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

"We are doing everything we can to search for Chen Geng. As for Lu Jiahao and the forces behind him, as well as this heinous case, the city and even higher authorities have attached great importance to it and will definitely investigate it thoroughly to give everyone an explanation."

Director Wang made a promise: "Mr. Zhao is injured, so please go back and rest well. If there is any news about Chen Geng, or if Mr. Zhao's assistance is needed, I will notify you immediately."

"Okay, I'll wait for news."

Zhao Longsheng didn't say anything more, got up and left.

Meanwhile, in an office of the Luohu District Government Building in Shenzhen.

The ashtray in front of Lu Jingxiang was piled high with cigarette butts.

He had just ended an encrypted satellite phone call to the capital; the call was short but contained a great deal of information.

After hanging up the phone, Lu Jingxiang felt as if all his strength had been drained, and he slumped into a chair, his forehead covered in cold sweat.

He knew that the Lu family was in great danger! Lu Jiahao's lineage was being treated as rotten flesh that had to be cut off.

The Lu family is one of the top families in Shenzhen, and even has a reputation throughout South China, but in the eyes of the four great families in Beijing, they are nothing more than slightly larger ants.

The people on the other end of the phone, the ones the Lu family had worked so hard to curry favor with, would never allow the fire to spread to them.

But Lu Jingxiang didn't want to die! He still had value!

If we get rid of Lu Jiahao, the biggest source of trouble and an insider, and then smooth things over with those above and below us, we might be able to keep our positions, and even... have a chance in the future.

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He picked up another secure internal phone and dialed a rarely used number: "Liu Hui, come to my office. Now."

Ten minutes later, a middle-aged man wearing an ordinary jacket, with an unremarkable appearance and who would be easily lost in a crowd, quietly walked into the office.

His name is Liu Hui. He is a secret agent adopted and trained by Lu Jingxiang in his early years. He is proficient in combat, assassination, and surveillance, and is Lu Jingxiang's darkest and sharpest knife. Of course, on the surface, he is just a plumber in the district government's logistics service group.

"Boss..." Liu Hui's voice was flat, devoid of any emotion.

Lu Jingxiang stared at him and slowly said, "Jiahao's done for! He's already in jail!"

"He knows too much... When you do things, make it look like... an accident, or an internal conflict. Do it cleanly, don't leave any evidence."

"After you're done, go out and lay low for a while. Don't come back unless I call you."

Liu Hui didn't even flinch; he simply nodded and said, "Understood!"

He turned and left, as silently as he had come.

Lu Jingxiang watched his disappearing figure, lit another cigarette, and his eyes behind the smoke were sinister and unfathomable.

To survive, one must cut off the tail... This tail must be cut off completely!

The cigarette between his fingers had burned down to the very end, and he only snapped out of his daze when it burned his fingers. He then stubbed the cigarette out hard in the ashtray.

"Knock, knock, knock." The secretary knocked cautiously on the door. "District Chief Lu, it's time for the Standing Committee meeting. What do you think..."

"Postpone it! Just say I'm not feeling well!" Lu Jingxiang waved his hand irritably, his voice hoarse. He had no interest in the meeting at all.

The secretary dared not say anything more and withdrew.

Mu Xueke barely slept a wink all night, staying in the temporary rest room arranged by Director Wang, waiting for any news about Chen Geng.

But apart from the confirmation of the sniper's suicide in the early hours of the morning and the fruitless search on the river, there has been no further news.

Personnel from the Ministry of State Security and the military have already moved in and taken over most of the investigation work, leaving Director Wang with limited assistance.

As dawn broke and the morning light shone through the window, it could not dispel the gloom in Mu Xueke's heart.

She felt a deep sense of powerlessness and regret. If only she had insisted on not letting him go last night… if only she could have done more…

Just then, her personal cell phone, which was on the table, suddenly vibrated, and the screen displayed a completely unfamiliar local number.

Mu Xueke's heart skipped a beat. After a moment's hesitation, she quickly grabbed her phone and answered, her voice trembling slightly: "Feed?"

After a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, a familiar, weary voice came through:

"Xiao An, it's me, Chen Geng. I'm back!"

Mu Xueke was stunned for a moment, as if she couldn't believe her ears.

She took several deep breaths to steady her voice, and asked with a heavy nasal tone:

"Where...where are you? Are you hurt? Are you safe?"

"I'm fine, just a few scrapes, nothing serious. I'm at... I can't say the exact location over the phone."

"Listen, Xiao An, I might be in big trouble. Those mercenaries... they could be big targets. I need to see you immediately, and... preferably Director Wang, or someone even higher up, someone absolutely reliable. But I can't go to the police station; I'm afraid someone there is watching me."

Mu Xueke immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.

How did Chen Geng manage to escape from those mercenaries and bring back important intelligence?

"Okay! Give me a general location, and I'll come pick you up right away! No, you stay where you are and tell me how to confirm your safety. I'll personally lead a team there! I'll handle things with Uncle Wang!"

Mu Xueke's tone was resolute, instantly regaining the decisive and capable aura of the eldest daughter of the Mu family.

"Okay. When you come, watch out for any tails. I'm over here..."

Chen Geng lowered his voice and said a location: a coffee shop in a secluded neighborhood.

"Call this number when you get nearby. I'll be waiting for you!"

"Wait for me!" Mu Xueke hung up the phone and, without any delay, immediately had someone lead the way to see Director Wang.

"Uncle Wang, Chen Geng is back. He's safe, but he says he has extremely important intelligence concerning major security matters that he must report in person! I need to pick him up immediately, and I need you to arrange an absolutely safe route and meeting place! Yes, now!"

Mu Xueke barely slept all night, and even now, when she talks to Director Wang, she has dark circles under her eyes.

Director Wang shook his head as he looked at her:

"Xue Ke, last night was dangerous enough! Your identity is special, you can't afford to get hurt again! I'll have Chang Le take the most reliable people to pick up Chen Geng, you stay at the command center!"

"Uncle Wang, Chen Geng specifically requested to see me, which means the intelligence he brought back might be extremely sensitive, or he needs to see someone he trusts to relax. I have no objection to Chang Le going, but I must go with him! I promise I will follow Chang Le's arrangements completely and will not act on my own!"

Mu Xueke's tone was resolute, carrying an unquestionable determination.

Director Wang knew the temperament of this eldest daughter of the Mu family and knew he couldn't go against her, and he was also aware of the value of the intelligence that Chen Geng might bring back.

He pondered for a moment, then sighed and agreed to Mu Xueke's request.

However, he still dispatched twice as many capable plainclothes officers, placing them under the unified command of Chang Le, and strictly stipulated the action route and emergency plan.

An hour later, two inconspicuous black cars pulled up near the coffee shop.