louisehourcade Chapter 7: A Fish That Escaped the Net? The Legacy of the Flame Emperor!
Chapter 7: A Fish That Escaped the Net? The Legacy of the Flame Emperor!
An underground base converted from an abandoned factory in City A.
The piercing sound of ventilation echoed in the dimly lit space, where a dozen or so figures sat around a long table, the air so stuffy it was hard to breathe.
Xiao Fan sat in the main seat, his fingertips lightly tapping the table, each tap seeming to strike the hearts of everyone present.
His gaze swept over everyone present. These were the core members he had carefully selected from countless reborn individuals, each possessing unique skills, yet they all seemed uneasy at this moment.
"I'm sure you're all aware of the recent situation."
Xiao Fan's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone unconsciously straightened their backs.
"Wang Hu has been arrested, Zhang Wei has been arrested, and Li Ming has been arrested as well."
A tall, thin man wearing glasses spoke first, his voice revealing barely concealed panic:
"In just three days, all of the dozen or so reborn individuals on our list were wiped out."
"This isn't normal," a bald, burly man echoed in a deep voice, his rugged face filled with doubt.
"It's too precise. It's like someone knows their location and plans in advance every time."
"The national team's speed doesn't feel like they're catching people; it's more like they're harvesting them."
"That's why I said there's a mole among us." Xiao Fan stopped tapping the table.
His gaze, sharp as a knife, swept across everyone's face: "Or rather, someone can see through our plan."
"Impossible, right?" someone objected, their voice trembling slightly.
"We were all personally selected by you, boss. We have impeccable backgrounds. How could there be a mole among us?"
Xiao Fan countered with a calm question, leaving everyone present speechless:
"Then explain why the national team can appear precisely at every operational location?"
The conference room fell into a deathly silence, with only the whirring of the air vents audible.
Just then, Xiao Fan suddenly stood up.
He walked to the window and looked out at the pitch-black night.
His brows were furrowed, and he exuded an inexplicable sense of oppression.
"withdraw!"
A single, brief word left everyone stunned.
"What?"
"I said, evacuate from here immediately." Xiao Fan turned around and glanced at everyone.
His tone left no room for argument: "Now! Immediately!"
"Boss, aren't you being too sensitive? It's safe here, we..."
A young member tried to persuade him.
"Shut up!"
Xiao Fan interrupted him, his voice suddenly rising several decibels:
"The reason I survived to become one of the three great overlords in my previous life wasn't because of luck, but because of this instinct for danger!"
His gaze sharpened as he surveyed the crowd: "Right now, my intuition tells me that danger is approaching."
"Those who don't want to die, come with me now! Those who want to stay and test whether I'm being paranoid, feel free!"
After saying that, he didn't say anything more, pushed open the door, and walked out first.
The others looked at each other, but ultimately chose to follow.
Xiao Fan's prestige and legendary past made them dare not disobey him in the slightest.
They had just evacuated from the tunnel less than five minutes ago.
"boom!!!"
A deafening explosion shook the night sky, shattering the factory gate into pieces.
Dozens of fully armed special police officers surged in like a tide, their infrared laser beams scanning every corner in dense array.
"The target is not here!"
"Search! Leave no corner unchecked!"
The entire factory was turned upside down, but apart from a few chairs that were still warm, nothing was found.
Command Center
Qin Bing frowned as she looked at the transmitted image, a hint of regret flashing in her eyes.
"He ran away!"
Su Chen sat to the side, holding a cup of hot tea, his expression calm.
"As expected!"
"You knew he would run away?" Qin Bing turned to look at him, her tone inquisitive.
"Xiao Fan was able to become one of the three overlords in the apocalypse because his vigilance far exceeded that of ordinary people."
Su Chen took a sip of tea, his gaze falling on the constantly refreshing comments on the screen: "This pre-arranged encirclement is too obvious to him!"
In the live chat, Xiao Fan's words were like a depth charge, triggering a new wave of panic:
[Damn it! Someone must have leaked information! There's a traitor among us!]
[Attention everyone! From now on, do not reveal any plans in advance!]
Anyone who dares to leak this information, I'll be the first to kill them!
Other surviving resurrected individuals responded one after another, and the barrage of comments was filled with anxiety and unease.
Boss, we didn't say anything!
Could it be that the country has some special investigative methods?
[Whatever it is, everyone should refrain from making any moves for now and observe the situation!]
Panic and suspicion spread like a plague among the resurrected.
They began to doubt each other, and their original cohesion crumbled under Su Chen's precise strikes.
Su Chen looked at the comments and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.
"Good! They're starting to doubt each other."
"But Xiao Fan is still outside," Qin Bing reminded her, her tone grave. "He's the one in the most danger!"
"I know," Su Chen nodded, "but I've already found out where he might go next."
"Where?" Qin Bing's eyes lit up.
"Kunlun Mountains, near Tianchi Lake." Su Chen pulled up a map and pointed to a point:
"According to the comments, there is an ancient ruin there, which will open in half a month."
"It was there in Xiao Fan's previous life that he obtained his first opportunity—the inheritance of the Flame Emperor."
Qin Bing's pupils contracted slightly; the importance of this information was self-evident.
"Then we..."
"No rush." Su Chen waved his hand, stopping Qin Bing's eagerness.
"He won't show up if we go now! We have to wait until the ruins are opened, then he will definitely come."
"Then we'll wipe them all out in one fell swoop!"
Qin Bing looked at him, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.
Is this young man really only twenty-one years old?
This strategic planning and composure are simply beyond the reach of ordinary people.
"Oh, right." Su Chen suddenly remembered something and looked at Qin Bing: "There's an interesting person appearing in the comments section recently."
"Who?" Qin Bing asked curiously.
"A guy who wants to 'hijack' the future empress."
A hint of amusement flashed in Su Chen's eyes.