Chapter 29: Beset by the Virus

After carefully reviewing the case files, Captain Zheng could not help but harbor suspicions that the batch of KC-20 kinetic energy canisters missing from the Southwest Academy of Sciences was inextricably linked to the street-racing gangs. However, Yao Kui’s condition had shown no signs of improvement, and his physical state was dire, making it inappropriate to question him at this time.

He looked at Zhong Hao, the captain of the Special Police Investigation Division, and asked sternly, "Who do you think is most capable of obtaining such rare energy materials?"

Zhong Hao analyzed the situation clearly: "In my opinion, we must start investigating the facility from which they were stolen to see if they were targeted by thieves. Furthermore, we cannot overlook the vehicle maintenance and installation shops. Based on the evidence at the accident site, Yao Kui’s 'Soul-Severer' vehicle was equipped with a special propulsion device powered by KC-20 kinetic canisters, which are available only at the Icy Sealed Experimental Station. Additionally, I’ve heard that Meng Yang and Gu Dajun from 'Smart-Build Auto Shop' were the ones who helped modify his vehicle..."

Zhong Hao paused, his expression turning grave. "What's more, the Yao family has been searching for them everywhere since the accident, but the two have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace."

Zheng Hongwei nodded slightly, pondering to himself. If the Yao family’s resources and connections couldn't find them, they were clearly not ordinary individuals. It seemed unrealistic to expect a breakthrough from them in the short term. After careful deliberation, he decided to assign Zhong Hao to investigate the individuals associated with the "Empty-Run" racing circuit.

"The situation is complex," he told Zhong Hao. "Send a few of your best men to infiltrate the scene and investigate covertly. Be cautious and do not alert the suspects."

Zheng decided to visit the Southwest Academy of Sciences himself to gain a deeper understanding of the theft of the KC-20 material. Upon learning of the situation, Director Lin Yizhou realized the gravity of the matter; this material was critical for the large-scale physics experiments the Academy of Sciences was preparing to launch in the glacial regions.

To provide a comprehensive and accurate account to Zheng Hongwei, Director Lin summoned Professor Su Chunyang from the Icy Sealed Experimental Station and Wu Xiong, the logistics chief of the Southwest Academy of Sciences.

Professor Su looked grave and hurriedly distanced himself, "The theft occurred before the material reached our station. It has nothing to do with us."

Wu Xiong chimed in, "The loss occurred during transit; it has nothing to do with the Southwest Academy of Sciences. In my view, this is just a common theft."

Captain Zheng’s brow furrowed deeper as he listened. He sensed that the situation was far more complex than imagined. He stated that this was no ordinary case and likely involved a deeper conspiracy, as the stolen items were specialized energy devices, not common goods. Director Lin assured him that they would conduct a thorough internal investigation and report to the police as soon as any leads emerged.

Meanwhile, after countless failed treatments, Yao Kui had grown completely despondent. Standing before a mirror, he looked at his haggard reflection—his sparse hair was brittle, his skin as pale as paper. Though only in his thirties, he looked like a man in his fifties or sixties, a zombie-like shell of his former self. His life was fading at an alarming rate.

Despair washed over him like a tide, and thoughts of suicide began to take root. Once the idea surfaced, it grew like wild weeds. He began to contemplate how to end his suffering: should he slit his wrists, jump from a building, or take pills? Each thought was a sharp blade piercing his heart, yet he felt that only death could offer an escape from this endless torment.

***

Yao Kui picked up a knife, ready to end it all.

His bodyguard, Duan Jinhu, happened to walk into the room. Catching sight of Yao Kui about to take his own life, his heart skipped a beat, and his scalp went numb. Without a second thought, he lunged forward like an arrow, his powerful arms snatching the gleaming dagger from Yao Kui’s hand. "Brother Kui, you mustn't! If you’re gone, how are your brothers supposed to go on?"

"I'm already a ghost of a man; what is the point of living?" Yao Kui’s face twisted in despair, his voice filled with a desolate, helpless tone, as if he had been abandoned by the entire world.

Duan Jinhu, desperate to comfort him, racked his brain. "Brother Kui, don't lose hope! I heard from my coach that alchemy can help one regain their youth. Why don't we try the ancient arts of alchemy? There might be a chance for a turnaround!"

These words were like a ray of light piercing Yao Kui’s dark world. His eyes lit up. *Of course.* Ancient emperors were always searching for alchemists to grant them immortality and eternal youth. "What coach? What exactly did he say?"

Duan Jinhu hesitated, his eyes darting away. "It’s my coach from Wudang Mountain, but..."

"But what? Speak!" Yao Kui urged, his anxiety mounting.

"It’s just that my coach doesn't know how..." Duan Jinhu gritted his teeth. "Only Daoist Li Xuanqing of the Wudang Mountain Golden Summit is versed in these arts, but we aren't exactly on good terms with him..."

Yao Kui waved his hand dismissively. "That’s easy. As long as we offer enough money, do you think he can refuse?"

"It’s not like that; he doesn't care for money," Duan Jinhu said, shaking his head helplessly.

"Then what does he value?" Yao Kui asked, clinging to this final straw.

"He values people," Duan Jinhu whispered, afraid of being overheard.

Yao Kui fell silent for a moment, but the fire of survival burned stronger than ever. He resolved to prepare a lavish gift and personally travel to Wudang Mountain to seek a cure. He collected himself and asked, "Have those two, Meng Yang and what's-his-name, been found?"

"Not yet," Duan Jinhu admitted, his voice tinged with guilt.

Yao Kui sneered, a glint of resentment in his eyes. "I’ve always suspected they were bribed to tamper with my car."

Duan Jinhu waved his hands. "That shouldn't be, Brother Kui. The benefits they got from you were better than anything they could get elsewhere."

Yao Kui shook his head, still deeply suspicious. "Then why are they hiding? Can they have traveled through time and space to escape?"

***

"I think they're just afraid," Duan Jinhu speculated, though he felt uneasy himself. The whole affair was undeniably bizarre.

Yao Kui paced back and forth, his brow knotted as he recalled the accident. He remembered that his "Soul-Severer" had multiple safety systems to prevent accidents, yet not one had activated. Even the electronic and mechanical fail-safes had remained completely unresponsive.

*Could it be that in an attempt to increase speed, the KC-20 device was engaged before the cooling system had warmed up, causing the machinery to exceed its RPM limit?* Even so, that shouldn't have caused a complete crash. He felt as though his car had been struck by something invisible while he was circling his opponent, causing a total loss of control.

*Was I hit by a missile? Impossible! Who would waste their time attacking us? Aliens? That’s even more absurd!*

The more he thought, the more suspicious he became. "Could it be that the batch of KC-20 fuel canisters from the Southwest Academy of Sciences was defective? Was there something hidden inside? Otherwise, how could I have contracted this damned 'Halaha Virus'?"

A flash of fear crossed his eyes as he remembered that the group who delivered the canisters had mentioned nothing about safety mechanisms.

Duan Jinhu offered a timely response: "Zheng Hongwei of the Southwest Special Police is still investigating those fuel canisters."

Yao Kui scoffed. "Let him be. The canisters are destroyed anyway; let them investigate as long as they want." He paused, then muttered, "If it were the canisters, wouldn't Meng Yang and the others have suffered as well? It must not be the canisters."

Seeing Yao Kui’s anxiety, Duan Jinhu suggested cautiously, "Brother Kui, your luck has been terrible lately. Should we hire a Feng Shui master to take a look? Maybe you’ve offended some unseen force."

The suggestion acted like a wake-up call. "Yes, yes! How could I have forgotten that! Before we go to Wudang Mountain, we must choose an auspicious day and visit Master Shen Xingyun to seek his guidance..."

In Yao Kui’s mind, Shen Xingyun was a god-like figure. He had accurately predicted that the asteroid Adis would not strike Earth in 2036, and he had prophesied that the East would rise to prominence in the 2040s as the Horn Star of the 28 Constellations crossed the ecliptic.

Yao Kui knew that China had become the world's recognized model of modern civilization and a beacon of intellectual influence, with many nations following its path of peaceful development. This momentum was like an unstoppable tidal wave.

Convinced that finding Shen Xingyun would grant him a rebirth, Yao Kui ordered Duan Jinhu and Du Yanxiang to make meticulous preparations for the visit, and he carefully wrote down his birth date and medical history on a scroll to present to the Master.