Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

"Advisor Jiang!"

The speedboat operator reached out to help him, and paused noticeably when he touched his burnt wetsuit. "Are you injured?"

"A superficial injury." Jiang Nian gritted his teeth, stood firm, and took off his damaged helmet.

"Return to base immediately!" the operator shouted into the communicator. "The wounded need emergency treatment!"

The speedboat's engine roared low, leaving a white trail on the sea as it sped toward the shore.

Jiang Nian leaned against the cabin wall, her breathing gradually calming down.

The gloves were completely burned, and the exposed skin was red and swollen, covered with a thin, translucent eschar.

The joints are numb to the touch, but they can still move.

What's more troublesome is the sensation inside the body.

The labeled activity is slowly declining, but at a much slower pace than expected.

A static sound came from the communicator behind his ear, and Bai Yongxu's voice rang out: "Jiang Nian, report your situation."

"Second-degree burns to the right hand, damage to the deep-sea suit, but mobility is unimpeded."

Jiang Nian pressed the communicator with his left hand. "The activity of the marker in my body is slowly decreasing, and it is currently still about 60 percent above the baseline. I have a persistent warm feeling and slight dizziness."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the communication line before Old Qin's voice cut in: "Warmth? Specific location? Is it accompanied by tingling or numbness?"

"It is mainly concentrated in the middle of the spine, the back of the neck, and the inside of the right arm."

Jiang Nian closed her eyes and felt it; "There was no stinging pain."

"This is a side effect of overload."

"Will this affect subsequent operations?" Bai Yongxu asked.

"I'm not sure," Old Qin admitted frankly. "I need to monitor the data in real time."

The speedboat sped across the sea for about forty minutes before finally entering a secluded military dock.

The dock was brightly lit, and medical vehicles and stretchers were already in place.

As soon as Jiang Nian stepped onto the dock, two medics in white coats came to greet him.

The medical vehicle sped away from the dock, passed through layers of security checks, and finally entered the Xuanwu Base Deep Medical Center.

When Jiang Nian was wheeled into the examination room, Old Qin was already waiting there.

"Quickly, perform a full-body scan, highlighting key areas and the injury on the right hand," Qin Lao directed the medical team. "Draw blood, perform routine biochemistry and gene expression profiling. Also, monitor neural electrical signals."

The various instruments in the examination room began to operate.

Jiang Nian was moved into a circular full-body scanner, where a soft blue beam of light swept from the top of her head to the soles of her feet.

After the scan was completed, Jiang Nian was removed from the instrument.

Old Qin pushed his wheelchair closer and carefully examined Jiang Nian's bandaged right hand: "Does it hurt?"

“I can tolerate it.” Jiang Nian flexed his fingers. “It doesn’t affect basic functions.”

"Don't get it wet these days, and don't exert yourself."

Old Qin instructed, "I will prescribe some ointment to promote epidermal regeneration. Also, regarding the issue of marker activity in your body..."

He pulled up the data chart on his tablet: "Based on the current rate of decline, it is expected to recover to the baseline level in eight to ten hours."

"Understood." Jiang Nian nodded.

At that moment, the door to the inspection room slid open, and Bai Yongxu and Chief Zhao walked in.

“I’ve already read the operation report.” Bai Yongxu pulled up a chair and sat down. “What was your last move?”

The room fell silent. Everyone looked at Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian paused for a few seconds, organizing his thoughts: "I don't know how to describe it. The pressure from the resonance field was too strong at the time, causing the marker activity to erupt out of control. I couldn't suppress it, so I could only try to guide it."

“I gathered them in my right hand and then released them.”

"In what form will the release take?" Chief Zhao asked.

“It’s not about releasing internal energy externally.” Jiang Nian shook his head. “It’s more like sending out those special harmonic characteristics in the form of pulses.”

"What about the reaction of that spacecraft?" Bai Yongxu asked. "The report said it showed signs of going out of control."

“Yes,” Jiang Nian recalled. “Its detection port emitted electric sparks, the entire body shook violently, and the propulsion system became unstable. But it recovered quickly.”

"The organization's underwater technology is more advanced than we anticipated."

Commander Zhao's expression was grave. "That level of interference would have crippled a conventional warship long ago. It only went out of control for three seconds."

"There's one more thing," Chief Zhao added, "This time it used non-lethal weapons, with the aim of capturing rather than killing."

Silence fell in the room.

“So they will speed things up,” Bai Yongxu continued, “They must bring you to the Ruins before your vitality declines.”

"But we also gained something," Chief Zhao said. "This operation confirmed that the organization has a permanent underwater force in the South China Sea, and that it has advanced technology."

"We recorded the sonar signature of that spacecraft. We'll be more confident in dealing with it next time we encounter it."

"And Jiang Nian's final attack method."

Old Qin looked at Jiang Nian, "Although the principle is unclear, it proves that the key itself may have some kind of defensive or counter-attack capability. This may become a card for us."

Jiang Nian did not speak.

“You need to rest.” Bai Yongxu stood up. “Old Qin, arrange the best care for him. Chief Zhao, increase the alert level at the base and in the South China Sea.”

"Although that spacecraft has retreated, it doesn't mean the organization will give up."

"clear."

"Also," Bai Yongxu walked to the door and turned to look at Jiang Nian, "Su Qing has already taken care of things with the crew. You can rest tomorrow and resume filming the day after tomorrow."

After Bai Yongxu and Chief Zhao left, Old Qin conducted another round of basic examinations on Jiang Nian. Only after confirming that his vital signs were stable did he agree to transfer him to a special intensive care unit.

……

Base command center.

Bai Yongxu and Chief Zhao sat in the conference room, where a large screen in front of them displayed a split-screen view of the South China Sea, data analysis of tonight's operation, and a high-resolution screenshot of the Guixu marker captured from an underwater vehicle.

"The technical department has analyzed this logo."

Chief Zhao retrieved the report, noting that it "conforms to the organization's consistent aesthetic standards."

"Aesthetic sense is not important."

Bai Yongxu stared at the symbol. "The important thing is that they dared to print this symbol directly on the aircraft, which shows that they are confident that they will not be detected and intercepted by conventional forces in that area of ​​the South China Sea."

"High seas, deep waters, far from major shipping lanes."

Commander Zhao drew a circle on the nautical chart with his finger, "The perfect location for a forward outpost."

“I suspect that the spacecraft did not come directly from the distant Guixu, but rather had a resupply point in the South China Sea, or even a permanent base.”

"It's very possible."

Bai Yongxu nodded. "Notify the intelligence department to expand the scope of the investigation, especially to areas with deep-water berths or underwater construction capabilities."

"Already doing it."

Chief Zhao said, "In addition, Qin's team requested more resources to study the principles behind Jiang Nian's final attack pattern. They want to try to reproduce it in the laboratory."

"Approved." Bai Yongxu said without hesitation, "But on the condition that it does not affect the research and development of health monitoring and inhibition technology for Jiang Nian."

"clear."

The two discussed for another half hour, finalizing the alert deployment and research priorities for the next few days.

It was 3 a.m. when I left the conference room.

Bai Yongxu did not return to his dormitory, but instead went to Professor Qin's laboratory.

The old man was still working, staring at the complex gene sequence comparison chart on the screen, with a half-cold cup of coffee beside him.

"Old Qin, aren't you going to rest?" Bai Yongxu walked in. "I can't sleep." Old Qin didn't even look up. "The analysis of Jiang Nian's blood sample is in, and there are some abnormalities."

Bai Yongxu's heart tightened: "What's wrong?"

“It’s not a bad thing.” Old Qin pulled up the data. “Look here, the gene expression profiles that mark active regions have changed significantly before and after tonight’s events.”

"The activity of certain regulatory factors has increased, and this increase appears to be reversible."

Bai Yongxu processed this information: "So, Jiang Nian might be more likely to use that kind of attack next time?"

“Theoretically, yes.” Old Qin put his glasses back on. “But we need more data to verify it.”

He paused, then lowered his voice: "Old Bai, I have an idea."

"explain."

"Since these markings can respond to Jiang Nian's internal energy guidance, can we proactively design a plan?"

With the fervor of a scientist shining in Qin Lao's eyes, "Through controlled stimulation and guidance, can we gradually enhance Jiang Nian's control over the labeling activity, and even develop more application methods?"

Bai Yongxu remained silent for a long time.

"The risk is too great."

He finally shook his head, "We don't understand these markers enough. Rushing into training could trigger uncontrollable mutations or backlash."

"But passively waiting is equally dangerous."

Old Qin insisted, "The organization is taking action, but we don't understand their technology."

"Jiang Nian only managed to repel his opponent tonight through instinct and luck. What about next time? And the time after that? We must give him more opportunities to protect himself."

Bai Yongxu walked to the window and looked at the night view of the base outside.

"How long will it take to design a preliminary plan?" he asked.

"One week."

Professor Qin said, "I need detailed physiological data on Jiang Nian, as well as simulations of the labeled response under different stimulus conditions. But this is contingent on Jiang Nian's consent."

“He will agree.” Bai Yongxu turned around. “But the plan must undergo the most rigorous security assessment. Every step must be controllable, and there must be a contingency plan for termination at any time.”

"I understand." Old Qin nodded emphatically.

……

Nine o'clock the next morning.

When Jiang Nian woke up at the medical center, she felt much better than she had the night before.

The pain in my right hand has lessened, and the swelling has subsided somewhat. The warmth in my body has mostly disappeared, leaving only slight fatigue and dizziness.

Dr. Qin and his medical team came to make rounds and conducted a full set of examinations.

"The activity level has dropped to 15 percent above the baseline, which is within the normal fluctuation range." Old Qin looked at the report. "The nerve electrical signals have basically returned to normal. The burn on the right hand is healing well, with no signs of infection."

"Can I be discharged now?" Jiang Nian asked.

"This afternoon is fine," said Old Qin, "but you must rest today, you cannot use your internal energy, and you cannot participate in any high-intensity activities."

He paused, then added, "Also, I'd like to discuss with you in detail your attack method last night."

Jiang Nian nodded.

Old Qin asked the other medical staff to leave, closed the door, and sat down by the bedside.

"Could you describe your feelings at the time in more detail?" Old Qin turned on the recorder.

Jiang Nian recalled: "The first step was to guide the labeling activity to the right hand. This process was like forcibly concentrating the heat that was scattered throughout the body into a single channel."

“The pipes are narrow and the pressure is high, but you can feel the flow.”

"and then?"

Jiang Nian searched for a suitable analogy, "At that time, the probe port of the spacecraft was facing me, and I could feel a certain frequency running inside the port."

"So you aimed there?"

"I think if I direct the activity I've gathered toward a point with a similar frequency, it might produce a stronger effect."

Old Qin took notes quickly, his eyes behind his glasses growing brighter and brighter.

“Resonance…frequency matching…”

He murmured, "If this conjecture is true, then the marking and detection systems in your body may be based on the same technological principle. That's why you can interfere with them."

He put away the recorder, his expression turning serious: "Jiang Nian, I want to discuss something with you."

"You say."

"Based on what happened last night, I think the markers in your body may have some kind of plasticity."

Old Qin carefully chose his words, "If this judgment is correct, then perhaps we can enhance your control over these markers through systematic training."

"What about the risks?"

"Unknown," Old Qin admitted frankly. "This is a completely new field, with no precedent to follow."

The ward fell silent.

“I need to think about it,” he said.

“Of course.” Old Qin stood up. “There’s no rush. You should focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back into shape. The design of the plan also needs time.”

After Qin Lao left, Jiang Nian stayed alone in the ward for a while.

Then he picked up the encrypted tablet from the bedside table and opened it.

There are several unread messages.

A message from Su Qing, reporting on the situation of the film crew.

"Director Zhang called this morning to offer his regards, and I replied as planned that you were still resting. The filming schedule is normal today, and Lin Wan and Chen Xiao both asked me to send their greetings to you."

A message from Chen Meng: "The area around the hotel is safe and there are no abnormalities. Shifts have been rotated as planned."

Another message came from Wu Ming, and he sounded excited.

"Brother Jiang! The trailer for 'Lifeline' was released last night, and your clip went viral! The media are all praising your amazing acting! Director Zhang said he'll arrange a few interviews with you once you're feeling better!"

Jiang Nian replied to the message briefly, then opened the news feed.

As expected, the production team of "Lifeline" released the first wave of promotional materials.

One of the 30-second trailers included several shots of him filming a night scene on the rooftop.

That lonely figure, that empty gaze, and that final, silent tremor.

The comments section has exploded.

"I'm blown away by Jiang Nian's acting! There's absolutely no trace of acting!"

"That's what a real actor is! Some of those popular idols should take note!"

"I heard that Teacher Jiang was so immersed in filming this scene that her old injury flared up again. I feel so sorry for her..."

"Looking forward to the full episodes! I'm definitely watching this show!"

Public opinion overwhelmingly positive.

Jiang Nian turned off the tablet and leaned against the headboard.

The glamour of the entertainment industry and the crises of the deep sea seem like two separate worlds.

He must navigate between these two worlds and play both roles effectively.

At 2 p.m., after Qin Lao's final assessment, Jiang Nian was approved for discharge.

Su Qing and Chen Meng drove to pick him up.

"Teacher Jiang, shall we go straight back to the hotel?" Su Qing asked. (End of Chapter)