As dawn broke, footsteps echoed as the members of the Dark Night organization, gathered for their mission in Sakura Country, began to converge.
In the living room, Chen Fan looked at the dozen or so renowned figures and asked, "Did you bring the weapons?"
"We did!"
Chen Fan nodded. The Dark Night organization naturally had channels for acquiring weapons in Sakura Country.
"Today's operation is crucial," Chen Fan said. "Prophet, you take Xin and Yingzi, contact the person who put out the bounty on this black cat, track them, and confirm their identity."
"Yes!"
"The rest of you, split up and investigate these locations."
Chen Fan opened the map on his tablet, which already marked the relevant hospitals and pharmaceutical companies under the Mitsui Group.
After everyone had received their respective assignments, Chen Fan stated, "Then let's begin. Once the location is confirmed, contact me. We'll aim to rescue the person tonight!"
"Yes!"
The others busied themselves. Chen Fan remained in place, awaiting news.
Around noon, Prophet called, informing him that the identity of the bounty issuer had been confirmed. It turned out to be a local security company, substantial in size, reportedly employing many retired military personnel.
"The cat hasn't been moved yet. I'll keep an eye on it."
"Good!" Chen Fan hung up. He felt no unease about such a minor operation. His priority was to quickly determine Xiang Jingzhu's whereabouts and rescue her; nothing else was truly important.
At two in the afternoon, Meiji transmitted a message, "My King, I think I've found the laboratory you mentioned."
"Can you confirm it?" Chen Fan looked at Meiji's location on the tablet map, on the outskirts of Shibuya, near the suburbs. It was a pharmaceutical company named Marubeni Pharmaceutical Co., with very sparse information, only stating that it was a newly established biopharmaceutical company.
"I can confirm it. The security is heavily armed, and outsiders cannot approach," Meiji reported.
"I'm on my way," Chen Fan said, hanging up and driving out.
Half an hour later, in a secluded corner outside an industrial park, Chen Fan met Meiji. Meiji got into the car and said, "On the surface, it's a pharmaceutical plant, but there are no workers inside, and the patrols are very tight." She then produced a map. "The key location should be in the building in the middle. The defenses here are too strict; I couldn't get any closer."
Chen Fan glanced at it and nodded. "I'll go in and take a look. You wait here for Prophet's news."
"Alright, be careful!" Chen Fan got out of the car and blended in with some workers to enter the compound. Unnoticed, he lightly scaled the high wall and hid in a tree.
Two guards, carrying batons and with guns concealed at their waists, patrolled by. Judging by these two alone, the place was unusual. Unlike ordinary security guards, these two moved with steady steps, their gazes vigilant, their backs ramrod straight, clearly indicating they were trained professionals.
After they passed, Chen Fan circled around the green belt behind the wall. Security guards patrolled every area, and cameras were installed everywhere, leaving almost no blind spots. The level of security was comparable to some military bases. As for the building Meiji had mentioned, it was surrounded by electrified fencing, with guards stationed at all sides. The guards were also armed. Even for Chen Fan, it would be impossible to infiltrate without alerting the security.
Not intending to cause a disturbance for now, Chen Fan climbed back over the wall, surveyed the surroundings, and returned to his car, driving to a nearby high vantage point. Through military-grade binoculars, he gained a clearer understanding of the pharmaceutical plant's stringent security.
As dusk settled, Prophet still had not sent back definitive news.
"King, they've brought the black cat out. We're following," Chen Fan replied.
"Understood."
Ten minutes later, Prophet sent another message: "King, judging by the direction, it's highly likely to be the location where you and Meiji are."
"Understood, Meiji will be waiting at the entrance."
As the night deepened, two vehicles drove into the compound, heading towards the pharmaceutical plant's gate. Chen Fan was hidden not far from the entrance. As the cars reached the gate, people inside controlled the gate to open. While waiting, a figure flashed and rolled under the car, sticking to its underside. Soon, the car drove in and stopped directly outside the central building. Security guards approached to inspect again. Chen Fan, clinging to the underside of the car, made no sound. After the inspection, the electrified fence opened, and the car drove into the warehouse inside to park.
"Yuki-kun, you're escorting it personally this time?"
"Hai, the matter is important, and catching the test subject wasn't easy."
"I heard the test subject was caught by unrelated individuals and handed over to you?"
"..."
Conversations could be heard from outside. Chen Fan saw several pairs of feet from beneath the car; they were likely moving the black cat out. Seizing an opportunity, he rolled out from under the car, silently moving away. He quickly hid behind some cargo and assessed the environment. The rear door of the truck was open. Four or five people stood there; one was already lifting a cage, and the large black cat was yowling and struggling inside. Two guards carried the black cat towards the interior of the warehouse, where a thick metal door stood closed. This area appeared to be a parking lot and garage, with a large internal space filled with various goods. Chen Fan's hiding spot was ideal. After some farewells from those behind the truck, the truck and the escorting Toyota SUV quickly drove off through another exit. The man who was to receive them, presumably the leader, turned and, with two subordinates, followed the black cat being carried, heading towards the metal door with conversation.
Chen Fan crept forward, silently trailing them. Outside the metal door, after identity verification through cameras, the door opened. The door looked very sturdy, not something that could be easily broken by force. As they stepped through the doorway into the interior, Chen Fan flashed forward and followed, slipping inside. Beyond the door was a brightly lit corridor, with another fully enclosed metal door ahead. Chen Fan's appearance was silent, but it still drew attention. The leader-like figure, also wearing a security uniform, sensed something and turned, his eyes meeting Chen Fan's. Seeing a stranger, his expression changed, and he shouted fiercely, "Bastard..." In response, Chen Fan's merciless hand grabbed the man by the neck at close range. The man was skilled and immediately retreated, trying to break free, and kicked out fiercely, but unfortunately, he was facing Chen Fan. Chen Fan's large hand tightened, pressing down on the man's neck, and with an elbow strike to his temple, the man's neck slumped. The remaining four, witnessing this, cried out and lunged at Chen Fan. Someone had already drawn a gun from their waist. It was the standard-issue sidearm of the Sakura Country Self-Defense Forces.