Chapter 141: He Jie is Captured, Inviting Ling Shuyan

"Workshop? Which building?" Lin Feng's brows furrowed; with his enhanced Tier 2 physique, he could hear the cacophony of cutting and grinding throughout the compound. They were likely manufacturing more chainsaw swords. Ding Chenghai paused at the question but quickly hid behind a machine, whispering cautiously into the phone, "I'm in area T4. Can't explain over the phone. Midnight snack time is in eight minutes; meet me in the woods behind the cafeteria..."

"Be careful. It's curfew and emergency status. Don't get caught."

With that, Ding Chenghai hung up, glancing at his watch frequently, counting down the seconds.

The Tiger Tooth Chainsaw Sword had reached technical maturity, so researchers didn't need to be hands-on, but certain parameters required their guidance, and quality needed strict control.

Since the failed "decapitation operation," when it became known that insects could infiltrate humans as spies, Qin Hu discovered and reported it, prompting heightened vigilance and frequent inspections across important departments to prevent infiltration.

This included the gene warriors at the research institute, a focal point for future operations, and the weapons designed for these superhumans.

Upon arrival, Lin Feng noticed the once-desolate research institute was now heavily guarded. His intentions weren't entirely aboveboard, so he decided to infiltrate stealthily.

...

After hanging up, Lin Feng vanished into the moonlit night.

Ten minutes later, as Ding Chenghai pretended to smoke and carried a bowl of noodles to the woods behind the cafeteria, Lin Feng's figure appeared silently behind him. A gentle hand on his right shoulder nearly caused Ding Chenghai to drop his beef noodles.

Seeing Lin Feng's familiar face, he whispered in complaint, "Damn, bro, you're like a ghost."

"Wait, no..."

"You've advanced to late Tier 2, haven't you!"

Leaning against a tree, Lin Feng nodded.

He sensed Ding Chenghai had also become an awakener, though only at level 11.

Confirming Lin Feng's strength, Ding Chenghai relaxed, picked up a piece of beef, and continued, "So, what brings you to me?"

By moonlight, Ding Chenghai noticed the familiar chainsaw sword slung across Lin Feng's back, along with a futuristic-looking gun he hadn't seen before.

"You want more Tiger Tooth Chainsaw Swords?" Ding Chenghai guessed his intent.

Lin Feng unsheathed the chainsaw sword, swinging it freely:

"Yes. But I need more than a few—I need enough to equip a battalion."

"At least three hundred. But don't worry, I've got plenty of Tiger Bug mandibles."

Ding Chenghai shook his head:

"The problem isn't the mandibles. A pair of Tiger Bug mandibles can produce twenty chainsaw swords, each equipped with thirty teeth. A battalion only needs about ten pairs."

"The bigger issue is the tungsten alloy for the sword bodies. Jin City's steel reserves have been moved back to the rear, and such a large transaction needs factory approval. You'd probably have to trade live Tier 2 insects."

"Plus, we're set to evacuate in two days."

"The lab equipment here, even at full capacity, can only make you two more."

Lin Feng smiled, unconcerned:

"There's another way..."

"Join me, and we'll set up in Jin City's steel factory, specializing in these weapons!"

Ding Chenghai was taken aback, thinking he misheard.

Lin Feng continued:

"You've probably heard rumors that the Federation plans to abandon southern defenses, focusing resources on northern industrial cities."

"The Thirteenth Division is withdrawing from Wu City, but they can't take everyone. Four hours ago, the Thirteenth Division's senior commander offered me the remaining 15,000 soldiers."

"I'll become the commander, leading these soldiers against the insect invasion, contributing to the southern resistance."

"So I need researchers to help manufacture new weapons and study insect traits."

"The insects are adapting to our warfare, so I need you."

"You supported the Thirteenth Division with the latest weapons and intel. Now you can follow me."

"Don't worry about compensation—I can supply the materials you need, including special organs from new Tier 2 insects."

Ding Chenghai was shocked but, recalling Lin Feng's powerful abilities and the futuristic gun next to the chainsaw sword, he realized Lin Feng's strength had reached incredible heights.

Ding Chenghai even suspected Lin Feng might have the means to defeat a queen, seeking him to prepare for such a battle.

Perhaps joining Lin Feng offered more future and hope than returning to the rear.

Yet, after considering, Ding Chenghai shook his head:

"Sorry, I can't stay here."

Lin Feng frowned:

"Why? I doubt there's a safer place than with a thousand soldiers. Plus, you'd have more freedom with me."

Ding Chenghai finished his noodles, set the bowl down, and sighed heavily, revealing shocking news:

"He Jie is in trouble."

Lin Feng's expression changed, confused.

He Jie was his mother He Yiwen's student and the object of Ding Chenghai's affection, bringing them together.

But the problem was, He Jie had been pursuing advanced studies in the northwest, deep in the rear safety zone.

How could she be in trouble?!

Ding Chenghai lit a cigarette, knowing Lin Feng didn't smoke, and said:

"I heard from a contact."

"Two days ago, she was taken from her lab by inspectors."

"Suspected of being an insect spy."

Lin Feng frowned, quickly responding:

"That's impossible! Insect parasitic hosts can't stray far from queens. Without a queen's mental link, they might lose control."

"Plus, insects wouldn't bother controlling a regular theoretical researcher."

Ding Chenghai nodded; he too struggled with the logic but found the upper's reasoning:

"Remember the insect files released by the research institute after the invasion?"

"They were invaluable, especially early in the war, saving many lives."

"The files originated from a forum post, anonymously posted the day of the invasion, midday. Many saw it, it trended, then the institute confirmed its validity through dissections, using it as a template for nationwide distribution."

"The original post vanished as the coastal area fell."

"Once the situation stabilized, the signal was traced to He Jie's lab at the Northwest University Research Institute."

"Amidst the spy sweep, inspectors found forum records in her lab..."

Ding Chenghai sighed again.

Lin Feng gulped, sensing something ominous.

He suspected He Jie's information on insects came from his mother, He Yiwen.

Perhaps her disappearance was connected.

Had the insects arrived on Bluestar long ago, lurking in the ocean, unnoticed until He Jie found something?

His mother's astrophysics work often took her to observatories on remote plateaus for accurate data.

Some scientists might have noticed the invasion and made contact.

If He Jie continued He Yiwen's research, it would explain everything.

Lin Feng sighed too.

Knowing He Jie was in trouble, Ding Chenghai wouldn't stay; he'd surely return to help.

Despite his disheveled appearance, Ding Chenghai was a top weapon expert; the chainsaw sword was his short-term masterpiece.

His connections in military industries were significant, vital in the resource-strapped apocalypse, as crucial as frontline soldiers.

Even if he couldn't clear He Jie's name, Ding Chenghai could ensure her safety.

Lin Feng couldn't keep him.

Seeing Lin Feng's dilemma, Ding Chenghai stamped out his cigarette and reassured him:

"Don't worry, I fully support your fight against the invasion. I'll contact those willing to stay; they were meant for the Thirteenth Division as research staff."

"With the division leaving, and materials available, they'll likely want to work with you."

Lin Feng nodded; with four or five people capable of making a chainsaw sword and training others, the production line could start.

Tungsten steel could be sourced through Hu Fei, not urgent. Even using Tiger Bug mandibles as a base was feasible.

Lin Feng lacked many things but not insect materials.

Beyond new weapons, the bio-modification plan was also in Lin Feng's sights.

Gene warriors were the army's foundation.

Thinking this, Lin Feng added:

"Weapons are easy; I need tech support in another field."

Ding Chenghai raised an eyebrow, realizing Lin Feng's request, shaking his head:

"Impossible. Bio-modification isn't like machining; it needs sterile labs, surgical rooms, sterilizers, and cold storage..."

"Weapon research is hands-on; theirs is intricate. Gene warrior interface data almost baffled me."

"Frontline battles are taxing, requiring camps; where could these facilities be provided?"

Unfazed, Lin Feng had an offer they couldn't refuse:

"Leave that to me. Just give me the bio-modification project lead's contact."

Seeing Lin Feng's persistence, Ding Chenghai sent the contact, warning:

"Be careful. Jin City's Federal Research Institute head, Ling Shuyan, is a ruthless madwoman, famous in the institute. 80% of death row inmates were used in her projects."

"She might be interested if you offer endless human test subjects."

"Or offer yourself. Your war legend has spread; many are curious about your abilities."

Ignoring Ding Chenghai's jest, Lin Feng called the number.

After a few rings, the call connected.

Lin Feng cleared his throat:

"Hello, Director Ling."

Silence followed, then a mature, soft female voice replied:

"Hello."

Seeing Ding Chenghai's teasing look, Lin Feng calmly said:

"Director Ling, I'd like to invite you to join my project, staying at the front for bio-research."

...

One minute earlier...

Two kilometers away at Old Mountain's Bio-Research Institute, a long-haired woman in a white coat, wearing half-rim glasses, frowned as she left the lab.

In the climate-controlled room behind Ling Shuyan, several pods sat, the size of massage chairs. Beneath the glass lids...

Qin Hu and others lay within, covered in transparent gel, tubes monitoring vitals and delivering nutrients.

Gene warrior modification wasn't perfected, far from ideal.

The problem lay in gene fluid absorption.

To secure ongoing support from the main institute and federation, Ling Shuyan sent the newly formed Qin Hu squad...

To gather intel on new Tier 2 insects.

They succeeded, bringing back vital materials and achieving the first safe return from a nest...

But Qin Hu and others' bodies, strained by overusing gene fluid, showed accelerated degradation.

With high-efficiency fluid, cell death outpaced division; without prolonged pod recovery, the next mission risked fatal exhaustion.

Compared to the insect Hunter Warriors, gene warriors seemed like crude imitations, half-baked failures.

One mission required two days' recovery.

Incapable of sustained combat.

Ling Shuyan snapped her pen in frustration.

Suppressing her anxiety, she calmed herself.

At midnight, her phone buzzed.

About to berate the caller, she saw the unfamiliar number, noting it was from Haicheng.

She grew cautious.

This was her private line, shared only with peers. Haicheng had fallen long ago, and the few survivors were unrelated.

It couldn't be spam.

The caller was prepared.

Pondering the caller's identity, she answered calmly.

Then came a young man's voice.

Recalling something, Ling Shuyan pulled up all awakener files, narrowing based on gender and age.

Seeing the names, she smiled and spoke softly.

Hearing his invitation, her smile grew intriguing:

"Young man, I don't know who you are yet?"

Unseen but felt, Lin Feng sensed the aggression in her words, noting her photo from Ding Chenghai, stunningly beautiful:

"Lin Feng, interim commander of the Thirteenth Division, soon to be the largest force against the insect invasion in Jiangnan."

Identifying him, Ling Shuyan's smile widened. She locked her office, reclining, her stockinged legs on the desk, resting her tablet on her lap, browsing Lin Feng's detailed records as she replied:

"Mr. Lin, bio-modification requires massive resources. We use 20-30 test subjects daily. Are you giving your soldiers for surgeries?"

Facing her outrageous demand, Lin Feng laughed, declining:

"Impossible. Until the success rate exceeds 95%, I won't risk my soldiers in experiments."

"You must source your own equipment, but I can supply abundant insect materials, including Pulse Scorpion tails, Tank Flame Armor organs, and Hunter Warrior corpses..."

Ling Shuyan's voice turned cold:

"We can get those safely behind the lines. When Qin Hu excels in the capital defense, the federation will support bio-modification..."

"But you... Mr. Lin, your ability is special. Initially reported as super bullets, then material synthesis."

"If you can fuse insect materials for yourself, can you synthesize living things too?!"

Lin Feng's expression shifted. Fusion was part of his upgrade ability; living things weren't indicated as items.

Presumably, they couldn't be classified as objects.

Unbothered by her probing, Lin Feng shrugged, changing the subject:

"I fought alongside Qin Hu, knowing gene warriors' strengths and flaws."

"They're unstable, forcibly blending alien genes. Without strong physiques, normal people would die from gene toxicity."

"Even so, it's too forced, burdening awakeners physically, risking severe overexertion, reducing cell division lifespan."

"Not to mention mental effects, turning them into unstable time bombs..."

"Enough!" Ling Shuyan's icy voice interrupted:

"If you called to expose temporary flaws and undermine our project, hang up. I'll block you."

Lin Feng's lips curled:

"Wait, what if I said I have an awakener with natural gene fusion ability, who can steadily integrate multiple insect genes..."

"And avoid these flaws?"

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