Chapter Forty-Four: An Unexpected Turn

Jiang An now understood his purpose here. He was a safety measure; whether it was treating Commander Li or handling the physical cultivation experiment, his unique Golden Needle technique was the last safeguard, ensuring the experiment could be pulled back from disaster if anything went wrong.

“Due to confidentiality, I can’t divulge much more. If you have any questions, feel free to ask—if I’m able to answer, I will,” Colonel Luo said, giving the group of national experts a moment to digest the information.

Though many still had questions, none voiced them now. After all, the military had already taken their interests into account, and now that they’d been brought into the fold of this top-secret mission, there was no turning back. It was better to accept this with grace and win more favor. Of course, if later developments threatened their interests, their current cooperation might not last.

“Very well, if there are no further questions, then let’s—” Colonel Luo’s words were cut short as Commander Li’s face suddenly twisted in pain. He clutched his head, curling up as he groaned, clearly in unbearable agony.

“My head!” he cried out.

The old general’s willpower was extraordinary; he grit his teeth through the pain, but beads of sweat the size of soybeans welled up on his brow, a testament to the torment he was enduring.

“Uncle Li! What’s wrong? Doctor, quickly!” Wan’er’s face turned pale with panic as she supported the commander, shouting at the experts to help. The two doctors and two nurses sprang into action, hurrying to restrain Commander Li and check his symptoms, but he only thrashed more violently, twisting and moaning in agony.

“This is bad! The evil curse has been triggered and is about to erupt!” Old Qian, already rushing over, caught sight of the blood-red flower on Commander Li’s chest glowing ominously, a clear sign of imminent danger.

Everyone was alarmed. The three military experts closed in, while the others instinctively wanted to follow. Yet, as they rose, a tall and imposing man blocked their path—the burly figure who’d been standing silently in the corner. He said nothing, but his tiger-like, piercing gaze swept over each person, a flash of suspicion in his eyes.

None dared move recklessly, craning their necks to see what was happening. Strangely, the next moment, a weak voice came from Commander Li: “I’m fine now, Chenlong, stand down.”

The pain had subsided as quickly as it came, and the curse quieted once more.

With a blur, the man called Chenlong melted back into his original position. This time, his eyes were cold as he watched the others.

The crowd parted, and those outside finally caught sight of Commander Li again. The old man looked as though he’d just been fished from a river, his clothes drenched in sweat. Clearly, something significant had transpired in those brief moments, and now even his voice was feeble.

“Sigh, this is the worst episode yet from the shrapnel in my head—it felt like my skull would burst. It seems my time is running short. Since that’s the case, let’s proceed as planned. Dawei, everything is in your hands now. And to all of you, my life depends on your expertise.” Commander Li mustered what strength he had left to speak, then waved them away, utterly spent.

After bidding him farewell, everyone followed Colonel Luo out, this time with Wan’er joining the group.

“Why did Uncle Li send me out as well?” Wan’er protested, voice tinged with anger and worry. “Given his condition, I’m uneasy being away from him.”

“Major Wen—no, Wan’er,” Colonel Luo addressed her by name, revealing their close personal relationship. “What the commander needs most now is rest. With Old Qian and the others there, and Chenlong guarding him, you need not worry.”

“Fine,” Wan’er sighed.

“All right, everyone, from this point on, I’m in charge of your arrangements! I know you’re concerned about the commander’s safety, but that’s all the more reason to focus on developing the Eight Gates Gold as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, we’ll follow your lead, Colonel Luo.”

“Let’s hope the commander recovers.”

“Hmm, Dr. Jiang, you remain so composed—it seems your cultivation of inner calm is quite advanced, rare among the younger generation,” an incongruous voice suddenly remarked. It was the sharp-eyed elder, Lu Mingjie, whose earlier self-introduction revealed his name.

Now, all eyes turned to Jiang An, who indeed appeared unperturbed, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

“You really get on my nerves,” Wan’er blurted out, her directness making clear she found the young man insufferable. “If it weren’t for the mission, I’d have thrown you out already.”

Jiang An glanced deeply at Lu Mingjie, but only smiled in silence at Wan’er’s provocation. His dismissive attitude only fueled her anger, but before she could explode, Colonel Luo pulled her aside. “Enough. A soldier’s first duty is obedience! Major Wen, mind your words!”

“Experts, please come with me.”

With that, Colonel Luo began to discharge his duties, the experts following behind. Jiang An, as always, walked at the rear, a subtle distance separating him from the others.

“Hmph!” Wan’er stamped her foot where she stood, wanting to follow but finding it wasn’t her place. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned and went the other way.

Soon, Colonel Luo led the six experts to a changing room. He stopped at the door. “Please go in and change. Leave your original clothes inside—each locker is labeled with your name and contains clothing tailored to your size.”

The six entered one after another, and Colonel Luo closed the door behind them.

Inside, the room was spacious, lined with rows of dark green lockers and a set of individual cubicles. Most lockers were locked, but six bore their names and had keys in the locks—clearly prepared for them.

“Old Wang, who’d have thought we’d end up working together this time?”

“Brother Zhou, it’s been a long time.”

“Old Zhang, you still owe me from that bet you lost—no escaping it this time…”

As soon as they entered, the experts greeted each other warmly, clearly old acquaintances. It was no surprise; their circle was small and all advanced in years. Even those who hadn’t met knew each other by reputation. The military’s stern atmosphere had kept them reserved before, but now, alone together, they relaxed.

Only Jiang An was unknown to them. As he changed, he casually glanced at the others, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Are we really going to participate in this top-secret mission?” Lu Mingjie, the sharp-eyed elder, suddenly whispered.

“What are you getting at, Old Lu? We’ve come this far—do you think we can back out now? This is what we came for, after all.”

“Yeah, what’s your angle? The Eight Gates Gold—if we succeed, we’ll go down in history!”

“What’s on your mind, Old Lu?”

Lu Mingjie shook his head. “If it’s real, that’s fine. But what if it’s a lie, or ends in failure? Do you trust the military’s word so easily? I don’t want my family’s secret recipe handed over for nothing.”

“Didn’t you hear what Colonel Luo said? He meant—”

“He said, make the formula, and only hand over your recipe if it works. If not, forget it?” Lu Mingjie snorted. “But we’re on their turf. Even if we each prepare our medicine separately, what if there are hidden cameras? Isn’t that the same as handing over the formula?”

Some looked hesitant.

But Wang Bixuan, the goateed expert, spoke up with a smile. “You know we’re guests here—who knows if everything you just said has already been overheard. Besides, Dr. Lu, your reputation in the metropolis is excellent, highly respected, with countless lives saved. But now it seems you’re rather self-interested.”

Lu Mingjie’s expression flickered, and he gave a dry laugh. “Enough, enough, I’m only thinking of everyone’s best interests.”

No one spoke further, their movements quickening. Clearly, being reminded they were on someone else’s turf had made them cautious.

Nearly ten minutes later, they emerged, all dressed in identical white lab coats, nothing from outside left on them.

Colonel Luo led them out of the administration building. The six jeeps that had brought them were still waiting. At his command, they boarded, heading toward the research base.