This small cave is quite comfortable for resting. The temperature is much higher than outside, but it makes people feel a little uneasy because there is only one passage from one end to the other.
"If someone comes to block us," Qiu Shi started eating the third can, "even if they only block one end, we won't be able to escape if we try to run out like that."
"No," Xing Bi said, "People chasing us can only crouch and chase us."
Qiu Shi thought about it and laughed: "That makes sense."
"So we have to block both ends." Xing Bi said.
"Fuck," Qiu Shi immediately poured the soup in the can into his mouth, "Let's go."
"Are your ribs okay?" Xing Bi asked.
"The one you interrupted?" Qiu Shi sorted his backpack.
"I didn't interrupt." Xing Bi said.
"Yes, yes, it wasn't you who interrupted me," Qiu Shi thought for a moment and turned to look at him, "That can't be considered as you, right?"
"I only have a memory of those forty minutes." Xing Bi said.
"How cruel," Qiu Shi recalled what Director Wu said about locking the biochemical body's memory for control. "How many memories do you have now?"
"How can I know how many there are if I can't even remember them?" Xing Bi said.
"Who locked it?" Qiu Shi asked.
"The general and Mr. Long," Xing Bi said, "I don't remember who else was there before that."
"Whoever dares to lock my memory," Qiu Shi said, "I will eat him raw without dipping sauce."
Xing Bi smiled.
"Don't you hate them?" Qiu Shi looked at him. "Don't you hate... humans?"
Xing Bi was silent for a while, also looking at him, and said in a low voice: "I was born for mankind, a friend who will never betray."
Qiu Shi was stunned and didn't speak for a long time.
Born for humanity, never betray.
"What does this mean?" Qiu Shi asked.
"The biochemical being's oath to humanity." Xing Bi said.
He didn't know what kind of mood Xing Bi was in when he said this, but he felt inexplicably sad, just like when he heard Xing Bi singing Happy Birthday.
"What about humans?" Qiu Shi asked.
"Human what?" Xing Bi raised his lips, "What would you say to your gun?"
"How the hell can this be the same?" Qiu Shi said, "Are you a gun?"
"I am," Xing Bi said, "We are weapons, tools. We can kill people, go to dangerous places, clean up the house, repair cars, cook, take care of children, and relieve loneliness."
Qiu Shi didn't know what to say.
"I am the weapon that can kill people." Xing Bi said.
"Do you feel so now?" Qiu Shi leaned closer to him.
"What else?" Xing Bi asked back.
"Those people before the war," Qiu Shi frowned, "did they all think this way?"
"The environment is bad, the air is polluted, there are infections everywhere, and there are more and more patients," Xing Bi said, "and there are fewer and fewer children. What else can we think?"
Qiu Shi didn't say anything.
"Then what do you think?" Xing Bi tilted his head, "What am I?"
"I don't know," Qiu Shi said, "The partner they forced me to have is very strong, smart, and has a bad mouth. Sometimes I feel very dangerous, but I am also very safe with you around."
Xing Bi looked at him.
"I can trust it based on my intuition..." Qiu Shi also looked at him, "Friend."
"Friends?" Xing Bi asked.
"I guess so," Qiu Shi said, "I don't have many friends. It's not easy to live these days. After all, I've been through life and death, so I don't set the bar too high."
"Isn't this high?" Xing Bi smiled.
"High? I don't know you at all." Qiu Shi said.
Xing Bi didn't say anything else. He suddenly moved closer to him and hugged him with his arms.
Qiu Shi was stunned, but quickly hugged him and patted him gently on the back.
Xing Bi did not let him go and kept holding him.
Qiu Shi didn't move either, even though they looked a little funny like this. In this small cave where they couldn't even stand up, they knelt on one leg facing each other and hugged each other.
Qiu Shi didn't know why Xing Bi, who was always calm, would behave like this, but he really wanted to hug Xing Bi, not for anything else, but just for the "oath" that seemed a bit cruel to him.
"It seems to be just as we suspected at the beginning," Curator Wu stood in front of the entire glass wall and looked inside. "The symbionts can achieve some kind of connection through the fungi in their bodies and read or share thoughts."
In the laboratory on the other side of the glass, a group of experimenters were conducting mind tests on four first-level biochemical bodies. Director Wu whispered the results of the experiment to a man beside him: "Number three is the strongest. After the symbiosis is completed, he may become the main body. Not only can he control the second and third level symbionts, but also the first level symbiont."
"Does that mean," the man said, "that level 2 and 3 symbiotes can have abilities that are stronger than they actually are, just like the level 2 submersible guard that Xing Bi and his team brought back earlier."
"Yes," Director Wu nodded, "If a first-level subject can control other first-level symbionts..."
"There's no need to consider whether it's 100% controllable," the man said.
"Yes, we just need to ensure the controllability of the subject." Director Wu nodded.
"Hurry up," the man said, "They've obviously succeeded."
"I understand." Director Wu said.
The man turned around and looked at Li Feng.
Li Feng, who had been leaning against the wall, stood up straight: "Mr. Long."
"Don't you have anything to say?" Mr. Long asked.
"No." said Li Feng.
"Can this experiment be done on humans?" Mr. Long asked Director Wu.
"For example..." Director Wu hesitated and glanced at Li Feng quickly.
"For example, people like Qiu Shi who have immunity," said Mr. Long.
"This is not very meaningful," said Director Wu. "At present, Qiu Shi is the only one here, so the experiment cannot be carried out."
"Is he the only one?" Mr. Long also looked at Li Feng.
"There's only one of him." Li Feng said.
"Director Li is the one who can find the biochemical warehouse," Mr. Long said, "but he only found one Qiu Shi?"
"Unactivated biochemical bodies won't run around," Li Feng said, "but humans will hide."
"Can we do something with him?" Mr. Long asked again.
"Director Wu has drawn his blood," Li Feng said, "and there is nothing special."
"Yes," Director Wu nodded, "We haven't found the reason for his immunity yet, so we can't do anything for the time being."
"Try chopping it up and eating it." said Li Feng.
Mr. Long glanced at him and said, "You still have something to say."
"No." said Li Feng.
"Let's go to the eighth floor and take a look." said Mr. Long.
"Okay." Director Wu nodded.
"I'm going to the checkpoint," Li Feng didn't want to go to the eighth floor, "The City Defense Department is strengthening defenses in the inner city today, I'm going to see if the supplies have arrived."
"A director shouldn't go and see such a thing in person," Mr. Long said. "You haven't seen your trophy with your own eyes, have you?"
The eighth floor is not on the eighth floor. The eighth floor is below the exhibition hall. Among the secrets that Li Feng can currently access, it is the deepest one. He is not sure which floor it is, maybe it is the eighteenth floor.
This is a "warehouse" that stores unactivated biochemical organisms.
Li Feng didn't know the existence of this place before. It was only when he found the biological bodies sealed before the war in the drawings of various underground warehouses that Qiu Shi helped him find that he knew for the first time that there was such a place in Yuncheng.
Including the ones he found, there are at least several hundred biological bodies sealed on the eighth floor. Director Wu has counted that there are more than one hundred first-level submerged guards. More than one hundred Xing Bis are an astonishing combat force.
Mr. Long is different from the general. Mr. Long does not want to start another war. Now, even the smallest-scale war may be a disaster for the palm-sized Yuncheng. Li Feng believes this.
But there are some things that you cannot look directly at. Even if it is just to prepare for a rainy day, taking a look at them may change your heart.
Capsule-shaped glass covers are neatly arranged on a huge shelf, and the positions of these "capsules" on the shelf are regularly adjusted by a robotic arm to maintain and monitor the "vital signs" of the biochemical bodies inside.
At first glance, the scene was spectacular and breathtaking.
Director Wu accompanied Mr. Long as they walked between the rows of shelves, followed by two technicians and Minister Liu from the Department of Emergency Affairs. Only Li Feng stood at the entrance and did not move forward.
Mr. Long didn't care about his obvious uncooperative behavior. When he left the tour, he even patted him on the shoulder and said, "Go and see how Director Zhang is doing when you have time."
"Yeah." Li Feng responded.
"Is there any news from Xing Bi?" Mr. Long asked again.
"There has been no news since the disconnection." said Li Feng.
"The general has always been skeptical about the disconnection, thinking that the people in the company have selfish motives," Mr. Long glanced at him, "I am under a lot of pressure too."
"I understand." Li Feng said.
After seeing Mr. Long off, Li Feng followed Director Wu back to the laboratory, where the symbiosis experiment was still going on. Li Feng stood in front of the glass wall and looked at the biochemical bodies there, number two, number three, number four, and number five. Number one was Xing Bi, so numbers two, three, four, and five also had their own names.
Li Feng took a look at the name of number three, Lin Sheng.
"Aren't you going to the checkpoint?" Director Wu walked over and stood beside him.
Li Feng clicked his tongue.
"Do you want to contact Qiu Shi?" asked Director Wu.
"Well," Li Feng nodded, "How long has it been since he broke through the limit?"
"Three and a half hours," Director Wu said, "Everything is normal now. Let's get in touch now."
Theoretically, the data returned from Xing Bi should have been unreceivable yesterday, but because the longest distance test has never been done, no one is sure at what distance it can be successfully received. I have to contact Qiu Shi to ask about the situation while I can still confirm that he is in normal condition.
Li Feng originally wanted Qiu Shi to contact him to see if this corpse collector, who was even more unstable than a first-level undercover guard, could cooperate. However, he had been out for two or three days and had not received any news from him.
"Xing Bi's situation," Director Wu said, "I will report it to Colonel Xu tomorrow..."
Li Feng pulled out a gun and pointed it at Director Wu's head: "Delete it."
"What are you doing?" Director Wu looked at him, with some surprise in his eyes, but not too much.
"I forced you to delete it at gunpoint." Li Feng said.
Director Wu sat down in front of the row of instruments and sighed, "I can save Xing Bi, but I can't save those inside."
"I don't want to protect Xing Bi," Li Feng said, "I just want to protect my own peaceful life."
"Do you think Xing Bi is under control?" asked Director Wu.
"He can be." Li Feng said.
"What do you mean?" Director Wu didn't understand.
Li Feng didn't answer again. He walked to the side and sat down, turned on the system, and waited to connect to Qiu Shi.
A white light appeared on the back of his hand. Qiu Shi, who was bending over and heading toward the mountain with Xing Bi, was stunned. "They actually installed a light on my hand."
"Li Feng is looking for you." Xing Bi looked back.
"What could it be?" Qiu Shi suddenly became a little nervous, "Could it be..."
"Normal contact, this is a mission." Xing Bi said.
Qiu Shi put on headphones.
To be honest, when he heard Li Feng's voice, he actually felt relieved.
"If I don't look for you," Li Feng said, "are you planning to say goodbye?"
"I'm waiting for you to find me," Qiu Shi said, "How would I know what's going on with you? Have you been caught and locked up in a dungeon?"
"Almost there," Li Feng said, "Where are you guys?"
"We'll have to get to the river right away," Qiu said. "We'll have to find some homeless people to get us a boat. We probably won't be able to cross the river until tomorrow morning."
"Xing Bi's situation." Li Feng said.
"Everything is normal." Qiu Shi glanced at Xing Bi.
"So far, the laboratory can still receive data feedback from Xing Bi." said Li Feng.
Qiu Shi was stunned.
"You really don't intend to tell me the truth." Li Feng said.
"I don't trust you." Qiu Shi said.
"Xing Bi's data has been deleted," Li Feng said, "and this call will not be archived."
"I can't see it." said Qiu Shi.
Li Feng didn't say anything.
"Li Feng." Xing Bi spoke.
"Yeah." Li Feng responded.
"There's a symbiote following us," Xing Bi said, "and if it's close enough, it will affect me."
"I see," Li Feng said, "Do you know who the other party is?"
"Not sure," Xing Bi said, "the contact time was too short."
"Don't contact again," Li Feng said immediately, "Avoid contact."
"Yeah." Xing Bi responded.
"Do you know Lin Sheng?" Li Feng suddenly asked.
Xing Bi paused and said, "I know him."
Li Feng didn't say anything else, but just repeatedly instructed them to ensure safety and avoid contact, and not to cause too much conflict before arriving in Donglin.
After the call ended, Qiu Shi took off his headphones and looked at Xing Bi: "Why tell Li Feng the truth?"
"Sometimes you have to choose someone you can trust," Xing Bi said, "The data has been returned, and this matter cannot be concealed."
"This means that you may be out of control," Qiu Shi looked at him, "Do you know what this means?"
"I know," Xing Bi said, "but Li Feng didn't believe I was controllable from the beginning."
Qiu Shi didn't say anything, just kept looking at him.
"We can only trust him." Xing Bi said.
"Okay," Qiu Shi said, "That's what Li Feng said. This is the wisdom of our ancestors."
"Whose ancestors are only over a hundred years old?" Xing Bi said, "What species has such a short life span."
Qiu Shi smiled: "If your memory wasn't locked, would you not forget things?"
"Well," Xing Bi said, "I can remember every word you said."
“… You don’t have to remember it too clearly.” Qiu Shi said.
This passage through the mountain is half naturally formed, and half shows signs of artificial expansion. However, it can be seen that no one has been here for a long, long time. Only some animal feces and small pieces of animal bones can be seen.
This passage was dug more than a hundred years ago and seems to have been abandoned long ago. Perhaps no one knows of its existence anymore.
But for Xing Bi, this is a clear memory.
Remembering some things that no one knows, I always feel a little lonely.
Fortunately, now there is one more person who remembers.
When he came out from the other side of the mountain, Qiu Shi looked back carefully, trying to deepen his memory.
But after only a few steps, the cave entrance was completely hidden among the rocks and grass. Not to mention deepening my memory, there was not even a point of memory.
The river they were going to cross was very wide. After dark, the outline of the other side was completely invisible. They could only see the glittering water and hear the sound of the river water hitting the rocks on the shore.
"This river is too wide." Qiu Shi stood on the mountainside and felt a little emotional.
"Let's go up the river for a while," Xing Bi led him down the mountain, "Open the map. There are a lot of vagrants in this area, and most of them are unfriendly."
"Then where can we get a boat?" Qiu Shi opened the map. Although it affected his vision a little, there were only two small dots, him and Xing Bi, on the map, which still made him feel at ease.
"Just rob it if you find it." Xing Bi said.
Qiu Shi touched the gun on his body and asked: "Have you ever done this before?"
"No." Xing Bi said.
"Then you speak so smoothly?" Qiu Shi said.
"I think you have done it." Xing Bi said.
"Your brain doesn't work very well after it's been rebooted," Qiu Shi said. "What I do most is to dig things out of dead bodies."
The road on this side of the mountain is much flatter than the other side, probably because it was washed by the river. There is no grass or trees, and people cannot hide in front or behind. You just need to pay attention to whether there is any movement in the forest on the right.
But in a place like this, it is difficult to take a rest and it is difficult to find a safe place to camp.
Qiu Shi took out two bottles of water from his backpack and threw them into the river.
Xing Bi glanced at him.
"What's wrong?" Qiu Shi said, "No, thank you."
Xing Bi smiled and said, "You're welcome."
Qiu Shi said nothing more and quickened his pace.
It was quite quiet all around, and the sound of the water splashing in the river covered up a lot of other noises. This state of being in the unknown made people feel uneasy.
After walking for nearly an hour, everything seemed normal. It was not like what Xing Bi said, that there were many homeless people here.
"You need to refresh your memory," Qiu Shi said, "There's no one here, so we can probably just grab a piece of the boat plank."
Xing Bi suddenly stopped and looked ahead.
Qiu Shishun raised his eyes and looked forward.
There were several dark shadows about less than a hundred meters away.
"Trees?" Qiu Shi pulled out his gun. The map did not show any biological or living organisms over there.
"No." Xing Bi paused for a few seconds and slowly walked forward.
The river water reflected the light, and after walking for a while, Qiu Shi could see clearly what those things were.
Seven or eight wooden pillars were inserted into the river bank.
There was a person poking out from each pillar.
"Is there a tribal fight?" Qiu Shi felt a chill.
"It's not a human," Xing Bi said, "it's a biochemical."
"What the hell is going on? Someone is killing biological beings?" Just as Qiu Shi finished speaking, he felt a slight noise under his feet.
Before he could look down, he found his right foot was caught by something, and then the powerful force pulled him towards the mountain.
There is a trap!
Your ancestors!
Qiu Shi suddenly knelt on the ground with his left leg to support his body and pulled out the knife from his boot.
Xing Bi stepped on the rope that was dragging him toward the mountain.
Qiu Shi cut the rope with a knife, jumped up and raised his gun.
But there are no active targets within the map.
"On the mountain." When Xing Bi was speaking, a muffled sound suddenly came from the direction of the mountainside.
It was gunfire.
It sounds like there are at least a dozen of them.
As Qiu Shi was knocked to the ground by Xing Bi, he heard the sound of a bullet brushing past his ear and hitting the ground.
"Are you bulletproof?" Qiu Shi felt his voice was a little hoarse.
"Of course not." Xing Bi said.
The author has something to say:
To be continued tomorrow⊙▽⊙.