Ren Yuanhao was momentarily at a loss for words. Seeing the figures slowly approaching through the mist, carrying what looked like strange metal rods, their faces etched with apprehension, he remained silent.
"Hey, Number 137, if you don't speak, we'll assume you agree. Don't try to fight us. If you anger Dr. William, none of us will have it easy."
Ren Yuanhao, bewildered, simply allowed them to lead him into a black SUV. The vehicle traversed the undulating, winding mountain path. Yellow light sliced through the mist, mountain winds swirled, and the vapor coiled and rose. After a series of twists and turns, Ren Yuanhao found himself completely disoriented.
About half an hour later, Ren Yuanhao was escorted to the ruins of a church. After passing through a deep and dark underground passage, a sizable laboratory was revealed.
"You scoundrel! Good to have you back. Hey, how was it? Did you beat your so-called rival so badly he couldn't find his way home? Did you stuff him with excrement?"
Dr. William's gaze, like that of an art critic appraising a masterpiece, made Ren Yuanhao's skin crawl.
"What a pervert!"
Ren Yuanhao remained silent. He reasoned that saying too much would only lead to more trouble. He scanned his surroundings meaningfully. He observed bald men with pale complexions, their faces radiating focus and madness. Some were shaking strange liquids in red and green test tubes, while others were using extremely thin blades to dissect something. The laboratory was filled with peculiar apparatuses, from which green bubbles occasionally rose. Inside most of them were humans with closed eyes, though some contained ferocious animals like lions and tigers. Overall, the atmosphere was oppressive. This was, undoubtedly, a gathering place for lunatics and the site where gene modifications were conducted in Jiangcheng.
"What's wrong? Haven't seen this place for just one day, and you're already unfamiliar with it? Still, it's fine if you are. This laboratory will be completely decommissioned soon. Tonight, you will accompany me to the United States. Only there can your potential be fully unleashed."
Dr. William patted Ren Yuanhao's shoulder, then gestured to the dark, windowless basement. "I've been here for almost three years. Look at those things submerged in the culture dishes – they are all failures. But you are different. You are a unique existence."
William, oblivious to Ren Yuanhao's changing emotions, clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. He looked at each of the innocent lives lost, a wave of grief washing over him. He instinctively took two steps back.
"What's wrong?"
William, shrewd as he was, immediately detected a hint of something unusual in Ren Yuanhao's eyes.
"You people captured these individuals, didn't you?"
"Please refrain from using the word 'capture.' This is called 'dedication to the cause of genetic modification.' They are heroes, and they will be remembered by history."
William's righteous demeanor sent a shiver down Ren Yuanhao's spine.
"They had families, didn't they?"
Dr. William slowly turned his head, a flicker of unreadable malice in his eyes.
"Number 137, why are you suddenly concerned about these commoners at the bottom of the food chain? Without their contributions, you wouldn't have been able to utilize the Mandala gene strain."
Ren Yuanhao scoffed. "So, to achieve your goals, it's perfectly acceptable to sacrifice those you call the 'lower strata'?"
"Of course. Those who cannot adapt to the new environment are trash and will eventually be eliminated. But you are different. You have risen above them; you are the chosen one!"
Dr. William's tone was filled with immense pride, but in Ren Yuanhao's eyes, these ridiculous theories were merely symbols of plunder. He knew all too well the catastrophic disaster that would ensue if this so-called Mandala gene were perfected. The brightly lit underground laboratory now seemed like a twisted purgatory. Anyone sent here was, in the eyes of these madmen, merely an experimental subject. One could imagine the courage Jiangcheng must have possessed to venture here, to inject the Mandala gene, and to endure untold suffering to survive such a perilous experiment.
"Number 137, welcome to the God-Making Project. Once we arrive, you will be reborn. The world stage will soon open its curtains for you, and you are destined to write a legend on the stage of history!"
William was like a devout follower of God, executing divine pronouncements with frenzied piety. His tone was seductive and impassioned. Even some of the madmen turned their heads, offering William profound respect, demonstrating through their actions their willingness to offer their very hearts for the sake of genetic research.
"These madmen are too terrifying. I need to find a way to disrupt things." Ren Yuanhao thought to himself. At that moment, a message came from the communication monitoring station on the west side.
"Dr. William, we have established contact with the base. Level-one data is being transmitted and is expected to take four hours."
"Four hours. I can't wait to return to my homeland." William longed for the burgers there and the rum specially concocted with secret methods. He missed the sunset, which, as it slowly descended, cast a holy radiance, bathing the ancient fortress in a brilliant glow. The early moonlight, with its cool brilliance, carried a captivating chill. The feeling was utterly wonderful. Three years of underground research had made him almost forget what it was like to be alive and intoxicated by it.
"Do you have cigarettes?" Ren Yuanhao had already formulated a plan.
"We do, but as experiment subject 137, I believe nicotine can interfere with organ function. If it causes a butterfly effect, then..."
Before William could finish, Ren Yuanhao interrupted him. "I asked if you have cigarettes, not if I need to listen to your endless chatter!"
Dr. William's expression changed. The hand he had raised to pat the other's shoulder retracted sheepishly.
"What's gotten into you? Just because you got revenge, you think you can act recklessly? Let me tell you, Number 137, don't underestimate the Mandala gene. This thing is like a virus. It could erupt at any moment! If you want to die, keep talking back!"
Dr. William's cold eyes met his, his lips curling into a smile, a look of smug certainty, as if to say, 'I've got you trapped.'
*Slap!*
As soon as the words were spoken, Ren Yuanhao delivered a solid slap to Dr. William's face! The blow exploded like a firecracker. Dr. William's face immediately became red and swollen. What was even more humiliating was that he, who always prided himself on his dignity, had been utterly bested in front of his subordinate madmen!
"Fine! I see your wings have grown strong!"
"Apologies, my wings have indeed grown strong. What can you do about it?"
Ren Yuanhao touched his nose, a surge of secret delight coursing through him. He thought, "I absolutely love slapping people in the face, especially lunatics like you who disregard human life. It's even more satisfying!"