Chapter 165: I Know

Chapter 165: I Know

"How's Chen Huai’an’s condition?"

"Not great."

Xiang Xiaoyuan looked solemnly at Luo Haisheng, whose body was also inside a nutrient pod. Thanks to his incredible self-healing abilities, his body had already regenerated halfway.

"What do you mean, 'not great'?" Luo Haisheng frowned. "Didn't the brat’s legs already start growing back?"

He pointed at the dark red tissue sprouting from Chen Huai’an’s legs inside the pod. Though the rest of his body was still charred black, at least there was some hope.

"I don’t think you’ll want those legs to grow back," Xiang Xiaoyuan said, handing him a medical report.

Luo Haisheng took one look at it and his mind went blank.

The report showed that the new muscle tissue regenerating on Chen Huai’an’s body…

Was entirely made of demonic cancer cells.

So that raised a very serious question.

Once Chen Huai’an’s body fully regrew…

Would he still be Chen Huai’an?

Or would he become a fully-formed demonic tumor?

"...There’s a tree-like, high-density cluster of Spiritual Qi inside Chen Huai’an’s body. Unlike any Spiritual Qi we’ve encountered, it displays pure lightning attributes and cannot be extracted," Xiang Xiaoyuan explained as she handed Luo Haisheng another report.

"The Lightning Qi Cluster has preserved Chen Huai’an’s last remaining brain cells. Right now, it’s engaged in an all-out war against the demonic cancer cells inside his body. But it’s so aggressive that it’s burning itself out just as fast. Meanwhile, the demonic cancer cells are spreading too rapidly. Our simulation tests show two possible outcomes:

One— Both forces destroy each other, and Chen Huai’an’s brain explodes.

Two— The demonic cancer cells win, completely taking over his body."

Luo Haisheng clenched his jaw.

"No way. We can’t let the Demonic Dragon devour Chen Huai’an."

"Is there any way to slow down the cancer’s growth?" he asked. "What if we pull Chen Huai’an out of the nutrient pod?"

"That would indeed slow the growth," Xiang Xiaoyuan admitted, "but it would also starve the Lightning Qi Cells to death."

Luo Haisheng fell silent, staring at the unrecognizable young man inside the pod.

Chen Huai’an saved him.

Saved the Demon Slayer Bureau.

Saved Tianfu District.

Saved all of C-Province.

And yet, the hero was now lying here, his body rotting away, being consumed by a force he had no control over.

"...Back then, we swore we’d save him," Xiang Xiaoyuan whispered, lowering her head. "But looking at him now… it feels like we were just talking out of our asses."

"No. There’s still one way."

Xiang Xiaoyuan’s head snapped up in shock.

Luo Haisheng grabbed the edge of the nutrient pod, his charred fingers crushing the metal casing beneath his grip.

"I’ll use my cancer cells," he said.

Xiang Xiaoyuan’s pupils contracted. "Wait—you mean—?"

"My ability is cellular assimilation," Luo Haisheng explained. "My cancer cells are fundamentally the same as the Demonic Dragon’s. The only difference is that mine lack Dragon Qi—so they never became demonic or gained independent thought.

But—I am still the dominant mind. I can command my cancer cells to treat the demonic ones as enemies—turning them into a kind of targeted medicine. Plus, they have incredibly high reproduction rates."

Xiang Xiaoyuan’s breath hitched. "But how do you know your cancer cells won’t override Chen Huai’an’s consciousness?"

Luo Haisheng smirked.

"That’s easy. Put me in a biological pod and use the Neural Bridge to separate my consciousness from my body. Then my cells can go into Chen Huai’an as reinforcements.

That way, the demonic cancer loses its growth advantage."

Xiang Xiaoyuan hesitated.

"But… our technology still can’t safely store a detached consciousness."

Luo Haisheng’s smirk didn’t waver.

"I know."

"If we do this, you’ll die."

"I know."

Xiang Xiaoyuan looked at him with complicated emotions.

From a practical standpoint, Chen Huai’an’s potential and strength far outweighed Luo Haisheng’s.

So, from a logical standpoint, his proposal would pass immediately.

The only people who wouldn’t accept it…

Were his friends.

Luo Haisheng suddenly punched his hospital bed, letting out a bitter chuckle.

"I was supposed to die at the feet of the Corpse King, as a hero.

"But then this damn brat stole my thunder. And I’m pissed."

His gaze turned teasing as he grinned at Xiang Xiaoyuan.

"Xiaoyuan… think about it. If I sacrifice myself to save Chen Huai’an, that brat will worship me like a father for the rest of his life.

Having such a powerful son…?

That sounds f*ing amazing.**"

Xiang Xiaoyuan laughed through her tears.

Then she wiped her face and turned away.

"...You should talk less. You’re really ruining your image as a Bureau Chief."

"Hah! That’s exactly what that brat said!" Luo Haisheng bellowed in laughter.

…

The plan was approved immediately.

Luo Haisheng lay calmly inside the biological pod, the Neural Bridge connecting him to the adjacent pod where Chen Huai’an lay.

"Chief Luo, the procedure is about to begin. Do you have any last requests?"

Xiang Xiaoyuan’s eyes were red, her voice choked with emotion as she gave him a final salute.

"...Light me a cigarette."

Luo Haisheng exhaled slowly.

"F***ing hell, I lived for decades and that was my one vice.

Might as well enjoy my last one."

Xiang Xiaoyuan silently pulled out his favorite cigarette, lit it, and placed it between his lips.

"Oh, and—" Luo Haisheng suddenly reached into his pocket and tossed her a badge.

"I always wanted that brat to join my team.

I even made him a badge—just like Triple Zero got one.

But I guess… there won’t be a chance anymore.

So just give it to him as a keepsake."

Xiang Xiaoyuan held the badge tightly.

"Stop looking so damn miserable." Luo Haisheng grinned.

"Now hurry the f*** up.

We can’t let that brat lie around too long.

He might get a cold ass."

She nodded.

The biological pod’s lid closed.

The surgery room doors sealed shut.

The red warning lights flashed.

…

C-Province Demon Slayer Bureau.

In the conference room, tensions ran high.

"Captain Zhao, C-Province really caused quite a stir this time," an old man sneered.

"You borrowed our Soul Pursuit Compass. Now that your business is done, shouldn’t you return it?"

Zhao Ying’s lips pressed into a thin line.

"The Soul Pursuit Compass was destroyed."

"With a monster like the Corpse King, what did you expect? It shattered like a toy. But we’ll compensate you."

"Oh? That’s great!" The old man smirked. "Then hand over the Corpse King’s remains as payment."

Zhao Ying’s eyes darkened.

She knew these people were looking for trouble.

But before she could speak—

A lazy voice cut through the air.

"Who the hell said I’m a corpse?"

Everyone turned.

A tall young man leaned against the doorway, his hospital gown slightly disheveled.

Lightning crackled in his sharp, narrow eyes.

Chen Huai’an smirked, locking eyes with the elder seated in the center.

"Old man, you’ve lived a long life…"

He chuckled coldly.

"You really wanna die now?"

…