Next to X-27 Region is X-25 Region, Xiyang City.
Compared to the run-down small town of Yun City, Xiyang City, as the main city of X-25 Region, is much livelier.
During the afternoons and before dusk, people come and go in Xiyang City, and you can vaguely sense a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere reminiscent of the old times.
In this era where human life is worth less than that of a dog, Xiyang City can be considered one of the few cities that can make people feel warmth.
All of this is inseparable from the biggest financial conglomerate behind Xiyang City, Tianyu Group.
Tianyu Group has been in existence since the old times, starting in the medical industry. Even in the turbulent new era, Tianyu Group's medical business is still thriving.
There are a total of 47 regions in X Region, and each regional capital has a Tianyu Hospital.
The Tianyu Hospital located in Xiyang City is the second headquarters of Tianyu Group, with the first headquarters in Western Capital.
On this day, something seemed amiss in the atmosphere of the director's office in Xiyang City's Tianyu Hospital.
Several people were sitting in the office, each with a serious expression on their faces.
The director, with white hair, asked the people in front of him with great caution, "Have you found out? Why did the people from Black Fire come to us?"
One of the middle-aged men sitting below the director hesitated and said, "Director, could it be that you're being overly suspicious? Perhaps the people from Black Fire came here just to seek medical treatment?"
The director slowly said, "As soon as the people from Black Fire arrived, the thugs in Xiyang City started inquiring everywhere about the latest research and development projects of the group. Is this just a coincidence?"
Another person, holding his chin, questioned with doubt, "But Black Fire is a mercenary company. Why would they inquire about our research and development projects?"
The director narrowed his eyes and said, "In this period, medical resources will only become more and more precious. It's possible that the higher-ups of Black Fire have the idea of snatching our rice bowl..."
"Even if Black Fire has no interest in the medical field, they can still profit by obtaining our project information and passing it on to competing companies. We must be on guard!"
The middle-aged man who spoke earlier had a stern look on his face and suggested, "Why don't we have the security department take action?"
The director waved his hand and said, "No rush, let's wait and see for now. We shouldn't startle the snake by hitting the grass..."
...
Outside Xiyang City Hospital, across the street, in the parking lot.
Four people were sitting in a business car, three of whom were from Black Fire Mercenary Company, and the other was a private detective from Xiyang City.
They were having a low conversation inside the car, "Did you find out anything?"
"It's indeed true. I just managed to get some information. But we'll have to wait a little longer for the specifics."
"Don't beat around the bush. Just tell us how much money you need."
"I did run out of money, but the information really needs some more time. They are keeping it tightly under wraps. However, I did find out that they are working on a new project related to mechanical prosthetics!"
"Here's ten thousand for now. We'll come back in a couple of days."
"Alright, don't worry. I'll definitely have something for you in a couple of days!"
After that, the private detective in a black trench coat got out of the car, while the three Black Fire members drove away.
Once they confirmed that the Black Fire car had left, the private detective adjusted the collar of his trench coat, turned around, and entered a café behind him.
In a VIP private room, a private detective met his second client, the middle-aged man he had previously met with the director of Tianyu Hospital.
As soon as the detective entered, the middle-aged man asked, "Lao Yao, how is it going?"
Lao Yao, referred to as "Lao Yao" by the middle-aged man, sat across from him and remained silent.
The middle-aged man adjusted his glasses and pushed a bulging envelope towards Lao Yao.
"50,000 yuan."
Lao Yao lowered his head and whispered, "50,000 yuan, but it can only buy so much."
The middle-aged man frowned, "What do you mean?"
Lao Yao replied, "I mean, others are more generous than you. Do you understand?"
A trace of annoyance appeared on the middle-aged man's face. He took out another envelope from behind, suppressing his anger, and said, "Another 50,000, a total of 100,000."
"Hmm..."
Only then did Lao Yao slowly pick up the two envelopes in front of him. As he looked at the contents inside, he said slowly, "It's true that the other party is targeting you and trying to gather information about your latest research and development project."
The middle-aged man took a deep breath and asked, "What did you tell them?"
Lao Yao put away the two envelopes and said, "I only revealed some unimportant information, the kind that the grassroots staff of your hospital already knows. After all, I quite like the atmosphere of life in Xiyang City."
Saying that, Lao Yao adjusted his overcoat and continued, "I also have another piece of information worth 100,000. Would you like to know?"
The middle-aged man looked at Lao Yao and asked coldly, "How do I know if that information is worth 100,000?"
"Someone has leaked your research and development information."
The middle-aged man's right eye twitched, "Who?!"
Lao Yao remained silent.
The middle-aged man turned around and took out two bulging envelopes from behind, placing them in front of Lao Yao.
Lao Yao smiled and said, "How much funding did your hospital director give you?"
The middle-aged man replied in a flat tone, "That's none of your concern. The hospital never lacks money, especially Tianyu Hospital."
"Yes!"
Lao Yao nodded and said, "A few days ago, a second-level mercenary from Black Fire was bitten by a mutant beast in the first-level pollution zone of District 27. He took the disability compensation given by Black Fire and used it to get a prosthetic limb."
"After getting the prosthetic limb, the combat power of that mercenary skyrocketed. In a single day, he defeated several first-level pollution zones. The higher-ups at Black Fire noticed this mercenary, captured him, and interrogated him about where he got the prosthetic limb. The mercenary said he got it from your hospital."
"That's impossible!"
As soon as Lao Yao finished speaking, the middle-aged man immediately refuted him, thinking that Lao Yao was talking nonsense.
Even the most advanced metal prosthetic limbs available today have limited assistance to humans. Achieving the same effect as a natural body already costs millions!
Prosthetic limbs like Black Fire's Iron Hand, which slightly enhance melee combat abilities, require tens of millions in expenses!
For a second-level mercenary from Black Fire, the maximum disability compensation reimbursement is only one million. What kind of prosthetic limb can he get?!
How is it possible for his combat power to increase so much in a single day?!
The middle-aged man looked at Lao Yao and said word by word, "Your intelligence is flawed. First, it's not possible to have such powerful prosthetic limbs; second, that person couldn't have gotten the prosthetic limb from our hospital."
However, Lao Yao merely lifted his eyelids slightly and glanced at him, saying, "I don't know if there are such powerful prosthetics. That's your area of expertise."
"What I know is that the mercenary mentioned two locations, and one of them is yours. Clearly, compared to the other answer given by the mercenary, the higher-ups at Black Fire are more inclined to believe your answer."
A sense of gravity rose in the middle-aged man's eyes. He was somewhat worried. Could it be that a rival had made a technological breakthrough?!
If that were the case, Tianyu Group would be in crisis!
The middle-aged man urgently asked, "Where is the other location?!"
Lao Yao calmly arranged the envelope in front of him and remained silent.
Just as the middle-aged man was about to retrieve something from his bag behind him, Lao Yao waved his hand and said, "Don't bother. I won't sell you the information contained in this message."
"Not sell?!"
The middle-aged man suppressed his anger and asked, "What do you mean?! Don't you want to make money?!"
Lao Yao stood up, stretched his neck, and smiled at the middle-aged man. "Rather than being an information broker, I'd like to experience what it feels like to be a person with abilities."
After speaking, Lao Yao collected his belongings and left directly.
...
Xiyang City, the road leading out of the city.
Three Black Fire operatives drove towards District 27. Suddenly, a thick fog rolled in, obscuring the once clear sky.
Variable weather was one of the major factors that contributed to the defeat of the old-era human military in direct conflicts with pollution-infested areas and exotic creatures in forbidden zones.
The Black Fire soldier driving the car slowed down, and the three people inside the vehicle remained calm. They chatted and laughed, even engaging in some slightly inappropriate jokes.
Suddenly, the three of them felt a violent jolt in the car. The driver exclaimed vigilantly, "Could something have crawled under our car?!"
"Don't panic, just keep driving. If it really is an exotic creature, it won't be able to withstand the high temperature under the car for long and will run away on its own."
"That's right. With the heavy fog on this deserted road, it's absolutely dangerous to stop the car! We must keep going!"
The driver nodded, gripping the steering wheel tightly and driving cautiously.
Inside the car, the three individuals couldn't see that underneath their vehicle, Xiao Wu was tightly clutching onto the chassis with a determined expression on his face.
"Third Brother, I will find out who ordered Iron Hand to kill you and avenge you!"