Two hours later, the battle concluded. This marked Star Dragon's most successful operation against the Sprout to date, having destroyed their base and seized substantial intelligence. Thanks to Xiao Han's intelligence, the Bureau 13 leadership expressed profound satisfaction.
However, the two most critical pieces of information—the communication logs of [Dark Star] and the significance of Xiao Han's codename 'Zero' within the Sprout—remained elusive to Lin Yao.
The former was entirely fabricated and naturally non-existent. The latter, concerning the organisation's experimental subject programme, was protected by top-level encryption and could not be disclosed.
The Secret Service trio returned to headquarters without delay. Li Yalin reluctantly returned the mechanical arm. Her superior inquired, 'How did the Lightweight Power Arm perform?'
So that was its name—Lightweight Power Arm. Such a brute-force tool perfectly suited Li Yalin's tastes. She nodded. 'This mission succeeded largely thanks to this piece of kit. Who manufactured it?'
'That information cannot be disclosed.'
'Will the department supply more Lightweight Power Arms in future?' Li Yalin asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
'That depends on the higher-ups' decision.'
Unwilling to concede, Li Yalin's eyes darted about. She ceased pestering her superior and headed to the Logistics Department to seek out Luo Xuan, the most likely creator.
The insignia on her chest bore the emblem of the Secret Operations Department, granting her unimpeded access. She drew stares from the slackers in Logistics. Her exquisite, beautiful features made the logistics personnel, who spent their days amidst engine oil and sweat, drool with envy.
Though all Bureau 13 departments were nominally equal, their authority varied greatly, and their standing in the collective consciousness fluctuated. The Secret Operations Department, teeming with talent (and beautiful women), a gathering of elites (with exceptional perks), had always been the object of envy.
Li Yalin scanned the room and called out, 'I'm here to see Luo Xuan.'
All eyes turned to Luo Xuan, envy written across their faces.
Impressive. True to his reputation as the ace of Logistics, he'd quietly charmed a beauty from Secret Operations—and now she'd come seeking him out. Perhaps he'd soon join the ranks of Secret Operations, rising swiftly through the ranks.
Many considered offering Luo Xuan premature congratulations, hoping to curry favour.
Luo Xuan didn't recognise Li Yalin and was utterly baffled. Could it be that the Special Operations Department was preparing to recruit him?
His heart skipped a beat. The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Suppressing his excitement, he feigned nonchalance. 'I'm Luo Xuan. May I ask your name?'
'Li Yalin.'
'How might I be of assistance?' Luo Xuan felt his demeanour was perfectly gentlemanly.
'Are you the one who invented that mechanical power arm?'
A mechanical arm? Luo Xuan immediately recalled the lightweight power arm that had embarrassed him before the Director. He'd assumed she'd come to reprimand him over some malfunction, secretly revelling in schadenfreude. He feigned seriousness and asked, 'Has something gone wrong?'
'Not at all. I find it extremely useful. I'd like to place a private order.'
This was rather awkward. The logistics personnel wore peculiar expressions. They recalled Luo Xuan's contemptuous views on the mechanical arm and now stared at him, their gazes making him wish the ground would swallow him whole.
Luo Xuan's face darkened. The contraption he'd dismissed as rubbish was now being highly valued by a secret agent, who'd even come specifically to place an order. This misunderstanding left him feeling as though he'd swallowed a fly, yet he couldn't vent his frustration. He managed only a strained smile. 'That thing wasn't my invention.'
Li Yalin was utterly baffled. 'Well, you should've said so earlier! What a waste of my time.'
Luo Xuan's face darkened. Seeing his colleagues walk away with smirks, his frustration mounted.
Feng Jun approached, adopting a strictly professional tone: 'The creator's identity is classified. Please refrain from discussion or speculation.'
Li Yalin looked astonished. Classified?
Luo Xuan, however, felt a tinge of unease. He suspected the Bureau was placing excessive importance on this mysterious mechanic, fearing it might threaten his own standing. There was competition among colleagues.
'If he joins the Logistics Department, we must suppress him.'
Luo Xuan resolved silently....
At a Sprout base.
'Commander, Sub-base 45 has been destroyed.'
'Who did it?'
'The Star Dragons.'
'Where did they get the intel?'
'Unclear.'
The leader was utterly perplexed. Sprout's sub-bases were scattered across the globe, with some secret facilities concealed within the territories of the Six Nations. Serving as trump cards for future large-scale warfare, they remained in a state of 'frozen hibernation'—completely inactive and with no possibility of exposure. How could they have been discovered?!
Could it be an internal leak? Was there a mole within?
Only the highest committee knew the secret bases' locations. Should any senior member defect, it would deal a devastating blow to the organisation.
He silently resolved to purge the Sprout's inner circle.
The leader never once suspected Xiao Han. A pathetic test subject who'd never touched classified information—how could it be him? He was the first to be ruled out.
The mere thought of Zero filled the Leader with irritation. The bounty had been posted on the dark web for so long, yet there had been no sign of movement whatsoever.
'The little bugger certainly has the nerve to run fast. Daring to declare war so brazenly—sooner or later, I'll crush you. With your measly strength alone, you can dream on about prying even a single brick from the Sprout's foundations!'
The Leader sneered coldly.
...
'Xiao Han's been missing for three days. Where on earth has he gone?'
Lv Qian paced anxiously, consumed by self-reproach. 'Could he have lost his way? It's all my fault for not getting him a mobile. Now I can't reach him. He's an outsider here in Starcapital, unfamiliar with the place. What on earth is he doing?'
Old Man Lv tried to reassure her. " 'Be optimistic. Perhaps he's merely passed away?'
'...'
Lv Qian was speechless. 'Grandad, why do you have such prejudice against him?'
Old Man Lv picked his nose, offering no reply.
Lv Qian's eyes suddenly brightened. She leaned close to Old Man Lv and said, 'Grandad, please ask someone to help find him.'
'Keep dreaming,' grumbled Old Man Lv.
'Just do it for your granddaughter.'
'Ha! Have you thought of I was your grandfather when you stole my books?'
'Those were trivia. Forgive me.'
'Forget it.'
'You really won't help?'
'No!'
Lv Qian's smile turned sinister. 'Then I'll help you to sell those fine wines you've stashed under your floorboards.'
Old Man Lv jolted upright. 'Now that's more like it! Your old man here isn't the helpless. Finding someone? Leave it to me.'
'Thank you, Grandfather,' Lu Qian said sweetly.
Old Lv sighed heavily, then dialled Old Gao's number. 'You old codger, did you lot take Xiao Han away?'
'...Your guess?'
'What did he do?'
'Nothing wrong. We just need to work with him.'
'As long as he hasn't done anything wrong, just get him back here. Otherwise, my granddaughter will ruin my entire collection of fine wines.'
'That's against protocol. I'm in a difficult position.'
'Don't give me that nonsense. You set the rules. You still owe me for last time. I don't care—just get Xiao Han back here.'
Old Gao sighed helplessly. 'Alright, understood.'
After hanging up, Old Lv looked thoroughly irritated. He'd been hoping Xiao Han would disappear, yet here he had to fetch him back. Hmph! Women's loyalties always lie elsewhere, especially that woman who bore him a son back in the day. Such a disgrace to her station! She was another man's wife, yet she fell for my charms so easily. Ah, the charm of youth is gone forever.
Old Man Lv stroked his bald head, sighing deeply.