ATDIWR Chapter 16
by VolareSong Pengcheng usually felt something after drinking the water Tang Tang gave him, but this time he drank it for nothing, it had no effect at all.
Song Pengcheng thought that ultimately Tang Tang’s healing-type ability was too low, and it seemed he still needed to find a way to quickly increase Tang Tang’s ability level.
Tang Tang and Song Pengcheng were completely absorbed in their performance on the side, while the other Power Users in the treatment room rolled their eyes.
A relatively seriously injured Power User said, “Miss Tang Tang, my injuries are also very serious. Since Mr. Song Pengcheng doesn’t need you, could you treat my injuries first? I am the same level as you, both Tier 1 early-stage Power Users. Your treatment will definitely be useful for me.”
“Sorry,” Tang Tang said, full of apology. “I just consumed my ability treating Brother Pengcheng, and I can’t use it again now. A few days ago, I exhausted my ability treating Brother Chen, and continuous ability depletion is very harmful to me. I’m afraid it will take a long time to recover this time.”
The questioning Power User rolled a huge eye roll and muttered softly, “When it really counts, she’s completely useless. What’s the point of the Base supporting Power Users like this!”
Not long after, Chen Chen arrived, dragging his sick body. Seeing a room full of Power Users, none of whom looked like they had been treated, he was about to ask Tang Tang what was going on when he heard the Power User who had just asked Tang Tang for treatment complain, “Commander Chen, our Base provides so much material every month to support Miss Tang, not for her to eat for free every day. This time, so many of us are injured. Miss Tang knew her low level wasn’t enough, but she still treated Song Pengcheng first, exceeding her level.
If she could have healed Song Pengcheng, that would be one thing. After all, it’s saving people, saving the severely injured first and then us who are relatively less injured is understandable. But the result is, the person wasn’t healed, it was completely ineffective, and her ability was exhausted, so she can no longer treat us.
We know Miss Tang and Song Pengcheng have a good personal relationship, but even with a good personal relationship, public matters are public, and private matters are private. Such disregard for the distinction between public and private is simply too disheartening for us.”
Chen Chen looked at Tang Tang with a serious expression, his eyes scanning her and Song Pengcheng, clearly suspicious.
“Tang, what’s going on? Explain yourself?”
“I’m sorry, Brother Chen, it’s all my fault. I saw Brother Pengcheng was so severely injured and might die immediately if not treated, so I was too anxious. For a moment, I didn’t think about anything else and treated him first. I won’t do this again.” Tang Tang said, tears glistening in her eyes, and bowed deeply to the Power User who had spoken.
“I promise, I won’t make this mistake again next time.”
Tang Tang’s appearance was truly wronged and pathetic, like a frail white flower swaying in the wind, seemingly bullied and forced.
Song Pengcheng couldn’t stand it anymore and said, “Can’t you stop bullying people like this? Tang Tang didn’t do it on purpose, she just wanted to save someone out of kindness. She receives a salary issued by the Base, not given by each of you individually, so why can’t she save me first! Besides, I’m a Tier 2 peak Power User, higher level than all of you. When there’s trouble and effort is needed, I contribute the most. What’s wrong with saving me first!”
These words completely enraged everyone in the treatment room. Even those Power Users who hadn’t spoken up were now angry.
“Bullshit! Tang Tang receives a salary issued by the Base, but why would the Base give her a salary for nothing? Isn’t it so she can help treat us when we’re injured?”
“Exactly. We were injured this time on a mission outside the Base with the commander, not injured on private missions. So why shouldn’t she treat our injuries?”
“If she won’t treat the injuries, then spit out all the salary the Base has paid her over the years!”
Seeing that she had incurred public anger and couldn’t get away with just a few light words, Tang Tang resorted to her old trick. She covered her face and sobbed, large tears falling, and rushed out of the treatment room covering her face. “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault, please don’t argue over me anymore.”
“Tang Tang, Tang Tang!” Song Pengcheng wanted to chase after her, but this time he couldn’t move. His injuries were too severe, he couldn’t even get up.
Despite this, Song Pengcheng still laid down a harsh threat, “All of you, just you wait! If anything happens to Tang Tang, I won’t let you off!”
That Tier 1 Power User was also tough and immediately said, “Come on, come right now! Let’s see who’s afraid of whom!”
Song Pengcheng couldn’t even get up, how could he fight?
Chen Chen and a few lightly injured Power Users quickly pulled the people apart. Song Pengcheng was breathing heavily like a beast, furious. That Tier 1 Power User, after receiving his medicine, was dragged away by a friend. When they came out, the friend said, “You know what kind of person Song Pengcheng is, don’t you? He hates evil like fire, and he’s Commander Chen’s confidant. Aren’t you afraid he’ll take revenge on you when he’s better?”
As the wind blew, his agitated mind calmed down a lot, but that Tier 1 Power User still stubbornly said, “Who’s afraid of whom? Song Pengcheng is injured like that, without a healing-type Power User to treat him, just relying on these ordinary wound medicines, whether he’ll recover, whether he’ll have hidden complications is uncertain. Besides, Chen Chen is so partial and unreasonable, how many people in the Base have issues with him? Who knows how many more days he can hold that position.”
“Shh! Are you crazy? Saying these things, if you want to die, don’t drag me down!” The friend said, “Don’t say anymore. Didn’t Commander Chen say that Tang Tang was wrong this time and fined her one month’s salary?”
“Just one month?” The Tier 1 Power User muttered, “What’s that enough for?”
“Commander Chen was affected by Ji An’s mental suggestion. It’s hard to say if he can advance in the future. Whether he can still sit securely in the Base Commander’s position is another matter…”
Ultimately, they didn’t dare to say anything more and left.
Unlike the storm at the third Base, Ji An had now arrived at the gates of the Jing Shi Base.
The city walls of the Jing Shi Base were very imposing, standing two or three meters high, built with large, whole stones, likely the work of Power Users. A ring of electric netting was also set up on top of the walls, occasionally spitting out frightening sparks with crackling sounds, twenty-four hours a day without interruption.
Wan Xueying smiled and introduced, “Although our city walls aren’t very high, they are protected by an electric net. This layer of electric net covers our entire Jing Shi Base and is currently the most extensive electric net coverage globally.”
Wan Xueying spoke of these things with pride and a sense of shared glory, “This layer of electric net provides twenty-four hour protection. Whether it’s a Power User or an ordinary person, anyone who attempts to climb into the city using their abilities from the wall will be electrocuted into a pile of charcoal by this electric net.”
Kong Zhongcheng followed with a laugh, “So, if you want to leave the city in the future, definitely don’t climb the wall. Remember to use the city gates.”
The gate guards clearly recognized their vehicle and saluted them from a distance, shouting loudly, “Welcome back, Commander Gu, Deputy Commander Wan, Deputy Commander Kong, and everyone else! Welcome home safely, thank you for your hard work along the way!”
Gu Jinsheng, Wan Xueying, Kong Zhongcheng, and all the other Power Users returned a military salute.
Only then did the gate guards say as a matter of routine, “May the leaders please show your identification?”
Wan Xueying showed the identification. The gate guards verified the authenticity of the identification, while others inspected the vehicle.
There was only Ji An, a new face, in the vehicle. After Gu Jinsheng briefly explained Ji An’s identity and acted as Ji An’s guarantor for entering the city, the gate guard used the iPad in his hand to perform a simple registration. After collecting blood, fingerprints, and Ji An’s iris scan, the gate guard issued Ji An a card.
“This is a Base credit card, equivalent to a bank card before the Apocalypse. The credit points Mr. Ji An earns in the Base in the future will be deposited into this card.” The gate guard gave a brief introduction and then said, “Welcome Mr. Ji An to the Jing Shi Base. This will be your safest home harbor. We wish you a pleasant life and complete happiness in the future.”
“Thank you.” Ji An was already full of anticipation for his future life at the Jing Shi Base. The gate guard’s blessing touched Ji An’s heart, causing a slight flutter.
The car drove into the Base. All other vehicles returned to the Command Center, but only their vehicle drove into the Research Institute.
The old professors in the Research Institute had long since received the news and were waiting excitedly at the entrance, wanting to witness the precious experimental equipment firsthand.
Ji An released the experimental equipment. The researchers’ eyes lit up, and they even looked at Ji An with a little more favor.
“Well done!” A research staff member who looked like a leader walked out, patted Ji An on the shoulder, and said, “This batch of experimental equipment you’ve brought is of great use to the Base. Whatever requests you have, feel free to make them. We absolutely won’t let that kid Gu treat you unfairly.”
For a moment, Ji An didn’t react to who “that kid Gu” was. Only when he followed the old professor’s gaze did he realize the other person was looking at the cool-looking Gu Jinsheng.
Someone dared to call such a cold man “that kid Gu”!
That kid Gu had a cold face, expressionless.
Kong Zhongcheng loudly exclaimed, “Now that you’re registered with that researcher, you’ll have a good life from now on. That researcher is the head of researchers in our Base. His standards are very high, and he never praises people easily.”
Ji An wanted to pursue scientific research in the future, so building a good relationship with his future superior was important. Besides, Ji An himself extended his hand respectfully and said, “Professor Na, hello. My name is Ji An, I am a Mental-type Power User, and I will also be joining the laboratory in the future. Please give me lots of guidance.”
That professor’s name was Na Boyu. He shook Ji An’s hand back, patted his arm excitedly twice, and encouraged him, “Good, very good, very ambitious. The scientific research field always needs fresh blood like you to join.”
Although Na Boyu’s tone was excited, Ji An knew it was directed at the experimental equipment he had brought back. As for himself, whether the professor thought highly of him was another matter; it was mostly perfunctory, treating him as just an ordinary junior.
Ji An didn’t have any other thoughts. This was normal. Although he had sold a small research project before the Apocalypse, it wasn’t outstanding. There were too many people with research achievements; he was just an ordinary one among them. After the Apocalypse, he became even more inconspicuous. He hadn’t even been in contact with experimental research anymore, so it wasn’t strange that people didn’t pay attention to him.
Ji An always felt that if he hadn’t brought back the experimental equipment, perhaps these people wouldn’t have agreed to let him join the laboratory at all.
“Ji An!” Just then, a surprised voice came. Ji An looked in the direction of the sound and saw his old professor who had taught him in college. They were also the professor couple he had saved, and they were the ones who had given him the spatial necklace as a thank you gift.
The professor’s surname was Zhou, given name Zhou Fanxiu. Before the Apocalypse, he was a professor at Jing University and had participated in many scientific research experiments. He was a very remarkable person.
His wife was named Bai Na, a capable woman who didn’t yield to men, also a professor at Jing University and had participated in many experiments.
As soon as the two came out of the laboratory, they heard that a Tier 3 early-stage Power User had single-handedly retrieved a lot of precious experimental equipment. The two couldn’t wait and rushed over to see the experimental equipment.
“Professor Zhou, Teacher Bai.” Ji An stepped forward to greet them, his heart filled with joy, “It’s really great that you are safe and sound.”
Zhou Fanxiu and his wife Bai Na had barely changed. Both were energetic and looked like they were living well in the Base.
Zhou Fanxiu hugged Ji An, tears shimmering in his eyes, “Ji An, it’s so good to see you again. How have you been all these years? You’ve lost weight.”
Zhou Fanxiu looked Ji An up and down, very happy to see his former favorite student again.
The wrinkles around Zhou Fanxiu’s eyes and eyebrows deepened with laughter, “Good child. I heard before that someone single-handedly broke into a Zombie den and brought back a batch of precious experimental equipment. At that time, I was thinking which young person was so promising. I didn’t expect it to be you!”
Bai Na also said happily, “Old Zhou always liked you the most before. He often said you were his favorite student. Indeed, you haven’t failed his expectations. Even if you didn’t take the path of scientific research and made other choices, excellent people are still excellent!”
An ordinary person would inevitably blush when praised like this, but Ji An didn’t. He felt that what they said was just the truth.
Ji An even said, “Professor, I will be even more excellent in the future!”
Zhou Fanxiu probably thought Ji An would be modest for a couple of sentences, but he didn’t expect him to shamelessly praise himself. He was stunned for two seconds, then laughed heartily, “Good, ambitious! Young people should have such sharp ambition!”
“By the way, Ji An, what ability did you awaken? It’s really powerful that you can challenge above your level with a Tier 3 early-stage ability.” Bai Na sincerely admired him, “This kind of ability, only Gu Jinsheng in our Base can achieve it.”
“I awakened a Mental-type ability,” Ji An honestly said.
Zhou Fanxiu, Bai Na, and Na Boyu, who was looking at the experimental equipment, simultaneously gasped in cold air and said in disbelief, “How can a non-combat Mental-type ability that you awakened be so powerful?”
Ji An shook his head, “I don’t know.”
However, Tang Ning on the side said, “You don’t know, Mr. Ji wasn’t a Tier 3 Power User when we escaped. At that time, he was Tier 2. His ability was promoted during a battle in an underground Base.”
Tang Ning and Ji An had been together for so long and had even fought side-by-side many times. Ji An was afraid that Tang Ning wouldn’t know his true strength and would rely on him as a real big shot, so he told Tang Ning his true strength. Thus, Tang Ning knew.
The way the three of Zhou Fanxiu looked at Ji An changed, especially Zhou Fanxiu, whose smile disappeared and became very serious.
“You actually participated in combat with a Mental-type ability? Have you been living like this all these years?”
Ji An didn’t know why Zhou Fanxiu was so solemn, but he still nodded.
Zhou Fanxiu said, “Mental-type abilities are non-combat abilities. When comparing abilities of the same level, Mental-type Power Users are the weakest. Alone, they might not even be able to defeat Zombies of the same level. But you can challenge above your level and even successfully bring back these supplies. It’s clear that to achieve this kind of combat power, you must have participated in a lot of battles and trained yourself constantly.
For non-combat Power Users to reach the same combat power as combat-oriented ones, it absolutely cannot be achieved without ten million times the sweat.”
Tang Ning immediately echoed, “That’s really the case. Mr. Ji is truly very hardworking.
In the beginning, when he hadn’t awakened his ability, he joined the Power Users as an ordinary person and followed them to hunt evolved Zombies.
Later, he even joined teams of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Power Users to hunt high-level Zombies!”
Everyone present looked at Ji An differently. Ji An could feel the admiration and surprise in their eyes.