"Here's the situation."
The Sea People leader Hua Li explained, "Our Flower Clothes Group is in the intermediary and asset protection business, so we deal with many groups. Before the viral outbreak, a merchant approached us and hoarded a large amount of medical supplies through us, including masks, antiviral drugs, anticoagulants, hormones, and ECMO—which is also known as an artificial lung..."
"After the A2 virus spread on a large scale, we realized this merchant must know some insider information; they stocked up on medication specifically for A2-infected patients. Selling these supplies when they are scarce could fetch at least five times the price."
"Under normal circumstances, we'd respect customer privacy and not inquire further. The Flower Clothes Group relies on staying out of trouble and minding our own business to gain recognition and cooperation from various groups."
"Who knew without us contacting him, he'd come to us instead."
Hua Li said softly, "This person is a Bone Man merchant named Lin Hao, not very well-known. Lin Hao was introduced and vouched for by another group, found us, and then took out 50,000 Light Seeds to hoard these medical supplies, commissioning us to purchase from various places."
"Afterward, instead of commissioning us to sell, he sought us out to continue cooperation. He wanted to visit you, hoping we'd introduce him, but I refused. You can't just meet anyone, especially when this person is still of unknown background."
"But now the virus is getting worse... it struck me as strange. Hence, I used the contact information he left and met him at a ruin."
Sea People paused and said, "That Lin Hao is different from other Bone Men, wearing airtight clothes, wrapping himself up tightly."
"Lin Hao claims he knows who's behind the virus and is willing to tell you, but hopes you can protect his life. Because if this matter gets leaked, perhaps only you in this world can keep him safe."
"No matter how I pressed, he wouldn't reveal anything more."
Zhou Yi fell into deep thought.
An unknown Bone Man merchant, who knew of the viral outbreak in advance, hoarding supplies but not selling, using the Flower Clothes Group to curry favor with... it seems this person indeed knows something, and casually taking out 50,000 Light Seeds surely isn't an ordinary figure.
Zhou Yi asked, "Can you locate him?"
Hua Li nodded, "There's a way to contact him, but he changes the meeting place every time."
"Invite him to Jade City."
A visitor arrived outside Jade City 3101.
"Mr. Zhou, finally meeting you, I've been waiting for this opportunity for a long time."
The visitor spoke with utmost politeness.
Zhou Yi scrutinized the person before him.
Just as Hua Li described, Lin Hao wore a long-sleeved shirt and pants, with a fitted trench coat on the outside, covering him thoroughly. He wore a newsboy hat on his head, a black mask on his face, and a pair of large sunglasses above.
He emitted a red glow, ranking at B-level.
Lin Hao took off the hat and mask, revealing the skull underneath.
Unlike ordinary Bone Men, several irregular Heavenly People Gems were embedded among his bones, resembling some peculiar skeletal hyperplasia.
Zhou Yi immediately recalled.
Former number three deputy Wu Ye had once mentioned, number seven secretly crafted a type of Crystal Bone People in 404 City.
"Are you from Verne?"
The counterpart showed no surprise, instead revealing a delighted expression, "As expected of Mr. Zhou, knowing even the secrets of 404 City. It seems finding you was correct; your power can keep me alive."
"Sit down and talk slowly."
Zhou Yi gestured with his hand, "Want something to drink?"
"If possible, do you have liquid Methane?"
Zhou Yi snapped his fingers.
Yuan Xiao went out for a moment and returned with a stainless-steel metal can.
This was one of the setups for researching Heavenly People Gems. The Gemstone Body needs liquid Methane as a body fluid to enhance flow lubrication and reduce wear, following the physiological maintenance method of the Heavenly People.
Lin Hao took the metal can, unscrewed it, and the liquid inside rapidly vaporized, producing a large amount of white mist. He leaned his head towards the mouth of the can, inhaling as much as possible.
"Hiss—very refreshing, the Methane purity is very high, thank you."
The Bone Man exhaled a puff of white gas.
He put down the metal can and said, "As you mentioned, I came from 404 City, one of the Crystal Bone People cultivated and transformed by Lord Verne."
"My mission is to enter the outside world and collect bones."
"However, as a Crystal Bone Man, possessing a stronger physiological structure than normal Bone Men—due to partial structure transformation via Heavenly People Gems—but also with one limitation."
"Which is, within each of us lies a crystal skull crafted by Lord Verne. It watches our every move and records everything, leaving no privacy; all actions upon our return to 404 will be extracted by the crystal skull, and Lord Verne will know what we did..."
The Bone Man pointed inside his chest cavity.
Only then did Zhou Yi notice a transparent skull beneath his ribs.
But this skull is much smaller than a human skull, resembling more of a bird's bone.
"It's remodeled from the skull of a Red-eyed Vulture."
Lin Hao pointed to the small skull, "Their skulls are small and rigid, possessing excellent recording capabilities. They're fixed within us, serving as monitors for every Crystal Bone Person."
Zhou Yi carefully observed the bird skull within him.
The crystal skull was crystal clear, with more than sixty percent being crystal structure, leaving only the beak and rear part in bony state.
"Why doesn't he change you all completely into gemstone structure?"
Lin Hao said, "Because if the entire body was replaced thoroughly with gemstones, it would no longer be Bone Men, but Gem People. That seems infeasible."
"Lord Verne needs us to function as Bone Men, adding gemstone structures only allows certain degree fusion with gemstones, leveraging its charge and strength."
"Therefore, our bodies must remain over fifty percent bone, while certain parts undergo transformation to gemstone bodies, interwoven with bone shape, to prevent us from disassembling ourselves."
Zhou Yi said nonchalantly, "Verne is an agent of the Heavenly People, you betray him to join me, understand the consequences?"
"I have no other choice."
The Bone Man sighed, "I really don't want to return to 404 City, digging in the eternal underground darkness, under constant transformation and surveillance, without orders, never able to leave."
"Actually, not only I, other Crystal Bone People harbor similar thoughts; who wants a life of utter freedom deprivation? We are called Crystal Bone People, supposedly 404 City's prison guards, but essentially, we are also incarcerated in that enormous prison. No different from the other prisoners."
"In the past, we had no options since escaping was impossible, lacking a place to shelter outside."
"But upon hearing about the Wasteland Development Company, your Mars and Moon development plans, if you would, you could arrange for me to hide over there... thus, I resolved to take a gamble, hoping for your shelter."
"If the company can take me in, I'll do anything. I've heard the Wasteland Development Company's employee benefits are great, with ample holidays, even possible to refuse business trips... these are things I've dreamed of."
Zhou Yi calmly looked at the Bone Man before him, "So you deliberately approached the Flower Clothes Group, linking through the Sea People Gang to find me?"
Lin Hao nodded, "I didn't dare come directly because I only have this one chance. If rejected, I'd be in despair, inevitably discovered by 404 City's investigators, leading to a runaway, and subsequently caught back by them."
"So I had to ensure the meeting with you before coming."
Zhou Yixin thought, it's good for him as well.
Even prison guards from 404 City came seeking refuge.
This indicates the company's strength and recognition by various groups.
Moreover, the company benefits seem deeply entrenched, contributing to Lin Hao's decision to come over.
Zhou Yi said, "Since you're prepared to join our company, introduce your skills and see if they meet our company's criteria."
"While I personally sympathize with your experience, the company hires according to its guidelines, not randomly recruiting someone; there are procedures."
The Bone Man heard this and was stunned, but he honestly said, "I'm Lin Hao, the zero Crystal Bone Man, the first transformed Crystal Bone Man. I specialize in underground excavation and mineral collection and analysis..."
"Previously, I mainly excavated the mantle, analyzed various energy components from underground substances, and conducted some bone research and experiments, possessing relatively extensive gemstone technology."
"In subsequent Crystal Bone Men transformation, I was also a main assistant, with over 100 years of experience in both areas."
"Additionally, I managed 404 City prisoners for a brief period, around 10 years, then was transferred for full-time underground excavation."
"Oh, and I'm one of 404 City's seven main drivers..."
Zhou Yi slapped the table, pointing at him, "You're hired!" Google seaʀᴄh novel(ꜰ)ire.net
Lin Hao was stunned for a moment, but then elated, "You're ready to take me in? Thank you, thank you so much!"
He bowed repeatedly, his excitement overflowed.
Zhou Yi also felt a wave of joy inside.
This guy is one of 404 City's core technical members!
This marks the company's exemplary reputation and growing influence, attracting talent from adversary camps!