Beginning with the Ubume Bird-Chapter 316 - 42: The Trace of Yu Shu
Chapter 316: Chapter 42: The Trace of Yu Shu
The two found a relatively secluded spot before Li Yan half-jokingly said, “You ask why I don’t get my genes checked? Haha, I’m afraid that after your Black Star research department sees my talent report, they’d be so astounded that they wouldn’t let me go.”
Of course, his words weren’t baseless. The genetic conditions of Yan Fu-aligned individuals were bound to be drastically different from those so-called third and fourth-tier warriors.
After arriving at the Age of Winter, Li Yan had only tried injecting himself once with a basic “Twin Guns Patriot,” but since the gene potion was too low level, it only gave him the ability to expand his skills. Moreover, after trying it out, Li Yan realized that the ability was not suitable for him at all, and simply decided to let the drug’s effects be purged from his system. Thus, it was as if Li Yan had never used any gene potion whatsoever.
Of course, according to exploratory notes of predecessors, undergoing an inspection might not be out of the question. Records indicate that it’s very difficult for instruments to detect any abnormalities in those aligned with Yan Fu.
Even so, Li Yan still didn’t want to trouble himself.
“Take a look at this first.”
After hearing Li Yan’s words, Afafu shook her head seriously and took out a black electronic board from her pocket. She tapped it a few times and handed it over to Li Yan.
“See for yourself.”
Li Yan glanced at it casually. It displayed some pictures and colorful DNA models. When he saw the photo and name of the data’s owner, his eyes involuntarily narrowed.
Suo Chi, with the Han name Song Zuo, a civilian before the Age of Winter. 55 years old, he held a hunter’s license from seven companies, including the Raine Brothers, and roamed the uninhabited zones from B6 to B24 on bounty tasks. He resided within the sphere of influence of the Qiao Fortress, at an unlicensed medical clinic, where he underwent experiments with various drugs by a barefoot doctor who went by the pseudonym “Dolittle,” in order to pay his hefty surgery bills.
Most of his bounties were spent on purchasing weapons and ammunition, as well as a low-cost treatment drug from Pompeii Armaments to purify his blood.
Using a plasticity probe to test his blood revealed that Suo Chi’s gene potion usage was as follows: Hell’s Vanguard, tier three, once; Wandering Deity, tier three, three times; Wanderer, tier two, twelve times (ineffective); and Twin Guns Patriot, tier one, fifty-four times (ineffective).
Following that were a few animated models, including the continuous fracturing and disintegration of twin-loop chromosomes, as well as large patches of brownish-yellow, irregularly shaped mutant cells.
Final diagnosis: severe chromosome disorder, severe gene suppression, with the probability of errors occurring during the simple replication process of chromosomes as high as 4%. The subject had nearly lost the tolerance to withstand gene enhancement, and even with another injection of the tier-one “Twin Guns Patriot,” there was an extremely high likelihood of experiencing genetic collapse. Even without any further gene potion injections, his health was already in great jeopardy. It is recommended to undergo immediate gene repair surgery.
On the electronic version, Song Zuo was captured clenching a yellowish-orange peanut between his two canines, suddenly looking back, with the bandage around his neck fluttering away, and his gun hanging low.
“There’s more,”
said Afafu, as she flipped to the next page.
Li Yan had long been prepared for the fact that Black Star had conducted covert investigations on him and Song Zuo and didn’t mind. Instead, he asked, “Repeated injection of potions, what’s the reason behind it?”
“Aging, disease, and strong radiation all can weaken the effects of the injected potions. Of course, you can also see it the other way around—the potions counteract aging, disease, and radiation but become ineffective as a result.”
With another swipe of Afafu’s finger, the screen changed. This time it was Li Yan. The photo showed him seated in an interrogation room with his hands cuffed together and hanging over his thighs, looking sharply and challengingly at the screen. If Li Yan remembered correctly, this was when he had met Liang Wei. He just didn’t know how it had been snapped.
Li Yan, age unknown, place of birth unknown, history unknown,
Blood testing revealed no detectable traces of gene potion use, proving he had taken at least a tier-four gene potion.
The illustration depicted blue, honeycomb-shaped cells.
Diagnosis: Original gene structure is stable and still possesses a robust genetic capability that can be tapped, capable of withstanding enhancements from over 95% of gene potions.
Note: The subject’s blood cell activity peak is 16.8 times the known record, reason unknown. Further inspection is recommended.
“This information was sent from the front lines. Liang Wei and Qiao Xing have both seen it. The blood sample being tested came from the conflict you had with Liang Wei’s subordinates.”
Li Yan nodded to show he understood.
Afafu put away the tablet and then spoke, “I get it, you’re afraid of being targeted by the Black Star armored vehicles and having your blood drawn for research, but you really shouldn’t worry. In the current Age of Winter, genetic mutations in various organisms have become so complex that they’re unfathomable. Every day, species go extinct, and new species are born, coupled with the differing research directions and resulting cognitive differences among the major powers. Moreover, there’s the reckless use of inferior genetic potions by refugees who are as common as wild weeds in the wilderness, desperately seeking survival despite the unpredictable changes occurring in their bodies. All these myriad issues combined, they’re enough to keep the existing genetic staff busy for a decade or eight years.”
Following that, Afafu’s expression grew more serious, “However, I must give you a warning. In this natural genetic purification and survival of the fittest, the mortality rate is extremely high. If there’s no professional examination, sudden death isn’t out of the question.”
“Li Yan, I don’t know who you used to work for or which company you were part of, and I don’t want to pry. But now that you can’t find them, they might not be able to solve your problem either.”
After a pause, she continued, “Besides, you’ve lost your memory, haven’t you… Let the past go, you can stay here and start over.”
Afafu’s demeanor was very sincere, her two bright, black eyes fixed on Li Yan. It was apparent that she truly hoped Li Yan would agree to her suggestion.
Li Yan didn’t hesitate much, just pausing for a moment to give serious Afafu some face, before he calmly replied, “Afafu, I appreciate it, really, but no thanks.”
Afafu sighed, “Are you referring to further genetic testing, or joining Black Star?”
“Both.”
Li Yan’s tone was firm.
“…All right, I won’t press you further. What did you call me here for?”
Afafu said helplessly.
“Shuishu Park.”
Li Yan said.
From the documents Afafu had given Li Yan, “Shuishu Park” seemed akin to the Nobel Prize, but more private in nature, comparable to a gathering of friends. Not many would be in attendance, and it wouldn’t be publicized. Whenever it took place, it was a sure sign of a significant advancement in human genetic abilities.
More than a decade ago, during the Age of Winter, there was a surge in fourth-tier abilities. Basically, whenever a new fourth-tier genetic ability was developed, a Shuishu Park meeting would be convened. At its most frequent, there were seventeen Shuishu Park salons in one year, with no set location. The host of the gatherings was always someone from the Big Ben Research Institute. However, research into genetic potions has hit a bottleneck in recent years. The major powers have been trying hard to break through to the fifth tier without any results, and no new fourth-tier abilities have emerged in five or six years, so the gathering hasn’t convened since. Thus, even fewer people know about it.
Afafu also specially noted in the document that recent activities at Great Demon Lake might be tied to some progress in genetic research and might also be the opportunity for the next Shuishu Park event.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.
Li Yan came to Afafu this time to inquire about the whereabouts of the Big Ben Research Institute or news of any high-level researchers in district B who might have attended a Shuishu Park meeting.
After explaining his intentions, Afafu seemed prepared and replied, “Big Ben only establishes research centers at the headquarters of the three major powers. Among them, Black Star’s headquarters is over four thousand kilometers from here, the closest of the three. I wouldn’t recommend you traverse mountains and rivers to get there. In district B, there’s a scarcity of research talent, almost none qualified to attend a Shuishu Park meeting. Back then, when I was still studying at the academy, I didn’t know much either. However, I do know of a private estate that once served as a Shuishu Park venue. You could check it out.”
Afafu took out a photo and said, “Take this photo and buy a Black Star electronic tactics tablet. I’ll record the map for you, and you can go look for the person in the photo. She owns the estate,”
Li Yan looked at the photo, suppressing the surprise in his heart, and casually asked, “Who’s this?”
“She’s a former shareholder of Yunhai Pharmaceuticals and has also done substantial research in genetics. She must be almost fifty by now. This photo was taken when she was younger—quite beautiful, isn’t she? I’ve only heard of her; I’ve never met her in person. Her name is Yu Shu.”
“Beautiful?” Li Yan examined the photo of the woman in a white lab coat, hands in her pockets, sporting a long ponytail, “She’s just average.”
