CHAPTER 261: CHAPTER 261: THE SECRET BEFORE NEW YEAR (1)_1

"Commanders, rest assured. Leave the girl to me; I will protect her with my life," Ye Sanshao assured everyone confidently.

"But..."

"Don’t worry. Even if I die, I won’t let her get hurt. After all, she’s my lifesaver. And time is running out; let’s get moving quickly," Ye Sanshao reiterated his promise. Only then did Shangguan Hao reluctantly agree to Shangguan You tagging along.

"Auntie Li, lead the way," Shangguan You commanded. Under the Obedience Curse, Li Wanying immediately became docile, her previously malevolent expression turning to one of confusion. She stood up, donned the white lab coat hanging on the wall, put on a mask, and even slipped gloves onto her hands.

Only after she was fully equipped did she sit back down. No sooner had she done so than a large hole appeared in the floor. WHOOSH! Her body dropped straight in.

Everyone exchanged glances. Shangguan You was the first to jump in, followed by Ye Sanshao, then Shangguan Hao, one after another dropping into the hole. A few people remained in the office to stand guard, while the rest instantly leaped down.

Just as everyone disappeared, the hole closed up again. The empty chair spun a few times, a silent testament to the opening that had just been there.

No sooner had Shangguan You dropped into the hole than her hands were immediately grasped—her left by one large hand, her right by another. The hand grasping her right was slightly calloused, broad, and solid. A comforting warmth emanated from its palm, enveloping her and setting her at ease. This was her father’s hand. The hand grasping her left was somewhat smoother, carrying a hint of icy chill—this, of course, belonged to Ye Sanshao.

"Girl, stay close behind me and don’t run ahead on your own," Shangguan Hao’s deep voice echoed in her right ear.

"Stay behind me; I’ll keep them safe," Ye Sanshao’s mischievous voice sounded in her left ear. After about five minutes of complete darkness, they finally saw light again.

This was an underground research facility. The area they had just descended into was a pitch-black passage, presumably Li Wanying’s exclusive access.

The moment they landed, Li Wanying had vanished. Countless corridors now stretched out before them.

"Everyone split up and move in groups of six! Report any situation immediately. Capture everyone, regardless of age or gender. Do not touch anything in the lab. Understood?" Shangguan Hao ordered sternly.

"Yes, Commander!" everyone responded and, clutching their weapons, prepared to disperse into the numerous pathways.

"Daddy, I still think we shouldn’t split up," Shangguan You said, grabbing Shangguan Hao’s hand. "There might be traps here. If we separate, unexpected things are likely to happen." Li Wanying was under her talisman, yet had somehow managed to escape her sight. There had to be strict surveillance here; perhaps they had already been spotted the moment they entered. If they split up now, it would certainly be dangerous.

These people had faced life and death alongside her father, and she knew he wouldn’t want to see them in any danger either. If that was the case, then it would be better to stick together.

The moment she had entered, she had already sprinkled Rigidity Powder into the air. Anything alive or dead, human or ghastly, would be immobilized, with the exception of supernatural entities.

"I also think it’s safer for everyone to stick together," Ye Sanshao said, his brow furrowed. The moment he entered, he had felt an oppressive atmosphere.

"Girl, sometimes having more people doesn’t solve the problem, nor does it guarantee safety. Everyone, proceed with caution! Move out!" Shangguan Hao commanded, and the groups of six charged into the myriad corridors.

"But, Daddy..." Shangguan You looked at the dispersing groups and reluctantly closed her mouth. Perhaps she didn’t understand military tactics after all, so she couldn’t grasp Shangguan Hao’s approach.

"Let’s go. We’ll take the middle path," Shangguan Hao said, patting Shangguan You’s hair. Gun in hand, he led the way. Shangguan You and Ye Sanshao walked in the middle, while Yu Jiayong and Luo Jing brought up the rear. The group of six quickly advanced into the passage.

The corridor was white, the lights were white—everything here was white. Silently, everyone held their breath, on guard as they advanced step by step toward the unknown destination.

Suddenly, a sharp, agonized shriek echoed through the passage. Shangguan You’s expression turned grim. She could even smell a strong scent of blood and sensed a dangerous presence rushing toward them all.

"Danger ahead! All units, stay alert!" Shangguan Hao’s deep voice commanded over the communicators, and everyone halted their advance.

"Daddy, you all stay here; I’ll go check it out. Ye Sanshao, protect Daddy and the others. Don’t let them follow," Shangguan You said quickly. Without waiting for a response, her figure darted into the passage. Shangguan Hao wanted to stop her, but in the blink of an eye, she was gone.

"Stay here, I’ll go help," Ye Sanshao’s voice rang in their ears. Then, with a flash of a dark shadow, he too vanished before their eyes.

Shangguan Hao and the others exchanged glances, then quickly followed. No matter what, his daughter had to be safe. They wouldn’t just hide.

The stench of blood grew stronger. Shangguan You raced like the wind toward the source of the sound. Suddenly, her arm was gripped tightly. A rarely seen serious expression appeared on Ye Sanshao’s usually devilish face.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed? This is one of their secret research bases. Every move we make is under their surveillance. That’s why Li Wanying, despite being under your talisman, was still taken away by them. If you go in now, what awaits you will become your nightmare."

Ye Sanshao held her hand firmly, speaking rapidly. Behind the countless snow-white walls, he had seen those revolting, frenzied creatures. Researchers in white lab coats were also being swiftly moved away. This place was about to become an abandoned research facility.