Feng Lin was stunned. He hadn't expected that this robed man, in the middle of their conversation, would suddenly invite him to join this so-called Mars Revolutionary Army.
But sorry, there was no way he was joining.
There were many reasons.
The most important one was that he had never heard of the Mars Revolutionary Army as a force in the solar system before. A moment's thought made it clear that this was a hidden underground organization, one that operated in the shadows, couldn't see the light of day, and might even be wanted by the Solar System United Government.
Feng Lin had no intention of joining, of going from being an upright person to a rat hiding underground.
While he respected these people's choices, different people walked different paths. As for the robed man's invitation, Feng Lin would politely decline, shaking his head firmly in refusal.
"Sorry! I won't say anything about your Mars Revolutionary Army, but there's no way I'm joining. Your grudge with Giant Pharmaceuticals has nothing to do with me!"
He was just an outsider—why get involved in this Mars dispute? None of it concerned him.
Playing it safe was the way to go!
Besides, Feng Lin didn't have high hopes for them.
The solar system, as a chaotic star region, had disorderly rule and laws that were practically nonexistent. This wasn't just due to internal reasons but mainly external ones—the result of power struggles among various interstellar superpowers.
Unless the solar system was completely annexed by one superpower, or a world-suppressing powerhouse emerged to take charge, peace and stable order would never be restored.
The superpowers would never allow a peaceful, unified government within the solar system. They would find ways to insert all kinds of factions into it.
How could this single Mars Revolutionary Army possibly be a match for the interstellar superpowers that ruled the entire Milky Way!
Their ideals might be lofty, but they had neither a powerhouse to suppress the stars nor technology leading the interstellar frontier. Even dealing with a single Giant Pharmaceuticals required sneaking around. Trying to take on the superpowers was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—no chance of success at all.
Ideals might be beautiful, but they couldn't put food on the table.
The universe followed the law of the dark forest; only strength was the true reliance.
Feng Lin had no faith in the Mars Revolutionary Army. An organization destined to go nowhere—he wouldn't join it.
"How can you be so cold? You're utterly heartless! No wonder you're from Giant Pharmaceuticals, the butchers of human experiments!" Seeing Feng Lin so indifferent, dismissing their revolutionary ideals as the highest purpose of their lives, the snake man erupted in anger, shouting accusations.
Feng Lin's eyes turned cold, sweeping over him. "I spared your life earlier. Don't test my patience again. Watch your mouth, or you'll bring trouble on yourself!"
His words carried a clear warning.
The snake man instinctively wanted to retort.
"Enough!" the robed man said in a deep voice, stopping him from continuing, lest he provoke Feng Lin further.
He knew Feng Lin's strength well. They had barely managed to calm things down, and he didn't want to stir up more trouble.
If they truly angered this man, he might be able to escape with some hidden tricks, but the snake man would surely die. As his captain, he wouldn't let him throw his life away!
The snake man was held back by the man. Perhaps it was out of respect for the captain's authority, or perhaps fear of Feng Lin's combat power, but he could only swallow his anger, daring to be furious but not to speak.
This snake man's abilities were strange, and he might be formidable among apprentice cultivators, but in Feng Lin's eyes, he was just a minor character.
After a brief flash of anger, Feng Lin didn't spare him another glance.
The snake man silently clenched his fists, deeply stung by Feng Lin's gaze.
"Does it really have nothing to do with you?" Faced with Feng Lin's refusal, the robed man didn't lose heart. Instead, he smiled. "Do you truly believe Giant Pharmaceuticals' story? That all the human experiments are death row inmates? Let me tell you, most of them are from the Mars Revolutionary Army, people who never committed any capital crimes. Our revolutionary army may be spread across Mars, but compared to the Solar System United Government, we're still too weak. The government fears us, calls us rebels, and sentences us to death on capture! They're in cahoots with Giant Pharmaceuticals, handing our people over for human experiments..."
As he spoke, he clenched his fists, his face twisted with hatred, his teeth gritted. It didn't seem fake.
Feng Lin listened silently, not expecting this layer of truth!
So, Giant Pharmaceuticals' human experiments were indeed not simple.
He had been puzzled before. The R&D department at Giant Pharmaceuticals conducted human experiments so frequently, consuming test subjects at a rapid pace—where could so many death row inmates come from?
Now the doubt seemed answered, but Feng Lin didn't fully believe it.
Though he sympathized with these people's plight, sympathy was sympathy. He wouldn't lose his reason.
Hearing the robed man's words, Feng Lin became even more certain he couldn't join the revolutionary army.
This robed man inviting him to join the Mars Revolutionary Army was likely to make him a spy within Giant Pharmaceuticals.
What a dangerous position that would be!
Once he joined the revolutionary army, he'd immediately become a thorn in the side of both Giant Pharmaceuticals and the Solar System United Government. If discovered, his fate would be grim.
Feng Lin wasn't saintly enough to sacrifice himself for others.
If he actually agreed, he'd have to be out of his mind!
What benefit could outweigh his own life?
The solar system was vast, with tangled factions, and his strength was still weak...
Laying low was the way to go!
Seeing that after all his talking, Feng Lin remained silent and unmoved, the robed man's heart sank.
This man was as hard as iron, unswayed by ordinary words, with a will like steel. It seemed he had to pull out his trump card.
He said in a heavy voice, "Feng Lin, do you realize you're in big trouble!"
Feng Lin remained noncommittal, showing no reaction to the threatening words.
Using life threats to intimidate him was far too crude.
The robed man gritted his teeth and added fuel to the fire. "As far as I know, you impressed the interviewer with your outstanding performance during the interview and were specially recruited into the R&D department! But do you know that's exactly the source of your disaster? Giant Pharmaceuticals recruits year-round and has taken in many geniuses—you're not the first! But do you know where they all are now?"
Feng Lin's heart jolted, but his face remained calm as he said flatly, "Where are they?"
His eyes locked onto the robed man's expression. If the man was lying, he'd detect it immediately.
Unexpectedly, the robed man shook his head and said, "We don't know either!"
"Don't know?" Feng Lin was puzzled, not expecting such an answer.
According to the usual script, shouldn't he threaten him with those people's deaths to scare him into joining the Mars Revolutionary Army?
Why give such an unconvincing reason?
But strangely, Feng Lin found himself believing it a bit.
When the robed man said this, his expression was also confused, not like he was lying.
"We really don't know! Every single one of them vanished without a trace. Our Mars Revolutionary Army investigated thoroughly but found no clues!" the robed man said gravely. "But we suspect it's tied to some conspiracy behind Giant Pharmaceuticals. Now do you see the danger you're in? Joining our Mars Revolutionary Army is the only way to protect yourself. Only we can keep you safe. Join us, Feng Lin. With the geneticist talent you've shown in the R&D department these days—able to improve gene serums as just a gene scholar—if you join the revolutionary army, you'll surely receive strong support!..."
The robed man made all kinds of promises, his words sincere, his eyes full of hope.
But he was destined to be disappointed.
Once Feng Lin made a decision, he wouldn't be swayed by mere words. His only response was a light chuckle.
"Everything you say might be right. But what does that have to do with me?"