Chapter 142 Conflict Escalates

At this time, Ye walked to Su Wanqing and said calmly: "Chief Su, I think we should now focus on completing the encirclement and suppression of the list as soon as possible. These targets pose a potential threat to us. The sooner we eliminate them, the less risk we can reduce."

Su Wanqing glanced at Ye. There was an urgency in his words, as if he couldn't wait to take action.

"Risk? What kind of risk?" Su Wanqing asked.

"These targets may have reached some kind of agreement with the rebels and may attack us at any time. We can't take it lightly." Ye replied.

"We are well aware of the rebels' strength, and we cannot act rashly."

Su Wanqing retorted, "A rash action might alert the rebels and make them take precautions. Moreover, the people on this list might hold deep secrets about the virus. We can't let go of any clues."

"Chief Su, I trust your judgment," Ye replied, "I just suggest that we complete the encirclement of the list as soon as possible while ensuring safety."

"What do you think?" Su Wanqing asked Xiao Ran.

"I think we shouldn't focus on encirclement and suppression." Xiao Ran said without hesitation, "We should increase our efforts to investigate Zhou Ming's information and see what information he has and whether it can help us."

Lu Zhao said, "If Zhou Ming really holds the secret about the virus, then he may be more important than those rebel soldiers. We should give priority to protecting him and try to get more intelligence from him."

"But those on the list may be hiding important survival resources."

Xiao Ran argued, "We can't miss any opportunity to improve the strength of the team."

"Survival resources are only temporary," Lu Zhao retorted, "The virus is the biggest threat we face. Only by mastering the method to deal with the virus can we truly survive."

The arguments grew louder and the atmosphere in the war room became tense.

Su Wanqing raised her hand to stop their argument. "Okay, calm down. Now is not the time to argue. We should unify our thoughts and make a careful plan."

She paused and continued, "Put aside the plan to track down the list directly for now. Lu Zhao, continue to investigate Zhou Ming's background and find out his connection with the Virus Research Institute. Xiao Ran, you will be responsible for strengthening the camp's defenses to prevent rebel raids. Ye, you..."

Su Wanqing's eyes fell on Ye. "You are responsible for monitoring the movements of the rebels and report to me at any time."

A trace of disappointment flashed across Ye's face, but he quickly adjusted his mood and said, "Okay. I obey you."

Su Wanqing sighed. She knew that the conflicts within the team had begun to emerge.

How to quell these conflicts and unite all forces to fight against the rebels and the virus together will be the biggest challenge she faces.

Ye walked to the corner, looking out the window silently, with some elusive light flashing in his eyes.

Su Wanqing closed the RV door to block out the noise outside.

The air in the car seemed to freeze, and several faces looked particularly serious under the dim light.

"The situation is already very clear." Su Wanqing spoke first, her voice hoarse and filled with suppressed fatigue.

"Allen's list is incomplete. Zhou Ming may have important information. The rebels may take action at any time. And Ye..."

"Ye?" Xiao Ran was the first to react. He turned around and looked directly at Ye who was sitting in the corner.

"Chief Su, are you saying that there is something wrong with Ye?"

Ye remained calm, with his hands folded on his knees. "Xiao Ran, you can't say that. I just made my suggestion based on my judgment of the situation."

"What's your suggestion?" Xiao Ran sneered and stood up. "Is it to expose everyone to danger and then let you take control of the situation? What exactly do you want to do?"

"I just hope to solve the problem faster." Ye's tone was still calm, but Su Wanqing could feel the undercurrent beneath his words.

"Solve the problem? Who can guarantee that your solution to the problem won't be to sell us all out?"

Xiao Ran's voice rose an octave. "The trust we worked so hard to build is going to be destroyed just because of a few sweet words from you?"

Lin Che tried to say something to ease the atmosphere.

However, he found that Ye seemed to interrupt him intentionally or unintentionally, and always managed to interject something at the critical moment to lead the topic in a direction that was beneficial to Ye.

“Lin Che, you should have a clearer analysis of the virus. If we can make use of the virus mutation technology mastered by the rebels, perhaps we can…” Ye deliberately slowed down his speech and looked at Lin Che, as if hinting to him that only cooperation can resolve the crisis.

Lin Che frowned slightly. He could feel the manipulation in Ye's words, but he couldn't refute it directly. After all, the rebels' virus technology was indeed a threat.

"Enough!" Lu Zhao suddenly interrupted Ye. "Now is not the time to discuss how to use the rebels' technology, but to consider how to deal with the rebels' attack. I suggest temporarily blocking the jade bracelet space and cutting off external energy interference. At least ensure the safety of the base."

The girl objected immediately after hearing what Lu Zhao said. "No! The jade bracelet space is our lifeline. Blocking it is like cutting off our own arm. We need supplies, and we need a safe shelter even more."

"Safe?" Lu Zhao asked back. "Do you think it's safe now? We don't know how much information the rebels have about the jade bracelet. If we use it rashly, it may lead to our own death."

Su Wanqing was having a headache watching the people arguing endlessly. She tried to come up with a compromise plan.

"How about this, we temporarily limit the use of resources in the jade bracelet space and only retain necessary materials and energy. At the same time, we will strengthen the monitoring of the jade bracelet's energy output, and take immediate measures if any abnormality is found."

"Captain Su, I'm afraid that won't work." The girl shook her head immediately. "The energy output of the jade bracelet needs to be adjusted according to the actual situation. If there are too many restrictions, it will affect our defense capabilities."

"Then what should we do?" Su Wanqing raised her voice, trying to suppress the chaotic situation.

"Are we just going to sit there and allow the rebels to attack us?"

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"We can try to renegotiate with the rebels." Ye spoke again at this time, his voice sounded calm and rational.

"We can express our willingness to provide some research data on the virus in exchange for their cooperation."

Xiao Ran became even angrier when he heard this. "Have you already reached some kind of agreement with the rebels? Otherwise, why would you be so eager to propose cooperation with them?"

"I'm just considering the possibilities." Ye remained calm.

"The strength of the rebels cannot be underestimated. We cannot underestimate them."

"Hmph, you!" Xiao Ran pointed at Ye, as if he wanted to say something, but finally held back.

He knew that if he continued to argue, it would only make the situation more chaotic.

Su Wanqing sighed. She knew that the conflict within the team had reached a critical point.

If it is not controlled, it may lead to the collapse of the entire team.

"Everyone, be quiet!" Su Wanqing shouted. "We are here to fight the rebels and the virus, not to quarrel with each other. Now, we must unite and make a careful plan."

She paused and looked around at everyone. "Lu Zhao, continue investigating Zhou Ming's background, focusing on his connection with the rebels. Xiao Ran, strengthen the camp's defenses to ensure that nothing goes wrong. Lin Che, keep a close eye on Ye's movements, and report to me immediately if you find anything suspicious."

Ye seemed to notice the implication in Su Wanqing's words, and his expression became a little stiff.

But he quickly adjusted his mood and said, "Okay, I obey you."

Su Wanqing's eyes swept over Ye. Although she did not take a stand publicly, she still had doubts about some of the views raised by Ye.

During the meeting, Ye always seemed to intentionally or unintentionally guide the topic to focus on himself, emphasizing his abilities and role, hoping to make the team more dependent on him.

This behavior made Su Wanqing feel uneasy.

The meeting continued in a tense atmosphere, but Su Wanqing could feel that the rift within the team was difficult to bridge.

Everyone was secretly observing the other party with their own doubts and calculations.

Ye sat silently in the corner, seemingly calm, but there was an elusive light flickering in his eyes.

Su Wanqing always felt that he was hiding some unknown secrets.