329: Chapter 329 The Arrival of the Expert Group

Central Continent, J Province,

In the largest airport of J Province, crowds of people bustled about. As an international airport, thousands of flights came and went every day, with a passenger flow exceeding a hundred thousand people; its security was naturally a top priority for J Province.

But today, without the knowledge of the vast majority of travelers, the airport's security level had quietly been elevated. Some staff members felt something was off, yet could not put their finger on it.

At 10:00 AM sharp, a team of over ten people emerged from the passage in single file. Most were dressed in comfortable but sophisticated casual wear, both men and women. They exuded a unique temperament—the calm and confidence characteristic of talents who have long focused on cutting-edge fields and are accustomed to solving complex problems.

As soon as they stepped out of the airport, a group of people surrounded them from all sides, seemingly for protection, while also faintly blocking the view of others.

"May I ask if you are members of the Third-Party Technology expert group?"

A middle-aged man with a buzz cut walked up, his entire being exuding a sense of iron and blood. He was clearly a soldier or from a special forces background. This middle-aged man gave the dozen or so people a salute and said with a respectful expression:

"I am Chen Zhiming from the Central Continent Security Bureau. I am here to receive you and will also be the person in charge of security affairs during your stay in J Province. By order of the higher-ups, I am to ensure the absolute safety of all experts and that your itinerary proceeds perfectly."

Hearing this, a middle-aged man among the expert group members also stepped forward and said, "Captain Chen is too polite. We are indeed the Third-Party Technology expert group. I am the group leader, Zhou Yan. We are here to help your side establish a Nuclear Fusion energy base. Thank you all for your hard work."

Zhou Yan, a senior nuclear physics expert and an Inner World B4.2 level member.

Although he had known for a long time, the muscles on Chen Zhiming's steady and serious face still twitched imperceptibly upon hearing the words 'Nuclear Fusion.' The importance the higher-ups placed on this company's expert group was not without reason; it was no exaggeration to say they were now vital to the future of the Central Continent.

No amount of caution would be excessive.

After shaking hands with Zhou Yan, Chen Zhiming smiled bitterly. "Professor Zhou, thank you very much for coming. But since there are many people and eyes here, please refrain from using that term before we return to the base."

Zhou Yan slapped his forehead and apologized repeatedly, "Captain Chen, it was my oversight..."

Under escort,

Chen Zhiming and his party were arranged into a long-awaited motorcade. This consisted of over a dozen domestic Hongqi sedans, but their appearance differed from normal cars.

The lines of these car bodies were more rugged and heavy, with deep-colored glass. They were clearly special vehicles that had undergone deep modifications and possessed high-level bulletproof and explosion-proof functions. Accompanied by the roar of engines, these 20-plus Hongqi sedans began to drive out of the airport one after another.

As they drove out of the airport, a team of motorcycle police and over a dozen police cars also began to move, forming a protective formation on both sides to clear the way for the motorcade carrying the expert group. Wherever they passed, civilian vehicles all gave way and watched with attention.

This grand display actually soothed the depressed mood Zhou Yan felt from being forced to leave the Inner World to carry out a mission due to his poor luck in the draw; this was probably how it looked when a national leader appeared.

In this car, besides the driver and Zhou Yan, sat Chen Zhiming and two other Security Bureau personnel. One was in the front passenger seat, while the other two sat on either side of Zhou Yan, guarding him firmly in the middle.

After the vehicle started, Chen Zhiming's nerves did not relax. He seemingly casually observed the window, alert for any abnormalities.

After a moment of silence, Chen Zhiming turned his head and spoke in a conversational tone, attempting to build a rapport with this key figure while ensuring safety:

"Professor Zhou, it's been a long journey, thank you for your hard work. From your accent... it seems you are a northerner from the Central Continent?"

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Zhou Yan's face, and he did not deny it: "Captain Chen is right. My hometown is indeed in Bincheng in the north."

"Bincheng is a good place," Chen Zhiming nodded, then suddenly said, "I wonder how Professor Zhou joined Third-Party Technology in the first place..."

Before Zhou Yan could react, Chen Zhiming continued, "Professor Zhou, please don't misunderstand. I'm just curious. A top expert like you choosing Third-Party Technology must have a special reason. After all, with your achievements, any top national research institution or university in the country would welcome you with open arms."

"Captain Chen, just say what's on your mind," Zhou Yan's smile remained unchanged, but his gaze deepened slightly.

"To be honest, the country is in need of talent right now. Many unprecedented major projects require top experts like Professor Zhou to take the helm. The Central Continent government can guarantee that it can meet any of your future needs, Professor Zhou."

That's right, the higher-ups wanted to poach someone from this company.

Inevitably, Chen Zhiming's gaze burned with intensity. Although it was somewhat unethical, if he could win over such talent, any level of shamelessness was acceptable; he would even be willing to kneel and kowtow himself.

"I knew it..." Zhou Yan had a helpless expression that said 'it really is like this.' Facing Chen Zhiming's sincere eyes and looking at the familiar country outside the window, a few traces of elusive and complex emotions flashed deep within the eyes of this senior expert from Third-Party Technology Company.

After a few seconds of silence, Zhou Yan spoke, "Captain Chen, you are mistaken. It was the company that chose me, not I who chose the company. If it weren't for the company, I would be nothing more than an ordinary person."

Chen Zhiming was puzzled, "Professor Zhou, what do you mean by that...?"

Zhou Yan laughed heartily. "It means I belong to Third-Party Technology in life and will belong to it in death. Captain Chen, there's no need to say such things anymore, or else I will leave with my team."

The latter words held a faint hint of a threat, but as a mid-to-high-level member of the Inner World, Zhou Yan had the confidence to say them. Only after becoming one of them could one understand the terror of their company; any opponent on Earth was like a mayfly before the company.

Even if the company unified the globe the next day, Zhou Yan wouldn't find it strange; he would only wonder if the company's operational efficiency had decreased.

But if he betrayed the company...

Zhou Yan shuddered and quickly shook the thought from his mind, nearly scared to death.

Seeing such a terrible look on Zhou Yan's face, Chen Zhiming panicked and said hurriedly, "Professor Zhou, please don't misunderstand. Since you are unwilling, I certainly won't force you. If I have offended you, I offer you my apologies here..."

The car became quiet again. Facing their captain's humble appearance, the other three people looked straight ahead; those driving drove, and those observing the surroundings focused intently, as if they hadn't noticed the interlude at all.

Suddenly, the face of the Security Bureau personnel in the passenger seat changed. He saw a large truck that had been driving normally in the opposite lane suddenly crush the median strip and charge toward the motorcade.

"Watch out!"