Chapter 251 Dementia
The atmosphere is not right.
Dad's tone sounded like he was making arrangements for his final arrangements.
Something was going to happen, Su Xia was keenly aware of it.
Dad is going to do something uncertain.
Lan Bafu also realized it, so he couldn't help but show a sad look.
During this period, Dad made them undergo devilish training and personally taught them how to make potions, all in preparation for his departure.
In this city, there is only one person who can make Dad leave——
The senior brother Gu An who was transformed into a monster.
but……
Gu An was at the deepest part of the underground of the Mechanical Clan’s base. That area was guarded personally by the Level 5 Big Boss Moser.
It is extremely difficult to rescue him.
Dad has been hiding his strength and operating in this city for many years. It is impossible that he is unaware of the situation. He has never taken any action in the past. Why would he suddenly take the risk tonight?
Did Mercer leave?
Just as Su Xia was thinking, a task that had been gray for a long time suddenly lit up in his taskbar.
[Mission: Abnormal Out of Control]
[The current task has reached the third stage]
[Mission Description: Under the Coral City Mechanical Clan base, the Mechanical Clan is trying to create a hybrid monster]
[Summary of the mission: Half an hour ago, the player Sijidao used multiple maps and the information sent back by the exploration team to successfully explore the correct route from Coral City to the Joint Camp. After presenting the route to the city lord Qi Lang, the personal mission "Coral Expedition·Mixed Battle" was triggered.]
[The Mechanical Tribe is about to attack the United Camp. In order to achieve the goal in one fell swoop, Mercer decides to lead the army himself.]
[In this battle, Mercer will release multiple hybrid monsters. Observe their combat performance]
【……】
[Task requirements: Notify the joint camp in advance to resolve this crisis]
[Task Rewards: Active Skill "Psychic Shield" x1; "Advanced Pharmacist Experience Book" x1; Random 4th-tier poison formula x2; Random 3rd-tier poison formula x5]
【……】
The Union camp was exposed.
Su Xia's long-term worries became a reality.
Fortunately, the joint camp is also in the southwestern mountainous area, far away from the surrounding cities. Even with the mobility of the mechanical race, it would take more than seventeen hours for a large force to get there starting from Coral City.
And these seventeen hours are the time to save lives.
It’s still not too late for Su Xia to rush over and inform them now.
However, this task does not seem to be that simple.
"Something's wrong."
Su Xia's mind was working rapidly.
The mission of abnormal out-of-control was caused by the appearance of Experiment No. 28 underground in the Mechanical Clan’s base.
Once Mercer leaves to attack the joint camp and loses his suppression, there is a high probability that Subject No. 28, who has been pretending to be asleep, will take action and look for a chance to break out of the laboratory.
The monster's strength, character, wisdom, etc. should not be underestimated.
The remaining Yu Tuo alone is likely to be no match for him.
If Yu Tuo cannot stop it, and the other protective measures of the laboratory cannot stop Monster No. 28, the situation will turn out to be like the scene that Su Xia saw at the beginning of the mission - the entire Coral City is swallowed up by the sea of insects that gushed out from the ground.
But the mission requirements only stated that Su Xia should notify the joint camp, but did not ask Su Xia to stop No. 28.
This shows that…
The task system determines that No. 28 cannot escape.
Why?
Could it be that the protection of the underground experimental area has been upgraded during this period?
Or, besides Mercer, are there other equally powerful members of the Mechanical Clan in that area who can suppress Monster No. 28?
After being wanted by the Zero Point Tavern, Su Xia could no longer use the underground safe room. He also hadn't found any other suitable place to use the red crystal recently, and had no idea about the situation in the experimental area.
"Su Xia, come with me to the second floor." Dad's voice interrupted Su Xia's thoughts.
He had said everything he needed to say to Hong Bafu and Lan Bafu. They still had to walk their own path in the future.
Now, only the youngest apprentice is left.
Su Xia looked at his father, saw his old and cloudy eyes, and nodded slightly.
"OK."
He immediately stood up and followed his father's slightly hunched body, walking up the faded mahogany stairs step by step to the second floor.
Downstairs, Hong Bafu looked at the two figures, touched his head, and muttered: "What can't be said here? Does the teacher think that Brother Su is talented and smart, and decide to pass on the real skills to him? Let him inherit the mantle of the master of medicine?"
This guy is usually a little smart, but today he didn't react.
On the second floor, Dad's room.
Normally, the disciples are not allowed to enter this room.
Standing at the door and taking a look, the room was very messy. The corners were filled with various pharmaceutical materials, the shelves around were filled with bottles and jars, and a huge laboratory table was placed in the center.
Dad walked to the bedside table, opened the drawer, took out a bunch of old keys, handed them to Su Xia and said, "Here."
Su Xia was startled, knowing that it was the key to the drug store's front door, basement, storage room and other areas. Taking it meant that he had temporarily become the owner of the store.
In that drawer, there was a thick stack of real estate transfer contracts. Dad had already signed them and was just waiting for Su Xia to sign them.
Anyone could see that Dad had little confidence in this operation.
"Teacher, the time is not right yet." Su Xia had a complicated expression. He did not take the key and whispered to his father, "The situation below may not be ideal."
“This is the only chance.”
Dad shook his head and pressed the key bunch hard into Su Xia's hand.
Those old hands were rough and covered with calluses from years of wear and tear, but they were very powerful.
Feeling the coldness of the keychain in her palm, Su Xia was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but said: "Teacher, actually I am..."
"I know."
The old man looked at him deeply and said softly, "Protect your two brothers."
Su Xia knew in her heart that her father had made up his mind.
His hair has long turned gray, and his back is no longer as straight as when he was young. His face is full of wrinkles, and his body is thin, like a candle in the wind, which may go out at any time.
For the elderly, the most precious thing is time.
He couldn't wait for the next chance.
Many people in the outside world don’t understand why such a master of alchemy would stay in Coral City, a small city in the barren southwest region.
At the beginning, Chang Yu and others from the North Wind Story Club expressed their gratitude that the master was willing to sell potions to them, otherwise they would not be able to save those people from the Scimitar Organization.
Only Su Xia knew that her father stayed here to find a chance to rescue the senior brother Gu An who was imprisoned by the mechanical clan.
The first disciple always has the deepest feelings.
Dad has no offspring, so perhaps he treated Gu An as a child. But now the child has caused a big trouble outside and the elders need to step in to solve the problem.
"Let's go, it's time to go down."
Dad patted Su Xia's shoulder lightly. His action was very natural, but Su Xia felt like there was something extra on his shoulder.
The heaviness of the mechanical race is like a mountain, pressing down on everyone, making it hard for them to breathe.
Su Xia clenched the key in her hand, her eyes focused, she took a deep breath, and made up her mind that she must do something tonight.
He couldn't let his father face unknown dangers alone.
But if he wanted to stay in the city to support his father, he couldn't go to notify the joint camp, and he had to ask someone else to go.
Thinking of this, Su Xia immediately took action, releasing a bunch of nanorobots and issuing orders.
【Go to the Zero Point Tavern】
【Find Yiyi】
【……】
After receiving the command, these tiny nanorobots began to move, leaving from the second-floor window, moving quickly in the night and darkness, and heading towards their destination along the alley.
The Zero Point Tavern is not far from the pharmacy and can be reached in more than ten minutes.
Su Xia put away the keys, feeling heavy-hearted, and followed her father down the stairs step by step, returning to the first floor.
The old man looked normal. He looked at the other two apprentices and said in an old voice, "I'm going to go out for a walk. Practice hard in the shop. Don't be lazy. You two guys just like to be lazy."
Hong Bafu hadn't realized what was about to happen yet. He just muttered, "How could that be..."
Lan Bafu's eyes turned red and he looked at Su Xia with anxiety and questioning in his eyes, hoping to get some clues from Su Xia.
Is Dad really leaving?
But Su Xia lowered her eyes slightly and said nothing, as if she didn't see Lan Bafu's gaze. She walked quietly to the door and said, "Teacher, be careful."
"Well, keep an eye on the shop. I'll be back later."
Dad nodded, walked out of the shop with his hands behind his back, and looked up towards the north of the city.
That direction is exactly the location of the mechanical clan’s base.
He took a step forward, ready to leave, but suddenly stopped and couldn't help but look back at his three disciples, as if he wanted to remember their appearance.
Lan Bafu's tears welled up in his eyes, his eyes were red, and he opened his mouth, wanting to call his father to stay, but found that his voice was hoarse and no sound came out.
He was poisoned, his tongue was numb and his mouth was unable to open.
Obviously, it was Su Xia who did it.
Not only was he unable to make a sound, he couldn't even move. His whole body was paralyzed. He couldn't even rush up to hug his father at this moment. He could only watch him leave.
Su Xia sighed softly, walked to Lan Bafu, held his shoulders, and nodded gently to her father.
This is a promise.
Even if Daddy really can't come back, Su Xia will do his best to protect his two brothers.
"good."
Dad looked relieved, turned around, took a step forward, and this time he really left.
It was a very chilly night and there were not many people on the street. Under the dim street lights, the old man tried to straighten his back, as if trying to regain some of the feeling of his youth.
His shadow gradually lengthened and faded away, disappearing into the depths of the dark night.
Su Xia sent out a group of nanorobots to follow his father. Once his father was in trouble, he would rush over immediately.
In the pharmacy, Su Xia took out an injection of antidote and gave it to Lan Bafu.
After a while, the paralysis in Lan Bafu's body began to subside.
He endured the discomfort of the medicine and tried to turn his head to look at Su Xia, his eyes red and his voice hoarse: "Su... Brother Su, is the teacher... is he gone?"
Hong Bafu, who was standing by, asked in surprise, "Of course the teacher left. It's not like he won't be back. What's wrong with your expression?"
Su Xia nodded, her expression the same as usual: "The teacher just went out for a walk. He asked me to go upstairs just now to tell me to deliver medicine to the rich area tomorrow."
“Really…really?”
Lan Bafu was stunned and somewhat shaken.
He asked, "Then why did you use poison on me just now?"
"With that look on your face, of course I have to stop you." Su Xia shrugged, "What else can I do? If you rush out, you'll be scolded. I can't let you ruin the teacher's mood for a walk."
“This, this… is also true.”
Lan Bafu is a meticulous guy, more sensitive than ordinary people, so he can sense that something is wrong.
But he lacked confidence.
Just as his father commented, he is timid and submissive in his life, always thinking of himself as the prisoner of his own destiny, and is too restrained in doing things, so he is always a step slow in making breakthroughs.
Su Xia could fool him with just a few words.
After dealing with this guy, Su Xia began to pay attention to the situation of the nanorobots in two directions.
At present, the condition of my father is still normal. He is walking leisurely on the street with his hands behind his back, just like an ordinary old man, and there is nothing abnormal.
On the other side, the nanorobot moved very quickly, turning left and right in the box and arrived at the door of the Midnight Tavern that Su Xia was familiar with.
[Has arrived at the midnight tavern]
Through the feedback from the small robot, Su Xia saw the situation inside the tavern.
“The atmosphere is not right.”
The ground floor of the pub should be very lively, but now it is deserted. There are only a few people drinking, and there is only one waiter behind the bar. It looks like the pub is going to go bankrupt.
“What’s going on here?”
Su Xia's heart moved. Could it be because of him?
He controlled the nanorobot, passed through the cold corridor, came to the elevator deep inside, slowly went down through the gap in the elevator, and came to the underground floor.
The situation underground is better than above ground and is about the same as usual.
In the hall, the tasks on the screen were still jumping, and many members were selecting suitable tasks.
There were a few small teams and individuals sitting scattered around on the chairs and sofas, all drinking and talking in low voices, and the atmosphere was normal.
However, Su Xia still felt a hint of oppressive atmosphere.
“It’s still not right.”
Everyone was a little reserved, not as relaxed as usual, and every member's body was tense.
Yiyi is still there behind the bar.
Compared with the past, there was a hint of sadness on his face. The wine glass was empty, but he was unaware of it. He stared at the dark red wine bottle and subconsciously brought the empty glass to his mouth.
His appearance made Su Xia even more certain that something must have happened in the tavern in the past few days.
"well……"
Noticing the empty wine glass, Yi Yi sighed silently.
He opened the bottle and tried to refill it.
But suddenly, a few tiny words on the label of the wine bottle in his hand changed.
Yi Yi was startled, but quickly controlled his expression and stared at the label carefully. The words on the label soon changed to -
Go to the wine cellar.
He said nothing and slowly put down the bottle.
These changing words were naturally composed of nanorobots controlled by Su Xia.
Although Yi Yi didn't know how Su Xia did it, he was very sure that Su Xia had returned, because Su Xia had demonstrated the same method on the night of rescuing the Scimitar organization.
He immediately stood up, took a bunch of keys, and said to the waiter beside him: "I'm going to the wine cellar. Keep an eye on the reception."
"OK."
The waiter was respectful and opened the small wooden door of the bar for Yiyi.
The expression on Yi Yi's face did not change as he walked out of the bar and headed deeper into the corridor.
On the way, he met a few men in black robes and black masks. They nodded to each other slightly, then passed each other, continued forward, turned a few corners, and came to an elevator entrance.
He remained silent, swiped his ID card at the elevator sensor, then walked into the elevator and slowly went down.
Soon, we arrived at the wine cellar.
"bite--"
The elevator door opened, but Yi Yi still didn't speak.
He turned on the light and walked towards the depths of the wine cellar at a leisurely pace, passing by the shelves where fine wines were stored. It took him about two minutes.
Yiyi stopped in front of a large wooden barrel storing brewed wine.
He took a wooden cup, turned the switch of the wooden barrel, took a small half cup of wine, put it to his nose and sniffed it, then whispered: "Tell me a name."
He was not sure whether it was Su Xia, so he asked this question.
Su Xia immediately controlled the nanorobots to form a name that both of them knew on the wooden cup in his hand.
【Wang Xiaoan】
This name belongs to a young man who has just turned eighteen.
The young man lived underground in the slums in the southern part of Coral City. Somewhere in the underground passage, there was a small hut built with iron and plastic.
That night in the slums, Su Xia was anxious to find Wu Jian's family, and met several family members of the Old North Wind organization on the way.
Wang Xiaoan is one of them.
Later, Su Xia asked Yi Yi to relocate Wu Jian's family, and also mentioned the names of several other people.
Only the two of them knew these names.
Yi Yi breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, "Mask, it's not time to come back yet. Someone is coming from headquarters."
[Is the situation very bad?]
The words on the cup changed and turned into a question.
"Yes, it's pretty bad." Yi Yi sighed, "Your friends, the members of the North Wind Story Club, have all been tortured by people from the headquarters."
【Are they injured?】
"No, it's more serious than being injured. Two of them have become demented."
