Chapter 85: Potion Formula

The guard came to attention and announced that the head of the research center and another professor had requested an audience.

Wang Ji lifted his brows slightly, surprised by Professor Li Cong's visit.

After Li arrived at the base, Long Qianwen had been spending her days with Wang Ji. Li had immediately returned to his old profession, joining the newly established research center at Hope Base and working with Lin Hanya's original team on genetic medicine.

The work had kept everyone busy, and the two had barely seen each other. For them to come calling in person now almost certainly meant there had been a major breakthrough.

"Show them in."

"Yes, Commander!"

A short while later, the group led by Professor Li Cong entered Wang Ji's office, with Lin Hanya and Chen Yukai following behind.

"Sit, all of you. Sit down. With everyone so busy, it's rare to get a chance to gather like this," Wang Ji said with a smile, motioning for them to take their seats according to rank and seniority.

At the side, the guard Wang Yong brought in tea and stood by with a look that lingered on Chen Yukai, unreadable.

"Truly, the young surpass the old. Seeing the base flourish under your leadership fills me with shame. It also makes me feel that I am truly getting on in years," Chen Yukai said with a broad smile. He admired this man in his early twenties greatly, yet at the same time he felt some hesitation about the matter they had come to discuss.

"No need to be so polite. The base was thriving even under Commander Chen's management," Wang Ji replied, then changed the subject and asked Professor Li, "How have you been lately, Professor? Have you adjusted to life here at the base?"

Professor Li Cong was in high spirits now. After this period of recuperation and doing the work he loved, he was in excellent condition. The wound in his abdomen had healed especially quickly, and he was now fully recovered.

"Thanks to Commander Wang's care, I've been very well here. Haha, how are Xiao Wen and the others?" Professor Li asked about the Dragon siblings.

"They're all doing well, taking part in training at the barracks. They've mentioned you several times during this period," Wang Ji said with a smile.

"That's good, that's good," Li Cong said with obvious relief.

Lin Hanya, seated in the middle, then joined the conversation.

"Commander Wang, we have something we need to report to you."

"Oh? Has there been a breakthrough in the research on the genetic medicine?"

Lin Hanya looked startled. "Commander Wang already knows? We only confirmed the stable formula for the basic medicine today."

"Haha, I was only guessing," Wang Ji said with a smile as he looked at the elegant woman before him. "So, you have the formula now. Can it be mass-produced?"

Lin Hanya glanced at Professor Li Cong with admiration and said, "It was all thanks to Professor Li joining our project and playing a crucial role. Then, using the perfect-grade medicine you provided as a foundation, we worked backward and finally found a stable formula."

"Good! That's excellent news. Since you've all come together today, are you here for a reward?" Wang Ji asked with a smile.

"Haha, there's no need for a reward. I've spent my whole life tinkering with research like this. Just keep providing resources and manpower, and let me continue working on the intermediate medicine," Li Cong said cheerfully and straightforwardly.

Lin Hanya gave an awkward little smile, while Chen Yukai shot her a look from beside her.

"Um... Commander Wang, I have a personal request," Lin Hanya said with some embarrassment.

Wang Ji was in very good spirits at the moment. "Go ahead. If it's within my power, I'll agree."

"Well... my father in the northern capital sent people to contact us. Since the formula for the medicine has just been developed, I'd like to take this formula... and return home..." As she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer.

The room fell silent at once. Wang Ji's smile faded slightly, and the atmosphere turned heavy.

Everyone in the office knew that this genetic medicine formula was, at present, the fastest-developed perfect formula in the world, and its value was beyond measure.

For Lin Hanya to make such a request was effectively to demand half the life from Wang Ji's future profit plans.

But considering the forces behind her, and the contribution she had made during the research process, Wang Ji felt he could not ignore that. At the very least, in conscience, he could not monopolize it.

As Wang Ji's thoughts raced, Lin Hanya and Chen Yukai felt pressure descending on them like a mountain. They did not dare move at all, sweat beginning to gather on their brows. They both feared that in a fit of anger, Wang Ji might settle the matter on the spot.

After all, this formula was enormously valuable.

After a long moment, Wang Ji finally smiled, and the unease in Lin Hanya and Chen Yukai's hearts seemed to vanish as if they had seen light in the darkness.

"That works. I've heard that Professor Lin's family has a large base in the north. I'm willing to share this formula with you as the foundation for our cooperation."

Lin Hanya looked at Wang Ji in disbelief and murmured, "This... really... really is possible?"

She had not expected Wang Ji to raise no objection at all and simply allow her to take the formula away.

Wang Ji nodded in confirmation. "Yes. Professor Lin has also made enormous contributions here. The final result should naturally be shared with you."

Professor Li Cong smiled with relief, proud of Wang Ji's choice.

"All right... then thank you very much!" Lin Hanya said solemnly.

Chen Yukai also said with excitement and gratitude, "Commander Wang, this time we are truly in your debt. Together with your help before, once we return to the northern capital, we will do our utmost to help Hope Base and the northern capital establish cooperation."

Something stirred in Wang Ji's heart. "Commander Chen, there's no need for such courtesy. So, are you leaving as well?"

Chen Yukai looked at Wang Ji calmly and said, "Indeed. Hanya will need people to protect her on the road north, and our mission here is complete. We are formally here to take our leave, Commander Wang."

Chen Yukai had fewer than five hundred men left under his command, and within Hope Base's military system they occupied an awkward position. Wang Ji did not dare use them lightly, but keeping hundreds of men fed without purpose was not a long-term solution.

This time, Chen Yukai's initiative to leave had indeed removed a burden from Wang Ji's mind.

"Very well. Wang Yong, tell Logistics to prepare supplies for five hundred men for one month for Commander Chen. We can't let our friendly forces have any worries on the road," Wang Ji said generously.

Chen Yukai quickly stood up. "Commander Wang, I can't thank you enough for your great kindness. We still have supplies left over from what you allotted us before, so there is no need to trouble you this time. We are confident we can return safely to the northern capital."

Inside, however, Chen Yukai was bewildered. Wang Ji's generosity made him uneasy, so he hurried to refuse the offer.

But Wang Ji truly meant well. Hope Base was now vast and prosperous, and its logistics could easily bear the burden. Giving them some supplies was only right, considering the contributions they had made while at Hope Base. Even the value of the vehicle core drive system they had developed was worth a month's worth of provisions.

Still, Wang Ji could not understand Chen Yukai's hesitation. He smiled and said, "It's nothing. The base can still afford some supplies. Commander Chen, are you worried about the journey being unsafe, that you might be targeted? How about I send people to escort you part of the way?"

Now Chen Yukai grew even more anxious. "Ah, no, really, there's no need. Our guard company may not be at full strength, but I still trust its combat ability."

Seeing this, Wang Ji finally let it go.

"Very well. Then I wish you a smooth journey." His thoughts had already turned to the medicine production plan he intended to launch, and he had no mind to continue the conversation. He lifted his teacup, signaling that it was time to leave.

Lin Hanya looked at Wang Ji and said gratefully, "Commander Wang, for all your help to us, if you ever need anything in the future, just send someone to find me in the northern capital. Until we meet again!"

After Lin Hanya and Chen Yukai left, Wang Yong said angrily, "Commander! Those ingrates—I never liked them. And now they actually dared to take the formula away, and even demand our supplies!"

Wang Ji waved a hand and looked thoughtfully toward the north.

In his heart, genetic medicine was indeed tied to his early profit plans. But in the long run, if more people could benefit from it, that would only aid the struggle against the foreign mutants.

"It's all right. I know what I'm doing."

Hearing this, Wang Yong did not dare continue his outburst. He lowered his head and answered softly, faithfully prepared to carry out Wang Ji's orders without question.

"Professor Li, now that we have the basic genetic medicine formula, I'd like to appoint you as the chief person in charge of its production. The production line, manpower, and all related resources will be arranged for you. What do you think?" Wang Ji asked with a smile. "Among everyone at this base, only you would make me feel at ease handling this."

Professor Li Cong chuckled. "You're trying to squeeze the last bit of use out of this old skeleton of mine, aren't you? Fine. As long as it doesn't interfere with my research, I'll take care of it."

Hearing him agree, Wang Ji was delighted.

"Yes, Professor Li shouldn't be so quick to admit age. I'll have two vials of genetic medicine sent to you later. After taking them, you'll be vigorous and lively again, and who knows, maybe you'll even find a companion..."

"Bah, bah, bah. You rascal, no respect for your elders," Professor Li said in feigned anger.

The heavy atmosphere in the office vanished, replaced by a much lighter one as the two of them discussed the details that needed attention for the production of the genetic medicine.

"It should be roughly like this. So the most important thing is the supply of raw materials. Around Hope Base, only that one patch of Star Dragon Herb grows. Before the cultivation of medicinal plants stabilizes, Commander Wang will need to put in some effort and make sure that area is well guarded."

Once Professor Li entered work mode, his methodical planning made Wang Ji deeply admire him.

He nodded at once. "No problem. I'll arrange for the troops to take turns guarding the resource point there immediately."

"Good. With you handling things, I'm reassured. Then let's proceed with setting up the production line and training the personnel at the same time. I'll take charge of staff training. There are many promising talents at the base. As for the production line, we'll have to rely on the Logistics Department," Professor Li said with satisfaction.

Thinking of the crystal cores that would soon come in from the mass production of genetic medicine, Wang Ji's eyes shone bright.

He patted his chest and said, "We'll have production underway within a month, guaranteed. Professor Li, you'll have to work hard. Once it's in production, I'll make sure you get a substantial bonus!"

"Oh? As for bonuses and all that, I don't care for them. If you have any new medicine for me to research, that would be even better."

Professor Li immediately set his sights on the mysterious medicine in Wang Ji's hands.

Wang Ji could only smile bitterly in response. After all, the efficient medicines he materialized through the system were all finished products, with no formulas.

Suddenly, an idea struck him.

"How about this: once the basic medicine production line is successfully up and running, I'll give you a capsule medicine for emergency battlefield recovery to study. It's only a finished product, no formula."

Professor Li's eyes lit up. He clapped his hands and nodded hard.