IRCDM Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Developments – Is this man’s waist really this narrow?

Chapter 97: Developments – Is this man’s waist really this narrow?

Zhuo Ming sat in the hovercar, feeling somewhat restrained.

He took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, cleared his throat, and handed it to Liang Huan: “District Chief Liang, top-grade stuff, want one?”

Liang Huan glanced at it: “How top-grade?”

“100,000 Condensed Coins a stick, can quickly replenish mental power, and won’t cause any harm to the body.” Zhuo Ming proudly introduced, “The Dawn Laboratory spent over a decade developing this batch, specially supplied to me. You can’t find the raw materials anymore, but my stockpile is enough for me to smoke for a lifetime.”

Liang Huan took the exquisitely packaged cigarettes and examined them: “Not bad.”

Zhuo Ming took out a lighter, ready to light one, when he heard the person next to him say calmly: “Unfortunately, I don’t smoke.”

Deng Meng chimed in appropriately: “Brother Liang hates it when people smoke in his car.”

Zhuo Ming, with the cigarette in his mouth, looked at Liang Huan and silently put away the lighter, waiting for Liang Huan to return his pack of cigarettes worth over two million.

After all, his stockpile wasn’t much, and he only dared to smoke one every few days.

“District Chief Liang, where are we headed?” Zhuo Ming asked with a forced smile.

Liang Huan played with the exquisitely crafted cigarette case: “The military’s victory celebration.”

Zhuo Ming instantly froze in place.

“Young Master Zhuo is so nervous, do you have some unspeakable secret?” Liang Huan asked, smiling at him.

Zhuo Ming’s eyes darted around: “Haha, no, I’m just not feeling well. I—”

“I heard that your illegitimate half-brother, Zhu Li, has a nominal position in the military, and it’s not a low one.” Liang Huan said, “Your father and brother are both unwilling to pay to redeem you, so I have to bring you to personally ask for the money.”

He patted Zhuo Ming’s shoulder amiably: “What kind of kidnapper could be so thoughtful? Only we in the Eastern Third District.”

Zhuo Ming: “…”

“But I heard that Chairman Zhu Qu never brings you to any military banquets. Is it because he’s afraid too many high-level Heteromorphs lurking at the banquet will choke you?” Liang Huan continued, “That’s right. If the military could develop and promote your ability, many things would become simpler. Unfortunately, you have too many biochips on you now, greatly reducing your experimental value.”

Zhuo Ming’s face had turned ashen: “How… how do you know?”

Liang Huan said: “The patent for biochip scanning gene technology was bought out by the Dawn Group three years ago. The inventor of this technology is Professor Su Murong, and she now works in the Eastern Third District.”

Zhuo Ming looked at him with suspicion and uncertainty: “Professor Su… is actually in the Eastern Third District.”

“She had always wanted to reclaim this technology, but was targeted by the Dawn Group and hid in the Black Market. And the reason she wanted to reclaim it is because biochip scanning technology has a major flaw.” Liang Huan said, “Although biochips can suppress the onset of high mental functional disorders, it comes at the cost of shortening one’s lifespan. If you carry a biochip for more than five years, you’re likely to die from mental exhaustion. Young Master Zhuo, it’s been almost five years since you first went out, right?”

Zhuo Ming subconsciously clenched his hands.

He had a natural mental defect, with alternating onsets of high mental functional disorder and mental exhaustion. He had always been treated in specialized sanatoriums. Five years ago, the first time he went out, he ran into Liang Huan, who was overtaken by kindness and swindled into giving money, chips, and even gambling away shares of the Lionheart Protection Company. That was also the first time he learned what human wickedness was.

“I’m doomed if I don’t go back.” Zhuo Ming gritted his teeth, “Liang Huan, I didn’t want to harm you. I just wanted to know if my father really cares about me… 50 billion is a lot, but he spent more than 50 billion on me just to keep me alive. I don’t understand.”

Deng Meng couldn’t help but say: “If you thought your dad really cared about you, you wouldn’t want to prove it yourself. Isn’t that the answer you knew from the start?”

Zhuo Ming’s eyes reddened, and he looked at them, somewhat at a loss: “But…”

“There’s no need to seek proof for something so meaningless.” Liang Huan said, “Zhu Qu is a businessman. The reason he won’t pay is naturally because you’re no longer worth 50 billion.”

Deng Meng glanced at the time: “Brother Liang, it’s time.”

“Time for what?” Zhuo Ming raised his head, somewhat flustered.

“You’ve been in the Eastern Third District for seven days, and the genes of all the humans you’ve come into contact with have already been scanned by Zhu Li.” Liang Huan looked at him with a smile, “Zhuo Ming, want to make another bet with me?”

Zhuo Ming’s face was pale: “Bet… bet what?”

“I’ll personally send you to them, without taking a single coin, and bet whether your father and brother still want you.” Liang Huan said.

“And if I lose?”

Liang Huan smiled: “Then stay in the Eastern Third District, consider it my way of repaying you for saving my life back then.”

—

Li Yao stared at the person in the mirror, frowning slightly.

In recent years, he rarely wore such formal and crisp uniforms – a shirt, vest, military jacket, and even a cloak was sent over. The specially made epaulets and tassels seemed particularly grand.

He thought for a moment, took off the cloak and threw it on the sofa, loosened two buttons, then thought it wasn’t serious enough, and obediently buttoned them all the way to the top, putting on his hat.

The sudden obstruction of his vision made him silent for a moment. He had forgotten how long it had been since he wore this uniform. Even though it was for his own victory celebration, the current situation was not something to rejoice over. Even if he had long since let it go, when he looked at himself in the mirror, he couldn’t help but think that if Chen An and the Dawn Fleet had returned in triumph, how exhilarating this victory celebration would have been, how the brothers of the Vanguard Team would have jumped up and down, flaunting their power…

He looked at the person in the mirror and stiffly tugged at the corners of his mouth.

His smile looked a little awkward, so he simply cut off his own head and sent it to Liang Huan.

Liang Huan: [Looks good, where’s the head?]

Li Yao laughed.

[The zombies ate it. The victory celebration is about to start, so I won’t be able to send messages later.]

[How are things in the Eastern Third District?]

[This is all the information I could find. Zhu Li must have improved Su Murong’s biochip. Did you take care of Zhuo Ming?]

Liang Huan: [Zhuo Ming is still useful.]

Liang Huan: [In a meeting.]

Liang Huan: [Military victory celebrations are always tedious. Rest early if you don’t like it.]

Li Yao looked at the businesslike message and chuckled for a long time before slowly heading to the Central Assembly Hall.

The military’s victory celebration was much more serious than the Dawn Group’s. In the vast Assembly Hall, the officers of various departments were mostly dressed in formal attire. In addition, the chairman of the Dawn Group, Zhu Qu, and some members of the administrative court were specially invited. Apart from those who were unable to attend due to illness, there were approximately 300 high-ranking officers in the Assembly Hall. They gathered in groups of twos and threes, and even the sound of their conversations was deliberately lowered. As soon as Li Yao walked through the door, everyone’s eyes turned towards him.

Li Yao raised his chin slightly and looked back at them expressionlessly, even seeming somewhat cold and disdainful.

It couldn’t be said he wasn’t provocative.

Some people withdrew their gazes, some were used to it, and some couldn’t stand his arrogant attitude and were slightly displeased.

So what if he was a genius? A hero doesn’t dwell on past glories. He’s just a useless person whose mental power has been crippled. Being able to return to the military is only because Commander Huan values him. What can he do?

Enduring humiliation and bearing a heavy burden for so many years, he almost lost his life. What a waste of such good abilities.

What a pity.

…

Everyone had different thoughts, but they didn’t dare to say them openly. However, there were also some people who were genuinely happy for him and couldn’t wait to come over.

“Good lad, you’re finally back!” Xu Hong, as an old subordinate of Chen An, could be said to have watched Li Yao grow up. This hot-tempered Chief of the Mecha II Department gave Li Yao a solid hug right away.

“Old Xu, be gentle. I heard he’s just recovered from serious injuries.” Du She, the Chief of the Technical Department, pulled Xu Hong away and looked Li Yao up and down. “Not bad, you look more energetic than before!”

Li Yao smiled at them: “Don’t praise me, I’m afraid you two will arrest me the next second.”

Xu Hong laughed heartily, and Du She patted him on the shoulder: “Business is business. You better know what’s good for you. I can’t guarantee others, but we, what time… right? If we’re really serious, we might not lock you up, but we definitely won’t let you escape so easily.”

Li Yao clicked his tongue.

“Still not convinced? I told you he’ll never change his annoying ways.” Xu Hong smiled and lowered his voice, “You were so cocky just now. Be careful someone will try to stab you in the back. I won’t help you.”

Li Yao smiled: “Let them come if they have the guts.”

With Xu Hong and Du She taking the lead, many officers came to congratulate Li Yao one after another. Li Yao stood in the crowd, responding with ease. He rarely smiled, and most of the time he seemed very serious. When others spoke, he would look intently into their eyes, tilting his head slightly to listen, making it difficult for people to feel disgusted.

In the past ten years, the upper echelons of the military had changed a lot. The newcomers had more or less heard of the name Li Mingxing. Even if they disdained to associate with Li Yao, when they saw the real person standing alive in front of them, they couldn’t help but come forward – after all, in the military academy’s mecha courses, as long as it was a mecha-related course, Li Yao’s figure and his near-perfect operating techniques would definitely appear.

Moreover, he had returned as a hero.

Gradually, the number of people surrounding Li Yao became more and more, like stars surrounding the moon.

Liang Huan stood in the corner of the Assembly Hall, wearing an unfamiliar bionic mask, watching Li Yao socializing with ease in the arena of fame and fortune, his eyes full of appreciation and fondness.

Zhuo Ming, who was also wearing a mask and disguised as an officer, followed his gaze: “You two really divorced? He’s Li Mingxing, you regret it, right?”

Liang Huan smiled: “It’s alright.”

Zhuo Ming didn’t understand, but expressed respect. He looked around the Assembly Hall and sure enough saw the figures of Zhu Qu and Zhu Li. He said, somewhat nervously, “What are you planning to do?”

Was he going to use Li Mingxing’s victory celebration to expose his affairs?

“No rush.” Liang Huan’s gaze remained fixed on Li Yao. He said, unhurriedly, “What do you think of the military uniform?”

“Huh?” Zhuo Ming was puzzled by the question he raised. “It’s, well, pretty good-looking?”

“Looking good also depends on who’s wearing it.” Liang Huan was not satisfied with the follower’s answer. “If the military were to be destroyed one day, do you think Li Yao would surrender?”

Zhuo Ming could no longer keep up with his train of thought. Although the person in front of him asked with a smile, he inexplicably felt an invisible pressure and trepidation. He subconsciously tensed up: “He’s Li Mingxing. He might sacrifice himself in battle, but he would never surrender.”

Liang Huan chuckled and looked at the only focal point in the crowd, sighing: “You’re right. What a pity, but also very interesting.”

Zhuo Ming didn’t know what he was pitying or what he found interesting. He just felt that Liang Huan was sick, but he didn’t dare to say it or show it.

After all, in the time they had spent together, Liang Huan seemed amiable on the surface, but was essentially capricious, sensitive, paranoid, and ruthless, completely unlike a normal person.

So he had to stiffly change the dangerous topic, saying dryly: “When are we going to make our move?”

Liang Huan’s expression was displeased, and he said lightly: “At least wait until Li Mingxing’s banquet is over. Don’t let these unimportant things spoil his mood.”

Zhuo Ming: “Haha, right.”

Liang Huan’s gaze fell on the leather belt around Li Yao’s waist, and his eyes narrowed slowly.

This man’s waist… is it really this narrow?

Sure enough, it’s easy to forget after a few days apart.

Li Yao, who was talking to someone, suddenly felt a chill down his spine. He keenly caught a gaze and looked over, the next second the lights in the Assembly Hall suddenly dimmed, and the sonorous and exciting music slowly sounded from all around, the lights focusing on Li Yao.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Hong keenly noticed something was wrong.

Li Yao lowered his voice: “It’s nothing.”

Liang Huan should still be in the Eastern Third District for a meeting, and besides, it’s too dangerous for him to come to the military. Given his cautious nature, he would never appear here.

…Still, I should go back to the Eastern Third District after the banquet. It’s been a week since I saw him, and His Majesty the Emperor is probably going crazy.

He raised his head and looked at Huan Zan and Yi Yuan at the forefront.

Someone brushed past him, and the red tassels under the epaulet were swayed by the air current, shaking gently. Li Yao took a deep breath and walked solemnly along the long road paved for him with flowers and the bodies of 100,000 comrades. His long-dead brother was recounting his pale and powerless persistence on the stage, and the colleagues, whether human or Heteromorph, showed comforting smiles on their faces. The seriously ill old Marshal picked up the old and mottled medal and carefully pinned it on his chest.

Huan Zan looked at him, raised his hand, and gave him a solemn military salute. Through his cloudy eyes, Li Yao saw the festering sores under the factional disputes and the embers of the doomsday that had not yet cooled.

He raised his hand and said firmly: “Li Yao, Captain of the Dawn Project Vanguard Team, is now back in the ranks!”

The old voice slowly crashed on the floor of the Central Assembly Hall:

“Colonel Li Yao, welcome back.”