070 The Black Rattlesnake

South of the Imperial Capital, in the mountain ranges separating it from the neighboring city, a black SUV sped like a tempest, as if traversing a world without people. It weaved through the sparsely populated woods, unafraid of the hard branches scraping against its sides, nor the several miniature explosives capable of overturning the vehicle. It forced a path through sheer determination.

The muffled sound of explosions echoed relentlessly, and though the intruder remained unseen, the biting wind already carried a surge of furious intent that swept forward like a tide. Even through the screen, the atmosphere felt suffocating.

“Boss, this…” Si Nan couldn’t help but click his tongue, watching the not-so-large SUV darting like a black rattlesnake, reckless and unstoppable, forging ahead from the impossible, leaving behind a trail that spoke of absolute resolve and no retreat.

‘Is this person insane?’

Si Nan, accustomed to major events, was nevertheless struck dumb by the intensity, a cold sweat breaking out along his back. Now, seeing the battered yet still rampaging vehicle, Si Qingchen frowned slightly, pondering for a moment before finally issuing a command:

“Deactivate the electronic signal barriers. Let the vehicle through.”

“Boss—”

“…”

All the staff, including Si Nan, turned in astonishment to this man who was usually cold and decisive.

“But this is… the man from No Trace! Isn’t he the one we’ve always been trying to capture?”

“Alive, yes.” With a cold, clipped response, Si Qingchen turned and left the monitoring room.

“This… this isn’t fatal, though.” Watching the SUV break through every layer of defense on the surveillance screen, Si Nan couldn’t figure out how, given the state of the vehicle, anyone inside could be more than injured—how could anyone possibly die?

Yet since Si Qingchen had given the order, there was surely a reason behind it. Not daring to delay, Si Nan waved his hand and urged,

“Quick, disengage it. Let the vehicle in.”

“Understood.”

With the command, the staff immediately began to carry out the order. Si Nan, meanwhile, hurried after Si Qingchen.

Elsewhere.

Inside a secret chamber.

Si Qingchen changed into a black combat suit, its cutting-edge material perfectly fitting his tall, handsome figure. The high collar housed a miniature voice modulator. The man pressed the switch on his wrist and spoke,

“Congratulations, your leader has arrived.”

The man bound to the chair slowly lifted his head. His scabbed forehead was still swollen and red, but he appeared spirited, seemingly unharmed. He looked at the imposing man opposite, whose face was half hidden behind oversized tactical goggles, yet whose presence radiated command and strength. With a frown and undisguised contempt, he replied,

“Hmph, just you wait.”

“Wait for what?”

“To die!”

Si Qingchen chuckled softly, drew a chair over, and sat down, gazing at the young man before him.

“And why should I await death? Because I captured you?”

“What else?”

“But why did I capture you, hmm?”

This question had been posed to Ye Zi the moment he was brought in, but he had never answered. The reason was simple: if he spoke, their leader’s identity would be exposed. Though—even if the answer were safe, he would never say it.

“I’ll give you a little more time to consider. And I can promise you, I won’t harm your leader. I only wish to discuss cooperation with her.”

“Hmph—”

Ye Zi’s reply was nothing but scorn from beginning to end.

Beep, beep, beep, beep—

Just then, the entire base’s alarm system suddenly activated!