However, the discussion went nowhere specific and was expected to drag on for a long time. (Bickering: Fierce arguments where neither side concedes.)
Lost in thought, Lin Yuan’s attention returned to the action report.
Upon receiving the news, the command center attached great importance to it, immediately dispatching investigation teams from all major safe zones, selecting the best of the best.
The biu team from Tianfu Safe Zone, with the addition of Jiang Ziqi and Ji Xuanyan, naturally qualified for the first echelon and was chosen to participate in this operation.
Satellites, reconnaissance aircraft, and scout troops searched for five days along their possible routes but found no trace.
However, finding them was enough. The investigation teams reacted much faster than anticipated, directly cornering them in a valley within the Xing’anling mountain range, giving them no chance to escape into any towns. Seeing no escape, Osiris, leading a team of dozens, directly engaged the investigation teams.
But with the advantages of timing, terrain, and human support all on China’s side, even though Osiris’s combat power was extremely formidable, disabling two investigation teams and causing varying degrees of injury to the dispatched "super soldiers," including Jiang Ziqi and Ji Xuanyan, the outcome was positive. All the minor henchmen were eliminated, and Osiris and his two capable subordinates were captured alive. They were currently held in the super-prison at the Wumulin Military Base in Mengzhou, awaiting research and interrogation.
“How many personnel from the investigation team were infected?”
“Only two soldiers, and they have been sacrificed.” Ying Tianlong’s voice carried a hint of confusion as he brought up the topic. The greatest threat from the Eternal Life Cult was their insidious and varied parasitic eggs, which made it impossible to guard against. This necessitated the safe zone inviting Jiang Ziqi for examinations every month, a process that took an entire month, leaving him extremely busy. Fortunately, Jiang had mentioned on his last visit that the Academy of Sciences had manufactured a prototype detection instrument capable of rapid and highly accurate testing. Once clinical trials were completed, Jiang Ziqi could finally escape his role as a mere tool.
“How did Osiris fight? His combat power was so immense?” Without parasitic eggs, the only thing Lin Yuan could think of was close combat. But the investigation teams should have been well-equipped, so why couldn’t they break his defenses?
As it happened, that was precisely the case. Ying Tianlong recounted the day’s events to Lin Yuan.
“He was enraged at that point. Many flesh and blood tentacles emerged from his body, and his head transformed into a large flesh flower. Those tentacles continuously killed the people around him, including a majority of his own subordinates. After killing them, he transformed into a ten-meter-tall giant creature. The tentacles fused together and moved incredibly fast. Our bullets were like tickles against him, unable to penetrate. It wasn't until we used over a dozen heat-seeking missiles, combined with the joint attack of Ji Xuanyan and Jiang Ziqi, that we finally subdued him. He has now reverted to his human form and is imprisoned in Wumulin.”
“That strong?” He hadn’t died from such an attack?
“Yes. After those tentacles fused, they formed an incredibly tough membrane. The missiles only depleted his energy. It was only when he was exhausted that we managed to heavily injure him. He was also extremely heavy, weighing around half a ton when placed on the scales. I truly don’t know how he managed to stand.”
Hearing Ying Tianlong use the term "placed on the scales," Lin Yuan almost burst out laughing. Was he weighing a pig? The heavier an animal’s body weight, the more difficult it was to stand upright, requiring a powerful respiratory system and cardiopulmonary function. It was evident that Osiris’s lungs were no longer those of a normal human. The rest of the report detailed how they managed to safely package and transport this creature to the super-prison in Wumulin.
Returning the action report to Ying Tianlong, Lin Yuan said, “This is indeed good news. Have you considered that it was a bit strange to obtain their whereabouts so easily?”
“Nothing strange about it. The Russians are our allies, so sharing that information is normal. Besides, we didn’t just accept it blindly; we spent a full ten days investigating the source of the intel before giving you this report.” Hearing Ying Tianlong’s explanation, Lin Yuan indeed remembered that the date on the action report was ten days prior. So, this incident had already happened ten days ago.
“As long as there are no issues.” Lin Yuan took out a cigarette and offered it.
Ying Tianlong waved his hand, “I’m tired of ‘Huazi’ cigarettes, I’ve switched to ‘Hongta Shan’.” This was, of course, nonsense. It was just that the supply of ‘Huazi’ was currently low, and he was reluctant to smoke them. If he took Lin Yuan’s ‘Huazi,’ he would have to return them later, which wasn’t worth it. Lin Yuan then put away his cigarette. He recalled Ying Tianlong mentioning before that he could smoke ‘Hongta Shan.’ Without any further suspicions, he asked, “So, you didn’t kill him to research how to deal with the remaining members of the Eternal Life Cult?”
“Heh, what do you mean ‘research’? These scoundrels are not worth researching! This is called waste utilization!” Ying Tianlong held a strong grudge against the members of the Eternal Life Cult, perhaps because two aces from the safe zone’s investigation team were injured by Osiris. In any case, he harbored some resentment.
“Are there any other good news to tell me?”
“No, that’s all. I just came to inform you that we will handle your grudges with the Eternal Life Cult’s hsac from now on, which is also for the sake of eliminating the zombie cult and protecting the safety of the safe zones.”
“Alright, you’re welcome to leave.”
“Oh, right. I have something to tell you. Recently, some strange individuals have indeed appeared near the Sunflower Community, and the intelligence department is investigating. You two had better stay indoors and take leave from the factory. They won’t trouble you,” Ying Tianlong reminded Lin Yuan as he turned to leave.
Strange individuals? Lin Yuan recalled his recent comings and goings from the community but couldn't recall any unusual circumstances. It shouldn’t have anything to do with him. Moreover, Ying Tianlong hadn't withdrawn the security personnel from the intelligence department this time, so he could rest assured.
…
One month later.
“Jun Hui, Jun Hui! Quick, call Daddy!”
“Ya xi ya yi.” The little one stretched out his small hands, trying to grasp the bearded face in front of him.
“Alright Lin Yuan! Your son is only just over two weeks old! Stay away from him, don’t spread any germs,” Wu Tian’s words were now like imperial decrees; he did as he was told. As soon as Wu Tian spoke, Lin Yuan quickly stood up straight.
“Don’t worry, I’m covered,”
“Still not allowed. Go away and find that Carol Anna of yours, who has been transferred here. Stop bothering me.”
“Hehehe.” Lin Yuan didn't listen this time, shamelessly leaning in and pinching Wu Tian’s chubby little face, saying with a silly grin, “Are you jealous?”
Wu Tian didn’t answer him but immediately reached out, and the two began pinching each other’s faces like kneading dough.
“Alright, hurry up and go. She must have important business looking for you. I, your empress, am still here. She shouldn’t do anything, right, Lin Yuan~”
The killing intent conveyed in the last two sentences swept over him. Lin Yuan quickly guaranteed, “Don’t worry, I will absolutely stay true to my original intention and will not be overthrown by the sugar-coated bullets of imperialism!” He then coughed twice, put on a serious expression, and walked out.
Carol Anna had been waiting outside the door for several minutes.
“What’s going on?”
“Osiris wants to see you!”