Translator: CinderTL
"Xu Heng has indeed arrived."
Inside the underground base, the floating virtual screen transformed into a projection, revealing a massive factory recently constructed on the outskirts of the city.
A deep green olive branch pattern was printed on the factory's steel walls. Within the factory's open space, a group of figures could be seen.
A young man in a black-purple suit was surrounded by security guards as he approached a Flying Car equipped with advanced defensive systems.
Several others carried specially designed metal briefcases, seemingly preparing to trade some kind of item.
"The intel was accurate. He's definitely here to trade with Red Wave Energy," Lin Hao said gravely. The two Fifth-Tier assistants beside him didn't object.
However, the woman with shoulder-length hair and a briefcase spoke up, meeting Lin Hao's gaze. "I suggest that only Lu Jian and I go. Liu Bo should stay behind as a contingency."
She could sense something amiss about this transaction, knowing both sides were eager to settle their past grievances quickly. This was essentially a contest of strength.
But unlike Xu Heng, who had the backing of Jadeite Biotech's board and the support of Red Wave Energy, Lin Hao's resources were limited. He had only three assistants he had watched grow up. If all three went on the mission, the security around Xu Heng would be significantly weakened.
The Young Boss had only three assistants he'd watched grow up.
If all three went on the mission, the security around their target would be noticeably weakened.
"No," Lin Hao objected.
Meeting Aunt Mei's gaze directly, he spoke earnestly, explaining his reasoning.
"Aunt Mei, I'll listen to you on anything else, but not this time."
"Xu Heng has always been treacherous. He's bound to have borrowed Fifth-Tier peak security from Xu Hai. I can't let just the two of you go. I'm worried."
He wasn't just concerned about the mission failing; he was also worried that they might be severely injured or even killed.
The atmosphere fell silent. Aunt Mei, a Modified Human woman, opened her mouth to speak.
But seeing Lin Hao's determined gaze, she couldn't bring herself to dissuade him. Instead, she turned to Liu Bo, hoping he would intervene.
Liu Bo remained silent for a moment, but soon spoke.
"Liu Bo, you know how long I've waited for this day."
His voice low, Lin Hao stared at the virtual screen, where the black-purple-suited young man was surrounded by a crowd.
"And if we fail to stop Xu Heng and his father from partnering with Red Wave Energy this time, those people at Jadeite Biotech will never help me again. I'll never get another chance to turn things around."
As his words fell silent, Liu Bo, standing behind him, opened his mouth to speak.
At this moment, all three knew they couldn't change his decision.
"Don't worry too much about me," Lin Hao said with a smile, sensing their concern. "Xu Heng might not even find this place. Even if he does, I'm not afraid."
"I poured a lot of effort into this underground base's defense system. It can withstand a Fifth-Tier attack for at least half an hour."
"Besides, Old Yuan and the others are here. Combined with the base's firepower modules, even if something goes wrong, they can stall long enough for you to return and rescue me."
His rational analysis and reassurance caused Aunt Mei to meet his gaze, the words she wanted to say silently suppressed.
"Let's go," Lu Jian, the man with the slicked-back hair, patted her shoulder. "Xiao Hao has his own mind. He's grown up."
"Our job is to seize the new Energy Device and eliminate Xu Heng."
As his words fell, Liu Bo sighed. "Young Master, please be sure to protect yourself."
"Don't worry, Liu Bo," Lin Hao replied with a reassuring smile.
Aunt Mei fell silent for a moment, then patted his shoulder and suppressed her worries. She left with Liu Bo and Lu Jian as their footsteps gradually faded away.
As the sound of their footsteps receded, Lin Hao's smile faded, replaced by a calm expression.
Looking sideways, the incandescent lights of the underground base shone down, reflecting faint arcs of light from the silver metal walls and floor.
Tian Hao Security's hidden armed personnel moved about nearby, clad in custom-made combat uniforms. Some were inspecting firearms and ammunition, while others were operating equipment to adjust the frequencies of external drones.
"Old Yuan."
"Hmm?"
The tall and burly Yuan Yueshan, who was overseeing the inspection of the base's armed defense systems, turned at the sound.
"If something unexpected happens..."
"My life is in your hands."
Lin Hao said with a smile. Yuan Yueshan fell silent for a moment, and Zhou Cheng, standing beside him, also wore a heavy expression.
They both knew that if something truly went wrong, it would undoubtedly involve an attack by a Fifth-Tier Cyborg.
So...
"Understood."
Yuan Yueshan replied in a low voice and immediately strode toward the base entrance to personally inspect every defensive checkpoint.
Whoosh!
A speeding flying car hurtled toward the outskirts of Nanjiang. The black-clad youth was unusually alone.
The autopilot and flight modes were engaged in sequence, and the car windows darkened to an opaque black. The VR holographic image was accurately received by the car's intelligent system.
Chen Feng paid no attention to this, simply focusing on the rapidly closing distance in his mind.
Following the shared vision, Stone Statue No. 3 plummeted from the sky into the Greenfield Forest.
The Red-clothed woman had vanished silently into the shadows. He hadn't expected her to actually dare appear in Nanjiang.
"Skyway Shipping..."
"Heh."
With a cold laugh, Chen Feng immediately ordered the smart system to accelerate, heading straight for the stone statue's location.
At the same time, several flying cars sped past along other roads, flying low to the ground.
In the back seat of one, a young man in a black-and-purple suit sat silently as a calm voice spoke from his communicator.
"Manager Xu, I don't seem to see you?"
"Heh, Manager Han, the transaction isn't for another ten minutes, is it?" Xu Heng explained with a smile in the communicator. The other man remained silent for a moment.
Cutting straight to the point, the question came without further delay.
"I heard you ran into some trouble earlier?"
"You should know Red Wave Energy doesn't like being used or having complications arise."
Xu Heng's tone was cold, but his smile remained fixed.
"Manager Han, what nonsense. It's just idle gossip."
"It's a minor issue, and I'll handle it properly. It won't affect our transaction."
"Mm, I hope so." The man on the other end of the communicator nodded calmly.
The communication line abruptly disconnected, and the smile on Xu Heng's face quickly faded.
"That old fox... He's only been in Nanjiang for a few days, yet his information network is already so sharp."
The Fifth-Tier Cyborg in the passenger seat frowned slightly at the slightly disgruntled tone.
"Boss, should we adjust the plan?"
He recalled Xu Heng's previous instructions to bring in Red Wave Energy to help crush the targets more decisively. But now, it was clear the call had been a warning, and they couldn't rely on the other party anymore.
"No need."
Xu Heng shook his head, leaning back against the leather seat and gazing out the window at the roaring wind and waves, and the lush green trees.
"Though it deviates slightly from our expectations, it's not a major problem."
The Fifth-Tier Cyborg nodded, then his gaze sharpened as he focused on the road just outside Greenfield Forest, near the city entrance.
A heavy truck had overturned on the potholed concrete road, blocking the way.
Furthermore, the scanning module had detected two anomalous energy signatures.
Boom!!!
In an instant, just as he noticed the anomaly, a black shadow burst from behind the overturned truck, its back trailing a white-and-red flame.
Its silver-black metallic body was incredibly sturdy, and its charging momentum generated a terrifying roar that disrupted the surrounding magnetic field.
"Looks like the prey has taken the bait," Xu Heng said, his expression unchanged, even curling into a mocking smile.
Without hesitation, the Fifth-Tier Cyborg in the passenger seat smashed through the car door and leaped out.
Boom!!!
Two figures clashed instantly, briefly suspended in mid-air as their fists met.
A Fifth-Grade Force Field erupted, causing the concrete ground below to crack and fissures to spread.
When they finally fell, a deafening boom echoed as a deep crater formed in the ground. The flying cars speeding low overhead were forced to decelerate.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!
In an instant, several flying shuttles shot out from the overturned heavy truck.
Resembling blades or arrows, they were entirely silver-gray, piercing the Fifth-Tier Force Field like arrowheads. Then, mid-air, they contracted and merged, seemingly becoming one as they hurtled toward the flying car.
Just as they were about to tear through the window and strike Xu Heng...
Clang!!
A golden flying shield materialized just in time, standing before the flying car.
Sparks exploded as a powerful shockwave erupted, threatening to shatter the windows like a storm.
But instead, streaks of blue light bloomed from the golden shield, which then split into several illusory magnetic field shields, layering themselves around the flying car.
Boom!!
The force of the explosion was contained by the Force Field and the golden shield, leaving only a massive crater and cracks in the concrete road.
At the same time...
Clang, clang!!
Two fleeting afterimages appeared, the sound of metal clashing echoing on either side of the flying car as sparks flew in all directions.
Following the trajectory, Xu Heng saw two silver-gray Flying Shuttles that had feigned a mid-air fusion attack, then vanished to circle around and launch a surprise assault.
But alas, the golden Flying Shield proved too formidable. Its beams of blue light, solidified into a tangible magnetic field, were as sturdy as real matter.
The cunning strike ultimately failed to pierce the magnetic field barrier.
"Grey Arrow, Mei Li."
Xu Heng raised an eyebrow slightly, clearly recognizing the Mech-Warrior Technique.
Through the transparent blue magnetic field barrier, he saw a figure leap from behind the heavy truck ahead, landing on the side of the vehicle's hood.
Shoulder-length hair, a black leather trench coat.
Fish-tail wrinkles deepened as the figure, holding a briefcase, wore a stern expression.
"At your age, you're still out here fighting for your life."
"I don't know whether to call my cousin cruel or you foolish."
Xu Heng sneered, as a lean man in a suit emerged from behind the Flying Car, also carrying a black briefcase.
The golden Flying Shield, as if receiving an invisible boost, suddenly vibrated violently, forcing the silver-gray Flying Shuttles back and hovering before them.
For a moment, both sides stood locked in a tense standoff, their movements momentarily frozen.
"Xu Heng, your family is ungrateful."
"Some things don't belong to you."
Aunt Mei's voice was icy, and the cyborg Lu Jian beside her glared coldly. Magnetic fields compressed and converged around him, causing arcs of electricity to crackle across his arms.
Xu Heng remained silent, narrowing his eyes at the two figures.
In the next instant...
BOOM!!!
A magnetic field erupted, and the golden Flying Shield shot forward first, igniting the battlefield.
(End of the Chapter)
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