379: Chapter 378 The Zhao Family Faces a Turn of Events, and the Net Is Closing Off Ahead of Schedule

The sounds of fighting in the distance made Qin Yi and Si Yao stop at the same time.

"It seems Zhao Lintai and the others have caught up," Qin Yi said, looking back at the path they had come from, his brows furrowed.

Si Yao also listened intently, her expression changing slightly. "As expected of a Peak Anjin Martial Artist, they are fast!" She looked at the path ahead and continued, "We'll have to rock climb from here on out. Should we take care of our pursuers first?"

Qin Yi frowned and pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "That's not wise. According to Ye Qingcheng, Bai Ruoxue Cultivates 'Mystic Ice True Qi', which can turn water into ice and ice into blades with a single thought. She is also extremely fast." Qin Yi paused here, scanned the surroundings, and continued, "The forest here is deep and foggy. She can form ice blades from the moisture in the air in an instant. If we fight here, we have less than a thirty percent chance of winning. If we reach the top, the ground is flat and open, and there are rocks for cover. If we work together, we'll stand a chance!"

Si Yao chuckled at this. She took off her backpack and, while taking out rock climbing gear, agreed, "Fair enough. Let's pick up the pace and try to reach the summit first!"

Qin Yi nodded. While Si Yao wasn't paying attention, he quietly set the target of the 'Miniature Bionic Tracker' to 'Zhao Lintai'!

After packing their gear, the two exchanged a smile, then moved like apes, clinging to the rock face and leaving behind blurred afterimages on the steep cliff.

...

Meanwhile, just as Director Xu's official car drove into the Security Bureau compound, he received an urgent call from Secretary Zhang. Upon learning that he was being summoned by his superior, he turned his car around without a word and headed straight for Donghe Villa.

Led by Secretary Zhang, Director Xu arrived at the superior's office. "Sir, you called for me?" Director Xu stood solemnly at the desk.

The superior nodded, pushed a copy of the Southwest Evening News toward Director Xu, pointed at the front-page headline, and said in a deep voice, "Read this first!"

Director Xu picked up the newspaper immediately.

Upon seeing the headline, he gasped, his brow furrowing. He roughly scanned the body of the article and guessed what was going on.

A moment later, Director Xu took a deep breath, looked at the superior, and continued, "What is the Si Family trying to do? How was this news allowed to be published? If Elder Zhao sees this, I'm afraid..."

"He has already seen it!" The superior interrupted before Director Xu could finish. "Before I called you, I already received news: after Elder Zhao read the news in the paper, he called Si Zhengxiong directly to demand an explanation for the Si Family's actions! The two had a heated argument on the phone. Furthermore, Elder Zhao's blood pressure has been high lately, and he suffered an acute myocardial infarction. He is currently undergoing surgery at the Military General Hospital."

"What? How could this happen..." Director Xu's pupils constricted. He looked at the superior in disbelief, paused for a moment, and continued, "Then, sir, what do you mean?"

"I have already notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have Elder Zhao's son, Zhao Yichun, and his wife return to the country. As for the grandson, the guard, Xiao Liu, hasn't been able to reach him. I called you here because there are two things you need to carry out!"

"Please, sir, tell me!"

"Yes, first: immediately arrange for our people in the Southwest to find Zhao Lintai and bring him back to the capital. Second: if Elder Zhao doesn't make it, we must close the net on the Zhao Family immediately! Once Elder Zhao dies, the Zhao Family will effectively have collapsed. Zhao Lintai will have lost his greatest support and will definitely try to flee the country! We must not let him succeed!"

"Understood! I will go make the arrangements now." Director Xu said, preparing to turn and leave.

Just then, the superior spoke again: "Wait—"

"Zhao Lintai is likely with Bai Ruoxue. If possible, bring Bai Ruoxue back too! If it's truly impossible, do what you have to do! We cannot afford to add any more pointless sacrifices for these people!"

"I understand!" Director Xu accepted the order solemnly.

Leaving the office, Director Xu quickened his pace. As soon as he sat in his car, he took out his phone and contacted Ye Qingcheng.

The call connected, and Director Xu immediately said, "Qingcheng, the situation has changed. The investigation and operation against the Zhao Family will likely need to be closed early!"

"What happened?" Ye Qingcheng, who was driving, slammed on the brakes, turned on her hazard lights, and pulled over.

Director Xu then explained the situation in the capital to Ye Qingcheng, then added, "Zhao Lintai is accompanied by Bai Ruoxue. We still don't know how much information about Hongmen he possesses, but once he loses his value, Hongmen might try to eliminate him immediately! Therefore, the leadership demands that we close the net in the Southwest immediately and bring Zhao Lintai back to the capital!"

After hearing Director Xu's explanation, Ye Qingcheng realized the gravity of the situation and immediately replied, "Understood! I will contact Captain Yan immediately!"

"Also, regarding that Bai Ruoxue, the leadership hopes to capture her alive if possible! However, she is a Peak Anjin powerhouse after all. If it's not possible, don't make any unnecessary sacrifices!" Director Xu warned.

"Yes!" After hanging up, Ye Qingcheng immediately called Captain Yan.

...

Shortly after, Yan Yan, Shen Jianan, and Ye Ziming, who were lurking at the foot of the mountain, received an urgent call from Ye Qingcheng.

"Hello, Chief Ye, this is Yan Yan!"

"Captain Yan, I just received instructions from Director Xu. The operation against Zhao Lintai needs to be closed immediately! Gather your men and take control of Zhao Lintai. You must bring him back to the capital!" Ye Qingcheng's voice echoed through the car via the speakerphone.

"What? But, Chief Ye, Zhao Lintai and that Bai Ruoxue have already entered the mountain..."

"Entered the mountain? What's going on?!"

Subsequently, Captain Yan reported the situation in the Southwest to Ye Qingcheng.

Finally, he added, "Zhuilong Valley is difficult to traverse. Not only is there no signal, but there are many wild beasts inside, and the magnetic field is quite chaotic. Even helicopters cannot enter this area! If we want to find Zhao Lintai, I'm afraid we have to mobilize the Armed Police Force to search the mountain! Otherwise, we will likely suffer significant casualties!"

Ye Qingcheng was silent for a moment. If it was really as Yan Yan said, they couldn't just rush into the mountain.

"I understand! I will immediately request authorization from Director Xu to mobilize the Armed Police Force from the Southwest Military Region to assist! You guard the perimeter; you absolutely cannot let Zhao Lintai leave! Also, notify the relevant Southwest immigration departments to place Zhao Lintai under control and strictly forbid him from leaving the country!"

"Yes!"

After hanging up, Ye Qingcheng called Director Xu back.

The moment it connected, Director Xu's voice came through impatiently: "Qingcheng, how is it? Have you found Zhao Lintai?"

Ye Qingcheng immediately reported the situation regarding Zhao Lintai to Director Xu: "Director Xu, the situation in Zhuilong Valley is complex. According to Captain Yan, I'm afraid it will be very difficult for the Southwest Branch alone to find Zhao Lintai. I suggest immediately dispatching the Armed Police Force from the Southwest Military Region to search the mountain! At the same time, deploy armed helicopters to patrol the mountains near Zhuilong Valley! This will prevent Zhao Lintai from escaping elsewhere!"

"Good! I will request authorization from the leadership immediately!"

"Yes, also, could we have the Si Family participate as well?" Ye Qingcheng suggested.

"That is possible! The Si Family is inextricably linked to Elder Zhao's critical condition! I will request authorization from the leadership first, then contact Si Hongjun!" With that, Director Xu hung up the phone.

Before long, several calls were made from the capital and the Southwest Branch.

Two armed helicopters from the Southwest Military Region were the first to take off, their rotors tearing through the sky as they headed toward Zhuilong Valley;

More than ten military trucks carrying a hundred fully armed Armed Police sped toward Zhuilong Valley;

Border checkpoints received notification and immediately added Zhao Lintai to the control list!

...