Arknights: Mobile City

Heal had thought of many ways to meet the True Lung, but ultimately, she'd settled on this simple yet direct approach.

Not because it was necessarily the best method—she'd simply planned to try every method she thought of until one worked. She'd just happened to succeed on the first try.

After all, this was her greatest advantage: she had countless ways to succeed, and she could afford countless attempts.

As long as one chance connected with the right possibility, it was enough.

Since she could always replace her body, the cost of failure was negligible.

Thus, guided by the official, Heal leisurely walked toward the True Lung's imperial palace.

Clearly, her revelation of knowing the hidden Candleholder and Fragment of Sui had drawn the attention of other officials. After reporting upwards, the True Lung himself undoubtedly saw her identity clearly laid out:

Heal, Founder of K Corp from the City.

Obviously, the True Lung had already heard about the City, and recently it had clearly piqued his interest. Precisely because of this, when he learned Heal hailed from the City, he immediately arranged for a meeting.

As she approached the palace, Heal paused briefly, interrupting her thoughts.

Now comes the formal meeting with the True Lung…

Should this be called confidence, or perhaps cautiousness? They hadn't even searched her. Convenient, really—keeping the ampoules on her would simplify their negotiation.

Now, to shift gears.

The most important task remaining was, after all, this "deal" with the True Lung.

Taking a calming breath, Heal stepped into the grand hall of the palace.

The True Lung sat hidden behind a screen, flanked by imperial guards. Heal walked casually forward as if she were at home, stopping before him with a polite bow.

"I've long heard that Yan's current True Lung attends personally to even the smallest details of governance. It seems this reputation holds true, given you're willing to meet someone like me in person."

Heal smiled warmly. Behind the screen, the True Lung's expression remained unreadable. He placed a stone upon the board before him, saying softly:

"You seem to enjoy playful words. But I prefer to hear direct speech."

Heal's smile widened slightly. The imperial guards stood as still as statues, yet their eyes carefully tracked her every movement.

"Fortunately, I also prefer simplicity. Please, ask whatever you wish. I will answer clearly," Heal replied, giving another respectful bow.

The True Lung paused, placing no further stones, and instead began his questions bluntly:

"Where are you from?"

"The City."

"Your identity?"

"Heal, Founder of K Corp… a mere merchant."

"Your purpose?"

"To establish friendship, but also to propose a trade."

"And your goods?"

"I believe they were mentioned in your briefing? Consider this a greeting gift."

Heal smoothly removed one of the lighter-colored ampoules from her belt, tossing it gently toward the True Lung.

Instantly, the imperial guards drew their blades, only to be stopped by a slight raise of the True Lung's hand. He caught the ampoule deftly, holding it up to the light. Under the illumination, the ampoule gleamed brilliantly.

"So this is your legendary… miracle medicine?"

"Even if Yan has no desperate need for it, wouldn't it be worthwhile to ensure the health of several key individuals?" Heal casually remarked, before narrowing her eyes playfully and adding, "Moreover, in a sense… it's a key to immortality, isn't it?"

At this, the True Lung appeared unmoved, yet Heal noticed his fingers subtly tighten.

"What exactly is this?"

"Miracle drug, Elixir of Life, Fountain of Youth, medicine of resurrection… call it whatever legendary name you prefer. We simply call it an ampoule."

Heal shrugged lightly. The True Lung remained silent.

He did not ask how Heal had known about Lao Jiang and Yu. Clearly, he understood that revealing this knowledge was merely a tactic to draw his attention. The true key was her purpose…

And he had heard clearly enough when she'd introduced herself as a "merchant."

Since she was a merchant, her purpose must be trade.

Yan possessed something she wanted. After a brief pause for thought, he finally spoke plainly:

"What do you need?"

"A cooperative friendship. The City requires many resources—chief among them, energy. I imagine Baizao has plenty of surplus?"

Heal kept her tone casual, yet her gaze held a probing intensity, testing the True Lung's boundaries.

The True Lung hesitated, momentarily startled, before finally responding:

"How many of these ampoules do you have, and how much energy do you want in exchange?"

"If you desire it, I can provide enough to secure immortality for yourself and perhaps two or three others… But we would require enough energy to sustain ten thousand people for one or two months."

Heal deliberately quoted a price she considered extravagant. The True Lung, however, hesitated only briefly before nodding:

"Ten thousand…? Then, that can be negotiated."

Hearing this, Heal instantly cursed herself inwardly.

Dammit, I set the price too low!

But it was too late to backtrack… Well, she could always raise it slightly later.

Heal waited patiently. Behind the screen, the True Lung conferred quietly with unseen officials. After a long deliberation, he finally spoke:

"I accept."

"Then we have a deal, Your Majesty."

Heal bowed gently again, rising with a satisfied smile.

"The City welcomes the people of Yan, and as a merchant—"

"We also welcome Yan's merchants."

With those final words, Heal turned to leave. The True Lung raised a hand, signaling the guards to allow her passage. Her calm voice echoed briefly through the hall as she departed:

"Please wait briefly, Your Majesty… I'll return soon to finalize the arrangements and complete our transaction."

"Until then, farewell."

Heal stepped confidently down from the hall, exiting the palace grounds.

---

At Yu Wei Restaurant, Yu worked busily in the kitchen, only to freeze when he saw a familiar figure step back inside.

Watching the woman casually stroll into Yu Wei again, Yu stood momentarily stunned.

She's… back already?

---

Meanwhile, far away…

Across the plains of Kazimierz, Pioneer took his first steps onto the vast, unfamiliar territory.

"Alright… Time for my own pioneering to begin."