Before Making a Move

Just as Hu Xiaoniu, Liu Dezhu and others were gathering, Qing Chen had already arrived at Laojun Mountain ahead of them.

The place was packed with people. Li Tongyun jumped out of the car first and stretched in the open space of the parking lot.

The small backpack hung loosely on her back, as if it might fall off at any moment, but it never did.

Jiang Xue followed behind her with a smile, ready to get off the bus, but the next moment, Qing Chen reached out a hand and forcibly pulled her back onto the bus.

"What's wrong Qing Chen?" Jiang Xue was pulled so hard by Qing Chen that she almost lost her balance. She turned to look at the boy's profile, only to find that he was staring intently out the window.

Jiang Xue hesitated and asked, "Is there any danger?"

Qing Chen stared silently outside. At that moment, he saw five people carrying black handbags getting out of a black Buick minivan not far away.

They were all wearing sunglasses and casual clothes that didn't match, but they all wore the same black leather boots.

He had seen these black leather boots before; they were on the feet of four thugs in the courtyard at No. 4 Xingshu Road.

It's like buying in bulk.

On the bus, an impatient woman behind them said, "Are you getting off or not? If not, move aside."

Qing Chen ignored this.

He only turned around and apologized to the passengers behind him after confirming that the five people had entered the scenic area.

If a person remembers everything that happens in their life, they will never believe in coincidences.

Too many things happen under the guise of coincidence, yet they conceal too many ulterior motives.

Same boots, same five people.

Qing Chen suddenly seemed to understand something, but he wasn't sure.

The other party wasn't there for tourism; no one can be on a wanted list and still have the leisure to go on vacation.

There is only one road leading up and down Laojun Mountain, so if Kunlun discovers their whereabouts, it will be difficult for them to escape.

Truly intelligent criminals wouldn't put themselves in such a dangerous situation, but they still did.

It is bound to come for those Time Walker.

In the past two days, news from across the ocean has reported that a Time Walker brought back a targeted anti-cancer drug, and its efficacy has been confirmed.

Targeted drugs typically cost tens of thousands of yuan per bottle, and one bottle may only last for a month.

The targeted drug brought back by the Time Walker fetched an astronomical price at auction: ten million US dollars.

The buyer was not a wealthy person battling cancer, but a pharmaceutical company that purchased the drug for research and development purposes.

In fact, this targeted drug is not unique; Time Walker.

Otherwise, it's possible that this one bottle of medicine could sell for a billion.

On the very day that the pharmaceutical company held a high-profile auction for its targeted drug, its stock price rose by 32%.

There is immense commercial value between the Outer World and the Inner World; the wealthy buy lives, tech companies buy technology, and other companies buy hype—each has its own needs.

This visible monetary value directly creates a huge gray market profit chain.

There will always be someone willing to take the risk for this.

By this time, the sky above Laojun Mountain was gradually darkening, and a sea of people was pouring in, quickly covering up the whereabouts of all the thugs.

After Qing Chen got out of the car, Jiang Xue quickly took Li Tongyun's hand and asked, "What's wrong, Qing Chen? What did you see?"

Jiang Xue was also wearing a pair of black silk gloves to cover her mechanical limbs.

"I found five people, who are very likely the five suspects who are still at large," Qing Chen said, observing his surroundings. "But first of all, don't worry, they're not after you, otherwise we'd be stuck in the car by now."

Jiang Xue asked, "Then what should we do? Shall we go back?"

"We were on the last train, and there are no more trains going back now," Qing Chen explained. "When the media reported on you before, they only inadvertently revealed your address, but your photo wasn't exposed, so we're safe right now."

Qing Chen and his group weren't wealthy, so they took public buses, while Hu Xiaoniu and the others rented cars directly, without being restricted by time or schedule.

Li Tongyun said from the side, "Mom, don't worry, let's just listen to Brother Qing Chen."

Qing Chen thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to our accommodation first. Don't climb the mountain tomorrow. We'll take the first bus back to Luocheng after dawn."

Upon arriving at the guesthouse Jiang Xue had booked, Qing Chen did not go to his own room alone, but stayed in the room with Jiang Xue and Li Tongyun.

He went to the restroom first and sent a message to Liu Dezhu: Stay home for the seven days of National Day and don't go anywhere.

Qing Chen didn't say not to come to Laojun Mountain, as that would easily expose him. However, if Liu Dezhu didn't come, he believed Hu Xiaoniu would probably cancel his trip as well.

However, Liu Dezhu did not reply to him.

Qing Chen returned to his room, drew the curtains, and then stood quietly behind them, silently observing the outside world.

They stood there for hours without showing any signs of fatigue.

Seeing that he had been standing for a long time, Jiang Xue asked, "Xiao Chen, why don't you take a break? I'll go keep watch by the window."

Qing Chen shook his head. "You don't know what they look like. Aunt Jiang Xue, could you make me and Xiaoyun a cup of instant noodles? And could you take the beef jerky out of my bag? I'm a little hungry."

It wasn't that he wanted to eat, but Qing Chen noticed that if he didn't eat, Jiang Xue and Li Tongyun would get nervous and not dare to eat anything either.

From the guesthouse next door, I could faintly hear laughter and cheerful voices, mixed with the sound of drums and music.

Compared to the joyful atmosphere next door, their place seemed rather deserted.

Li Tongyun quietly moved a chair and stood behind Qing Chen, gently massaging his shoulders and neck with her small hands to relieve his fatigue. "Brother Qing Chen, aren't you tired? Why don't you rest for a while? You said yourself that they're not coming for us, so there's no need to be so tense."

Qing Chen shook his head again, showing no intention of resting. "It's okay, I can still handle it."

Jiang Xue watched the boy's retreating figure and suddenly felt a sense of security. She said, "How about..."

"Shh!" Qing Chen interrupted Jiang Xue before she could finish speaking.

Just then, he saw that familiar figure outside the window.

Two thugs cautiously passed by the entrance of the guesthouse where Qing Chen and his group were.

The criminals had walkie-talkies clipped to their chests, and one of them was speaking into the walkie-talkie with a serious expression.

While walking, the other person's right hand was always resting on their waist.

After the two figures disappeared in front of the guesthouse, Qing Chen glanced at his phone and saw it was 11:55.

Countdown 00:05:00.

The final five minutes.

Qing Chen frowned; the thugs were already on high alert.

It was a posture of being ready to fight at any time.

"The criminals' target might be the guesthouse next door," Qing Chen said.

Jiang Xue was taken aback. "Cloud Inn? There are many people there, they are in danger."

"Um."

Qing Chen lowered the curtains and went into the bathroom to check the communication equipment. Several hours had passed, and Liu Dezhu still hadn't replied to his message.

Thank you, Uncle Zhenguai, for becoming the Alliance Leader of this book. You're so generous, may you make a fortune!