Chapter 195: Mutated Animals
Huai Yu then became puzzled: “I heard from Sister Liang Zhu of the Architecture Bureau that the military academy now teaches ability-based skills.”
“Don’t other water system ability users know this technique?”
Zhou Qian was speechless: “It depends on the talent and personal ability.”
“Just like with literature studies, some people can write ‘The Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng,’ while others can’t even memorize it… Lin Xuefeng’s ability is like that.”
“Before he entered the military academy, water system abilities had no combat power. Even quickly dehydrating plants was incredibly difficult, and most people in that ability class were assigned to logistics.”
“After his rise to fame, five types of water-based attacks were written into textbooks, and all of them are lethal techniques.”
He paused, then added, “Maybe in time, more talented individuals will emerge. But the disaster has only lasted for six years, and in these six years, Lin Xuefeng has come to represent the Guardian Army.”
“It’s said that after his injury and retirement, he was originally set to become the president of the military academy. But the Guardian Army wasn’t pleased with General Wu, and they kept mentioning him…”
These were bits and pieces Zhou Qian had gathered after the destruction of Huai Yu’s house by Wu Yue. Since transportation was still not fully restored and the internet was highly restricted, not much information was available.
He didn’t know whether Lin Xuefeng’s decision to leave the imperial capital and go to the wild lands near Flower City was due to political infighting in the capital or because he was tired and seeking a way to escape…
Huai Yu, however, thought it was completely understandable: “That’s so normal! It’s like in ancient times, when Emperor Tang Taizong took the throne, no one would want to be ruled by someone like Wanyan Gou, right?”
This analogy…
Zhou Qian couldn’t help but laugh: “Although it’s a bit rough, the idea is correct—though Wu Yue is certainly capable.”
He pointed to the nearby rose corridor: “He is the one who built this barrier under the trees in Flower City, and it still protects us today.”
Huai Yu frowned: “But I don’t think Wu Yue is the one who created the rose corridor?”
Zhou Qian answered solemnly: “There’s no evidence, so it must be him.”
“He sacrificed for the country and the people. Unless there is concrete proof, no one can erase his contributions.”
After saying this, Zhou Qian softened his tone: “Even if the rose corridor isn’t related to him, the Guardian Army has clearance missions every year. His experience in the wild lands, where he risked his life, is no lie. Even regular soldiers can’t casually speculate about it.”
“Alright.”
Huai Yu huffed, reluctantly accepting his words, and then decisively changed the subject: “You still haven’t told me, what exactly is the danger in other cities?”
These were all common knowledge, so Zhou Qian answered quickly: “Haven’t you seen the map? Our country’s border areas are all connected to special climates. The common one is the hot and humid climate of the south. The other type is high altitude, with plants that have different characteristics, but they’re not very tall.”
“And those places are vast and sparsely populated, making it easier to clean up.”
“Only cities like ours, Flower City, located in the interior, with vast plains and steep mountains, have the wild land right in the center, connecting 16 cities, including ours, in all directions.”
“So, for now, the biggest threat to all cities is the wild land.”
Huai Yu thought for a moment and summarized: “So we’re like a big pancake, with the center filled with stuffing—that’s the wild land. No matter which city or direction we bite from, we’ll eventually reach the stuffing.”
“Is that right?”
Zhou Qian: “… You’re good with metaphors.”
Huai Yu became proud: “Of course! I told you I was quite capable before. Didn’t you catch that? I even know about ancient emperors!”
Zhou Qian: … Yes, truly impressive, she knows about ancient emperors. He couldn’t find the words to compliment her.
At this moment, he could only silently listen to Huai Yu’s next question:
“So, the southern plants are afraid of the cold, but what about the northern ones, and those of us in the middle zone? Aren’t they afraid of the cold?”
“They are,” Zhou Qian replied. “Low temperatures do affect them. Except for a few plants that thrive in cold, most others go into a brief dormant period in winter.”
“They don’t grow, don’t have any desire to attack, and don’t need nutrients.”
“But come the next spring, after their vernalization, they have a strong craving for nutrients. The pollution accumulated in the soil during the autumn and winter is quickly absorbed, and the plants become stronger once again.”
“So, even though it’s still tough dealing with the wild land plants now, for the long term, the country still arranges several wild land exploration missions each year, and in winter, another large-scale cleanup will take place.”
He looked down at his leg: “If I hadn’t retired, I’d be going into the wild lands again this winter.”
Huai Yu pondered: “So, is the winter cleanup mission easier?”
Zhou Qian shook his head: “The casualty rate in winter is lower.”
“And since animals and plants are less active in winter, most of the plants and animals being cleaned up can be brought back.”
“This makes it easier for research institutes to study them and think of ways to integrate them into daily life.”
“New construction materials, the vines on my leg, the bricks on my well… even the special chips in the medical pods at the hospital are all closely related to mutated plants.”
But, as with everything, there are pros and cons.
“But in reality, because of the cold, the soil freezes, and it’s hard to completely eradicate mutated plants when they’re killed. The tasks are easier, but they only weaken some plants. We can’t move forward gradually, cleaning up zone by zone.”
Huai Yu had learned a lot today, and her mind was racing. She suddenly became curious again: “There are mutated plants everywhere, but what about animals? Cats and dogs?”
She seemed a bit conflicted: “Were they all killed off when the disaster started?”
“No,” Zhou Qian laughed. “If the disaster had been a localized event, based on people, animals might have been controlled or killed. Once they mutate and break through the critical point, their attack power becomes huge.”
“But… the disaster was global and started suddenly, with people, animals, and plants all changing overnight.”
“Most companion animals are emotionally stable, and in the early stages, they actually protected their owners and families. So there was no reason to make enemies of them.”
“You see fewer of them because after mutation, their abilities improve quickly, and as a result, it’s easier for their mutation value to surpass the critical point.”
“Once they break through that point, they become like humans—mad and violent, and they die in the chaos.”
“Therefore, ordinary families can’t keep them. Their intelligence and heightened emotions make it difficult for regular people to control mutated animals, so they’re raised in unified achievement facilities.”
“Our Flower City’s achievement facility is in a deserted factory near the West District’s expressway. There, various filtration systems have been installed to slow down pollution absorption at the fastest rate.”
“When heading to the wild lands, they ask for the animals’ consent and take those willing to help with the fight.”
“Mutated animal families who want to establish ownership have to contribute a certain number of points every month and work two hours as volunteers every day to care for their furry children.”
