"Really? Does Dean Yi mean to make contact with the military and show them our research results?"

"No!" Yi Haisheng shook his head, "We now hold the trump card, so why restrict ourselves to domestic options? Besides, we’ve already broken the rules; we’ve conducted experiments without following military orders, which is illegal. If we’re brought before a military tribunal, both of us face capital punishment. Even if we hand over our research results, at most they’ll cancel out the errors and achievements, and we won’t receive any substantial reward. So... we might as well aim further afield. With our trump card, we can secure enormous benefits from many foreign military enterprises and receive their protection. What do you think?"

Zhu Hong thought for a moment, his eyes gradually lighting up, and he nodded with a smile, "Not bad! Your proposal is excellent. Alright, I’ll try to contact some foreign military corporations. If we negotiate a partnership, we’ll head overseas."

At this point, Zhu Hong glanced at Qin Genglong, who lay on the ground, and said somewhat grudgingly, "Ling Chen appeared here with great effort, but he managed to escape. I don’t know if we’ll have such a good opportunity again."

"There’s no rush," Yi Haisheng said, "Once we grow stronger, Ling Chen is nothing. You will avenge him sooner or later."

Zhu Hong nodded, "Let’s hope so."

Meanwhile, on a slope one kilometer outside the research facility, Ling Chen leaned against a large tree, and Tang Yuan panted beside him.

"They’re here." Ling Chen put down his phone and turned to look back, seeing Chen Junfeng, Zhu Qing, and Kaelina quickly approaching.

"Where’s Elder Qin?" Ling Chen asked, "Why don’t I see him?"

Zhu Qing and the others exchanged glances, all looking somewhat downcast. Seeing their expressions, Ling Chen’s heart sank sharply, and he quickly stood up, clutching Zhu Qing’s shoulder, urgently asking, "Where’s Elder Qin? Tell me, where is he?"

"Ling Chen, calm down." Zhu Qing spoke, "Qin is already dead."

"Dead... dead..." Ling Chen mouthed, shaking his head continuously, "No, it’s impossible, Elder Qin can’t be dead... it’s impossible..."

Chen Junfeng sighed, saying, "Ling Chen, I know this truth is hard to accept, but he’s truly gone. If he hadn’t held back Chen Quan, none of us would have escaped. He sacrificed his life to save all of us."

Upon hearing this, Ling Chen seemed to lose all strength and collapsed to the ground, his face filled with sorrow.

Tang Yuan glanced at the grief-stricken Ling Chen, leaned over to Chen Junfeng, and whispered a few words into his ear. Then, Tang Yuan ran alone toward the research facility.

More than half an hour later, with Zhu Qing and Kaelina’s comfort, Ling Chen finally stabilized emotionally. He had faced the death of teammates during his time with the Ghost, but as a secret agent, facing danger constantly made them accustomed to seeing life and death lightly.

Since leaving the Ghost, Ling Chen had always had smooth sailing for the past few years. Though dangerous, he always managed to escape harm. More importantly, over time, he naturally grew close to those around him, like family. Therefore, upon hearing the news of Qin Genglong’s death, Ling Chen’s heart felt as if it had been stabbed.

Wiping his moist eyes, Ling Chen glanced at everyone and asked, "Where’s Old Tang?"

As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps approached from behind. Looking closely, Tang Yuan was carrying Qin Genglong’s corpse over.

"Did you return to the research facility?"

Tang Yuan slowly placed Qin Genglong’s body on the ground, nodding, "Zhu Hong and the others drove away, I don’t know where they went. I must report to the top at once so they can’t escape."

"Inform me immediately once you find Zhu Hong’s location. I’ll take Elder Qin’s remains back to East Sea City."

"Okay."

Upon returning to the hotel, Ling Chen realized that the entire North County had lost power. From the staff, he learned the outage occurred an hour ago, coinciding with the blackout at the mausoleum. Ling Chen initially thought it was a malfunction in the mausoleum causing the blackout, but now it seemed it wasn’t a malfunction. Zhu Hong likely used all North County’s power to help Chen Quan complete the experiment.

Although it was already late at night, no one lingered at the hotel, opting instead to head directly to the nearest airport. By eight o’clock the next morning, the group finally returned to East Sea City. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Exiting the airport, they saw more than a dozen cars parked on the road directly opposite the exit, all black, each with a few men in black suits standing beside them. Hu Fei, Tang Guolun, Qi Yong—all were present.

During the journey back, Ling Chen spoke with Hu Fei over the phone, leading to these arrangements. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Qin Genglong’s casket was placed into the carriage, and the convoy slowly drove along the airport avenue.

An hour later, the convoy reached East Sea City’s funeral home.

Qin Genglong had no relatives, so Ling Chen didn’t need to notify many people. Though the ceremony was small in attendance, it was solemn. Watching Qin Genglong’s remains being sent into the cremation chamber, Ling Chen’s eyes couldn’t help but redden.

"Elder Qin, rest assured, even if it costs me my life, I will avenge you." As the flames rose, Ling Chen made a resolute vow in his heart.

Due to Qin Genglong’s death, everyone was in a low mood. After placing Qin Genglong’s ashes in the grave, Ling Chen bowed three times in front of the tombstone and then stepped aside, watching the others pay their respects.

"Ling Chen."

Hearing Hu Fei’s voice from beside him, Ling Chen turned his head and asked, "What’s up?"

Hu Fei pointed to the empty burial ground around them, saying, "I’ve bought this entire plot."

"Why?"

"Many of us here, like Old Qin, don’t have family, no strings attached. So if we die, we can be buried together, keeping each other company. What do you think?"

Ling Chen nodded, "Where’s my plot?"

Hu Fei pointed to the pile of yellow earth at the top of the steps, smiling, "The view from that spot is the best; I plan to leave it for you."

"Alright, if I die someday, I’ll be here with the brothers."

Hu Fei patted Ling Chen’s shoulder, "Don’t be so negative. We’re all adults; with the risks that come with our line of work, it’s inevitable. You’re our leader, and everyone relies on you. So, you must adjust your mood quickly and not pass negative emotions to others."

"I know. Everyone’s tired today, let’s rest first and discuss things tomorrow."