You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

As I stepped out of the VIP lane, a discreet black minivan was already waiting.

A middle-aged man dressed casually and with a capable expression quickly stepped forward and nodded subtly to Jiang He.

"Director Jiang, you must be tired from your journey."

This way, please.

Without any further pleasantries, everyone quickly got into the car.

The vehicle sped along, weaving nimbly through the steel jungle and bustling traffic of the seaside, skillfully avoiding any potential eyes and ears.

We finally stopped in the back alley of an inconspicuous chain budget hotel on the edge of the city center.

I got off the car and entered the penthouse suite that had been arranged for me. The heavy curtains blocked out the noise and light from the outside world. The suite was very soundproof, and for a moment, only the faint sound of the air conditioner could be heard.

"Preliminary situation of the target."

Jiang He's words were concise and to the point, without any unnecessary words.

The special administration elite who was there to meet them immediately unfolded a tablet computer, which quickly projected a three-dimensional map of Binhai City and the logo of a listed company called "Jitong Express".

He spoke very quickly, clearly having the information memorized perfectly.

"Jitong Express is, on the surface, one of the top three sea, land and air freight logistics giants in Binhai City, with business spanning across continents and impressive, impeccable financial reports."

However, its core management team is extremely low-profile, and very little information is publicly available.

Based on extensive cross-analysis and intelligence from specific channels, we believe there is an over 80% probability that it is a crucial front office and material hub for the 'Heavenly Alliance' in this area! It may even be directly related to the island project codenamed 'Black Tortoise'!

He pointed to several flashing marks on the map.

"This is their new headquarters building in the port area, with security as tight as a bank vault."

These are large transshipment warehouse areas scattered on the outskirts of the city.

Finally, his finger stopped at a port area in the northeast of Binhai City.

"This is their largest, and possibly most crucial, logistics distribution center – Warehouse No. 7. It covers a vast area and encompasses international standard warehousing and distribution, large cargo loading and unloading, transport vehicle dispatching, and high-value bonded supervision warehouses."

The access control system appears to be a standard scanning system, but we intercepted and analyzed their geofence signals, and they contain a sophisticated, unofficial layer of energy detection and defense! This is far beyond the capabilities of ordinary commercial logistics companies!

"Target clear: Warehouse Seven!"

Qiuniu crossed his arms, his voice low and muffled like thunder.

"That place is as big as a maze; you can't find anything just by exploring from the outside! Someone has to go in! To look from the inside!"

His gaze swept over Liu Yu and Uncle Li, who were disguised, and finally landed on Chen Yang.

"An undercover agent has infiltrated!"
This is the lowest-cost, relatively risk-controlled, but potentially highest-return solution!

At the confluence of rivers, his gaze was profound.

"Warehouse No. 7 is an enormous size and is constantly recruiting for various entry-level positions, especially jobs like stevedores and loaders, which have high turnover and relatively low requirements."

Although the background checks are strict, our Special Administration Bureau is confident that we can create several sets of watertight identities that can withstand close scrutiny.

The key is that those who go in must have sufficient observation skills, quick reflexes, and...survival abilities.

He paused.

“You might encounter unnatural situations inside.”

All eyes in the room were involuntarily drawn to Chen Yang.

Facing everyone's gaze, Chen Yang spoke without hesitation, his tone as casual as if he were deciding where to have breakfast the next day.

"I go."

There were no grand and impassioned speeches, just two words.

But everyone present was fully aware of the weight and potential risks contained in those two words.

"Sect Leader!"

Liu Yu couldn't help but gasp, her eyes filled with worry. Deep in enemy territory, an enemy stronghold, isolated and without support…

Uncle Li's wrinkles deepened, and he said in a muffled voice.

"Young...Master...that was too dangerous."

"Sect Leader Chen..." Jiang He hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself. The plan was good, but having a faction leader personally do this kind of low-level infiltration... what if...

"It's alright."

Chen Yang raised his hand to stop their concerns, and even a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Lower-level positions are actually closer to the core of logistics and have a wider reach. The faster we act, the less likely the enemy is to detect us."

His gaze turned to Liu Yu, carrying an unquestionable command.

"Liu Yu, you are in charge of coordinating and integrating external information. Target person."

The core management team of Warehouse No. 7, financial flows, and suspicious internal communications! Intelligence support is needed. The Special Administration Bureau will fully cooperate with you.

Liu Yu immediately composed herself, her eyes regaining their sharp and icy gaze.

"Understood! Mission accomplished!"

"Uncle Li."

Chen Yang looked at the disguised old man.

"You're in charge of support and sensing. There must be a ley line node near Warehouse No. 7. Find a way to connect to it and constantly monitor changes in the atmosphere of the warehouse area!"
"The moment I encounter danger and need to escape, or if abnormal energy fluctuations erupt within me, that will be your signal to act!"

"This old man...understands!"

Uncle Li nodded emphatically, a glint of light flashing in his cloudy eyes.

"Director Jiang, Captain Bi, Captain Qiuniu."

Chen Yang finally looked at the three leaders of the Special Administration Bureau.

"I urge you all to use your official positions and formal or informal means to conduct a thorough investigation of other 'clean' companies that have extremely close business ties with Jitong Express!"
In particular, be wary of frequent shipments of seemingly ordinary goods with unusually tight shipping markings and protection! Simultaneously, closely monitor any small groups attempting to disrupt our other operational plans! Provide cover for Liu Yu and Uncle Li's actions!

Jiang He took a deep breath, stopped hesitating, and said solemnly.

"Rest assured! All the resources of the Special Administration Bureau will serve this operation! We will meticulously scrape away their every slip-up, like a comb!"

"Good job!"

Bi Fang clenched his fist, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

"These fists of mine are just waiting to grab a few little mudfish!"

Qiu Niu sang in a low voice.

The action plan was finalized instantly, and a silent, chilling atmosphere permeated the tepid seaside air.

***
Three days later. Jitong Express Warehouse Area No. 7.

The entrance to the huge warehouse area was bustling with traffic, and the roar of heavy trucks was incessant.

Chen Yang—at this moment, he was an ordinary young man named "Zhang Wei" on his ID card, who had just come to Binhai City from his hometown to make a living. He stood among a group of men who had also come to apply for jobs, wearing a brand-new but rough-looking gray work uniform. The process was tedious and lengthy: filling out forms, waiting, identity verification, and a simple medical examination. The warehouse HR specialist in charge of interviewing them was a middle-aged, balding man with a somewhat sallow complexion.

When it was Chen Yang's turn, he routinely flipped through the forms.

"Zhang Wei? Twenty-three years old? High school graduate? He used to work as a porter at a logistics point in his hometown?"

His tone carried a hint of condescension from someone from a big city looking down on someone from the countryside.

"Yes, I used to work at Yuanda Logistics in my hometown county for half a year, mainly moving boxes and loading trucks. The boss thought I wasn't as strong as the older workers, so he fired me."

Chen Yang managed to squeeze out a perfectly timed, somewhat awkward and unwilling, simple expression.

"Yuanda Logistics? Never heard of it."

The interviewer pursed his lips and tapped his fingers on the table.

"Unloading cargo in Jitonggan is nothing like unloading in a small county town! We follow international standard procedures, and when it's busy, we work in three shifts! We can't afford to make any mistakes!"

A single mislabeled shipment could cost you a year's salary! Do you understand?

"I understand! I understand!"

Chen Yang leaned forward slightly, appearing all ears.

"I don't have many other advantages, but I'm honest, willing to learn, and strong enough!"

"strength?"

The interviewer looked Chen Yang up and down, noting his not particularly robust physique, and remained noncommittal.

"Warehouse No. 7 handles standard containers and some large combined packages, using forklifts and semi-automatic conveyor belt lifting equipment! You won't need the strength to carry bags! You need to know how to use your strength! You need to know how to read the labels! You need to understand the dispatch instructions on the walkie-talkie! You need to know what a shipping mark is? What is an SKU? What are the stacking limits for fragile items?"

He threw out a series of technical terms, clearly with an air of inquiry.

Chen Yang chuckled inwardly, but his face showed a blank expression as he frowned, trying hard to recall.

"Is the SKU... the number on the shelf? The walkie-talkie the boss used when I was carrying the bags... the fragile cardboard box... with a glass-shaped label on it? Stacking height limit... is it the number printed on the outside of the box that says 'Limited to three layers'?"

His answer was somewhat hesitant, but the basic meaning was correct, and he even incorporated details of logistics knowledge he had memorized. It was precisely this slightly awkward yet insightful response that made his answer seem genuine.

The scrutiny in the interviewer's eyes faded slightly.

"Alright, you have some basic skills and aren't stupid. Remember the rules! Three-day trial period, one task—follow the experienced foreman to the C-section bulk cargo platform and move those assembly parts that need to be manually stacked after coming down from the conveyor belt! Keep your eyes peeled! Be quick and efficient! Don't cause any trouble!"
Trial period pay is 120 yuan a day, plus one meal! After becoming a full-time employee, it'll be 6000 yuan a month! If you're going to do this, you'll have to put in the hard work! Can you handle it?!

The last sentence was almost shouted out.

"I'm capable! As long as I get paid, I can endure any hardship!"

Chen Yang immediately straightened his back, patted his chest to assure him, and his eyes were filled with longing for a "high salary".

"okay!"

The interviewer impatiently put a checkmark on the offer letter.

"Go to the personnel window over there to pick up your work badge and equipment! You'll start work today!"

***
C-zone bulk cargo platform.

This place is like the feeding hole of a giant monster.

Beneath the towering, semi-enclosed loading and unloading platform, long, semi-automatic conveyor belts extend from the depths of the warehouse, transporting bulky, heavy, and irregularly shaped assemblies secured by standard pallets to designated areas. Forklifts roar back and forth, unloading large items; the conveyor belts unload smaller and medium-sized palletized goods.

Chen Yang and other low-level loaders are responsible for using their bare hands and simple carts to move goods that are difficult to handle by forklifts or require special stacking from the conveyor belt landing area to designated small transport vehicles or temporary storage areas at the edge of the platform.

The air was filled with a pungent odor, a mixture of rubber tires rubbing against the ground, engine oil, plastic packaging, dust, sweat, and shouts.

Chen Yang changed into a set of second-hand work clothes stained with unidentified oil and other dirt, with a white number plate with "C-77" pinned to his chest, a safety helmet on his head, and dusty work gloves on his hands.

He had just put down a shipment weighing two or three hundred pounds in a designated stacking area marked "Heavy Metal Components," wiped his sweat, and his breath was particularly heavy in the humid and hot environment.

"The new guy?"

A hoarse voice sounded from the side.

An elderly worker, with dark, rough skin, a short and stocky build, and around fifty years old, was glancing at him sideways while holding a half-extinguished cigarette butt in his mouth.

He was carrying a short-handled cart that was clearly much more worn out than the one Chen Yang was using, and his eyes held a scrutinizing and dismissive look typical of a seasoned veteran.

"Yes, I just arrived today. My name is Zhang Wei, employee badge C-77."

Chen Yang forced a polite smile.

"Boss Li!"

The old worker's number was "C-13," and he casually flicked it against his chest with his thumb.

“I’ve been in this area for eight years! You’re a walking encyclopedia! You’re Xiao Zhang, right? You don’t look stupid, and you’re quite strong too.”

He then changed the subject, pointing to a large metal object that had just been transferred to the platform, clearly composed of multiple heavy industrial parts bundled together.

"Look at that big guy? We need to get it to the temporary storage area in Zone 3, the 'red cross and yellow circle' zone. You can't push the cart, you can't get the strength right. Come on, try my old buddy!"

Without saying a word, he shoved the old, worn-out, rickety long-shafted cart into Chen Yang's hands and took Chen Yang's slightly newer short cart.

"Hey, Chief Li, this..."

Chen Yang looked at the creaking, broken-down car in his hand.

"What? You're looking down on my old comrade-in-arms?"

Li the Boss glared.

"The new stroller is great, it's slippery! But the center of gravity is high! It'll fall apart if you're not careful when pulling big things! My stroller may be ugly, but the chassis is stable, and it's perfect for pushing big guys! Young man, don't you understand experience? Don't you trust this old man? I'm just looking out for you! I'm afraid you'll hurt your back!"

Several older workers of similar age nearby chuckled, clearly unfazed by the sight.

Li's move, ostensibly to instruct, was actually a way to bully the newcomer and take Chen Yang's useful new cart for himself.

Chen Yang's eyes were calm, but his face showed a hint of embarrassment, though he seemed more like someone who had learned something.

"Oh...oh! Thank you, Boss Li!"

"Then I'll give your car a try!"

He said no more, took a deep breath, gripped the handles of the long-shafted, broken cart tightly with both hands, exerted force with his feet, and lowered his waist and back to coordinate with the torque technique.

The heavy metal piece was steadily pried off the ground and placed on the broken car. The wheels groaned in pain under the weight, but surprisingly, they didn't fall apart.

Chen Yang adjusted his center of gravity and pulled the cargo, which was many times heavier than himself.

Huffing and puffing, he slowly made his way step by step in the direction Foreman Li pointed. Sweat instantly soaked his back.

Watching Chen Yang's laborious retreating figure, Li Tou'er smugly snorted and easily pushed Chen Yang's new cart off to do another light job. The seasoned veterans around him burst into laughter again.

Over the course of half a day, Chen Yang was "taken care of" by Li Tou'er several times. He was "taught" all the dirty and tiring work, the laborious use of broken tools, being sent to run long distances to fetch forms, and serving tea and water to the older workers.

He didn't complain once, and his face always maintained that look of exhaustion mixed with a hint of clumsy effort.

But in the intervals between carrying bags, moving goods, and pushing carts, his eyes scanned his surroundings like the most sophisticated radar. (End of Chapter)