The dragon horn is lost
The next morning, Ling Shi was awakened by the sound of uniform footsteps outside the window.
He rubbed his eyes, sat up, and turned his head to look at Lu Tingxiao who was lying on the single bed against the opposite wall.
The person opposite was also woken up, stretched out his two bare arms, and woke up.
At this glance, Ling Shi remembered the embarrassing thing he did last night.
Last night, because of a dispute over a pair of underwear, he accidentally acted like the biggest hooligan of his life and tore off the bath towel that was the only thing covering Lu Tingxiao's body.
And stuffed my underwear in...
When he came to his senses, he didn't know what was wrong with him at that time and did such a shameless thing.
Especially at the moment when the towel fell off, he was stunned for two full seconds before he remembered to turn around, staring at everything he should and shouldn't look at.
Lu Tingxiao's figure is truly amazing. Honey-orange skin, distinct abdominal muscles, and the mermaid lines on both sides meandering down along his lower abdomen...
Stop, stop!
He had never stared at anyone like that even when he went to a public bath.
His face suddenly felt hot.
But Lu Tingxiao, the even more shameless one, didn't even pick up the towel. Instead, he walked up behind him, bent down and leaned close to his ear, asking him, "Does it look good?"
Your sister is so pretty!
Who doesn’t seem like that?
Aren’t eight-pack abs and a mermaid line standard military equipment?!
Even that...thing...the size...is not much different!
He was so angry that he turned off the lights and even threw the dirty clothes at the foot of the bed.
Thinking of this, Ling Shi turned around and didn't look at Lu Tingxiao.
After calming himself down and letting the heat on his face subside a little, he got up and walked to the window.
Looking outside, I saw a row of soldiers running past not far away.
But they didn't seem to be on normal patrol, but stopped when they reached an area with dense buildings.
The leading soldier gave some instructions, and the entire team dispersed and went to different places.
Seems...looking for something.
Ling Shi frowned and asked Lu Tingxiao: "What's going on?"
It sounded like a business-like tone.
Let's pretend everything that happened last night never happened.
Lu Tingxiao leaned against the headboard, yawned, and rolled over: "Let's go and see what's going on."
No mention of last night's incident was made.
Ling Shi was very satisfied with his attitude.
The two of them washed up, got dressed, and went out as quickly as possible.
Go straight to Building 1.
Ling Shi didn't know which floor to go to, and Lu Tingxiao pressed "89" accurately.
"Go to the laboratory?" Ling Shi asked: "How do you know it's the laboratory..."
Halfway through the question, he realized it.
This person promised him yesterday...
Lu Tingxiao kept his mouth shut, looked at him, and leaned against the wall with his eyes closed to rest.
The elevator door opened and Ling Shi was startled before he even stepped out.
The entire floor was filled with a burning smell, and not far from the laboratory table, there was still a plume of black smoke that had not completely extinguished.
Yu Zhengping, Xiao Yang, Wang Fenghua and others were all crowded in the laboratory, whispering to each other.
A strange atmosphere permeated the room, as if everyone was secretly discussing some hidden secret. Some felt guilty, some were anxious...
Ling Shi walked in quickly, feeling a bad premonition in his heart: "What happened?"
Everyone looked up.
When they saw it was him, everyone's expressions became a little subtle.
It's like... a gambler was caught red-handed by his creditor.
After three seconds of silence, Yu Zhengping finally spoke: "Um...Xiao Ling, something unexpected happened."
He hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly spoke: "That... dragon horn... is gone."
Ling Shi's heart skipped a beat and he asked, "Gone?!"
He risked his life to bring Long Jiao to the base. It's no exaggeration to say he risked his life. Believing the base to be a safe and secure place, he confidently handed such an important item to the laboratory. But after just one day...
However, he didn't care about being angry and confirmed first: "Both pieces are gone?!"
Yu Zhengping sighed and nodded.
Ling Shi's eyes swept across Wang Fenghua's face.
According to what happened yesterday, this person was in charge of the Dragon Horn. It was he who kept saying he wasn't qualified and wouldn't let me touch the Dragon Horn.
Wang Fenghua seemed frightened by the sharp gaze. He visibly leaned back and swallowed before saying, "We were anxious to produce some results, so we worked all night, which led to... a small mistake..."
"A minor mistake?" Xiao Yang interrupted without hesitation: "You almost burned down the entire laboratory and lost both dragon horns. You call this a minor mistake?"
Wang Fenghua shook his body and looked like he wanted to kneel down to Xiao Yang.
After such a big incident, all the arrogance he showed yesterday disappeared completely.
Yu Zhengping patted Ling Shi's shoulder and said, "Don't worry. General Xiao has mobilized all the guards and troops to search for him. We may have good news soon."
"Was it lost accidentally? Or was it human error?" Lu Tingxiao came over at some point.
Yu Zhengping responded: "Everyone who was in the lab last night has been detained. The investigation is ongoing and there is no conclusion yet."
Lu Tingxiao snorted and glanced at Wang Fenghua: "He's a good subordinate trained by Dean Wang."
This sentence gave the incident a preliminary characterization.
Wang Fenghua waved his hands hurriedly: "No, no, it can't be man-made. My subordinates are more loyal than each other, there is no way they would betray me."
Lu Tingxiao said, "Oh!" "So this is Dean Wang's private team. They all listen to you."
He had a look of ridicule, and the sarcasm was obvious.
Wang Fenghua was now even more anxious. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and he waved his hands slightly, but he didn't know how to explain.
Ling Shi asked: "Who was in the lab last night?"
Yu Zhengping: "They are a few people who have been following the Dragon Horn project. In addition to Dean Wang and Yin Shi, there are three other researchers, all C1 level. One is in his 30s, named Zhou Shuyan. The other two are in their 20s, named..."
Wang Fenghua continued, "Call Chen Xi and Lu Wen."
Ling Shi saw that the researchers were standing obediently beside the experimental table, guarded by several soldiers.
Perhaps because they were all involved in the incident, they looked nervous and anxious. Some had frowns on their faces, some were trembling slightly, and some had blank stares, their thoughts unclear.
"What's the result now?" Ling Shi felt a little anxious.
The reason he was still holding back was because he thought it might be Lu Tingxiao's trick. But he didn't dare to tell Lu Tingxiao, and he was worried that it might not be the case.
As he spoke, he glanced at Lu Tingxiao. As he expected, there was no trace of the man at all.
If it really was Lu Tingxiao...
Damn it, they actually tampered with the dragon horn. What if something really goes wrong...
Ling Shi didn't dare to think about it.
"The army has just been dispatched. Please wait a moment." Xiao Yang replied: "You are the one who brought the Dragon Horn here, right? Your name is Ling Shi? Do you have any way to find the Dragon Horn?"
Ling Shi nodded. "I am. If the dragon horn wasn't covered by the sealed box that blocks out the aura, the dragon warriors would be able to sense it. I can join the search."
Ling Shi was about to leave when Lu Tingxiao stopped him: "Since Dean Wang was the one who started this mess, it's not appropriate for us to clean up this mess... right?"
Xiao Yang was stunned: "Hey, Lu Tingxiao, can you be more generous?"
Lu Tingxiao snorted: "No."
He refused as a matter of course, with a rogue look of "no one can do anything to me", and didn't even give Xiao Yang face.
Yu Zhengping couldn't bear it any longer: "Xiao Ling..."
"He's sick today." Lu Tingxiao answered quickly, "He's not suitable for the mission."
This was said very smoothly, without a blush at all.
Ling Shi almost choked.
Get ill?
Seeing Yu Zhengping looking at him, Ling Shi almost wanted to look at himself too.
He looks so full of energy, how can he look sick?
Just open your mouth!
Ling Shi's breath was caught in his throat.
Just make your face a little red, at least it looks a little abnormal.
Yu Zhengping also held his breath in his throat, obviously not expecting Lu Tingxiao to talk nonsense like this.
But he was not used to speaking directly, so he had to hold it in.
Xiao Yang, however, was not buying it: "Sick? Lu Tingxiao, this Ling Shi's face is rosier than that of a dragon warrior. He can easily knock down three or five of my guards with his bare hands. You said he is sick?"
Lu Tingxiao nodded calmly, not bothering to explain further.
Yu Zhengping sighed: "The loss of the dragon horn is a big deal."
Ling Shi poked Lu Tingxiao.
This time he stabbed him in the waist with considerable force, without concealing it at all.
Lu Tingxiao hissed, looked at him, and sighed helplessly.
"Okay, I'll help you."
"But..." Before others could feel relieved, he asked again: "I have two more questions."
"First, does the base offer any reward to whoever finds the dragon horn?"
"Secondly, Dean Wang has caused quite a mess. How are you going to handle this?"
Yu Zhengping and Xiao Yang looked at each other.
The meaning contained in the eyes is very complicated.
It seems... he has already understood Lu Tingxiao's role in this matter and his purpose.
Ling Shi glanced away.
Although he had a high IQ, he was completely absorbed in his research and had a clear distinction between right and wrong. He didn't understand the twists and turns of the politicians in power, and he didn't want to understand them.
Yu Zhengping pondered for a moment and said, "We haven't set a reward yet. But if anyone finds it, they can put forward their request."
"As for Dean Wang, now that he has lost the Dragon Horn, he is no longer qualified to continue serving as the project leader."
Wang Fenghua's face suddenly turned pale, he took half a step back, and looked at Yu Zhengping with trembling lips, but in the end he didn't dare to say anything.
Lu Tingxiao nodded, looking quite satisfied with Zhengping's answer.
He turned sideways and raised his chin towards Ling Shi: "Let's go and get to work."
Ling Shi couldn't wait any longer and rushed to the lab table to check the traces on it: "Was the Dragon Horn here before it was lost?"
Yin Shi, who was standing by, replied, “Yes.”
"We worked all night last night and were a little tired in the morning. We were planning to go back and rest, but the trash bin suddenly caught fire."
"Luckily, there are two fire extinguishers in the lab. Zhou Shuyan and I each grabbed one and came over to put out the fire. The others also gathered around to help."
"When the fire died down, everyone discovered the dragon horn was gone."
Ling Shi carefully observed the experimental table and touched the remaining dragon horn tissue on it.
Yin Shi said, "Let's help find it together. We've been with Long Jiao for a few days and are more familiar with it than most people."
"No." Lu Tingxiao came to the lab table and stopped him, saying, "You are all Dean Wang's subordinates. According to him, you are very loyal to him. Who knows if one of you is too loyal?"
His words not only implied that there was a traitor among them, but also hinted that Wang Fenghua was the mastermind behind the scenes.
Selling a dragon horn to another country would cost an astronomical sum.
Just then, a soldier trotted into the laboratory.
He was about the same height as Xiao Yang, but more muscular, with bronze skin and a well-proportioned appearance.
There are three stars on his epaulettes, so he must be a colonel.
"Report to General Xiao, the perimeter of the base has been sealed off."
"Teams have been assigned to various buildings and are checking each one."
Xiao Yang nodded: "Who is responsible for Building No. 1?"
Soldier: "I'll lead the team."
"Okay." Xiao Yang pointed at Ling Shi and said, "Temporarily assign him to your team and search together."
Soldier: “Yes.”
He walked over quickly and greeted Lu Tingxiao naturally: "Captain Lu, are you coming too?"
Obviously they were already familiar with each other.
Lu Tingxiao nodded: "Yes. Together."
He patted Ling Shi on the shoulder and said, "Let me introduce you to Ma Minghong, the captain of the First Squadron of the First Army. He's General Xiao's right-hand man."
Ma Minghong saluted Ling Shi.
Ling Shi returned the salute according to military custom.
Lu Tingxiao then introduced: "Ling Shi, a researcher at the First Research Institute, is in charge of the Dragon Horn project."
"And..." He paused, then suddenly smiled, "I don't know what other identities he has. But I do know that he gave a very standard military salute."
Ling Shi also smiled: "I'll tell you later. First find the dragon horn."
Once something is lost, no matter where it is now, there is always a trajectory of the object's movement.
Ling Shi followed the clues and started searching from the laboratory bench.
Ma Minghong also called people in and searched for traces in the laboratory together according to Ling Shi's instructions.
In just ten minutes, Ling Shi used his senses to find some remnants of the dragon horn: in the trash can.
But he couldn't be sure whether these residues were the traces left when the dragon horn was lost.
After all, that idiot Wang Fenghua actually cut the dragon horn tissue into small pieces and threw them away after use.
This is also the reason why Ling Shi wants to take back the initiative as soon as possible.
"The garbage in here..." Ling Shi looked at the empty trash can and asked Yin Shi, "Where did it go?"
Yin Shi pointed to the back door of the laboratory and said, "Clean it up outside. The cleaners will come and clean it up."
Ling Shi quickly opened the back door and ran out.
Outside the door, a cleaner was holding two large black garbage bags and turned around to leave.
Seeing so many people suddenly appear, the cleaner was a little confused. He looked back and forth at the way these people were staring at the garbage bag in his hand, and said with a very puzzled expression: "Are you, are you going to pick up trash?"
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