Dragon Clan: I am Lu Mingfei, the Intelligence Strategist, the God of Concepts!

Chapter 249 Phoenix
"Mingfei?" Angers gently knocked on the door.

"Please come in."

The boy's voice came from inside the house, unhurried, as if the night had been calm and peaceful.

The door was unlocked, and Angers pushed it open and entered.

Lu Mingfei had just taken a shower; his black hair was wet and disheveled, hanging down his back.

I'm using a laptop; the interface is pitch black with a touch of dark green—clearly a hunter's website.

Angers only knocked on the door that night after receiving the news, and took the initiative to ask, "How did the talks go?"

"It's alright, a preliminary consensus has been reached."

At this moment, Lu Mingfei changed into a clean set of pajamas, holding a steaming cup of chocolate. His little evening dress and trousers were casually draped on a hanger, with a few sand stains on the cuffs.

Angers noticed this detail and was somewhat surprised: "You got into a fight with them?"

“Well, we can’t just have a cup of coffee late at night.” Lu Mingfei turned his head and shrugged.

Angers sensed the veiled reference and awkwardly touched his nose, asking, "Uh...with whom? Cadmus? Saint George?"

Beowulf.

Lu Mingfei read out a name that the old man was quite familiar with, "I didn't expect it was him who came to us first."

"It's actually him?"

Angers paused for a moment. It was undoubtedly a 'terrifying' name. For thousands of years, the Beowulf family had been the most steadfast, brave, and ruthless dragon slayers, and even Angers would find it a headache.

According to the original plan, it would have been best to find a relatively easier target first, such as Cadmus or Sigurd... Glancing at Lu Mingfei again, the kid was quite relaxed, nestled in the luxurious single sofa of the Splendid Hotel, exuding a sense of ease reminiscent of surfing the internet in an e-sports-level internet cafe.
“That was a bit too reckless, Mingfei. You should have called my help… Are you alright?” Angers quickly asked.

Lu Mingfei glanced at Angers, somewhat speechless. "Why did I call you here? To break up the fight?"
To be honest, he doesn't have a high opinion of Angers' ability to handle things. Despite having the power of words to attack humans and almost turning it into a deterrent weapon, he has never seen Angers use it... and he still has to handle things like negotiations.

However, it's understandable that Angers didn't notice the battle breaking out near the beach. Before Beowulf played his harmonica on the beach to invite Lu Mingfei, he had already cast an alchemical matrix with 'isolation' and 'hypnosis' effects, so it wouldn't be easily discovered. Otherwise, the shockwaves of a battle of this level could be heard throughout the entire town.

Speaking of the secret society, if we really compare the foundation, Principal Angers is indeed the weakest. If we don't count the woman who is almost 110 years younger than him who is living off him, a folding knife with a Philosopher's Stone inlaid on its tip is all he owns. His mental strength is also not up to par. He relies entirely on his hot blood that can't be cooled down even after a hundred years of drinking ice.

If Angers and Beowulf were to truly engage in a life-or-death duel, even with the overwhelming advantage of the speed-type Word of Power, it's uncertain who would ultimately survive, much like an assassin encountering a battle tank...

"However, Elizabeth was right about one thing," Lu Mingfei remarked with a sigh.

"What?" Angers was taken aback.

"The top echelons of the Secret Party are a bunch of masochists. The more you beat them up, the more you like them, and they'll listen to you."

Angers was even more horrified: "No... Lisa was talking to you about this in the car?"

"It's pretty much the same."

Lu Mingfei put down the chocolate and moved the computer screen in front of Angers. "Alright, let's take a look at this first. Weren't we wondering where the Elders got their intelligence? The '2005-2008 Yangtze River Basin Survey Report' is Professor Mans's work, stored in Norma's database. The Elders and high-ranking officials have access to it, so there's nothing wrong with that."

"As for the other documents, Beowulf has already told me the truth. The two documents, 'Bronze City Ruins Sectional Analysis Diagram' and 'Preliminary Exploration Results and Data Measurement of the Dragon's Lair,' were offered to them by someone on the Hunter's Website. They have nothing to do with the 'Imperial Descendants.' These elders said they have never looked up to those people, but of course, you also have to give them face."

Angers' expression was solemn, without any hint of smugness; he merely recalled a certain event from the past.
"Actively selling Dragon King-level intelligence to the Secret Service..."

“But this time the ID isn’t ‘Crown Prince’.” Lu Mingfei shook his head, clearly aware of the Greenland incident as well. He had visited the Norma Database regarding the origins of the King of the Ocean and Water.

"Phoenix".

Angers paused slightly, sensing something was off, but couldn't quite put his finger on it. However, the image on Lu Mingfei's screen quickly answered his question: Phoenix's profile page was usually cleared on Hunter.net, but Phoenix had retained some entries.

For example, the registration time: it was registered 22 years ago, in the late 1980s when the global Internet was still in its infancy, and the Hunter Market was probably still in beta. This ID had already been registered; it was the seventh ID registered here.

“By the way, Principal Angers, do you remember what the Gattuso family crest looks like?” Lu Mingfei asked.

“…Phoenix?” Angers answered absentmindedly, then looked up in astonishment: “You mean…”

"Just a noteworthy association." Lu Mingfei gestured for Angers to calm down.

"The phoenix is ​​a common image, and many family heads choose this image as their family crest. As far as I know, the Sakurai family in Japan also uses the phoenix as their family crest. I just asked, and Norma told me that there is a concept of 'family crest' in the world, and there are at least more than 800 families that use the phoenix as their symbol."

"But what's really strange is the two documents themselves. I just had a conversation with the Zhou family..."

Clearly, Lu Mingfei's 'third battle' with Beowulf ended very quickly. The gambler lost all his value and could only leave the table with regret. Lu Mingfei had plenty of time to do many things after returning. However, that 'Dragon Blood Eater' could indeed be called a martial arts fanatic. While being beaten, he seemed to be having some kind of high-intensity enlightenment.

Lu Mingfei said after careful consideration, "Principal Angers, I can tell you the truth: the legitimate personnel who are currently patrolling the Yangtze River have successfully located the approximate location of the Dragon Tomb."

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Angers' eyes.

"Ahem, don't rush." ​​Lu Mingfei coughed lightly. "Your Word of Power isn't very destructive, so I can take you with me later."

Angers gave an awkward smile, unsure whether to feel sorrow or joy, for the mighty 'Time Zero' had actually received a 'safe' rating...

"Currently, based on the scattered fragments salvaged from the seabed, it can be roughly determined that it is a bronze tomb located at the junction of the underwater landscape and the mountain... Underwater sonar observation instruments have confirmed the existence of a huge architectural structure in that direction, rather than a cave or naturally formed terrain. However, the entrance to this bronze tomb has not yet been found, and no detection instruments can penetrate deep into it to observe the situation inside."

"What could be the reason for this?" Angers asked, puzzled.

"The orthodox personnel responsible for locating auspicious burial sites used some metaphysical terms, roughly explaining that it's like an alternate dimension that isolates external detection, and there's a strong magnetic field nearby, making it impossible to detect with robots or similar devices..."

“Uh…” Angers roughly accepted the concept. As someone even more of a ‘warrior’ than Beowulf, his understanding of the Nibelungs was actually quite shallow:

Lu Mingfei paused. After discovering the presence of unidentified individuals in the Yangtze River basin, the matter was brought to the forefront. Nuwa immediately dispatched personnel to intensify patrols and searches in the relevant areas. Under the guise of scientific research, a base was established on a small island in the middle of the Qutang Gorge, where the relevant waters were monitored 24 hours a day.

Strangely, 'Phoenix' still managed to sell the "Analysis Chart" and "Data Report," and it gave off a very genuine feeling... Yes, a very genuine 'feeling,' but not entirely genuine.

Lu Mingfei had long ago learned about the situation in 'White Emperor City' using his [Deep Intelligence Extraction Permission]. The intelligence Phoenix sells can only be sold to Bronze City, but if he follows the information on this site, he will most likely suffer a heavy loss.

It gives me a feeling of forging a treasure map to commit murder and robbery...

Is this also why they are taking a wait-and-see approach?
Seeing Lu Mingfei remain silent, Angers quickly pressed on, "And then? What did the other elders say about the Three Gorges area? Was it just the two of us who went?"

"Oh, I met them later, and they said that since we wanted to do it, we should do it."

Lu Mingfei hesitated for two seconds and said, "They won't go. They'll be responsible for cheering them on from behind and also preparing a banquet to welcome the heroes of the Secret Party."

"?"

Angers was shocked once again. The 'Dragonblooders' he remembered were not like this at all. "Really? They're this easy to talk to?"

"Actually, it's alright. Principal Angers, you probably don't watch many Chinese TV dramas," Lu Mingfei explained.

"What do you mean?"

There's a classic line that goes, "A wise man submits to circumstances."

……

Early morning, Genoa beach, 30 kilometers away.

A seaside manor is nestled among the trees, surrounded by cameras that constantly monitor the manor and are enveloped in a constant alchemical domain, suppressing even the chirping of insects and birds.

An old man, holding a fan in his left hand and twirling an iron egg in his right, walked out of a wooden house on the edge of the manor. This was clearly the owner of Fenglongtang, but unexpectedly, he moved directly from the Peace Gate to Genoa. His lazy and confused appearance had the air of a poor relative from the countryside who came to freeload. This spacious seaside manor was obviously out of place for an old man who should have been born in the capital, and there was no trace of ancestral inheritance.

"Mr. Lin."

There were already people waiting at the door.

"Ah, you're Percy. I thought I was going to see Pompeii."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Pompeii has other important matters to attend to. I will be receiving you today." A neatly dressed, young, and upright secretary with blond hair bowed slightly to the old man in apology.

Mr. Lin smiled and glanced at Percy, a look of considerable satisfaction in his eyes, as if he were seeing a promising junior. "It's alright, it's alright, just ignore him. I remember they're about to have a meeting, right? Aren't you going to be with Frost?"

The old man seemed very familiar with the Gattuso family.

That makes sense. Boss Lin has Aryan-style gray hair and iron-gray eyes, so there may be some blood ties between them. However, the way he is dressed in a mandarin jacket and carrying a traditional two-piece suit makes it hard to associate him with the young Wall Street elite in front of him who has received a Western education.

Percy lowered his head slightly, avoiding the old man's gaze.
“My primary task today is to hand this key to you; Mr. Frost has other plans.”

From this angle, Pacina's striking heterochromatic eyes are clearly visible; one eye is sea blue, while the other is pale gold, like a purebred Persian cat.

"Tsk, well then... It's a real shame about such a young man."

Mr. Lin took the keys and sighed, though it was unclear who he was sighing about.

Then, he turned around and went back into the room.

A moment later, he came out.

She changed her outfit.

Percy was somewhat surprised when he saw the old man's appearance. The man was quite different from the image in the family's intelligence files. Even as the chief secretary, he didn't know much about this family's 'important informant'. Previously, Pompeii had only told him to treat this person well and not to let Angers find out.

Now he looks much better, in a sharp hunting outfit, with large, angular sunglasses that cover his eye bags and wrinkles, and his hair combed into a bun, instantly making him look decades younger.

"Lead the way," Boss Lin said with a smile.

That smile revealed his true colors again... Percy bowed slightly, "Please come with me."

Boss Lin followed behind him, humming a little tune.

The estate was large, but there was no one else besides Boss Lin and Percy.

The interior layout doesn't resemble a residential area. There are rows of detached garage-like buildings with their doors wide open, inside which are trucks covered with black tarpaulins, their eight half-meter-long tires creating a sense of oppression.

It was already 7:30 in the morning, half an hour before the routine board meeting.

Mr. Lin walked slowly, strolling around as he toured the place, giving the impression of a leisurely walk, while Percy slowed down to match Mr. Lin's pace.

Finally, the two stopped in front of a fence deep inside the manor, surrounding a desolate cemetery... Garage outside, cemetery inside, the builder of this seaside manor was truly a genius.

"Then you wait for me over there?"

Mr. Lin shook his keys and gestured towards the building next door with a smirk.

The damn cemetery even has a dedicated caretaker's hut, which of course is empty.

Percy nodded, and without hesitation, pushed open the door and went inside.
Click, the wooden door closes.

"Great." Mr. Lin shrugged.

He easily unlocked the complicated locks on the dilapidated fence, clearly familiar with the estate; all he needed was the key that Percy had brought.

The next moment, he stepped into the cemetery.

Disappeared.

……

To the north, the waves surge and leaves flutter in the morning air.

Every now and then a car would wind its way up the mountain, drive into the Splendid Hotel, and stop next to the white castle that clings to the cliff.

Lu Mingfei and Angers arrived earlier.

This is a detached building with hard white marble exterior walls, narrow windows, and little interior decoration. The floor is old, with dark red and gold paint. There are eerie candles on both sides, and the flickering candlelight casts shadows on the walls, while whispers can be heard in the silence.

"Why make it so gloomy?" Lu Mingfei surveyed the interior of the castle. He was wearing a different suit today, making him look quite refined.
“In the past, the gatherings of the Secret Society elders were even more sinister. They would wear long black robes that reached their feet, hold candlesticks, and meet in the underground of the castle,” Angers explained with a low laugh.

The old man was very good at dressing up, managing to wear a different outfit every day of the year. With his silver-rimmed glasses, crisp suit, and deep red handkerchief, the two of them together would be described by anyone as a pair of gentle, scholarly gentlemen.

"Why not go underground now?"

Lu Mingfei lightly stepped on the ground; there probably wasn't much space underneath this castle.

“Because technology has advanced. In the past, for safety reasons, the earliest gathering place for elders used a refined mercury solution as a driving force to activate the alchemical matrix. Each stone brick was then thoroughly burned with alchemy, and a piece of mithril was embedded in the core. This could even withstand attacks from pure-blooded dragons of the next generation level,” Angers explained. “But underground would remind people of rats. Now it’s different. High-altitude radar and satellites are monitoring us at all times… Now touch this wall again.”

"These are all special materials that are explosion-proof and impact-resistant. Although they look a bit ugly, when combined with the alchemical matrix, they can even withstand ordinary missile attacks."

"Really?" Lu Mingfei stroked the wall next to him without making a sound.

“…” Angers said, “Anyway, if there is an enemy attack, the physical abilities of a hybrid will definitely give them plenty of time to respond.”

He pointed to the sky, meaning Norma was watching.

“Principal Angers, I feel like you’re just setting up a flag…you know what setting up a flag means, right?” In the end, Lu Mingfei just patted the wall and didn’t intend to show off his skills here.

Angers understood the popular meme, smiled and shrugged, "Bulletproof vests protect against bullets, but you can't keep firing forever."

As they spoke, they had already passed through two corridors and arrived on the second floor, where things finally became a bit brighter.

The earlier whispers had come from here, where quite a few young mixed-race people stood in twos and threes, all dressed in black tailcoats or evening dresses, and white embroidered shirts with family crests embroidered in gold or silver thread on the chest.

If it weren't for an emergency meeting convened by a certain board member, the annual routine meetings would have been a social event for the young people of the various families. They were the most outstanding 'young people' of the board member families. The emphasis on youth was because in the world of mixed-race people, being in one's thirties, forties, or even fifties could be considered young. Only a small number of people had studied at Kassel College, and many were outstanding talents cultivated within their families.

As the two newcomers, one old and one young, entered the venue, many people's eyes lit up, clearly recognizing their identities... Of course, most attention was focused on Angers, as Lu Mingfei's identity was not yet fully revealed, and he was assumed to be a young man from Angers who came to socialize.

Some mixed-race individuals who had earned degrees at Kassel College immediately came up to greet him. To anyone in the modern Secret Service system, the title of 'school board member' represents an unapproachable status, and Principal Angers was undoubtedly the most approachable one—provided, of course, that his stance was correct.

Lu Mingfei glanced at the time; it was still early. He didn't feel the need to go over and socialize with Angers.

A quick glance is enough to make sure there's no mole.

Angers was quickly surrounded. Some of the young mixed-race people who couldn't squeeze in had a sudden idea and were about to chat with Lu Mingfei when they were surprised to see him walk straight to a corner.

I didn't dare follow.

If Angers was easy to deal with among the important figures present, then there were naturally others who were particularly difficult to deal with.

For example, the girl surrounded by three attendants, one man and two women, has a pot and a spoon with a rim on her chest that signify her identity—the Lady of the Flower of Highgarden.

(End of this chapter)