Chapter 168: Strike When the Iron is Hot

Before Wu Yaoming and Wang Yue could even reach the door of India’s team office, they were met with curses echoing from various offices along the corridor.

Their expressions immediately grew more solemn. Clearly, the situation with the United States team had caught everyone off guard and disrupted their morale.

Just as they reached the door at the end of the corridor and were about to enter, footsteps sounded from the stairwell behind them. They glanced over their shoulders, their faces momentarily registering surprise.

“Everick, how are you?” Wang Yue called out, her voice cutting through the chaos like a switch.

The noisy environment suddenly fell silent. Doors banged open one by one.

Everyone appeared shocked as they looked over.

Everick, disheveled and haunted, stood before them. His eyes were vacant, his body was a mess, and his knees were scuffed.

Everick didn’t respond to their calls. He walked straight to the office assigned to the United States team. The onlookers, seeing his condition, dared not speak and silently watched him pass.

Mere minutes after entering, Everick walked out, clutching his backpack.

Wu Yaoming stepped forward, his brow furrowed slightly.

“Are you dropping out?”

Wu Yaoming’s question made everyone exchange uneasy glances. Everick halted his steps but didn’t turn around.

“Drop out? Ha! As long as I’m still standing, death is the only exit in my life,” Everk Everick, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

“I acknowledge my failure, but we in the United States never concede defeat. Our nation is full of capable and brave warriors. This setback is trivial. When I return, I will make Wang Yun worship my fallen comrades.”

With these words, Everick walked determinedly toward the staircase.

Those left behind listened to his bold declaration, watching his retreating figure with mixed feelings.

They shook their heads and scoffed quietly. In their eyes, Everick was just a man who had narrowly escaped death, yet here he was, boasting grandly. But no one dared voice their mockery aloud. They feared they might be the next Everick.

Wu Yaoming and Wang Yue proceeded to the room of the Indian team. Captain Dragon Hand was clearly already aware of the conversation that had took place outside, his face marked by anger.

“This Wang Yun dares to kill right under our noses. He utterly disregards the law,” he said.

“Captain Dragon Hand, do you have any solid suggestions?” Wang Yue asked.

Captain Dragon Hand was no fool. His intelligence and strategic acumen were well-regarded.

“Starting tomorrow, I propose that China’s team sends a pair of inspectors to collaborate directly with our team. We should call for immediate backup if any threat arises. Moreover, as we expand our operational area, I suggest increasing our manpower accordingly. For each additional kilometer, we should add ten team members and position snipers strategically to cover various directions. This will not only guard against surprise attacks from Wang Yun but also enhance our surveillance capabilities.”

Captain Dragon Hand’s voice faltered slightly as he concluded, betraying a hint of uncertainty.

“Agreed, this plan sounds workable. Additionally, Kolyev has already instructed his subordinates to investigate the four individuals who attacked Everick. We expect to have results soon,” Wang Yue said.

“That settles it. We’ll start investigating the three-kilometer area nearby at six tomorrow morning. Also, let’s review the nearby surveillance to see if we can track down those four individuals,” Wu Yaoming declared.

Finding clues directly from Wang Yun seemed improbable now.

He knew precisely how to evade the cameras and covered his tracks impeccably. Therefore, their focus shifted to the four associates; not everyone was as elusive as Wang Yun. Every person has a weakness.

***

Meanwhile, Wang Yun could anticipate the program inspectors’ movements. He was not one to wait passively until the next morning.

“Comfortable!”

After obliterating the United States team and returning to his villa, Wang Yun slept deeply and woke up at twelve past midnight.

A hunter’s work spans day and night.

“How is the surveillance going?” Wang Yun asked as he entered the room where Xiao Fang and his team operated.

Rows of computers filled the space. Their fifteen information specialists worked in shifts around the clock, some tasked with locating Wang Yun’s former subordinates, while others kept watch over the program inspection team’s activities.

“A squad from West Country just left the base, heading southwest toward an area with a cluster of old residential buildings. I believe it’s for a search operation,” Xiao Fang reported.

He continued, “Meanwhile, Japan has moved to the lakeside in the southern outskirts, where there are many open parks and courtyards, likely to commence their investigation there. Also, Brother Yun, today we received information that twenty-three of your former subordinates have been captured by program inspection teams from various countries. Here’s the list. Do you want to proceed with the next phase of the plan?”

Xiao Fang handed over a sheet of paper.

Wang Yun glanced at it briefly and set it aside.

“Let’s hold off for now. These program inspection teams comprise top-tier personnel from around the world. They’re quite formidable, and if we’re to plan a rescue, we need a meticulously crafted plan. Any other updates?” Wang Yun asked.

“Additionally, there has been no movement from China and India’s teams, but the Captains of both program groups left together. Finally, there’s Everick. He left, but his state when departing was abnormal, somewhat paranoid and twisted, though perhaps my brother saw it wrong,” Xiao Fang said, providing an update on the developments during Wang Yun’s five-hour break.

“Hmm? ‘Paranoid pervert’, haha, that nickname suits him quite well,” Wang Yun couldn’t help but smile crookedly when he heard this description.

Indeed, if Everick were too calm, he’d actually lose some respect for him.

“Forget about Everick, he’s probably gone to seek reinforcements. Since India and China have teamed up, let’s avoid touching these two for now. It’s too risky to engage when the target is so large. Let’s start with West Country. The masks I’ve made are modeled after Japanese faces. You should know what to do.”

After Wang Yun finished speaking, Xiao Fang immediately nodded in agreement.

He then quickly informed the others. The action started promptly.

Everyone moved quickly. The West Country had only dispatched a small squad. There were a total of eighteen people. Among them, four were elite program inspectors.

The four of them, along with several regular program inspectors, centered their search around Spring Garden Community, covering a radius of one kilometer. They were conducting a thorough search.

Unbeknownst to them, at this moment, more than a dozen passers-by were converging on Spring Garden from various directions–north, south, east, and west.

“Captain, no discoveries in Fannan Community.”

“Report, Captain, there have been no new tenants in Liyuan Community recently, nor have there been any outsiders or visitors in the area.”

“Reporting, Captain, no suspicious traces have been found in the Internet cafes or gaming halls on Hubin Road.”

Meanwhile, at the entrance of Spring Garden Community, a man under a streetlight was frequently receiving updates through his walkie-talkie. Nearby, four individuals were methodically entering and exiting the buildings.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay