60. Preparation

Inside the temporary safe house, time seemed to have been slowed down. After three days of recuperation, the lingering scent of blood and gunpowder gradually gave way to the bitter aroma of herbs and the warm scent of food. Su Lin's awakening was like a ray of resolute sunshine in the gloom, dispelling the heaviness that had weighed on everyone's hearts for days.

Su Lin remained weak, spending most of his time asleep. But unlike his previous, heart-wrenching coma, his breathing was steady. While still pale, his face was no longer lifeless. Occasionally, in his sleep, his long, thick eyelashes would flutter softly, and his chapped lips would regain a hint of their softness. He was placed in the driest, softest corner of the room, padded with a thick blanket and clean clothes, like a delicately cared-for, fragile yet tenacious little animal.

Ling Ye barely left his side. He sat silently on the ground beside Su Lin's bed, his back against the cold wall, eyes closed, resting. But whenever Su Lin made the slightest sound or frowned unconsciously, he would immediately open his eyes, lean over to check, gently moistening Su Lin's lips with a damp cloth or tucking in the blanket. His movements were natural and focused, as if this was the only thing that required his full attention at the moment. Occasionally, in moments when no one was paying attention, his gaze towards Su Lin's sleeping profile would reveal a deep worry and tenderness that he himself hadn't noticed.

Bai Yan busied himself with the follow-up care for everyone's injuries. Using the ample supplies of medicine and equipment in Su Lin's space, he carefully examined and changed everyone's dressings. Ah Yan suffered the most external injuries, and several deeper wounds had begun to heal, but Bai Yan remained cautious, meticulously disinfecting, applying medicine, and bandaging each step. Mu Lin and Xing Chen recovered the fastest, their internal shocks largely subsiding, their mental strength steadily improving, and they were now able to handle most of the security and daily tasks.

Lei Qing was the busiest among them. He didn't relax in his temporary safety, but instead became even more vigilant. He stood in the center of the room, at a simple table scavenged from discarded consoles. Spread out on it was a map of the surrounding area, roughly drawn by Xingchen through his memory and mental perception.

"We're here," Lei Qing pointed a thick finger at a circled spot on the blueprint. "It's on the lower level of the old subway dispatch room. It's relatively hidden, but not completely safe." His voice was low and steady, and his eyes swept over the gathered Mu Lin, Xing Chen, and Bai Yan. Ah Yan leaned against the door, arms folded, his eyes scanning the passage outside sharply, but he also listened attentively to the discussion inside.

"The Guichen Cult will never let Wuguang go," Lei Qing continued, his brows slightly furrowed. "They're likely conducting a comprehensive search. We must quickly determine our next course of action."

Mu Lin approached the table and pointed at a winding dotted line on the map. "According to Stardust's perception, this abandoned maintenance passage may lead to an underground river further down. If we can find the underground river and follow its banks, we might be able to bypass the main control area of ​​the Guichen Sect and reach the edge."

Xingchen nodded. His face was still a little pale, but his eyes had regained their former clarity and sharpness. "I tried to expand my perception range and could vaguely detect the faint sound of flowing water and a more active breath of life in that direction. It's completely different from the oppressive and polluted energy field in the area controlled by the Guichen Sect. The risk is that we know nothing about the river's conditions, and... there's 'something' down there."

Bai Yan pushed up his glasses and added, "Su Lin's condition is stable, but he won't be able to withstand long journeys and violent bumps in the short term. A Yan's wound also needs at least a few more days of rest to ensure it doesn't break open. We need at least three to five days of absolute rest."

Lei Qing pondered for a moment, tapping his fingers lightly on the map. "Three days. We can only stay here for three more days at most. During this time, Mu Lin, you will be responsible for communicating with Su Lin to see if he has more detailed maps or information about this area in his space. Xingchen, your task is the most important. Try not to attract attention. Use your mental power to explore the maintenance passage and possible underground river entrances, and assess the risks. Bai Yan, ensure that everyone's injuries are healed to a state where they can move within three days. Ah Yan, raise the alert level to the highest level. Immediately issue an alarm if there is any sign of trouble."

"Understood." Several people responded at the same time, their expressions solemn.

Over the next two days, the safe house presented a situation of looseness on the outside but tightness on the inside.

Besides caring for Su Lin, Mu Lin spent most of his time sitting by his side, talking quietly with him. When Su Lin was awake, Mu Lin would patiently inquire about the supplies within the space, trying to find more useful information. Although Su Lin was frail and spoke with difficulty, his mind was clear. He would try to recall, then signal Mu Lin to retrieve some potentially relevant old books, damaged electronic files, or seemingly useless items from his space. Mu Lin would then carefully search through them, not missing a single possible clue. His voice was gentle, his movements patient, as if he were assisting a patient with memory loss with rehabilitation training.

"Su Lin, take another look. Is there anything like a map? Or something marking underground facilities..." Mu Lin asked softly while handing a cup of warm water to Su Lin's lips.

Su Lin sipped his drink, shaking his head slightly, a hint of apology in his amber eyes. He leaned back on the cushion Ling Ye had raised for him, like a fragile glass beauty. The sunlight filtered through the vents onto his face, and he could almost see the pale blue veins beneath his skin.

"It's okay. Take your time to think about it. We still have time." Mu Lin smiled soothingly and smoothed his hair. Ling Ye sat silently beside him, polishing his bayonet, occasionally glancing at Su Lin to make sure he was alright.

Xingchen's work was even more demanding. He often sat alone in a corner, away from the crowd, his back to the group, eyes closed, his mind focused. Invisible mental energy, like delicate tentacles, cautiously extended in the direction he sensed. He needed to avoid possible mental detection while simultaneously seeking to grasp the most distant and detailed information possible. Sweat often soaked his hair, and his complexion was paler than usual.

At one point, he suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils shrinking slightly, and whispered, "There are traces of residual energy near the entrance of the passage. It's very faint, but it's not from the Guichen Sect... It's more like some kind of... creature left behind. It carries a cold, predatory aura."

Lei Qing immediately walked over to him and asked in a deep voice, "Can you tell what it is? How dangerous is it?"

Stardust took a breath and shook his head. "I can't tell for sure; the traces are too faint. But it feels... bad to me. Also, the tunnel's internal structure seems unstable, with parts collapsing. Passing through it might be very difficult."

Lei Qing carefully recorded all this information as an important reference for formulating subsequent plans.

Bai Yan was like a spinning top, checking the healing of A Yan's wounds, preparing herbal medicines for Mu Lin and Xing Chen to relieve fatigue and nourish the spirit, and at the same time paying close attention to Ling Ye's condition - Ling Ye's old shoulder and back injuries seemed to have relapsed due to the previous battle and continuous tension. Bai Yan forcibly applied ointment to him and performed massage. Although Ling Ye frowned, he did not refuse.

A Yan was the quietest of the group, yet also the most vigilant. Like a silent gatekeeper, he stood guard at the door, rarely participating in internal discussions, only briefly speaking to Mu Lin or Xing Chen during shift changes. His gaze, like the most precise radar, constantly scanned the deep darkness at both ends of the passage, his ears picking up any unusual sound. His very presence was a reassuring barrier.

During this intense preparation period, Su Lin was the silent center of care for everyone. His waking time gradually increased, and although he still couldn't get up, he was able to have simple conversations. Ling Ye still watched over him, and when the sunlight was at its best in the early morning, he would carefully help him sit up for a while, let him lean on him, and look at the light coming in from the vent. Mu Lin would find easily digestible food from Su Lin's space in various ways and feed it to him patiently. Xingchen would occasionally use his gentle mental power to help him sort out his still somewhat disordered sea of ​​consciousness and relieve his occasional headaches. Even A Yan would quietly put the fresh fruits he was given at Su Lin's head after changing shifts.

However, beneath the calm, undercurrents are always surging.

On the afternoon of the third day of the planned stay, Xingchen, who had been perceiving with his eyes closed, suddenly trembled, opened his eyes abruptly, and his face turned pale in an instant.

"Captain Lei!" His voice was a little hurried. "They're using a mental scan...very covert, but with a wide coverage area...and they're gradually approaching our area! It's not the frantic search they were doing before, but more like...precise positioning!"

The atmosphere in the safe house froze instantly!

Lei Qing instantly came to Xingchen's side, his eyes sharp: "Can you determine the source and distance?"

Xingchen closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment. After a moment, he said with difficulty, "We can't accurately lock onto the source. They're very cunning, and their scanning bands are constantly changing... But the distance... should still be two kilometers away, and they're slowly advancing. At this rate... we'll cover this area by tomorrow morning at the latest!"

Everyone's heart sank. Three days was the limit.

"Pack your things and prepare to move." Lei Qing's voice was firm and decisive, without any hesitation. "Leave in an hour. Target: the underground river passage."

There is no time to hesitate any longer.

Everyone sprang into action, silent yet efficient. Mu Lin and Xing Chen helped Bai Yan quickly organize medicine and essential supplies. A Yan began checking weapons and equipment. Ling Ye carefully lifted Su Lin to his feet and began dressing him in warm clothing. His movements were still gentle, yet tinged with an unmistakable urgency.

Su Lin seemed to sense the change in atmosphere, and he cooperated obediently. Although there was a hint of unease on his pale face, there was more trust. He looked at Ling Ye, then at the others busy in the room, and asked softly, "Are you leaving?"

"Yeah." Ling Ye responded softly, fastened the last button for him, and then carefully wrapped a thick wool scarf around his neck. "Don't be afraid."

At that moment, Su Lin seemed to suddenly remember something. He raised a frail hand and gently tugged at Ling Ye's sleeve. With his other hand, he pointed to an empty supply box in the corner of the room. "Ling Ye...that box...has...a map...underneath..." His voice was weak, yet remarkably clear.

Ling Ye's eyes narrowed, and he immediately stood up, walked to a corner, and opened the inconspicuous empty wooden box. At the bottom of the box, a neatly folded, slightly yellowed paper map lay unseen!

He quickly picked up the map and spread it on the table. Lei Qing, Mu Lin, Xing Chen, and Bai Yan immediately gathered around him.

The map was meticulously drawn. Despite its age, the main underground pipelines, maintenance passages, and even some hidden exits were clearly marked. More importantly, in one corner, a red dotted line clearly marked a route to an underground river, with a small note next to it: "Emergency escape route. Caution: There are nests of mutant aquatic creatures along the riverbank. Danger level: Medium."

This route almost completely matches the direction and risks that Stardust had previously perceived!

"Great!" Mu Lin couldn't help but exclaim, a look of delight on his face. "With this, we can save a lot of time exploring the route and avoid risks in advance!"

Xingchen also studied the map carefully, his finger sliding down along the red dotted line until he finally touched a spot marked "Abandoned Hydroelectric Power Station." "Here...if the power station structure is still intact, it might be a safer transit point than here."

Lei Qing's eyes quickly scanned the map, imprinting the route and key information firmly in his mind. He raised his head, looked at the crowd, and finally landed on Su Lin, who had been helped back to a sitting position on the edge of the bed by Ling Ye. Su Lin was panting slightly, clearly having exhausted his energy from recalling and talking.

"Su Lin, you've done a great job." Lei Qing's voice was filled with rare praise. "This map provides us with crucial guidance."

Su Lin smiled weakly and shook his head, meaning that this was what he should do.

Ling Ye looked at his tired appearance, reached out and gently patted his back to help him calm down, with a complicated look in his eyes.

An hour later, everything was ready.

Ling Ye once again carried Su Lin on his back, securing him with a specially designed strap to prevent any jostling or jolting during the move. Su Lin lay quietly on Ling Ye's back, his cheek pressed against the warm back of Ling Ye's neck, his eyes closed, as if gathering strength.

Lei Qing led the charge, armed with a map and weapons. Mu Lin and Xing Chen followed closely behind, responsible for flank surveillance and situational awareness. Bai Yan and A Yan brought up the rear. A Yan remained silent, but his gaze was sharper than ever, like a blade about to be unsheathed.

Taking one last look at this safe house that provided temporary shelter, Lei Qing took a deep breath and whispered, "Let's go."

Like a stream merging into the shadows, the team silently sank into the maintenance passage leading to a deeper underground world. Ahead lay unknown darkness, potential danger, and an underground river that could lead to life or deeper despair.

Behind them, the approaching mental scan, like the sword of Damocles hanging overhead, urged them forward. The hope of survival and the looming crisis once again engaged in a silent race in the depths of the earth.