MMB Chapter 1499 Former Director
Chapter 1499 Former Director
"You will be the guardian of Yan Kingdom." Old Man Hua looked at Chen Jun with undiminished admiration in his eyes, and even let out a hearty laugh. His laughter was full of energy, and he didn't seem like a "prisoner of war" in the enemy camp with a gun pointed at him. Instead, he seemed to be having a chat with an admired junior in his own backyard.
Chen Jun neither confirmed nor denied his "praise." He needed substantive information, not empty praise. He pointed towards the courtyard outside the hall—though it was hidden behind the wall, everyone knew what was there—and asked in a deep voice, "What exactly is that thing outside? What on earth is 'The Abyss' up to?"
When the conversation turned to serious matters, Old Man Hua's smile faded, replaced by a serious and earnest expression. He glanced in the direction Chen Feng was pointing, as if he could see through the wall to the rapidly decaying monster's corpse, and then nodded solemnly:
"General Chen, your previous judgment was completely correct. That was the prototype of the 'gene warrior' that 'Abyss' poured a lot of resources into trying to create. Or rather, it was a failed product, a half-finished product."
He paused, a hint of barely perceptible sorrow and disgust in his voice: "Through extremely inhumane and unethical gene editing and biochemical stimulation, the potential of the human body is forcibly stimulated and modified. It is indeed possible to gain superhuman strength, speed, and defense in a short period of time. However, this modification is extremely unstable and comes at the cost of overdrawing life, destroying normal physiological structures and the nervous system."
"The 'genetic collapse' you just witnessed is the inevitable result of this forced modification. Stable gene sequences are disrupted, cells lose control, begin to self-dissolve and mutate, releasing large amounts of toxic metabolites and alkaloids... These substances are inherently highly corrosive and potentially infectious. Just as you ordered, once collapse occurs, the corpse itself will become a new, slow-moving but extremely harmful source of biochemical contamination. It must be isolated and treated to the highest standards."
At this point, Old Man Hua looked at Chen Feng again, his eyes filled with affirmation and… a hint of relief? “General Chen, you made the most correct and professional judgment and action immediately. This is not merely combat instinct, but a manifestation of a high degree of responsibility to the country and the people. Truly worthy of…”
"Stop!" Old Wen couldn't take it anymore and rudely interrupted Old Hua's "praise," looking disgusted. "Old man! Can't you be serious for once?! We're talking about serious business! Serious business concerning national security! Flattery won't save you! If you keep bragging like this, I'll suspect you're the mutant, and your brain has been modified to be bad, right?"
Old Man Hua was scolded, but he wasn't angry. He just smiled, shook his head, and looked at Chen Jun.
Chen Jun waved his hand, signaling Old Wen to calm down. He looked calmly at Old Man Hua: "I like to hear the truth, and I like to hear valuable information. Continue. Everything you know about 'gene warriors' and 'the Abyss'."
Encouraged by Chen Jun, Old Man Hua seemed more relaxed. He took a deep breath, as if about to reveal a secret buried deep in his heart; his voice lowered, yet became even clearer:
"Alright. Then this old man will start from the beginning. Let me first tell you about my identity."
He glanced around at the Strategic Bureau team members who were watching him intently, then looked at Chen Jun, and slowly uttered a few words:
"My identity... is the former director of the National Security Bureau."
"what?!"
"What the hell?!"
The moment the words left his mouth, a collective gasp and gasps of astonishment filled the hall! Even the usually composed Old Wen's eyes widened in disbelief, his jaw nearly dropping to the floor!
Former Director of the National Security Bureau?!
This old man, who looks like an ordinary retired scholar and just now claimed to be a representative of the Abyss, is actually the former director of the National Security Bureau?! This identity... is too damn shocking, too damn unbelievable!
Chen Jun was also deeply shaken, his eyes narrowing as he stared intently at Old Man Hua. If this identity was true, its significance was entirely different! The National Security Bureau was one of the most crucial and mysterious swords protecting the nation's internal security! The information, experiences, authority, and resources possessed by its former director were by no means ordinary!
Old Man Hua seemed to have anticipated the shocked reaction from the crowd. He calmly nodded and confirmed, "That's right. My name is Hua Sheng. Before retiring, I worked in the National Security Bureau for nearly forty years, and served as the director for the last ten years."
He paused, his gaze seemingly drifting into the distance, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes: "The current director of the National Security Bureau, Jiang Ling... that kid, he was a soldier I trained back then, I taught him a lot by hand. When he sees me, he still has to respectfully call me 'Old Director.' Do you... believe that?"
"I don't believe you for a second! Old man!" Old Wen was the first to jump up, pointing at Old Hua's nose, his face full of disbelief. "Former director of the National Security Bureau? Infiltrating the Abyss? If you're going to make up a story, at least make it believable! Do you even know what the National Security Bureau is? What kind of person is the director? Would he let you go undercover in that kind of hellhole after you retired? That's bullshit!"
It's no wonder Lao Wen didn't believe it. The contrast in identities was too great, and the experiences too bizarre; it was practically a fairy tale.
Chen Jun didn't immediately draw a conclusion. He gave Old Man Hua a deep look, then instructed the agitated Old Wen, "Old Wen, stop arguing. Right now, go to the side and use the encrypted line to call Director Jiangling directly. Report the situation here, as well as the name 'Hua Sheng' and his physical characteristics, to him. Ask him if this is true. Have him... if possible, come over in person to identify the person."
"Boss! You actually believe him?" Old Wen asked anxiously.
"Execute the order!" Chen Jun emphasized.
"...Yes!" Old Wen sighed helplessly, glared at Old Hua, and walked to the corner of the hall, cursing as he began to contact the National Security Bureau headquarters using the encrypted communication device he carried with him.
The hall fell silent again, and everyone's eyes were focused on Chen Jun and Old Man Hua.
Chen Jun walked up to Old Man Hua, getting closer, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Until your identity is confirmed, I'll believe some of your stories for now. Now, tell me, what exactly is this 'Abyss' organization that you've investigated? What is their purpose?"
Old Man Hua met Chen Jun's scrutinizing gaze without flinching. His expression became more serious than ever before, and a deep and heavy light shone in his aged yet bright eyes.
Instead of answering Chen Jun's question directly, he asked a question that seemed somewhat disjointed, even...mysterious:
"General Chen, before answering your question, I'd like to ask you one first."
He paused, then spoke clearly, word by word:
Do you believe... in the existence of 'God'?