CHAPTER 347: CHAPTER 326 ENTER

Glancing around at the terrain, he climbed to the base of the high tower. Behind the pile of stones, there was no entrance, but rather a cable hanging down, used to supply electricity. The other end of this cable was connected to a small distribution room, allowing an easy bypass of the tower’s guards. It was a blind spot where no one would notice.

At this moment, a car drove out from inside. Xiao Lin quickly hid behind the base of the tower. Taking advantage of the guards coming down for inspection, Xiao Lin climbed onto the cable, descending bit by bit.

Miao Shaoqing reached the mountain top and glanced back at Xiao Lin. He was crawling over a man’s head, his body swaying in the wind. Miao Shaoqing couldn’t help but pull out his weapon. If anything unexpected happened, he would mercilessly take out the opponent. The gun’s muzzle was aimed at the man’s head until Xiao Lin leapt onto a roof, only then did he put down the gun and disappear into the night.

To Xiao Lin’s surprise, he didn’t see any heavy weapons at the second checkpoint. The defense here was not as strong as the first one. He was puzzled about what this Fourth Master was thinking given such a fact.

A few scattered individuals stood at the checkpoint smoking, seemingly discussing something with a sleazy expression. The motorcade had already passed through here. Xiao Lin stood at a distance, calculating the best route to pass. Just then, a business car slowly approached from afar, its tinted glass windows rolled up high, prompting Xiao Lin to flash to the side.

The car stopped at the checkpoint, and the guard tossed away his cigarette and stepped forward. A few others began inspecting the car. Taking advantage of this gap, Xiao Lin slowly approached the car.

Subsequently, a few more cars lined up behind, entering. This was the best opportunity for Xiao Lin. With a swift motion, before the others could clearly see, he had already crossed the fence and entered the base. Those checking outside only hesitated for a moment, then scratched their heads and continued their patrol.

Once inside the base, one could truly grasp its vastness, something unobservable from outside. It resembled a small military base, with an organized layout and specifications.

What stunned Xiao Lin was the main block completely embedded in the mountain. The enormity of the project was unimaginable, and on the other side of the mountain, another half-finished palace. Its exterior hinted at opulence, and the interior could only be more impressive.

Walking in the shadows, Xiao Lin noticed a stage already set up in the center of the base. Earlier arrivals had parked their vehicles on the left, with laughter from women echoing from a simple inflatable tent.

A soldier walked by, and Xiao Lin, with a quick reach, pulled him into the dark, pressing firmly on his baihui acupoint. The soldier collapsed to the ground. Xiao Lin stripped off his clothes, put them on himself, then dragged him into a pile of debris before stepping out. He didn’t rush to find Hua Qingyi, who was mingling among the dancers, but instead slowly strolled towards the main block.

The vehicles following him into the base parked on the right side. The people getting out were quickly guided into the main block. Just a brief glance, and he saw Hassan among them. He must be an invited guest. What kind of auction would this be tonight, attracting such a crowd? Fourth Master indeed held considerable sway.

The annex wasn’t connected to the main block, standing alone on both sides. Though it appeared somewhat crude externally, it was extremely sturdy. Each room looked identical, with some rooms lit and others with people coming and going. This should be the soldiers’ quarters. Could the other building be the armory? Thinking this, Xiao Lin quickly headed towards the dark building.

Three stories high with only one door for entry, and no exterior stairs. Xiao Lin tugged on the door handle, but it didn’t budge. He stepped back a couple of steps and looked up.

"What are you doing here, get back to your post!" someone shouted at him suddenly. Xiao Lin lowered the brim of his hat and merged into a group of soldiers, warming himself by the furnace, all the while keeping his eyes on that building.

"Here, drink!" someone thrust a bottle into his hand. He took it and drank deeply. On such a cold night, alcohol was the best way to warm up.

Gradually, a few more cars arrived and parked on the right. The people getting out were from all over, both Easterners and Westerners. Xiao Lin circled the furnace, never taking his eyes off that building.

Without a key, there’s no way into the main block. The only accessible entry was from the side. However, based on visual measurement, he couldn’t fit in. But that spot was the easiest to climb and least likely to be noticed.

Xiao Lin rubbed his hands together, tossing the empty bottle into the fire like the others. The minimal residual alcohol caused a roar, flames leaping like a Poison Dragon. This was a soldier’s mundane pleasure, boring yet inevitable.

Stepping aside, Xiao Lin lit a cigarette and squatted to the side. The entire base seemed unusually slack and careless tonight. Puffing smoke, he blended into the night, his obscured skin revealing only his eyes and long lashes, shaded beneath the brim.

In the time it took to smoke a cigarette, no one approached the building. From his position, he could see the small window. Without hesitation, he employed his unique footwork, leaping up. His legs pushed off, his hands grabbed the fortified steel bars, climbing up. He then ascended from another side of the bars. A portion ahead showed signs of collapse; these steel bars were to prevent it from tilting.

Though seemingly only three stories high, the building’s real height was about four and a half stories. The small window was now within arm’s reach. Xiao Lin climbed up one more height and then hung his body upside down, bracing himself on the windowsill, peering inside.

Inside the room wasn’t entirely dark; shadows moved faintly. Suddenly, a familiar side profile both surprised and delighted him. Xiao Lin’s heart raced to his throat. Just as he was about to tap on the window, a shadow flickered, flipping him entirely off the steel bars. Realizing someone approaching, Xiao Lin deftly twisted his body, evading the shadow’s momentum. Simultaneously, he lifted a leg and kicked, hitting the opponent. A muffled sound ensued as the shadow crouched on the bars.

"Ling?" Xiao Lin uncertainly called out. That muffled grunt sounded very familiar. He wasn’t sure if this person could really be here. Moreover, if it was him, why try to stop him? The Military Advisor was surely inside; he couldn’t be mistaken.

The man crouched on the bars stood up, seemingly anticipating Xiao Lin’s move to raise his left hand. When he feigned an attack on his left side, suddenly he struck from the right. Xiao Lin dodged, but was heavily struck in the chest. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidian.com to vote with recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)