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Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Compromise
Qin Nanyi’s words not only failed to have an effect, but they further cemented their resolve.
Professor Ke looked at the research members beside him and confidently said, "We are the core members of the cooperation project between Beicheng Base and Yunan Base. Without us, this project simply cannot move forward. The mission of these people who came here is to rescue us, and they will not leave without us, returning empty-handed."
Upon hearing his words, Hong Yun found it both funny and frustrating, "Professor Ke, I’m afraid I should introduce you to Mr. Han, who is not a member of the base’s forces. These few people were asked by General Ji to help, and the highest command of this mission is in his hands."
Hong Yun wanted them to understand that Han Yi’s people were not soldiers and would not be prepared to sacrifice everything just to complete a certain mission.
Yan Xiao also laughed strangely and deliberately raised her voice, "Brother Han, let’s hurry up and go. Bringing these people is a burden. After all, the base asked us to rescue people but did not specify which ones to save."
Professor Ke’s face turned sour, and he looked hesitantly at Hong Yun, "If they don’t take us, what about your people?"
Hong Yun replied with some difficulty, "Professor Ke, the highest command of this operation is in Mr. Han’s hands, and indeed... our mission didn’t specify a full rescue for everyone."
In fact, the base even assumed that this group of scientists were mostly already dead, holding the mentality of saving whoever they could when sending them out. After all, in the current environment, having a group of researchers would be of tremendous help to the base and extremely significant for the future construction and development.
Professor Ke fell silent, and upon seeing him wavering, Qin Nanyi continued to persuade him.
Han Yi, who couldn’t be bothered with these obstinate scientists anymore, pulled Han Jiaojiao away from Hong Yun and calmly instructed everyone on what to do next.
Han Yi explained the plan clearly in just a few words, obviously not planning to take those people with him.
At that moment, Qin Nanyi quickly walked up to Han Yi and softly said, "Ayi, Professor Ke has agreed, so don’t be too angry. People who do research can sometimes be stubborn. They just didn’t think it through earlier, but now that they have understood, let’s take them with us..."
Her tone was so affectionate, so familiar... "We"? What right did she have to use the word "we"? — Han Jiaojiao lowered her head, trying to calm her unusual emotions.
Anger and injustice surged through her blood, as jealousy and loathing tangled within her heart. — How she wanted to kill her.
Anyone who tried to steal her brother away should be killed!
...But her brother hadn’t been taken away, so why did she feel the need to kill those people? Just because someone coveted her brother, should she kill them?
No, she couldn’t do that... Maybe, she should wait until her brother was taken away, and then kill them?
...Would her brother be taken away? If her brother was taken, was he still her brother?... No, that’s not right. Her brother would never leave her; a brother who left her would no longer be her brother.
If he was no longer her brother... then why, why should she kill anyone... who, who exactly... should she kill...
Her head hurt so much.
Why couldn’t she figure it out?
Who, who exactly should she kill?... Who exactly should she kill to quench the growing hatred inside her heart!
"Jiaojiao? Jiaojiao?"
Han Yi called out to her, over and over.
Han Jiaojiao came to her senses, feeling as if she had awoken from a big dream. It seemed that for a moment, she had not been herself.
Perhaps because they were both Superpower Users with Mental Induction abilities, Han Yi and Hong Yun were exceptionally sensitive to the emotions of those around them. Not only did Han Yi look at her, but Hong Yun also watched over her with concern.
Han Jiaojiao managed a forced smile and said to Han Yi, "Brother, I’m fine. It might be because it’s stuffy in here, the air is bad... It’s uncomfortable after a while. Let’s get out of here quickly."
Han Yi looked at her worriedly for a while, then raised his head to signal Yan Xiao with a look.
Yan Xiao got the message and sauntered to the maintenance room on the side of the wall. Without even opening the door, he raised his hand and blasted out a ball of fierce fire!
The roaring flames immediately melted the door and enveloped the entire room! The twisted, deformed monster inside didn’t even have time to let out a scream before it was swallowed by Yan Xiao’s flames.
Professor Ke was ashen-faced with a look of grief and anger, "You, you..."
The researchers behind him also had expressions of regret.
Han Yi sneered, "What, does the professor wish to carve off a few pounds of flesh to take back?"
Who could guarantee that the Empress’s body didn’t carry that scent? Of course, he wanted to destroy it completely.
Professor Ke was furious, not expecting that they would directly burn it. They didn’t even plan to leave the body behind!
Han Yi didn’t want to waste any more time on Professor Ke. He felt that Han Jiaojiao was not in good shape and was getting somewhat impatient. He turned and led his group towards the stairwell—
On Han Yi’s side were five people, Zhu Changfu’s side had seven, and with Hong Yun’s team, their rescue squad totaled just over forty people. There were nineteen researchers, about half the size of the rescue team, and since they had been trapped here for several days, all were haggard and physically weakened, unable to participate in combat.
The safest approach was to quickly get these defenseless people into the military armored truck outside.
Han Yi gathered all the Fire Type Superpower Users together. As soon as the Superpower Users with strength abilities moved the cars blocking the exit, at his command, flames converged into a long dragon and surged outside!
The high temperature instantly melted over a dozen Alien Species that were trying to invade, while the remaining ones were deterred by the flames, scattering in panic.
Hong Yun called for two Ice Type Superpower Users to cool down the surroundings. Otherwise, just stepping on it would melt the shoes. Fire Ability’s burning temperature was extremely high, especially Yan Xiao’s; his ability’s temperature probably neared two thousand degrees, causing extensive collapse and damage to the walls and cement floor, which were still emitting smoke.
The dispersing Alien Species still lingered in every corner of the repair shop, waiting for people to exit the underground, ready to lunge again, only to be stopped by an invisible force at the perimeter.
Han Jiaojiao clasped Han Yi’s hand tightly, looking up at him worriedly. Seeing that his complexion had improved compared to before, she felt relieved. It might also be because there were not as many Alien Species as before, now surrounding them were only about forty to fifty, and many of them bore scars from being burned by the flames, their attacks less frenzied than before, reducing the pressure on Han Yi considerably.
Hong Yun methodically arranged for personnel to board the vehicle and provide cover. Only after everyone was on board did Han Yi retract the protective barrier and lead Han Jiaojiao into the vehicle.
Finally emerging from the gloomy and stuffy repair shop and seeing the sunlight outside, everyone’s heart lightened. Even though a few Alien Species followed them out of the repair shop, they were able to handle them calmly, no longer in a panic.
Hong Yun leaned out and fired two shots at the pursuing Alien Species. Seeing the ugly black-green body struck and rolling off to the side of the road, she retracted her gun.
The sun was slanting westward, and the sunset was as bloody as fresh blood. Han Yi’s SUV overtook them from behind, and when Hong Yun saw Han Jiaojiao’s profile, her porcelain skin took on a faint pink blush in the afterglow of the sunset.
Hong Yun’s heart skipped a beat.
Before she could grasp that unusual emotion, Han Yi’s car had already moved ahead.
