The next morning, everyone arrived at the airport, where, with the help of diplomatic staff, they smoothly boarded the plane through the green channel, each carrying only one gun. Along the way, everyone learned that their military ranks had been raised by one level, but their reactions were very calm; in contrast, upon learning that Luo Zheng had beco the deputy leader, they genuinely congratulated him, raucously insisting that Luo Zheng treat them to a hearty al once they reached Japan. Lan Xue had been sowhat worried that the team mbers might feel uneasy, but seeing them playfully enjoying themselves without any hint of reservation put her completely at ease.
When they arrived in Japan it was already evening. Diplomatic personnel were there to pick them up. Due to their diplomatic immunity, they could bypass customs without inspection and pass directly through, and everyone had been assigned a diplomatic identity for public appearances. With soone familiar to et them, the exit process went smoothly, and they left in the embassy's business van.
The driver was a capable young man who asked no questions and said nothing, maintaining strong discipline. The embassy secretary who ca to et them was also experienced in such matters and knew the protocols well, asking no questions either. Everyone was pleased with the quiet, and they all rested with their eyes closed. Unnoticed, the business van eventually arrived at the embassy.
After disembarking, they were led to a restaurant for a late-night al before being shown to their rooms. Each person had a separate room, all with adjacent numbers for convenience. After Luo Zheng and everyone else had freshened up, he sat down to rest when he heard a knock on the door. Opening it, he saw a stranger of similar build, with striking eyebrows and a prominent nose on a square face, sporting short hair and wearing a casual jacket. The man exuded an air of refined elegance—courteous, restrained, and serene, like a sheathed sword—which took Luo Zheng aback. He asked, "Who are you?"
"What do you think?" the man replied with a faint smile, his gaze sizing up Luo Zheng.
Recognizing the familiar voice, Luo Zheng was montarily startled then elated, he laughed and stepped aside, inviting the man in while closing the door behind him, saying, "Last ti we t, you were dressed as a ninja. I didn't see your face, but I rembered your voice. I can't be mistaken. Please, have a seat."
"Not bad, rembering my voice," the visitor who was indeed Shadow, replied with a light smile and settled himself on the sofa, casually pouring himself a glass of water.
"You are our role model. Mr. Li told us on our way here to follow your lead. Should I call everyone in to et right away?" Luo Zheng said with a smile.
"On the contrary, I should listen to you," Shadow's expression turned serious as he spoke earnestly.
"Eh? Why?" Luo Zheng asked in surprise.
"The Japanese are already aware of my existence, and they have about two ters of docunts on on their desks. They have studied thoroughly and have controlled my style of operation completely. Whatever I do and however I do it, they can predict it in advance. Otherwise, there would have been no need to call for your support. These days, I've realized that I have seen your records. You have high tactical abilities; therefore, I have decided to let you command this rescue operation. Rest assured, I will absolutely obey your orders, and you shouldn't feel any psychological pressure," Shadow explained earnestly.
"?" Luo Zheng was taken aback, staring at Shadow, unable to react.
"Are you thinking that I am the most likely candidate at the base to beco the Strongest Soldier King, and your abilities do not match mine?" Shadow guessed Luo Zheng's thoughts and said calmly, seeing Luo Zheng nod straightforwardly, he sighed wistfully, his expression becoming lancholic as he gazed out the window, his calm eyes tinted with sorrow.
Luo Zheng watched Shadow intently, filled with curiosity, but seeing Shadow's somber expression, he refrained from asking further.
After a while, Shadow regained his composure and spoke earnestly, "On other matters, I wouldn't need your help, but this ti it's different. The Japanese have specifically set up an intelligence team that has thoroughly researched . Every action I take will be predicted by them in advance. This has nothing to do with capabilities, and you shouldn't belittle yourself."
"Alright," Luo Zheng, seeing Shadow's sincere deanor, agreed, and asked, "Could you tell about the current situation?"
"Ye Laixiang is detained in Fushan Underground Prison. This prison holds Japan's death-row and political prisoners. The details inside are unclear, and the outer area is a military exclusion zone where approaching is not allowed. I could only catch a few glimpses from the outside; I couldn't infiltrate. It has been over a month since she was taken there; her life or death is unknown," Shadow spoke, his expression turning to one of pain.
Luo Zheng instantly recognized that Shadow's relationship with Ye Laixiang was likely beyond re camaraderie, but recognizing the personal nature of the matter, he asked no further. After pondering for a mont, he continued, "How about the guards?"
"Every three steps, there's a post; every five steps, a sentry. The area within a twenty-kiloter radius is under martial law, guarded by the Royal Guard, equivalent to our Central Guard Corps, adept in defense, and of considerable strength. There are roughly two-hundred personnel responsible for the periter. The exact numbers of the underground prison staff and jailers are unknown," Shadow explained seriously.
"Hissss?" Luo Zheng inhaled sharply. With two hundred guards, each at the level of the Central Guard Corps mbers—that ant over two hundred individuals of nearly his own skill level, not counting the prison guards. How were they supposed to fight this? It was virtually an impossible mission. His expression darkened as he pondered the situation.
Shadow knew the difficulty; otherwise, with his skills, he would have already rescued the captive. Seeing Luo Zheng deep in thought, he did not disturb him but quietly sipped water and pondered silently. After a while, Luo Zheng said seriously, "I need to survey the surrounding terrain myself. When would be convenient for you to go?"
"If possible, I can take you there now," Shadow imdiately responded.
Luo Zheng thought for a mont. Rescuing soone was urgent; he couldn't afford to delay. He nodded his agreent, and Shadow, grateful for his readiness, smiled. The two left the room without notifying Lan Xue, and headed to the basent. Luo Zheng watched as Shadow approached a rcedes, took out the keys to unlock it, and then walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, and sat down.
Shadow drove the car out of the embassy basent, through the streets, past several blocks, quickly leaving the city. They got onto the highway and sped up, occasionally glancing behind them with high alertness. Luo Zheng, aware of Shadow's abilities, wasn't worried about being followed and focused on strategizing.
The prison was underground in Fushan, with the area above a military exclusion zone. Twenty kiloters under martial law, guarded by two hundred people of his own caliber, and an undetermined number of personnel inside the unknown conditions of the underground prison. How were they to rescue soone? This was virtually an impossible mission, no wonder even soone as capable as Shadow was out of his depth—it truly seed insurmountable.
Unbeknownst to them, the rcedes arrived near a mountain. Shadow pulled over to the side and pointed ahead, saying, "That's the mountain there. It's hard to see clearly at night, better to co during the day. The prison is located beneath this mountain."
Luo Zheng looked ahead at the dark, densely wooded mountain, rising three to four hundred ters high with complex, undulating terrain, his face set and brows furrowed in deep thought.
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