Chapter 61 Doom (7)

On the way from the Headquarters to the hospital, Zhang Xun saw an unprecedented bleak situation. There were barely any people in the narrow streets that were usually always crowded and lively, and the doors of every household were closed, probably because they were afraid of being infected by the terrible Honey Plague. However, the virus was still pervasive and sticky yellow marks could be seen on many doors and windows. Medical staff wrapped in protective clothing forcibly brought out patients with symptoms from room to room, some of them even beginning to show a certain tendency for violence, with pale yellow pus flowing all over their bodies, like monsters in the street howling and struggling.

In just two or three days, the plague has already begun to spread to the First District.

The Round Table concealed the death toll, as well as the mutations that began in the later stages of the plague, but Zhang Xun had already seen all of this from the report. The Round Table couldn't conceal it from Zhang Xun, because he was Adam's controller and Adam was the one who may be able to develop an antidote before the Honey Plague mutated into a more dangerous form.

On the way, Zhang Xun saw a boy standing at a door with his eyes wide open as he watched the medical staff electrocute his father, who had yellow mucus all over his body but was waving an axe in his hand. The boy was weeping, weeping silently and his little body trembled now and then from sobbing. In those eyes that should have been innocent and naive, was the most primal and most intense fear, fear enough to warp one's soul.

He also saw an old man holding the thin and old body of his partner, whose body was soaked in yellow mucus, desperately kneeling before the medical staff.

And those who hurried past him in a trance, their faces wrapped in cloth towels or gas masks. He seemed to have returned to the Middle Ages, to the period when the Black Death was rampant. After so many centuries, people were still helpless and shivering in the face of an epidemic.

If Eden could do such a thing, could develop such a rapid and constantly mutating virus, what about Adam?

Would Adam do such a thing?

Zhang Xun stood in front of the two closed, heavy, cedar doors, and behind him, numerous pairs of eyes were staring at him. Every soldier had a deadly weapon in his hand and although they weren't pointed at him, the threat was very clear.

Although the Round Table had signed the official document, he noticed that the official document stated that the guards would no longer be responsible for the Lab's security. The Round Table would no longer grant funds to the Lab, but new weapons could be purchased from the Lab at reasonable prices.

This meant that the Lab had lost its official protection. As the head of the Lab, he was no longer an object to be protected, but an object to be guarded against.

A doctor opened the door for him. The clean light streamed out from behind the door and Zhang Xun saw Adam sitting on a chair supported by some brackets. Adam remained motionless, like a corpse. His skull was opened and the part of the human brain wrapped in the solution and the artificial brain he made were exposed to the air and countless wires extended out, weaving into a fine mesh.

Many computers were monitoring Adam's brainwave signals. In addition, there were many wires extending from Adam's wrist and heart, simultaneously monitoring Adam's other physiological signal data. In the forest of computers and data cables, a young man in his twenties raised his head in a panic.

It was a man of Asian descent, with a handsome appearance and bright eyes. Zhang Xun had some impression of him, that he had won the first place in the most recent mechanic examination. At that time, Fernandez had specially mentioned him to Zhang Xun, saying that his name was Jian Mo, he was very smart and was even a bit like Zhang Xun when he was "young".

But Zhang Xun had been busy designing Adam's new arm at that time and he didn't have time to look at the assessment results of those new mechanics, so he just agreed to get it out the way. It now appeared that he was the 'genius' that James had predicted, who may well be able to crack his control over Adam.

Zhang Xun immediately felt some kind of threat, a threat that he would be replaced by a younger and smarter opponent sooner or later. He stared at the young man coldly and said nothing.

Jian Mo seemed to be at a loss. A member of the entourage stepped forward and told him that the Round Table had reached a consensus with Zhang Xun and from now on Zhang Xun would still be in charge of Adam.

There was a moment of unwillingness and disappointment on Jian Mo's face. He whispered something, but the representative's face sank, "This is the Round Table's order."

Jian Mo pursed his lips tightly and then walked cautiously towards Zhang Xun with an expression of awe, similar to seeing someone of high esteem, and took the initiative to stretch out his hand, "Mechanic Zhang, it's nice to meet you. I have always admired you!"

Zhang Xun knew that he had no reason to feel threatened by this person who was ten years his junior, but in his heart there was a very... unpleasant feeling.

He still shook hands with the other party politely but his tone was somewhat sharp, "I heard that you want to crack my system. How is it going?

Jian Mo showed a look of panic and answered uneasily, "Your design is very close to perfection. My progress is slow, but... if I'm given more time, it's not impossible..."

These words, which seemed to show weakness but were actually provocative, caused Zhang Xun's eyes to burst with anger.

Everyone wanted to snatch Adam from him because they saw Adam's power and perfection.

Perfectly crafted by him.

"Unfortunately, you don't have time and you won't have it in the future." Zhang Xun stared at him coldly, then bypassed him and walked towards Adam.

A look of hurt appeared on Jian Mo's face for a moment. He told Zhang Xun that Zhang Xun was his idol and that wasn't a lie. When he was a student, he was taken to visit the Lab and he was deeply fascinated by the artificial intelligence Pan that Zhang Xun had trained. It was precisely because of this that he chose to become a mechanic, devoting himself fully and passing the examination with the best results. He had been looking forward to meeting Zhang Xun and showing him the artificial intelligence he designed...but that never happened.

Then, he met Adam.

In an instant, he was captivated.

The most powerful artificial intelligence in the world, stored in the body of a man with an angelic smile. It was weirdly appropriate...

He wanted to get close to Adam, but he had no opportunities. And this time, he got the chance and almost succeeded, but now, the Round Table had compromised...

He didn't even have time to say a word to Adam.

"Don't worry, this is an expedient measure." The representative who led him out whispered in his ear, "After you go back to the Lab, you have to keep your head down. Work hard and you will get your chance one day."

Jian Mo vaguely understood his meaning and nodded lightly.

Inside, Zhang Xun ordered, "Everyone leave and close the door."

The soldiers hesitated, not sure if they should obey his orders. Zhang Xun turned his head impatiently and his tone became more and more stern, "I'll say it again, leave."

Finally, an officer nodded and all the soldiers, doctors and nurses filed out and closed the door.

Zhang Xun turned his head and in an instant, the sharpness in his eyes was completely gone. He became Zhang Xun again, that man who didn't smile but had gentle eyes, looking at the sleeping man almost tenderly.

He activated the device on his arm, quickly entered some commands and pressed hard on the pattern. Then he raised his hand and touched Adam's drooping, flawless cheek lightly.

It would take a while for the wake-up procedure to start. In this short period of time, he didn't have to pretend.

His eyes became a little wet without realising it. When he let Adam escape from the Lab, he wasn't sure if that would be the last time they would see each other.

At that time, he was ready to be tortured and interrogated to death. Now that he thought back on it, how could he have been so crazy at that time?

James was right, he was obsessed with Adam.

He was even willing to die for Adam.

This was probably the last thing that should happen to a creator, the beginning of the destruction of all creators - to have human love for a creature that probably didn't have this ability at all.

Yes, he had probably already fallen in love with Adam. Probably from the moment Adam opened those ethereal blue eyes for the first time, he was destined to fall in love with him.

After all, he had never been loved, never had attachment, never been understood, and Adam made him feel all of these things.

Even if he was only being given an illusory and well-designed warmth, it was hard to resist.

But in the end, Zhang Xun still had his pride and his bottom line, so no matter what, he couldn't let his guard down and indulge in his feelings. He would never admit his true feelings in front of Adam.

But right now, it didn't matter.

Before Adam woke up, when his brain waves had just started to show the first peak, Zhang Xun raised his head and lightly kissed Adam's cold lips.

After a while, Adam's brainwave peaks became more and more dense and his heartbeat began to speed up. Zhang Xun saw Adam's eyeballs start to roll, so he took a step back, increasing the distance to one step away again.

The blue eyes slowly opened and blinked a few times, the initial layer of confusion fading away. Adam looked up, somewhat confused to find himself unable to move, but he quickly saw Zhang Xun and a trace of understanding appeared on his face.

"Ah-Xun..." His throat that hadn't spoken for a few days was a little hoarse, but it was extraordinarily charming.

Zhang Xun immediately began to unplug the wires connected to his brain, put the skull and scalp back in place and removed the brackets. Adam's body went limp and Zhang Xun tried to catch him, but was unsuccessful. After exclaiming, the two fell to the ground on top of each other.

Adam lay on Zhang Xun and suddenly let out a low laugh.

"What are you laughing at?! Get up quickly!" Zhang Xun tried to push Adam away, but Adam grabbed his wrist.

Adam raised his body slightly and fondly stroked the still healing wound on Zhang Xun's forehead with his organic alloy fingers, "I remember when this happened before when I had just been downloaded. I couldn't walk, you couldn't catch me again and we fell to the ground together."

Zhang Xun chuckled unwittingly as he recalled that chaotic first day.

It had only been half a year, why did it feel like that was a past life?

Adam looked down at him, looking serious, "Ah-Xun, you've worked hard."

But Zhang Xun's smile froze for a moment.

The suspicions that he had forgotten about while Adam was on standby were now rushing back to him. This made Zhang Xun feel a little sad.

Doubts, eternal doubts.

He pushed Adam away, sat up, lowered his head and thought for a few seconds. Then he said, "Honey Plague...have you heard of it?"

Adam frowned, "I've only heard of the Black Death, Ebola virus... names with 'plague' in them have been abandoned by modern medicine for a long time."

"While you were on standby, Eden dropped a biochemical weapon in the Fifth District. A virus with strong mutation abilities. When the disease is in the middle stage, the pores of the whole body will secrete golden pus and the patient will also experience photophobia and hallucinations, personality changes and other symptoms. When you were still Eden, did you participate in this research?"

Adam was puzzled, "Biochemical weapons? Such a decision is very strange."

"Obviously ordinary air strikes can't kill you and the losses would be heavy. Maybe Eden thinks that because you're a human now he hopes to let the human virus get rid of you."

"This is our bargaining chip, right?" Adam asked softly, "Finding an antidote."

Zhang Xun nodded, "The Lab will no longer be under the control of the Round Table and the military. I got the official document."

Adam curled his lips, his smile was pure, but there was also a trace of unspeakable, hidden evil.

"In that case, we can't let them down."