Chapter 54: The Hidden Dragon Emerges

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Yan Fenqi felt as though today marked his rebirth.

After winning a considerable sum of crystal cores in his first combat trial, Yan Fenqi had become the target of his companions’ jealousy and exclusion. In a fit of anger, he left that ragtag group of cannon fodder behind. Not long after, he encountered a fellow townsman who vouched for him and recommended him to the Independent Company, allowing him to join their security militia. There, he threw himself wholeheartedly into training and duty.

Unexpectedly, greater fortune soon smiled upon him.

He was chosen by Zhao Wu, the officer in charge of security for the Independent Company. After passing two rounds of assessments, he was given the opportunity to rise to militia captain.

While “militia captain” might not sound like much, within the structure of the Independent Company, it meant command over fifty militiamen and the responsibility of guarding a critical position.

Today was his first official day guarding the administrative building. Yan Fenqi meticulously straightened his uniform in front of the glass, shouldered his rifle, and set out for his post.

According to the schedule, his militia battalion was in charge of the building’s security this month—a round-the-clock, twenty-four-hour guard to ensure its safety. When Yan Fenqi took over, he had already put his subordinates through several days of intensive emergency training, following his superiors’ instructions to divide the militia into four rotating teams.

Training continued alongside their security duties.

As he walked down the street, enjoying the curious and admiring glances of passersby, Yan Fenqi strode proudly, chest out, head held high, inwardly vowing, “I must carry out the officers’ orders to the letter and repay their trust in me!”

Upon arriving at the administrative building’s checkpoint, Yan Fenqi saluted the four infantrymen stationed there before proceeding to the militia’s security post.

“Captain!” The two militiamen on duty snapped to attention in greeting.

Yan Fenqi gave the surrounding environment and supplies a quick inspection, nodded slightly, and said sternly, “You two remain here at the entrance. I’ll patrol the route.”

“Yes, Captain.”

With his rifle in hand, Yan Fenqi began to check the patrol route step by step. His principle was that one must personally undertake any task before having the right to command others.

It was this attitude that made him so diligent and dependable during training and duty, allowing him to stand out in a short time.

After completing his patrol and confirming that all concealed alarms and militiamen were in order, Yan Fenqi returned to the entrance to stand guard with his subordinates, inspecting everyone who entered or exited the building.

“Good morning, Commander!” the machine gunner at the entrance shouted in salute.

Yan Fenqi immediately stiffened, for this was his first close encounter with the company commander of the Independent Company. He had often heard tales of the commander’s prowess from his superiors and admired him greatly.

Seeing Wang Ji approach with his security detail, Yan Fenqi stood at the checkpoint, tense and at attention—a sight that drew a smile.

Wang Ji, as he passed, took in the building’s newly enhanced security features and was clearly satisfied.

He came to the checkpoint, voluntarily submitted to the inspection, and, upon noticing Yan Fenqi standing sternly to the side with the distinct captain’s insignia on his shoulder, nodded approvingly and patted him on the shoulder.

“Well done! Thank you for your hard work,” Wang Ji said, giving Yan Fenqi a serious look.

Yan Fenqi was elated, thinking to himself, “What a piercing gaze! How impressive!”

He snapped to attention and shouted, “Loyal to duty! Fearless and determined!”—the militia’s motto.

Wang Ji nodded and proceeded upstairs to his office.

Yan Fenqi, unable to contain his excitement, trembled slightly. Only after patrolling twice more did he finally calm down and return to the security post.

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At that moment, a soldier from the camp arrived at the barricade near the entrance.

Sensing the tense atmosphere among the administrative building’s guards, the soldier humbly stated his purpose and, following the sentry’s instructions, headed for the security checkpoint.

“Who are you and what is your business here?” Yan Fenqi demanded upon noticing the soldier’s weapons.

The soldier saluted and replied, “I’m the communications officer from Second Company. I’ve come on behalf of Commander Cao to deliver a letter to your company commander.”

Realizing he was from Second Company, Yan Fenqi’s heart tightened—he was well aware of the friction between the Independent Company and Second Company.

“All weapons here for safekeeping. You’ll be admitted only after inspection.”

Eager to complete his task, the communications officer cooperated, relinquishing his weapons for Yan Fenqi’s personal inspection before proceeding with the letter into the administrative building.

The letter made its way only as far as Chen Lin’s office, where, after receiving a promise that it would be delivered, the communications officer left, content to have fulfilled his mission.

Chen Lin, having just organized some documents, picked up the letter from Cao Muhua along with the paperwork and headed into Wang Ji’s office.

“Commander, today’s documents are here, and this is a letter that Cao Muhua sent over.”

“Cao Muhua?” Wang Ji said with a hint of curiosity, weighing the envelope in his hand before opening it.

After reading the brief contents, Wang Ji laughed.

“I have no idea what Cao Muhua is plotting, asking to meet at a time like this. Isn’t he busy hunting high-level crystal cores?” With a shrug, Wang Ji tossed the envelope aside.

Chen Lin smiled faintly. “Commander, according to the intelligence center, Second Company lost twenty or thirty men yesterday hunting high-level crystal cores on North Mountain, and the elite mutant beast managed to escape.”

Hearing of his rival’s setback, Wang Ji couldn’t help but smile broadly. “Ha! No matter what tricks they play, I’ll meet with him soon. Whatever his scheme, I plan to head out the day after tomorrow anyway to scout for high-level mutant beasts around the base. There’s not much time left for missions.”

After a pause, Wang Ji asked, “What’s the progress on our energy drive development with Chief Chen?”

As she recorded his schedule, Chen Lin replied, “Chief Chen’s technical data is highly promising. Minister Liang Jingyang has reviewed it and is integrating it with our vehicle workshop’s modifications. The contract is in this stack of documents. Once you sign it, we can move to the pilot production phase.”

“Hmm, the last shipment of fuel was used up quickly. I’ll sign the contract shortly and make sure this project is carried out as soon as possible.” Wang Ji fished out the contract, scanning it quickly.

As Wang Ji began his work, Chen Lin quietly exited.

…

Inside a concealed valley base to the southwest, muffled explosions rumbled intermittently. Within the base, soldiers moved in an orderly fashion, weapons in hand as they followed broadcast commands to the blast sites.

Soon, fierce gunfire and explosions spread from within the base to its gates.

A lithe woman in combat gear sat in the driver’s seat of a car, her silver teeth clenched as she gripped the wheel, weaving through debris. Beside her sat an elderly man with graying hair.

The car struggled through the haze of explosions and gunfire.

“Qianwen, it’s my fault you’re in this mess! Save yourself and leave me behind!” the old man cried, seeing the woman’s arm bleeding from a stray bullet and the knife wound on her back from a recent skirmish still untreated.

“No!” the woman replied resolutely. “Even if I die, I won’t abandon you!”

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The car careened through the chaos as though tossed by a storm at sea. They barely made it to the gate when a deafening explosion shattered the air. Bullets hammered the car like a violent rainstorm. With a screech, a tire burst, the car veered, and crashed into a low wall, jerking to a halt.

“Cease fire! Stop! Don’t hurt Dr. Li!”

From the attacking crowd stepped a burly man, shouting the order.

Under his command, the assault gradually subsided. Making a hand signal, he sent two squads of armed soldiers to surround the vehicle.

“Long Qianwen! There’s no need for pointless resistance. Come out and surrender! I can plead for mercy with the boss on your behalf,” the man shouted at the car.

Inside, the elderly man crouched by the seat, blood streaming from a cut on his forehead.

“Qianwen, listen to your grandfather—surrender, it’s the best option,” Dr. Li urged bitterly.

Long Qianwen swiftly checked the wound on Dr. Li’s head, bandaged her own arm, and a look of grim determination flashed in her eyes.

“Ren Chang! Don’t play the hypocrite here! If I surrender, will I become an experiment like my brother, left to your cruelty?”

Ren Chang was the base’s second-in-command. Their leader had left for F City on business, and at this very moment, Long Qianwen had suddenly erupted and tried to escape, taking Dr. Li Ran with her.

Such a grave act of betrayal under his watch would surely bring punishment once the leader returned, and the thought of the leader’s terrifying methods sent a shiver down his spine.

His voice hardened. “So be it. Don’t blame me for forgetting old ties!”

Inside the car, Long Qianwen grabbed a silver case from the backseat, opened it, and took out a vial glowing blue. Ignoring the old man’s protests, she injected it into herself.

“Qianwen, oh Qianwen, why must you do this? That’s an experimental gene serum! Poor child!” Dr. Li Ran wept bitterly, tears streaming down his face.

After injecting the serum, Long Qianwen murmured, “Grandpa Li, forgive me, but I need your help for a little performance.”

With that, Long Qianwen kicked open the door, dragged Dr. Li out, pressed a pistol to his temple, and walked slowly toward Ren Chang and the others.

Ren Chang, wary of harming Dr. Li, signaled the mercenaries to hold their ground.

“Release Dr. Li and I’ll see you get a clean death,” Ren Chang growled.

Long Qianwen hurled the empty vial at Ren Chang. “Today, no one will stand in my way! Even if I die, I’ll leave here on my own terms!”

As the vial landed before him, Ren Chang’s pupils contracted in realization.

“You… you actually injected the level-three gene serum!”

A red gleam flashed in Long Qianwen’s eyes as she let out a chilling laugh. “Hahaha! Since you understand what the level-three serum does, you’d better get out of my way!”

“Chief Ren! Release the Lion-Tiger Warrior! I have evidence of Li Ran and Long Qianwen’s collusion and betrayal!” From the crowd, a middle-aged man in a lab coat rushed forward, shouting in anger.

Humiliated and enraged, Ren Chang shot a furious look at Long Qianwen and Dr. Li, then gave the order.

“Lion-Tiger Warrior—attack! Kill without mercy!”