Chapter 600.1: Skeleton Corps, On Duty!

Before entering the Brocade River Province, Chu Guang had already considered that the problem might be worse than he imagined, but he hadn’t expected it to have deteriorated to this extent.

The Ocean Edge Province had already entered the fourth stage of Na Fruit corrosion, completely becoming a plague-ridden land.

The tragedy at Pinecone Ranch was nothing but an incident there. As long as the Pathfinders in the Sanctuary and that so-called chosen Apostle willed it, they could turn any settlement in the region into whatever they wished.

In truth, the people there had already become puppets, stripped of self-will.

“If it’s really as they say, then this problem is going to be extremely tricky... in both scientific and political terms.”

After hearing Chu Guang’s summary of the Academy’s research, Hyrja, who was a hologram in the room, pinched her chin with a grave look, falling into long silence.

Chu Guang was the same. Only after a long time did he sigh, rubbing his temples. “Locking Ocean Edge Province down is a compromise, but dragging things out might make it even worse... and unfortunately, we don’t have that much manpower. Even mobilizing the entire New Alliance wouldn’t be enough.”

Hyrja asked softly, “What about the Enterprise? Aren’t they going to do anything?”

“When there’s no return, their efficiency and willingness to pay costs are proportional. Only when things are so bad they have no choice will they act decisively.” Chu Guang had dealt most often with the East Coast inheritors.

To be honest, business with folks from the Enterprise was pleasant. If the profit was good enough, as long as their core interests weren’t touched, they didn’t mind letting partners skim a little. After all, goodwill was an investment too.

But to count on them in a major crisis? That was completely naive.

The Army had already torn up a century-old treaty, nearly breaching the Sunset Province. All the Highest Council did was issue harsh words, words that only reached the Heart of Steel after the New Alliance had already captured it.

Through Yi Chuan, Chu Guang had secured the Highest Council’s support, and a batch of expensive aid was on its way.

But expecting Enterprise to help blockade a province thousands of kilometers from Ideal City? Even he thought that was sheer fantasy.

“So... only nukes?” Hyrja asked with a complicated look.

“I can’t think of a better way for now, but... at least we have to deal with what’s in front of us. At the very least, the Brocade River Province can still be saved.”

After he spoke, Chu Guang glanced toward the porthole. Beyond the drifting clouds, the land blanketed in gray mist loomed faintly.

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

For now, only a small area of the Brocade River Province was infected by Na Fruit. After all, it was where the ruins of Singularity City lay, and there were many survivors and settlements.

The wasteland had vast no-man’s lands, where one might go dozens of miles without a single settlement. Even if a few families lived there, they survived like wild folk.

In such no-man’s lands, animal transmission alone made it nearly impossible for Na Fruit to jump straight to the second stage.

It could be said that the plague called, crafted by the Torch Church, was tailor-made for the majority of survivor settlements.

Seeing the conflict in Hyrja’s eyes, Chu Guang softened his tone. “Don’t take it too heavily. Maybe your teacher, Karen, was deceived or coerced... This might not be her doing.”

Though, after meeting Luo Qian, he doubted it. Those people believed wholeheartedly in what they were doing. If they hesitated, it was from conscience balking at the means, not from doubt in the goal.

They truly believed that the world they could make was a utopia greater than the Prosperity Era.

“No need to comfort me. I’ll ask her myself...” Hyrja drew in a deep breath, calming herself.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she raised a brow and teased, “Funny, you can’t even fix your own headaches, yet here you are comforting me.”

Ignoring the jab, Chu Guang chuckled. “You’re our chief biologist. Without you, a lot of work can’t even begin.”

“Don’t flatter me. There are plenty more experienced than I am.” Hyrja rolled her eyes, though inside she felt sweet as honey.

Recognition of one’s effort was always gratifying. She was no exception.

Seeing her mood lighten, Chu Guang smiled and nodded. “Knowledge and experience can be accumulated. But for the New Alliance, you are irreplaceable. Anyway, that’s about it. Let’s end the call. It’s late, get some rest.”

Hyrja’s lips curled into a smile. “You too. You just sorted out Boulder Town, and now you’ve rushed to the Brocade River Province. Don’t wear yourself out.”

Chu Guang laughed, “Don’t worry, I have a mighty body. You know that.”

For some reason, the woman who often joked about him not being human flushed red, muttered something and vanished.

...

In a pure white virtual space, the ceiling glowed with warm light.

Flowers and grasses had sprouted on the white floor, though their leaves were pale. They swayed without wind.

Their crystalline outlines resembled corpse-flowers blooming on graves...

In the middle stood Jiang Xuezhou. She scanned the room until she saw a girl hugging her knees in the corner.

Expressionless, the girl sat quietly, staring at the floor before her toes as if thinking of something.

Jiang Xuezhou hesitated, then chose a simple greeting. “Are... you okay?”

Yinyin lifted her head before nodding slowly. “

Mm

, I’m fine... just a little confused.”

“Confused?” Jiang Xuezhou bent closer. Her tone was gentle as she spoke again. “My name’s Jiang Xuezhou, a researcher from the Academy... Can you tell me why you’re confused? Maybe I can help.”

“I suppose I can.” Yinyin leaned back against the unseen wall, gazing at the stranger before her. “That big brother administrator said Grandpa Luo Qian gave me this strange room, letting me live though I should’ve died. But...” Her bright eyes clouded with puzzlement, head tilting slightly as she spoke words far beyond her years. “What am I supposed to be?”

What?

Jiang Xuezhou blinked, blurting reflexively, “Of course, you’re still...”

“I’m Zhao Yinyin. I know my name.” Yinyin interrupted with a sigh, troubled. “But I don’t know if I’m me now, or just the me from that grandpa’s memories.”

Jiang Xuezhou stared at the girl with her jaw wide open in shock.

Can an eight year old really say that?

Seeing her shock, Yinyin smiled shyly, brushing off her worries. “Sorry, that was strange. It’s just my own troubles, don’t mind it.”

Jiang Xuezhou could only nod gently. “We... will help you get out soon. Please give us a little time.”

“I believe you. If I can go play outside, that will be great. Xiaoyang and I promised to play hide-and-seek.” Yinyin’s face bloomed with a smile, as if her worries never existed. “You came for something, right? Tell me what it is!”

Jiang Xuezhou nodded, a bit ashamed of her thoughts. “Yes, I have some questions. Answering them can save many lives... but you can refuse if you wish. Just tell me what you know.”

She had expected to coax her slowly.

To her surprise, Yinyin nodded readily. “No problem. If I know, I’ll tell you. Ask away!”

She didn’t want to repeat mistakes of dishonesty.

Having died once, she understood there were consequences to her actions.

Jiang Xuezhou stared at the kid in shock, then hurriedly thanked her.

Actually, she had already studied Na Fruit data from her mentor.

Her round of questioning focused on Pinecone Ranch, symptoms at early infection, changes in settlement atmosphere, and so forth.

She phrased it in simple words for a child.

Yinyin listened and answered earnestly.

After the last question, Jiang Xuezhou rubbed her chin in thought.

Yinyin’s clear voice cut in. “You’re like that other sister.”

Jiang Xuezhou blinked. “Other... sister?”

“

Mm

.” Yinyin nodded, eyes bright. “Another sister asked me the same things before. She seemed like a doctor from the New Alliance, the one who always checked on Xiaoyang.”

A doctor?

Though odd, Jiang Xuezhou didn’t dwell. She thanked her, waved goodbye, and left.

...

In the Heart of Steel’s medical bay.

Beside a sealed cryo-pod, Yang Xiaoyang worriedly watched Jiang Xuezhou remove her neural link.

“How is Yinyin... Is she okay?”

Setting the device on the table, Jiang Xuezhou gave her a soft look. “She’s lonely. Can you keep her company?”

Yang Xiaoyang nodded seriously. “

Mm...

I’ll stay with Yinyin, tell her stories from outside, until she wakes up.”

Seeing the obedient look on her face, Jiang Xuezhou smiled, stroking her hair. “Good girl.”

Watching her crescent lashes and glowing smile, Jiang Xuezhou felt all her fatigue melt.

Damn, I want to raise one myself!

But she knew it was just a fantasy.

Though the Academy had abundant resources, that was only for its Researchers. For ordinary folk without productive value, it was another story.

In Scientific Committee-run settlements, common survivors might not starve, but they barely lived a proper life. Unless they clawed their way through an assessment, there was no hope of change.

Some settlements, managed outside the committee, were for senior researchers’ families. It was to preserve good genes and minds.

Unfortunately, she was only D-class. She couldn’t even send her own family there, much less someone unrelated.

After finishing, Jiang Xuezhou quietly closed the infirmary door behind her.

But stepping out, she immediately saw a certain irritating ass.