Even after walking a considerable distance, Lin Yuan could still see the firelight from the spot they had just left. The mountain fire had begun to spread.
"There aren't many trees in that place, it should extinguish itself after burning this patch."
"Don't worry, Brother Lin Yuan, there's no wind right now, it won't burn much."
Lin Yuan nodded, no longer concerning himself with matters on that side, then removed his gas mask and took a deep breath of fresh air.
He looked at Jiang Ziqi and said, "Right, Ziqi, where are the things we searched from that K?"
Jiang Ziqi patted herself down and took out something resembling a small touchscreen from a pocket.
Using the starlight and the beam of the tactical flashlight, Lin Yuan attempted to open the small touchscreen.
To his surprise, it powered on with just a press of the only button on the screen.
"It's not password protected?"
What did that mean?
"Wait," as the touchscreen opened, Jiang Ziqi saw the camera at the front move. She stopped Lin Yuan, saying, "The camera is moving."
The camera?
"It's fine, Ziqi, you hide to the side. The higher-ups of this organization should know my background, so it's okay if they see me."
But Jiang Ziqi was displeased. She walked up and stood next to Lin Yuan, saying, "I'm not hiding. You want to bear it all alone again, that's a personal hero complex, you know? Sister Wu Tian will scold us when we get back to the convoy."
Lin Yuan was helpless and couldn't argue with the little girl, so he ended up studying the device with her.
The interface of this thing was very simple, with only a map-like icon and a chat box icon.
Clicking on the chat box, Lin Yuan discovered that K had been constantly chatting with someone named H. The conversation was all in English. Even after Jiang Ziqi translated it, she found nothing significant. It was all questions about where someone was or if the samples had been obtained. There was very little idle chat, and what little there was, was inconsequential.
Just as he was about to click on the map, the interface suddenly froze, and then a video playback interface popped up.
This made both Lin Yuan and Jiang Ziqi frown. What was going on now?
However, Lin Yuan was not afraid of anything and directly clicked to open it.
A woman in casual clothes appeared on the video, likely having just set down the recording equipment.
This woman had a very delicate Western face, crimson hair, and a pair of black-rimmed glasses, giving her an intellectual beauty.
After a few seconds of silence, the Western beauty in the recording spoke. To their surprise, she spoke not in English, but in standard Mandarin: "I don't know who will see this video, but I can guess it's you, Target Number 3.
After all, the owner of this touchscreen came looking for you, and he even brought the M virus I was researching.
I know you have many questions, but I'm sorry, this is just a recording. I hid this video on the touchscreen by implanting a Trojan horse. It will only open when the camera reads your facial features.
By now, you should have dealt with K and be on your way home..."
Could she predict the future? How did she guess?
The person in the recording continued: "Don't wonder how I guessed, it's no longer important. What's important are my next words. HSAC, Human Survival Assurance Company, is the company I work for. I am currently a high-level executive responsible for operations in China.
Don't get agitated yet. I've only recently taken office. Your situation is not my doing, and neither is the M virus. It's an order from the supreme commander.
K might have already told you that the company has abandoned its operations in China. When K and H started acting against you, the base on China's southern border had already begun to evacuate. K and H are both pawns.
Even if you hadn't killed him, they would have been destroyed after obtaining the samples.
So, you should have guessed that I am just a figurehead appointed by the company. You don't care about this. I'll tell you something you do care about.
The purpose of the M virus is to enhance your strength and allow the company to control you through the virus.
Of course, this is if the fusion is successful. If the fusion fails, you will turn into a zombie with no consciousness. If you're lucky, you'll just become an idiot.
After all, the company doesn't want someone who is difficult to control to appear as a target.
I'm telling you this because I want to ask for a favor. If you agree, I will tell you the location of a weapon cache and a secret related to you.
Of course, you can choose not to agree. The decision is yours. Now, it's time to choose."
The video ended here, and a choice box popped up on the screen.
It was simple, and classic.
YES or NO
Lin Yuan wanted to click NO without a second thought, but his finger couldn't press down. It hovered over the screen for a long time.
Finally, he clicked the YES button.
The interface froze again, showing a lot of pixelated blocks, and then another video popped up. Lin Yuan clicked to play.
The same Western beauty appeared before Lin Yuan again.
She was now smiling broadly and said, "I'm very happy you chose yes.
So, I'll get straight to the point. I want you to help me destroy HSAC."
When the Western beauty said this, Lin Yuan really wanted to throw the device away.
But he held back and continued to listen to her.
"You might be very confused as to why I would do such a thing, and why I chose you.
Time is short, so I won't explain in detail. In brief, it's because what the company does is contrary to my beliefs, and China is a region the company has abandoned. Your uniqueness is also a factor.
I know you must want to refuse, but I will only tell you one thing.
Fang Yuxin is in the company's hands. What she has gone through is the last thing you would want to see. If you want to save her, go to the weapon cache I left for you. There, you will find the intelligence I left for you.
Oh, and to apologize for my capriciousness, some of HSAC's experimental data and operational details in China are also in the weapon cache.
At the same time, within one year, I will ensure your first love girlfriend's safety under the guise of experimentation. But please believe me, the company would never hand her over to me completely. One year is the maximum duration.
If you don't improve your strength within a year, you will never see her again.
Finally, let me explain why I trust you."
As she said this, the Western beauty in the video showed an indescribable worry on her face.
"You are the only one I can trust. In short, whether you think I'm threatening you or playing the victim, I have no other choice.
In seven months, the M virus will reach its highest degree of integration with your body. As for the ultimate effect of the Godly Potion, I'm not entirely sure yet. Only you will know.
The final decision is yours. I will wait for you. If you don't come, I will do what I want to do alone."
The video ended here. At the end of the image, there was a photo of Fang Yuxin wearing a white lab coat, taken in front of a large building. Standing with her was the same Western beauty from the video.
Immediately afterward, a map popped up, with a red dot blinking continuously.