Ronan walked along the passageway leading to the Cargo Hold. A distinct bloody stench already wafted from ahead, mingling with the cold, damp vapor.
Raven walked beside him, serving as the camerawoman.
Wen Huilan was on his other side, half a step behind, softly explaining the progress and bottlenecks in their information-gathering efforts.
The captain of the black-clad bodyguards followed loyally behind them.
Further back was Long Qi, who had originally been at the very rear. But halfway through the corridor, Cui Da and Xu Er hurried over from behind. Xu Er carried a sizable metal briefcase in one hand.
With a grim face, Xu Er handed the briefcase to Long Qi. As the latter took it, the heavy, familiar weight told him that it contained a standard unmounted Deep Blue Walker Exoskeleton Armor.
"Oh, oh, mission accomplished."
Long Qi skillfully touched an engraved pattern along the edge of the case, confirming the version. He grinned.
"Thanks... Standard Version Six armor. I'm only simulating it in the Frost River Waterway, though. But does your Cult really need to be so tightly integrated with Deep Blue Laboratory? Our company's going to feel threatened."
Xu Er shot him a sidelong glare, wishing he could crush the blabbermouth's head.
Cui Da, on the other hand, replied calmly, "Mutual benefit, mutual exchange, mutual progress. If the world worked that way, where would any crisis come from?"
Long Qi gave Cui Da a thumbs-up. "Brother Cui is absolutely right... When we get the chance, we really should have a proper exchange. I'd especially like to know how Sacrifice Knights work with the Deep Blue Platform."
Cui Da smiled. Xu Er sneered.
Their "exchange" should have been the least significant thing among this group. Yet Ronan, who was walking at the front, suddenly turned around.
"That's