Chapter 371: Medicine
Yuan Kongye regarded Zheng Yixian with a faint smile. “Oh? Test him? You mean to gauge his true potential?”
Zheng Yixian chuckled. “If he’s strong enough, we might consider recruiting him. Together, we could stand against the major bases.”
Yuan Kongye’s furrowed brow relaxed, her interest clearly piqued.
Zheng Yixian continued, “The major bases control all the critical resources in Tianhai City. Although our numbers are great, the Followers of the Snow God are severely resource-deprived.”
“The Blood Vine helps us obtain food through conversion, but it’s not a sustainable solution.”
“Take today, for example. We barely withstood the combined assault of Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases. If they hadn’t held back, unwilling to risk mutual destruction, we might not have survived.”
Zheng Yixian’s eyes gleamed. “We need allies—someone like us.”
After a moment of contemplation, Yuan Kongye nodded slowly. She saw the wisdom in his words.
She needed time. Time to grow stronger.
“Very well. Send the Grand Writ to test his strength.”
“If he proves capable of resisting the bases, Tianhai City’s balance of power may shift drastically.”
Inside the Shelter’s Medical Room
Zhou Ke’er, clad in a white lab coat, leaned over a microscope, meticulously examining a slide.
Zhang Yi lounged lazily against the counter behind her, his tone casual. “Well? Recognize this stuff?”
Zhou Ke’er was studying a stimulant Zhang Yi had acquired from Gao Yuan and his team.
The drug, capable of temporarily granting ordinary people Superhuman-like abilities, had left a deep impression on Zhang Yi.
Curious about its potential, he wanted to understand its properties—perhaps to use in emergencies or to counter it if encountered again.
Zhou Ke’er turned around, her expression thoughtful. “This is a military-grade stimulant, typically issued to soldiers in active combat zones. Its effects are powerful, drastically enhancing physical performance and keeping users awake for up to three days.”
She sighed. “I’ve seen similar compounds in my mentor’s lab, but this is the first time I’ve encountered it in use.”
“Compared to the stimulants I’ve used on you, this one is at least ten times stronger.”
“Of course, the side effects are equally severe.”
Zhang Yi’s curiosity deepened. “How severe?”
Zhou Ke’er smirked. “The drug works by accelerating metabolism and maximizing energy use. Essentially, it forces the body into overdrive.”
“After one use, losing ten pounds is common. Users experience intense muscle soreness, and recovery takes weeks for those in good health. As for the less fortunate…” She shrugged. “They might not survive the first dose.”
Zhang Yi chuckled. “Figures. No such thing as a free lunch. A drug that makes you stronger without drawbacks doesn’t exist, huh?”
Zhou Ke’er hesitated, then said thoughtfully, “Maybe not entirely.”
“Oh?” Zhang Yi’s interest sharpened. “There’s something like that?”
Zhou Ke’er nodded, then shook her head. “I’ve heard that the military once worked on a drug to enhance combat performance with minimal side effects.”
“While it couldn’t eliminate side effects entirely, it supposedly reduced them to negligible levels.”
“Naturally, such a drug would be outrageously expensive, which is why it never became standard issue.”
Zhang Yi considered this. “So, there’s a chance we might encounter it, though it’s unlikely. Good to know.”
He crossed his arms, muttering, “Technology is a dangerous game. Even ordinary people can’t be underestimated.”
Zhou Ke’er removed her gloves and prepared to clean her equipment. Zhang Yi struck up a new conversation.
“Ke’er, remember the rat poison I used back at Yuelu?”
“Hmm? Rat poison?” She glanced at him, puzzled. “You mean the one you used in Yuelu Residential Area? You still have that stuff?”
Zhang Yi’s smile turned sly. “Never know when it might come in handy. Better safe than sorry.”
He scratched his nose. “You said its lethal dose was 0.1 grams. What happens with smaller amounts?”
Though unsure of his intentions, Zhou Ke’er answered. “In tiny doses, the body’s detoxification processes can handle it without issue.”
“But if the dose is carefully controlled—around 5% of the lethal amount—it can accumulate and cause harm.”
“Would it kill someone?” Zhang Yi asked.
Zhou Ke’er shook her head. “Not immediately. That’s why it’s called a lethal dose, after all.”
She added, “However, repeated exposure would cause organ failure over time. Without treatment, it would eventually be fatal.”
She chuckled. “In today’s harsh conditions, where even minor ailments can be deadly, it’s practically a death sentence.”
Zhang Yi nodded. “Interesting. Makes sense.”
Zhou Ke’er eyed him playfully. “Got a rat problem?”
Zhang Yi’s grin grew more enigmatic. “Not in the shelter. But outside? Maybe.”
Zhou Ke’er shook her head. “Rats in this frozen wasteland? You must be imagining things.”
She paused. “Then again, who knows? Maybe some survived in the sewers.”
Rats, resilient in filthy environments, often outlived humans during disasters.
Zhang Yi shrugged. “Could be. If cats can mutate, why not rats? Maybe someday, rats will rule the planet. Who’s to say?”