Courtyard Houses: From Families of Martyrs and Orphans to Giants of the Times

Night was falling.

Inside the guesthouse of the Beijing Machinery Research Institute.

Lin Jian'an sat at the table, holding a simple map he had just drawn.

On the map.

Abandoned textile factory in the eastern suburbs.

Xishan Base.

The two locations were circled in red.

Gu Changfeng sat beside him, his expression solemn.

"Jian'an, what do we do now?"

"Should we notify the police to arrest them directly?"

Lin Jian'an shook his head.

"no."

"The textile factory was just a temporary base."

"Shen Tiancheng will be transferred tomorrow night."

"The real big fish is yet to come."

Gu Changfeng frowned.

"Are you referring to the Xishan base?"

Lin Jian'an nodded.

"right."

"If we take action now, we can at most arrest a few peripheral members."

"But the Night Owl's true core strength will not be affected at all."

Gu Changfeng fell silent.

He knew Lin Jian'an was right.

Far East trade is an example.

If it weren't for following the clues...

It's simply impossible to uncover such a large spy network.

Just then.

There was a sudden knock on the door.

dong dong dong.

"Please come in."

The door opened.

Dean Zhou strode in.

Chen Zhenhua and Zhao Changhe followed behind.

All three of them had very serious expressions.

They clearly already knew something had happened.

Dean Zhou got straight to the point.

"Jian'an, how's the situation?"

"Have you found any clues?"

Lin Jian'an didn't waste any words.

He told me everything he had seen that night.

As the story unfolds.

The room grew quieter and quieter.

When I heard that Shen Tiancheng was locked up in the underground warehouse.

Dean Zhou stood up immediately.

"What?"

"Is Old Shen really still alive?"

Lin Jian'an nodded.

"That should be correct."

"Vital signs are currently normal."

Dean Zhou's eyes instantly reddened.

Shen Tiancheng worked with him for more than ten years.

The two are not only colleagues, but also old friends.

this time.

He had always thought that Shen Tiancheng was likely doomed.

I never expected that he was still alive.

Chen Zhenhua said in a deep voice.

"Go on."

Lin Jian'an then gave his report.

When talking about gray wolves.

Zhao Changhe's expression changed.

"Grey Wolf?"

"Are you sure it's him?"

Lin Jian'an nodded.

"What's wrong?"

Zhao Changhe took a deep breath.

"This person is not simple."

"We've been investigating him for many years."

"One of the senior members within Night Owl."

"My hands are stained with the blood of many people."

"I never expected him to appear in the capital."

The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly oppressive.

When Lin Jian'an mentioned the Xishan base...

The expressions on the faces of the three people changed simultaneously.

Especially Zhao Changhe.

My fists were clenched.

"It really is there."

Lin Jian'an was taken aback.

"You know?"

Zhao Changhe nodded.

"There have always been problems in the Xishan area."

"We've investigated this many times over the years."

"But every time it came to the crucial moment, the clues would go cold."

"The terrain there is complex."

"There are many caves."

"There are also many abandoned mining areas."

"Perfect for hiding secret bases."

"There has just been no evidence."

Upon hearing this...

Lin Jian'an's heart stirred slightly.

It seems the system's judgment was correct.

Xishan Base.

It is absolutely the true core stronghold of the Night Owl.

Chen Zhenhua asked in a deep voice.

"What exactly is this Eastern Industrial Project?"

Lin Jian'an hesitated for a moment.

He said slowly.

"Based on the information currently available."

"It involves three core technologies."

"Industrial mother machine".

"Aircraft engine".

"Precision numerical control system".

The voice just fell.

The room was deathly silent.

Everyone was stunned.

A few seconds later.

Dean Zhou gasped.

"That's impossible."

"Any one of these three technologies would be enough to change the landscape of a country's industry."

"They attacked at the same time?"

Chen Zhenhua's face was terribly gloomy.

"If it's true."

"Then this is no longer an ordinary espionage case."

"This is digging up the roots of the nation's industry."

Lin Jian'an nodded.

"That's what I think too."

"Therefore, we must eradicate the night owl completely."

Zhao Changhe suddenly stood up.

"I will report to my superiors immediately."

"Request a covert operation."

"All personnel are on high alert tonight."

Done.

He left in a hurry.

soon.

Only three people remained in the room.

Dean Zhou looked at Lin Jian'an.

"Jian'an".

"What do you think we should do next?"

Lin Jian'an's gaze was firm.

"Let's go to Xishan tonight."

In a word.

This left both of them stunned.

"tonight?"

"So urgent?"

Lin Jian'an nodded.

"There's no time."

"If Shen Tiancheng is transferred tomorrow."

"It will be difficult to find him again."

"Furthermore, I suspect that the Xishan base holds other secrets."

Chen Zhenhua remained silent for a moment.

Finally, he spoke.

"I agree."

"However, safety must be guaranteed."

"Scout ahead first."

"We must not alert the enemy."

Lin Jian'an smiled.

"rest assured."

"My specialty is reconnaissance."

Half an hour later.

A black Jeep drove out of the research institute.

Heading towards the western mountains.

Night fell over the land.

The mountain road was silent.

More than an hour later.

The vehicle was parked at the foot of the mountain.

The driver remained in place and waited for further instructions.

Lin Jian'an and Gu Changfeng began their hike into the mountains.

The mountain wind whistled through the air.

It was pitch black all around.

Gu Changfeng lowered his voice.

"Jian'an".

Are you sure you're here?

Lin Jian'an nodded slightly.

"We should be there soon."

Actually.

He is looking at the system map.

In my mind.

A huge red area is flashing continuously.

High-risk target area identified

Distance: 1.2 kilometers

[Hazard Level: A+]

[Approach with caution]

Lin Jian'an's eyes narrowed.

Sure enough, it's here.

The two continued on their way.

A dozen minutes later.

An abandoned mine appears ahead.

The mine has been shut down for many years.

Overgrown with weeds.

There appears to be nothing unusual.

Gu Changfeng said in a low voice.

"Can someone hide in this place?"

Lin Jian'an remained silent.

Instead, start a system scan.

next second.

A blue light curtain unfolds.

The entire mine instantly became transparent.

Followed by.

Lin Jian'an's pupils suddenly contracted.

underground!

Everything is underground!

[Underground architectural complex discovered]

[Depth: 25 meters]

Area: Approximately 28000 square meters

[Three-story underground structure]

Human activity detected

Number of participants: 127

[Technical Experts: 31]

Armed personnel: 56

[Researchers: 40]

boom!

Lin Jian'an was deeply shocked.

28,000 square meters.

This is no longer a base.

This is an underground research base.

Moreover, its scale far exceeds expectations.

Gu Changfeng noticed the change in Lin Jian'an's expression.

He asked hurriedly.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Jian'an slowly exhaled.

"Long Wind".

"We might have found a big fish."

"Super Big Fish"

Done.

He continued scanning.

soon.

A series of messages popped up.

[Target Discovery]

Zhou Hongyuan

Age: 52

[Technical Level: 97]

[Position: Chief Technology Advisor for Night Owl]

[Hazard Level: A]

I saw the name.

Lin Jian'an was startled.

We finally found it.

Technology 97.

Second only to Shen Tiancheng.

People of this caliber.

It would be a treasure in any research institute.

They ended up siding with Night Owl.

Just then.

The system continued to prompt.

[Discovery of an Industrial Machine Tool Experiment Zone]

[Aero-engine testing area discovered]

[Discovery of a Precision CNC Experimental Area]

[Expert-controlled area discovered]

Lin Jian'an's eyes grew colder and colder.

Expert-controlled area?

He immediately locked onto his target.

next second.

The underground scene emerged.

More than a dozen enclosed rooms.

There were quite a few people locked up inside.

There are elderly people with gray hair.

There are middle-aged experts.

There were also a few foreign faces.

Everyone was under close surveillance.

Gu Changfeng watched as Lin Jian'an's expression grew increasingly grim.

My heart skipped a beat.

"What happened?"

Lin Jian'an said slowly.

"They arrested more than just Shen Tiancheng."

"There are many other experts."

Gu Changfeng was stunned for a moment.

"What?"

"a lot of?"

Lin Jian'an nodded.

"At least a dozen."

"Even more."

Gu Changfeng was completely shocked.

Who would have thought.

The owl had secretly established such an underground kingdom.

Just then.

The system issued another prompt.

[Important Meetings Found]

Location: Conference room on the second basement level

[Recommended to view]

Lin Jian'an immediately focused his attention.

Screen switch.

A large conference room came to mind.

There were more than a dozen people sitting inside.

The person in charge was Zhou Hongyuan.

now.

He was standing in front of the blackboard speaking.

"The Eastern Industrial Project has entered its final stage."

"The core data for industrial machine tools is 85% complete."

"The aircraft engine project is 72% complete."

"The CNC system is expected to complete verification in two months."

Upon hearing this...

Lin Jian'an's breath hitched.

These lunatics.

It's amazing that it's progressed to this point.

In the conference room.

Someone asked.

"Professor Zhou."

"Shen Tiancheng is still unwilling to cooperate."

"What should we do?"

Zhou Hongyuan sneered.

"It's okay."

"Move him to the third basement level tomorrow."

He'll figure it out.

"No one can refuse the Eastern Industrial Project."

Upon hearing this...

Lin Jian'an clenched his fist tightly.

Three underground floors.

It seems Shen Tiancheng will be sent here tomorrow.

Followed by.

Another member asked.

"When will the leader arrive?"

These words were spoken.

The meeting room fell silent instantly.

Zhou Hongyuan looked serious.

"the day after tomorrow."

"The leader will personally inspect the project's progress."

boom!

Lin Jian'an was shaken once again.

Night Owl Leader!

Is it finally going to appear?

Just then.

The system suddenly issued an urgent alarm.

【warning】

[Special Area Discovered]

[Three-level underground core warehouse]

[Analyzing]

[Analysis successful]

next second.

A string of red text flashed wildly.

[Discover the core database of industrial machine tools]

Completeness: 96%

Includes a large lathe

High-precision grinding machine

Five-axis CNC technology

[Value Assessment: National Strategic Level]

Lin Jian'an even paused for a moment.

Complete database!

No wonder the system gave it an SS rating.

The value of this.

It even surpassed the entire harvest of trade in the Far East.

Gu Changfeng noticed that Lin Jian'an remained silent for a long time.

I couldn't help but ask.

"Jian'an?"

Lin Jian'an slowly raised his head.

His eyes shone with an unprecedented light.

"Long Wind".

"We've struck it rich this time."

Gu Changfeng looked completely bewildered.

"What do you mean?"

Lin Jian'an's lips slowly curled upwards.

"Night Owl has prepared a great gift for us."

"An incredible gift."

"If we take this place down."

"Hongxing Machinery Factory will have nothing to worry about for the next ten years."

Gu Changfeng hadn't even had a chance to speak.

The system notification sounded again.

And this time...

The voice was more urgent than ever before.

【warning】

[Discovering High-Value Targets]

Location: Deepest part of the third basement level

[Scanning]

Scan successful

[Top Secret Night Owl Files Discovered]

[Discover the core database of industrial machine tools]

[Discovering the Eastern Industrial Plan - Master Plan]

[Night Owl Leader's Itinerary Discovered]

[The target is expected to arrive at Xishan Base within 48 hours]

Lin Jian'an's pupils suddenly contracted.

The leader of the night owls.

It's really coming.

And it happened within two days.

at the same time.

A new system notification slowly appeared.

[Main Quest Released]

Destroy the Xishan Base

[Rescue Shen Tiancheng and all the experts]

[Seize the core data database of industrial mother machine tools]

[Capture the Night Owl Leader]

[Task Level: SSS]

[Completion Reward: Unknown]

Looking at that bright red SSS rank.

Lin Jian'an knew.

The real final battle.

It's finally about to begin.