Chen Gu quickly summarized the case. "You suddenly wanted to purchase the 'Consphino Type II' reagent. We suspect it's because your life is under threat. We want to know exactly what's going on, and then we'll take care of this threat for you!"

Zuo Qianyun laughed angrily. "What a bold claim!"

Chen Gu ignored her sarcasm and continued, "You should understand that once 'the Boss' has set his sights on you, he's not someone who gives up easily. Unless we catch him, he will keep pestering you, as annoying as a resentful ghost."

Zuo Qianyun's face showed no flicker of emotion. Marcus's heart was in his throat; time seemed to stretch endlessly. Like a prisoner awaiting sentencing, he felt an excruciating agony.

Suddenly, Zuo Qianyun began to speak. "The day before yesterday, some unidentified individuals started appearing around my vineyard. Over the years, I have encountered many such incidents, most of them targeting my wealth. And I've long had reliable ways to deal with them. I sponsor politicians and maintain close relationships with high-level officials in the city government and the police system. When these people show up, a phone call to them resolves the issue without me having to lift a finger. But this time, the police told me they didn't find anything unusual after their investigation. That's when I knew something was seriously wrong."

As she calmly spoke, the 'mountain' that had been pressing down on Chen Gu and Marcus silently vanished.

Marcus heaved a long sigh of relief. Being with this kid Chen Gu was like riding a roller coaster! Can't you just take it easy? Why not ensure our safety first, then gently persuade Zuo Qianyun to cooperate? Wouldn't that be better?

Zuo Qianyun rose and opened a very antique-looking solid wood wine cabinet nearby. She selected a bottle of red wine, opened it, and poured two glasses for them. Then, taking a glass for herself, she savored it before continuing, "So this time, I made an exception and conducted a private investigation."

Chen Gu asked, "And then you felt threatened?"

Zuo Qianyun handed over an address. "This is their base. After I tracked them down, I found out that they're backed by... Star State!"

Chen Gu and Marcus were surprised. "They're reaching too far!"

This was a serious provocation and offense against the entire Confederation and the Bureau of Mystic Security.

"Although the base is currently filled with underlings, the strongest being only Second Energy Level, I could easily deal with them single-handedly. However, I expect that high-level special agents from Star State will arrive soon, and by then... I can't be sure of victory."

A Third Energy Level individual was already a formidable force among freelancers, but they would be crushed like trash before a powerful state apparatus.

Chen Gu nodded. "So you thought of 'Consphino Type II'."

Zuo Qianyun nodded and then took out a bottle of obviously expensive red wine from the old cabinet, offering it to Chen Gu. "This is a small gift, worth about three hundred thousand Starshields on the market. Thank you for helping me get rid of this trouble."

She raised her glass in a toast. "You talk a big game, young man. Now let me wait and see if you're as capable as you claim."

「...」

Chen Gu left the building with Marcus, wine in hand. Marcus, still shaken, punched him on the arm. "Kid, you're playing with fire, provoking a Third Energy Level expert like that! I was nearly scared to death. Lucky for us, she's magnanimous..."

Chen Gu smirked. "You've seen her life—orderly and refined in every aspect. People like her, who are very satisfied with their current lives, fear trouble the most. She's the last person who would want to disrupt her current lifestyle."

Marcus laughed. "You pinpointed that fact, which is why you opted for this sort of direct negotiation."

"We don't have time to beat around the bush with her," Chen Gu said helplessly. "Who knows how many units of 'Consphino Type II' are out there, each one a ticking time bomb."

Marcus nodded again. "What I said earlier was right. You really are better than Charles."

Fortunately, Charles wasn't present this time.

The two descended the tall steps of the building, got into a car, and sped away. On the road, Marcus felt a bit sour. He was the team leader, so why had Zuo Qianyun given the wine to Chen Gu? He thought resentfully. It must be because this guy is young and handsome. Judging by Zuo Qianyun's little assistant, she clearly has designs on Chen Gu.

Chen Gu, on the other hand, thought This wine is good enough to take back and show off to that oafish gorilla. However, his main concern was still the case. "'The Boss' can leverage the power of the Star State? This means that when he fled last time, he must have sought refuge with them."

The Star State often meddled in the internal affairs of the Confederation, and the Confederation had never been polite to the Star State in return.

Marcus looked at the location: a rather remote mining company situated outside the city.

Unlike Wuzhaoyin City, Wanfulu City was surrounded by large mineral deposits. Four hundred years ago, the city's army carried out a major sweep of the dangerous species in the vicinity. Since then, they repeated the operation every three years, securing the area around the city. Many mining companies established themselves directly outside the city, closer to the mines, which facilitated their operations.

Marcus pondered. "Based on the intelligence from Zuo Qianyun, there are Second Energy Level experts holding the fort, and their numbers are unknown. I'll apply for support from high-Energy Level special operatives. Let's take down this stronghold first. If possible, we can then set up an ambush for when the high-Energy Level elites from the Star State arrive. We could catch a big fish!"

Chen Gu nodded and smiled.

「...」

The operation preparation progressed swiftly. Although the entire case was led by the Wuzhaoyin City branch, with the main leads discovered by Chen Gu and Marcus, the Wanfulu City branch was very "proactive" in this operation, assigning almost all of their special operatives to it.

Moreover, the branch chief rejected the request for high-Energy Level special operative support, deciding to take the field himself. He was a Third Energy Level 'Potential Postman' and believed his strength was sufficient to control the situation. His deputy chief, a Third Energy Level Microscopic Analyst whose strength was only slightly less than his own, was also mobilized. The Wanfulu City branch was going all out this time.

In contrast, the Wuzhaoyin City team became the "supporting" party. Marcus, discontented, phoned Mei Lixue to complain. The director told him, "The Chief said Wanfulu City is eager to claim credit. On one hand, it's a gesture; after all, the incident is on their turf, so they need to appear proactive. On the other hand, they hope to make up for past shortcomings; otherwise, they'll have a hard time once the case is closed. The Chief is magnanimous and told us not to fight over it."

Marcus curled his lip, realizing he wouldn't earn much merit from this operation. He could only sigh silently. I'm so broke...

The joint operation was scheduled for eight o'clock at night. A large number of tactical team members secured the perimeter. Then, the special operatives swiftly moved in, and the battle between experts erupted. Ten minutes later, a tremendous explosion destroyed the entire mining area!

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