Under Tu Xuhuai's persuasion, Gu Yanxiao finally understood that opening a hospital in the apocalypse wasn't too difficult. First, one needed connections. The heads of each department had to be selected from the core staff. Once the core staff was in place, a large number of interns could be recruited to work, and these interns would have to diligently do their jobs.
At this moment, Shen Feng, who was at the banquet, received an unexpected piece of news: a strange force had appeared in the Lüliang Mountains. This force was composed entirely of ability users. Under normal circumstances, ability users would choose to attach themselves to major powers, as only larger powers could support them. The needs of ability users were not just three meals a day and two days off per week; to become stronger, they required evolution bases.
However, this force within the Lüliang Mountains existed independently, and their background was unknown to anyone. No one knew their origins or their demands. They seemed to have occupied a few mountain peaks and done nothing else, neither blocking roads nor robbing travelers. They appeared to be in seclusion.
What was most peculiar was that every time someone approached their gathering place, these people would fall into a state of being lost, as if caught in a phantom maze. They would clearly see a high mountain appearing before their eyes, but when they walked towards it, they could never reach it, no matter how hard they tried. Yet, when they turned back to leave, they would quickly find themselves far away, as if there were formations around the mountain that only existed in legends.
These people hid within the Lüliang Mountains and generally did not appear. They had also built wind turbines in the mountains. People often saw the mountains lit up at night, but anyone who tried to approach found it impossible. The locals believed that this must be a place where immortals resided, but many leaned towards the idea that the people inside were ability users.
Upon hearing this news, Shen Feng immediately began to ponder. As he thought, he said, "So, people who approach the high mountains cannot get close, meaning they lose their sense of direction. Therefore, no matter how they walk, they cannot get close. This is an illusion!"
Shen Feng's expression was serious, clearly having thought of something profound at this moment.
Yue Hengyi also came over and said to Shen Feng, "Didn't we fail to find the right path at sea back then? And we directly fell into an illusion. I think there's definitely something fishy about this!"
The person who informed Shen Feng of this news was Li Xiankang. He had a group of refugees from the north under his command, and these refugees had told Li Xiankang this news.
At this moment, seeing Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi looking so serious, Li Xiankang couldn't help but ask curiously, "Do you have a grudge against these ability users?"
Shen Feng nodded and replied, "We were ambushed by a group of ability users at sea. I had suspected that the people from the Heavenly Dragon Bureau were behind it. But last night, I didn't find anyone with similar abilities, so I thought perhaps this group was hiding abroad. Now it seems they were hiding in the Lüliang Mountains. This is truly unexpected!"
Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi had been forced to consume the seeds of Lycoris radiata, resulting in a mutually destructive battle, which allowed them to escape at sea. They then recuperated in Japan for a month before they could barely recover. Recalling this incident, both Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi were furious. They, who had been famous for a long time, were ultimately forced to flee by a faction. It was embarrassing to even speak of it, so both of them were constantly thinking of revenge.
Previously, they had not found an opportunity for revenge, as they didn't even know the true identities of their enemies, let alone the faction they belonged to. Revenge was not easy. Before, they only knew that this group had robbed a cargo ship carrying grain, and they had no other information. Fortunately, Li Xiankang had informed them of this matter in time.
"If what you say is true, then these people are clearly very powerful, and their strength should not be simple. However, I don't recall hearing about them before. I think these people are not simple, and the power behind them must be deeply hidden," Li Xiankang analyzed.
Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi nodded repeatedly upon hearing this analysis, clearly agreeing with his statement. For ability users to become stronger, they needed the support of resources. Without resources, becoming exceptionally powerful was merely wishful thinking. For a group hiding in the Lüliang Mountains, obtaining resources would not be easy. Therefore, a colossal power must be hidden behind these people.
"To figure out the background of these people, it seems we can only start with the Heavenly Dragon Bureau. After all, all clues indicate that this mysterious organization of ability users has a significant connection with the Heavenly Dragon Bureau. It's a pity that Su Liuying was killed, making it impossible to extract more information!" Shen Feng lamented.
Su Liuying was killed by Bao Aiming and Shi Weitian, and their strength was such that they could not have captured him alive. Furthermore, all the ability users of the Heavenly Dragon Bureau were killed, with no survivors for Shen Feng to interrogate. Consequently, Shen Feng could not understand the whole story, nor did he know what this mysterious force in the Lüliang Mountains was doing.
Yue Hengyi looked around and said in a low voice, "Don't forget, Su Liuying was only the deputy captain. The captain of the Heavenly Dragon Bureau is still in Yanjing. The captain must know about this. If we capture and interrogate him, I don't believe we won't get any clues!"
What Yue Hengyi said made sense, but Shen Feng found it unrealistic. "Forget it. The captain of the Heavenly Dragon Bureau is hiding in Yanjing. Is that someone we can just kidnap and interrogate? If nothing else, the Heavenly Dragon Bureau still has over a dozen ability users. It's completely impossible to capture him!"
Shen Feng did not intend to heed Yue Hengyi's suggestion. If nothing else, the tens of thousands of troops in Yanjing were not to be trifled with. Shen Feng had already fallen out with Yanjing. The reason he hadn't acted yet was that the headquarters was in the wrong. He had no legitimate reason to act. If he angered headquarters, and they directly sent two missiles as a warning to Yuzhou, Shen Feng would have no choice but to comply.
Yue Hengyi said in a low voice, "Did you forget? Lin Yue. Didn't I tell you before? I asked Lin Yue to accompany me to Yanjing. You don't know his abilities yet, do you? Now they can be put to use!"
Shen Feng was reminded and his eyes lit up. He said, "That's right. With Lin Yue there, we don't need to worry!"
Six months ago, at sea, Shen Feng's conversation had been monitored. He had only whispered a few words to Li Keyi, but Xu Huwei, who could control sound waves, had overheard it. As a result, Shen Feng and Li Keyi could only communicate on paper to avoid being overheard.
At that time, Xu Huwei's control over sound wave frequencies was not very strong. Besides eavesdropping, combat was impossible. But Lin Yue was different. Lin Yue controlled a wide range of sound wave frequencies, and he also had strong offensive capabilities. He could directly release sound wave attacks that could hit the enemy's internal organs, causing severe damage. Moreover, he could also eavesdrop.
It was precisely because Lin Yue possessed the ability to eavesdrop on conversations that he was firmly established as a leading figure in the intelligence department. After all, as long as he was there, the actions of many people below would be known to him.
Shen Feng decided that when Lin Yue went to Yanjing, he should also inquire about information, preferably to find out the background of that group in the Lüliang Mountains, to lay a good foundation for future revenge. If they didn't act, it was fine. But once they acted, they would kill the enemy directly.
The banquet went on smoothly. Everyone chatted and laughed within the castle, and finally dispersed late at night.
Shen Feng found Lin Yue that evening and said, "I'm going to assign you a mission. Go to Yanjing and help Yue Hengyi find some crucial information. Consider it a vacation. I'll approve some funds for you. You can play outside for two months. Also, I'll have Cao Fuelie help you. His combat power is also decent and can be of assistance."
Lin Yue agreed without hesitation, "No problem. I'll pack my things and prepare to leave immediately."
Lin Yue seemed to have an obsession with carrying out missions. As long as it was a mission assigned by Shen Feng, he would find a way to complete it. As for Qi Lingshan, he was much more carefree. He would splurge when he had money and read books when he didn't. If a mission could be completed, he would complete it; if not, he would drag it out. He was also preparing to get married. In comparison, Lin Yue didn't drink, smoke, indulge in women, or care for money. He was simply a perfect man.
Yet, such a person made Shen Feng feel uncomfortable. The reason was simple: everyone has desires, and by targeting these desires, one could exert control. Those who liked money were given money; those who liked women were given women. In this way, one could control their subordinates. However, Lin Yue seemed to have no desires. He was a young man under twenty years old, yet he was already old and seemed to have lost all desires.
This made Shen Feng unsure how to control Lin Yue. As Lin Zexu had said, "Embrace the vastness of the ocean with an open mind; stand tall like a thousand-foot peak without desire, and you will be strong." As long as a person had no worldly desires, they would become incomparably strong.
"Lin Yue, have fun outside. It would be best if you find true love and bring her back to Yuzhou. You're not young anymore. I think you're eighteen, right? It's time to get married. You still need to pass on the family lineage for the Lin family!" Shen Feng couldn't help but advise.
Lin Yue smiled and shook his head, "Whatever happens, happens."
If it were in the past, the marriageable age was generally above twenty, and there were still many single men and women in their thirties and forties. But that was during peaceful times, with social stability and sufficient satisfaction of material needs. However, now it was different. Fifteen or sixteen-year-old men and women could get married and have children directly. People's needs now were to survive and have enough to eat. Other needs were basically non-existent. Therefore, love had become a return to simplicity.
So, when Shen Feng said Lin Yue had reached the age of marriage, it was not false. Now was the time. As long as Lin Yue was willing, there would definitely be dozens of meters of queues of women wanting to marry him.
After dawn, Yue Hengyi prepared to take his leave. Lin Yue and Cao Fuelie were ready by Yue Hengyi's side, about to depart for Yanjing to complete the mission. At this moment, almost the entire country knew of Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi's safe return. Shen Feng had to remain in Yuzhou and could not leave easily. As for Lin Yue and Cao Fuelie, they were experienced in investigation and their combat power was also acceptable. Yue Hengyi, leading his team, rushed to Yanjing without delay.
"Brother Feng, farewell. I will repay you after I have thoroughly investigated the entire matter!" Yue Hengyi said sincerely.
The relationship between men is relatively simple, and the most profound relationships are of four types: fighting side by side, patronizing prostitutes together, studying in the same class, and dividing spoils together. These four experiences can create a feeling of camaraderie between brothers. Even without blood ties, upon meeting, they will feel like good brothers!
Over the past half-year, Yue Hengyi and Shen Feng had spent a considerable amount of time together. For Yue Hengyi, he had received help from Shen Feng multiple times, and they had fought together, which could be considered an experience of fighting side by side. There was some affection between them. Now, as they parted, Yue Hengyi felt a sense of loss.
"Alright, don't get sentimental. I won't shed tears for you. Hurry up and go. Strive to investigate the truth as soon as possible. If you can't make it out there, then come to Yuzhou!" Shen Feng said with a smile.
Yue Hengyi nodded, stepped on the accelerator, and left Yuzhou with Lin Yue and Cao Fuelie. Shen Feng waved goodbye, feeling a sense of melancholy.