Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

Jiang Nian sat in front of the control panel, staring at the constantly refreshed sonar data on the screen.

The fleet is traversing an underwater canyon, with towering rock walls on both sides.

"We are still 80 nautical miles from the rendezvous point," Hailong-2 reported. "According to the transport ship's data, there is an active sonar array outside the rendezvous point. We need to begin our underwater descent from 50 nautical miles away."

"Is it possible to get around it?" Jiang Nian asked.

"There's no way around it." Hailong-1 pulled up the nautical chart. "The rendezvous point is built on top of a seamount, surrounded by gentle slopes with no cover. We have no choice but to force our way through."

"Then let's force our way in." Yang Zhan's voice came from the base. "The Sea Dragon Squad will split into two groups. One group will create decoys to draw fire, while the other group will take the opportunity to break in."

"Can a decoy target fool the organization's sonar?" Hailong III questioned.

“Use this,” Old Qin interjected. “I analyzed the sonar characteristics of the transport ship and simulated the acoustic signatures of several different types of aircraft. When you release the acoustic decoys, you can randomly switch modes to increase their deceptiveness.”

Jiang Nian thought for a few seconds.

"Hailong 1 to 3 will be responsible for the feint attack, while 4 to 6 will follow me into the flanking maneuver." He made the decision. "The feint attack team will start making noise 30 nautical miles away to lure the patrol units away. We will circle around to the flank of the assembly point and approach from the blind spot."

"Are there blind spots at the assembly point?" Hailong-4 asked.

“Yes.” Jiang Nian zoomed in on the 3D model. “Look here, there is a natural depression at the top of the seamount, about 100 meters deep. Sonar beams entering from this angle will be blocked by the mountain, forming a fan-shaped blind spot.”

"But how do we get up there? The depression is 400 meters deep, and we need to float vertically up 300 meters, completely exposed during the process."

“Use hydrothermal vents.” Jiang Nian pulled up another set of data. “There are three active hydrothermal vents near the assembly point. The high-temperature fluid they spew out can interfere with sonar. We can float up along the edge of the vents and use the heat flow as cover.”

There was a few seconds of silence on the communication channel.

"The temperature at hydrothermal vents exceeds 300 degrees Celsius, while our submersible's heat resistance limit is 250 degrees Celsius. Getting too close could damage the external sensors."

“Therefore, precise calculations are needed.” Jiang Nian looked at the screen. “Professor Qin, can you simulate the heat flow distribution?”

Qin Lao transmitted a thermal image: "The main jet of the nozzle has the highest temperature, but there is a temperature gradient around it. If we float along this 70-degree isotherm, we can minimize thermal damage."

He paused, then continued, “But the window of opportunity is very short. According to the eruption cycle, the next major eruption will occur in 47 minutes. You need to surface before the eruption, otherwise you will be directly impacted by the high-temperature fluid.”

Jiang Nian calculated the timeline: "How far in advance should the feint attack team begin?"

"Twenty minutes," Hailong-1 replied. "We need time to lure the patrol unit to a sufficient distance."

“Then it’s settled.” Jiang Nian made the decision. “Twenty minutes from now, the feint attack team will begin its operation. We will approach the hydrothermal vent area amidst the chaos and surface before the eruption. Once we enter the blind spot, we will immediately rush to the assembly point.”

"clear."

The underwater vehicle formation began to split up and operate separately.

Jiang Nian's raiding team turned southeast and headed towards the hydrothermal vent area, skimming along the seabed.

The voyage continued in silence.

Ten minutes later, the outline of the hydrothermal vent appeared on the sonar screen.

It was a vast seabed plain, dotted with dozens of vents of varying sizes.

The largest nozzle, with a diameter exceeding fifty meters, is continuously spewing out thick black smoke and scorching hot fluid.

The seawater here becomes murky, with visibility less than five meters.

"The temperature reading is starting to rise."

Hailong-5 reported, "External sensors show that the ambient temperature has reached 120 degrees Celsius."

"Shut down non-essential systems and activate heat-resistant mode," Jiang Nian ordered. "All units, check the sealing status."

"Well sealed."

"The heat-resistant coating is normal."

"The power system temperature is stable."

Through the porthole, Jiang Nian could see the fantastical scenery outside.

A jet-black column of smoke rose from the nozzle, swirling and billowing under the searchlight.

"The feint attack team has begun its operation." Hailong-4 retrieved the shared radar image.

On the screen, three green dots are moving rapidly 30 nautical miles northwest of the rendezvous point, while releasing a large number of acoustic decoys.

Almost simultaneously, several red dots lit up in the direction of the assembly point.

"The four patrol vessels have been lured away," Hailong No. 5 exclaimed excitedly. "They've fallen for it!"

"Don't be too happy yet." Jiang Nian stared at the screen. "There are still two ships that haven't moved."

Sure enough, two patrol routes were still operating normally outside the assembly point.

“They are stationary outposts.” Hailong-4 analyzed the sonar characteristics. “Their flight path is very regular, so they should be automated patrol units, undisturbed by external interference.”

"These two routes cover all the access paths from the hydrothermal vents to the assembly point."

Jiang Nian frowned.

Time passes by minute by minute.

Thirty-three minutes until the hydrothermal eruption.

"Jiang Nian," Yang Zhan's voice suddenly came, "Is your interference field still usable?"

Jiang Nian was taken aback: "Theoretically, it's possible, but it requires energy storage. And the range is limited, at most covering one patrol unit."

"Disable one ship with the jamming field, and leave the other to the Sea Dragon Squad. As long as we can break in before the rendezvous point reacts, we have a chance."

“But the interference field will reveal my location,” Jiang Nian warned. “The organization’s detection system is very sensitive to marker signals.”

"Mr. Qin, can the jammer enhance the shielding effect?"

“It can be temporarily overclocked, but only for ten seconds,” Qin Lao replied quickly. “Within ten seconds, Jiang Nian’s marking signal will be suppressed to the point of being almost undetectable. But after ten seconds, the jammer may burn out.”

“Ten seconds…” Jiang Nian calculated the time. “From activating the interference field to entering the blind zone, it will take at least fifteen seconds.”

“Then let’s bet five seconds,” Yang Zhan said calmly, “that the organization’s reaction time won’t be that fast.”

Jiang Nian looked at the radar screen.

The two red dots are still moving regularly.

The main jet from the hydrothermal vent began to intensify, and the black smoke became denser.

"It's decided." He took a deep breath. "Hailong No. 4 and No. 5, you'll be in charge of the patrol units on the left. No. 6, come with me and deal with the right side. Elder Qin, prepare the overclocking jammer."

"clear."

"Overclocking program loading complete, countdown 10 seconds."

"Do it!"

Four underwater vehicles shot out from the edge of the hydrothermal vent area like arrows released from a bow!

Almost simultaneously, the two patrol units immediately turned around, and their sonar beams swept in densely.

"Locked on!" Hailong No. 5 roared.

"Keep pushing!" Jiang Nian's eyes were glued to the screen. "Eight hundred meters to the blind spot!"

The patrol unit's weapon systems began charging.

A deep blue light shone in the deep sea.

"Now!" Jiang Nian pressed the overclock button on the jammer.

A burning sensation came from my chest; the jammer was operating at overload.

But the results were remarkable.

The sonar screen of the patrol unit on the right momentarily went static, indicating the lock had been released.

"Interference field, activate!"

"Success!" Old Qin exclaimed at the base. "The jamming field is effective! The sonar of the patrol unit on the right is completely disabled!"

"Leave the left side to us!" Hailong No. 4's voice was ruthless.

The two submarines pounced on their prey like hungry wolves, crashing into the patrol unit on the left from the side.

The adsorption mine was launched and stuck tightly to the enemy's outer shell.

"Detonate!"

"Take cover!" Hailong VI shouted urgently.

Jiang Nian pulled the control lever sharply.

The submarine flipped at an incredible angle, and the particle beam grazed the hull, melting a deep trench in the external armor.

The warning lights flashed all over the place. "Forty percent of the external armor is damaged!" the system notification announced.

"Never mind! Keep charging!" Jiang Nian gritted his teeth.

There are still 300 meters to the blind spot.

The patrol unit on the right adjusted its angle, preparing for a second shot.

But at that moment, the main jet of the hydrothermal vent erupted prematurely!
A massive column of black smoke shot into the sky, and a shockwave swept across the area.

The two submarines were tossed about and rolled, but the patrol unit fared even worse.

It was located right in the path of the jet and was instantly engulfed by the high-temperature black smoke.

On the sonar screen, the red dot representing it flashed a few times before disappearing completely.

"Charging in at full speed!"

The four underwater vehicles sped towards the fan-shaped blind spot.

"Entering the blind zone!" Hailong-4's voice was filled with the excitement of surviving a disaster. "The sonar signal is weakening; we're safe for now!"

Jiang Nian released the control lever and leaned back in his seat, panting heavily.

The submersible slowly rose to the surface within the blind spot.

The assembly point gradually came into view.

It was a huge hemispherical structure, more than 500 meters in diameter, with its outer shell covered by a dark camouflage coating, almost blending into the seamount rocks.

However, through the observation window, one can see regular flashing lights on the surface of the structure, indicating that it is clearly in operation inside.

"There are no external defensive fortifications."

The Hailong-5 submersible observed carefully and concluded, "It seems they rely heavily on sonar arrays and patrol units."

“But there are definitely guards inside.” Jiang Nian pulled up the structural diagram. “According to the data from the transport ship, there are about fifty people permanently stationed at the assembly point, working in three shifts. In addition, there are at least twenty automated combat units.”

"How do we get in?" Hailong VI asked.

"The docking records of the transport ship show that there is a maintenance channel entrance on the northeast side of the assembly point, which is usually used for equipment maintenance." Jiang Nian zoomed in on that area, "The channel leads directly to the internal warehouse area, where there are relatively few guards."

"The problem now is how to open the entrance." Hailong No. 4 frowned. "That level of sealed door is difficult to break with the equipment we carry."

Jiang Nian did not answer.

He stared at the entrance on the screen, his eyes darting around.

A few seconds later, he spoke up: "Elder Qin, is it possible for the marking system to simulate the biological characteristics of tissues?"

There was a moment of silence on the communication channel.

"You mean, use your marker activity to impersonate a member of the organization?" Old Qin's voice tightened. "Theoretically, it's feasible. The marker system itself originates from organizational technology, and the frequency characteristics are similar. But how exactly does it work..."

“I need to know the marker characteristics of the organization’s members,” Jiang Nian said. “You should have collected samples from Shen Qianshan and those prisoners before.”

“Yes, it does, but…” Old Qin hesitated, “Your marking system, although of the same origin, has evolved. Forcibly simulating low-level characteristics may trigger unpredictable rejection reactions.”

Jiang Nian remained silent.

He glanced at the time.

Five minutes have passed since we entered the blind spot.

Although the assembly point has not responded yet, the patrol units are out of contact and they will eventually discover the anomaly.

“Go ahead and do it,” he finally said. “Send me the feature data, and I’ll give it a try.”

There was a few seconds of silence in the channel.

"Send the data," Old Qin said with a hint of helplessness. "But remember, stop immediately if you sense anything is wrong!"

"clear."

Data streams flooded into the submersible's main control system.

"Hailong IV, move the submersible to the entrance."

"Yes!"

The submersible slowly approached.

The entrance to the maintenance access is a circular, sealed door with a diameter of three meters, and there is an inconspicuous biometric panel next to the door.

Jiang Nian controlled the underwater vehicle to extend its robotic arm and attach a probe to the panel.

The probe begins to work, sending simulated biosignal signals to the panel.

"Verification successful." A cold, electronic voice announced.

The sealed door slid open slowly, revealing a deep, dark passageway inside.

"We're in!" Hailong No. 5 exclaimed excitedly.

"Don't be too happy yet." Jiang Nian wiped the sweat from his forehead. "The real battle is yet to come."

Four underwater vehicles entered in single file.

The passageway was spacious enough to accommodate two submarines side by side. The walls were made of smooth alloy, and an emergency light every ten meters overhead cast a stark white glow.

"Sonar indicates a fork in the road 50 meters ahead," Hailong-4 reported. "Left leads to the warehouse area, right leads to the living quarters."

“Let’s go to the warehouse area,” Jiang Nian decided. “Our goal is the marrow mine. Once we get the samples, we’ll leave.”

"But what about the guards?"

"Avoid it if you can, and if you can't avoid it..." Jiang Nian paused, "...and finish this quickly."

The submersible moved slowly along the passage.

The surroundings were eerily quiet, with only the sound of flowing water and the low hum of the engine.

"Safe on the left." The Hailong VI submersible confirmed after scanning, "No life signs."

"Walk."

The four underwater vehicles turned to the left.

The passageway extended forward for about 100 meters, ending at a huge gate.

“This is it.” Jiang Nian pulled up the data for the transport ship. “According to the records, the latest batch of marrow ore is stored in Warehouse No. 3.”

Jiang Nian maneuvered the underwater vehicle closer to the gate and extended the biometric probe again.

But this time, the panel lit up red.

"Warning: Unauthorized access. Please enter your secondary security code."

"This is troublesome." Hailong No. 5 frowned. "We need a password."

Two submarines stepped forward and extended their laser cutters.

The incandescent beam of light pierced the gate hinge.

The alloy began to melt, emitting blue smoke.

But progress is very slow.

"This door is at least thirty centimeters thick!" Hailong VI exclaimed urgently. "It will take five minutes to cut it completely open!"

"Then cut it quickly!"

Time passed by minute by minute.

The passageway was filled with the acrid smell of molten metal.

Suddenly, a piercing alarm blared throughout the corridor!

"We've been discovered!" Hailong No. 4 roared.

On the sonar screen, several red dots rapidly approached from the right-hand passage.

"The guards are here! At least ten, plus two combat units!"

"Keep cutting!" Jiang Nian drew his weapon. "Sea Dragon Five, Six, follow me and hold them off!"

The three underwater vehicles changed direction and headed towards the other end of the passage.

Soon, the first batch of guards appeared.

There were six men dressed in black combat suits, carrying oddly shaped energy rifles. Behind them followed two tracked combat robots, their arms equipped with rotating machine guns. (End of Chapter)