Chapter 91 Shen Yao is angry

We finally arrived at Dawn Base at dusk.

The wrecked convoy, covered in smoke, blood, and exhaustion, slowly drove into the base gate.

The newly added scratches, bullet holes, and dried bloodstains on the vehicle silently testified to the brutality of the mission. Soldiers and superhumans disembarked one after another, many with bandages wrapped around their bodies, their expressions numb, and lingering fear in their eyes.

Ruan Ning, Zhou Min, Lin Yan, and Da Huo, who was standing next to them, got off the truck with the flow of people.

They were also stained, but their steps were still steady, and their eyes remained clear. The metal ring on the left forelimb of the giant fire dog gleamed in the sunlight. It warily scanned the crowd of people who came to greet or watch, occasionally shaking its head as if it felt very imposing.

The brief handover and reporting began at the entrance.

The space-age ability users unloaded the equipment components and data boxes they had brought back one by one, which were then received and registered by designated personnel. General Chen Jichuan listened solemnly to the officers' initial report, and when he heard the specific casualty figures, his brows furrowed even more deeply.

His gaze swept over the group of survivors, pausing briefly on Ruan Ning's team. He said nothing, but his eyes were deep.

Ruan Ning's team completed the most basic handover procedures, handed over the "mission items" in their backpacks, received a small amount of temporary settlement points, and quickly left the noisy gate area, heading towards their residence in the inner city.

They need to rest, and they also need to think carefully about how to deal with Shen Yao.

At the same time, in the core area of ​​the base, at Shen Yao's residence.

Li Wei silently entered the study and quietly reported the firsthand intelligence his men had just obtained to Shen Yao, who was reclining in a chair with his eyes closed, resting.

"...The mission has been completed and the target equipment has been recovered. However, casualties exceeded expectations, with nearly half of the civilian superhumans lost. In the Thunder Leopard Squad, Captain Thunder Leopard is confirmed dead, all core members have perished, and only two survived with serious injuries, but they are no longer of any use. In the Venom Fang Squad, the captain and most of the members are confirmed dead or missing, which is equivalent to being removed from the squad."

Shen Yao's eyes snapped open, revealing no trace of sleepiness, only a chilling light. "Dead?" His voice was soft, yet carried a menacing pressure. "They all died in the research institute?"

“Yes. According to intelligence, the second basement level of the research institute contains a large number of unknown, highly aggressive mutants, which are the main cause of the casualties. The Thunder Leopard Squad chose the second basement level and failed to evacuate in time.” Li Wei spoke steadily, but his wording was cautious.

Shen Yao sat up straight, his fingers tapping lightly on the smooth armrest: "Where's Ruan Ning? Her squad?"

Li Wei paused for a moment, then continued, "Ruan Ning's team chose the basement level and also encountered mutants, but successfully evacuated without any serious injuries. They also brought back a certain amount of data and samples, some of which have been submitted according to procedure, and they have received a basic mission evaluation."

"Bang!"

Shen Yao slammed his hand on the armrest, the force not heavy, but it instantly froze the atmosphere in the entire study. The mask of his usual hypocritical smile shattered completely, revealing his sinister true face beneath.

"Useless!" he spat out the two words through gritted teeth, his eyes sharp as knives. "Even when using someone else to do his dirty work, he managed to turn himself into the broken blade! Lei Bao, that idiot, deserves to die!"

He stood up and paced around the study, his chest rising and falling slightly.

The anger was quickly suppressed by a deeper calculation.

He stopped and looked at Li Wei: "The second basement level is a death trap, yet she managed to come out of the first basement level alive and even made a gain... Li Wei, do you think this is luck, or did she know something all along? Or did she deliberately lead Lei Bao to a place she shouldn't have gone?"

Li Wei lowered his head: "There is a lack of direct evidence. But this woman is indeed not to be underestimated. Lei Bao's defeat is enough to prove how troublesome she is."

"Troublesome?" Shen Yao sneered, but his eyes gradually calmed down, even flashing with a more interested glint, like a hunter seeing prey worth taking seriously. "Indeed troublesome. I originally only wanted that dog, but now... I've changed my mind."

He walked back to his desk, sat down, and placed his fingers interlaced on the table, reverting to his previous air of complete control, but his tone was even colder: "Lei Bao is dead, that connection is broken. But the game isn't over yet."

Li Wei asked, "Should we make arrangements within the base as soon as possible...?"

“No.” Shen Yao interrupted him, shaking his head. “We just got back, and the storm hasn’t died down yet. It would be too stupid to make a move now.”

He paused, his eyes deepening with calculation: "Let her relax for a few days. Find out exactly what she brought back this time. Also, figure out the pattern of her team's upcoming missions. There are plenty of opportunities outside the base. This time, I'll arrange it personally. Not only do we need to get that dog, but we also need to make her and everyone connected to her disappear completely."

"Understood," Li Wei replied. "I will arrange for someone to keep a close eye on the situation and find a suitable replacement."

Shen Yao waved his hand, indicating that he could go and do it. The study returned to silence.

Shen Yao sat alone in the large chair, gazing at the view of the base outside the window, a cold smile slowly curving his lips.

Ruan Ning...

You won this round.

But you won't be so lucky in the next game.

I never fail to get what I set my sights on.