Brother and Sister at Odds

"I'm asking you, what is this research lab used for?"

Si Ming pointed to the house that the octopus monster had initially destroyed.

"Oh, this is a microbiology lab, specializing in the study of common medical bacteria and parasites, such as E. coli, Helicobacter pylori, hookworms, and so on."

Who is in charge?

"I remember it was Dr. Ma Shijiu."

"Ma Shijiu? That sounds like an alias. What's his background and origin?"

The president hurriedly wiped his sweat. "Well... our Review Committee did receive his application materials, but there's something I must remind you of first. The credibility of these materials is very low; they're basically fabricated. He even claims to be from the Su State and a Mohist."

"Knowing it was fabricated, you still accepted him?"

"There's no other way. This place is a mixed bag. Everyone has three or five fake identities when they're out and about. If we really wanted to get to the bottom of things, half the members of the Review Committee would leave. We don't care what they did in the past or what crimes they committed. As long as they're capable and willing to work, that's fine. Of course, if the creditors come after us, we won't protect them."

Gangs and governments are ultimately different. At most, they can only manage their own small territory, and they are powerless to do much more. Only the government can manage the identity information of all its citizens.

"What impression do you have of this monster?"

Si Ming turned the octopus monster's face towards him.

The president mustered his courage, looked closely, and recalled, "I feel like I've seen this face somewhere before... That's right! He's one of our patients. He suffered a misfortune that left him paralyzed from the waist down, and he's been bedridden ever since. Because we don't have any savings, we can't afford to give him a prosthetic leg."

"I used to be your patient..."

Si Ming kept this information in mind and didn't inquire about anything else. When the Black Earth Gang members arrived, he threw the octopus monster into the car and took him back to headquarters, where he met Zhu Hao.

"Come, let me introduce you. This is Wei Chunxi, the 'Heavenly King of the Plague Department,' a renowned expert in plague and disease, and a master of medicine. He specializes in treating various infectious diseases caused by Demon Beast and has many years of clinical research experience with various pathogens. Moreover, he is chivalrous, compassionate, and hates evil. Back then, in order to resist the strange plague brought by the demonic tide, he voluntarily resigned from his stable job and tirelessly traveled to all corners of the land, saving countless patients. His merits are immeasurable."

"Enough, enough, Lao Zhu, stop flattering me. The more you say nice things about me, the more I suspect you have ulterior motives. I'm so scared I want to go back to China right now."

Although Wei Chunxi wore gold-rimmed glasses, one could still observe the wisdom and determination shining in his eyes. There were a few crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, but this only added to his approachability and composure.

Si Ming had heard of the "Plague King," a renowned expert in detoxification within the Mohist Knight Guard, especially skilled in treating viral poisons. It was said that his parents and family had all perished in the demon tide, which fueled his intense hatred for Demon Beast. He worked tirelessly day and night, drinking gall and tasting blood, all in an effort to develop a super virus specifically targeting the bloodline of Demon Beast. Si Ming addressed him as "senior" and then recounted the unexpected incident he had encountered at the Physician Review Board.

"Interesting. Prosthetic limb replacement surgery isn't something you can just do anywhere. Because it needs to be integrated into the person's nervous system, it must fit the original body shape. For example, if you give him three legs, his central nervous system won't know how to walk on three legs, and the end result will be that he can't even take a single step." Wei Chunxi looked at the octopus monster's body with a very interested expression.

Zhu Hao said, "This guy isn't just pretending to have three legs, he's practically a non-human monster. How does he know how to use so many mechanical arms?"

"That's exactly what interests me. If he had received long-term training, it wouldn't be impossible for him to control a new limb. But according to you, he's just a patient in the hospital, and it's been less than a week since he was last seen. In such a short time, it's impossible for him to adapt to a new body through training alone. There must be other methods involved."

Si Ming, "Then I'll hand this person over to the two seniors. I hope we can extract more information from him, especially about that doctor named Ma Shijiu. I think he is very likely the developer of this Rust Disease, or at least a prime suspect."

"Don't worry, I'll make him spill all the information. Willpower is meaningless in front of me. Even a specially trained elite assassin will have to confess everything."

Wei Chunxi's tone of voice had a somewhat villainous quality.

Si Ming originally intended to continue investigating along the line of Ma Shijiu, but Yu Shuying suddenly approached him.

"I need you to kidnap someone for me."

"Who?"

"Huyan He."

Chapter 229 Sibling rivalry

Si Ming thought about it and it seemed there was nothing to refuse. Although the two sides were not exactly friendly and even had some grudges, they were still "comrades" after all. To harm a friend was something only a villainous extra would do. In an idol drama, that would be a scheming second female lead who was always trying to mess with the naive and innocent female lead. Besides, in the mission to investigate Rust Disease, he might even need to rely on the other party's Mind-Reading Technique.

"I remember Huyan He is the eldest son of the leader of the Thousand-Ren Society, right? Is it alright to target him? Besides, kidnapping hostages isn't exactly a respectable tactic; only scoundrels in the underworld would do that..."

Si Ming suddenly remembered that he was now a member of the underworld, and kidnapping was perfectly normal for him, which fit the background setting. So he had no choice but to awkwardly change the subject. "The leader of the Thousand-Ren Society, Huyan Lie, is a veteran Spirit Transformation expert. If he intervenes, I don't even have the confidence to escape unscathed."

Kidnapping is inherently more difficult than murder, and Si Ming doesn't believe he can defeat a Spirit Transformation expert unless he uses the Vermilion Bird Machine.

Yu Shuying said, "Don't worry, I guarantee Huyan Lie won't be home at that time. If he is, you can abandon the mission and pretend I never said anything. You'll still owe him a favor."

"I understand. You're planning to launch a counterattack on their base while they're carrying out their plan. That's quite risky. Did you have your informant investigate the details of the plan?"

"No need. He can do his thing, I'll do mine. Exposing an informant infiltrated into the upper echelons for a mere operation plan would be the most shameful waste. I won't do something so stupid. In my opinion, such an informant can play a pivotal role in the overall operation. It all depends on the commander's wisdom." Yu Shuying spoke with her usual confident tone.

Si Ming waved his hand and said, "Forget it, I'm not interested in your plan. Where are the men to carry out the mission? Even if we take advantage of the enemy leader's absence and the lack of troops to attack, as the leader's eldest son, Huyan He must have experts protecting him. I can't possibly rescue him by myself."

"You'll have to organize the manpower yourself. I only have one request: don't use members of the Black Earth Gang; they're an important smokescreen in my plan."

"Hey, hey, hey, you're making things difficult for me. I'm in a foreign country, I don't even have a single friend, where am I supposed to find someone?"

"You can contact the Chivalry Alliance or the Crimson Eye Society. Money is not an issue; the Black Earth Gang cover the expenses. Russia is a mixed bag, teeming with all sorts of illegal organizations. As long as you're willing to pay, you can find mercenaries willing to risk their lives. Just be careful to stay discreet and don't let the mission details leak out beforehand."

"Okay, okay, I'll try my best."

Despite saying that, Si Ming didn't trust outsiders much, and he wasn't used to doing business with assassin organizations. After thinking it over, he decided to ask "his own people" for help.

The first one is naturally Liu Qingqing. Her talent for low-profile stealth is simply a gift from heaven. It would be a waste not to ask her for help.

However, Si Ming encountered trouble right from the start, and it turned out to be a family conflict that even an upright official would find difficult to resolve.

"Give back the 'Illusory Moth Killing Art'!"

Lin Qingxiang's brows were like frost, his face filled with deep anger. He moved like a bird, chasing after Lin Qingtong and Liu Qingqing who were fleeing ahead.

"You stingy brat! I just wanted to borrow it to take a look. You call yourself the eldest brother, but you don't even have the slightest bit of elder brotherly magnanimity."

Lin Qingtong made a face behind her.

Lin Qingxiang snorted coldly, then activated his Internal Cultivation again, his speed suddenly increasing. He leaped into the air, his arms outstretched, his claws outstretched, like an eagle pouncing on a rabbit, aiming for his sister.