Xu An was led by the robot to the entrance of Xiajin, and only then did she remember that Ze Yuan had not been conscious for a long time.
Nor had he instructed her on what to do after encountering Xiajin.
However, Ze Yuan seemed to strongly resist Xiajin's approach; whenever Xiajin appeared, Ze Yuan would simply disappear.
As they entered the laboratory, the surrounding chatter gradually died down. Just then, Zhou Haimi returned and whispered to Xu An about what she had gathered from others.
Xu An and Zhou Haimi tried their best to stay at the back of the crowd, not drawing attention.
It was only when they reached the back that they realized many people shared their thoughts. With just a glance, Xu An saw a familiar face.
Chu Yu.
However, the other person was leaning against the wall with a lazy expression, pretending not to know them, not even making eye contact.
Xu An naturally wouldn't approach Chu Yu to strike up a conversation; she wished she could stay as far away from Chu Yu as possible.
Thus, their group waited for the results.
Only when someone in a white lab coat emerged from inside were the many people who had been waiting outside invited in.
Xu An secretly complained, thinking how fortunate it was that the heating there was strong enough. Otherwise, in the short time they had waited, they would have frozen stiff.
After being led inside, the man in the lead maintained a business-like demeanor.
After a few perfunctory pleasantries, he got straight to the point without further delay.
"I assume everyone suffered quite a bit of harm during your expedition. We had originally planned to give you more time to recover, but having you deliver your tasks now is unavoidable. Our research into biological genes has reached a critical stage, and we absolutely need the items in your possession to support the continuation of our research."
"We hope everyone can understand. If anyone has any difficulties, please inform us. Our research center will do its utmost to accommodate you."
At this point, someone in the crowd suddenly spoke up, their voice muffled and booming.
"You speak grandly, but after we went down there, you failed to mention that we encountered not only mutated monsters but also unknown creatures. Even more terrifying, our greatest enemy was the humans on the surface."
"Yet, you concealed these facts from us. You didn't even tell us that some of the mutated monsters were more terrifying than the so-called zombies."
"Your institution is responsible for this. How will you take responsibility?"
The man's voice grew louder and louder, as if the resentment pent up in his heart had finally found an outlet.
It was as if all the humiliation he had endured over the past three months now had a target for blame.
Humans are like this: when they encounter great tribulations or misfortunes in life, they habitually escape, shifting the blame onto others.
It seems that as long as they find an outlet, all the dissatisfactions in life can be vented.
However, Xu An did not feel that the man vehemently denouncing them was in the wrong this time.
She remembered him from this expedition; he had a close friend who participated in it as well, but only the man before her was left to deliver the task this time.
Not only that, but she had also seen the man's well-maintained hands before. He often joked with others that he made a living with his hands.
While the man was joking with others, Xu An had seen those hands. They were indeed a pair of rare, delicate jade-like hands, with distinct joints, as tender as white jade. Yet, they looked resilient and strong, not feminine in the slightest.
Zhou Haimi had told her that this man likely practiced a supreme martial art, specializing in hand-to-hand combat. Though his hands appeared slender, they could easily snap someone's neck.
But now...
Xu An looked at the man before her, her eyes full of regret. Those once-proud, delicate hands had long since been replaced by empty sleeves.
The once vibrant expression on the man's face had also vanished without a trace.
The man's questioning did not cease; instead, it intensified. "You say you'll do your best to compensate us. With what? Those who have already died, or this arm that I've lost? What will you use to compensate?!"
The man's eyes were bloodshot, like a cornered young beast questioning the hunter before him.
"Why did you harm me?"
However, in response to the man's questioning, the man in the white lab coat remained silent, allowing the man to curse him as he pleased.
Even Xu An sensed a subtle shift in the atmosphere.
As the white-coated man watched the agitated, one-armed man approach, he himself began to retreat.
He tried to maintain a safe distance from the other party.
Perhaps due to the nature of this operation, the research institute had not shared all the information.
At least concerning the combat power of the monsters, they had not been entirely truthful.
Everyone seemed quite amused to see this seemingly helpless man from the research institute in such a predicament.
Therefore, no one stepped forward to stop the one-armed man; instead, they all watched the unfolding drama.
After all, if they could make these researchers feel guilty, perhaps they could demand more benefits when delivering their tasks later.
Why not?
As for the safety of the one-armed man before them?
There was no close friend willing to risk their life for him here.
Who would care if this person lived or died?
But then, the unexpected happened.
Everyone present, including Xu An, initially viewed the situation as a spectator sport.
After all, this was the "White Building," a place under semi-military jurisdiction.
No one was foolish enough to intend to resort to violence here.
Yet, somehow, the one-armed man made his move.
Without the slightest hesitation or any discernible plan.
Just as everyone was on edge, he suddenly used his remaining hand to pull out a handgun he had hidden for who knows how long.
He fired directly at the white-coated man's forehead.
"Bang—"
After the gunshot, there was the sound of a grown man's body hitting the ground.
Without any pause, without any hesitation.
The one-armed man, expressionless, fired another shot at the man.
Then, he let out a foolish laugh.
"Ah Rong, killing one is enough to break even. Once I kill a few more, big brother will come find you."
Xu An's hearing had always been sharper than that of ordinary people, so even in such a chaotic moment, she heard the one-armed man's muttered whispers.
She vaguely felt that "Ah Rong" must have been the man's good friend.
But even Xu An found the one-armed man's current actions somewhat baffling.
Even if the mission failed and he died, why would the man hold the research institute accountable for this blood debt?
But no one could stop the man. It was then that everyone realized how powerful he truly was.
Even with only one hand remaining, the man's movements were too fast for the naked eye to follow.
Even with Xu An's extraordinary vision, she could only barely make out the man's movements.
Xu An couldn't help but feel a chill.
If this man hadn't lost an arm due to his injuries, how strong would he have been?
But the man seemed unwilling to get entangled with others.
After dealing with the guards who had rushed out of the laboratory, he turned and said clearly to the contestants of the expedition who had come with him.
"I have no intention of making enemies with any of you. My target has always been the people inside. As long as you don't obstruct me, I won't harm you. However, if anyone intends to play the hero today and kill me for personal gain, I won't blame you. But you will have to bear the consequences yourselves."
"Based on our shared experiences of life and death during the competition, I can only remind you that the research institute before you is not a good entity. Everyone inside has blood on their hands; every single one of them deserves to die. If you want to know the truth, why not join me and break in?"
"Of course, if you don't want to take the risk, I understand. Just don't stop me!"
After the man finished speaking, not only Xu An but everyone present was somewhat shocked.
Yet, he remained calm and collected, as if he had put life and death aside. Without any hesitation, he turned and resolutely walked towards the research institute's entrance.
It was as if he wasn't afraid of being ambushed from behind.