395: Chapter 395 Loyalty! Operation Night Owl

Night fell, and dark clouds gathered on the horizon.

In the dazzling commercial district, neon lights and headlights flickered endlessly, outlining the bustling silhouette of the metropolis.

The Noah Building, a landmark building that was usually brightly lit, appeared exceptionally dim tonight.

Compared to the surrounding office buildings, its curtain wall facade lighting was turned off much earlier than usual.

This made the behemoth appear particularly silent in the night.

At this moment, it was already half-past eight in the evening.

All the employees had left work early, and the lights in the offices went out one after another, leaving only a few scattered spots still glowing.

In the hallways, faint footsteps and the static of walkie-talkies could occasionally be heard as the security guards conducted routine patrols.

As the crowd dispersed, the interior of the entire building gradually fell silent.

Only the low hum of the air conditioning and the faintly audible sound of the elevator running remained, as if the building were breathing alone.

However, in a parallel dimension imperceptible to ordinary people,

inside this darkness-shrouded building, countless firefly-like points of light flickered.

Every single point of light represented a living conscious mind.

The vast majority of the light spots were densely distributed on the highest floors at this moment.

Surrounded by numerous light spots, there was an exceptionally deep dark area.

It was not like ordinary shadows, but more like an invisible black hole, silently and greedily devouring the surrounding glimmer.

A heart-palpitating aura emanated faintly from its center, and even powerful psychic ability users dared not pry easily.

Jia Sangyi sat cross-legged, a scarlet light blooming slightly between his brows.

Driven by his consciousness, his mind acted like countless tentacles, constantly extending toward the target.

This carefully woven giant net no longer attempted to cover the entire building,

but instead concentrated most of its attention on the opposite conference room.

The density of the psychic threads therefore increased dozens of times, and the monitoring efficiency reached an unprecedented peak.

The twenty-four people in the conference room were like fish caught in a fishing net, and every subtle thought would stir up clear ripples on the net.

In the room, Minister Luo Lie stood with his hands behind his back, before the candlelight.

Behind him, an entire squad of heavily armed pursuers stood silently like statues, maintaining complete silence throughout.

In the air, a low "humming" sound faintly permeated.

That was the frequency generated when some powerful psychic fluctuation operated at high speed.

Minister Luo Lie's consciousness was closely connected with Jia Sangyi through an invisible link.

Like a supreme-authority observer projected into that luxuriously decorated conference hall,

everyone's heartbeat, every breath, and every trace of emotional fluctuation were clearly presented in his mind like high-definition footage.

He saw some people with pale faces and furrowed brows, heard others whispering in lowered voices, and captured the abnormal behaviors of certain people who were fidgeting and shifting their gazes.

Whether disguised concealment or genuine revelation, every trivial detail of all target figures had nowhere to hide in this psychic network.

"Is there any movement?"

Minister Luo Lie asked through the psychic link.

"Not yet."

Jia Sangyi's voice rang in Minister Luo Lie's mind, carrying a hint of ease.

"However, a few people's emotional fluctuations are very abnormal: greed, fear, resentment..."

"But these only remain at the level of thoughts; no one dares to actually put them into action."

Hearing this, Minister Luo Lie nodded slightly.

He withdrew his thoughts from the psychic link, instead raising his hand in reality and pressing the communication switch on his headset.

"Black Hawk, report to me on the real-time monitoring of the conference hall and the experimental area."

A few seconds later, a clear response came through the headset:

"Report to the Minister, no traces of communication equipment usage were detected in the conference hall area, and all wireless signals are in a blocked state."

"The sensors, infrared scans, and vibration monitoring equipment in all areas of the experimental area have not triggered any alarms, nor have they captured any abnormal energy fluctuations or signs of physical intrusion."

"Continue to stand by and maintain the highest alert level."

Minister Luo Lie said in a calm tone and released the communication button.

After turning off the headset, his gaze flickered slightly as he muttered to himself:

"Such 'confidential' intelligence has already been leaked; I don't believe they can hold back. If they are fish, they will eventually take the bait."

Time continued to pass, and the hands of the clock on the wall slowly approached nine o'clock.

A slight "rustling" sound came from the window covered by heavy curtains.

That was fine raindrops pattering against the glass; it seemed to be drizzling lightly outside the building.

Minister Luo Lie quietly watched every move of the participants, appearing very patient.

The atmosphere in the conference hall was becoming heated.

Driven by Ma Biao, many people spoke fervently, discussing how to root out the mole and pledge loyalty to Station Chief Feng Jincai and Zhuo Feng.

"Station Chief Feng, I think this matter must be strictly investigated, thoroughly turned upside down! We cannot let a single rat dropping ruin a whole pot of soup!"

"That's right, the Noah Organization treats us well; whoever dares to bite the hand that feeds them, I will be the first to not let them off!"

"Director Zhuo, just give the order, and however you want us to cooperate is fine."

Xu Hao leaned against the back of his chair, watching this group of people's emotional performances with a expressionless face, while his heart was icy cold.

Just a moment ago, two people sitting farther away stood up one after another, saying they were going to the restroom.

As a result, more than ten minutes had passed.

Those two seats were still empty.

The people never came back.

This discovery, like a cold palm, gripped his heart.

Looking at Station Chief Feng Jincai sitting on the sofa with a fake smile, and Zhuo Feng who pulled a foul face and acted like a big shot,

Xu Hao secretly gritted his teeth.

Boss was right, this fucking thing was a Hongmen Banquet!

A trap specifically designed for fishing!

He was now incomparably glad that he had forcefully held back the impulse to contact Fang Cheng.

Otherwise, the next one who "needed to pee" might be himself.

Just as Xu Hao was letting his imagination run wild, Ma Biao's loud voice sounded again.

He paced around the circular conference table, spitting as he spoke as if delivering a speech.

"Everyone, I, Ma Biao, have spent a little half my life in Dongdu. From a small branch to the position I hold today, what did I rely on? I relied on brothers, and I relied on rules."

"But what about now? Our Dongdu Branch is in a foul mess, and some people have forgotten their roots, forgotten who gave them their food!"

"I support Station Chief Feng and I support the organization. We should have a thorough cleanup, root out all those bastards who bite the hand that feeds them and collude with outsiders, make our Dongdu Branch harmonious again, and turn everyone back into a loving family!"

With that, his fan-like large hand slapped heavily onto Xu Hao's shoulder.

"Haozi, don't you think that's the logic?"

"Ah?!"

Xu Hao shivered all over from this slap and snapped back to reality.

Looking at Ma Biao's close-up face, he gave a dry laugh and vaguely responded:

"Yes, yes... Brother Ma is right."

Amidst this clamor, Chen Chen, the leader of the Red Tiger Gang, appeared unusually quiet.

He did not exaggeratedly perform his loyalty like the others.

He simply held his teacup, taking occasional sips, while his gaze frequently glanced toward the front of the conference table at the silver metal box containing the so-called "confidential documents".

He was not sure what the intentions of the higher-ups of the Noah Organization actually were.

But he could guess that the matter would by no means be as simple as Station Chief Feng Jincai said—just burning a document to call it a day.

Just as Ma Biao and the others said, the repeated intelligence leaks had already shaken the Foundation of the organization.

Next would inevitably be a thunderous internal purge.

Thinking of how he secretly colluded with that mysterious assassin organization, plotting to break free from the control of the Noah Organization, and even having leaked the intelligence of Scorpion to cause that high-ranking cadre to be killed...

Chen Chen's heart involuntarily sank.

Would these matters be investigated and traced back to him?

His gaze flickered slightly as he raised his head and looked at the wall clock.

The time had already passed half-past nine, close to ten o'clock.

As the midnight destruction deadline drew closer and closer, this bizarre-feeling meeting seemed to be coming to an end as well.

But this calm, in Chen Chen's heart, was like a sharp sword hanging over his head.

As time passed, it fell lower and lower.

Even though his heart was turbulent, Chen Chen still forced himself to calm down.

Years of Jianghu experience told him that when one could not see the opponent's trump cards, the biggest taboo was making rash moves.

Anyway, whether it was the Demon Hunting Operation or the so-called "Tree of Life" plan, the reasons leading to these intelligence leaks were indeed unrelated to him.

As long as his secret contacts with the assassin organization were not exposed, he should be able to weather this calamity.

Chen Chen muttered silently in his heart:

"I've been practicing vegetarianism and chanting Buddha's name for so long; it should start working by now..."

Inside the conference hall, the discussions and performances continued intermittently and never stopped.

At some unknown point, the floor-to-ceiling windows covering almost the entire wall had become stained with fine raindrops.

Under the reflection of the metropolis neon lights outside the window, the rainwater flowed into mottled light trails.

This made the outlines of those skyscrapers opposite begin to appear hazy, distorted, and grotesque.

Under the same night sky, opposite the Noah Building,

two figures stood facing the wind, standing on the cement wall of a guardrail only a few centimeters wide.

Beneath their feet was the nearly three-hundred-meter-high exterior wall of the skyscraper.

The vehicles on the street converged into flowing rivers of light.

Pedestrians holding umbrellas were as tiny as crawling ants.

The slippery wall glowed faintly in the night; a slight carelessness would plunge one into that abyss composed of lights and darkness.

The two figures stood steadily on the edge of the rooftop.

The high-altitude wind mixed with fine rain whistled past their ears, blowing their clothes fluttering loudly.

One of them was tall and robust, wearing a black trench coat, with thick eyebrows like swords and a serious expression.

The other was slightly slender in build, wearing a pale white, fierce mask on his face.

"They are having a meeting."

Gao Jin's gaze pierced through the wind and rain, firmly locking onto the opposite building with the huge "NOAH" logo.

Even across the rain curtain, with his extraordinary vision, he could still capture the swarming figures inside a certain conference room on the top floor.

"Do you know the specific contents of the meeting?"

Cheng Jiashu spoke, his voice sounding somewhat muffled through the mask.

Tonight he was wearing a set of black combat uniform, outlining smooth and explosive muscle lines.

The whole person almost merged with the night behind him, and coupled with the mask, he was simply like an evil ghost haunting the darkness.

"The news coming in shows that it seems to involve a confidential plan file of the Noah Organization."

Gao Jin replied.

"Oh?"

Cheng Jiashu's masked face turned slightly, shifting his gaze toward him:

"Could it also be related to the things in the biological laboratory? Do we need to change our target?"

"No need."

Gao Jin slowly shook his head with a resolute attitude.

"We don't know what the contents of the documents in that box actually are, nor whether they are true or false, so there's no need to act rashly."

"Besides, with so many people present at the same time, there is simply no chance to succeed."

He glanced at the collaborator beside him, asking in a low tone:

"Do you dare to rush in alone and face this bunch of madmen?"

Hearing this, Cheng Jiashu let out a light laugh:

"I don't mind. As long as you can help me block the attacks and let me touch that briefcase, I guarantee I can bring it out to you intact."

Gao Jin shook his head again:

"Forget it, changing formations in the face of the enemy is a major taboo; we should still act according to the established plan."

As he spoke, his gaze became sharp.

"Now that they are gathered in one place, the defenses in other places will definitely be relatively empty, which is a good opportunity for us to sneak in."

Cheng Jiashu nodded slightly, then asked:

"What about the coordinate points you promised me that were set up in advance?"

"They were arranged properly four hours ago, and we've been waiting for you."

Gao Jin looked calm and motioned: "You can try to sense the target first and establish a connection."

Cheng Jiashu said no more and closed his eyes.

He stood on the edge of the rooftop, letting the wind and rain strike, his figure motionless, like a meditating statue.

After about half a minute, he reopened his eyes, a glimmer flashing past the depths of his eyes.

Deep within his pupils, it was as if some mysterious channel had opened.

"Then let's begin."

"What about that friend of yours? Is he really not coming?"

As they prepared to act, Gao Jin couldn't help asking.

Hearing this, Cheng Jiashu's mind flashed with Fang Cheng's serious face talking about cultivating moral character and nurturing health.

The corners of his mouth behind the mask could not help hooking into an arc as he shook his head and said:

"He has more important things to do."

After a pause, he added in a relaxed tone:

"Wish me luck."

"It should be wishing us luck."

Gao Jin corrected.

Seeing that this serious guy could also say things to liven up the atmosphere, Cheng Jiashu chuckled softly.

His gaze crossed Gao Jin, looking toward the distant bustling metropolis gradually shrouded by the rain curtain.

"I hope we don't meet in such a wind-blown and rain-beaten place next time."

The lead-gray clouds had completely swallowed the sky at some unknown point, pressing heavily upon the top of the city.

The rain grew heavier, densely beating against the rooftop ground and splashing fine water droplets.

In the distance, the Noah Building stood in the continuous rain curtain like an isolated island surrounded by darkness.

Cheng Jiashu took a deep breath, adjusted his breathing, and the strange light in his eyes grew even brighter.

A precise location with a psychic imprint clearly emerged in his mind.

"Hum——"

A low buzzing sound appeared out of thin air.

The space in front of him, like a shattered mirror, appeared clearly distorted.

Light was pulled by an invisible force, converging and collapsing toward a point in front of his eyes, forming a pitch-black vortex rotating inward continuously.

The vortex suddenly expanded, then abruptly contracted, and with irresistible gravitational pull, it rolled Cheng Jiashu's figure inch by inch from the edge into it, ultimately completely devouring him.

With his disappearance, that distorted space quickly returned to its original state, leaving only a trace of imperceptible fluctuation.

It was soon blown away by the wind and rain, as if nothing had happened.

Gao Jin's expression remained unchanged, and he then pressed the communication switch on his headset, his voice steady and powerful.

"A-Li, A-Liang, Night Owl Operation, officially begins."