The majestic castle stood like a giant beast in the desert.
When Qiao Ying opened her eyes again, she found herself locked in a large black iron cage. Her slender wrists and ankles were shackled with electronic handcuffs, and thick iron chains completely confined her in the cage.
The drugs made her feel weak all over.
With her legs too limp to support herself, she was suspended by the chains on her wrists, which had left large red marks that were painful to see.
What met her eyes was a huge laboratory filled with equipment and instruments, enclosed by copper walls and iron doors. Researchers in white coats were busy with the instruments.
- This was the underground space of the castle.
And Qiao Ying was all too familiar with the scene before her eyes - in her previous life, she had been one of the research subjects in a laboratory like this.
Only the laboratory in Nanyang specifically built for her had gone down to hell with her.
And now, she seemed to have become a lab rat again - the iron chains on her wrists at least made her look like one.
A few people were standing right in front of the cage.
Qiao Ying weakly turned her gaze towards them.
The first thing she saw was a wrist wrapped in chains. Without even looking at his face, Qiao Ying knew who was standing before her.
The master of the castle - Meihua Q had finally dared to show himself.
Qiao Ying struggled to lift her drooping head and looked at him.
Meihua Q was the youngest of the old fellows.
In his forties, his lifelong martial arts training made him look younger and stronger than others his age.
The slender chain wrapped around his wrist wasn't some accessory but his weapon.
A lethal blade that drew blood hung from the end of the chain.
"You're really smart to have found the secret chamber and opened it." The control room hidden inside the secret chamber contained the switch to open the doors to this underground lab.
Besides him, Qiao Ying was the second person to open the secret chamber, seemingly quite familiar with his habits.
"What a pity, too clever for your own good, only to be foiled by your cleverness in the end."
Qiao Ying weakly tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Yes...too clever by half." Her eyes under the veil of long hair were meaningful.
Though it sounded self-deprecating, Meihua Q did not detect the subtext in Qiao Ying's words.
But even if he had, he wouldn't take it seriously.
Given Qiao Ying's current predicament, he didn't believe she could escape under his nose, even if she had three heads and six arms.
"I have to say I'm really fortunate. Whatever I lack, it gets delivered right to my door. Even rare human genes."
Hearing the words "human genes", Moon Shadow standing behind Meihua Q subtly glanced at the person in front.
"Blood Shadow died, I've always felt it a great pity. She was my proudest and most perfect creation, without compare."
If Blood Shadow hadn't become too powerful to remain under their control, they really wouldn't have borne to let their favorite child meet her end in Nanyang.
No matter how many more Blood Shadows there were after her, none could replace the original.
Qiao Ying looked derisively at Meihua Q shedding crocodile tears.
"I'm no longer curious about the relationship between you and Blood Shadow. She's dead, and you've fallen into my hands."
At this time, several people in white coats walked over.
The electronic lock on the iron cage could only be opened by Meihua Q's iris.
Meihua Q used his iris to open the cage and let one of the researchers in to draw some blood from Qiao Ying.
Then he took out a syringe containing yellow liquid and injected it into Qiao Ying's arm.
Qiao Ying's limbs went limp again just as she was starting to recover some strength.
"You want to avenge Blood Shadow, so I'll use your genes to make you forever loyal to the Dark Shadow she hated, strengthening the Dark Shadow."
"This is the first time we meet. JOKER said your abilities match Blood Shadow's. So I really look forward to the results."
"I look forward to you becoming a new sharp sword in my hands."
Meihua Q's eyes held an almost mad anticipation.
He ordered the researcher in white: "Suspend your current work. She is now the most important gene subject in the entire lab."
"I want you to extract 100% of her genes within three months. I want to see the latest data in two days."
Leaving these words behind, Meihua Q took one last satisfied look at Qiao Ying before turning to leave.
Moon Shadow glanced at Qiao Ying in the iron cage, as well as this lab he was seeing and entering for the first time.
Then he followed Meihua Q.
Back on the ground floor, a subordinate came to report: "Sir, the radar and signals have been restored. The car outside has left too."
"Mm," Meihua Q acknowledged before heading upstairs.
Moon Shadow spoke as he followed behind: "Sir, are you extracting her genes to clone her?"
Instead of answering, Meihua Q asked in return: "Are you interested?"
Moon Shadow said: "I've only heard of this technology, but this is the first time seeing it. Is she the first test subject?"
Meihua Q was very cautious. "What do you want to know?"
Moon Shadow: "Nothing really. I was just thinking, Blood Shadow's genes were so powerful, did you not extract hers? If you did, perhaps you and the other Sir, as well as Dusk Shadow and the others wouldn't have died."
Meihua Q: "Blood Shadow was my most beloved and proudest child. How could I bear to harm her?"
Having said this, Meihua Q suddenly turned and looked at Moon Shadow: "If I had known it would turn out like this, perhaps I should have been more ruthless back then. Now Old K, Old A, Blade Shadow and the others are dead. The Dark Shadow has suffered heavy losses and is already declining." He lamented.
Moon Shadow: "The Dark Shadow will not decline. Aren't you cloning her to strengthen the Dark Shadow? I believe the Dark Shadow will quickly become powerful again."
Meihua Q: "That's far from enough. So Moon Shadow, are you willing to contribute your strength to the Dark Shadow?"
At this moment, Moon Shadow recalled Qiao Ying's words in the car: [The Dark Shadow has suffered heavy personnel losses. There will soon be another 'failed mission' Blood Shadow, including you.]
Moon Shadow nodded: "My life belongs to the Dark Shadow. I am willing to obey any orders from the Dark Shadow, including giving my life."
Meihua Q nodded in satisfaction and patted Moon Shadow's shoulder encouragingly: "With you saying this, I can rest assured."
He then grieved again: "The Dark Shadow invested so much into Blood Shadow, only for her to repay kindness with enmity in the end. Let's not mention her anymore."
Moon Shadow continued following him: "Should we inform JOKER and the other Sir to come?"
Meihua Q: "I'll contact them later."
Moon Shadow: "Sir, that girl's abilities match Blood Shadow's and she is extremely cunning. Should I go down to keep an eye on her?"
Meihua Q: "Go ahead, I'll open the door for you."
Moon Shadow immediately turned back and returned to the first floor, standing in front of a concealed door waiting for Meihua Q to open it from the control room on the second floor...
When Moon Shadow returned to the underground lab, two more machines had been added to the iron cage. The researchers were connecting the machines to Qiao Ying's brain.
At this moment, Qiao Ying was completely reduced to an object for their research.
As Moon Shadow looked at the still youthful face, Qiao Ying's face overlapped with Blood Shadow's in his eyes.
For a moment, it was as if he saw Blood Shadow instead of Qiao Ying locked in the cage, about to be researched.
The majestic castle stood like a giant beast in the desert.
When Qiao Ying opened her eyes again, she found herself locked in a large black iron cage. Her slender wrists and ankles were shackled with electronic handcuffs, and thick iron chains completely confined her in the cage.
The drugs made her feel weak all over.
With her legs too limp to support herself, she was suspended by the chains on her wrists, which had left large red marks that were painful to see.
What met her eyes was a huge laboratory filled with equipment and instruments, enclosed by copper walls and iron doors. Researchers in white coats were busy with the instruments.
- This was the underground space of the castle.
And Qiao Ying was all too familiar with the scene before her eyes - in her previous life, she had been one of the research subjects in a laboratory like this.
Only the laboratory in Nanyang specifically built for her had gone down to hell with her.
And now, she seemed to have become a lab rat again - the iron chains on her wrists at least made her look like one.
A few people were standing right in front of the cage.
Qiao Ying weakly turned her gaze towards them.
The first thing she saw was a wrist wrapped in chains. Without even looking at his face, Qiao Ying knew who was standing before her.
The master of the castle - Meihua Q had finally dared to show himself.
Qiao Ying struggled to lift her drooping head and looked at him.
Meihua Q was the youngest of the old fellows.
In his forties, his lifelong martial arts training made him look younger and stronger than others his age.
The slender chain wrapped around his wrist wasn't some accessory but his weapon.
A lethal blade that drew blood hung from the end of the chain.
"You're really smart to have found the secret chamber and opened it." The control room hidden inside the secret chamber contained the switch to open the doors to this underground lab.
Besides him, Qiao Ying was the second person to open the secret chamber, seemingly quite familiar with his habits.
"What a pity, too clever for your own good, only to be foiled by your cleverness in the end."
Qiao Ying weakly tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Yes...too clever by half." Her eyes under the veil of long hair were meaningful.
Though it sounded self-deprecating, Meihua Q did not detect the subtext in Qiao Ying's words.
But even if he had, he wouldn't take it seriously.
Given Qiao Ying's current predicament, he didn't believe she could escape under his nose, even if she had three heads and six arms.
"I have to say I'm really fortunate. Whatever I lack, it gets delivered right to my door. Even rare human genes."
Hearing the words "human genes", Moon Shadow standing behind Meihua Q subtly glanced at the person in front.
"Blood Shadow died, I've always felt it a great pity. She was my proudest and most perfect creation, without compare."
If Blood Shadow hadn't become too powerful to remain under their control, they really wouldn't have borne to let their favorite child meet her end in Nanyang.
No matter how many more Blood Shadows there were after her, none could replace the original.
Qiao Ying looked derisively at Meihua Q shedding crocodile tears.
"I'm no longer curious about the relationship between you and Blood Shadow. She's dead, and you've fallen into my hands."
At this time, several people in white coats walked over.
The electronic lock on the iron cage could only be opened by Meihua Q's iris.
Meihua Q used his iris to open the cage and let one of the researchers in to draw some blood from Qiao Ying.
Then he took out a syringe containing yellow liquid and injected it into Qiao Ying's arm.
Qiao Ying's limbs went limp again just as she was starting to recover some strength.
"You want to avenge Blood Shadow, so I'll use your genes to make you forever loyal to the Dark Shadow she hated, strengthening the Dark Shadow."
"This is the first time we meet. JOKER said your abilities match Blood Shadow's. So I really look forward to the results."
"I look forward to you becoming a new sharp sword in my hands."
Meihua Q's eyes held an almost mad anticipation.
He ordered the researcher in white: "Suspend your current work. She is now the most important gene subject in the entire lab."
"I want you to extract 100% of her genes within three months. I want to see the latest data in two days."
Leaving these words behind, Meihua Q took one last satisfied look at Qiao Ying before turning to leave.
Moon Shadow glanced at Qiao Ying in the iron cage, as well as this lab he was seeing and entering for the first time.
Then he followed Meihua Q.
Back on the ground floor, a subordinate came to report: "Sir, the radar and signals have been restored. The car outside has left too."
"Mm," Meihua Q acknowledged before heading upstairs.
Moon Shadow spoke as he followed behind: "Sir, are you extracting her genes to clone her?"
Instead of answering, Meihua Q asked in return: "Are you interested?"
Moon Shadow said: "I've only heard of this technology, but this is the first time seeing it. Is she the first test subject?"
Meihua Q was very cautious. "What do you want to know?"
Moon Shadow: "Nothing really. I was just thinking, Blood Shadow's genes were so powerful, did you not extract hers? If you did, perhaps you and the other Sir, as well as Dusk Shadow and the others wouldn't have died."
Meihua Q: "Blood Shadow was my most beloved and proudest child. How could I bear to harm her?"
Having said this, Meihua Q suddenly turned and looked at Moon Shadow: "If I had known it would turn out like this, perhaps I should have been more ruthless back then. Now Old K, Old A, Blade Shadow and the others are dead. The Dark Shadow has suffered heavy losses and is already declining." He lamented.
Moon Shadow: "The Dark Shadow will not decline. Aren't you cloning her to strengthen the Dark Shadow? I believe the Dark Shadow will quickly become powerful again."
Meihua Q: "That's far from enough. So Moon Shadow, are you willing to contribute your strength to the Dark Shadow?"
At this moment, Moon Shadow recalled Qiao Ying's words in the car: [The Dark Shadow has suffered heavy personnel losses. There will soon be another 'failed mission' Blood Shadow, including you.]
Moon Shadow nodded: "My life belongs to the Dark Shadow. I am willing to obey any orders from the Dark Shadow, including giving my life."
Meihua Q nodded in satisfaction and patted Moon Shadow's shoulder encouragingly: "With you saying this, I can rest assured."
He then grieved again: "The Dark Shadow invested so much into Blood Shadow, only for her to repay kindness with enmity in the end. Let's not mention her anymore."
Moon Shadow continued following him: "Should we inform JOKER and the other Sir to come?"
Meihua Q: "I'll contact them later."
Moon Shadow: "Sir, that girl's abilities match Blood Shadow's and she is extremely cunning. Should I go down to keep an eye on her?"
Meihua Q: "Go ahead, I'll open the door for you."
Moon Shadow immediately turned back and returned to the first floor, standing in front of a concealed door waiting for Meihua Q to open it from the control room on the second floor...
When Moon Shadow returned to the underground lab, two more machines had been added to the iron cage. The researchers were connecting the machines to Qiao Ying's brain.
At this moment, Qiao Ying was completely reduced to an object for their research.
As Moon Shadow looked at the still youthful face, Qiao Ying's face overlapped with Blood Shadow's in his eyes.
For a moment, it was as if he saw Blood Shadow instead of Qiao Ying locked in the cage, about to be researched.
