Guo Jia had been somewhat frustrated by his old man's nagging these past few days, but the passionate affair he was having with the beauty he’d hooked up with previously gave him an outlet for his temper, so that little bit of gloom barely registered.

Though this beauty possessed an outwardly pure appearance, inwardly she was exceptionally fiery, and she was incredibly unrestrained in bed, willing to try any position. During the days Guo Jia spent with her, the two were locked in a passionate embrace, almost unable to stay away from each other, their connection as sweet as honey.

This woman, whose name was Xiao Wan, deliberately flattered and catered to Guo Jia in every way. For a moment, Guo Jia even found a glimmer of what felt like romantic love with her, yet the thought that he’d picked her up in a bar inevitably left a slight knot in his stomach.

One evening, just as Guo Jia and Xiao Wan were locked in a fierce embrace in bed, his phone rang. He was right in the heat of the moment, so he snatched the phone and immediately ended the call. But in the very next instant, the phone rang again. Enraged, Guo Jia hurled the phone away. It struck the wall and dropped to the floor, but the device was clearly high quality; it wasn't broken and was still ringing stubbornly.

The phone's incessant ringing utterly ruined Guo Jia’s mood. He roughly shoved Xiao Wan off the bed, leaped down himself, stark naked, and snatched up the phone. Only then did he see that the call was from his confidant. Annoyed that his passion had been interrupted, Guo Jia was about to unleash a torrent of abuse the moment he answered, but the person on the other end preempted him with a piece of news that instantly strangled his anger, leaving him frozen in place.

“What did you say? The HIV antibodies in the two patients who were supposed to have recovered are still testing positive?” Guo Jia demanded loudly, refusing to believe what he heard.

“Boss, we have checked the results repeatedly, confirming that the test results are not mistaken,” his confidant replied over the phone.

“How is that possible? There were no issues before, and weren't those patients completely cured? Listen, immediately arrange for those two patients to be re-tested. I’m coming over right now.” Guo Jia’s head instantly began to throb. He hung up the phone and started dressing.

“Darling, where are you going so late? We haven’t even tried half the positions yet?” Xiao Wan slithered over like a beautiful snake, wrapping her arms around Guo Jia’s chest.

“Xiao Wan, you should get some sleep. I have some urgent matters to attend to; I can’t stay here tonight,” Guo Jia said.

“Boss, that’s the situation,” Ou Jiang placed several test results in front of Guo Jia.

Guo Jia picked up the papers. In the HIV antibody column, the word “Positive” was scrawled in large characters. He frowned slightly and asked, “Was there any deviation from protocol during the treatment process?”

“We strictly followed the procedure previously established by Liu Hui and the others. There have been no issues until now,” Ou Jiang responded, equally puzzled by the outcome.

“Were the agents administered to the patients the ones I personally gave you?” A bad feeling began to creep up Guo Jia’s spine.

“We used the agents you provided personally. I handled the administration myself; no one else touched them, and the remaining vials are still locked securely in the safe,” Ou Jiang affirmed.

“Don’t panic. It might just be a temporary failure of the agent. Do not disclose this result to those two patients yet. I will immediately prepare another batch of the agent. You will personally administer this new batch to those two patients, and maintain absolute secrecy.” Guo Jia pondered for a moment, speculating that the agent might have temporarily lost efficacy for some unknown reason.

Guo Jia instructed Ou Jiang to wait in his office while he himself descended to the basement of the Han Tang Hospital. There, he began boiling down the medicinal materials according to the secret formula he possessed. This time, he was exceptionally meticulous in brewing the agent, carefully selecting the ingredients and adhering strictly to every requirement of the secret recipe, striving to avoid even the smallest error. The entire process wasn't lengthy; two hours later, the new batch of agent was ready.

Guo Jia handed the newly brewed agent to Ou Jiang, then personally accompanied him to the patients' ward for the treatment. Currently, only two AIDS patients were undergoing treatment at Han Tang Hospital. This was because after Guo Jia raised the price to five million US dollars per person, many patients, unable to afford the exorbitant fee, had chosen to abandon treatment and let nature take its course. Furthermore, domestic patients who previously had a glimmer of hope were now utterly without a chance of survival after Guo Jia canceled free treatments.

Both patients currently under care were highly influential individuals: one was a Crown Prince from a minor Middle Eastern nation, and the other was an Earl from an ancient European family. Since Liu Hui had conquered AIDS, the wealthy faced no lingering fear regarding safety. Their lifestyles had become utterly dissolute; they no longer worried about protection during sex, not even bothering with condoms, assuming that if they contracted the virus, they could simply come for treatment—it would cost a few million dollars, and the cure was fast. These wealthy individuals feared death, but they did not lack money. Strangely, however, AIDS patients cured by Han Tang Hospital showed no residual antibodies in their systems, yet they could still contract AIDS again after recovering. This Middle Eastern Crown Prince was already returning for his second round of treatment at Han Tang Hospital.

Ou Jiang explained to the patients that as a gesture of gratitude for their trust in Han Tang Hospital, they were receiving a special, advanced treatment that required them to take the medication one more time to ensure optimal results. Since there was no extra charge and they were getting a premium treatment, the two patients readily agreed to Ou Jiang’s proposal. Guo Jia personally watched as Ou Jiang administered the AIDS treatment agent he had just brewed to the two patients.

Guo Jia and Ou Jiang then stood outside the ward, monitoring the patients’ condition. As time passed, Ou Jiang’s expression grew increasingly peculiar.

“Ou Jiang, what’s with that look?” Guo Jia noticed Ou Jiang’s abnormality and asked curiously.

“Boss, something isn't right,” Ou Jiang replied, his face grave.

“What exactly is wrong?” Guo Jia was not an expert and didn't understand medical matters, so he asked Ou Jiang.

“Previously, when we treated AIDS patients, as soon as they took our agent, they would immediately fall into a deep sleep, impossible to wake up by any means. But these two patients are perfectly fine now; they are even watching television, showing no signs of drowsiness,” Ou Jiang explained.

“There’s such a thing?” Guo Jia asked, surprised.

“Yes, patients would fall into a coma after taking the drug and would wake up about five hours later,” Ou Jiang stated.

“Is there a necessary connection between falling into a coma and the cure?” Guo Jia asked, confused.

“I haven’t studied that; I don't know if there’s a necessary link. Oh, now I remember—these two patients didn't fall asleep when they took the medicine before. I thought something was odd then; it was related to this,” Ou Jiang suddenly slapped his forehead and exclaimed.

Guo Jia was perceptive. Though medically untrained, he caught a subtle clue in Ou Jiang’s words. With a serious expression, he asked, “Are you suggesting that the agent these two patients took might be different from the agent given to the previous patients?”

“I don’t know if the formula is the same, but based on their reactions after taking the drug and the final test results, it’s highly likely, just as you suspect, that this medication is different from the previous ones,” Ou Jiang admitted.

Guo Jia’s unease intensified. He had been present for every step of the treatment this time to prevent errors; under his watch, no substitution could have occurred at any stage. So, where exactly did the problem lie now?

“Boss, we’ll have to wait two days for the next physical examination of these two patients to know the result. Let’s hope it’s not an issue with the medicine,” Ou Jiang said helplessly.

“Immediately contact these two patients. Tell them we need their cooperation for a study; if they spend three days assisting us, we will waive their entire treatment fee for this session,” Guo Jia, who knew when to cut losses, instantly wrote off ten million US dollars in fees, hoping to get to the bottom of this. The AIDS agent was his greatest asset; absolutely nothing could go wrong with it.

For the next two days, Guo Jia was restless and distracted, unable to find interest in anything. Even when Xiao Wan tried to seduce him, he remained unresponsive, which displeased her greatly. However, Guo Jia couldn't afford to dwell on trivial matters; the AIDS agent was his foundation.

Two days later, Ou Jiang handed Guo Jia the test reports with a grim expression. Guo Jia sensed trouble from Ou Jiang’s face alone. He took the report, and there they were again: “Positive,” written in large characters in the HIV testing section. To Guo Jia’s eyes, these two words were glaringly red, as if soaked in blood, threatening to bleed right off the paper. Guo Jia flinched, and the test report slipped from his grasp, falling beneath the table.

“Impossible, this is impossible,” Guo Jia mumbled. The agents brewed previously and the ones brewed now used the exact same formula, with the exact same raw materials, and the same processing technique. How could two diametrically opposite results appear?

“Did you tamper with anything?” Guo Jia suddenly sprang up and grabbed the collar of Ou Jiang’s shirt. His grip was so strong that Ou Jiang briefly struggled to breathe.

“Boss, how could I tamper with anything? You personally oversaw every step! Cough, cough,” Ou Jiang’s eyes began to roll back, but he dared not struggle, hurriedly trying to explain.

“If you didn’t tamper, then how did this situation arise?” Guo Jia still held his collar, having lost all rationality now that his miracle drug had failed, and he began suspecting Ou Jiang.

“Boss, I swear I didn't! You must believe me!” Ou Jiang pleaded weakly. When enraged, Guo Jia lost all pretense of his usual refined demeanor; he looked like a madman who had lost control, terrifying Ou Jiang.

“You…” Guo Jia raged for a while before regaining clarity. He released Ou Jiang’s collar. Ou Jiang was his trusted confidant, someone he had always relied upon. Moreover, Guo Jia had personally brewed all these agents and watched them enter the two patients’ bodies. The problem certainly wasn't Ou Jiang causing trouble, and Ou Jiang wouldn't dare sabotage him even if he had ten times the courage.

Ou Jiang immediately began coughing violently, rubbing his neck as he watched Guo Jia with fear.

“Immediately conduct a detailed re-examination of these two patients, and simultaneously analyze the body data of all the previous patients. Furthermore, we need to examine the residue of the agents used on those cured patients. I must figure out exactly what happened!” Once calm, Guo Jia began analyzing the causes, desperately trying to locate the source of the problem with the AIDS agent.

“Boss, we can proceed immediately with the analysis of the data you mentioned regarding the patients. The key issue is that the residues from the treatment agents previously used can no longer be found,” Ou Jiang said quietly.

“They can’t be found? What happened?” Guo Jia demanded loudly.

“Boss, you specifically ordered that nothing related to treating these patients was to leak out; everything had to be destroyed on site. You even said that the glass vials containing the medicine should all be incinerated to prevent our secret from being discovered. We even specifically equipped the hospital with an incinerator. We just burned a batch of equipment and vials a few days ago—where would we find those materials for analysis now?” Ou Jiang explained.

“I…” Guo Jia suddenly remembered making such an order. He had even installed a dedicated incinerator at Han Tang Hospital precisely to destroy these items, fearing that anyone tracing them might uncover clues that would expose his secret. But now that everything was burned, where would he find anything for analysis?

Guo Jia was currently being scolded by his father. If his father discovered he had messed up Han Tang Hospital’s affairs, that the AIDS agent no longer worked, would he strip him of his authority? The mere thought filled Guo Jia with terror. The sweetness of power, once tasted, is never forgotten. Guo Jia truly could not imagine life without authority. But for now, he had no choice but to start analyzing from scratch to determine where the flaw in the AIDS agent lay.

Liu Hui and Zhou Tengyun remained in that canyon for two days, waiting until they were certain the U.S. forces on the mountaintop had completely withdrawn before beginning their ascent. Both men had reached the initial stage of Cultivation, their strength equivalent to the highest human realm in this world—the Innate realm. Their physical stamina was extraordinary. Thus, though the deep gorge was vast, it only cost them a bit more time; three hours later, they were back on the summit.

The dense forest where they had fought was entirely gone. Even the soil on the slope was loose, and the rocks had been pulverized into dust, illustrating the sheer destructive power of that Mother of All Bombs. Some of the surrounding woods had also burned, but the fires had ceased, with only wisps of black smoke still rising occasionally.

Liu Hui and Zhou Tengyun cautiously moved away from the slope and began running toward the area outside the mountains. Having encountered the U.S. military this time, they were even more vigilant, daring not to be careless.

Perhaps their run of bad luck was exhausted; this time, they passed through unimpeded. They encountered no American blockades, no Taliban soldiers, and not even a single wild beast.

Reaching the mountain road outside the mountainous region, Liu Hui once again altered his appearance, transforming into an ordinary Afghan man, while Zhou Tengyun disguised himself as an elderly Afghan. Each mounted an off-road motorcycle and rode along the road to the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The border guards of both nations remained indifferent. After accepting the stack of U.S. dollars they offered, the guards simply waved them through the checkpoint.

Liu Hui and Zhou Tengyun rode their motorcycles to the city of Quetta, near the Afghan border in Pakistan. Upon entering Quetta, the two immediately found a place to change their disguises again. This time, both transformed into Caucasian men. They then hired a taxi in Quetta’s urban district and rode all the way to the Pakistani port city of Karachi.

Once in Karachi, they first headed to the docks and, using pre-prepared fake passports, purchased two tickets for a cruise bound for Tokyo, Japan. Fortunately, a cruise liner traveling from London to Tokyo was scheduled to stop in Karachi the very next morning. After a brief stay in Karachi, the two boarded the luxurious vessel, starting their journey home.

Aboard the cruise ship, they remained secluded, avoiding any unnecessary trouble. The following evening, the liner arrived in Hong Kong. It was already seven o’clock. After being away for over ten days, Liu Hui and Zhou Tengyun were back in Hong Kong. Disembarking early, they quietly infiltrated the headquarters of Star Sky Group, only truly relaxing once they reached the basement of the office building.

Zhou Tengyun removed his disguise and leaned back comfortably on the sofa, sighing, “Boss, we’re finally back. I never thought this trip to Afghanistan would involve so many twists and turns.”

“Although there were many complications and high risks this time, our rewards were equally substantial. I have resolved the bottleneck issue for Star Sky Group’s future development. In the coming period, the growth of Star Sky Group will be exponential,” Liu Hui said with a smile.

“Boss, just a year ago, you were a nobody worth nothing. I can’t believe you’ve achieved so much now. The changes in this single year are staggering,” Zhou Tengyun mused sentimentally. A year ago, he was still living his happy life with his wife and daughter. A year later, he was a solitary figure, constantly fighting, without a single peaceful day.

“Third Brother, you contributed significantly and made major sacrifices during this Afghanistan trip. I have a suggestion: maybe you shouldn’t go on that mercenary mission to Africa,” Liu Hui suddenly said.

“If I’m not a mercenary, what should I do?” Zhou Tengyun countered.

“Heh, after all this fighting we’ve done, aren't you tired? If you don’t want to be a mercenary, my company has plenty of positions. You can do anything you want; we can let others handle the mercenary work,” Liu Hui chuckled.

Zhou Tengyun shook his head. “Having killed so many people, my mind can no longer settle down, nor can I adapt to an easy life. Perhaps only being a mercenary can keep the fire in my core burning.”

“Third Brother, I underestimated the risks of being a mercenary. This trip to Afghanistan showed that the mercenary path is fraught with peril; one slip and you could die. I don't want to lose a good brother like you,” Liu Hui said with emotion.

“Boss, please don't try to persuade me anymore. Perhaps this dangerous life is exactly what I need,” Zhou Tengyun insisted.

“Let’s not discuss this now. Go home and rest properly first. In two days, it’s Second Brother’s wedding; let’s celebrate first,” Liu Hui said resignedly.

“Alright, I’ll leave now. Boss, you should also go home soon and see your parents. Say hello to them for me,” Zhou Tengyun said as he rose to depart.

Liu Hui returned to his home. Before he even stepped inside, he heard his parents laughing. He opened the door and saw them sitting on the sofa. Hu Xian’er was kneeling before them, embroidering. As she worked, she explained the historical context of various embroidery patterns to his parents. Hu Xian’er was articulate and humorous, making the elders laugh heartily.

“Ah, Boss, you’re back!” Hu Xian’er suddenly noticed Liu Hui standing before her and quickly stood up.

“Xian’er, it’s so late, why haven’t you gone back?” Liu Hui asked, surprised.

“Xiao Hui, what nonsense are you speaking? Xian’er has already applied for a room at the company dormitory and is staying there now. She stays up to chat with us in the evenings, and she even cooked dinner tonight. Too bad you missed out,” his mother immediately told Liu Hui.

“Son, why were you gone so long? Thank goodness Miss Xian’er comes to keep us company so often, or we wouldn't know how to pass the time,” his father complained.

“That’s not what I meant. I was just worried about her—afraid she might run into trouble coming home so late. Since she’s staying here, then that’s fine,” Liu Hui broke into a cold sweat. Hu Xian’er had only known his parents for a few days, yet she was already fully defending herself in their eyes.

“Boss,” Hu Xian’er called out.

"Oh, this is home now, not the office. Stop calling me boss. Call me whatever you like," Liu Hui said with a smile.

"Boss, I actually have something I need to discuss with you," Hu Xian'er murmured, a trace of shyness in her voice.

"Alright then, come into my room," Liu Hui paused, a flicker of concern crossing his mind that perhaps some trouble had arisen during his absence from the company. He quickly ushered Hu Xian'er inside.

Liu Hui entered the room, pulled up a chair for Hu Xian'er, and gestured for her to sit. "Go ahead, tell me what happened."

"Boss, I owe you an apology," Hu Xian'er confessed, her tone heavy with shame.

"What is it that you feel you've done wrong by me?" Liu Hui asked, genuinely surprised.

"That security guard you sent to help my father, the one named Wang Liu—he's been poached."