Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 915: The Plagues of the Mortal Realm

Humans are peculiar creatures, and the human heart is the most complex of things; sometimes, even one cannot understand their own thoughts.

Confusion may linger until the day of one's death.

...

Alike Pharmaceuticals is a drug company acquired by the Song Dynasty Group, and its profits have been decent. However, initially, the acquisition of Alike Pharmaceuticals was merely a way for the Song family to take care of their village.

Training soldiers requires various medicines when they are injured, and some of these drugs are hard to find in the market—rather than spending energy searching for the needed medicines through various channels, it's more convenient to produce them oneself.

Of course, owning a pharmaceutical company naturally includes a department dedicated to developing more effective drugs—among these departments is a special group specifically for analyzing the pills provided by Mr. Blind—who also works in this group.

In the special research lab of Alike Pharmaceuticals, a novel subject has recently been the focus of intense study. More specifically, they are studying a live zombie that was captured.

This project instills a mix of fear and excitement in the researchers, and it is highly classified. The researchers know that by entering this special group, they have essentially severed ties with the outside world.

However, the Song family has treated them well. Their families outside are well taken care of, allowing them to work here without concern.

On this day, Song Da arrived again, carrying a sealed box covered with cloth.Why "again"?

Naturally, it's because Song Da has been coming here daily for several days, and the researchers have long since grown accustomed to it. In fact, the research group has also drawn blood from Song Da and his brothers for study—after all, the three brothers possess superhuman physiques, which is quite enticing.

But as it turns out, apart from being very healthy, they are genuine humans.

Two men in security uniforms stood outside a special room. They held submachine guns, standing at attention and vigilant—these two men are from the village.

"Good day, instructor!" Upon seeing Song Da arrive, they promptly saluted.

Song Da simply nodded and waved his hand. The two guards understood and opened the steel door behind them.

They did not follow Song Da inside but continued to guard the steel door—actually, there was another, heavier door inside, so Song Da only entered a passageway.

Yet, this space was still filled with many devices.

Song Da began to don protective gear before arriving at the second door, where a mist was sprayed around him—this was a special disinfectant.

Before entering, a full disinfection was required, and before exiting, another thorough disinfection was also mandated—this was a strong request from the researchers, as inside was a living zombie.

No one knew what bacteria from outside would react with the zombie, nor whether the bacteria on the zombie could truly spread through the air.

Song Da, feeling somewhat impatient, waited for a moment until an electronic voice indicated that the disinfection was complete, and the second door could be opened. He frowned slightly and stepped inside.

The room was dark, but after Song Da entered, it became exceptionally bright, almost pure white, accompanied by a tremendous roar and frenzied banging.

In the center of the room was a large, specially treated square glass enclosure, inside of which was the only live zombie captured: Natasha.

Natasha's body had deteriorated somewhat since her time in the hospital; her skin had turned gray, and her appearance had changed considerably. At this moment, she pressed her entire body against the glass, clawing at it with her hands.

She looked toward Song Da, but he was uncertain whether she was truly looking at him.

Around the enclosure, many instruments were placed to monitor Natasha's various activity data... Song Da couldn’t understand much and didn’t pay much attention. He walked up to the glass enclosure without fear.

The two were nearly separated by only a few centimeters of glass. Song Da silently observed Natasha's current state.

After a while, he stepped back a few paces and approached a table outside the enclosure. He opened the item he had brought, which was a portable pet carrier.

Inside was a fainted wildcat. Song Da placed the wildcat on the table, which then opened. Inside was a passage leading to the interior of the glass enclosure.

He pressed the start button, and the transport system began to operate. Soon after, the floor inside the enclosure opened automatically, and the wildcat appeared inside.

Without hesitation, Natasha lunged at the wildcat, starting to devour it... the scene was, of course, unsettling.

Watching Natasha at this moment, Song Da had a strange thought: perhaps they shouldn’t have captured her alive... If only he had killed her with a single strike back then.

Or, if they could have better rescued her from the maze in the cellar.

Humans are rather strange; if they initially lack a saving mentality, they won't contemplate these matters... but once someone has already acknowledged them, an inexplicable sense of guilt arises.

Song Da involuntarily sighed, feeling that his thoughts were somewhat unnecessary—when he was training in the temple with many bald monks, his master often said he was impure; Song Da dismissed it at the time, but now it seemed there was some truth to it.

The mortal realm is filled with afflictions.

After Natasha completely consumed the wildcat, Song Da quietly watched for a while before turning to leave the room—upon exiting, he naturally had to go through another round of disinfection.

After removing his protective gear, Song Da did not leave immediately but sat in the changing room, lost in thought.

Suddenly, he pulled something from his clothing: an identification document.

This was Natasha’s ID, which Song Da had later found at the hospital. The girl with the radiant smile in the photo had now become a monster.

Staring at the detailed residential address on the ID, Song Da pondered... He furrowed his brow, suddenly stood up, and hurriedly left without even greeting the two guards outside.

...

...

“... Therefore, the supervisory agency is composed entirely of members from the Thirteen Clans.”

This had become a question-and-answer format... Song Haoran and Gloria continued their dialogue. Song Haoran knew that unless coerced, Gloria wouldn’t willingly disclose much— even now, she wouldn’t reveal more information than Song Haoran’s questions prompted.

Thus, her responses were very cautious and meticulous; what she disclosed was not real confidential information—these were details familiar to those non-humans hidden in the dark world, yet largely unknown to humanity.

“Indeed, this world is far more interesting than I imagined,” Song Haoran said, revealing a satisfied smile.

At this moment, Gloria coldly said, “If you don’t have any questions, it’s best to return the items to me… Don’t let your curiosity bring trouble to those behind you. That day in the treasure vault, which blind man warned you, have you forgotten?”

“That's why I came quietly,” Song Haoran shrugged. “Of course, I think he probably guessed I would do this. But in fact, that gentleman didn’t stop me any further… so perhaps he tacitly allowed it?”

“Return the items to me!” Gloria gritted her teeth.

“I still have many questions, no rush,” Song Haoran teased with a smile. “Since you’re not planning to come clean, I’ll have to ask my own questions. However, I learned quite a bit today, so I need to digest it and think of a few more questions. I’ll come back tomorrow to ask you properly.”

Gloria felt helpless. Smart men were always frightening, especially those who were intelligent yet had very low moral standards—they were even more terrifying.

“It’s about time; I should return to the family banquet,” Song Haoran smiled but didn’t leave immediately.

Gloria wished this annoying guy would leave right now, but Song Haoran picked up a bowl filled with blood—this blood wasn’t from a chef accidentally cutting himself but rather duck blood brought from the kitchen.

Song Haoran poured the blood into the toilet of the cell, flushing it away. This cell was originally meant for confinement, so it had the most basic facilities, including a washbasin nearby.

Song Haoran seemed quite happy, leisurely cleaning the bowl, while Gloria’s eyes burned with fury.

Suddenly, Song Haoran turned around and curiously asked, “I just thought of a question. You said vampires only drink blood and don’t eat food… so do you go to the bathroom?”

As he spoke, Song Haoran moved his fingers, pointing at a surveillance camera in the corner of the room.

Gloria gritted her teeth, showing a hateful gaze. Song Haoran shrugged nonchalantly and laughed, “I actually never turned that on. Don’t worry; I have no interest in voyeurism because if I wanted to watch, I would do it openly.”

Gloria decided to ignore him… this man had no concept of a moral baseline!

“You’re actually quite easy to expose,” Song Haoran said as he walked back to the simple table, placing the cleaned bowl down while facing away from Gloria. “Although you appear cold on the outside, this forced indifference can easily be shattered.”

Gloria was taken aback, not by what Song Haoran said but because she caught a whiff of a familiar scent—it instantly heightened her hunger.

“Enjoy your dinner, Miss Investigator,” Song Haoran smiled as he turned back around.

His right hand gripped his left wrist, and blood was oozing from the palm of his left hand, while a small dagger was pinched between his fingers.

“Then I won’t disturb you any longer.”

With that, Song Haoran left. Gloria waited for a long time but didn’t see this annoying guy return, and the scent of blood in the air nearly pushed her to her limits.

She had actually approached the 'table,' gazing at the nearly half-filled bowl of blood.

Hunger instinctively made her open her mouth, her hand trembling uncontrollably as she reached out. Gloria cursed angrily, “Damn… I’ll tear you apart!”

Suddenly biting her lip, Gloria resolutely picked up the bowl and walked to the toilet.

However, just as her hand opened, Gloria froze. The blood tipped to the edge of the bowl, the liquid tension preventing it from spilling.

Taking a deep breath, Gloria tilted her head back and drank half a bowl of blood in one go.

Her hands naturally fell down, and the bowl slipped from her grasp, shattering on the ground.

She tilted her head back, eyes closed… After a while, she silently walked to the single bed, lay down, and curled her body slightly.

“Why am I being so honest…”

Gloria hugged her head and closed her eyes.

---

After leaving the cold confinement room, Song Haoran returned to the surface and was about to head to the dining hall.

He was in a good mood, whistling while examining the palm of his left hand… The wound had stopped bleeding after he left; there was only a scar that looked like it had just healed.

Song Haoran lightly ran his fingers over the scar on his palm, and the speed of healing exceeded his expectations… He whistled again and muttered to himself, “Extraordinary…”

“Young Master!”

At that moment, a young servant from the cold residence approached, probably around twenty years old, and quite handsome.

Song Haoran squinted and nodded, saying, “Oh, has anyone told you that you look particularly cute today?”

“Annoying!” The maid, who was all too familiar with the young master’s character, shot him a glare and walked away.

Of course, Song Haoran wouldn’t let that slide; he quickly slapped the maid’s rear, earning another glare before he contentedly twirled Gloria’s necklace with his fingers and walked out of the corridor.

“Ah, what a coincidence, little Luo Qiu!”

To Song Haoran’s surprise, he didn’t walk far before encountering Luo Qiu, along with Gan Hong, who had been inseparable from Luo Qiu recently.

“I just changed my clothes and was getting ready to go to the dining hall,” Luo Qiu nodded and looked at Song Haoran. Suddenly, he said, “You seem to be in a good mood, as bright as the sun.”

“Sun?” Song Haoran paused, instinctively looking up to see the sunset. “I prefer sunsets… Oh, speaking of sunsets, I suddenly thought of an adventure story. Want to hear it?”

Song Haoran directly draped his arm over Luo Qiu’s shoulder, then looked back at Gan Hong, saying, “Borrowing your… young master for a bit, hope you don’t mind?”

Gan Hong sighed helplessly, “Feel free.”

“What kind of story?” Luo Qiu casually asked, loosening his scarf.

Song Haoran smiled, “It’s a story about a snow mountain expedition, starting at sunset. Let me tell you…”

Gan Hong shook her head. She just couldn’t understand why the young master preferred to share his adventure stories with women, almost never choosing to involve men.

Why did he enjoy telling stories to Young Master Qiu so much?

So perplexing.