Chapter 50

Chapter 50

He tuned out the rest of their discussion. Eventually, the officer sent someone to check the device on his neck, saying they’d try to get the supplies, but couldn’t say when.

The masked man’s voice went cold when he heard that, and he urged Ruan Yunchu to return.

With no way to resist, he turned and went back through the heavy doors.

The massive doors clanged shut. The masked man stood there, face dark, clearly dissatisfied with the result.

Ruan Yunchu passed on the Alliance military’s answer, then glanced around at the crowd. The wounded tycoon lay on the floor, his chest still rising and falling, the blood beneath him no longer flowing—obviously the shot had already kicked in.

In front of the group, wrist terminals and communicators had all been confiscated and tossed into a pile, like a pile of scrap.

As Ruan Yunchu returned, the masked man gestured, and someone came forward to search him.

They took his wrist terminal and tossed it onto the scrap pile.

Tangsen was crouched behind, mouthing words at him, seemingly asking about the situation outside. Ruan Yunchu glanced over but ignored him.

While he was gone, not much had changed. Before the masked man could finish conferring with his people, those sent to search the gallery for remaining visitors returned.

Ruan Yunchu saw them shake their heads—clearly, they had found no one.

Someone approached the masked man and skillfully pulled up the surveillance footage.

“Someone left from the top floor ahead of time. There’s no departure record, so the numbers don’t match.”

The masked man snorted. “What a waste of time. Just keep everyone in sight.”

The wealthy businessman on the floor was breathing weakly; the girl knelt beside him, her body trembling slightly with fear and worry.

Watching the scene, Ruan Yunchu felt a momentary daze, distant memories flooding back.

But before he could dwell on them, someone suddenly stepped up and hooked a finger through the black ring on his neck.

“Spill it. Everything you saw.”

Ruan Yunchu frowned slightly, having trouble breathing as the band tightened around his neck.

“The Alliance military and armed forces—those outside seem to have some significant backing.”

“Significant backing?” The masked man repeated with interest.

Beside him, someone quickly identified the officer who had initially spoken with Ruan Yunchu based on the recorded video.

“He’s the deputy captain of the Sixth Division in Sector B, not much experience.”

The masked man’s eyes turned dangerous. “How small-time.”

Ruan Yunchu remained indifferent. “I wasn’t referring to him.”

The masked man couldn’t be bothered with him and quickly dispersed his subordinates. When Ruan Yunchu returned to the crowd, he saw them each holding a black box, spreading out across the venue in a way that felt like…

Ruan Yunchu’s expression tightened, but strangely, he no longer felt the fear he should have.

Perhaps because of that familiar voice he’d faintly heard earlier. If that really was Yan Zhuo, then probably no one was going to die today.

As if to confirm his thought, a short while later, someone hurried down from the second floor and murmured to the masked man.

The masked man’s face went pale, and his whole demeanor turned dark.

“Fine. If they don’t care about lives, then we’ll blow this whole place.”

As his words fell, a wave of commotion rippled through the crowd.

Before Ruan Yunchu could even process anything, the masked man singled him out of the crowd.

“Let him out.”

Once outside again, Ruan Yunchu was breathing steady, his face blank.

The scene outside was no different from before. The Alliance troops outside recognized him but kept their guns on him.

When he reached the bottom of the steps, the officer who had spoken to him earlier approached.

“Don’t get close,” Ruan Yunchu said flatly. Once the man had retreated to a safe distance, he took a deep breath and continued, “He thinks you’re stalling. He plans to blow the whole place. This thing on my neck could go off any second, so we’ll talk from here.”

The officer’s expression changed rapidly. “We’re already on it. This serum needs approval first, then a space-station transfer—can’t just appear instantly. They need it, so they must understand that.”

Ruan Yunchu: “They seem impatient.”

“Even if they’re impatient—” The man was clearly worried about the situation inside, but before he could finish, he broke off and pressed his earpiece, listening.

Ruan Yunchu stood still, a vague sense of danger creeping in.

Just then, the officer’s face changed slightly, and he looked up at Ruan Yunchu.

Their eyes met for a second, but Ruan Yunchu read the look.

“Talk to them. We have three doses ready now, can hand them over right away. If he agrees, we’ll take you to get them.”

Ruan Yunchu looked down, silent, waiting for the masked man inside to answer.

He knew that even if he didn’t repeat it, they could hear everything outside perfectly.

“Go get them back.” The masked man’s voice came through crackling with static, but Ruan Yunchu could still hear the agitation in it.

After hearing Ruan Yunchu pass that on, the officer signaled to push the safety perimeter back another meter. Then someone came out carrying a box, with an escort.

“These are the only three doses on Planet C. This is the best we can do. If you need more, we’ll have to wait.”

Ruan Yunchu waited for the masked man to speak again, but this time the man stayed quiet for a long time.

Confused, Ruan Yunchu frowned and instinctively started to turn his head, but the man in front of him suddenly called out.

“Don’t move. Let me check that thing around your neck.”

To anyone watching from behind, they’d just look like they were facing each other. But only Ruan Yunchu and the soldier knew he was now carefully examining the necklace-like ornament, gripping it.

Ruan Yunchu paused for a moment. “They can’t hear this?”

“It’s temporarily jammed. Don’t worry, we’re already moving to rescue you.” The soldier’s hands were steady, his voice calm.

As if to prove his point, screams erupted from the venue behind them the next moment.

As soon as that voice rang out, Ruan Yunchu noticed that the person in front of him dropped the act. Immediately, several fully armed figures emerged from behind the front lines, surrounding him and beginning to dismantle the neck ring.

Not far away, the officer’s voice was urgent.

“No matter what, capture the leader first. We have a hostage here carrying a dangerous device, and the remote should be with the leader. Please subdue him as quickly as possible.”

“…”

As the urgent warning reached his ears, the man in combat uniform had just taken care of two masked men attempting to take hostages.

He listened and his expression darkened. Lifting his gaze, he swept his eyes over the chaotic venue. Even though all the aggressive figures wore identical outfits, he accurately singled out the leader in black from the crowd.

The man seemed to be holding something in his hand, about to press down.

Yan Zhuo raised his head slightly and let out a sigh.

It seemed there was no other way.

“…”

Holding his breath, Ruan Yunchu tilted his head back, allowing them to work. A sharp sense of danger shot through his head, and he could clearly hear their anxious discussions.

“There’s no time. How much longer?” The officer behind urged instinctively.

Without waiting for their reply, the next second, an intense psychic pressure suddenly spread throughout the venue.

A sharp ringing filled his ears. For a moment, Ruan Yunchu almost lost his balance, staggering and barely being steadied. His temples throbbed with sharp pain.

Even the protected security zone experienced violent fluctuations.

“Damn! What kind of area-of-effect attack is this?” someone cursed under their breath.

Then the scene descended into chaos.

Ruan Yunchu didn’t know when the device around his neck was removed. By the time he emerged from that groggy, dazed state, he was already on the ambulance being taken to the hospital.

Lying on the bed, he moved slightly, and a sharp pain radiated through his head, forcing him to part his lips and adjust his breathing.

“You’re awake,” someone suddenly appeared beside him.

He was startled for a moment, but upon seeing the nurse’s uniform, he relaxed.

“Relax, we’re almost at the hospital. What you just experienced was a psychic shock. It’s normal to feel uncomfortable and nauseous now.”

Ruan Yunchu moved his lips but ultimately lacked the strength to speak, so he nodded slightly.

After the nurse left, he stared blankly at the ceiling of the ambulance, slowly recalling the scent he had noticed earlier.

Aside from the overly stimulating psychic pressure, he had also detected a vast, intense, and blazing aura, like the blazing sun, making him feel like his skin was burning under the sweltering heat.

It was Yan Zhuo’s pheromones.

He slowly closed his eyes. Even though he knew his current situation was dangerous, everything he had experienced today had left him without any strength to think.

Before long, he slipped into unconsciousness.

His sleep didn’t last long. After arriving at the hospital, he underwent examinations and was found to have only a mild concussion. He decided to ignore the doctor’s advice to stay overnight for observation and checked himself out directly.

As he left, the hospital ground floor was in chaos. He glanced around and saw mostly people from today’s exhibition. Medical staff and Alliance soldiers had surrounded the courtyard, with several military hover vehicles parked behind.

Remembering the oppressive psychic force, he felt an inexplicable unease. He slipped out through a side door without saying a word.

Back at the hotel, he realized he hadn’t picked up his terminal and couldn’t contact anyone now.

After a moment’s thought, he went to knock on a classmate’s door, borrowed their communicator, and contacted Tangsen. Unexpectedly, the moment he sent the message, a call request immediately popped up.

Ruan Yunchu paused for a moment and answered.

“Xiao Yun, are you back?” Tangsen’s voice was anxious.

“Yeah, but I forgot my watch. Could you please pick it up for me? The initial password is 111119.”

“Got it, I just picked mine up. I’ll grab yours now.”

“Thanks.”

Ruan Yunchu hung up briskly, thanked his classmates, and returned to his room to wait.

After everything today, he felt dirty. Even though the doctor had advised rest, he still grabbed a change of clothes and headed straight to the bathroom.

-

Outside the hospital.

Tangsen finished the call, feeling a bit elated. He turned back and went to the personal belongings pickup area.

Not far away, a group of Alliance military personnel passed by.

At the front was a man with an exceptionally tall, well-built frame. His black combat uniform outlined the contours of powerful, explosive muscles, making it clear he was no ordinary person.

Tangsen stared for a while, guessing he was a big shot.

But before he could look too long, the people ahead had already finished, so it was his turn.

He quickly stepped forward. “I'm here to pick up a friend's watch. It's a blue H-brand 609, the new model... that one.”

The attendant opened the watch and accessed the initial password screen.

“Verify the password.”

“…”

“Your actions this time—you're definitely going to get chewed out when we get back. Too reckless.”

Yan Zhuo listened to the person tailing him complain and felt a headache building. “You said it was urgent.”

“It was urgent…” The person shuddered at the memory of the countdown that started when the neck ring was removed, but since it was over, he had to focus on practical concerns now. “For someone like you, there had to be other ways to handle that.”

“So what? This matter has already wasted enough of my time.”

Yan Zhuo’s patience was wearing thin.

Hearing this, the person behind didn’t dare say more. He sighed and decided to write the self-criticism report early when he got back.

Yan Zhuo dropped his eyes to the chaotic scene outside the hospital and was about to head out first when he suddenly heard a male voice nearby.

“The initial password is 111119, and the ID should be Yun.”

He stopped in his tracks. The person behind nearly tripped from the sudden halt.

“W-what’s wrong?”

Yan Zhuo did not respond. Instead, he turned to look at the temporary checkpoint nearby and saw a young man in neat attire taking a blue watch.

"Thanks, appreciate it." Tangsen had successfully retrieved the watch, and thinking that he could use the opportunity to return it to find Fu Yun and have a meal together, the last of his fear vanished.

But who would have expected that as soon as he took it, a hand reached out from the side and snatched the watch.

"Hey—"

Tangsen was about to snap, but turned to face a man who was much taller. Seeing the combat uniform on the other man, he immediately got serious.

"Hello."

Yan Zhuo glanced at him, then opened the terminal. The screensaver was the manufacturer's default starry sky image, revealing nothing.

"Is this yours?"

His tone was cold, but somehow it made Tangsen feel intensely pressured, so he had to tell the truth: "It's my friend's. He had something to do and left first, and asked me to pick it up for him."

"What does 111119 mean?"

"I-I don't know. He just told me that number." Tangsen said awkwardly.

"What's his name?" Yan Zhuo asked, his heart pounding heavily in his chest.

"Fu Yun."

Yan Zhuo's hand trembled slightly. He shot a cold look at the skinny man, staring until the man froze, then he spoke again.

"Are you two... friends?"

Tangsen cleared his throat and nodded: "Yes, we're from the same school. We're here with our advisor for a project survey."

Yan Zhuo didn't give him a hard time and handed the terminal back.

"Better head back early."

"Okay, thank you."

Tangsen didn't dare linger. He grabbed his stuff and bolted.

Yan Zhuo watched the figure disappear through the gate. He rarely did so, but he took a deep breath to steady himself, then turned to give an order.

"Have someone tail him and find out his hotel and room number, and get me a list of the hostages from today's exhibition."

"Yes."

"..."

Tangsen hurried back to the hotel. It was already late, and he figured Ruan Yunchu would already be asleep. But after just two knocks, a voice answered from inside.

The door opened to reveal a young man in cotton pajamas, his soft hair falling over his shoulders, looking a bit sleepy.

"Xiao Yun, your watch." Tangsen quickly handed it to him.

"Thanks, I'll buy you dinner tonight." Ruan Yunchu said politely.

"No big deal. I was right there anyway. But if you're offering, I won't say no." Tangsen winked at him.

Ruan Yunchu didn't take the hint. "How's the situation? Any casualties?"

"Doesn't seem like it, but the Federation seemed to take it seriously. I saw a few people who looked like bigwigs."

Ruan Yunchu's heart gave a lurch.

"Who?"

"I don't know. They were wearing really cool combat suits—I couldn't tell their rank—but they had a bunch of people following them." Tangsen thought of something. "He even questioned me."

The gut feeling of unease that had been growing since he got back from the hospital was confirmed. Ruan Yunchu almost stopped breathing.

"What did he ask you?"

Tangsen had thought he'd be dismissed after returning the watch, but since he was getting a chance to talk, he recounted the whole thing in detail.

"That's pretty much it. He gave the watch back, and I left."

When he finished, he saw that Ruan Yunchu had gone pale.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Ruan Yunchu answered instinctively, then glanced down the hallway.

No one.

But he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Tangsen wanted to ask something else, but Ruan Yunchu cut him off. He stepped back into the room and looked at him gravely.

"Please let the advisor know that I have something urgent to take care of and have to leave the hotel. I'll get in touch once it's sorted."

With that, he started to close the door. Tangsen was completely baffled by the sudden turn of events.

"Why? Aren't we heading out for the survey tomorrow?"

But the other man didn't answer, just slammed the door.

Ten minutes later.

Ruan Yunchu changed and shouldered his bag. When he came out, Tangsen was already gone—he'd knocked for a few minutes with no answer and left.

He knew he didn't have a lot of time. He left the hotel and hastily hailed a random cab to the spaceport.

Once the car moved, he kept an eye on the vehicles behind. When he was sure no one was tailing him, he tapped his watch to look for the earliest flight off the planet.

The earliest shuttle was headed to the neighboring planet, departing in an hour.

A lot of tickets were still available, so he didn't rush to buy one.

Even though he wasn't sure whether Yan Zhuo, because of this chance encounter, would see through the staged death and figure out his real identity, he always trusted his gut and didn't think it was wise to gamble on staying.

He had to assume the worst.

If Yan Zhuo had been suspicious, he'd have already confirmed his identity by now—no, he'd only need one look at the Federation's surveillance footage from the exhibition to see through the flimsy disguise.

So if he bought the ticket early, his travel plans would be discovered.

He had to get to the spaceport first, and buy the ticket at the very last second before the cutoff, then board directly.

"..."

20 minutes later, the car slowly came to a stop a few hundred meters from the starport.

"Sorry, could you hold on a moment? It looks like the car is having trouble," the driver said apologetically, before quickly getting out to check.

Ruan Yunchu furrowed his brows slightly, glancing out the window.

By then it was already evening. The starport, a building made entirely of glass, radiated a brilliant light, while the surroundings were dim, with few people lingering.

He glanced at his watch, then grabbed his bag, deciding to walk the rest of the way.

But just as he pushed open the car door and set one foot on the ground, a tall, dark figure appeared outside the door, forcing him back inside.

The black military boots were spotless and sharp, his long, powerful legs encased in combat gear, exuding an oppressive aura.

Looking up from this angle was uncomfortable. Ruan Yunchu's eyelid twitched as a bad feeling crept in. He instinctively lifted his gaze, only to meet a pair of cold and cruel eyes.

In that instant, his heart raced violently.

His mind went blank for a brief moment. Before Ruan Yunchu could react, the man leaned down slightly, one hot, rough hand gripping his cheek, his thumb rubbing with a mix of lightness and pressure along the smooth jawline.

He said nothing, but his entire being radiated danger.

At this point, pretending to be clueless was pointless.

Ruan Yunchu was rarely at a loss for words, but still he opened his mouth: "Yan..."

Before he could finish, the man suddenly clamped his broad hand tightly over Ruan Yunchu's mouth and nose.

The next moment, a sharp pain stabbed into his neck. Before he could attempt to say anything else, a violent dizziness surged through his head.

"Go to sleep," Yan Zhuo said calmly, his deep, dark eyes filled only with coldness. And under that gaze, Ruan Yunchu abruptly lost consciousness.