Chapter 84: Naihe

"How could there be an antidote for this kind of drug? It only stimulates human functions; there is no such thing as an antidote. Once you take this drug, your life is basically ruined, so never touch it!"

Hearing the owner’s words, my face turned grim, and I felt a slight sadness in my heart: "Is there really no saving these people?"

"No saving them!" the owner sighed helplessly.

Having received the owner’s answer, I could only nod, my heart feeling heavy. Li Hong is a truly heartless bastard.

It was almost time for school to end, so I called Su Xueya again. This time, she finally answered.

"Xueya, Xueya!" I called out anxiously.

"I can't tell, you actually care quite a bit about Su Xueya, don't you?" Chen Duxiu’s evil laughter came from the other end.

"Chen Duxiu, you’ve been deceived by Li Hong. The drug he gave you is harming you!"

Before I could finish, Chen Duxiu interrupted me: "Enough, stop spouting nonsense. Listen carefully, I’ll only say this once: the West Suburb Moat, come alone! If anyone else comes, you know the consequences!"

He hung up the phone. When I called back, no one answered.

At this moment, I had no choice but to rush to the West Suburb Moat as Chen Duxiu demanded. The West Suburb Moat is a very old moat in our town. Long ago, in ancient times, it was turned into a battlefield, and countless people died in the river. The river is exceptionally eerie and mysterious; basically, no one who jumps in ever comes out alive. Even those with the best swimming skills have never returned. This place is also called Naihe (River of Oblivion), and the bridge is called the Naihe Bridge, so there are basically no people here usually.

I quickly arrived at the West Suburb Moat. After arriving, I looked around but saw no one. I was extremely anxious, so I took out my phone and called Su Xueya again.

"I’m here, where are you?"

"Heh, you came quite fast. Wait there, I’ll be there soon!"

Not long after, I saw Chen Duxiu walking over with Su Xueya. Su Xueya’s mouth was still taped shut, so she couldn't speak. Her clothing and appearance were perfectly normal; there were no signs of her having been beaten or anything else. It seemed Chen Duxiu hadn't done anything to her yet. Seeing this, I felt a sense of relief; fortunately, Su Xueya was still unharmed.

Chen Duxiu was accompanied by his two usual lackeys. I looked at Chen Duxiu and said, "Chen Duxiu, you’ve been used by Li Hong. That drug of his is just overdrawing your physical functions and lifespan. He is scamming you!"

"Enough, stop pretending to be a good person. Li Hong is bad, that’s true, but you’re no saint either!"

I looked at him, knowing he didn't trust me at all. I could only continue: "I’m here. Can you let Su Xueya go now?"

"By the way, I can't tell, you, Yang Yun, are doing quite well for yourself now, you even have a few professional bodyguards. But it’s a pity they aren't my match! Tell me, how many bodyguards did you hide in the dark this time?" Chen Duxiu chuckled as he looked at me.

"What do you mean?" I was confused by Chen Duxiu’s words, not understanding what he was talking about.

"Enough, stop pretending. Su Xueya’s three bodyguards were hired by you, right? You really are willing to spend a fortune. Those three bodyguards must have cost a lot!"

"Bodyguards? What bodyguards? I never hired any bodyguards!" I didn't understand what Chen Duxiu meant at all.

"Still pretending. Whatever, they’re just rookies anyway. Since you’re here, I don't have many demands. You jump down from here, and I’ll let her go!" Chen Duxiu pointed to the moat below.

Hearing this, Su Xueya shook her head frantically and struggled. Although I have never been a superstitious person, having lived in this place since childhood, I had a deep impression of the legends of the Naihe. In short, once you jump into the Naihe, it is equivalent to death.

"What? You don't dare?" Chen Duxiu smiled at me, looking disdainful.

"Is it true that as long as I jump down, you will let her go?" I gritted my teeth, looked at Su Xueya, and then said to Chen Duxiu.

"Of course. You can see for yourself, I haven't harmed her at all. After all, I once liked her too!"

Having received Chen Duxiu’s answer, I felt a sense of fear. I took a deep breath and slowly walked onto the bridge to look at the river. The pitch-black water looked exceptionally cold and eerie. I swallowed hard, feeling afraid.

Just at this moment, Chen Duxiu suddenly exclaimed: "Who is it?"

I saw an old man walking over slowly from not far away. The old man’s expression was cold, and he carried an air of a celestial being, making him seem very profound.

Seeing the old man approaching, Chen Duxiu hurriedly shouted: "Stop! If you come any closer, I’ll take action!"

"Take action? Young people these days really are becoming more and more ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!"

"Damn it, where did this old man come from? Are you looking for death?" One of Chen Duxiu’s men rushed forward to attack the old man.

Seeing this, I hurriedly shouted to the old man: "Be careful!"

The old man shook his head helplessly as he saw the person rushing over. Then, in a flash, he was in front of Chen Duxiu, and the youth who had attacked him was already lying on the ground foaming at the mouth.

The old man looked at the person foaming at the mouth behind him and said in surprise: "It’s actually the strengthening serum. You are truly pathetic; you’ve been used by others and don't even know it!"

Seeing the person foaming at the mouth, Chen Duxiu didn't even care about Su Xueya anymore. He hurriedly ran over to support the person and shouted: "Xiao Wu, Xiao Wu!"

"Enough, no need to shout. He’s beyond saving. Even if he wakes up, he’ll be an idiot!" the old man said indifferently.

"You bastard, Xiao Wu had no grudge against you, yet you used such a heavy hand. I’ll fight you to the death!" Chen Duxiu rushed crazily toward the old man.

The old man casually grabbed Chen Duxiu’s arm and restrained him: "What do you mean I used a heavy hand? I never kill. You are the fools who drank someone else’s strengthening serum; it’s no wonder you’re finished. That is a drug that overdraws a person’s physical functions and lifespan. If you want to blame someone, blame yourselves!"

"What? What did you say? Overdraws physical functions and lifespan? That’s impossible, isn't this a medicine for strengthening the body?" Chen Duxiu clearly didn't believe the old man.

"Young people these days are truly stupid. Are you still unable to recognize reality? The serum you used is a banned drug, a strengthening serum developed by R-country during the war. Anyone who uses it and gets crippled will become an idiot or a vegetable. And for ordinary people, after two or three years, their entire physical function will decline, and they will die in a few years. To put it bluntly, it’s trading your life for strength, stimulating your potential!"