106: Chapter 106 A Shocking Journey Home: A Spy Spying on the Camp, a Lone Warrior Sets a Trap to Lure the Snake Out (2)

"Engineer Mu, this plan is incredible! The logic is so rigorous, the data is so precise, and every adjustment is spot on. It completely aligns with the operating laws of the core reactor and even considers details we usually overlook during debugging. Implementing this will definitely significantly boost the project's efficiency!"

The Technical Team's young backbone, Li, said with a face full of admiration and a hint of excitement in his tone, "Especially this part on energy consumption optimization. We've tried adjusting parameters before to reduce energy consumption, but we never found the right method. I never expected that even while bedridden, you, Engineer Mu, could still develop such a perfect plan. It's truly admirable!"

"That's right, Engineer Mu. You truly are the core pillar of our project. Even while bedridden, you've been thinking about the project and focusing on researching optimization plans for the core reactor. We are truly in awe of your professionalism and sense of responsibility!" another technician quickly echoed, his tone full of sincerity. "With this plan, our core reactor will run more stably and efficiently, and we can save even more energy for the country. This is fantastic!"

Everyone chimed in, one after another, expressing their admiration for Mu Li and their recognition of the plan. The atmosphere in the Main Control Room became exceptionally warm and harmonious because of this plan, and the gloom left behind by the Dark Web Phantom dissipated significantly.

Zhang Hongyuan stood to the side, watching this scene with a face full of gratification and pride, though a hint of imperceptible heartache was hidden in his eyes. He had known Mu Li for many years and fought side-by-side with him for just as long, so he knew Mu Li's character best, and he knew best that Mu Li had not truly rested for a single day during his month in the hospital bed.

When he visited Mu Li, he often saw him leaning against the headboard, enduring physical pain, holding a regular mobile phone to carefully review data sent from the project and sort through clues from previous cases. Even when he was so weak that speaking was difficult, and even when the wound on his back caused intense pain from staying in one position for too long, he still refused to stop, often researching late into the night.

There were several times he urged Mu Li to rest properly and not overwork himself, but Mu Li always smiled and said, "It's okay, I can hold on. The project needs me, the team needs me. I cannot just lie in bed resting. I need to get better as soon as possible, return to the project site as soon as possible, and fight side-by-side with everyone."

Thinking of these things, a wave of heartache washed over Zhang Hongyuan. He stepped forward and gently patted Mu Li's shoulder, moving softly for fear of aggravating his injuries, his tone full of relief and choked with emotion: "Engineer Mu, thank you for your hard work, truly thank you. With you here, we feel confident. Our project will definitely scale new heights, and we will surely safeguard these hard-won achievements, not failing the country's trust, nor failing your perseverance and dedication while on your sickbed."

Mu Li smiled, shook his head slightly, and reached out to pat the back of Zhang Hongyuan's hand, his tone firm and gentle: "Hongyuan, you don't need to tell me about hard work; this is what I should do. We are comrades fighting side-by-side, brothers who have shared life and death. Safeguarding the project, safeguarding the country's great heavy equipment, is every one of our responsibilities and missions. Thank you for your hard work as well. During the time I was unconscious and hospitalized, it was all thanks to you for single-handedly shouldering the burden of the project, coordinating on-site work, cooperating with law enforcement to catch the mole and investigate risks, and taking care of the brothers on the team. You have worked harder than I have. In the future, we will work hard together and fight side-by-side. We will definitely be able to completely shatter the Dark Web Phantom's conspiracy, guard our core position, and not fail the expectations the country and the people have for us."

Sunlight streamed through the windows of the Main Control Room, spilling onto the two of them, warm and empowering. At this moment, all fatigue and hardship transformed into the strength to persevere, and all concern and worry turned into the conviction to fight side-by-side.

Mu Li leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes slightly, reorganizing all the events in his mind, his heart full of drive. He knew this was just a new beginning, a new battle about to quietly brew.

Although they had shattered the Dark Web Phantom's shocking conspiracy to destroy the Nuclear Fusion Power Station, captured the mole Li Mo and extradited him back to the country to face legal sanctions, and also captured many lurking members of the Dark Web Phantom, seemingly achieving a phased victory, he was clear that the Dark Web Phantom had the powerful support of the M-Country Energy Department behind it, possessing vast capital and advanced technology.

They would not give up after one failure; they would certainly return, plotting new conspiracies and attempting to sabotage the project and steal core data. This war of defense was far from over; instead, it would become more intense and difficult.

In the future, he would carry the system that had yet to awaken (waiting for it to wake up, for energy reserves to meet standards, and for functional restrictions to be broken), and with his team brothers, continue to move forward on the path of the nuclear fusion power station project, identifying gaps, optimizing equipment, and strengthening defenses. With his professionalism and sense of responsibility, and with his perseverance and dedication, he would contribute all his strength to the country's new energy cause and safeguard this "great heavy equipment" that carried the nation's hopes.

The past wounds, the past crises, the struggles and perseverance on the sickbed, and the days and nights fighting side-by-side with team members would all become the most precious medals on his path forward, witnessing his original intention and mission of dedicating himself to the country and serving selflessly.

Meanwhile, in the distant M-Country Energy Department headquarters abroad, inside an office that was luxuriously decorated but filled with a heavy atmosphere, the person in charge, Robert, was staring intently at the report in his hands. His face was so gloomy it could drip water, his eyes full of brutality and reluctance, and his entire being exuded a suffocating low pressure, making the subordinates standing before him tremble in fear, not daring to breathe.

This office was decorated with extreme luxury; the floor was covered with expensive Persian carpets that felt soft and silent underfoot, and several world-famous paintings hung on the walls, displaying the owner's status and position. On the desk sat the latest high-end computer and some exquisite ornaments. Yet, at this moment, all this luxury was shrouded by the heavy, oppressive atmosphere in the office, appearing particularly jarring.

The report in Robert's hand was the latest intelligence sent by the Dark Web Phantom. Every word on the paper felt like a sharp knife stabbing into his heart. The report clearly stated: The Huaguo nuclear fusion power station project has fully resumed normal operation, all parameters of the core reactor are stable, and the operating status is good; the project team will soon advance the work of optimizing the core reactor parameters, and the optimization plan led by Mu Li has initially taken shape.

It is expected that after optimization, the core reactor's operating efficiency will increase by 5%, energy consumption will drop by 3%, and equipment wear will be significantly reduced; the mole Li Mo has been successfully extradited back to Huaguo, and under interrogation by law enforcement, he has confessed everything, leaking part of the Dark Web Phantom's action plans and the information of lurking members; the members of the Dark Web Phantom lurking at the Huaguo nuclear fusion power station project site have mostly been captured, and the remaining members have been forced to retreat, with the backup sabotage plan blocked and unable to be implemented normally; some advanced equipment and technology provided by the M-Country Energy Department have also been seized by Huaguo law enforcement, causing huge losses.

"A bunch of trash! All trash!" Robert slammed the report in his hand hard onto the desk. The papers scattered all over the floor with a loud "bang," breaking the deathly silence in the office and startling the subordinates standing before him, their bodies trembling slightly, their heads buried even lower.

Robert roared at his subordinates, his voice trembling with anger, his tone full of brutality and reluctance: "Such a good opportunity, and you actually missed it! The Dark Web Phantom spent so much money and advanced technology, trained so many professional lurking members and assassins, and yet couldn't even destroy one small Nuclear Fusion Power Station. You even suffered so many casualties, and even that trash Li Mo was captured, leaking so many of our secrets! Tell me, what exactly are you good for?!"

As Robert roared, he reached out and violently swept the ornaments off the desk. The exquisite ornaments fell to the ground and shattered into pieces, making a harsh sound that further intensified the oppressive atmosphere in the office.

The subordinate standing at the very front was one of the people in charge of the Dark Web Phantom, named Jack. He kept his head down, his face full of fear and helplessness, his forehead covered with cold sweat, his hands tightly clenched together, his fingertips turning white from the force. He knew that Robert had a violent and irritable temper; once he got angry, he didn't care about any decorum.

At this moment, he could only bite the bullet and defend himself in a low voice: "Sir, I'm sorry, we didn't want it to end this way. Mu Li and his team are simply too strong. Not only is their professional ability outstanding, but they also have strong adaptability and cooperative combat skills. Furthermore, the Huaguo Public Security General Administration's security layout is extremely tight. Our lurking members were discovered as soon as they made a move. Plus, after the mole Li Mo was captured, he confessed everything and leaked our action plans, causing our sabotage plan to fail completely and resulting in significant personnel losses. We have already tried our best. Please give us another chance, sir. We will definitely readjust the plan, mobilize all available forces, and ensure we complete the mission to make up for our mistakes."

"Chance? I have already given you too many chances!" Robert roared, interrupting Jack, the brutality in his eyes intensifying. He stared fixedly at Jack, as if he wanted to swallow him alive. "Last time, you failed to destroy the Nuclear Fusion Power Station, and I gave you a chance to re-plan. This time, not only did you fail to complete the mission, but you also suffered so many losses and leaked so many secrets. You still want a chance? I tell you, there are no more chances! If you cannot complete the mission soon, stop the advancement of the Huaguo nuclear fusion power station project, and destroy that Nuclear Fusion Power Station—or even if you can't destroy it, steal their core parameters—otherwise, all of you will pay the price for this failure!"

Robert's voice was cold and bone-chilling, carrying unquestionable majesty and naked threats, making all the subordinates present feel a chill, and they lowered their heads one after another, not daring to offer the slightest rebuttal.

Robert took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger in his heart. His eyes gradually became sinister and cold, and his tone was full of ruthlessness: "Immediately activate the backup plan and mobilize all remaining forces of the Dark Web Phantom, including our lurking members and professional assassins hidden throughout Huaguo. I don't care what method you use, and I don't care what price you pay; you must stop their project advancement, and you must destroy that Nuclear Fusion Power Station! Even if you can't destroy it, you must steal their core reactor parameters and optimization plans. You absolutely cannot let Huaguo surpass us in the new energy field, absolutely not!"

He knew deeply that the successful advancement of the Huaguo nuclear fusion power station project, once realized for large-scale application, would completely change the global new energy landscape, allowing Huaguo to occupy a dominant position in the new energy field, which was something M-Country absolutely could not tolerate. Therefore, no matter the cost, he had to stop Huaguo's project advancement and destroy this "great heavy equipment" that carried Huaguo's hopes for new energy.

"Yes, sir! We will immediately activate the backup plan, mobilize all available forces, and at all costs, we will surely complete the mission and not fail your expectations!" the subordinates replied in unison, their voices full of fear and determination. They all knew that Robert meant what he said; if they couldn't complete the mission, they would all end up with nowhere to be buried.

Jack raised his head, his face full of determination, and said respectfully to Robert: "Sir, please rest assured, we will definitely go all out, readjust the plan, and focus our new attacks on Mu Li and the Nuclear Fusion Power Station's energy storage equipment. We will definitely shatter Huaguo's plan and avenge our fallen men!" After speaking, Jack and the other subordinates hurriedly exited the office and immediately set about activating the backup plan and mobilizing the remaining forces of the Dark Web Phantom to plot new sabotage actions.

Inside the office, the deathly silence returned. Robert stood before the desk, staring fixedly out the window, his eyes sinister and cold, his entire being exuding a suffocating low pressure. His heart was filled with reluctance and ruthlessness. He secretly swore that he must make Mu Li pay the price and must destroy Huaguo's nuclear fusion power station project; he absolutely could not let Huaguo surpass M-Country in the new energy field.

Outside the window, the capital of M-Country remained prosperous, with heavy traffic and bright lights, but this prosperity could not dispel the anger and reluctance in Robert's heart. A new conspiracy targeting the Huaguo nuclear fusion power station project was quietly brewing under his planning, and the remaining forces of the Dark Web Phantom were already stirring in the shadows, preparing to launch new attacks at any time.

Meanwhile, on the distant southeast coast of Huaguo, inside the Main Control Room of the Nuclear Fusion Power Station, Mu Li was leading the technical staff in meticulously formulating an implementation plan for optimizing the core reactor parameters. His face carried a hint of faint fatigue, and there were faint dark circles under his eyes—long periods of thinking and communication had caused the aching sensation in his lumbar spine to strike again.

That dull, heavy soreness spread along his spine, tugging at the scar on his back and bringing a slight but continuous pain, making him unable to help but frown. He subconsciously pressed his hand against his waist and rubbed it gently, trying to alleviate the soreness, but even so, he still did not stop his work, not slackening in the slightest.