Chapter 4216: Chapter 4204: Self-Preservation Mechanism

Facing the teasing from the two, Wenhui couldn’t say anything.

She also realized that no matter how she explained it, they wouldn’t listen.

Ring-ring-ring—

Just then, Xiao Bing’s phone rang.

The other three didn’t pay attention, just lowered their voices.

But after answering the call, Xiao Bing’s face instantly changed.

Lin Yi and Luo Qi immediately sensed something was wrong; something significant must have happened to make Xiao Bing show such an expression.

"Are you sure it’s him?"

"Was there only one person?"

"Okay, I got it."

After hanging up, Xiao Bing placed his phone aside and continued chatting about the previous topic without saying much else.

"I’ll go to the restroom, you guys keep chatting."

Wenhui wisely excused herself, and Xiao Bing’s expression turned serious.

"What happened?"

Xiao Bing’s face grew increasingly grim, even a bit fearful.

"Don’t be anxious, let me gather my thoughts."

After a pause of a few seconds, Xiao Bing said:

"The village closest to Ailao Mountain is called Laiwu Village, only five kilometers away in a straight line. Just received word that the village was attacked."

"Attacked?"

This news sounded strange to the two.

Although three major foreign forces are gathering near Ailao Mountain, they wouldn’t target civilians.

Everyone just has their own needs; they’re not psychopathic killers, even Mammon wouldn’t do such a thing lightly.

From past experiences, unless there’s a special reason, saying that the three organizations went to attack neighboring villages is unlikely.

"Did they say who it was? Or are there any leads in this regard? How many people were there exactly." Lin Yi asked.

"According to the survivors, there was only one person, acting like a madman, biting everyone in sight."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi and Luo Qi turned pale.

If that’s the case, it’s really complicated.

"I understand, is it that giant black shadow? After disappearing for so many years, it’s finally reappeared." Luo Qi said.

"No..." Xiao Bing replied:

"The people we sent to investigate didn’t go missing; four of them disappeared. Based on the compiled information, the person attacking Laiwu Village is likely one of the missing."

Hiss—

Upon hearing this, Luo Qi drew a breath and got goosebumps all over.

Even Lin Yi felt a chill after hearing it, not to mention Luo Qi’s strong reaction.

All three had gloomy expressions, as if a cloud hung over their heads.

Now, their minds were filled with the word ’illogical.’

Meanwhile, Wenhui returned, and the three restrained their expressions.

During the ensuing dinner, the four chatted and laughed, concealing their emotions effectively.

Because dinner was early, it ended around eight in the evening.

This was when the plaza outside was bustling, the peak of the day’s foot traffic, but Wenhui didn’t plan to set up her stall.

She intended to prepare for tomorrow’s return with Lin Yi.

After dropping Wenhui off, Xiao Bing and Luo Qi waved at her but remained in the car.

Once Wenhui left, the trio sat in the car, their faces again filled with gloom.

"If the news is true, if one person isn’t dead, then the other three might not be either." Luo Qi said.

"I have a theory; it might be related to the Black Teeth Worm. Though it’s a bit out there, it’s the only possibility I can think of."

"Speak freely, go ahead."

After organizing his thoughts, Luo Qi said:

"Lin Bro, didn’t you mention to Academician Zhao that there’s a virus within the Black Teeth Worm affecting the central nervous system? I suspect they were attacked by the Black Teeth Worm after entering Ailao Mountain, with their central nervous system invaded by the Thirst Blood Virus. That’s why they crazily attacked villagers, just like the experimental subjects who escaped from the research institute years ago."

This speculation seemed plausible to Lin Yi and Xiao Bing and was logically consistent, though the probability was low.

But given past experiences, the realization of this possibility couldn’t be ruled out.

"I’m thinking if that’s the case, it becomes a paradox." Xiao Bing noted:

"Even if their central nervous system is contaminated, biologically, they remain complete humans, and if they entered Ailao Mountain, if it’s truly unobservable, their existence becomes inexplicable, forming a paradox."

"That’s not true." Lin Yi replied:

"Your thoughts stem from subjectively distinguishing between humans and animals. In reality, before nature, or in that invisible ideology, everyone’s the same; whether it’s them or us, there’s no difference from pigs or dogs. Just think of them as the experimental subjects from those years."

After pondering, Lin Yi added:

"When they entered Ailao Mountain, due to the unobservable state, they were attacked by the Black Teeth Worm, but post-attack, in some sense, became guardians of Ailao Mountain, assimilated as kin, indistinguishable from the snakes, insects, and rats dwelling inside."

Both fell silent; they had indeed made an assumption.

In the presence of nature, there’s hardly any difference between humans and snakes or insects.

"I have another thought."

Luo Qi looked at Lin Yi and said:

"Lin Bro, per your logic, if they were assimilated and became guardians of Ailao Mountain, then they earned the right to enter it. If we use modern medical methods to cure them, does that mean we possess the keys to Ailao Mountain?"

Lin Yi and Xiao Bing’s eyes lit up, realizing it could be feasible.

"That’s indeed the case, but the problem is how to encounter them; it’s not easy to come across these people."

Lin Yi nodded repeatedly, pondering this matter.

Luo Qi suggested a viable method, quite feasible.

"Lin Bro, why aren’t you speaking?" Xiao Bing asked.

After a brief stretch, Lin Yi said:

"What’s truly odd isn’t the missing person returning in another form, but how this parallels the bug epidemic from years ago; it’s eerily identical. I’m thinking, the bug epidemic occurred over 20 years ago, and many have entered Ailao Mountain without coming out since. Why do similar events surface now?"

The two women looked at Lin Yi and said:

"It should just be a coincidence, Lin Bro, are you overthinking?"

"It’s not about sensitivity; I suspect it might be a self-preservation mechanism."

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