Zhou Qing said, "I guess even if we go back, you won't need to follow me anymore. You can live in Wall One from now on. The conditions there are much better than in Sand Castle."

The wife sighed, "I've gotten used to living in the sandcastle after all this time."

"Mom, I heard that No. 1 Wall is very prosperous. There are many people, all high-rise buildings, and lots of green plants and lawns. What's wrong with living there?" Zhou Yue said with a pout.

The wife patted her daughter's head and smiled, "I just hope our family can be safe and sound. It doesn't matter where we live."

Zhou Qing frowned, gazing ahead.

His research process actually encountered a lot of resistance.

Although Sandburg has manuals and experience in genetic modification technology, there are too many uncertainties. When he went back to report for duty, he didn't know what kind of situation he would face or where he would be transferred to continue working.

All I could do was sigh silently, hoping to find a solution on Wall One.

At this moment, a member of the brigade in the co-pilot's seat knocked on the back wall of the vehicle, opened the window and told him, "We need to rest for a bit now. Li Shuai wants you to come and see him."

Zhou Qing was taken aback, then nodded: "I understand."

As the convoy stopped to rest, Zhou Qing was led to meet Li Jiuyuan.

Although he is only a merchant caravan leader now, he has the entire Sandcastle and the Western Border regime as his backers. No organization or major power in the Eastern District dares to disrespect him. The profits from his trade during this period alone are enough for Li Jiuyuan to live comfortably in the desert for several lifetimes.

He makes too much money.

But for Li Jiuyuan, making money has now become a secondary task.

He still carries many heavy responsibilities on his shoulders, and these responsibilities and burdens can only drive him forward.

Li Jiuyuan has never regretted his choice.

Sometimes he would even tell his close confidants that joining forces with Qin Che was the best and luckiest choice he had ever made.

Qin Che rose through the ranks, relying on his formidable strength and brilliant mind to make a name for himself in Wall One.

Now he has become the Regent of Lingbi, ruling the entire country and holding the reins of government. As his direct subordinates, all of them have risen in rank and status.

When Zhou Qing arrived, Li Jiuyuan was sitting on the ground. The sky over the desert was gradually darkening. A campfire was burning beside him. He was wearing a gray cloak and his head was wrapped in a scarf, revealing only a pair of weathered eyes with more wrinkles at the corners than before.

He remained silent, and no one knew what he was thinking.

“Li Shuai…you…were looking for me?” Zhou Qing walked up nervously.

Li Jiuyuan beckoned to him: "Come and sit down."

Zhou Qing nodded and sat down next to her.

"We should arrive at Xibao around tomorrow afternoon. Once you've settled your family in, come with me to the inside of the walls."

"Inside the walls?"

"That's Wall Number One."

"Are we going to see the master?"

Li Jiuyuan smiled and said, "The master sent us your appointment by telegram this afternoon. You will be in charge of the gene modification project at the Psionic Research Institute. However, this is a secret. Do not tell anyone except me, and do not reveal it to your family either."

Zhou Qing smiled and said, "I understand."

"I don't know much about your research, but the No. 1 Wall Research Institute has better facilities and more technicians who can help you. I don't expect you to make any breakthroughs right now. You haven't been doing this for very long, only a little over two months in total."

Zhou Qing scratched his head: "It's my fault for being so slow, I've dragged the master down."

"You can't say that. The project you're in charge of is the future of this desert. You may dedicate your entire life to it, and even then, you may not make any breakthroughs."

Zhou Qing shook his head: "That's not the case. When I took over the research lab, the project was already nearing completion. However, after so much research, we can confirm that this technology originated from the Old World, but it was successfully recreated by the Sandcastle Conservative Party through some unknown means."

Li Jiuyuan waved his hand: "I don't understand these things. I'm just telling you that the master will not treat you and your family badly, but in return, you will have to contribute your knowledge and experience to academic research in the desert."

"We'll probably be at war with the North soon. If your project can produce results by then, you'll be the biggest contributor to this war."

Zhou Qing asked with a complicated expression, "So it really is going to be used in war?"

Li Jiuyuan sighed, "Seeking peace through war is the same from a technical point of view. New technologies will always be used where they are most needed, which is normal."

He looked at Zhou Qing and patted him on the shoulder: "I know you will feel some pressure. The project you are researching will lead to the deaths of many people in the future, but don't overthink it. These lives will not be attributed to you. The technology is not wrong. It is always humans who use it, which is to say, human nature."

Do you understand?

Zhou Qing remained silent.

He understood the reasoning, but the thought of using genetic modification on the battlefield after it matured made him unable to escape the consequences. He only hoped that the war would end soon so that such technology could be used for the development of civilization and a peaceful society.

That's rather idealistic.

But Zhou Qing could find no other reason to rely on besides this one.

One day later,

After the business delegation arrived in Xibao and settled in, Zhou Qing followed Li Jiuyuan to Wall No. 1 to meet Qin Che.