Chapter 115: The Superpowered Warrior and the Interpretation of Love

The entire storyline of the biohazard realm began with the human error at the Hive. For reasons unknown, Umbrella Corporation had installed an emergency containment system within the Hive. Under those circumstances, the release of toxic gas caused Alice, who was bathing in the mansion at the time, to temporarily lose her memory.

Moreover, the aftermath of that incident never fully faded. Alice only regained fragments of her memories; she did not know where she was born or whether her parents were still alive.

From that moment on, Alice, transformed by Umbrella into a bioweapon, embarked on a path to save humanity. In a sense, opposing Umbrella was equated with saving mankind.

Alice had to fight against Umbrella—no one wished to be merely a lab rat subjected to cruel experiments.

After joining the organization led by Ma Jun, the period following the global biohazard outbreak marked the happiest and most fulfilling time in Alice’s life.

Endowed with superhuman abilities, Alice led a special forces squad every day, roaming in search of survivors to save. Upon returning to base, she could unwind and converse heart-to-heart with Jack.

With no worries about food or shelter, engaged in meaningful work, and possessing a partner both in body and soul, life felt complete.

Under such circumstances, the relationship between Alice and Jack progressed swiftly. After all, what more could one ask of a friend willing to lay down their life for you?

Meanwhile, Ma Jun’s days were remarkably relaxed.

Under the looming threat to his daughter Angie’s safety, Dr. Ashford threw himself into tireless research, working day and night. The virus studies were progressing smoothly.

Within just two months, the superpowered bio-soldiers entered clinical trials and were steadily approaching perfection.

Imagine commanding thousands of superpowered bio-soldiers, embarking on plundering across realms—how audacious, exhilarating, and effortless that would be!

However, one day, after finishing her duties, Alice brought new intelligence.

She reported to Qian Moduo, whom she had always assumed to be the primary leader here.

The news was that certain Umbrella personnel seemed to have detected traces of Alice’s whereabouts.

A while later, Old Qian relayed this information to Ma Jun, adding, “Based on my assessment, they are likely tracking Alice and have discovered our base. A battle seems imminent.”

Ma Jun reclined in his chair, smoking, and addressed the screen where Old Qian appeared. “They probably won’t launch a full-scale nuclear strike. If a large force attacks, we’ll eliminate them outright. Then, we’ll find their base location. Alice can take some people and pay them a visit.”

“Understood!”

Sure enough, a week later, Umbrella’s armed forces arrived in full force, accompanied by several transport planes.

The outcome of the battle needs little elaboration.

Had they deployed nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction, Ma Jun would have had to retreat. But since their aim was to uncover information about Ma Jun’s organization, they sent troops to assault a base guarded by a formidable defense system—not a mere toy.

With minimal deployment of combatants, the defense system wiped out all Umbrella soldiers. Moreover, they managed to seize detailed coordinates of one of Umbrella’s bases from the defeated.

Consequently, Alice was ordered to lead a thousand bio-soldiers to infiltrate the enemy base, securing numerous supplies and various technological documents.

Following this battle, Umbrella evidently grew wary. Without further intel, they dared not explore Ma Jun’s base again.

Three months later, the first batch of superpowered bio-soldiers was successfully cultivated. All indicators and data matched Alice’s perfectly and remained stable.

Within the research zone, on a spacious test field, five superpowered bio-soldiers demonstrated their abilities.

Iron fragments floated in the air. Suddenly, one shot forward at incredible speed, striking a distant target dead center!

Qian Yaoduo, responsible for the experiments, exclaimed, “Boss, it’s a success! These superpowered bio-soldiers not only possess extraordinary abilities and enhanced physical traits but also obey your commands entirely. Like the previous bio-soldiers, they are special armed robots!”

Ma Jun applauded and nodded in satisfaction. “Well done, Old Two! Keep it up. Let’s see if we can develop a superpower serum so that we too can wield telekinetic abilities!”

“Dr. Ashford has been cooperative, tackling some tough challenges. He insists on keeping one sample for himself and his daughter upon success, and on their freedom being restored,” Qian Yaoduo reported.

“No problem!” Ma Jun replied without hesitation. “Once the experiment succeeds, we’ll leave. Though he is an excellent biologist, I don’t plan to take him along.”

“Boss, shall we cultivate more superpowered bio-soldiers?” Qian Yaoduo asked.

“No need. Too many would strain resources and complicate transport,” Ma Jun said.

“Hey, boss, we can freely come and go from this realm. More robots mean more trips. Leave it to me—I don’t mind the hassle!” Qian Xuduo interjected.

“Who said we can freely enter and exit this realm?” Ma Jun laughed. “From the start, I never intended to conquer the biohazard realm. I’ve never tried to outshine Alice here. Leaving this realm consumes energy. Although we have plenty now, there’s no reason to waste it.”

“Old Four, you forgot what the boss said—this realm is an apocalypse!” Qian Moduo reminded him. “Rivers and lakes have dried up, vegetation withered, and the globe irreversibly turned to desert. What’s the point of this realm?”

“Right!” Qian Xuduo guffawed, then cast a sly look at Ma Jun. “So boss, Alice will definitely leave with you, right?”

“No!” Ma Jun blinked, replying without hesitation.

“But boss, you’ve grown close to her after all this time! True love in adversity!” Qian Xuduo exclaimed in surprise.

“It’s her and Jack who have feelings!” Ma Jun said calmly. “And Jack is just a role I play—like acting in a drama. Once the show’s over, I step off stage.” He widened his eyes. “Besides... what’s love? Can you eat it?”

“I…” Qian Xuduo paused. “Boss, though I always take your words as law, I have to ask—what about Mu Jianping?”

Ma Jun shrugged and glanced at Qian Moduo.

Qian Moduo smiled faintly. Having known Ma Jun the longest and understanding him best, and having personally witnessed matters involving Mu Jianping, he was the most authoritative aside from Ma Jun himself.

“In the Deer and Cauldron realm, the boss wasn’t strong enough to dominate outright. To achieve the goal of realm plunder, he had to proceed cautiously. Marrying Mu Jianping was purely a political arrangement.”

After a pause, Old Qian added, “So, there was no real love involved. However, the boss and the lady spent enough time together to develop some feelings, after all, he is human. But those feelings are more like familial affection.”

“Oh! So that’s how it is!” Qian Xuduo realized.

“You’re always the nosiest!” Ma Jun laughed irritably. “With that eagerness to learn, you should study flattery instead—at least make me happy. You all get back to work; I’m heading to my room!”

After Ma Jun left, the four Qian men also departed the lab, returning to their respective posts.

On the way, Qian Xuduo rambled, “Hey, Old Qian, the boss isn’t young anymore. With such vast power and strength, why is he so disinterested in women? Yet when I take him out, he enjoys himself more than I do. Strange, isn’t it?”

“You’re not studying flattery now but the boss’s love life!” Qian Bodu shot Old Four a glance. “I think the boss just doesn’t engage in romance. He values real action, no nonsense! Doesn’t believe in any of that love crap.”

“Old Three’s right!” Qian Moduo concurred. “But I suspect it’s not disbelief but fear. The boss was reborn by the system. He might have experienced something before rebirth that deeply affected him. When we were cultivating Xiao Hua’s body, he subtly hinted at it.”

“What happened?” Qian Xuduo asked curiously.

“The boss didn’t say!” Qian Moduo shook his head. “Even if he did, I wouldn’t tell you without his permission. Know what privacy means?”

“Alright, you’re all just bored, gossiping about the boss!” Qian Yaoduo, who hadn’t spoken all along, summed up. “Get back to work! The sooner we finish, the sooner the boss won’t have to suffer living underground!”

“Right, Old Two!” Qian Xuduo laughed heartily. “Your flattery skills even surpass mine. Even when the boss is away, you still have to show loyalty!”