The little star from the Gobi Desert, handed over to the state, is hailed as a national treasure.

Shen Ruowen looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with astonishment.

She hadn't expected Yan Shijun to throw this difficult problem at her, and for a moment she was at a loss.

"What? You're unwilling?" Yan Shijun's eyes flickered. "Or have you spent too much time with her and developed feelings of pity, forgetting your mission?"

"No, I didn't!" Shen Ruowen immediately denied it.

She forced a smile and looked at Tian Tian, ​​but her back was already soaked with cold sweat.

"Sweetie, be good," Shen Ruowen took the child from Yan Shijun, trying to smile gently, "As long as you draw the map, they won't hurt you. After you finish drawing, Auntie will take you to find your daddy, okay?"

Sweetie's eyes widened, tears still welling up, as she stared at Shen Ruowen in disbelief: "Aunt Shen, do you also want Sweetie to be a traitor?"

She said angrily, "Mom said that traitors are the most shameful!"

The child's innocent voice was like an invisible slap across Shen Ruowen's face. Her heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly said, "This isn't treason; it's the wisest choice, the best for everyone."

"I don't want to hear it!" Sweetie covered her ears angrily. "You're just like them, a bad person! I'm never talking to you again!"

This resolute refusal finally enraged Yan Shijun. He grabbed Tiantian by the scruff of her neck and, amidst the little girl's screams, dragged her to a corner.

There was a hole with a wooden fence, and it was pitch black inside, with a chilling wind constantly seeping out.

Sweetie's collar was already splashed with cold water, and as soon as you got close, you were shivered by the cold air.

"Since you're so disobedient, I'll teach you a lesson."

He pushed open the fence and raised his hand to throw Tian Tian in.

The pitch-black cave entrance resembled a gigantic beast, its jaws gaping wide in terror. Sweetie screamed and kicked wildly with her arms and legs.

Caught off guard, Yan Shijun lost his grip. Tian Tian twisted hard and fell to the ground with a thud.

At the critical moment of life and death, the little girl burst forth with an astonishing strength. Like a nimble mouse, she darted past Yan Shijun's feet and rushed swiftly into the narrow passage.

"Grab her!"

Wu Hao was the first to react and reached out to grab her. Taking advantage of her small size, Tian Tian ducked to avoid his hand and continued running forward.

The two who had been guarding the stone chamber turned around and grabbed at Tian Tian at the same time. Tian Tian dodged two hands, but couldn't avoid the third, so she simply grabbed the other person's wrist and bit down hard.

"Ouch, you little brat!" the tall man yelled, angrily slapping Sweetie until she stumbled. But the little girl was undeterred, charging forward again before she could even stand up straight.

The passageway was winding and dimly lit, requiring ordinary people to carefully judge their surroundings and watch their step. However, Tian Tian seemed to have a natural sense of direction, running without hesitation. Although she was short and had small steps, her agility made her half a step faster than the adults who were getting in each other's way.

The passage ended a short distance ahead; following the steps would lead to the cave entrance. Only then did Yan Shijun erupt in fury, shouting, "Don't let her escape!"

"With so many of us, we can't even catch a little girl?!"

For some reason, these people were always a step behind Tian Tian. Several times they clearly touched the hem of her clothes, but they just missed!

Just as Tian Tian had stepped onto the stairs, the entrance to the cave was suddenly pulled open with a loud "whoosh." A figure entered against the light and strode to the end of the passage.

His tall figure blocked the sliver of sunlight overhead, casting Tian Tian in shadow. Tian Tian looked up and saw only an ordinary, unremarkable face; if thrown into a crowd, it would never attract any attention.

The man gently curved the corners of his mouth into a smile, his voice carrying a hint of kindness, but what he said left Tian Tian completely stunned:

"Sweetie, Uncle has caught you!"

Three minutes later.

No matter how much Tian Tian struggled, Yan Shijun still tied her hands behind her back and pushed her into that dark hole.

The cave was cold and dark, without a single ray of light. Sweetie cowered in a corner, trembling with fear.

The adults ignored her, closed the gate, and then gathered together again to shake hands.

"Team Leader Gao, you've worked hard," Yan Shijun said.

"You're too kind, Deputy Station Master." Gao Yanzhou waved his hand. "It was my dereliction of duty that I failed to stop the engine test run. I am willing to accept the punishment."

"This isn't entirely your fault," Yan Shijun said after a moment's thought. "But what's the situation at the base's pond?"

"I caused some chaos when I left," Gao Yanzhou paused, then continued, "but I heard they invited Zheng Hong back."

"Zheng Hong? Wasn't he hospitalized for thallium poisoning?"

"His condition must have been temporarily brought under control. I was afraid of being suspected, so I didn't administer a large dose, which may be why I didn't kill him."

He said this without any fluctuation in his tone, as if Zheng Hong was not his mentor of twenty years, but just an insignificant name.

Shen Ruowen sat quietly to the side, without saying a word.

Gao Yanzhou suddenly turned to look at her:

Gao Yanzhou suddenly turned his head, his gaze falling on her: "Ruowen, Liang Zhe and his team's car has arrived near the minefield. Do you want to come with me to take a look?"

Shen Ruowen suddenly looked up: "Me?"

"They are still outside the minefield and haven't entered yet. I think it's necessary for us to 'remind' them."

Shen Ruowen instantly understood his meaning. "The team leader means to use me as bait?"

"Don't say that," Gao Yanzhou said calmly. "They can't hurt you. But if they don't enter the minefield... wouldn't it be a waste of all this preparation?"

Wu Hao, Yan Shijun, and the others all turned their attention to her. Shen Ruowen smiled gently, stood up, and said:

"I agree."

Ten military vehicles roared and sped across the desert at the same time, kicking up billowing dust, like a giant yellow dragon.

On the seven open-top jeeps at the front, each was mounted a Type 54 assault rifle. Song Dazhuang, a burly man, gripped the butt of the rifle with one hand, his sharp, hawk-like eyes scanning the desolate surroundings like searchlights.

The communications soldier in the back row wore headphones, his fingers flying across the radio buttons, constantly reporting the latest battle situation.

"Reporting to the brigade commander, Gao Yanzhou's vehicle disappeared after entering the 'Devil City,' and we suspect he is hiding in the bunker behind it. We are searching for him."

"Have you spotted the helicopter squadron?"

No abnormalities have been found so far.

In the driver's seat, Liang Zhe gripped the steering wheel tightly, repeatedly slamming on the accelerator, but the sand was soft, making driving extremely difficult. All around were strangely shaped, wind-eroded mushroom rocks, making it hard to discern directions.

His eyes were already bloodshot with anxiety, and he only managed to stay upright thanks to his steely will.

"Liang Zhe, calm down, you can't collapse!"

Brigade Commander Bai's calm voice came through the radio. He led the rest of the convoy to follow closely behind, worried that Liang Zhe might do something irrational in a moment of impulsiveness.

But he underestimated Liang Zhe's resilience—this tough soldier did indeed break down when he suffered a severe blow, but at this moment he was only thinking about finding his daughter, avenging her, and making all the perpetrators pay for their crimes in blood!

Just then, the communications soldier shouted excitedly, "Reporting to Regiment Liang! The helicopter has locked onto the exit of Devil City and is simultaneously transmitting the location coordinates!"

With the helicopter's guidance, the convoy finally drove out of the maze-like, wind-eroded terrain, and the view ahead suddenly opened up.

The withered poplar trees stand stubbornly against the sky, their gnarled branches stretching towards the heavens like outstretched arms. Camel thorns are scattered across the sand, outlining the desolation and grandeur unique to the desert.

Not far away, amidst the undulating sand dunes, lies a cluster of ancient ruins, their exposed walls resembling a grotesque scar on the earth.

Liang Zhe's pupils contracted sharply, and he jerked the steering wheel, sending the car hurtling straight in that direction.

Just then—

"Liang Tuan! Wait!"

The communications soldier's voice suddenly tightened, "Helicopter report: a large funnel-shaped sand pit ahead!"

Almost simultaneously, the roar of propellers came from overhead. Liang Zhe and Song Dazhuang looked up together and saw two military helicopters circling overhead.

"A funnel-shaped sandpit?" Song Dazhuang wondered.

Brigade Commander Bai's voice came through the radio: "Liang Zhe! Stop the vehicle immediately!"