Gong Changfa had been cooped up for too long, isolated for over half a year with no one to talk to. Now that he was finally released, even though Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi were the only other people from different organizations present, he couldn't help but chat away, his worries finally easing.
Shen Feng suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "By the way, has Yuzhou been alright these past few days?"
Although Shen Feng browsed the internet daily, he was separated by a vast ocean, and the news he received was limited. He hadn't heard much about Yuzhou's situation, which was why he couldn't help but inquire now.
Gong Changfa shook his head, unable to answer Shen Feng's question. After all, he had been isolated, confined to his home all day, with no internet access or means to contact the outside world. He knew nothing. Xun Yan, however, could move freely and had gathered a lot of information.
"Yuzhou is doing fine. I heard they've been developing, constantly building hydropower stations, and even selling electricity to Jingxiang," Xun Yan replied.
Upon receiving this news, Shen Feng believed Yuzhou was safe and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Yue Hengyi seized the opportunity to ask, "What about me? How are my family? Are they well?"
"They are very well. They cried publicly after hearing the news of your death at sea, and they even erected a monument for you at the Martyrs' Cemetery!" Xun Yan replied.
"It's good that they're well, it's good that they're well!" Yue Hengyi was relieved. If it was just a monument erected for him, it wasn't a big deal. As long as he could return to his family, they would surely be overjoyed. He just needed to smash the stone tablet.
Afterward, Yue Hengyi continued to ask, "What about Qin Kewe? Sister Qin should be alright, right?"
"Uh, you need to be strong!" Xun Yan did not answer directly but sighed.
Hearing this reply, Yue Hengyi immediately had a bad premonition. Why did he need to be strong? Had Qin Kewe met with an accident?
"What do you mean? Did something happen to Sister Qin? What's her situation now?" Yue Hengyi asked urgently, his anxiety evident to everyone.
Xun Yan didn't know how to answer. After careful consideration, he could only reply, "I can't explain this clearly. I'm always an outsider, seeing things through a fog, how can I see clearly? She herself is fine, it's just her mental state that's problematic. If you don't believe me, go and see for yourself!"
Yue Hengyi became anxious and restless. No matter what bad thing had happened to Qin Kewe, he didn't want to see it. Yue Hengyi had gone through countless hardships to see Qin Kewe again, and now he absolutely could not accept the fact that Qin Kewe had met with an accident.
"Brother Feng, shouldn't we be setting off soon?" Yue Hengyi couldn't sit still any longer and urged Shen Feng to depart. Having learned that Qin Kewe might be in trouble, Yue Hengyi could no longer bear it. He had to see Qin Kewe immediately!
Shen Feng knew Yue Hengyi was anxious but still had something to clarify. He asked Xun Yan, "Is there an organization in the country whose ability users wield illusion, steel, and magnetic fields? This question is very important, as it concerns our mutual enemy. Please inform me!"
Xun Yan thought for a moment and shook his head, replying, "No! I've never heard of such a thing. Even the newly established Tianlong Bureau hasn't heard of anyone whose abilities involve illusion and magnetic fields. You'll have to find the answer yourselves!"
This answer was within Shen Feng's expectations. He knew that obtaining an accurate answer wouldn't be easy.
"Thank you for the information. I also wish your Tianxuan Bureau a speedy establishment. As for the two of us, we must take our leave. Little Yue is eager to see Qin Kewe, and I'm eager to go home. However, the past grievances are now settled. I hope we can become friends when we meet again!" Shen Feng stood up to bid farewell, taking a sip of hot water.
Yue Hengyi, without even drinking his hot water, stood up, eager to leave the camp.
"Let's try to achieve that. After experiencing so much, I've seen the truth of the apocalypse. Even ability users have times when they can't control themselves!" Gong Changfa couldn't make a promise to Shen Feng and could only reply helplessly.
Currently, the Tianxuan Bureau had not been rebuilt, and Gong Changfa could not make any guarantees. At this moment, Gong Changfa could only focus on the present. If he could rebuild the Tianxuan Bureau, he, Gong Changfa, could still become a prominent figure. But if he couldn't, Gong Changfa would have to choose the path of joining the army, starting as a soldier and climbing step by step.
Shen Feng searched his pockets and found two seeds of the Hundred Year Orchid, which he handed to Gong Changfa and Xun Yan. "Gentlemen, please accept a small gift. Eat this seed at a critical moment, and your abilities will break through! However, after the medicinal effect wears off, your body will lose a large amount of vital energy, but it can save your life at a critical moment!"
Gong Changfa didn't expect Shen Feng to have such a good item. He quickly took one for himself and Xun Yan, carrying them with them. No one knew when they might encounter danger. If they truly faced insurmountable danger, consuming this fruit might save their lives.
Next, Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi found a glider and left the camp. Thousands of people in the camp witnessed this scene, finding it incredible. They had never seen anyone come and go so easily with a glider. If they could also fly at any time, they wouldn't have to fear these raging floods.
The floods in the North China Plain were exactly the same as those in Jingxiang. Low-lying areas were completely submerged, and countless crops were directly inundated by the floods, resulting in almost total crop failure. Mutant beasts also took the opportunity to appear and began to devour people. In the past month, the fish and shrimp had become much fatter, but people had to endure hunger.
"Farewell, please return!" Shen Feng said to Xun Yan and Gong Changfa, who were seeing them off in the rain. Then, he started the glider and set off.
Xun Yan and Gong Changfa watched the two gradually disappear into the distance, both feeling a sense of emotion. At the time, they had all believed that Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi were dead, eaten by sea beasts. Yet, these two had stubbornly traveled north from the Southern Hemisphere and finally returned to China. They truly had great perseverance!
"Xun Yan, we also need to have our own base, not be at the mercy of others. At least we need our own city. Otherwise, they could isolate me today, and tomorrow, they could isolate me again!" Gong Changfa murmured.
"Be careful with your words. If the people from the Tianlong Bureau find out, they'll report you for disloyalty to the country. Don't talk nonsense!" Xun Yan panicked. Was this something that could be spoken of casually?
Originally, the management methods for ability users by the headquarters were very simple: all resources were held in their hands. If one wanted to evolve, they had to get the laboratory's approval. Ability users were like thugs. If they completed tasks well, they would receive sufficient resources and be well-trained. But if they failed to complete tasks, they would be punished. Gong Changfa had deep feelings about this matter!
"Let's not talk about it. Let's discuss this after the Tianxuan Bureau is established. In short, only independent autonomy can free us from the control of others!" Gong Changfa said calmly.
The two soon returned to the military tent. Their usual job was disaster relief, rescuing flood victims and settling them in temporary camps. In reality, the two of them were constantly planning how to rebuild the Tianxuan Bureau.
Shen Feng flew with Yue Hengyi for two hours and arrived in Tangshan. While in the air, Shen Feng hesitated, unsure whether to land.
"Brother Feng, we've reached Tangshan. I'll head west to Yanjing, and you'll head southwest to Yuzhou. It's time for us to part ways!" Yue Hengyi said quickly.
Shen Feng gently shook his head and replied, "I've heard that the local customs here are fierce. If Tang Sanzang were to set off from here, he'd reach the Western Heaven by evening if he left in the morning."
"No way, is it that scary?" Yue Hengyi had clearly heard something and quickly retorted, "As long as we don't go out for barbecue late at night, there'll be no problem, right? You're overthinking it!"
With no other choice, Shen Feng had to land outside the city, but he still earnestly cautioned Yue Hengyi, "You must go to Yanjing immediately. Do not linger here, or something bad will surely happen!"
Yue Hengyi nodded and said, "Alright, alright. I'm an ability user now, what danger could I possibly encounter? I'm leaving now. Brother Feng, be careful! I'm very grateful for the past six months of companionship. If you ever need my help in the future, just call out to me, and no matter how far apart we are, I'll come to help you!"
Originally, Yue Hengyi didn't think Shen Feng, who had been by his side all along, was anything special. However, their time together made him realize that Shen Feng was also a person with emotions and desires, capable of clever tricks and great wisdom, and most importantly, he wouldn't abandon his friends in critical moments. Now that they were about to part, Yue Hengyi felt a bit sad.
Shen Feng waved goodbye to Yue Hengyi and was about to depart when he suddenly remembered something. He quickly took out the Kanglong Jian from the glider and handed it to Yue Hengyi, saying, "Your weapon, don't forget to take it! Also, here are five seeds of the Hundred Year Orchid for you. Don't die suddenly! Brother, if you encounter trouble, come to Yuzhou. I'll be waiting for you anytime!"
"Big Brother! We'll meet again!" Yue Hengyi took the items Shen Feng handed him, suddenly feeling a lump in his throat. He had never considered himself a sentimental person, but at this moment, he could only suppress his tears.
Yue Hengyi took his weapon and seeds, turned, and left, directly entering Tangshan. The city had not been flooded and was still relatively safe. Moreover, it was close to Yanjing, and he estimated he could reach Yanjing in just a few hours.
Shen Feng had also imagined the scene of parting with Yue Hengyi, thinking it would be touching and dramatic. But now that Yue Hengyi was leaving so readily, Shen Feng felt that all partings in the world were just like this. They seemed reluctant, but when they actually happened, they felt quite ordinary. He wondered if this thought was a sign of being heartless or sentimental.
"Alas, let's go home. I haven't seen my family in a long time!" Shen Feng sat in the glider and flew towards the southwest, soon disappearing into the horizon.
After entering Tangshan, Yue Hengyi prepared to cross the city as Shen Feng had advised and then head to Yanjing.
However, as he walked down a street, he found the entire street entangled with countless vines, which confused him. Were the parks here so ecological? Vines had grown onto the street, and the people here had no intention of clearing them?
In his confusion, Yue Hengyi found a beggar sheltering from the rain by the roadside and asked, "Brother, what's going on with this street? Why is it all covered in vines? Are these mutated plants? Why aren't they being cleared?"
The beggar, holding a dog-beating stick, hid under the eaves. The lower half of his clothes was soaked by the rain. Hearing Yue Hengyi's question, he explained, "These aren't mutated plants, but well, these vines do have a story! Firstly, this type of vine is called a 'throat vine.' Just a touch will cause a strange pain in the throat, making one unable to speak for half a month. So, no one dares to clear these vines."
"Oh, so these vines have side effects? I've learned something new!" Yue Hengyi nodded quickly, having never heard of such a thing.
The beggar continued, "You think this is all? There's even more outrageous stuff!"
After speaking, the beggar pointed to the vines deeper in the street with his dog-beating stick and said, "These vines grew out of a place called the 'Complaints Office.' Strangely enough, they grew out of the concrete. Above is a mailbox. First, the vine entangled the mailbox, making it unusable. Then, it blocked the various offices inside, preventing ordinary people from entering. Next, the entire street became covered in vines. Alas, it's terrifying."
"Can't you get mute people to clear these vines? They don't have to worry about speaking!" Yue Hengyi continued to ask.
"You're quite clever, but there's a problem. If a mute person touches these vines, they'll be immediately captured by the vines. Forget about speaking; their limbs will be broken first. Think about it, if a mute person is captured, and they can't cry out for help, who would know they're in danger?" the beggar retorted.
"Oh, thank you for the guidance. I should be going now. I still need to return to Yanjing!" Yue Hengyi, having received this explanation, prepared to go around. These vines were too bizarre, and it was best not to touch them. Perhaps one day, a large fire would burn away the vines here.
Hearing Yue Hengyi's words, the beggar's expression changed drastically. He asked, "Are you from out of town? Hurry and leave! This place is not safe for lingering, otherwise, you'll be captured and confined by the vines. These vines love to capture outsiders the most!"
At this moment, the vines on the street seemed to have smelled the scent of an outsider on Yue Hengyi. They immediately slithered up like snakes, actually attempting to capture him.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Yue Hengyi quickly turned and fled. Fortunately, his speed was still with him, and he managed to escape the throat vines with his extreme speed!
ps: If you see something, don't say it. That's all I can do. Brothers, please forgive me.