Pei An completed the minor surgery under Feng Dan's shocked and resentful gaze. Feng Dan convulsed in pain, his jaw dislocated to prevent him from biting his tongue.
Each time the thread passed through his flesh, it was no less agonizing than castration. The extreme pain made his mind clearer, rendering him unable to even faint.
Seeing his distressed state, Pei An said, "This is boring. Let's skip all the punishments and go straight to the final trial."
As Feng Dan watched Pei An put on a mask and approach him with a scalpel, a chill ran from his heels to the top of his head. He had no idea when he had offended this little devil.
However, he didn't even have the chance to defend himself. He could only shake his head feebly in refusal. But it was useless; Pei An wouldn't stop because of his fear.
"We spent so much time together, and she saved you from danger multiple times. For a little profit, you plotted against her. Today, I want to see if your heart is truly black."
The cold scalpel landed on Feng Dan's chest. He felt it was over. This madman was so meticulous and scheming that by the time his teammates found him, he would likely be nothing but bone fragments.
Pei An explained in a gentle voice, detailing which layer he was dissecting, which blood vessel he was cutting, until his pulsating heart was exposed.
Only then did Pei An laugh heartily, "Your heart is actually red? That's not what I expected." He shook his head and tutted a few times before putting down the scalpel and leaving Feng Dan's sight.
Feng Dan stared at the white ceiling. He didn't feel relieved by Pei An's departure, only that this madman must have found another way to torment him.
As expected, Pei An returned with a black bottle in his hand. He poured the thick ink into the opening on Feng Dan's chest.
He was delighted to see Feng Dan's face contorted in pain, laughing with pleasure as he watched the heart being stained black. After ten minutes, Pei An checked his watch and said, "Time's up. I'll send you on your way."
In Feng Dan's terrified eyes, Pei An produced a long, thin pointed knife. He stirred the accumulated ink inside and plunged the knife into Feng Dan's heart.
Feng Dan died with his eyes wide open, unable to rest in peace. Until his last breath, he couldn't understand when he had offended Pei An. He believed he had always acted justly and uprightly; why had he met such a fate? He was unwilling.
Unwillingness was of no use. After Pei An disposed of his body, he went to find Dr. Fan to research as if nothing had happened, his eyes bright, his smile clean and innocent.
The soldiers searching for Feng Dan outside didn't suspect Pei An at all. They scoured the base but couldn't find Feng Dan. Without finding a body, everyone unanimously believed he had voluntarily left City C.
The country was in a recovery period and desperately needed manpower. There was no need to waste time and energy searching for just one person, so over time, everyone forgot about him.
The zombie crisis was resolved, and everyone wept with joy. Those who had been turned into zombies had survived and came to thank Jun Jiuli.
Under the leadership of the heads of state, everyone threw themselves into national construction. Within two years, Country H had regained its former glory before the zombie virus outbreak.
When the country sent people to City A for construction, they discovered the bodies of the ten heroes who had infiltrated the base back then. Further digging uncovered the previous leader and his troops.
Their clothes and jewelry, still uncorroded, were symbols of their status. The Li family's crimes were exposed to the public, and they were scorned and condemned by everyone.
Meanwhile, with the assistance of Dr. Fan Mu Yu, Pei An had completed his invention.
It was a beautiful day. Jun Jiuli arrived at the underground laboratory. The young man, who had been facing away from her, turned around and offered his most sincere smile of the years.
"Sister, thank you."
After speaking, he stepped into the strange machine in front of him. A blinding white light flashed within, and when he opened his eyes again, the young man was nowhere to be seen.
"Where did the host go?"
"To find his little Nanxing." Jun Jiuli also smiled sincerely. She stepped forward and destroyed the machine.
"Why did the host do that?"
"This thing should not exist. If anyone uses it in the future, it will disrupt this world."
"Then why didn't the host stop him earlier?"
"Why make trouble for these ill-fated people."
"But Dr. Fan has already mastered this technology. Don't you want to..."
"Pei An only needed Dr. Fan's guidance on academic matters. He's not stupid; he wouldn't tell anyone the core technology. He asked me to come so I could clean up the mess for him."
"Oh, so our target is gone. What do we do next?"
"Leave the world, dummy."
"Oh, okay."
The next day, the cleaning lady who came to the house discovered that Jun Jiuli had passed away, and Pei An had disappeared without a trace. Several volunteers spontaneously organized a funeral for her, and many people put down their work to attend the memorial service in City C.
Only Dr. Fan knew that Pei An's research had been successful. He, with his hair completely white, was secretly happy for Pei An.
Epilogue
The next time Pei An woke up, he was sitting at a table eating. He looked at his parents across from him and saw his short arms and legs.
He suddenly remembered that he had something even more important to do. He ran outside in a flurry and knocked on Chu Nanxing's door. The door opened, and the person inside was taller than him.
She asked with some confusion, "Pei An, why are you here?"
Pei An immediately lunged into her arms, inhaling the familiar scent that brought him such peace.
He took Chu Nanxing's wrist and led her towards his home. In a child's voice, he said, "I want to play with Nanxing sister. Come to my house for dinner today."
Chu Nanxing followed behind him, gently stroking his soft hair with her hand. She said indulgently, "Okay."
Then she called out to the person inside, "Mom, can I go have dinner with Uncle's family today?"
Chen Shufen, who was cooking inside, paused her movements and then put on a stiff smile. Her voice hoarse, she replied, "Okay, hurry up. Play at your Uncle Pei's house for a while tonight."
Pei An touched her warm wrist, feeling an inner peace. As long as she was here, everything was fine.
This time, he would never let anyone close to him be harmed again. He didn't want Chu Nanxing to be his sister anymore; he wanted Chu Nanxing to be his wife...
——————
This is the third year since I obtained Chu Nanxing's eyes. The experts who conducted experiments for me back then, I kept them all in that laboratory. I believe only the dead can keep secrets.
Now I have become a person at the apex of this country. Having witnessed power, I am unwilling to give up those eyes. The national strength has recovered, and technology is taking off again.
I found someone who could implant those eyes for me. I successfully obtained power, and this power is truly exhilarating. Everyone will be trampled beneath my feet...
——————
I am Feng Dan. After Pei An and Chu Nanxing died, I couldn't sleep soundly for many nights. My dreams were always of their deaths and the times they had extended their hands to help me.
Now I stand in a high position, but I have lost the joy of fighting alongside my companions. I can't trust anyone around me now, fearing they might harm me for money or power. There is no one I can truly confide in.
I married Li Manman. Everyone says we are a model couple. Only I know that we are both wary of each other.
This day was no different from any other. My pillow companion suddenly lunged, staring at me with blood-red eyes. I had seen those eyes before; they were the source of Chu Nanxing's power.
Li Manman looked at me with some madness, muttering incessantly, "I want power. Killing those closest and dearest to me will grant more power."
Before I could react, she subdued me. I had been a soldier for so many years; how could the delicate and weak Li Manman restrain me?
To my shock, with a slight pinch, my neck snapped. I, a dignified marshal, died miserably.
However, Li Manman did not fare much better. She was consumed by those evil powers and died from bursting.
The world turns without anyone. With the demise of two high-ranking leaders, people felt only a brief moment of sorrow before rushing back to their workplaces. After all, sadness couldn't fill one's stomach in this day and age.