Chapter 20
The calm appearance is like a fragile layer of ice, quietly cracking under pressure.
The first news was bad.
A reconnaissance team was ambushed, with two minor injuries. The enemy retreated quickly after the exchange of fire, their tactics clean and efficient, leaving no traceable mark. Then, late at night, one of the two main energy pipelines essential to the port's survival was precisely detonated. The saboteurs clearly understood the pipeline's structure and the port's security weaknesses. The explosion perfectly disabled the pipeline while avoiding critical nodes that could trigger a chain reaction.
The restoration work drained the port's last precious reserves of spare parts and energy. With the announcement of limited power and reduced ventilation, long-suppressed panic and discontent finally erupted. Hundreds of miners and their families gathered in the administrative square, demanding the immediate evacuation of this "cursed" area. The situation threatened to spiral out of control.
Wen Ling rushed to the scene immediately, dressed in a black training uniform, his long blond hair standing out against the tumultuous crowd. He didn't try to suppress the situation with his authority, but instead went straight to the most emotionally agitated patients, whom he had personally bandaged.
"Lao Fang, your leg injury hasn't healed yet, don't stand for too long."
"Aya, I remember your child is still coughing. The medical station has just received a new batch of medicine. I'll take you there to get it later."
He called out their names one by one, listening patiently to their fear and anger.
When the crowd calmed down a bit, he stood on a low step and said in a clear and firm voice:
"The pipeline was deliberately destroyed. Someone doesn't want us to survive, and doesn't want Cang Lingzhou to return to peace." He pointed the finger directly at the outside world. "They want to disintegrate us from within. Please think about how we worked together to shut down the energy core and how we forced the Federation warships to retreat. Are the difficulties we face now more terrifying than those?"
He did not make empty promises, but instead evoked shared memories and a spirit of resistance.
Trust, at such a moment, was more effective than any command. Under the influence of his words and the credibility he had previously accumulated, the crowd gradually regained their composure and slowly dispersed. But the uneasiness in the air, like the unique dampness of Rust Harbor, lingered.
The atmosphere in the command center was solemn. Miao Weizhen stood before a massive diagram of the port's structure, listening to the security director's report. His hands, clasped behind his back, their knuckles slightly white from the strain.
"...The blasting point was professionally chosen, and military-grade explosives were used. This is not something that ordinary forces can do."
"Strengthen security at all key facilities, especially the remaining pipeline and the water purification system." Miao Weizhen's voice was even deeper than usual. "Thoroughly investigate all recent entries and exits, focusing on those with military or engineering backgrounds."
The order was given and the personnel dispersed, leaving only him and Wen Ling, who had just entered, in the command room.
Wen Ling walked over to him, his eyes scanning the glaring red mark on the map. "Unlike Star Flame's tactics," he analyzed calmly, "they prefer direct destruction. This precise paralysis is more likely intended to create chaos and consume the enemy."
Miao Weizhen didn't respond immediately. Instead, he raised his hand and pressed hard on his solar plexus, his movements quick and stealthy. Wen Ling's gaze lingered on his pale fingertips for a moment.
"Chaos is an attack in itself." Miao Weizhen put down his hand, his tone returning to its icy calm. "The other party knows our weaknesses very well."
"Furthermore, they might already be lurking among us." Wen Ling lowered his voice and pointed out their shared concerns. He recalled the foremen who had particularly instigated the opposition at the meeting. Suspicions arose, but the identity of the mastermind behind the scenes remained shrouded in mystery.
Miao Weizhen glanced at him sideways. Wen Ling's sharpness always surprised him.
"I'll have Han Zhong secretly investigate those people." Wen Ling volunteered, "I have some connections down there, maybe I can hear some different opinions."
He knew that Miao Weizhen was under tremendous pressure, and taking the initiative to share the burden was a way to break the deadlock, but also a test.
Miao Weizhen was silent for a moment. There were risks in letting Wen Ling intervene in the internal investigation, but right now, it was indeed a way to both appease people and efficiently obtain intelligence.
"...Okay." He finally agreed. "Proceed with caution."
At this moment, a signalman rushed in: "Minister, an urgent encrypted message from Sailiang Star!"
Miao Weizhen's pupils shrank slightly, and he immediately turned and walked towards the encrypted communications room. Wen Ling watched his back tense up instantly. The moment he turned around, she clearly saw his brows suddenly furrowed in unbearable pain - that familiar headache, struck again by the pressure of internal and external pressure.
Wen Ling remained where he was. The red dots on the structural diagram, symbolizing destruction, seemed to spread. The reconnaissance team had been attacked, the pipeline had been blown up, there was a possible spy inside, and urgent telegrams from Sailiang Star, whether urging or reprimanding... none of this was isolated. An invisible net was tightening, its target directed at Huangquan Rust Port, and also at him and Miao Weizhen.
After the incident, he didn't go back to his lounge directly, but headed to the port's medical area. Not for himself, but driven by instinct—in times of stress and chaos, this is where one can often hear the most genuine voices and see the truest essence of human nature.
The medical area was even more crowded than usual. The pipeline explosion not only caused direct casualties, but the lack of ventilation caused by power outages also caused relapses in some already fragile patients. The air was filled with herbs, disinfectant, and a faint scent of blood. Medical soldiers and women who volunteered to help moved between beds, their faces etched with fatigue.
Wen Ling's appearance caused a small commotion.
He motioned for everyone to be polite, rolled up his sleeves, and naturally joined the group helping to change bandages. His movements weren't the most skilled, but they were incredibly focused and gentle. An elderly miner who had lost a leg in the explosion clutched his hand tightly, his cloudy eyes filled with fear and uncertainty about the future.
"Your Highness...can we still go home?" the old man murmured.
Wen Ling held his rough hand in hers, her voice firm and clear: "Yes. We are clearing the road, and soon everyone will be able to leave here safely."
He did not make unrealistic promises, but gave a clear goal:
Leave safely.
This information spread quietly in the depressing medical area like a warm current, bringing a glimmer of hope.
It was also here that Wen Ling heard a key detail from a nagging woman who was responsible for cleaning the bandages.
The woman complained that the night before the explosion, she saw Scarface and another unfamiliar face sneaking around the abandoned Fourth Warehouse. The man wasn't dressed like a miner, but more like...
"Like a gentleman, carrying a small box in his hands."
A gentle gentleman? A small box? Wen Ling's heart skipped a beat. This description was completely different from that of a miner or an armed man.
Meanwhile, in the encrypted communications room, Miao Weizhen was facing a virtual image of Emperor Wen Xunyi on a screen. The emperor in the image wore a worried look, surrounded by cabinet ministers, and the atmosphere was solemn and oppressive.
"Weizhen, I've heard about what happened in Rusty Port. I'm truly blessed that Ling'er is safe. However, the situation is chaotic, the Federation is aggressive, and there are internal conflicts. I'm deeply worried." Wen Xunyi paused, his eyes sharp. "I've always trusted you to do things. However, this one has taken so long, and there's already some criticism within the court. I need you to stabilize the situation as quickly as possible and ensure Ling'er's safe return to the capital without further complications. Is it possible?"
The word "safe and sound" was deliberately emphasized. This was both a sign of concern and a final ultimatum—the emperor wanted a living, controllable Wen Ling back in the capital, not a corpse, or a prince who had gained too much prestige in Rust Port and was out of his control.
Miao Weizhen bowed deeply, hiding all emotion from his eyes. "Your Majesty, I obey your command. I will protect Your Majesty, quell the unrest in the harbor, and return to the capital as soon as possible to report."
The call ended. Miao Weizhen stood up, his face expressionless, only a hint of cold mockery flashed deep in his eyes. The emperor was anxious. Wen Ling's performance in Rust Port had exceeded his expectations.
He left the communication room and happened to meet Wen Ling who was returning from the medical area. Their eyes met, and they both saw the solemnity in each other's eyes.
"I heard a piece of news." Wen Ling spoke first and told Miao Weizhen the information about "Mr. Sven" and the small box.
Miao Weizhen's eyes narrowed slightly. "Professional demolitionists. That's not the style of Star Flame. They rely more on equipment than outsiders."
He immediately realized that in addition to "Xingyan" and the foreman who was bribed internally, there was also a third-party force involved, and the methods were more covert and professional.
"It seems that there are more than one party who want to muddy the waters." Wen Ling whispered.
At that moment, Susie came running over excitedly, waving a data tablet in her hand. "Minister! Your Highness! I've made a discovery! I analyzed the residual energy of that encrypted signal transmitter and traced back the energy source characteristics of its most recent charge... Guess what? It matches the No. 3 fluctuation characteristics of the port's official backup energy array with a 92% accuracy! That thing is using our electricity to charge our equipment!"
This news instantly drew suspicion to the port management. Only a handful of people had access to the official backup energy array logs and authority.
Pressure shifts from the outside inward, and a chain of suspicion begins to form. Who is the "Mr. Sven" hiding deeper within? What is his purpose? Is it simply sabotage, or is there something more?
Wen Ling looked at Miao Weizhen and saw that he had subconsciously pressed his forehead again, this time for a longer period, and his expression had visibly darkened. That invisible net was not only encircling Xiugang, but was also tightening around Miao Weizhen himself.
"check."
Miao Weizhen lowered his hand, his voice hoarser and colder than usual, carrying an unquestionable determination. "Engineer Su, make a list of all personnel who have come into contact with the No. 3 Energy Array in the past 72 hours, noting their level of authority and movements. General Han, temporarily quarantine all non-core personnel on the list under the pretext of maintenance. Act quickly and don't cause panic."
The order was quickly issued. Wen Ling noticed that when Miao Weizhen said these words, his fingertips unconsciously tapped a rapid and regular rhythm on the edge of the console. This was a subconscious action when he was extremely focused and suppressing certain emotions.
"Who do you think it is?" Wen Ling took a step closer and asked in a voice that only the two of them could hear.
Miao Weizhen did not answer immediately. His eyes swept over Su Si who was busy retrieving data, then looked at Han Zhong who was executing the isolation order outside the window, and finally fell back on Wen Ling's face. The emotions in his bottomless phoenix eyes were complicated and difficult to discern.
"Whoever it is," he spoke slowly, each word as if tempered by ice, "his goal is likely more than just destruction."
At that moment, the lights in the command center flickered suddenly, dimming for a moment before returning to normal. Almost simultaneously, a piercing alarm blared across Hong Kong!
"Report! The pressure in the port's main energy pipeline has dropped sharply! The water treatment center has lost power!"
"Backup energy array overload! Units three and five are offline!"
Confused reports streamed in. On the large screen, the energy network, representing the port's lifeline, instantly glowed red in several places!
Susie looked at the garbled energy flow diagram on her data board and cried out, "No! This isn't an accidental malfunction! Someone has planted a logic bomb in the energy control system! The investigation just now triggered it!"
Everyone understood. This traitor, hidden within management, wasn't just carrying out physical sabotage; he was also laying traps deep within the system. His authority and ruthlessness far surpassed those of the previously captured signal initiator. This was no longer a minor act of sabotage; it was a fatal blow aimed at completely crippling the port.
Miao Weizhen stood up abruptly. In that instant, all the fatigue and pain on his face seemed to be frozen and peeled away, leaving only absolute coldness and sharpness. He was like a hunter who had finally waited for his prey to reveal a fatal flaw.
"Activate the Level 1 energy emergency plan. Shut down all non-essential loads, prioritizing life support systems and core defenses." His voice was eerily steady, as if he had anticipated the crisis. "Susie, I grant you full authority to track the logic bomb's trigger source and signal outflow path. Han Zhong, block all external communication channels at the port, retaining only the encrypted lines I designate."
His instructions were clear and swift, with a kind of frightening control. Then, he turned to Wen Ling, his eyes deep:
"Your Highness, it's time. Let's ask this 'gentleman' to come out on his own."
Wen Ling's heart trembled. Miao Weizhen's tone didn't sound like he was searching, but more like... closing in his net. He seemed to have known about the mole for a long time, perhaps even waiting for him to launch the fatal attack, so as to completely expose him.
The pressure had reached its peak. The true eye of the storm lay in the heart of this harbor. Wen Ling said no more, simply nodded, a flicker of determination in his deep green eyes. He wanted to see for himself what kind of fish this net had caught, and what role Miao Weizhen, the man holding it, was playing in this crisis he had himself orchestrated.
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