Chapter 587.1: No One Knows Where They're Going

Inside a makeshift tent.

Chen Yutong drew blood from Yang Xiaoyang with equipment from the medical kit, then pressed a cotton swab to the wound and covered it with a medical bandage.

Seeing the girl remain silent, Chen Yutong gently stroked her hair and praised her softly. "You’re very brave. When I was your age, never mind injections, I would feel faint just at the sight of blood."

Embarrassed by the praise, Yang Xiaoyang smiled shyly and whispered, "Actually... I’m still a little scared. But after seeing so much of it, it doesn’t feel as scary anymore."

The entire Guesthouse seemed soaked in a vat of blood.

Not just blood, but corpses too. No matter how much they cleaned, there were always some left behind.

When she first came up from the basement, she had almost fainted from fright. Even now, though she had gotten used to it, she still found the suffocating air hard to bear.

Watching Chen Yutong place the vial of her blood into a small silver box, Yang Xiaoyang asked softly, "... Will my blood cure those people?"

Studying the parameters flickering on the display, Chen Yutong stroked her chin in thought for a long time, muttering to herself. "... Not sure yet. But your body does carry an antibody that can inhibit the enzyme secretions of Na Fruit. That will help us develop a vaccine or antidote against the strange fungus."

Not every organism was affected by Na Fruit. A very small number of people showed no reaction after consuming it, their antibodies suppressing the infection until their digestive systems completely broke it down. The probability of this was roughly 1/10,000.

Yang Xiaoyang was not the only antibody carrier in the settlement, but most of the others, those who hadn’t been brainwashed by Frequency Band 03, had already been eaten in the chaos.

That made the lucky, surviving girl with antibodies especially precious.

The Spirit Interference Device could brainwash Na Fruit addicts who entered a state of Divine Trance. Together with Na Fruit, they were the cause of the Pinecone Ranch massacre.

If a vaccine or antidote could be created to suppress Na Fruit growth, then the Torch Church’s brainwashing over the settlements could be undone.

Of course, technology could only solve problems on the material level. The mental brainwashing would take far longer to heal.

Torch Church’s control wasn’t only through Na Fruit. They exploited the ignorance of plantation slaves to amass followers.

It wasn’t that their rule depended on Na Fruit and the device, but rather that only after securing absolute control could they freely use them.

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The massacre at Pinecone Ranch was likely not the only case.

Seeing the older girl deep in thought, Yang Xiaoyang asked curiously in a small voice, "Big sister, are you a doctor?"

"

Mm...

Not exactly," Chen Yutong thought for a moment, then smiled, "I’m not really skilled at healing the sick. I guess you could say I belong more to the research side."

"Research?" Yang Xiaoyang tilted her head.

"Yes," Chen Yutong nodded lightly. "Using what we know to explore the unknown mysteries, you could think of it that way."

Yang Xiaoyang nodded vaguely.

It felt... Really impressive.

Even though she still didn’t quite understand what those unknown mysteries were.

Seeing the admiration on the young face, Chen Yutong guessed her thoughts, smiled, and ruffled her hair. "Want to learn?"

"Yes!" Yang Xiaoyang’s eyes lit up, and she nodded in excitement.

But then, realizing her sudden request might trouble others, her bright eyes dimmed. She whispered shyly. "

Um...

I don’t know anything. Would it be a bother to teach me? If it makes your work harder, then maybe forget it..."

"How could it be a bother? If anything, having an assistant would be wonderful." Once she started, Chen Yutong couldn’t stop talking. She laughed as she went on. "Here, we don’t have as many rules as the Academy, but most people solve problems with their muscles... Though they’re not bad people, some of those blockheads are quite lovable, but there are far too few people I can actually discuss problems with. And such a big project was given to a rookie like me."

Stroking the fluffy hair, she gazed into those nervous eyes and said gently, "Besides... I’ll grow old one day. When that time comes, I’ll have to pass on my unfinished work to you."

On Yang Xiaoyang’s tender face, joy bloomed anew. And behind that joy appeared something she had never felt before.

She felt hopeful for the first time.

Never before had anyone said such words to her. Or more precisely, no one had ever thought she was important. Not even she herself.

What she thought or did never mattered. All she had to do was play the obedient daughter, the compliant hostage, the young lady’s companion, like a vase sitting quietly on a windowsill.

But now, she suddenly felt her life had meaning again. She no longer needed to wait for a fate already decided.

Her face glowing red, Yang Xiaoyang nodded hard and said with determination, "Yes! When that time comes... leave it to me!"

Though childhood dreams were fickle, Chen Yutong didn’t dampen hers. She only smiled and patted her head. "

Mm

, do your best!"

...

At the entrance of the tent.

Chen Yutong walked out with the blushing Yang Xiaoyang, lightly patting her shoulder. "Can you get back on your own?"

"Yes!" Yang Xiaoyang nodded earnestly. "I remember the way."

Chen Yutong smiled and nodded. "Once you’re back, make sure to talk it through with Yinyin. I think... Those words probably weren’t what she really meant. She may even be regretting them now."

At the mention of Yinyin, Yang Xiaoyang lowered her head gloomily. After a while, she whispered, "Yinyin... really didn’t mean it?"

Seeing her serious question, Chen Yutong thought for a moment before replying, "People are complicated. In a single day they can have many thoughts, positive and negative. Words spoken in emotional moments may not be what they truly feel, just whatever thought happened to surface. That’s why adults control their emotions. You’re still children, it’s normal not to."

She smiled warmly.

"After all this time, Yinyin has probably calmed down. With patient communication, I’m sure you’ll clear the misunderstanding."

Yang Xiaoyang nodded faintly, lowering her head in gratitude. "Thank you... I understand."

"

Mm

, go on." Watching the girl’s back as she left, Chen Yutong smiled like a fond aunt and waved.

Such a sensible child.

She almost wanted to take one home herself...

Just as she pulled her gaze away, a light cough came from the side, followed by a grunt, "So I’m just a blockhead who only thinks with his muscles?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Chen Yutong’s face flushed red. She turned to see Old White leaning against a pillar nearby.

"When did you get here... Wait, you heard?"

Old White coughed awkwardly. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to. I just came to ask how things were going, and happened to hear at the entrance."

Since the tent was set up right in the courtyard of the Guesthouse, there was nowhere to avoid overhearing.

"I should apologize..." Chen Yutong said, embarrassed. "I didn’t mean anything bad, it was just a joke..."

"Haha, don’t worry. I’m not that petty," Old White grinned, then asked, "How’s that antibody? Can it be used?"

Chen Yutong nodded, then shook her head slightly. "Yes, we’ve observed inhibitory effects on Na Fruit in clinical cases, but fully neutralizing its impact will take more time."

Old White nodded and continued, "And now? Do you plan to head back to base, or...?"

"Of course I’ll stay here," Chen Yutong answered without hesitation. "Surprisingly, this place has the best equipment, and so many patients. To quickly develop an effective vaccine, this is the best testing ground."

Old White teased, "Looks like we’ll be here for a while then."

Chen Yutong said a little sheepishly, "Sorry for the trouble."

"It’s fine. This is all we can do anyway." Revealing a broad smile, Old White paused, then grew serious. "But I have to make one thing clear. The danger here isn’t gone. We repelled the joint attack of Torch Church and the Mutant Humans, but largely because they lacked large-scale combat experience. Hard to say what will happen next."

Chen Yutong nodded firmly. "

Mm...

I understand. If things turn bad, I’ll follow orders and evacuate."

"Good. Then I can rest easy." Old White smiled, about to say more, when the signal light inside his helmet blinked and a teammate’s voice came over the communication channel.

"Boss, about 500 meters north of the gate, two motorcycles are approaching!"

Old White’s expression hardened at once. He tapped his helmet and asked, "What color are they?"

"Too far to tell... but they are definitely normal humans. Judging by their gear, they look like local wastelanders. Still, coming here at this hour is very strange."

Pinecone Ranch was not an open settlement. Unless one was a known trader, they wouldn’t even come near.

Most of the slave traders active in the area were controlled by the farm lords in the region.

"I’ll head over." Ending the comms, Old White turned to Chen Yutong. "We’ve got work. I need to go to the gate now."

Chen Yutong nodded with a smile. "Go ahead. Don’t worry about me here. If there’s progress, I’ll tell you right away."

"If anything happens, contact me, or any of my squad." Leaving those words, Old White left at once, heading out of the manor.