Chapter Fifty-Five: A Serendipitous Encounter

The faint twitch behind him lasted only an instant, yet Chen Cao felt something incredible, a whirlpool surging within his heart.

"Could this be another supernatural ability of mine?"

"No, that's absolutely impossible. This frequency of fluctuation feels utterly unfamiliar to me!"

While Chen Cao's mind was filled with such wild thoughts, the human-powered lift he was on creaked to a halt—it seemed they had reached their destination.

"Mr. Matsumoto, we've arrived!" Sebastian's warm voice snapped Chen Cao out of his tangled reverie.

The space before him brightened—an expansive control room appeared, nearly a thousand square meters, ablaze with lights. Computers everywhere, scientists in white lab coats, soldiers, intelligence agents, all bustling about their tasks.

Unaccustomed to the brightness, Chen Cao shielded his eyes with his hand, feeling the glare acutely.

"How do you like it? The power and communication systems here are entirely independent. For the Allied forces to bring us down—it’s basically impossible!" Sebastian spoke with a hint of pride.

Chen Cao's expression suddenly chilled. "With equipment this advanced, you claim you couldn't find me? Don't tell me you still call this outdated!"

Sebastian chuckled awkwardly. "My dear Mr. Matsumoto, why return to that subject? You're standing here safe and sound, aren't you?" With that, he enthusiastically linked arms with Chen Cao, guiding him to a glass-enclosed room containing a desk and a computer.

Sebastian approached the computer. "Mr. Matsumoto, time is of the essence. The Holy War has entered its most critical phase. Commander Frederica says your supplies have reached Mimi Lu, and our scouts have already connected with your subordinates. They report you’ve changed your appearance and insist that, whether alive or dead, they must see you in person before releasing the goods!"

"Mimi Lu, Vulture—damn, that old man is up to his tricks. So he told Sebastian about my disguise, probably to prevent Sebastian from recognizing me if we’d met before. When Chen Cao thought of that bearded fat man, a warm feeling rose in his heart.

"Well, Mr. Matsumoto, what are you thinking? Let's proceed with the deal!" Sebastian noticed Chen Cao dazed and smiling, assuming he was still bitter about not being searched for, and hurried to reassure him. "Rest assured, once the transaction is complete, your Gabonese True God Church will receive substantial overseas funds from us. With approval from Alfred's leadership, you'll gain unexpected benefits as well!"

Chen Cao snapped back to attention, intrigued. "Oh? What sort of benefits?"

Sebastian, pleased to have piqued Chen Cao's interest, spoke mysteriously. "Through our global connections, we will secure the release of your Gabonese True God Church members from prison. This intangible wealth will become your capital to stand tall on the world stage!"

Chen Cao was secretly alarmed. "Damn, what kind of benefit is that? It's a menace to the world! Not long ago, those Gabonese cultists orchestrated the infamous Gabon tragedy, releasing poison gas in the subway and causing thousands of casualties. If so many cultists are freed at once, the world will be plunged into endless terror."

Sebastian mistook Chen Cao’s shock for awe, and with satisfaction, said, "God bless you. Come, let’s begin!" He opened the computer, logged into the system, entered a password, and a video window popped up, revealing a veiled face.

"Coach Guo!" Chen Cao nearly cried out. Though her face was hidden, those unforgettable eyes could not be mistaken.

As soon as she appeared on screen, Guo Qianshuang shrieked, "Young master, heavens, you’re alive! I thought I’d never see you again!"

Guo Qianshuang’s voice, nuanced and lively, made Chen Cao drop a few imaginary lines in front of his eyes. What was this? Had they all undergone Master Linghu’s acting training?

Despite these thoughts, Chen Cao smiled and nodded. "I’m well, and Chief Sebastian has treated me kindly."

"So, young master, when will we release the goods?" Guo Qianshuang asked, blinking her large eyes in a rhythmic pattern.

"Well, I’m not sure yet." Chen Cao crossed his arms, clearly keeping Sebastian in suspense. He understood the meaning behind Guo Qianshuang's blinking.

Sebastian's eyes bulged at Chen Cao's hesitation. "My dear Mr. Matsumoto, at this crucial moment, what could possibly be amiss?"

"Well..." Chen Cao glanced at Guo Qianshuang, then at Sebastian. "How can I be certain I’ll leave here safely?"

"You mean, of course—I can release half the goods first." Looking into Guo Qianshuang's eyes, he said, "Once I reach Mimi Lu, I’ll release the rest. What do you think?"

"Which half do you mean...?" Sebastian’s impatience showed, though hope lingered.

"Living supplies. As for weapons, I’ll release those once I arrive. You have so many spies in Mimi Lu—you’re not worried we’ll renege, are you?" Chen Cao added, "Our many church members are counting on your connections to get released. I wouldn’t dare neglect such matters!"

"Very well, that’s acceptable." Sebastian seemed to concede, thinking that at least living supplies would suffice for now. Once this kid returned, they could get the weapons.

"Alright, release the goods," Chen Cao said. Sebastian closed the video. Chen Cao realized he had gained a few more hours—he needed to hurry.

"I should be going," Chen Cao said. He had just conveyed the coordinates to Guo Qianshuang through the frequency of his eyelid blinks, emphasizing the Holy War organization’s plan to release Gabonese church members. Guo Qianshuang would surely know how to handle this information. Now, he had to seize the opportunity to find Zhou Hongye and the others. But what was Moseska’s mission really, and what did her words mean?

"Wait!" Sebastian's face twisted into a strange smile.

"What is it, Chief Sebastian? Don’t you trust me?" Chen Cao’s gaze turned cold, a murderous aura rising.

"Not at all. After all your hardship in bringing us supplies, I thought you must be exhausted!" Sebastian’s smile was barely detectable.

Chen Cao frowned. "Exhausted? What do you mean?"

"Guests from afar deserve rest. There’s a little time left—please relax in the MDF5 room. We’ve prepared a special gift for you, and later, you’ll enjoy a grand spectacle before you depart."

Having spoken, Sebastian called out, "Someone, escort Mr. Matsumoto to MDF5 for rest!"

A guard already waiting outside entered, bowing and gesturing to Chen Cao.

"Sigh, I’ll have to find a way to escape later," Chen Cao thought to himself. Fortunately, his shirt button still held a signal transmitter for contacting Moseska.

He followed the guard out.

Sebastian watched Chen Cao’s departing figure with a meaningful smile, opening his computer to a screen already thronged with people, seemingly celebrating a grand festival.

Chen Cao followed the guard through winding, brightly lit corridors, arriving at a room marked MDF5. The guard opened the door; the lights were already on.

Chen Cao entered—the room was simple: a bed, a few sheets, a straw mat, and atop it, a cotton-linen woven bag lying motionless.

Chen Cao noticed the guard, after opening the door, cast lingering, unusual glances at the bag.

Chen Cao saw this and understood what was inside. He nodded authoritatively to the guard, who reluctantly closed the iron door behind him.

After closing the door, Chen Cao walked over and, without hesitation, untied the string on the cotton-linen bag. A delicate face with wide, fearful eyes appeared.

Her mouth was gagged, her eyes squeezed shut against the light, tears trickling forth.

Chen Cao stared for a moment, exclaiming in shock, "Yu Hongxiu!" Though he was mentally prepared for Sebastian to present a woman as a gift, he hadn’t expected it to be one of the three he had been desperately searching for—Yu Hongxiu herself, with her tender skin.

Chen Cao tore off the gag, but Yu Hongxiu, thinking she was about to be assaulted, let out a cry and, eyes closed, lunged to bite Chen Cao’s face.

Chen Cao, wary of making noise, turned his head slightly, and Yu Hongxiu bit his shoulder.

Pain shot through him, but Chen Cao, concerned the guard outside might notice, quickly called out in Gabonese, "Ah, this girl is quite something—look at that chest, haha!"

As he shouted, he gently patted Yu Hongxiu’s shoulder, saying, "Hongxiu, Hongxiu, look closely—do you know who I am?"

Yu Hongxiu released her bite and retorted, "Who cares who you are—I’ll fight you to the end!" As an intelligence officer, Yu Hongxiu understood Gabonese perfectly; she’d heard Chen Cao’s words clearly, and in her panic, without opening her eyes, she raised her head and rammed his chest.

Chen Cao, helpless, gently pushed her back, covering her face with his large hands and whispered, "Look carefully—see who I am, you silly girl!"