Gu Ning didn't even need to think to understand what the so-called additional terms were.The Byrons Chamber of Commerce and the Supernatural Group were fierce competitors in the psionic medicine sector, with considerable overlap in their business operations.As a fugitive experimental subject from the Supernatural Group, Gu Ning naturally held significant research value, so the additional terms most likely meant agreeing to cooperate with the Balance School's research.To the Balance School, Gu Ning's worth as an experimental subject far outweighed his value as a strengthened elite tank-class professional.That was exactly why Gu Ning refused.
Having been rebuffed by Gu Ning's words, Bratton could only smile awkwardly, inwardly cursing himself for acting so high and mighty earlier.
"Captain Li... do I have to join the military?" Gu Ning double-checked.Though he was somewhat reluctant to join the military—fearing it would restrict his freedom—he knew he had to compromise in the face of the real threat posed by the Supernatural Group.
Li Ling gave Gu Ning a curious look. "If you want to enlist, you'll need to pass political vetting and a moral review. Even though there's more leeway for Awakened individuals, it's not something that can happen just like that."
From Li Ling's words, Gu Ning deduced something: Shen Ce Army wasn't the official Awakened forces of Huaxia, but rather a semi-military organization with a military background that recruited outstanding Awakened individuals. It likely included core members (active-duty military) and guest members (civilians).
"I'm willing to join, but I want a formal contract," Gu Ning said.
"Of course." Li Ling agreed without hesitation and immediately instructed a staffer to prepare the contract.
Gu Ning's request for a formal contract was a precaution. When investigating the Byrons Chamber of Commerce, he'd also looked into its partners—one of which was Datang Group.Though Datang Group was involved in psionic medicine, its role was primarily upstream, supplying large quantities of raw materials from the psionic realm. There was little conflict between Datang, Byrons, and the Supernatural Group; in fact, they often cooperated and maintained good relations.Gu Ning had to guard against the possibility that Shen Ce Army's plan was just to pacify him for now, while secretly calling in the Super Star Alliance to capture him.
By signing a formal contract to join Shen Ce Army, he would officially be one of them. If Shen Ce Army were to betray their own and sell him out, who else would trust or stay in such an organization?
Li Ling worked efficiently. In less than ten minutes, two copies of the contract were laid before him.
Gu Ning read the contract carefully. The terms weren't particularly generous, but there were no hidden traps either. Without further hesitation, he picked up the pen and signed his name.
"Congratulations. We're colleagues now. I hope you'll hold yourself to high standards, strive for strength, and join the ranks soon to become a true comrade-in-arms."Li Ling's tone turned formal as she extended her hand.
Gu Ning shook it, thinking to himself: Forget it—I'm really not planning to become a soldier anytime soon.
...
In the army-green jeep, Gu Ning and Li Ling both sat in the backseat.From Gu Ning's angle, he could see a patch of pale skin through the gap between the buttons straining across Li Ling's white blouse.He quickly averted his gaze, fixing his eyes on the back of the driver's head.
"The first thing we need to do is get the Jiangnan Garrison Bureau to cancel your record. I'll give it a try."As she spoke, Li Ling had already pulled out her phone and made two calls in quick succession.
The cancellation didn't go smoothly. Since Li Ling was from the military, she wasn't in the same system as the local garrison. In fact, the Jiangnan Garrison Bureau had closer ties to the Supernatural Group.Of course, faced with the pressure from Shen Ce Army, the Garrison Bureau didn't dare defy them outright, so they chose to play it safe.
"Let's go to Jiangnan Base City."Li Ling put down her phone and explained briefly to Gu Ning, "The Jiangnan Garrison Bureau has proposed a civil mediation. You'll need to meet with the Supernatural Group's representatives for it. I'll go with you."
Naturally, Gu Ning agreed.After all, he'd already signed the contract—and in front of the Byrons inspection team, no less. With such witnesses, his membership in Shen Ce Army was indisputable. No one could deny it.Li Ling wouldn't betray Gu Ning; if word got out, Shen Ce Army's cohesion would crumble.
...
Jiangnan Base City, Garrison Bureau, Mediation Hall.At the long conference table sat three parties: the Jiangnan Garrison Bureau, the Supernatural Group's representatives, and Gu Ning with Li Ling.
The young man across from Gu Ning wore a tailored suit. Beneath his gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze was cold and menacing, locked onto Gu Ning.
You really hate me that much? Gu Ning thought. Is it worth it? You're just a corporate lackey, and yet so loyal to the capitalists?
Just then, the head of the police section introduced him."This is Wu Chen, secretary to the president of the Supernatural Group. He's also the second son of Chairman Wu Yongxin. His personal appearance here shows the group's sincerity in resolving this issue."
Ah, so he's the capitalist himself, Gu Ning realized. That explained a lot.
Wu Chen gave a cold snort. "We signed an agreement. We invested a vial of precious Evolution Source Blood in experimental subject Gu Ning—750 milliliters of Haichimu additive solution, not to mention other rare auxiliary medicines and expert fees. And the result? The subject disobeyed orders and fled to the psionic realm with valuable artifacts. This is blatant breach of contract!"
Of course, Wu Chen didn't mention the second vial of Evolution Source Blood that Gu Ning had taken in the Flesh Plague: Origin Plane—since that happened in the psionic realm, beyond the reach of earthly law.
"So, what's the Supernatural Group's demand?"
Wu Chen stared at him. "That he honor the agreement and return to the Supernatural Private Hospital to cooperate with our experiments!"
Gu Ning instantly recognized his voice—the one who had raged at him during the hospital incident, trying to force him to abandon his trial.
"I remember the agreement we signed—it was a 'clinical treatment agreement,' wasn't it?" Gu Ning said calmly. "As a patient receiving trial treatment, I entered Supernatural Private Hospital for free treatment of my congenital heart disease. The group collected clinical data on the medication—that's what the agreement covered."
After a brief pause, he continued, "I'm grateful to the hospital for curing my heart disease. Now I'm healthy, and your trial was successful. Isn't that a win-win?"I don't see where I breached the contract. If you want my post-treatment data, no problem—I can get tested at any public hospital and give you the results for free."
"You took the Evolution Source Blood!" Wu Chen said through gritted teeth. "We want it back!"
"That was the 'special medicine' that cured my heart disease, right?"Gu Ning remained composed. "The agreement stated the treatment was free. I've never heard of taking back medicine from a cured patient just because it was expensive."
Wu Chen faltered. The crux of the issue was that the contract wasn't for experimentation—it was for clinical treatment!The agreement covered their liability if Gu Ning died from side effects, required him to accept the source blood and integrate it, and even stipulated that his body would be donated to the hospital if he died.But it didn't say what to do if he lived and recovered!
In normal circumstances, as Gu Ning said, the patient survives, the company gets its data, and mass production begins.The problem was, the so-called "special medicine"—the Evolution Source Blood—was a unique psionic artifact that couldn't be mass-produced.
The group's real plan hadn't been to cure Gu Ning. It was to remove the source blood after success, freeze him, and use him as a mother body for producing "Source Blood Reagents."
Gu Ning gave the final blow: "Do you have any scholars here responsible for this project? Could they tell me the condition of the first three subjects?"
"That's irrelevant to this case!" Wu Chen said.
"No, it's very relevant," Gu Ning replied coolly. "Those three weren't as compatible as I was. They mutated during the experiment, and once the source blood was removed, they died. Your so-called special medicine has an extremely high fatality rate. I risked my life to take part."Now that I survived, you want to take the source blood out of me, which would cause irreversible harm or death. Officers of the Garrison Bureau, is that fair or reasonable?"
Gu Ning's words rang true, leaving the Supernatural Group's people with no rebuttal. Wu Chen tried bringing up the prior hacking of the hospital systems, but that was a dead end.
By the end of the debate, even the officers recording the proceedings were giving Gu Ning looks of approval.
Without Li Ling's backing, no matter how reasonable his arguments, Gu Ning wouldn't have dared to come here and speak.Dignity comes at the edge of the sword; truth lives within the range of the cannon. No matter how eloquent, one needs strength behind the words!
Li Ling looked at Gu Ning with admiration. Eloquence, after all, was a vital skill for exploring the psionic realms.
She had been ready to apply pressure, but now it wasn't even necessary.
In the end, the Jiangnan Garrison Bureau ruled: Gu Ning's record was cleared, and the Supernatural Group's accusation of "stealing a valuable psionic artifact" was unfounded!