Banter, mockery, provocation...

A myriad of emotions hid within, all blended together.

In an instant, their expressions changed.

A cold glint flashed in Ruan Hui’s eyes. Captain Wang also looked stunned, his expression filled with bewildered suspicion.

"Well, well!"

As if sensing something, Yu Yong, standing beside Lu Chao, grinned and glanced over, tapping the riot helmet on his head with his pistol.

"Looks like our dear Captain Wang and Captain Ruan have finally arrived."

"But..."

He shrugged, his eyes mocking. "Too bad. You didn’t even make it in time for the hot leftovers."

...

TAP! TAP!

His steps were unsteady. Ignoring the shocked and cold stares from Ruan Hui and the others, Lu Chao was supported by Wang Shisong, a member of the third squad, as he walked toward the factory entrance.

His breathing barely managed to even out, and his violently pounding heart gradually returned to a normal rhythm.

A powerless, empty exhaustion spread through his body, as if all his strength had been drained. Sharp, tearing pain pulsed through his arms—the price for using the Stacked Force Fist—making him want nothing more than to fall into a deep sleep.

’It’s finally over,’

he thought to himself. He forced himself to stay alert, knowing he had entered a weakened state again.

His gaze swept from side to side. The newly arrived Chen Xiao moved quickly, following his instructions to find Yang Wangtao. Chen Xiao retrieved a stretcher and, with the help of other squad members, carried him away.

A Patrol Department medical vehicle had also pulled up to the factory entrance to provide timely treatment.

Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion as many patrol officers got to work.

Some moved the bodies of Qiu Shan and his men, others rescued the hostages on the second-floor steel platform, while still others scoured every corner of the factory for hidden firearms.

Outside, the moment Yu Yong had received his report, he had dispatched men to stand guard and keep watch, just in case the reinforcements Qiu Shan and his men had mentioned were to arrive.

Witnessing this, Lu Chao finally let out a sigh of relief, most of his worries assuaged.

He then planned to walk to the factory entrance, get checked by the accompanying physician, and ask for a few vials of Nutrient Liquid to recover his stamina.

But then,

"Hm?"

Lu Chao’s gaze hardened as he looked toward a corner. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

A burlap sack lay in the corner behind some machinery. It looked like it had been thrown there and was mostly covered by a filthy, dust-caked tarp.

He shouldn’t have paid it any mind, but he suddenly recalled a faint sound he’d heard during his intense battle with Qiu Shan.

It was a sort of whimpering sound coming from this direction, which had been exceptionally clear while he was in his Frenzy State.

And now, although it was quiet with no other sounds...

But...

"Brother Wang, do me a favor and help me over there."

With a flash in his eyes, Lu Chao made his decision.

Though Wang Shisong was puzzled, he didn’t ask any questions and quickly helped him to the corner by the wall.

After Lu Chao gave a brief explanation, he leaned against the machinery for support while he watched Wang Shisong crouch down and untie the thin rope on the sack.

The next moment,

the instant the sack was opened,

Lu Chao’s gaze froze, and Wang Shisong was stunned into place.

A figure was lying inside the burlap sack.

She had long blonde hair and was wearing a plush coat, looking to be around twenty years old.

Her oval face was fair-skinned, her features delicate and beautiful. Her hands and feet were bound with hemp rope, and her mouth was sealed with tape. With her fine brows slightly furrowed and her eyes tightly shut, she seemed to be drifting between consciousness and unconsciousness.

"This is..."

Frowning slightly, Lu Chao felt an odd sense of familiarity as he looked at her.

’Didn’t they say Qiu Shan’s group only kidnapped three hostages?’

’Why is there another one here?’

As he pondered, the girl in the burlap sack suddenly opened her eyes.

Her expression stiffened, as if startled by the sudden bright lights in the factory.

Then she paused, stunned, realizing she could see the light of day again.

In that brief moment, she suddenly looked up and saw Lu Chao, her clear, bright eyes meeting his for an instant.

As if understanding something, a trace of gratitude appeared in her eyes. She then began to whimper, gesturing to her predicament.

And just then,

BANG! BANG! BANG!!

Sudden gunshots erupted outside the abandoned factory, seemingly not far away.

The faces of the already tense crowd hardened. Some raised their guns in alert, while others moved to protect the just-rescued hostages.

Lu Chao, too, instinctively shifted his body, moving with Wang Shisong to shield the girl. He frowned, looking toward the factory’s outer wall and the gloomy darkness beyond.

The atmosphere fell silent. Everyone held their breath, as if facing a formidable enemy.

The gunfire outside lasted for over ten seconds before vanishing, not to be heard again.

In its place, a convoy of black cars rushed into the factory complex, heading toward the main building.

Everyone tensed up, ready to open fire.

But soon, someone noticed something was off and stepped forward to stop them.

After a brief exchange, the several black Sharp Light sedans slowed down and gradually approached the factory building.

"What is..."

Lu Chao was confused, but beside him, Wang Shisong’s expression changed slightly as he heard a report through his earpiece.

Before he could answer,

Yu Yong, who had been coordinating other matters, came running over, his black combat boots making a rapid STOMP-STOMP-STOMP on the ground.

Their eyes met, and Lu Chao saw the shock and bewilderment on Yu Yong’s face, but also a glimpse of a complex mix of amazement, envy, and approval directed at him.

His expression seemed to say, ’You lucky bastard, you really hit the jackpot.’

"Miss Su, my apologies! You’ve been frightened!"

The first words from the approaching Yu Yong fell on Lu Chao’s ears, making his gaze harden.

In that instant, a memory flashed, and he finally understood why the blonde girl looked so familiar.

She was none other than the sponsor of the previous aid supplies, the very same important figure who had been heavily protected by the City Defense Department and the Superpower Bureau when they left the city for the gathering point.

Then, in just over ten seconds,

the ropes were cut and the tape was torn off.

The girl, Miss Su, was helped to her feet.

Dressed in a white plush coat and brown fur-lined boots, she exuded the air of a well-bred lady.

She exchanged a few simple words with Yu Yong, then quickly walked over to Lu Chao, her eyes meeting his as a grateful smile appeared on her face. "Thank you for saving me."

She clearly knew it was Lu Chao who had infiltrated the factory and killed Qiu Shan’s group.

Seeing this, Yu Yong chuckled and quickly shot Lu Chao a meaningful look.

Lu Chao raised an eyebrow and was about to speak when he heard a series of footsteps approaching.

TAP TAP TAP TAP.

The convoy of black cars had reached the factory entrance, and seven or eight burly men in suits, carrying guns, quickly walked to Miss Su’s side.

"Miss, our apologies!"

"I have failed in my duty."

The head of security was a middle-aged man with a crew cut. Lu Chao had a vague impression of him; he was the Elite Level expert who had appeared during the last aid delivery.

His tone was full of guilt. Behind him, another security guard went to confer with Yu Yong.

Lu Chao vaguely overheard words like "Rebels" and "firefight on the road." Before he could process it, he saw Miss Su shake her head gently and look at him again.

"Uncle Wei, he’s the one who saved me."

Her voice was gentle, as if reminding him.

The Elite Level security chief paused, startled, before turning to look at Lu Chao.

"Thank you, young man."

"I am Wei Cangming, Miss Su’s Head of Security."

He sized Lu Chao up and down, then quickly handed him a business card, expressing his gratitude. "Today has been too hectic, please forgive the rush."

"Another day, I will be sure to visit and thank you properly."

After those few simple words, he took his leave.

He and his security team quickly escorted Miss Su away.

In the blink of an eye,

amidst the hum of engines, the convoy slowly drove away.

Lu Chao watched the red taillights disappear into the night, feeling slightly dazed.

’What in the world is going on?’

As he stood there in confusion, he suddenly felt an uncomfortable, prying gaze on him.

Sensing it, he turned his head to look.

He saw Ruan Hui, who was standing by the factory wall with the Second Squad, surrounded by his men, staring right at him.

His eyes were cold, having turned somewhat sinister.

It was as if he had lost an opportunity far more important than any merit or credit.