Chapter 40: Dividing Into Two Groups

“Tomorrow morning, we’ll split up. You go back alone and be careful when you look for your friend.”
“I know you two are safe together! Fat hero, don’t end up as a coward.”
“That’s right—though I’ve resigned, I used to be a hero among the paparazzi, so now I guess I’m a ‘dog hero.’” As Hu Guozheng spoke, he gestured dramatically with his hands and feet, making Zheng Shasha burst out laughing.
Du Bin snorted, “Some hero! I’m impressed you can say that with a straight face.”
“I don’t dare claim the title,” Hu replied.
As the first grey light of dawn crept in, the three of them crawled out of the cave and moved cautiously. Seeing everything was normal, they decided to split up.
“Are you really going to come with me?” Zheng Shasha asked.
Hu Guozheng nodded firmly, “I promised, and I won’t go back on my word.”
Du Bin darted out of the brush and called back, “I’m off! Take care, you two.”
“It’s you who needs to be careful! I’ve got the Azure Dragon Blade.”
“Yeah, right!” Du Bin was about to retort when suddenly, a terrifying scream echoed through the silent mountains. Hu Guozheng urged, “Hurry! If they surround us, we won’t be able to escape!”
Du Bin didn’t look back, sprinting downhill, while Hu Guozheng grabbed Zheng Shasha and dashed in another direction.
“He’s fast—I’m impressed,” Hu said.
“Hey! Don’t run so fast, I can’t keep up,” Zheng Shasha called, lagging behind. Hu Guozheng stopped to wait for her.
Du Bin, running at top speed, sensed movement nearby. Suddenly, several villagers burst from the trees on both sides, charging madly toward him. Startled, Du Bin dodged aside.
“This is bad! Stay in one spot for a moment and you’re surrounded.”
Scanning the area, Du Bin spotted a motorcycle lying on the ground not far away. He rushed over, saw the key in the ignition, and pressed the starter. The engine roared to life. Du Bin hopped on, twisted the throttle, and the bike shot forward.
He didn’t care if villagers blocked his path; he charged like a wild horse, breaking through the encirclement. Relief flooded him as he escaped.
Meanwhile, Hu Guozheng and Zheng Shasha also found themselves pursued by a mob of villagers. Luckily, Hu’s quick thinking allowed him to use his blade to chop down trees, slowing their pursuers.

“I can’t go on, I can’t go on. My legs are about to break.” Zheng Shasha clung weakly to a tree, panting heavily. She looked as disheveled as she was frightened—her face pale with terror.
“Shasha, hurry, or they’ll catch up!” Hu Guozheng covered their rear, offering comfort as he saw her condition.
He remembered seeing the place before, but unfamiliarity with the terrain made him uncertain. “Shasha, do you know the way? Why is it taking so long to find it?”
Shasha shook her head, focusing only on catching her breath. After a moment, she managed, “It should be close—I’ve only been here once before.”
Hu heard noises behind them and, resigned, began running again. Eventually, a large building appeared in the distance. Seeing it, Shasha cried out excitedly, “It’s here! Look, the research institute!”
“At last! If we hadn’t made it, I would have collapsed from exhaustion,” grumbled Hu Guozheng, eyeing the dilapidated structure and silently cursing the near-death ordeal for her sake.
“Let’s go inside.”
They hurried into the institute. Once inside, Hu checked their safety, then locked all windows and doors to keep the villagers out.
“This place is so chaotic—villagers must have been here. Looks like the researchers were attacked.” After securing everything, Hu went up to the second-floor conference room, surprised to see Shasha standing there.
“This place hasn’t been attacked. It’s the same as ever—nothing’s changed.”
“Nothing’s changed?” Hu grew more confused.
Shasha gazed at the books around her. “It’s been like this for over a decade. Aside from an occasional cleaning, no one ever comes here.”
“So, you’re not here to clean?” Hu’s forehead darkened with exasperation. Good grief! Nearly died, and she’s worried about cleaning?
Shasha didn’t answer, leading him to an office. The room was filled with books, stacks covering the desk, and a small chemical experiment set beside it.
“Nothing has changed here. It brings back memories, but I also hate those days.”
“What days?” Hu Guozheng was puzzled; he couldn’t understand what she meant.
“I didn’t come to sweep the floors. I came to pay tribute to my father.”
“To honor your father? Did he…die here at the institute?”
“He’s buried here. He spent his whole life working, rarely had time for my mother or me.” Shasha stroked a book on the desk, then opened a chemistry volume and read for a moment. With a bitter smile, she said, “I hated him—he didn’t even come to see my mother one last time after her fatal car accident.”

Hu Guozheng had no words, simply listening as she continued.
“I visited here a few times as a child. Every time, my father was absorbed in his research with colleagues. Perhaps I was immature, always fighting with him, but he died because of his work.”
“What kind of chemistry did he study?”
“Genetic research, I heard.”
“What was your father’s name?”
“Dr. Zheng Yuan. Do you think we’ll make it out alive?”
“I believe so. As long as there’s hope, we mustn’t give up easily. We should cherish life.” Hu Guozheng reflected that, among all the things he’d ever said, this was perhaps the wisest, and he nearly laughed at himself but managed to suppress it.
Shasha looked at him, seeing his unwavering gaze. “Why? Why are you so sure? We’re trapped here.”
“Trust me. We’ll leave safely.”
“Because I insisted on coming to the institute, I’ve dragged you into this mess. I’m sorry.” Her voice trembled with guilt.
“I chose to come with you willingly—don’t feel guilty.”
Meanwhile, Du Bin rode his motorcycle toward his destination. The main road was blocked, so he had to take a rough path—uneven, through woods and rocky terrain, slowing his progress.
After passing through the forest, Du Bin stopped. Ahead lay a small river several meters wide, and his palms grew sweaty as he surveyed the scene. There was no time to find another route; jumping across here was his only chance.
The terrain was elevated—he decided to risk it. Sounds from behind interrupted his thoughts, and Du Bin spun the bike around, then executed a deft turn to face the river again.
He took several deep breaths to steel himself, then gunned the engine. The bike surged forward, and at the right moment he lifted the front wheel. The motorcycle left the ground, flying toward the opposite bank.
Because the bike was heavy, Du Bin couldn’t control his landing properly. The front wheel touched down, but the rear lost its grip. Instantly, the bike and rider toppled into the water. Du Bin struggled desperately, but in panic he struck a rock and lost consciousness, drifting downstream.
At that moment, the pendant on his chest glowed, forming an invisible barrier around him, shielding him from the water. Though the necklace protected him, its power would not last forever.