At thirty, I started my comeback from the intelligence system.

The foreman pointed to Chen Geng and Zhao Longsheng, then to a pile of scattered construction waste not far away, near a row of tall stacks of shipping containers, a relatively secluded spot.

That's exactly what I wanted!

The two nodded quickly, shouldered their shovels, and headed towards the area. Other workers had already begun their work, and the clanging of hammers and the roar of machines gradually drowned out their movements.

Using the cover of clearing away the bricks, Zhao Longsheng quickly surveyed his surroundings and scanned the nearby shipping containers with a portable thermal imager about the size of a mobile phone.

The thermal imaging screen showed that most of the containers were cold, but a few of them had faint heat signals inside, which didn't look like cargo, but more like... people.

"A discovery!"

Zhao Longsheng showed the screen to Chen Geng, pointing to a blue 40-foot standard shipping container placed alone in a relatively open space about fifty meters to the northeast.

"This box contains multiple heat sources, with a temperature around 36-37 degrees Celsius, indicating the presence of living people. Moreover... the distribution is somewhat strange, as if they are crammed together. There are also two other continuous heat sources nearby, possibly guards."

Chen Geng's heart leaped into his throat.

Could it be Yang Yongchao? Or... someone else who is being held captive?

"Let's go take a look, be careful." Zhao Longsheng packed up the equipment, and the two pretended to move the cleaned bricks away in a small cart, slowly approaching the blue container.

As the distance closed, Chen Geng's heartbeat quickened.

He could see two men in black jackets sitting at the entrance of the container, smoking and chatting in hushed tones, their waists bulging, possibly concealing weapons.

The container door was locked with a huge padlock, and the windows were welded shut from the inside, leaving only a few ventilation holes.

Just as they were pushing the cart past the side of the container, a very faint but clearly audible groan and sob drifted out from the container's ventilation holes on the river breeze!

It's a woman's voice! And not just one!

The voice was filled with fear, pain, and despair.

Chen Geng and Zhao Longsheng stopped in their tracks at the same time, exchanged a glance, and both saw shock and anger in each other's eyes.

This isn't where Yang Yongchao is being held! This is... a container holding other people! Judging from the sounds, it's likely a woman locked up inside, and in a precarious situation!

Even if it were a kidnapping, it would be one or two people, but it's impossible to kidnap so many people, especially women!

A terrifying thought surfaced in Chen Geng's mind—international human trafficking!

These imprisoned girls are the "goods" that are about to be transported to "Star City"!

Oh right! Chen Geng suddenly remembered a news article he had seen on his phone earlier, which said that a reporter had gone undercover and discovered that there were a large number of Chinese women working in the underground entertainment industry in Xingcheng!

Anger burned like a flame in Chen Geng's chest.

Lu Jiahao and the forces behind him actually engaged in such heinous business!

"Calm down." Zhao Longsheng pressed down on Chen Geng's shoulder, his voice low.

"We can't alert them now. Finding Officer Yang is our top priority. As for these girls... we'll rescue them together when the main force arrives."

Chen Geng took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to suppress his anger.

Zhao Longsheng is right. Acting impulsively now will not only fail to save others, but may also get you into trouble.

They quietly pushed the cart away, but firmly memorized the location of the blue container.

Just as they were preparing to continue their search deeper, Zhao Longsheng suddenly grabbed Chen Geng, and the two of them slipped behind a shipping container.

At the corner of the passage ahead, Lu Jiahao, surrounded by a group of his men, was walking towards them while talking to Li Yilong. Lu Jiahao's expression was not good, while Li Yilong seemed indifferent.

"...Brother Hao, not to be rude, but that policeman from last night should have been killed on the spot. Keeping him around is always a problem..."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Lu Jiahao interrupted him, his tone relaxed. "The dock is so big, who can find it? The ship will arrive tomorrow, the cargo will be loaded onto the ship, and that policeman... he'll just dump it on the high seas, haha, there won't be any evidence left. Don't forget, I have the Lu family behind me, I'm District Chief Lu."

Li Yilong seemed somewhat convinced, but his brow remained furrowed: "This policeman is a tough nut to crack. Have your men keep a close eye on him, lest something goes wrong before we set sail..."

"He was so badly injured, it's a miracle he's still alive. I've already sent more people, and we've got all the exits at the dock under tight surveillance. Not even a fly will be able to get out!" A ruthless glint flashed in Lu Jiahao's eyes.

As they talked, the two walked past the container where Chen Geng and Zhao Longsheng were hiding, without noticing them.

After they walked away, Chen Geng and Zhao Longsheng breathed a sigh of relief, but their hearts sank even deeper.

Yang Yongchao is seriously injured! Moreover, the enemy has increased security and blocked the exits! They must find him as soon as possible!

Zhao Longsheng glanced at the sky; the east was already showing the first hint of dawn, and the number of people on the dock was gradually increasing. Operating during the day would pose a greater risk of exposure.

"Separate teams to search!"

Zhao Longsheng made a quick decision and handed a small, miniature thermal imager to Chen Geng, briefly teaching him how to use it.

"Use this to scan suspicious containers. Be careful and stay connected. If you spot a target or there is any danger, call me immediately!"

"Remember, our primary objective is to find Officer Yang, confirm his location and safety, and then notify... Xiao An, to have the people outside take action."

Chen Geng nodded.

The two exchanged a glance and then parted ways silently.

Chen Geng pulled his hat brim low, carried a shovel, and pretended to be "inspecting" the construction site aimlessly. In several key areas, he secretly scanned every container he passed with a thermal imager.

Time passed slowly, and his heart pounded like a drum.

He had to evade patrolling guards and overseers while carefully identifying heat signals, which put him under immense mental stress.

Nine o'clock, ten o'clock, eleven o'clock in the morning... nothing was found.

He was a little hungry, but he didn't care.

Most heat signatures indicated either laborers or guards; no heat signatures resembling those of a seriously injured person in solitary confinement were found.

Where will Yang Yongchao be detained? Could he already be...?

No, it won't happen.

Intelligence reports that he is still alive.

The system is not wrong.

Chen Geng forced himself to calm down, recalling every word of the intelligence: "Secretly detained in an abandoned container warehouse in Block B of Shenzhen Pier No. 3".

He looked up at the edge of Area B, near the old dock office area, at the rows of low, tin-roofed warehouses.

Those warehouses look even more dilapidated, could they be there?

He reached out towards it.

The guards here are relatively sparse, but the environment is more complex, with narrow passages filled with various abandoned machinery and building materials.

Just as he was carefully passing through the gap between the two rows of warehouses, he suddenly heard footsteps and voices coming from around the corner ahead!

"Damn, that cop is really tough, he's still alive even in this state... And Brother Hao, he should have just dealt with him directly, it would have been so much easier, he had to keep him alive..."