64: Chapter 64 Hidden Dragon in the Night! Mercenaries Lurk in the Shadows, Solo Adventures Bury Danger (2)

He walked to the window, where the searchlight beams swept back and forth across the night sky with a low hum. The thick darkness seemed to hide countless peeping eyes, and a sense of unease coursed through his body like an electric current. He knew the methods of the Scorpion all too well—they were a pack of executioners without a bottom line, recognizing only profit and willing to pay any price for money. Their every breath could signal a fatal crisis. This contest allowed for not even a hint of negligence; once a mistake was made, not only would the project be ruined, but the hard work of countless people and the nation's hopes for energy would vanish like bubbles. He secretly warned himself that he had to hold on; even if it exhausted his heart and soul, he had to guard these hard-won R&D results and never let the foreign enemy's conspiracy succeed.

For some reason, a strong sense of unease faintly welled up in Mu Li's heart, as if something were watching the project site from the shadows. The night wind rattled the window with a slight sound, and searchlight beams swept across the roof, casting fleeting shadows on the walls, making him feel as though a storm were imminent and leaving him thoroughly uncomfortable. He knew the Scorpion's methods too well—they were a group of desperate outlaws with no moral compass, willing to do anything for money. Every breath they took could mean a deadly crisis. This struggle allowed for no oversight; the slightest slip-up could mean losing the entire game.

“Engineer Mu, why don't you go get some rest first?” Zhang Hongyuan walked over to Mu Li and spoke softly, his voice full of concern. “Working at such high intensity for so many days in a row will take a toll on your body. The security measures at the project site are already very tight, with layers of internal and external protection in place. Nothing will go wrong. I'll keep an eye on things here, so you can go sleep for a few hours with peace of mind to recharge.”

Mu Li shook his head, a trace of exhaustion flashing in his eyes, yet he still said stubbornly, “I'm fine. This is the most critical moment, and the Black Crow team could launch an attack at any time. How could I rest easy? By the way, has the reinforcement work on the last section of the outer perimeter fence been completed? I'm still a bit uneasy; I always feel like that's a weak point in our defenses and want to go check it personally.”

“It's already finished. I personally inspected it three times this afternoon,” Zhang Hongyuan said helplessly, his tone filled with persistence. “Every node has been reinforced securely using the latest military-grade materials. The pulse devices have also been calibrated, with sensitivity set to the maximum. If anyone touches it, an alarm will trigger immediately and release a high-voltage shock. However, if you want to take another look, I'll go with you. Two people are safer than one, and we can look out for each other.”

“No need.” Mu Li waved his hand. He knew the burden on Zhang Hongyuan's shoulders was also heavy, and the Main Control Room was the core hub of the project that required someone to be in command. “You stay here and keep watch. Pay close attention to any news from the Public Security General Administration and the system's operating status. If you find any abnormalities, handle them immediately. I'll just go check the outer perimeter fence, do a lap along the route, and come back soon.”

“Alright then.” Zhang Hongyuan couldn't win the argument and could only nod helplessly. He took a walkie-talkie from his waist and handed it to Mu Li, instructing him solemnly, “You must stay safe. Take this and keep the communication line open. Contact me every ten minutes and call immediately if anything happens. I'll have the patrol team report the surrounding situation to you every five minutes, and I'll arrange for two patrol members to follow you covertly to ensure your safety.”

“Don't worry.” Mu Li took the walkie-talkie, tucked it into his work clothes pocket, patted Zhang Hongyuan on the shoulder, and turned to walk out of the Main Control Room.

The night was as dark as ink, and the evening wind, carrying the chill of the outskirts, swept through the steel buildings with a faint wail that felt somewhat eerie. Strong searchlights swept back and forth; wherever the beams reached, the gravel and weeds on the ground were clearly visible. Mu Li walked quickly along the outer road for inspection, his fingertips brushing against the cold, hard high-voltage pulse fence. It felt solid, every node locked tight, and the indicator lights glowed with a steady green, slightly easing his unease. When he reached a corner of the fence—a natural blind spot for surveillance—the dense woods beside him were pitch black and deep. The rustling of leaves in the wind was particularly piercing, as if something were hidden there, or perhaps a lurking enemy was testing him. Mu Li subconsciously slowed his pace, his palms sweating slightly, and his fingers involuntarily tightened around the walkie-talkie in his pocket as he alertly scanned the depths of the woods, his nerves tightening again. The warnings from the Public Security General Administration flashed through his mind: Black Crow excelled at covert infiltration, and this blind spot was very likely their point of breakthrough. A chill spread down his spine, and he resolved to check it several more times, refusing to give the opponent any opportunity.

“Not bad, it's reinforced very securely.” Mu Li nodded with satisfaction, his unease easing slightly. He walked slowly along the fence until he reached a corner where the fence ended and a surveillance blind spot began. Beside it was a dense forest, so dark he couldn't see his own hand. Only the night wind blowing through the gaps in the branches made a rustling sound, mixed with the low chirping of unknown insects, making it feel as if countless eyes were watching from the shadows, or like a lurking beast growling softly. A chill quietly crawled up his spine, causing him to instinctively tighten his grip on the walkie-talkie in his pocket.

Just then, the walkie-talkie in his pocket suddenly rang. Zhang Hongyuan's urgent voice came through the static, carrying a hint of panic and tension: “Engineer Mu, this is bad! The system backend has detected a small-scale cyberattack. Although the intensity isn't great, the attack method is very unfamiliar and completely different from the previous ones by Hongyuan Group. The technical staff's preliminary judgment is that it's likely launched by the Black Crow mercenary team!”

Mu Li's heart tightened suddenly, and his previous unease was instantly magnified, as if his heart were being squeezed by an invisible hand. He immediately gripped the walkie-talkie and his voice dropped, carrying an unquestionable command: “I understand! Have the R&D Team immediately launch the highest level of emergency response. Closely monitor the attack's movements, analyze the source, and make sure to hold the system's defensive line—do not let them break through. Simultaneously sync the attack data to the Huaguo Public Security General Administration and the University Network Security Laboratory, and have them assist in the analysis to find the opponent's technical vulnerabilities!”

“The R&D Team has already started the emergency response and is doing its best to repel the attack; the defensive line is temporarily stable!” Zhang Hongyuan's voice came again, carrying even deeper anxiety. “Also, a traffic accident just occurred outside the project's main gate. A heavy truck collided with a sedan, and the truck overturned, blocking the entrance and causing a traffic jam. People from the Public Security General Administration have already rushed over and are handling the scene!”

“A traffic accident?” Mu Li's heart jumped, and he instantly realized this was no coincidence. It was very likely a diversionary tactic by the Black Crow mercenary team—first using a cyberattack to draw the Main Control Room's attention, then using a traffic accident to block the gate and pin down the patrol and Public Security General Administration forces. Their true purpose was likely to infiltrate during the chaos, map out the defensive layout, or even target him directly! His heart sank, and he shouted urgently into the walkie-talkie: “Manager Zhang, notify all security personnel immediately to comprehensively strengthen patrols in the core areas, especially the core equipment area and the Main Control Room. Guard them strictly! At the same time, pay close attention to the outer perimeter fence, focusing on weak points like corners and surveillance blind spots to prevent them from infiltrating! I'm heading back to the Main Control Room now!” After hanging up, the anxiety in his heart grew even more intense. He was both worried about the core area being breached and blaming himself for being careless and failing to see through the opponent's ruse immediately. He only hoped to get back to the Main Control Room to stabilize the situation before the opponent could act.

“Understood!” Zhang Hongyuan's voice was resolute, followed by the urgent sounds of him issuing orders.

Mu Li hung up the walkie-talkie and sprinted back toward the Main Control Room, his heart pounding like a drum and his chest heaving. The night wind blew against his face but could not blow away the anxiety in his heart. He instantly saw through this as Scorpion's diversionary tactic; the cyberattack and traffic accident were merely bait intended to tie up forces and create a gap. Just as he rushed past an abandoned warehouse, the heavy iron door was smashed open by a massive force. A loud crash pierced the silence of the night, and two dark shadows pounced out with a bone-chilling coldness. Their movements were as fast as ghosts, wearing black hoods that revealed only pairs of sinister, cold eyes. They pointed modified tranquilizer guns directly at his back and pulled the triggers without hesitation—they had clearly been lying in wait here, perfectly timing his patrol route and withdrawal.

Just as Mu Li ran past a remote, abandoned warehouse, the warehouse's iron door was suddenly slammed open by a huge force, letting out a sharp, ear-piercing crash that broke the dead silence of the night, the echo rippling through the empty outskirts before fading. Two dark shadows rushed out of the warehouse like ghosts, dressed in black night-suits and wearing black hoods that revealed only pairs of sinister, cold eyes glinting in the pale moonlight. They held modified tranquilizer guns and pulled the triggers rapidly and without hesitation, aiming at Mu Li.

With two soft “shoo-shoo” sounds, the tranquilizer needles flew through the air with a faint whistle, accurately hitting Mu Li's back near the shoulder blades. The needle tips instantly pierced through his work clothes and skin, and the potent sedative spread through his limbs like venom. A sharp prick of pain came from his back first, but it was quickly overtaken by a wave of numbness. Mu Li felt his entire body go weak, his legs feeling as heavy as lead, and a strong sense of dizziness surged over him as the scene before his eyes began to blur and double. As he was being dragged, the skin on his back rubbed against the rough ground, a burning sting mixing with the numbness of the anesthesia to spread through his body. His wrists and ankles were tied painfully tight with rough nylon rope, the ligatures almost cutting into his flesh. He tried his hardest to reach for the walkie-talkie in his pocket, but his fingertips felt like they weighed a thousand pounds; even lifting his arm was a pipe dream. Before his consciousness faded, the core parameters of the project, the faces of his team members, and the conspiracy of Li Hongyuan and the Scorpion flashed through his mind. Resentment and anger intertwined, while the dull ache of his wounds and the bite of the ropes tangled together. He hated himself for failing to hold the line and for falling into enemy hands, and he feared the leak of core technology even more. But deep down, a sliver of certainty remained—Zhang Hongyuan was steady and reliable and would surely notice the abnormality immediately. The team and the Public Security General Administration would definitely do their best to rescue him. He had to stay conscious and wait for his teammates to arrive; no matter what he encountered, he would never compromise.

Inside the Main Control Room, the R&D Team had just repelled the cyberattack, and the system parameters had returned to stability. Zhang Hongyuan's heart had only half-settled when he immediately picked up the walkie-talkie to call Mu Li, but only the dead silence of static came from the receiver without any response. An ominous premonition instantly seized him, submerging him like a cold tide. He stood up abruptly and roared, “Quick! Go search the outer corners and the abandoned warehouse. Engineer Mu has lost contact! Bring all your gear and stay covert—the opponent is armed!” His voice was full of anxiety and panic, his fingertips turning white from gripping the walkie-talkie so hard—the thing he feared most had happened after all.

“This is bad! Something might have happened to Engineer Mu!” Zhang Hongyuan's face changed suddenly, turning as pale as paper. He stood up abruptly and shouted sternly to the security personnel beside him, “Take men immediately to search the area around the outer perimeter fence corner and the abandoned warehouse! Engineer Mu was patrolling there just now and is now unreachable. Move!”

Several security guards immediately grabbed riot shields, batons, and night-vision equipment, rushing out of the Main Control Room and speeding toward the area where Mu Li was last seen. Zhang Hongyuan immediately dialed the Huaguo Public Security General Administration, his voice trembling violently with anxiety and panic: “It’s terrible! Mu Li is missing! A small-scale cyberattack and a traffic accident just occurred at the project site. We suspect it was a diversionary tactic by the Black Crow mercenary team, and they have likely kidnapped Engineer Mu! Requesting immediate backup!”

When the head of the Public Security General Administration heard this news, his expression changed drastically, and his tone became exceptionally grave: “We will immediately mobilize nearby law enforcement forces and the Garrison Force to the project site, and we are activating the emergency response plan to conduct a city-wide search! Have your security personnel search every corner of the project site carefully, especially remote areas and abandoned buildings; you must find a trace of Mr. Mu! Also, watch your own safety; the Black Crow team is likely still lurking nearby!”

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Hongyuan's heart was filled with endless self-blame and regret. He slammed his fist onto the conference table, his knuckles turning white and even seeping blood from the force, yet he was completely oblivious to the pain. He regretted not insisting on accompanying Mu Li on the patrol, regretted not arranging more personnel for close protection, and even more so, regretted not anticipating the Scorpion's diversionary tactic, which had led Mu Li into danger. He knew Mu Li's importance all too well; Mu Li was the core of the entire project, the mainstay of the team, and the soul of the Nuclear Fusion Power Station technology. His disappearance was undoubtedly a fatal blow to the entire project team. If anything happened to Mu Li, not only would the project grind to a halt, but the nation's energy hopes would also be heavily damaged—and he would never be able to forgive himself for his negligence.

Soon, law enforcement from the Huaguo Public Security General Administration and reinforcements from the Garrison Force arrived at the project site. The alternating red and blue police lights dyed the dark night sky a deep crimson, and the piercing sirens echoed through the silent outskirts, cutting through the thick darkness and mingling with the sounds of startled wildlife in the distance. The atmosphere was tense to the extreme. Law enforcement officers, Garrison Force soldiers, and project security personnel worked together, their searchlights as bright as day as they swept over every corner, refusing to overlook even patches of withered grass or piles of rubble. Amidst the play of light and shadow, the sounds of searching footsteps were urgent and heavy, vowing to find Mu Li's whereabouts.