Apocalypse Chapter 90: Support from All Directions

Chapter 90: Support from All Directions

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

After the “Little Stars Speak” program aired, the specially opened fax and message lines at  the Spark Base exploded with activity. Everyone was deeply concerned about Jiang Xiaoheng’s condition. Some sent doctor contacts, others shared recipes for food therapy and traditional herbal remedies, and some left instructions for acupuncture methods.

Nearby bases responded even more directly. Regardless of whether they had collaborated with  the Spark Base before or met Jiang Rong’s team, everyone extended their helping hand. Dozens of medical teams, composed of healing espers and doctors, braved the difficulties to arrive at  the Spark Base one after another. More treatment teams and renowned doctors were still on their way.

The leader of the New Humanity Base, An Ran, even personally brought a team to Spark. Upon arrival, experts gathered immediately to study Xiaoheng’s case. This rescue operation was unprecedented, even before The Great Crisis.

With so many medical teams involved, the pressure on  the Spark Base’s healing espers lessened considerably. The scholars and experts debated the treatment plans carefully, and through their joint efforts, Xiaoheng’s organ failure slowed down significantly.

In recent days, Xiaoheng’s sleep periods have grown longer. To keep his spirits up, whenever he was awake, Jiang Rong’s family took turns staying by his side.

Knowing they could visit Xiaoheng’s ward today, Xiao Hao and Yuan Yuan changed into protective suits early and waited for the doctors to escort them in. Once inside, the two children gathered at Xiaoheng’s bedside. Yuan Yuan gently reached out and touched the tubes connected to Xiaoheng. “Big brother, does it hurt?”

Xiaoheng squinted and smiled. “At first, it hurt a little, but I’m used to it now. Yuan Yuan, hurry and get your homework book. I’ll teach you how to write and draw.”

Jiang Yuan pouted, feeling wronged. “The nurse took away my homework book.” Along with it, she lost the mouse skeleton she had spent days preparing. She and Xiao Hao had rehearsed a bone dance for days, hoping to perform it for Xiaoheng.

Jiang Hao ruffled Xiaoheng’s hair and pulled a thoroughly disinfected phone from his protective suit pocket. “Today, Little Fairy bloomed several flowers. Did you know? Little Fairy grew two baby Autumns — super cute. I’ll show you!”

Afraid Xiaoheng might get tired, Jiang Hao skillfully raised the bed board. The three children gathered together, chatting and laughing, their joy overpowering the steady beeping of the machines.

Outside the ward, Jiang Rong watched this heartwarming scene, but bitterness filled his chest. Despite the many bases coming to their aid, Xiaoheng’s condition remained grim. Xiaoheng was so young—treatments suitable for adults might not apply to him. Even with so many doctors present, none dared guarantee a treatment plan.

Jiang Rong sighed heavily. At that moment, footsteps approached from behind. Without turning, he knew it was Guan Shao. Guan Shao gently patted his shoulder. “Xiao Jiang, you should rest now. Let me take over guarding.”

Jiang Rong had stayed by Xiaoheng’s side as long as Xiaoheng had been in the hospital. Even as an esper, the long days had worn him down. Guan Shao saw it and worried—he knew how much Xiaoheng meant to Jiang Rong. He had taken on most of the work lately just to give his partner a little respite.

Jiang Rong shook his head. “No. Zhou Xing and the others are coming. Let’s go see them soon.”

*

Zhou Xing had originally planned to visit the Spark Base and reconnect with Chu Qiang and the others after finishing his mission. But before that could happen, he received shocking news: Meng Liang was still alive.

Not only alive, but thriving—Meng Liang was parasitizing Liu Heng’s body and had tried to control Jiang Rong during a visit to the Spark Base. The hospital’s surveillance cameras clearly recorded Meng Liang’s actions, leaving the Peace Base people no room to deny.

If this got out, the Peace Base would be thrown into chaos. Espers already dissatisfied with them would seize this opportunity to stir trouble. Though Zhou Xing wasn’t well-versed in politics, he knew this had to be suppressed. Easier said than done.

The Spark Base’s people had gone crazy, especially Jiang Rong. Their precious child was still in ICU because of their leader. If Zhou Xing were Jiang Rong, he’d tear Meng Liang apart alive.

To trade for Meng Liang’s return and cover this mess, Zhou Xing reluctantly agreed to the Spark Base’s demands. From now on, the Spark Base could use electricity generated from the Peace Base’s power plant. The previous support staff sent to the Spark Base was one thing, but now they were even pulling tens of thousands of technicians over.

Leaning against his car door, Zhou Xing waited anxiously and helplessly. The agreed time was approaching, but the Spark Base’s convoy hadn’t appeared yet. He took a frustrated drag on his cigarette, exhaling bitter smoke. “What the hell is going on?!”

Despite his frustration, Zhou Xing forced himself to look eastward. Under a gloomy sky, the convoy was slowly approaching. Soon the convoy stopped before them. Jiang Rong was the first to step out, followed by the Spark Base’s espers.

Zhou Xing glanced over the group and was surprised again: the last time he saw the Spark Base’s espers, only Guan Shao was a Level 3 esper. Now, several in the team had advanced to Level 3.

Jiang Rong himself had just been promoted to Level 3—a reason to celebrate. But with Xiaoheng’s illness, no one felt like celebrating. Zhou Xing stubbed out his cigarette and straightened up, his eyes falling on a heavily armored vehicle in the center. It was made of lead—a custom-made prison cage for Meng Liang. Locked inside, Meng Liang couldn’t extend even a single psychic tendril.

Jiang Rong nodded at the escorting espers. When the vehicle’s door opened, they pushed out a wheelchair. Liu Heng sat slumped and pale. Though the temperature wasn’t high, large beads of sweat trickled down his forehead.

Liu Heng’s body showed no physical wounds. His damage came from within—two souls battling inside. Whether the ambitious Meng Liang or the original host would win depended on their strength. Sensing movement, Liu Heng raised his heavy eyelids and looked at Zhou Xing with a hoarse voice. “Old Zhou, save me…”

Before finishing, his expression shifted. “Zhou Xing, kill him! Kill him!”

Those present watched as Liu Heng’s face flickered between two personalities, exchanging curses. Zhou Xing’s face twitched uncontrollably. Liu Heng was his good brother; Meng Liang, his old leader. When they fought, he didn’t know who to help.

Jiang Rong said calmly, “He’s here. Zhou, take him back.”

Zhou Xing took a deep breath and stepped forward. As he grasped the wheelchair, he couldn’t hold back. “Jiang, Peace and the Spark Base are still brother bases, right?”

Jiang Rong replied seriously, “Of course. Rest assured, the bond between our bases won’t be affected by individual actions. The Spark Base’s doors are always open to the Peace Base’s people.”

Zhou Xing nodded. “Good. I’ll take Mr. Meng and Old Liu back now…” He paused, his steps faltering, voice hoarse. “Jiang, I’m sorry about this.”

Jiang Rong lowered his eyes. “It’s not your fault. We’ve all done our best. It’s about to rain—Zhou, safe travels.”

As the Peace Base’s convoy disappeared into the distance, Chu Qiang sighed helplessly. “Old Zhou really got screwed with this kind of leader. Xiao Jiang, you don’t think Meng Liang will possess Old Zhou, do you?”

Meng Weixian sneered, “You think it’s that easy? Meng Liang said he could just possess someone? Xiaoheng’s counterattack nearly destroyed his abilities. If he were calmer, maybe it’d be different, but as it stands, he’s too ambitious. No one can save him.”

This would likely be the last time they saw Liu Heng and Meng Liang. Although the higher-ups from both bases tacitly agreed to keep this secret, some insider would inevitably leak the truth.

Pan Pan sighed, “Hope Old Zhou can hold on.”

The Peace Base had too many espers, but its morale was fractured. Their real trial was just beginning. Jiang Rong looked up at the sky. “It’s about to rain. Let’s head back.”

From late June to early July was the plum rain season, and this year’s rains were fiercer than usual. They had to hurry back to arrange manpower for digging trenches and deepening ponds to prepare for the coming floods.

Not long after the car started moving, heavy raindrops poured down, and low thunder rumbled through the clouds. Guan Shao skillfully gripped the steering wheel and drove steadily. “An Ran just asked me if, after this harvest, they could buy some seeds from us—prices set by us, of course.”

Jiang Rong glanced sideways out the window. “No need to ask for outrageous prices. Just normal ones. All the bases that sent medical teams here—when they leave, have them take some seeds with them.”

The decision was partly to repay kindness but also mutual aid. The Great Crisis was terrifying, but it hadn’t wiped out all life. Only humans would find ways to hurt their own kind. If everyone kept fighting, stealing, and scheming instead of working together to survive, even the survivors wouldn’t last long.

Guan Shao nodded. “Some bases want to form alliances with us too.”

Those bases that had sent medical teams to the Spark Base had initially come just to save lives. But after seeing  the Spark Base’s state, many were envious. If they could ally with the Spark and leverage its strength to build their own bases, they could have enough to eat, warm clothes, nice houses, and freedom from mutant plants and animals.

Jiang Rong nodded. “Good. Leave this to Gangzi and the others.”

Outside the window, rain fell like a waterfall, drumming against the glass and scattering white mist. The sound of the rain filled the car, making the inside even quieter.

Suddenly, the car radio crackled with static before a familiar voice came through. “Hello? Can you hear me?”

Guan Shao sat up straight abruptly. Jiang Rong, whose mind had been drifting out the window, also became alert. They exchanged a look—it was Gu Zefeng’s voice.

Gu Zefeng sounded casual and a bit roguish. “Hey? Why is no one answering? Isn’t this the 24-hour hotline? Hello? Somebody, please! I have some great doctors here.”

At the word “doctor,” Guan Shao immediately pressed the radio button. “Gu Zefeng.”

Gu Zefeng chuckled. “Master Guan, long time no see. You really messed me up—turned handsome me into the legendary Condor Hero. How are you going to make it up to me? Hmm, how about giving me some of your powers?”

Jiang Rong cut him off, unwilling to listen to Gu Zefeng’s nonsense. “This is Jiang Rong of the Spark Base. Captain Gu, you said you have good doctors?”

Gu Zefeng clicked his tongue. “Ah, it’s Jiang! My apologies. Yes, our base has several doctors. Not sure if you’ve heard their names.”

He casually rattled off a few names. Jiang Rong exchanged a surprised glance with Guan Shao—those were exactly the experts mentioned at the morning’s consultation. The doctors had said that if they could find those experts, Xiaoheng’s treatment plan could finally be settled.

Experts at the Sovereign Base? What a coincidence—or was Gu Zefeng lying?

Jiang Rong suppressed his emotions. “Captain Gu, can those doctors treat my child? If Xiaoheng gets cured, I’m willing to pay with crystal cores.”

Gu Zefeng laughed lightly. “Of course, I reached out because we want to save the kid. But our doctors are old and can’t travel easily. They said if they’re needed, you’ll have to come to the Sovereign.”

“Obviously, I won’t come to the Spark Base. You know my feud with Guan Shao—I’m afraid if I go, I might not come back. So, Jiang, if you want our doctors’ help, you’ll have to bring your kid to the Sovereign.”

“Of course, you can refuse. After all, you have so many doctors and healing espers at  the Spark Base, you might not need these old folks from here.”

Guan Shao asked sternly, “How do I know you’re not lying?”

Gu Zefeng scoffed. “After fighting alongside you for so many years, you really don’t know me at all. When have I ever joked about children? My feud with you is one thing, but Jiang and his kid have no grudge with me—no reason to mess with them.”

“Anyway, that’s the deal. If Jiang trusts me, bring the kid to the Sovereign. If not, just pretend I never messaged you.”

The radio buzzed quietly, and Guan Shao turned serious, looking at Jiang Rong. “Did you write down those doctors’ names?”

Jiang Rong nodded solemnly. “Once we’re back, we’ll discuss it with everyone. If those experts really are at the Sovereign, I’ll take the kid there.”

 

 

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