403: Chapter 402 The Giant Python Transforms into a Dragon, Shaking the Capital

The cabin door popped open with a 'hiss', and four soldiers dressed in camouflage combat uniforms, holding assault rifles, jumped down one after another and quickly headed toward Qin Yi and the others.

The leading officer arrived before the three of them and said in a booming voice, "We are the Special Operations Force of the Southwest Military Region, ordered to pick you up and take you to the Southwest Military Region!"

Before his voice had even faded, his gaze swept over the two people on the ground tied up like zongzi. His brows jumped fiercely, and his right hand subconsciously pressed against the grip of his gun, his alertness maxed out. "What is the situation with these two?"

"He is Zhao Lintai, the target you were searching for this time." Qin Yi pointed to the unconscious Zhao Lintai, his tone casual, "He was knocked out by me when he resisted just now, and he hasn't woken up yet."

"This woman is named Bai Ruoxue. She has many lives on her hands and is also someone the Security Bureau wants to capture!" Qin Yi looked at Bai Ruoxue, who was staring at him with a face full of resentment. His eyes instantly turned cold, and he kindly reminded them, "This woman is very dangerous; you must be careful!"

Upon hearing the three words 'Bai Ruoxue', the officer's expression suddenly turned stern. The gaze he cast upon the woman held a bit more wariness, along with undisguised hatred—it was this woman who had caused the Armed Police Force to suffer one death and seven injuries!

"Understood! Thank you for the reminder, sir!" The officer thanked Qin Yi, then immediately ordered the three soldiers behind him, "Cuff these two. Put heavy restraints on this woman! Keep her in solitary confinement!"

After arranging the two, the officer turned around, his attitude noticeably gentler than before: "The three of you, please trouble yourselves to come with us to the military region. The leaders at the headquarters have a few questions they would like to ask you!"

Qin Yi, Si Yao, and Si Hongxiao exchanged glances. Si Yao spoke first, "Can I call my grandfather to let him know I'm safe first?"

The officer nodded in agreement, "Of course. There is communication equipment on the helicopter."

At this moment, Si Yao was still wearing Qin Yi's clothes, while Qin Yi was shirtless.

Thus, Qin Yi also spoke up to ask, "Officer, could you please find me another piece of clothing? It would be too improper to meet the military region leaders shirtless like this."

The officer smiled, "No problem!"

The three of them then followed the officer toward the helicopter.

On the way, Qin Yi whispered a few words into Si Yao's ear. Si Yao nodded at him, signaling that she understood.

Once inside the cabin, the officer pulled a backpack from under the seat, took out a camouflage combat uniform, and handed it to Qin Yi, "Sir, please wear this for now."

"Alright, thank you." Qin Yi thanked him, took the clothes, and deftly put them on.

This was the first time the three of them had sat in an armed helicopter, and their eyes immediately couldn't take it all in; they couldn't help but look left and right.

Not long after, the engines of the two helicopters roared as they lifted off, flying in the direction of the Southwest Military Region.

Qin Yi looked down at the receding Zhuilong Valley, feeling a myriad of emotions in his heart.

This trip to Zhuilong Valley, having experienced life-and-death struggles, encounters in a Secret Realm, and finally witnessing the legendary 'Black Python transforming into a Dragon' with his own eyes, could truly be called heart-stirring!

However, a trace of worry flickered in Qin Yi's heart at this moment. His gaze narrowed slightly, thinking of what the officer had just said: the military region leaders have questions they want to ask us...

It seems the Southwest Military Region also saw the scene of the Black Python transforming into a Dragon just now. If he has to face the military's questioning later, how should he explain all of this? Hopefully, Si Yao can get a word in with Elder Si first; otherwise, if they really dig deep, that cave probably won't stay hidden.

Just as Qin Yi was pondering, with the officer's help, Si Yao used the communication equipment on the armed helicopter to call her father, Si Hongjun.

"Dad, it's me, Yaoyao!" Si Yao's voice carried irrepressible excitement.

On the other end of the line, Si Hongjun's excited voice came through immediately: "Elder Si, it's Yaoyao!"

Immediately after, Si Zhengxiong's urgent voice rushed over: "Yaoyao! How are you? Are you injured?"

"Grandfather, I'm fine. I did sustain some injuries before, but they have already been healed by Qin Yi."

"Thank heavens, it's good that you're okay!" Si Zhengxiong breathed a sigh of relief and then hurriedly asked, "What about Mr. Qin? How is he?"

"Don't worry, Elder Si, I'm fine too." Qin Yi took over, pretending to be relaxed.

"That's good, that's good!"

"Grandfather, how is Brother Bin?" Si Yao asked.

There was a silence on the other end, and Si Zhengxiong's voice sank: "Sigh, Hongbin is seriously injured and was sent to the Military General Hospital. He is still in a coma, and his condition is not good. The doctor said if he can't make it through tonight, I'm afraid..."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yi's heart tightened abruptly—Si Hongbin cannot have anything happen to him! The task to increase his favorability hasn't been completed yet; he must find a way to save him.

Thinking of this, Qin Yi immediately spoke, "Elder Si, I have a healing pill here. If it's convenient, I'd like to go and see Brother Bin; perhaps I can save him."

"Mr. Qin, are you telling the truth?!" Si Zhengxiong's voice instantly rose.

"Grandfather, I trust Qin Yi. If it weren't for him, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to see you this time." Si Yao hurriedly chimed in.

"Alright! Mr. Qin, I trust you too!" Si Zhengxiong immediately made the decision, "In that case, we are heading to the Military General Hospital right now!"

"Grandfather, wait!" Si Yao deliberately lowered her voice, "The officer who came to rescue us said that the leaders of the Southwest Military Region headquarters have some questions to ask us. We are currently on the helicopter heading to the Southwest Military Region."

Si Zhengxiong understood immediately—the scene of the 'Lightning Tribulation' just now was simply too inconceivable. They were still some distance away from Zhuilong Valley, only seeing a general outline, and they couldn't even see clearly that it was Qin Yi above the giant python's head.

Not to mention the military, even he had many questions he wanted to clear up. However, since his granddaughter specifically mentioned this, there must have been an Opportunity in Zhuilong Valley. He had to figure out the situation before the military did.

After pondering for a moment, Si Zhengxiong replied, "Yaoyao, I understand. You go to the military region first, and we will arrive shortly after. As for the military's questions, we'll talk about that once we arrive!"

"Alright, Grandfather, I understand!"

After hanging up the phone, Si Yao secretly gave Qin Yi an "OK" sign when no one was paying attention. Qin Yi understood and gave a thumbs up in return, secretly giving her a compliment in his heart!

Subsequently, the three of them from the Si Family also boarded the Si Family's helicopter and headed toward the Southwest military.

On the way, Si Hongjun didn't forget to call the Military General Hospital, urging them to maintain Si Hongbin's vital signs.

...

At the same time, at the foot of Zhuilong Valley. Yan Yan also received the situation report from the military.

After learning the news that Qin Yi, Si Yao, and the others were safe, the hanging heart of Shen Jianan finally settled.

Upon learning that Zhao Lintai and Bai Ruoxue had also been captured, the three were even more pleasantly surprised!

"Zhao Lintai and Bai Ruoxue are being escorted to the Southwest Military Region; let's hurry over there too!" Yan Yan suggested.

Shen Jianan nodded in agreement, "Alright, there's no time to lose, let's go quickly."

The three quickly got into the car, turned the vehicle around, and sped toward the Southwest Military Region.

However, Ye Ziming, sitting in the back row, looked at Shen Jianan in the passenger seat, who was radiant because Qin Yi had escaped danger. His heart felt as if a bottle of mixed flavors had been knocked over, and that indescribable sourness and frustration welled up in his heart once again.

In his view, Shen Jianan's concern for Qin Yi seemed to have long exceeded the boundaries of ordinary friendship; the worry and relief in her eyes were exactly the same as when he looked at Shen Jianan.

This realization made his chest feel stuffy and distressed.

...

Meanwhile, in the capital, at Donghe Villa.

"Alright, I understand the situation. You have done well. Immediately encrypt and transmit the image data captured by the reconnaissance satellite. Maintain contact and report any situation at any time!" After saying this, the leader hung up the phone with a grave expression.

Xu Anguo, who was on the side, asked nervously, "Leader, how is it over in the Southwest?"

The leader raised his hand to signal Xu Anguo to sit, rubbed his temples, and spoke slowly, "The matter in the Southwest has come to a temporary conclusion. Zhao Lintai is not dead and has been controlled. Bai Ruoxue has been caught. The Si Family girl and that young man named Qin Yi have also been found; they are currently on their way to the Southwest Military Region."

"That's great! It's fortunate that the people are safe!" Xu Anguo let out a long sigh of relief, "Otherwise, I can't imagine how furious Elder Si would be..."

"However," at this moment, the leader paused for a moment, changed the subject, and said in a deep voice, "That Zhuilong Valley seems to have some magical aspects."

"Oh? How so?" Xu Anguo asked with a puzzled expression.

"Just now, the Southwest Military Region reported that our high-altitude reconnaissance satellite captured a video in the sky above Zhuilong Valley. It seems to be... a Giant Python transforming into a Dragon..."

"Ah? A Giant Python transforming into a Dragon?" Xu Anguo was so shocked that he stood up straight from the sofa, his face full of disbelief.

"Yes," the leader nodded, "I have already asked them to transmit the image data immediately. Whether it's true or false, we will know once we see it."

"Since it was reported by the Southwest Military Region, the intelligence should be accurate." Xu Anguo slowly sat back on the sofa, his brows locked tightly, and muttered, "Leader, I wonder if you have the same feeling? Ever since that strange submarine earthquake last time, this world... seems to have become increasingly strange. All kinds of bizarre events are emerging one after another, as if... as if that earthquake accidentally opened a 'Pandora's Box' leading to an unknown Domain."

"Yes," the leader also nodded in agreement with a thoughtful expression.

Just at this moment, the office door was knocked on, and Secretary Zhang walked in holding a USB drive, reporting to the leader, "Leader, the top-secret image file transmitted from the Southwest Military Region."

"Alright, I understand, you go back to work." The leader took the USB drive, and Secretary Zhang exited the office.

The leader personally inserted the USB drive into a dedicated computer. After passing through layers of passwords and biometric verification, he finally opened the video file.

The video, which lasted over a minute, ended quickly.

The leader and Xu Anguo looked at each other, and both saw undisguised extreme shock and horror in each other's eyes.

"Leader, this... this is actually true! Mythology has come into reality, a Giant Python transforming into a Dragon!" Xu Anguo's voice was slightly distorted due to excitement.

"Yes, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, who would believe it..." The leader took a deep breath, trying to calm his tumultuous heart, and looked at Xu Anguo, asking, "Old Xu, what do you think of this matter?"

Xu Anguo quickly calmed down and, after pondering for a moment, replied, "Leader, the top priority should be to immediately seal off the news and send people to enter that mountain cave for investigation as soon as possible! Since Zhuilong Valley can nurture such extraordinary creatures, it must contain Opportunities or secrets that we cannot imagine. If foreign forces find out and get there first, the consequences would be unimaginable! That submarine earthquake is our lesson; we must not make the same mistake a second time!"

"What you say makes sense! Our military reconnaissance satellite can capture it, and others' eyes may also be staring at that place." The leader frowned and pondered, grabbed the red phone again, and connected directly to the Southwest Military Region Commander-in-Chief.

The call connected, and the leader, without any pleasantries, directly issued an order: "Listen! I order, immediately implement the highest level of military control over Zhuilong Valley and its surrounding airspace! Immediately dispatch troops to station there. Without the organization's permission, no person or organization shall approach or enter the Zhuilong Valley area for any reason! Anyone who trespasses will be regarded as endangering national security and may be subject to all necessary measures on the spot!"

"Yes!" The Southwest Military Region Commander-in-Chief immediately stated his position, and then tentatively asked, "Leader, do we need to send someone into that mountain cave to investigate the situation?"

The leader's gaze turned to Xu Anguo. After a brief hesitation, he responded, "Not for now. The situation inside the cave is unclear, and entering rashly involves too much risk. The subsequent in-depth investigation of Zhuilong Valley will be handed over to the Security Bureau's newly established 'Special Operations Department' to be fully responsible for. The task of the Southwest Military Region is to ensure the absolute safety of the exterior!"

"Yes! Resolutely execute the order!"