As soon as they left the perimeter Lu Xiao had set around the villa, they drew a lot of attention. Spies from various factions subtly watched them, pretending to be casual passersby—it was unexpectedly lively.
“Let’s get out of the villa district first.” The district’s exit wasn’t very close to where they lived, and Qi Lin passed several villas along the way.
“That area over there belongs to the Zheng family. All the nearby villas are occupied by their people. The one closest to the center is said to be where Zheng Yi’s main family lives,” Qi Lin pointed out toward Lu Weiyi’s side.
Then he gestured toward his own side. “This is the Zhao family’s villa area, but apparently Zhao Qiang doesn’t actually live here. He and his squad stay elsewhere. This place is more of a front. The people living here aren’t core members.”
Lu Weiyi followed his gaze and indeed noticed that quite a few people from the nearby villas were looking in their direction.
He swept the area with his mental power and, before even reaching the core zone, detected several cars heading toward them. Inside one of them sat Zheng Yi—he was about to head out when a few vehicles collided in the only passageway.
Compared to the sleek cars others were driving, the little electric vehicle Lu Weiyi was in seemed quite unimpressive. The difference in status was obvious at a glance.
But Lu Weiyi didn’t care at all.
Naturally, Qi Lin wasn’t the kind of person who would make way for others. He drove boldly and steadily at the front, with a line of cars trailing behind.
“Move that car up front!” someone shouted from behind.
Qi Lin turned to look at Lu Weiyi.
“No need to pay attention to them,” Lu Weiyi said.
He rolled down the window and stuck his head out. His eyes immediately locked onto Zheng Yi, who was sitting in one of the cars in the middle of the group. Even through anti-peeping film, it didn’t block his line of sight—Zheng Yi had also seen him.
Lu Weiyi ignored the guy yelling from the first car and spoke directly to Zheng Yi: “No way I’m making room. But you’re welcome to try ramming into us.”
He didn’t look well—his smile carried a bit of weariness, making him seem harmless.
From several cars away, Zheng Yi looked in his direction for a long time, then finally told his people to wait.
“Boss?” someone protested.
“It’s not urgent,” Zheng Yi said, folding his hands on his lap with a calculated air.
Their car slowly made its way out of the villa complex and onto the main road. Once the road widened, the cars behind finally passed them and continued on ahead.
Lu Weiyi just calmly watched the vehicles drive by. Quite a few people stuck their heads out and openly stared at him.
The people with Zheng Yi appeared to be military—well-trained and disciplined—none of them said anything rude.
As the vehicles drove off, Lu Weiyi rolled up the window and told Qi Lin, “Head toward the area near the World Trade Center.”
