At this moment, in the early warning monitoring center, the on-duty personnel saw no human figure in the feedback image, only a deserted wall.

The early warning drone quickly left, flying in another direction.

Ivan quietly wiped off the rain on his face, lying next to the floor-to-ceiling window.

He inserted a finger into the window edge, the suction cup at his fingertip retracted inside, and a high-precision concealed camera popped out.

Compared to Blood Code Carriers and Spiritual Brain Modifiers, the most convenient aspect for Prosthetic Implanters is that the parts on their body can be replaced as needed at any time.

Components like cameras, Ivan, as a frontline combat personnel, would not usually consider carrying.

After all, human body space is limited, installing anything means other things can’t be installed.

For the people of Anti-Violence Fourth Section, even a screw should be used to enhance killing efficiency.

But today, to help Su Mo steal information, Ivan specially dismantled some weapon components in his hands and replaced them with cameras.

The security equipment at Du Chuan Restaurant is not top-tier military equipment, at most it can only detect that Ivan has prosthetics but can’t identify the specific component models.

And Ivan himself is a heavy prosthetic implanter, security personnel are accustomed to alarms triggered by prosthetics, and wouldn’t notice the tiny concealed camera inside his body.

Ivan connected the camera to his prosthetic eye, adjusting the angle through real-time observation to find the clearest focus position.

At the same time, the sound collection system was running at full power, and the sounds in the room were transmitted back through the window clearly.

Now, to Ivan, the entire room was almost in an open state, every move and word of the people inside was wholly recorded.

…

“Senator Lucio, please take a seat.”

“Mr. Shinkamura Shu, after you.”

In the first private room on the 51st floor of Du Chuan Restaurant, Lucio and Shinkamura Shu, each accompanied by two aides, were exchanging pleasantries over drinks.

Shinkamura Shu raised his cup of sake and drank it all, smiling as he said, “I heard from a friend that the City Council will have a reshuffle next year, and you are the first-choice candidate for the executive committee.”

“If you get that position, you’d truly be rising in the world.”

Lucio laughed heartily, also finishing his wine, placing a hand on his chest and said, “Thanks to all the bosses willing to push me to be this figurehead.”

“No matter what position I rise to in the future, I will always represent everyone’s interests.”

Shinkamura Shu nodded, smiling with narrow eyes, “You being so clear-headed really reassures me. Many people used to not recognize their own position, thinking that status is something they earn themselves, and their outcomes were usually poor.”

“People who ignore collective interests won’t go far.” Lucio poured another glass for Shinkamura Shu, his tone becoming serious, “Let’s talk about important matters. I hear that Matsuzo Medical recently released a new drug? Specifically for treating asthma?”

Shinkamura Shu: “Yes, our researchers have pinpointed the multi-gene fragment that triggers human asthma and developed a targeted genetic medicine internally coded ‘Xiaoling No. 1’.”

Lucio was intrigued, “Is it a cure?”

Shinkamura Shu laughed, “A cure. Xiaoling No. 1 can correct the mutated base sequence in target cells to completely cure this stubborn ailment from its root, with a recurrence rate of less than 0.01%.”

“Oh? There are tens of millions of people worldwide plagued by asthma, this is a tremendous feat.” Lucio stroked his chin, curiously asking, “Can it be mass-produced? How are the costs?”

Shinkamura Shu: “Industrial production can already be commenced. Spread across all costs, each dose requires only more than five thousand Moon currency, affordable for the average person.”

He paused after saying this, finished a cup of sake, then changed his tune with deep meaning, saying, “But we do not intend to put Xiaoling No. 1 into actual production.”

Lucio blinked: “The reason being?”

Shinkamura Shu revealed a mysterious smile, “If this drug was released into the market, I’d be the villain of Matsuzo Medical.”

Lucio was confused, “What do you mean?”

Shinkamura Shu: “Speaking only of New Moon City, there are about 1.6 million asthma sufferers, each requiring approximately 6,000 Moon currency in treatment costs per year, bringing a turnover of 9.6 billion to the local medical industry, with Matsuzo Medical occupying one-third.”

“If Xiaoling No. 1 were to enter the market, all 1.6 million’s ailments would be cured, and they’d no longer spend any money. Wouldn’t I need to commit seppuku to apologize to Matsuzo Medical’s gentlemen?”

Lucio slapped his forehead, burst into laughter: “Makes sense, earning money is something that should flow slow and steady, you all rely on those patients for sustenance.”

Shinkamura Shu licked the wine residue on his lips, enthusiastically said, “Of course, we must make good use of such a great achievement.”

“I’ve discussed with the gentlemen, we’ll use some of Xiaoling No. 1’s technology to develop a new asthma medicine, let’s call it ‘Xiaoling No. 2’, the efficacy of No. 2 will surpass all other market drugs.”

Lucio said playfully, “I guess there’s a ‘but’ here.”

“But—” Shinkamura Shu laughed heartily in cooperation, “Xiaoling No. 2 can subtly change the patient’s pathology, making other asthma medications on their bodies gradually weaken until they disappear, hence for life, they can only use Xiaoling No. 2.”

Lucio inhaled sharply, “Are you saying… it will have certain addictive qualities?”

Shinkamura Shu patted Lucio’s hand, spoke gently, “In medical industry terminology, it’s called dependency, many drugs have dependency, it’s quite normal.”

Lucio: “But the approval for such a drug will be extremely stringent.”

Shinkamura Shu: “Exactly, so we need you to lobby at the City Council to ensure Xiaoling No. 2’s approval goes through swiftly.”

Seeing Lucio’s uncertain gaze, Shinkamura Shu smiled deeply, “Don’t worry, your share has long been prepared.”

“We’ll release some whispers about Xiaoling No. 1 to arouse public interest, then you’ll establish a special project under the name of the foundation.”

“Believe me, countless people will donate to this project. At that point, you’ll sponsor Matsuzo Medical on behalf of supporting research.”

“Anyway, the research costs are dictated internally by us, the charity funds will have vast operational space, with the pure profit generated inside attributing thirty percent to Libetong, how the rest is divided is up to internal matters, we won’t interfere.”

“When the time is right, we’ll announce Xiaoling No. 1’s research failure, but that we’ve developed No. 2 outperforming market medicines, delivering a beautiful answer to the public.”

Lucio rolled his eyes and after thinking for a long time nodded, “Very feasible, the Libetong Foundation has handled many similar projects without any trouble… I’ll take care of this personally.”

“As for the drug addiction… ahem, I mean, dependency issue, you better prepare for the public opinion pressure.”

Shinkamura Shu said confidently, “Don’t worry, the money for major media outlets has been prepared, you won’t see this matter on hot searches.”

Lucio showed a pleased expression, raised his filled glass and said, “Then I’ll say cooperation goes successfully in advance.”

Shinkamura Shu raised his glass, toasted him, and drank to the last drop.

Their joyous laughter reverberated in the private room.

…

Outside the window, Ivan, who had eavesdropped on all this, was almost fuming with anger.

Although he had a remarkable status, being the renowned Anti-Violence Captain, he lived a simple life apart from complex interpersonal relations.

Authorities didn’t want him involved in political affairs, and he never thought about getting involved either, solely focusing on safeguarding New Moon City.

He always believed that the crime in New Moon City stemmed from thugs.

As long as those daring to cross the legal line were eradicated, deterring the petty, this city would improve.

But he found his thinking far too simple.

The sins of New Moon City were not just from the thugs.

These well-dressed businessmen, politicians, toy with millions of lives in their witty banter, their minds filled with interests for themselves and enterprises, more malicious than the marginal thugs.

If reason weren’t intact, he truly wished to break in and shoot each of these beasts of burden.

Lucio and Shinkamura Shu reached an agreement, the rest of the conversation was casual talk, up till the end there was no other useful information.

Ivan ended the recording, stored the file data into his central system, and left Du Chuan Restaurant under the cover of darkness.

He returned to his car, called Su Mo: “I got what you wanted, there are some shocking things inside.”

Su Mo’s tone was very calm, seemingly expected, “Okay, send it to me.”

Ivan said somberly, “I’ll send it to you, but you need to promise me these parasites will face rightful punishment.”

Su Mo faintly smiled, confident without hesitation, “Of course, I promise you.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep