Chapter 370: A Clash Over National Resources

The atmosphere suddenly stiffened.

In the tense standoff, trembling Sun Li Cheng contrasted sharply with the confident researchers.

Meanwhile, Yenir’s impassive face showed no sign of being provoked by their mild sarcasm.

“So, you don’t agree, do you?”

Looking up, Yenir spoke softly, his gaze bypassing the researcher who had just spoken and fixing on the Deputy Director.

He wasn’t surprised by their reactions.

The Supernatural Plan had never been taken seriously—it was only pushed through during the final catastrophe, when the Military threw everything they had at even the faintest hope.

He intended to take the equipment regardless of any results. Since he wasn’t a specialist himself, the researchers naturally assumed he’d been duped and was chasing wild fantasies.

Facing Yenir’s steady glare, Director Zhang hesitated, his expression betraying a hint of embarrassment.

He owed Yenir a favor.

That schematic had undoubtedly solved a major problem for them; logically, he couldn’t refuse Yenir’s request—even if it meant wasting resources and equipment.

After all, Yenir’s reputation was well known. Taking some items was nothing more than a little amateur mischief.

In the past, even high-ranking officials or their offspring had come to the Research Institute to claim items—even demanding research on bust-enhancement techniques…

But…

“Committee Member Yenir.”

“I can take the initiative to hand over some basic equipment from the list, including a portion of the marked large-scale devices,” he continued.

“But I simply cannot provide the remaining three pieces of advanced, cutting-edge equipment.”

“You might not know—these devices cost an arm and a leg. Since the apocalypse, our industrial system has barely recovered. Moreover, several of these devices rely on core materials that can only be sourced from high-level mutants. The entire institute has only one specimen.”

(A light cough.)

The Elder gave the list a slight shake before handing it directly to Yenir.

In truth, he wanted to withhold even the large-scale equipment. In his mind, having acquired the copy technology, Yenir should be considered a professional—not one to be easily deceived…

Looking back, he thought he shouldn’t have been so shocked. Yenir’s schematics were clearly unprofessional, and the information provided seemed as if jotted down by an amateur.

After all, an 18-year-old Awakener emerging from the grassroots, even if blessed with exceptional combat talent, wasn’t expected to have profound research skills. Any claim of high scientific prowess was laughable…

Before Yenir could speak, a bespectacled researcher’s face went pale upon seeing the equipment names circled by Director Zhang. He abruptly snatched the list:

“Director Zhang! These items cannot be handed over!”

“What use are two large-scale devices for him? Isn’t that a sheer waste?”

“What does he know? Isn’t this just…”

Mid-sentence, the bespectacled researcher realized his mistake. He forced a strained smile at Yenir before clutching the list tightly.

No wonder he was so on edge.

The reason was simple—one of the devices on that list was a critical component for his project! Yes, there were a few at the institute, but those were reserved for senior researchers!

If Yenir took it, then what use was there for his own research? After years of painstaking effort, his project would be dead. Would he even remain at the institute?

Just look at Li Yao earlier—his project aimed to dissect the Butcher’s Spine! Now that Yenir has come forward with ready-made technology, Li Yao’s prospects are ruined. Cutting off funding is tantamount to murder for a researcher!

They had banked their entire future on that project!

“That’s right, Director!”

“Our institute’s resources are already scarce. Removing these devices would seriously cripple our research progress! The Military has been hounding us nonstop!”

Seeing Director Zhang hesitate because of Yenir, the other researchers working on the same project with the bespectacled man also paled, hurriedly voicing their concerns.

In their desperation, they even invoked the name of the Military.

“Committee Member Yenir, while we understand your novel ideas, please consider the institute’s interests! If our progress is jeopardized, can you really shoulder that responsibility?”

“I’m not exaggerating when I say my project on the new Spirit Energy Armor is on the brink of success. Once this technology is realized, our armored units will see a dramatic boost in combat effectiveness against mutants! This is a project of immense significance for the Military Department!”

“Compared to the technology you’ve just proposed, mine isn’t far behind in effectiveness!”

Fearing Yenir might not grasp the importance of his own project, several researchers formed a tight circle around him, their voices trembling with anxiety and indignation.

It was ludicrous—if Yenir acquired those devices, how could they possibly secure further research funds from higher-ups? Without those funds, they’d be in deep trouble. In bureaucratic circles, resource allocation was everything!

Surrounded and harangued about the importance of his project, Yenir’s frustration boiled over. He saw their actions as nothing short of criminal—selfishly squandering national resources.

At that moment, Yenir’s gaze turned ice-cold.

Important? Laboriously researched?

Ha…

To him, these people were complete strangers—barely worth listening to. It was clear that these researchers were simply slacking off.

It wasn’t surprising. There were always parasites.

Under prolonged peace and with full military backing, these research institutes had become prized assets with generous benefits. Naturally, it was inevitable that some high-ranking offspring would sneak in to grease their own palms.

Perhaps before the mid-phase of the apocalypse, every survivor was desperately fighting against imminent threats, striving to enhance their strength and create better weapons. But now, many things had decayed.

Much like the institute once managed by Wanrou, many of these facilities had turned into personal fiefdoms of certain individuals.

Research? As long as they could cheat on funds, it didn’t matter. In science, who’s ever guaranteed success?

As his expression grew colder, listening to the group eager to pin every possible blame on him, Yenir let out a bitter laugh. He had never intended to meddle with the Research Institute, but that notion had now completely vanished.

Yes, parasites exist everywhere. These people claimed to worry about the nation, fearing resource waste, yet in his eyes, these institutes—having consumed over 30% of Huaxia Battle Zone’s resources—had contributed almost nothing during the catastrophe. Otherwise, the Military’s Spirit Energy technology wouldn’t have stalled for over sixty years.

It was only in the final year, when the Military forcibly took charge under extreme life-and-death pressure, that any progress was made.

“So, you all think that me taking these items is a waste and is hindering your service to the nation?”

In a cold tone, Yenir turned his gaze abruptly toward the loudest bespectacled researcher.

This guy… he seemed vaguely familiar.

Spirit Energy Armor? They had indeed managed to develop it in the early days, but when deployed, it turned armored tanks into death traps.

If memory served, when this technology was first introduced, someone deliberately fudged the data to make it look promising—even though the armor would overload and break down upon impact, trapping countless soldiers in carnage.

Hearing the icy tone in Yenir’s voice, the bespectacled researcher paused before instinctively replying:

“…Right!…”

“The person you brought is clearly a fraud. What does he know?”

“My project is on the verge of success. This is a Military-endorsed initiative, already…”

Before he could finish, trying to pressure Yenir not to obstruct his research,

In the next second, Yenir chuckled lightly and, without a trace of courtesy, grabbed the researcher by his collar:

“Success?”

“Success means falsifying data and plugging in scrap metal?!”