When the simulated universe testing ended today, Ruan Mei happened to send a request for research materials, so Herta let Stelle deliver them on her behalf.
Along the way, she could also let Ruan Mei meet the person helping test the simulated universe, making it easier to iterate on the simulated universe based on Stelle's real-time test data.
Although this kind of update felt a bit like a custom-made job, who could blame them when she could perfectly simulate the Aeon of Trailblaze.
"Lord Zhimu, can you go see what's going on with her?"
"Don't worry, she's a member of the Astral Express Crew now; I would go even if you didn't ask." Qi Zhimu gave Herta a reassuring look.
Watching Qi Zhimu return to the Space Station, Herta privately mused that it wouldn't do if Ruan Mei caused problems for the testing talent she had worked so hard to find.
However, hearing Stelle's tone, there didn't seem to be any health risks, so she didn't immediately contact Ruan Mei to interrogate her.
...
Qi Zhimu arrived at the Space Station as quickly as possible.
Before long, he saw Stelle in the medical cabin with a strange expression; as soon as he appeared, her expression turned several degrees more aggrieved.
It was the first time Qi Zhimu had seen her with such an expression.
Previously, when she was rummaging through everything on the Space Station—even digging through trash cans under the guise of finding treasure—and got scolded by March 7th, she hadn't looked this aggrieved.
"What happened?"
"I can't say, can you help me check..." Stelle had a grievance she couldn't voice.
"Come with me."
Qi Zhimu didn't ask further. Having been a mercenary and ranger for many years, he might not claim much else, but he certainly didn't lack experience, having seen countless bizarre situations.
Wanting to speak but being unable to—aside from key memories being tampered with or erased—usually meant a gag order restriction via neurological or brainwave drugs.
He conducted a comprehensive preliminary examination on Stelle, expecting to find a clue, but came up empty-handed.
"...Even you can't find it?" Seeing Qi Zhimu frown slightly, the hope in Stelle's eyes gradually dimmed, making her look increasingly helpless.
On second thought, it made sense... these were methods from a genius.
"How about you try asking Herta for help?"
"Her main field isn't medicine, don't rush." Qi Zhimu gestured for Stelle to stay calm, a look of solemnity flashing in his eyes.
The Space Station's medical facilities might not be the absolute best in the galaxy, but they were at least the IPC's cutting-edge products.
With the external conditions maxed out, his own skills weren't bad either; when performing group missions as a ranger, companions almost always sought him out to handle injuries.
With more time, he should be able to find where the problem lay.
A full two hours passed before Qi Zhimu found the source of the anomaly within Stelle's DNA helix.
He never expected that specific rules had actually been encoded into her DNA to achieve the effect of gagging specific words...
That was one thing, but the perverted part was that five different frequencies of biological keys were layered onto the exterior of the edited helix.
Without unlocking them in order, it was impossible to delete the encoded rules.
Qi Zhimu's brow furrowed; he couldn't remember where he had learned this knowledge, but his instinct told him this was the truth.
Almost instinctively, he thought of a person.
"Genius Society #81, life sciences expert, Ruan Mei?!"
Looking across the entire Space Station, aside from a genius, he couldn't think of anyone else capable of placing such a gag rule on Stelle.
Stelle really wanted to nod in confirmation, but unfortunately, her body couldn't do it due to the rule restrictions, making her look like a silly Grey Raccoon frozen in place.
But for Qi Zhimu, her silence was the most direct answer.
If it were common or even rare neurological and brainwave drugs, he could handle it.
When it involved DNA editing, the knowledge in his head told him he wasn't completely helpless, but he truly had no way to deal with those five key locks.
Qi Zhimu immediately contacted Herta.
"It's been so long, what's the verdict?" Herta cut straight to the point.
"It was likely done by Madam Ruan Mei."
"Heh, not surprising... I'll have a word with her to warn her not to go too far with that kid Stelle."
"Wait, you're partners after all, there's no need for you to step in yet. Where is she? I'll take Stelle to find her in my capacity as a Space Station doctor."
Qi Zhimu calmly proposed his solution to the problem.
"Me saying a few words isn't as serious as you think... fine, have it your way. If that woman dares to make things difficult for you, just say you're one of mine," Herta said.
Hearing this, even though the situation was grim, Qi Zhimu couldn't help but smile.
"...Shouldn't you say: I am yours?"
"It's all the same fact. Ruan Mei is in the Seclusion Zone; ordinary people can't enter, but I've given you the Space Station's highest clearance, along with the location of her laboratory."
"Received. Let's leave it at that for now."
Qi Zhimu cut the communication, checked the coordinates, and looked at Stelle.
"Let's go, let's find her."
The little Grey Raccoon hurried to follow.
...
Qi Zhimu had been to the Seclusion Zone more than once and still had some impressions of it.
Last time he tried to contact Ruan Mei through long-range remote sensing equipment, but only got an illusory projected message.
At that time, he wasn't clear on Ruan Mei's style of doing things, but now he finally had an initial impression.
"I repent, I misunderstood Herta before." Stelle sighed repeatedly as they walked.
"Misunderstood her?"
"Just... on the day I was born, I didn't remember anything. After I got hit by her for making a reckless joke, I couldn't help but say she had a bad personality, but I didn't expect..."
Stelle couldn't help but sigh again, slapping her hand against her forehead.
"Comparison really hurts. There are some things I can't say, but it's similar in nature to you taking on a mission, you know what I mean?"
"I understand all too well. Sometimes certain clients who come looking for me will demand that I take a certain type of drug or have them delete relevant memories after the mission is completed."
Talking about the past, Qi Zhimu couldn't help but sneer.
"It's nothing more than fear of things leaking out. Little do they know I don't take those kinds of missions at all. Then, those who become angry from shame would do one of two things."
"Either they try to double-cross me by hiring assassins to silence me, or they turn hostile on the spot, and in the end, they're the ones who shut their mouths forever."
Stelle suddenly felt a sense of shared misfortune.
Who would understand, family? She just wanted to continue being a helpful citizen of the Space Station, but ended up being secretly given a gag drug, forbidden from saying anything related to the other party.
The feeling was just like seeing an old person fall on the road and kindly stepping forward to help, only to be extorted in return.
"But Lord Zhimu, there's one thing I don't understand."
"Go ahead."
"Since those employers have the courage to attack you, their own strength must not be bad. Why go through the extra trouble of hiring you?" Stelle asked.
She wanted to know if the reason was the same as why Ruan Mei sought her help.
Qi Zhimu: "Because it's inconvenient to appear in person. Big shots all have eyes watching them. Although their subordinates are different, there are still traces to follow."
"The channels I take orders from aren't just the public ones; they also involve many dark nets that can't be brought to light, so there are very many people like this."
"I see." Stelle thought to herself, 'As expected.'
Ruan Mei must be doing some research that can't see the light of day. To think she'd scheme against her—Stelle had to expose her ruthlessly!
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