"I... I didn't..." Zack finally realized his loss of composure, cold sweat instantly soaking his vest.
"No need to be nervous, Zack." The middle-aged man comforted with a smile, "I'm just reminding you, you may have grievances against me, but in this mission, I represent not only myself but also my father's will."
Upon hearing this, Zack fell silent.
The middle-aged man nodded with satisfaction and then turned to the remaining members of the Special Forces inside the plane: "Everyone, that Xia Country man earlier, if you can avoid provoking him, it's best not to."
He continued seriously, "Although I know you're envious and resentful of Joseph's reputation, I want you to understand that even combining forces as the top domestic Special Forces squad, you're no match for Joseph."
Seeing that the group still appeared somewhat unwilling and discontented, the middle-aged man shook his head helplessly.
This group... truly lacks a sense of awe and self-awareness.
He secretly nodded once more to the officer his father highly regarded.
This officer, though young and hot-blooded, at least understood gratitude and reverence, unlike those who rely solely on their talents to be arrogant.
If this mission yields results, he would propose to his father to elevate this officer's rank by one level.
"That Xia Country man, although he defeated Joseph by luck, it was merely a coincidence." The middle-aged man stopped speaking at this point.
He ended there, hoping everyone would understand the stakes involved.
He turned his head to gaze at the drifting white clouds outside the window, contemplating the time gap between other teams and theirs.
"If Joseph were still around, would we dare to act so rashly?" The middle-aged man chuckled, shaking his head, and couldn't help but sigh at the mysterious and terrifying Daoist Art of the Xia Country.
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Li Congjing gracefully jumped off the swing, showing a look of annoyance on her face: "If Joseph were still here, these minor threats wouldn't even warrant my action."
A trace of nostalgia and tenderness flashed across her face but quickly disappeared.
She glanced at Dr. Zhou and the others, without leaving any extra words, and walked straight away.
A gigantic cage descended from the sky, enveloping everyone inside.
Wild Ox narrowly escaped a catastrophe, cold sweat streaming down—for the cage almost grazed his body on the way down, and if he had taken another step outward, his arm would likely have been crushed and irreparable.
However, Li Congjing paid no mind to this; she watched them being confined in the cage indifferently then turned and walked into a bright tunnel.
The scenery of the tunnel was as luxurious as a five-star hotel corridor, and Li Congjing's face revealed a look of nostalgia and sadness.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she longed for the madman who resonated with her soul.
Joseph's death had made her even more ruthless; she longed for revenge for him, to protect everything of theirs.
As she reached the end of the corridor and pushed open the door, she swept a cold and murderous gaze over the fighting people.
Her appearance stunned everyone, causing them to pause their actions.
"Li Congjing, why are you coming out?" The man who initially tried to recruit Flying Eagle angrily questioned.
However, Li Congjing merely glanced at him coldly, responding in her usual lively and adorable voice, "This is my territory, why shouldn't I come out?"
The leaders of the three factions exchanged glances and reached a tacit agreement. They simultaneously ordered, "Kill Li Congjing first!"
Before their orders fell, Li Congjing had already launched her counterattack.
She showed a sweet smile, as innocent as a junior high school student.
Yet her eyes revealed endless killing intent and madness: "I originally intended to kill all of you directly, but that would be too dull." She said slowly, as if recounting an irrelevant story.
"Ever since Joseph's death, my heart hasn't found satisfaction..." As her words concluded, all the bullets aimed at her suddenly froze in the air!
This scene astonished everyone; they couldn't have imagined Li Congjing possessed such terrifying power!
Those who had planned to surrender or betray at this moment also changed their minds, beginning to reassess the current situation and Li Congjing's strength.
She hadn't made a move, which raised everyone's alertness.
She showed no signs of panic; instead, she displayed a demeanor of enjoying the spectacle.
"Who dares to harm my master!" A figure suddenly rushed out, forcefully repelling the man charging towards Li Congjing.
That leader felt as if being struck by a massive truck, flying to the other side and crashing heavily into the wall. He struggled a few times, but then lay still.
He was dead.
The remaining two leaders stared at this suddenly appearing person, their gaze turning extremely heavy.
This person was recognized as the strongest in encounters within this base!
In encounters, he could single-handedly defeat the joint forces of all top masters!
"Jiu, why do you follow this crazy woman? Joseph is dead; if you come with us, you'll have a broader future." The man attempting to recruit Flying Eagle was evidently unwilling to become enemies with Jiu, persuading.
The leader beside him also nodded in agreement; Jiu's strength was too terrifying, and defeating him in this place where bullets couldn't be used would likely require a tremendous price.
"A broader future?" Jiu sneered, "You short-sighted bunch, do you qualify to mention a broader future? Besides, do you think everyone is as cold-hearted as you?"