Hurt my loved ones? I'm not guarding this country's borders anymore!

Previously: The enemy we face... may be... far beyond our imagination!

Uncle Zhong's words came to an abrupt end, like the last flame of a candle burning out.

He coughed up his last mouthful of black blood, and his cloudy but ever-loyal eyes completely lost their luster.

This old man, who had been lying low for seven years, guarding the last embers of the Shen family, collapsed in Shen Jinglong's arms at the moment he completed his mission.

Shen Jinglong checked his breathing; it was gone.

When I checked his pulse again, it had stopped.

Shen Jinglong didn't speak, but simply held Uncle Zhong's cold body and stood there for a long time.

Outside the pawnshop, Qinglong and Zhuque, hidden inside the truck, heard through the bugging device that there was no sound inside. They realized something and their hearts sank.

After a long while, Shen Jinglong gently placed Uncle Zhong's body on the ground and tidied his clothes.

He stood up, the grief in his eyes now replaced by a chilling coldness.

Seven years have passed.

He always thought he was fighting alone.

Now he knows that, in places he cannot see, there are countless people like Uncle Zhong paving the way for him with their lives.

"King Anle"

Shen Jinglong silently recited the name in his heart.

"You owe the Shen family yet another blood debt."

He picked up the heavy encrypted USB drive, pushed open the door, and disappeared into the deep night.

Back to the temporary command center.

The atmosphere was terribly oppressive.

Everyone knew that Long Shuai had met with a very important person tonight, but judging from his expression when he returned, the outcome was clearly not good.

"Black Tortoise".

Shen Jinglong threw the USB drive onto the control panel.

"Deliver the contents of this to everyone in the capital who can see it as quickly as possible. I want that old dog, Prince Anle, to live on fire from tomorrow dawn."

"yes!"

Xuanwu took the USB drive, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes behind his glasses.

He knew that Commander Long was about to launch a real counterattack.

Just as Xuanwu was engrossed in deciphering the layers of shackles in the USB drive, Qinglong suddenly walked in.

"Commander Long, a message has come from Baicaotang." He held a note in his hand, "It says... it was left by an 'old friend,' specifically for you."

Shen Jinglong took the note.

There was only one line of neat handwriting on it.

"Ten miles west of the city, in the Ghost's Sorrow Valley, there grows the Nine Nether Ice Lotus. It can cure the most yin and cold poisons."

Nine Netherworld Ice Lotus!

Shen Jinglong's pupils contracted sharply.

He had seen records of this strange flower in ancient books from the North. Legend has it that it grows in extremely yin places and is the coldest thing in the world, yet it can harmonize all cold poisons and is the only hope for treating Sisi's constitution!

But... "old friend"?

"Who delivered it?" Shen Jinglong asked in a deep voice.

"I don't know. A colleague brought it over, saying someone left it at the entrance of Baicaotang." Qinglong shook his head. "At this critical juncture, could it be a trap?"

"It could indeed be a trap." Xuanwu also raised his head and calmly analyzed, "Uncle Zhong was just exposed, and the other side immediately threw out such a big bait. The timing is too perfect."

"Moreover, the place called 'Ghost's Sorrow' is a strategically important location, easy to defend and difficult to attack, making it an ideal place for an ambush."

Shen Jinglong fell silent.

Reason told him that it was 99% a trap.

But the four words "Nine Nether Ice Lotus" were like a needle, stuck firmly in his heart.

What if... what if it's true?

What if Uncle Zhong has other plans? Is this a gesture of goodwill from another ally?

For Sisi's sake, even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance, he can't give up.

"Commander Long, I'll take some men to scout ahead!" Qinglong volunteered.

"No need." Shen Jinglong waved his hand, his eyes becoming incredibly deep. "I'll go myself."

Just as he was about to leave, Qin Xuerong called.

Shen Jinglong answered the phone, trying to keep his tone gentle.

"Xue Rong, what's wrong?"

On the other end of the phone, Qin Xuerong's voice sounded hesitant, but more than that, it was filled with an irrepressible joy.

"Jinglong, are you busy? I... I have good news for you! I just obtained an ancient prescription, saying that there's a medicinal herb called 'Nine Nether Ice Lotus' that can completely cure Sisi's illness!"

Shen Jinglong's heart sank.

"Who told you that?"

"The message was sent by someone claiming to be a former subordinate of your father, along with harvesting methods and a map! He knows the exact same code as your father!"

"I've consulted all the ancient books at Baicaotang, and there are indeed related records! Jinglong, it's true! We have hope!"

Shen Jinglong felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight up to the top of his head.

Same code?

Uncle Zhong is dead. There can't possibly be a second person in this world who knows the secret code of "Three Questions on Angelica".

unless,,,

"Xue Rong! Where are you now? Stay in Bai Cao Tang and don't move! Don't go anywhere!" Shen Jinglong's voice suddenly turned stern.

"I..." On the other end of the phone, Qin Xuerong's voice suddenly became flustered, mixed with the whooshing sound of the wind, "I... I'm already outside Ghost Sorrow Canyon... That person said the Ice Lotus only blooms at midnight, and time is running out. I want to pick it quickly to give you a surprise..."

"Damn it!"

Shen Jinglong roared, nearly crushing his phone in his hand.

That silly woman!

"Xue Rong! Listen! It's a trap! Come back right now!"

"A trap? No way... that person..."

Before Qin Xuerong could finish speaking, a sharp whistling sound came from the other end of the phone, along with her exclamation!

Immediately following was a cacophony of fighting sounds and the clashing of weapons.

"Xue Rong! Xue Rong!"

Shen Jinglong roared into the phone, but all he got in response was a busy signal.

"Bang!"

Shen Jinglong slammed his fist into the wall, creating a terrifying crater in the sturdy structure, from which spiderweb-like cracks spread outwards.

"Commander Long!"

The Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise were shocked by this sudden turn of events, their expressions changing drastically.

Shen Jinglong ignored them and rushed straight to the entrance of the command center, his eyes filled with unprecedented rage and...fear.

Anyone who dares to mess with me, Shen Jinglong, whether you're a prince or the Heavenly King himself, I'll show you what true despair is!

King Anle!

You've crossed my final line!

Just as he was about to rush out the door, Suzaku's figure appeared like a red lightning bolt, blocking his way.

"Commander Long! Calm down!"

Zhuque's face was completely bloodless, but her eyes were unusually firm. She held a newly printed electronic map in her hand.

"This is the intelligence I just intercepted! Miss Qin's cell phone signal last disappeared deep within the 'Ghost's Sorrow' Canyon!"

She took a deep breath and, in a trembling voice, uttered the news that had driven Shen Jinglong completely mad.

"The so-called 'ally' who delivered the message... after identity verification, was actually Zhang San, 'Ghost Hand,' the commander of the 'Shadow Guard,' one of the most elite assassins serving Prince Anle, in disguise!"

"Commander Long, this is clearly a deadly trap set for Miss Qin!"