Chapter 133 - Project Hades did not Fail

A shrill scream echoed all over the room before the lights went down. Everyone standing quickly ducked down to the floor; only Liu Xiaodan remained seated with a straight back. He eyed the door which opened without anyone visibly opening it.

When the door panel swung so slowly, the scent of blood began to flood everyone's noses. Even the nurses covered their noses with their hands as they also attempted to minimize the sounds they were making. Ten pressed on his pager to send it to silent mode while sending a message to the rest.

Due to the darkness of both the room and the hallway, only a few saw a clawed hand reach inside from the ceiling.

Liu Xiaodan quickly caught the image of what seemed to be a heavily feathered black bird with a balding head. Its beak was of the color of the skin while the immovable eyes were like the eye part of a pair of goggles. Its wing was connected to the wrist of its hand, and it seemed to be using its claws to puncture holes on the ceiling as it crawled inside.

When it was just above Liu Xiaodan and Guangru, it moved its head down and 'stood' with its foot claws dug into the ceiling. The beak opened, and the shape of its mouth seemed to smile. "Hello, it's been a while since I started hearing about your name. Both Abaddon and the Mother had spoken about you.

"Please, don't treat me as an enemy. I know the limits of my power, and I am nothing compared to you…" His head moved to take a look at Guangru. "Ah, you must be that visitor everyone spoke of. You've caused quite some trouble for yourself…"

"You said you're not an enemy. Why am I having the urge to squeeze you?" Guangru didn't like the presence of the bird. It was like the one in the prison, only that it was visibly more powerful and less assuming.

"No, no, don't squeeze." The bird resumed its previous position, crouching on the ceiling. "A feast will be served yet again. I would strongly recommend for you not to bring the child. Abaddon and the others will be attacking him regardless of formalities."

Liu Xiaodan glared. "Wouldn't I be the feast to be served then? If he can't come, I'd rather not go as well."

The bird only continued its creepy smiling as it seemed to retract its steps back outside. "That won't be necessary. Why hunt if there's free lunch? Moreover, they're preparing rooms in the Lodgings Hall. I think another batch will be provided. Ditch the child and join us."

"X-Xiaodan…" Zhang Wuji clutched on the edge of Liu Xiaodan's shirt. "Why did it come here?"

"Hm? You didn't hear what it said?"

"N-No… I can only see a silhouette." Zhang Wuji used another hand to hold onto him. "You have to leave this place if they're after you. They're all trapped here in the Treatment Hall. If you get out, they won't be able to follow you. Avoid this place at all costs."

"It's okay. I'll be fine." Liu Xiaodan smiled at the other guy.

Footsteps echoed along the hallway, and a familiar face came into the view of the door. Yun He was holding his nose from the strong odor of fresh blood because of the mess the bird had left along the hallway. His eyes then landed on Liu Xiaodan and Guangru… then to Zhang Wuji.

Yun He didn't dare to approach because of the way Guangru stared. Captain, Three, and Four had appeared as well to assess the situation. Since none of them were hurt, those who didn't need to be around Zhang Wuji anymore were collected from the room.

The floor nurse held onto Liu Xiaodan as they walked along the hallway. Liu Xiaodan noticed that a group of utility workers was scrubbing and mopping the floor at one alley. The remnant presence of the black bird was still in the area, making Liu Xiaodan a little angry.

"Should I hunt it down, Baba?" Guangru was nothing like a cute fluffy ball of anger in his state at the moment. He was undeniably a demon with that kind of sharpness and rage in his eyes.

"Don't bother for now. It might set a trap for you." Liu Xiaodan used a hand to c.a.r.e.s.s Guangru's head.

Yun He turned to look at the father and son before clearing his throat a little. "Xiaodan, I would need to bring you to a room in the Treatment Hall. Are you going to escape after I leave you there?"

Liu Xiaodan hummed. "Why can't I go back to the Rooms Hall? I want to eat and sleep properly. Those things won't stop visiting me if I stay here."

"I can't do anything about that…" Yun He then felt a vibration from his pager. He checked it and was initially shocked by the content of the message. He then sighed. "Scratch that. I'll bring you to the Rooms Hall."

"Was it Dr. Fan?"

"…no, someone bigger."

Liu Xiaodan only nodded in response.

In the end, Captain led Yun He and Liu Xiaodan back to the Rooms Hall. As soon as they exited the Treatment Hall, Guangru suddenly hopped off of Liu Xiaodan's arms and ran ahead like a playful child. No one would be able to see him so he could be anywhere he wanted.

The father only scratched his head as he watched Guangru run around. He also took in the lighter atmosphere of the lobbies before they entered the Food and Leisure Hall. Since it was already afternoon, most patients were either stuck in the hall or in their rooms to rest.

Even if Liu Xiaodan did nothing but sleep, he still wanted to be in the company of the soft bear rather than the uncomfortable sick beds. They got to the fourth floor, only to find Min Ye walking around aimlessly as if not knowing why he was walking around.

His eyes then met Liu Xiaodan's gaze, and Min Ye gasped. He then came straight at him and grabbed his shoulders. "Xiaodan! You… you came back!"

"Mister Ye, you're squeezing me too tight." It didn't hurt, but Liu Xiaodan didn't like anyone just approaching him like that. Min Ye quickly let go and stepped back upon realizing that an elite guard was actually with him. "I should be okay here. Thank you."

"Don't thank us like we walked you to protect you." Liu Xiaodan's politeness didn't seem to sit well with Captain. He had never handled a patient that wasn't scared of guards and was actively speaking with them. The doctors and nurses, however, considered the guards like air and pawns for their protection.

It wasn't that Liu Xiaodan's behavior was bad; it was just enough to make Captain feel weird.

Liu Xiaodan only nodded as a response. He then eyed Yun He before nodding again. He had questions for the nurse, but the father figured asking him wouldn't make any difference. Liu Xiaodan should just question those who didn't sign any confidentiality contracts with the facility.

When Yun He and Captain vanished from sight, Liu Xiaodan turned to the man who seemed to be waiting for him. Liu Xiaodan chuckled. "Did something happen when I was gone, Mister Ye?"

"I just… I don't know. You're so strange; you stick out like a sore thumb. We can tell that you're not around, and it's making us feel uneasy." Min Ye laughed out before rubbing his arms. "What is it like? The Treatment Hall?"

"It's scary. It's best for you not to go there." Liu Xiaodan didn't sugarcoat anything, but he didn't tell Min Ye about the materialized ghosts. The man was about to receive treatment so he should be more direct, instead of creating a false sense of relaxation. "Oh, I also saw Wuji there."

"Wuji? I thought he was in the Sick Hall?"

"Erm, his treatment has gone bad so he seemed to be having trips to the Treatment Hall more than normal. Don't worry, he'll be fine soon." Liu Xiaodan waved his hand. Zhang Wuji should be fine since the entity had vanished. He just didn't know if the kings would be interested in him.

Min Ye's eyes only nodded before sighing. He rubbed his arms some more. "Do you know? We're nurses from the same hospital—Wanwan, Wuji, and I. I'm just happy Wuji is still fine… even if Wanwan is…

"Either way, you have returned. There should be a chance for Wuji to come back here as well. Yeah, I should just wait for that." Min Ye laughed out, feeling lighter than earlier.

However, Liu Xiaodan reached out to tap on his shoulder. "Mister Ye… when you get your treatment, please always remember not to give in. If you endure long enough, I promise I will come and save you, okay?"

"Uh… okay…" Min Ye still flashed a smile. "Hehe, you're so kind. Wanwan is correct to say so."

…

The sound of a ringing phone came from the house phone, and Wu Qianqian took hurried steps to answer it. If anything, it could be Mian Bingbing who would give news about Li Heilong's situation. The Liu couple had just gotten home when they heard what happened to Li Heilong. They couldn't go back just as easily.

"Hello, Liu Residence!" Wu Qianqian was generally a jovial person, and it would show by how she acted like a satisfied elderly female. However, the voice just now…

"Hello, Qianqian."

Wu Qianqian froze, but her fingers curled harder around the phone. She then forced her fear outside her system, not letting it eat her from within. "Dad?"

"It's nice of you to still call me Dad." The old voice laughed. "Do you remember why your mother had left?"

"…yes. What is this about?"

"Do you remember how I was so disappointed in you? The Qiao family could have made use of someone so strong… and yet… you had no abilities to speak of."

Wu Qianqian only breathed into the phone, not letting her mouth loose to reveal her anxieties. However, it's just that… "Qianqian, I didn't realize how invaluable you really were to me. Project Hades did not fail. Apparently, it just needed another generation to fully develop its effects."

The mother shivered in where she stood. "What are you saying?"

"Project Hades was not only about what it can inherit from the subject's parents. It was also about how much power it could steal from its own."

"Dad…"

"I wonder how powerful our little Xiaodan will be in the future, my beloved daughter. Why don't you come see me so we can witness my stellar success together?"

END OF VOLUME FOUR