Han Feng was just wondering how to explain when he suddenly heard Zero speak: "High-ranking figures detected approaching: Zurich Mayor Johann Schmidt and Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland Zhang Ming are about to arrive."
Sure enough, several black sedans sped up and stopped in front of the hotel. A middle-aged man with gray hair and a man in a suit with an Asian appearance walked quickly, followed by several embassy staff members.
"Mr. Han!" Zhang Ming called out in Chinese, "Are you alright?"
Han Feng nodded in greeting, "Counselor Zhang, I didn't expect to see you here."
The mayor of Zurich looked at the mess on the ground, his face grim, but when he turned to Han Feng, he forced a smile. "Mr. Han, this is truly an unfortunate incident. As a guest of Zurich, I apologize to you."
Zhang Ming whispered to Han Feng, "We rushed here as soon as we received news of the explosion. The mayor attaches great importance to Fenghua Investment's project in Zurich, and this matter will be handled properly."
When the police arrived, the mayor had already given a few quick instructions in German. The lead officer glanced at Han Feng and his two companions, then at the bound mercenaries on the ground, and finally released them after asking only a few simple questions.
"We will deal with these terrorists seriously," the mayor assured him. "Your flight departs in three hours; I've already arranged for another car to take you to the airport."
After thanking him, Han Feng quickly got into the new car with Liu Mengran and Qin Chuan. As soon as the door closed, he dialed Lin Zhengguo's encrypted number.
"Uncle Lin, Blood Blade ambushed us in Europe, and I captured a squad leader," Han Feng said succinctly. "They've all been injected with a new type of gene serum, making them nearly as strong as the original Blood Wolves."
Lin Zhengguo's voice on the other end of the phone suddenly turned serious: "I'll arrange for someone to meet him immediately and bring him back to China for interrogation. Be careful, and come directly to the base after you return."
After hanging up the phone, Han Feng breathed a sigh of relief, only to find that Liu Mengran was gripping his arm tightly, her nails almost digging into his flesh.
"What kind of organization is that?" her voice trembled. "Why are they hunting you down?"
Han Feng felt a pang of pain in his heart as he looked into her terrified yet defiant eyes. He gently took her hand. "I'll tell you when we get back to China."
---
At Kyoto International Airport, after the group disembarked, Han Feng first took Liu Mengran back to her apartment, and then rushed to the Longyuan Base without stopping.
A chilling metallic aura perpetually permeated the third basement level of the Longyuan Base. Han Feng passed through three security doors, each step causing his boots to creak slightly on the anti-static floor. Behind a one-way mirror at the end of the corridor, Lin Zhengguo stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the figure inside the interrogation room.
"Here they come," Lin Zhengguo said without turning his head, his voice deep and rumbling like thunder. The general's stars on his epaulets gleamed with a majestic silver light under the cold glare.
Han Feng stood beside him, looking through the glass into the interrogation room. The squad leader who led the attack on them in the streets of Zurich was now strapped to a specially made chair, his face bruised, but his eyes still defiant. Two interrogation experts from Longyuan were taking turns, but clearly with little success.
"His name is Marcus Lane, a former member of the French Foreign Legion, who mysteriously retired three years ago." Lin Zhengguo tapped his knuckles lightly on the glass. "Besides that, he won't say anything. We even used truth serum, but we still couldn't get him to talk."
Han Feng narrowed his eyes. The man in the interrogation room had blood at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were unusually clear. "Their people have received counter-interrogation training, and they're not ordinary."
"How's it going on your end?" Lin Zhengguo turned and walked towards his office, his steps as steady as a rock.
Han Feng followed closely behind, giving a detailed account of the attack on Zurich: first, the car explosion, then the surprise attack, the well-trained tactical coordination of the attackers, and the signs of gene enhancement that appeared at the last moment.
"Mu Xiaoxiao has openly made her move against you." Lin Zhengguo sat down behind his desk, his hands clasped under his chin. "Although she didn't succeed this time, she won't let it go."
The office lights cast deep shadows on Lin Zhengguo's resolute face, outlining the deep lines between the veteran's brows. Han Feng noticed that the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were deeper than the last time they met.
"I plan to secretly send your original team to Europe." Lin Zhengguo opened a drawer and took out a file. "They'll go as your branch office's security consultant, partly to investigate the gene-based drug, and partly..." He paused, "to provide you with covert protection."
Han Feng took the file and opened it to the first page, where he saw the iconic square-faced photo of the Iron Tower. This squad had fought alongside him through thick and thin; each member was a brother who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him in the midst of gunfire.
"No need." Han Feng closed the file, his voice calm. "Since their target is me, then let's just accept it. Whatever tricks they use, I'll take them."
Lin Zhengguo's brows furrowed. "This isn't the time to play the hero, Han Feng. We haven't even fully investigated the power behind Mu Xiaoxiao yet."
"I know the danger of doing this better than anyone else," Han Feng interrupted him, his eyes suddenly sharpening like knives. "That's precisely why I can't hide in the shadows. Only when I'm in the open will she continue to make her moves, and only then will I have a chance to catch her in the act."
A brief silence fell over the office. The ventilation system hummed, sending a wisp of cool air into the room.
"You've changed," Lin Zhengguo finally said, his gaze complex. "You weren't this... aggressive during the previous missions in the Northern Border."
A subtle, enigmatic smile played on Han Feng's lips. "People always change, General." He stood up. "Notify the team to assemble. This mission is primarily about intelligence gathering; select a few experts in this area and have Night Owl lead the team. His stealth skills are quite good."
Lin Zhengguo nodded and pressed the communicator on the table to issue the order. As Han Feng reached the door, he suddenly spoke again: "By the way, the school is about to start military training; I'll be participating."
This sudden turn of events clearly startled Lin Zhengguo. "You got a perfect score on the college entrance exam before going to Beijing, and with Zhang Mingyuan's connections, you could have been exempted from training."
"I know." Han Feng's hand was on the doorknob; he didn't turn around.
"Then why..."
"Some things can only be accomplished in specific circumstances." Han Feng left behind this meaningful remark and pushed open the door to go out.
Han Feng called Liu Mengran and was relieved to learn that she was fine except for being a little frightened.
Liu Mengran reminded Han Feng that military training would begin in a couple of days, urging him not to forget again. Han Feng joked, "What? You've already lost sleep over me after just one trip to Europe?"
He was met with a busy signal on the phone.
After Han Feng hung up the phone, his face darkened.
The game has begun, Mu Xiaoxiao. He silently vowed to himself. This time, I will make you pay the price.
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