Before dawn, Han Feng's phone shattered the morning tranquility. He practically sprang out of bed instantly, his body's instincts banishing any sleepiness. The screen displayed "Unknown Number," and coupled with what he'd learned the day before, it was enough to put his nerves on edge.
"Han Feng, our game has begun." A mechanical, synthesized voice came from the other end of the phone, cold and devoid of any human emotion.
Han Feng's pupils contracted sharply, his finger already activating the tracking app on his tablet. "System, track this call for me."
"Locating... The source is Jiang City, but the exact location requires further analysis," System Zero responded quickly.
Jiang City? Han Feng's brows furrowed into a deep knot. Jiang City was hundreds of kilometers away from Qi City, and Liu Mengran was currently in Qi City inspecting the site selection project for Silicon Crystal Technology. An ominous premonition coiled around his heart like a venomous snake.
Just then, the phone rang again; this time it was Zheng Guodong calling.
As soon as the call connected, Zheng Guodong's voice came through with a hint of anxiety: "Han Feng, the situation has changed." His voice was tense. "Mu Xiaoxiao left the hotel at six this morning, heading straight for the airport. Flight information shows her destination is R country."
Han Feng's knuckles were white from gripping his phone so tightly. "Is there anything unusual around my house?"
"That's exactly what I was about to tell you," Zheng Guodong's voice deepened, "We've discovered at least five suspicious individuals loitering around your neighborhood, and they've all been apprehended. Preliminary interrogations indicate they've simply been 'loitering' in this area since this morning after receiving payment."
"What a brilliant feint!" Han Feng abruptly stood up, his muscles taut beneath his tight-fitting clothes. "Her real target is Qi City! Send someone to the airport immediately to intercept Mu Xiaoxiao!"
Less than ten seconds after hanging up, the unknown number called again. This time, the voice on the other end was not an electronic one, but a female voice that Han Feng would never forget—clear, elegant, yet chilling.
"Han Feng, long time no see." Mu Xiaoxiao's voice was like a knife wrapped in velvet. "You made me lose my loved ones and family. This time, I'll make you taste the bitterness of loss too." She chuckled, a laugh that sent a cold sweat down Han Feng's back. "Liu Mengran, is it? She really is a beauty."
The call abruptly ended, leaving Han Feng standing in the middle of the room, the sharp dial tone echoing in his ears. His mind raced. Had she already discovered his relationship with Liu Mengran back in Zurich?
Han Feng immediately dialed Liu Mengran's number several times, but no one answered.
He then called Qin Chuan, but just like before, there was only a busy signal on the other end.
Han Feng dropped the phone, rushed to the wardrobe, and pulled out a black tactical uniform. He dressed as he ran downstairs and set off, contacting Lin Zhengguo along the way.
"Mr. Lin, it's an emergency. Mu Xiaoxiao is going to target Liu Mengran in Qishi." Han Feng's voice was frighteningly calm. "I'm leaving for Qishi immediately. Have Tie Ta and the others arrived?"
Lin Zhengguo's heavy breathing came from the other end of the phone: "Okay, Tie Ta and the others just landed in Qiqihar. I'll have them contact you. Be careful."
As soon as Han Feng hung up the phone, he immediately activated the system.
"Zero, please retrieve all the surveillance footage near the hotel where Liu Mengran and the others are staying, as well as a map of the surrounding area."
"Yes, host."
"We have located the hotel where Liu Mengran and Qin Chuan are staying, the Mingzhu Hotel, which is located in the center of Qiqihar City. Surveillance footage of the surrounding area is being reviewed, and a route map has been generated."
Han Feng then notified Tie Ta and others, instructing them to investigate any suspicious individuals near the Mingzhu Hotel.
Just then, his phone vibrated. It was Zheng Guodong calling: "Han Feng, we're a step too late. Mu Xiaoxiao's flight has already taken off for R country. How are things on your end?"
"The situation has changed. Mu Xiaoxiao's target is Qishi City, and what she did in Jiangshi City was just a cover."
At this moment, the system notification sounded: "We have found Liu Mengran's whereabouts. At around 3 a.m., a group of people sneaked into the hotel and left carrying two sacks in a car. It should be Liu Mengran and Qin Chuan."
Where did they go?
"According to the surveillance footage, after they parked at warehouse number 23 in the old industrial area, they carried the sacks inside and never came out again. There were no other surveillance cameras around."
Han Feng's eyes sharpened like knives. The old industrial zone was only two kilometers away from the chosen factory site; this was no coincidence.
He immediately notified the Iron Tower team: "Iron Tower, take your men to the Pearl Hotel first, and have Night Owl go to Warehouse 23 to investigate the situation. I'll be there in an hour."
"Roger that, Captain!"
Inside the helicopter cabin, Iron Tower and several members of Longyuan's team were already fully armed. "The captain's order is for the rest of us to go to the Pearl Hotel first, and Night Owl, you go to Warehouse 23 to scout things out."
The iron tower's square face was etched with seriousness: "The higher-ups have already coordinated with the Qiqihar police. They will cooperate but not directly participate, to avoid alerting the enemy. This time, we will spare no effort to assist the captain."
Several people on the helicopter had determined looks in their eyes, and one of them, whose eyes not only had determination but also revealed murderous intent, was Liu Xiaoran.
"Who kidnapped my sister?!"
Han Feng gazed out the porthole at the rapidly receding clouds, his heart pounding in his chest. Images from his past life flashed back repeatedly: the events in the hotel room, the scene of Liu Mengran sacrificing herself for him, along with Mu Xiaoxiao and Zhou Zihao.
Han Feng secretly vowed that he would never let tragedy happen again this time!
The helicopter pierced through the clouds, and sunlight suddenly poured in, illuminating Han Feng's resolute profile. He touched the photo in his breast pocket, his eyes as cold and hard as tempered steel.
So Mu Xiaoxiao wants to play this game? Very well. He'll let her know what price she'll pay for messing with Liu Mengran.
"The system has detected excessive emotional fluctuations in the host and suggests that the host calm down."
Han Feng sneered, "Calm down? How can you stay calm in this situation?"
"According to Lin Zhengguo's analysis of the data yesterday, the foreign personnel who infiltrated China this time are all members of mercenary groups. Perhaps Mu Xiaoxiao has learned her lesson and did not continue to look for the Blood Blade Mercenary Group this time."
Han Feng raised an eyebrow slightly. Still a mercenary?
The system continued, "Based on the surveillance footage, the people who kidnapped Liu Mengran and Qin Chuan are indeed this group, but their builds are different from what's shown in the data." The system paused, then continued, "They are very likely also a group of mercenaries who have been genetically modified."
Han Feng was somewhat surprised that Mu Xiaoxiao had created a new gene warrior so quickly. It seemed that Mu Xiaoxiao was going all out this time.
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