201: Chapter 201 Shen Jianan's First Test After Joining the National Security Bureau

Currently, Ye Qingcheng was standing at the end of a secret passage converted from a civil defense tunnel, located seventy meters underground. Before her eyes was a silver-gray, two-story bunker-style building.

This was a safe house established by National Security in Magic City. Its thick walls were made of special alloy Materials, making it not only bulletproof and radiation-proof but also capable of isolating all external electronic signals. Inside, only special communication equipment could be used; otherwise, all mobile devices would be unable to contact the outside world. Similarly, the outside world could not reach anyone inside the building.

Therefore, although Ye Qingcheng's phone was specially modified to communicate seamlessly with the outside world even seventy meters underground without fear of being tracked, she still needed to come outside the safe house to use it.

Ye Qingcheng hung up the phone, her eyes narrowing slightly. After a moment of thought, a cunning smile played across her lips. Then, she turned and walked toward the entrance of the safe house.

At the entrance stood a heavy silver metal door, embedded with the most advanced biometric System that flickered with a red light, scrutinizing every person who approached.

Despite being hidden deep underground where even US bunker-buster missiles would find it hard to reach, two armed Special Police officers still stood solemnly on either side of the door. After all, a fortress is most easily breached from within, so necessary defensive security measures were still required.

Ye Qingcheng looked at the biometric camera on the door. After a moment, her identity was successfully recognized. With a mechanical "click," the door slowly slid open to both sides, revealing a passage leading into the interior of the safe house.

She stepped inside, and the scene within the safe house unfolded before her.

The entire safe house was bright and spacious. LED lights on the ceiling cast a soft glow into every corner, while a meticulously designed ventilation and air conditioning System ensured that even seventy meters underground, the air remained fresh and the temperature comfortable.

The first floor was the core area of the entire safe house. Dozens of massive screens suspended from the ceiling occupied the central position, divided into multiple monitoring feeds that displayed real-time conditions inside and outside various areas of the safe house. From every room within the safe house to the elevator lobby outside, and from the ground level to city streetscapes—if necessary, they could even connect directly to satellites in space. Though deep underground, everything was under control.

Along the sides of the first floor, several rooms with different functions were partitioned off. Her gaze swept over a meeting room, a lounge, an armory, and even a kitchen.

Compared to the first floor, the second floor was relatively sparse. Within the silver-gray metal railings, there were only a few detention cells with small windows. Outside one of these cells, two armed Special Police officers also stood guard; that was where Chen Mo was being secretly held.

At this moment, Shen Jianan was sitting in the meeting room on the first floor, fully focused on flipping through a dossier that Ye Qingcheng had given her.

The words "Top Secret" were prominently printed on the cover of the dossier. Inside, it detailed the history of Hongmen's development, its member composition, and the various things Hongmen members had done in Dragon Country in recent years.

Ye Qingcheng pushed open the meeting room door, walked slowly to Shen Jianan's side, and greeted her softly, "Jianan, stop reading for now. Come out with me for a bit, and you can finish this when we get back."

Shen Jianan slowly looked away from the dossier and raised her head to look at Ye Qingcheng, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes. "Captain, where are we going?"

A mysterious smile appeared on Ye Qingcheng's face, and a glint of cunning flashed in her eyes. "I'm taking you to a good place. Let's go." Saying this, she waved her hand and turned to walk out the door.

Her curiosity piqued, Shen Jianan quickly stood up and took a few quick steps to follow.

The two walked side by side out of the heavy silver metal door. Although Shen Jianan had seen it when she first arrived, she couldn't help but look back, marveling inwardly. Having lived in Magic City for over twenty years, she never could have imagined that such a structure was hidden seventy meters beneath the city.

About a hundred meters away from the door, an elevator that went straight to the surface stood quietly. This elevator was the only passage connecting the underground safe house to the outside world. It was also made of special alloy Materials and operated at an extremely high speed to ensure that personnel could evacuate quickly in an emergency.

Shen Jianan recalled her experience riding this elevator when she first arrived; the speed of the descent was comparable to a drop tower at an amusement park, making one's heart race and Bloodline surge. Now, the two of them were going to take this elevator again to rise to the surface.

The elevator doors slowly closed and it started. Shen Jianan's ears immediately felt a roaring sound caused by the rapid increase in altitude. She couldn't help but swallow, feeling a bit nervous.

Fortunately, the upward speed of the elevator was even faster than the descent. In just a few breaths, the elevator doors opened again.

Stepping out of the elevator, the two found themselves in a parking lot converted from a civil defense tunnel. However, aside from a black Jeep off-roader, there were no other vehicles in the parking lot.

Shen Jianan looked at the car from a distance and couldn't help but feel a little confused. She walked around the vehicle once and saw that the license plate was indeed hers, but the exterior seemed slightly different from her original one.

Moreover, she had clearly arrived in Ye Qingcheng's car. Shouldn't her own Jeep off-roader still be parked back at the station? How could it be here?

Ye Qingcheng noticed Shen Jianan's expression, a smile playing on her lips. She opened the driver's side door and sat inside, then called out to Shen Jianan, "What are you standing there for? Get in."

Hearing this, Shen Jianan pulled open the door and sat in the passenger seat. Having left the safe house, Shen Jianan no longer addressed Ye Qingcheng as Captain. She looked at her with a frown and asked curiously, "Sister Qingcheng, is this car mine? Why do I feel like it's different from before?"

Ye Qingcheng smiled faintly and explained, "I had it modified. From now on, this car will be our duty vehicle. Any problem with that?"

"Uh, of course not," Shen Jianan nodded, but then followed up curiously, "But Sister Qingcheng, what exactly did you modify?"

"You'll find out soon enough." Ye Qingcheng smiled mysteriously and then started the car.

The tachometer surged, and the Jeep off-roader roared, speeding away from its current position like an arrow leaving a bow. After passing through a stretch of dim, spiraling uphill roadway, the car emerged into a city tunnel.

As the car drove into an unfamiliar neighborhood, Shen Jianan couldn't help but frown and ask, "Sister Qingcheng, where exactly are we going? Can you tell me something now?"

Ye Qingcheng glanced at her, a hint of cunning in her eyes. "I'm taking you to change your image. Consider this your first test after joining National Security!"

"Change my image?" Shen Jianan was stunned for a moment, then, thinking of the Undercover Makeup techniques she had learned at the Police Academy, she said as a matter of course, "Do you mean Undercover Makeup? I'm good at that; I learned it back at the academy."

"Makeup?" Ye Qingcheng chuckled and shook her head. "Not exactly. I prefer to call it the Disguise Technique."

Hearing the words "Disguise Technique," Shen Jianan's curiosity was completely piqued. "Disguise Technique? Sister Qingcheng, you're not joking, are you? Isn't that something that only exists in novels?"

Ye Qingcheng smiled faintly as memories flooded back. She said slowly, "Indeed, before I met her, I thought so too. But Jianan, there are actually many things in this world that ordinary people cannot imagine. In the future, you will encounter many similar situations."

"Her? The one who knows the Disguise Technique? Who is she?" Shen Jianan asked curiously.

"You'll know when we get there," Ye Qingcheng replied.

Shen Jianan didn't ask further but focused on the task of the test, asking, "Sister Qingcheng, then what exactly is that first test you mentioned? Do you want me to tail someone?"

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"Hmm," Ye Qingcheng nodded and continued, "Tonight, Qin Yi will be having dinner with my brother and the others. At that time, someone will go to test his strength. Your task is to observe the situation from up close. Considering that both Ye Ziming and Qin Yi know you, if you can deceive them without revealing any flaws, I will consider you to have passed the test."

As Ye Qingcheng explained this, she had already steered the car to a smooth stop in front of an ordinary-looking shop with no sign.

Shen Jianan looked at her with shining eyes, an expression of curiosity on her face, and pressed, "Someone is going to test Qin Yi's strength? That person wouldn't happen to be arranged by you, Sister Qingcheng, would they?"

Ye Qingcheng glanced at her and shook her head helplessly, "I do want to see how strong that kid Qin Yi is, but I'm not that bored."

After saying this, she pushed open the car door and got out.

Only then did Shen Jianan realize the car had stopped; she hurriedly followed her out, looked around, and asked curiously, "Sister Qingcheng, this place doesn't look like a place where one could use a Disguise Technique."

"Heh, don't underestimate this place," Ye Qingcheng smiled mysteriously. "Let's go, you'll know once you go inside."

Saying this, she led Shen Jianan into the shop.

The interior of the shop was decorated in a simple and elegant style; as soon as they entered, a faint fragrance wafted towards them.

Shen Jianan looked around and saw various masks hanging on the walls, as well as various human face models, and some totems with Miao characteristics; she couldn't help but be startled in her heart.

"Sister Hong, come out and receive a guest…" At this moment, Ye Qingcheng's voice brushed past Shen Jianan's ear.

Shen Jianan turned her head slightly and looked at Ye Qingcheng, seeing a relaxed smile on her face, with eyes revealing the joy of reunited friends.

Immediately after, a burst of crisp laughter like silver bells rang out. Shen Jianan looked up towards the stairs to the second floor and saw a woman dressed in a red pleated skirt, like a blooming red flower, running happily down from the second floor, accompanied by the "da da da" sound of high heels colliding with the staircase floor.

"Qingcheng! Why did you come over?" This woman called Sister Hong, with a smile like a flower, stepped forward enthusiastically and pulled Ye Qingcheng into an embrace; the two patted each other's backs.

A moment later, the two separated reluctantly. Sister Hong held Ye Qingcheng's shoulders with both hands, looking her up and down with excitement, and continued, "Qingcheng, it must have been over two years since we last met, right? When did you come back?"

"Ahem," Ye Qingcheng didn't respond immediately, but coughed lightly, pointed at Shen Jianan who was standing to the side, and said with a smile, "That's a long story. We'll chat slowly when we have time later. Let me introduce her to you; she is Shen Jianan, and she is with me now. Help her change her style; she has a task later."

Upon hearing this, Sister Hong crossed her arms and circled Shen Jianan carefully. Her eyes were sharp and critical, looking at Shen Jianan's appearance as if evaluating a piece of art waiting to be carved. Suddenly, she reached out, gently lifted Shen Jianan's chin, and examined her from side to side.

Shen Jianan was made somewhat nervous by this sudden action from Sister Hong, and a blush unconsciously appeared on her cheeks; she subconsciously bit her lower lip, her eyes revealing a trace of nervousness.

Just then, Sister Hong snapped her fingers, a satisfied smile appearing on her face, "Good, no problem. Leave it to me. What kind of style should we do?"

"Something ordinary, the common face type." Ye Qingcheng responded.

Sister Hong looked at the wall clock in the shop, thought for a moment, and said, "At least six hours."

"Too slow, make it urgent." Ye Qingcheng shook her head and said indifferently.

Sister Hong frowned slightly, sighed, and compromised, "Urgent is fine, I won't charge you for the labor. However, you have to pay for the Materials!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingcheng burst into laughter, "Sister Hong, it's been a long time, how have you become so calculating?"

Sister Hong rolled her eyes and turned her head away, pretending to be annoyed, "Tch, can I compare with you? The cost of living in Magic City is so high, don't I have to make a living too?"

"Fine, fine, fine, then hurry up and do it. You'll get your money, but I can give you three hours at most!" Ye Qingcheng waved her hand with a smile, urging her.

"Deal!" Sister Hong agreed readily, then walked quickly towards the second floor, saying as she walked, "Then you guys wait here, I'm going to prepare the Materials."

Shen Jianan watched as Sister Hong hurried up the stairs to the second floor, then lowered her voice and asked Ye Qingcheng curiously, "Sister Qingcheng, who is this Sister Hong? You guys seem to be very familiar with each other?"

Upon hearing this, the corners of Ye Qingcheng's mouth raised slightly, outlining a gentle curve. Her eyes softened unconsciously when Shen Jianan mentioned Sister Hong, as if recalling some times they had spent together.

Not until the door on the second floor made a soft "click" sound, completely cutting off the outside view, did Ye Qingcheng slowly withdraw her gaze and answer softly, "Sister Hong, she is a comrade-in-arms from my time in the army. Unfortunately, in a mission over two years ago, she suffered a serious leg injury and could not remain in the army, so she had to choose to retire."

"Oh, so that's how it is…" Shen Jianan nodded thoughtfully, then followed up, "Then how does she know things like the Disguise Technique?"

"Hahaha," Ye Qingcheng couldn't help but laugh when she heard this. She spread her hands and said frankly, "To tell you the truth, I'm not entirely sure either. I only know that this craft was passed down from Sister Hong's ancestors; as for the specific origins, I'm afraid only Sister Hong herself knows best."

"I see." Shen Jianan nodded in understanding, her gaze curiously scanning the shop.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, she changed the subject and asked in a low voice, "Hey, by the way, Sister Qingcheng, I wanted to ask this back at the safe house. When I was looking through the files earlier, I saw that Hongmen is not only the largest Chinese association on Blue Star, but it actually has a Martial Dao Legacy? Is this true?"

Ye Qingcheng glanced at her and asked back with a half-smile, "Why? Do you think top-secret documents would be fake?"

"Oh, I'm not questioning the authenticity of this document." Shen Jianan hurriedly waved her hand to explain, "It's just that, in my impression, although there are many rumors about Hongmen on the internet, it never said they had a Martial Dao Legacy. So, I feel this news is a bit too shocking."

"That's why it's top secret. The world only knows that Hongmen is the number one Chinese Gang, but they don't know that the secret to why Hongmen has always stood tall is actually the Martial Dao Legacy! The Chen Mo who is being detained, his true identity is one of the four-person group secretly lurking within the Dragon Kingdom arranged by Hongmen. Moreover, according to our analysis, his strength should be the weakest among those four. However, you've seen it with your own eyes, right? That strange movement technique of his is not some ordinary national martial arts Cultivation Technique, but a real Martial Arts Secret Technique! If there were no Martial Dao Legacy, how could it appear on a Martial Artist at the Middle Stage of Ming Jin?"

Shen Jianan nodded repeatedly as she listened, a look of sudden realization on her face. After pondering for a moment, she guessed and asked, "Then, Sister Qingcheng, is our National Security planning to use Chen Mo as bait to lure out the other three people lurking, is it for the sake of Hongmen's Martial Dao Legacy?"

"You could say it is, or you could say it isn't." Ye Qingcheng smiled mysteriously, deliberately leaving some suspense.

However, just as she was about to continue her explanation, the door on the second floor suddenly opened again, and Sister Hong's voice came out, "Qingcheng, I forgot to ask you, how long does this Disguise Technique mask need to last?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingcheng looked up towards the second floor and saw Sister Hong standing at the doorway of the second floor, looking at her inquiringly. She quickly restrained the smile on her face and replied, "Oh, just lasting through tonight will do!"

After hearing this, Sister Hong made an OK gesture, then turned around and went back into the room.