CHAPTER 296: CHAPTER 284: I WILL BEAR WHATEVER CONSEQUENCES

The email left no signature, not even the sender’s address—it was just a string of numbers. Xiao Lin tried various methods to input this string into the Dragon Soul’s specialized information system, attempting to uncover the potential behind these numbers, but the result was no match.

He leaned back in his chair, furrowing his brow in thought. If even Dragon Soul couldn’t find the information, he had to consider its authenticity, and more importantly, its intention. Xiao Lin didn’t dare to take risks.

Several QQ chat windows popped up with greetings from the lonely ones. Seeing the photos posted in the group, Xiao Lin felt a bit helpless. The mouse hovered over Xia Xue’s avatar, which remained gray; he wondered how she was doing now. His fingers tapped on the keyboard, but in the end, he chose to give up. Because he understood, he hesitated. From what he knew of her, she would rush over immediately!

Sigh! Thinking of the Xia Family, Xiao Lin’s brow furrowed even more. In Yanjing, how many eyes were watching? He had to resolve this quickly.

Without further hesitation, he clicked open the email. The content seemed ordinary, rows of numbers and chemical symbols strung together to form formulas, like complex math problems, easily categorized by an expert.

Xiao Lin understood them clearly, and he was shocked by the data.

This was an invasion by a rare virus. Its internal components weren’t just common toxins; more so, it comprised micro-particles that could quickly dismantle human structures. You could refer to it as a type of bacterium.

The sender left a note at the end: HTC4 mutating virus—no solution.

Finding a way to detoxify was simple: just control the rapid decomposition of the bacteria. But was it easy? Xiao Lin had to bow his head. This didn’t mean he was giving up, but rather experiencing an unprecedented sense of belittlement. He didn’t know who this person or organization was, but it wasn’t hard to predict that his actions were entirely exposed in their eyes. Perhaps they hadn’t noticed before, but now he was clear. Just how much did the other party know? Xiao Lin lifted his gaze, eyes cold and fierce.

"Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao!" Tong Tong’s soft call came from outside the tent. Xiao Lin turned off the computer and walked out.

"Why aren’t you asleep yet?" He affectionately ruffled Tong Tong’s head.

"Just about to sleep, but I want to know if mom and dad can be saved, also thank you for saving mom this morning." Tong Tong’s big eyes sparkled, and the hope in her eyes pained Xiao Lin. The HTC4 virus and the HTC4 mutating virus had significant differences. Although there was an antibody for the HTC4 virus, it had no effect on the new virus. He realized this when administering the injections to the infected patients—perhaps the only effect was to reduce pain.

"The experts will arrive tomorrow. I’m sure they’ll find a way."

"Brother Xiao, is it impossible?"

Xiao Lin didn’t speak, only showing a helpless smile.

"Dr. Xiao, another infected person has stopped breathing." A suddenly urgent voice interrupted.

"Is it mom?" Upon hearing this, Tong Tong cried out in fear, trying to rush towards the ancestral hall, only to be held back by Xiao Lin. Her soft body trembled in his arms.

"Sterilize and process the body. I need a small piece of human nerve tissue."

"Yes!"

Tong Tong continued to struggle, her tears falling on Xiao Lin’s skin, the warmth stinging his nerves. He quickly tapped her acupoints, and her soft body slumped motionlessly against his arm.

"Dr. Xiao!" Miao Jiu hurried over, looking panicked, as if hiding something.

"What’s wrong?" Handing the unconscious Tong Tong to another soldier, Xiao Lin picked up his small bag and said in a low voice, "Talk while we walk."

"The toxin has been removed, but..."

"Is it that the toxin is cleared, but the onset rate accelerates?" Xiao Lin looked up at the other with a deep voice.

"Yes, that’s it." Xiao Jiu felt conflicted. He had always believed that removing the toxin could save people, but he didn’t expect another death just hours later.

"This isn’t your fault." Xiao Lin walked first towards the ancestral hall. Now there was only one method to try, given the analysis in the email was correct.

Miao Jiu didn’t understand what Dr. Xiao intended to do. Even with experts around, other villages couldn’t control the outbreak well. Could this school doctor? With questions, he followed Xiao Lin into the ancestral hall. The latter didn’t offer any explanations, but used a method invisible to the naked eye, tapping several places on the infected patients’ bodies. Then they appeared dead, without breath, prompting him to scream in horror.

"You killed them, you killed them!" Miao Jiu went back and forth checking their breaths, fingers feeling nothing. Were they indeed dead? He collapsed onto the ground, fearfully staring at the man before him.

The night sky sank deeper, on the verge of dawn, making the darkness complete.

Miao Jiu’s shouting alarmed the entire village. On such an unusual night, no one slept soundly, or perhaps no one truly slept at all. Fear was the only medium.

Miao Jiu clutched Xiao Lin’s clothes, accusing him to Elder Miao as if seeing a savior, but his words were incoherent. In contrast, the man accused of murder was remarkably composed.

Elder Miao glanced at Xiao Lin, somewhat worried about Miao Jiu. He knew angering Xiao Lin could mean burying the whole village.

"What’s going on?"

"He killed the people in the village!" Miao Jiu ran to Elder Miao like finding a lifeline, hiding behind him and whispering, "He just said he wanted to go into the ancestral hall to look at the patients. Who knew, once inside, he touched the villagers, and then they stopped breathing."

The oil lamps brightly illuminated the village, reflecting the anger on their faces into Xiao Lin’s eyes. He was indifferent; he never needed to explain himself. He had his own ways and methods, and so far, no one had interfered. He didn’t need to waste words on these unrelated people. So he walked away casually, with disdain.

"No one is allowed to touch anyone inside." That’s the sentence he left as he departed, like a decree, permitting no resistance.

Only after Xiao Lin’s men entered the temporary tent did the villagers regain their senses and begin to protest. Their relatives lay in the ancestral hall, fueling their anger, wanting to tear apart the culprit. They picked up farm tools, intent on seeking justice for their loved ones.

"Stop all of you!" Elder Miao shouted, "Anyone not wanting to die, go back to sleep. I’ll bear any consequences." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)