Chapter 3501: Negotiations
Chapter 3501: Negotiations
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Under the deliberate promotion and hype by the Eastern Federation, Fang Heng had already become a positive figure who had saved the entire world.
After that, it was said that Fang Heng went missing after resolving the crisis of foreign invasions.
At present, people all over the Lower World were searching for Fang Heng.
How could he appear here?
Bryce stared at Fang Heng, then looked at the group of unidentified individuals following behind him, and a sense of unease immediately rose in his heart.
He knew about some of Ernst’s demi-human research projects.
These people should be demi-humans.
He remembered that Fang Heng also seemed to be a member of the demi-human race.
Could it be...
A terrifying thought arose in Bryce’s mind.
Could Fang Heng’s disappearance be related to Director Ernst?
Did he want to research Fang Heng?
That guy was truly insane!
Gilles also reacted and asked, "Mr. Fang Heng, why are you here?"
Fang Heng had thought he would have to deal with a Central Federation team. Seeing the other party’s attitude take a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn, he was also a little surprised and muttered inwardly.
Did this group not know about the research institute incident?
Or were they deliberately pretending not to know?
Gu Qingzhu’s group had already been prepared to force their way out. Seeing the Federation’s reaction, they were momentarily confused and all looked toward Fang Heng.
Since when did Fang Heng have this much status even within the Central Federation?
Felix said, "Mr. Fang Heng, we learned that you went missing after fighting foreign invaders in hell. How did you end up here?"
Several thoughts flashed through Fang Heng’s mind. Too lazy to keep thinking, he said, "I find it strange too. I was fighting monsters in hell earlier, got injured, and passed out. When I woke up, I found myself lying in the research institute. From what they said, it sounded like they wanted to research me?"
Everyone’s expressions changed slightly.
The person in charge of the research institute stiffened even more and hurried to speak first. "No, no, that’s not the case. There must be some misunderstanding here. The research institute was under Director Ernst’s responsibility. I don’t know the details of his research projects."
Fang Heng shrugged and continued, "These are my friends. They were detained without cause by the research institute. According to them, the institute carried out some human experiments against their will. Does the Central Federation know about this?"
Gilles’s expression grew grave, and inwardly he had already started cursing.
That idiot Ernst!
Not only stupid, but also reckless.
He even dared to offend someone like this?
The Central Federation’s high-level meeting had just established a strategic direction to make every effort to ease relations with Fang Heng. Before any action had even begun, they had already offended Fang Heng.
Calm down. What needed to be done now was to ease the situation.
Gilles took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Fang Heng, please give us some time. Please believe that I will give you a reasonable explanation for this matter."
"All right."
Fang Heng waved his hand indifferently.
Judging by the Federation’s usual style, the so-called investigation would most likely not yield any results.
In the end, it would just be glossed over, finding a suitable excuse to brush the matter aside.
"I trust the Federation. I’ll take my friends and leave. That’s not a problem, right?"
"Of course not."
Hearing that Fang Heng did not press the issue, Gilles let out a slight sigh of relief.
"Please rest assured, the research institute has already been completely sealed off by us. This matter will definitely be investigated thoroughly, and we will give you a satisfactory explanation."
"Whatever." Fang Heng shrugged again. "Oh, right, I just thought of something. I sensed a rather strong energy reaction inside the research institute just now. I think it’s possible that someone in the institute accidentally triggered some dangerous device."
Everyone’s expressions changed.
Felix asked cautiously, "Mr. Fang Heng, what do you mean by that?"
"If my guess is correct, the research institute is probably about to explode. If the Federation is willing, you can of course seal off the area and conduct an investigation." Fang Heng nodded. "My friends and I will be leaving first."
"Wait!"
Seventh Squad Captain Bryce stopped Fang Heng and looked at the group of demi-humans behind him. "Your friends don’t look to be in good condition. Do they need to be checked? Vehicles are already prepared outside. We can head to the nearest Federation hospital immediately."
"No need."
Gu Qingzhu had no trust in the Federation at all and swept her cold gaze over the crowd.
"I think it would be safer to have them checked." Bryce continued. "If, as you said, Director Ernst conducted certain research on your friends, there may still be drugs in their bodies that haven’t been fully metabolized. Keeping them inside could have effects."
Fang Heng turned his head and stared at Bryce.
Bryce did not retreat and met Fang Heng’s gaze, continuing, "Also, my squad members are inside as well. Have you seen them?"
"Do you think I should have seen them?"
"I suspect you are involved in this matter."
"Bryce! Stand down first! We’ll talk about this later!"
Gilles did not want to have a confrontation with Fang Heng.
Setting aside whether Fang Heng truly resolved the hell rift crisis or not, even now, standing behind Fang Heng were vampires, Ouroboros mutant worms, and the Holy Court.
The Central Federation could not afford to provoke him.
"Withdraw first. Evacuate personnel immediately and ensure everyone’s safety."
"Sir Gilles, forgive me for speaking frankly,"
Bryce still showed no intention of backing down. Standing in front of Fang Heng, he said coldly, "I have never heard of any highly dangerous explosive materials inside the research institute. Could it be that Mr. Fang Heng made a misjudgment?"
"Is that so? A misjudgment?"
Fang Heng raised his hand and lightly pointed toward the upper right, indicating a corner. "Then tell me, what is that?"
Everyone followed the direction Fang Heng pointed toward.
Smoke?
Black-gray smoke was seeping out from beneath the door of a room in the corner.
Several Central Federation soldiers hurried over and forced open the tightly shut door.
"Hoo!!!"
Immediately, a wave of scorching flames surged outward from the broken doorway.
Scattered sparks ignited small flames.
In just a few seconds, the fire rapidly spread and advanced toward the hall.
"Hurry! Put out the fire! Contact the fire brigade and have them come in for support!"
The Central Federation squads deployed in the hall were momentarily stunned.
A fire?
Where did this fire come from?
Bryce frowned slightly and signaled to two subordinates beside him.
The two quickly condensed imprints in front of themselves.
Water Cannon Barrage!
"Bang! Bang bang bang!!"
At once, dozens of concentrated, chained water cannons blasted toward the source of the flames.
"Chi! Chi chi chi!!!"
The water cannons pierced straight through the flames with sizzling sounds, blasting apart a wooden door behind the fire into fragments.
However, the flames showed no sign of being extinguished. Instead, they rapidly intensified within the fire.
Something was wrong!
There was something wrong with these flames!
Bryce’s heart jumped. When he turned back again, Fang Heng had already led the group of demi-humans toward the outside of the research institute.
"Retreat! Get out, now!"
"Boom!!!"
In less than half a minute, just as everyone in the hall had withdrawn from the research institute, the entire building was engulfed in terrifying flames, with dull explosions echoing intermittently from within.