“Is it that bad?”

Grand Duke Zhuxue smiled and lightly flicked the white paper.

With a “boom!”

A resounding crash came from the study floor. The Labrador retriever was flung off the paper, landing heavily on the ground, its paws in the air and its face a picture of bewilderment… Once it came to its senses, it immediately rolled over and went to its master's side, lowering its voice to growl menacingly, but dared not move a step forward.

“Actually, it's not that bad.”

Lin Lin walked into the study, and without the Duke’s permission, he crossed his legs at the desk, gazing at the effeminate man on the rooftop. “After all… I just came to say hello. I’ll be gone in two minutes.”

“Is that supposed to be perfunctory?”

Zhuxue was speechless.

Every year, he would send people to the Gubu Fortress, starting with gentle reminders and instructions, then slowly turning into requests. When those methods failed, he switched to a tough stance, demanding that Lin Lin return to Qianjin City for a visit.

And today… Lin Lin did return to Qianjin City.

But only to stay for two minutes before leaving.

This visit seemed utterly insincere, and somewhat mocking.

“You’re leaving Beizhou?”

Zhuxue showed no anger, and continued with a smile.

He lowered his head, folding the snow-white paper in his palm.

After the Labrador retriever was flung out, the few drops of black ink that had been on the paper had vanished, as if they had been flung off the paper with the motion, turning it back into a blank, ordinary sheet.

“I just want to go for a drive, and get some… fresh air.” Lin Lin said calmly, “As you know, Gubu is a cold place. The soldiers rotate every year, and they all have their own holidays.”

“You are no exception. Except that you never take a vacation… The great Gubu Fortress Lookout, Zheng Yi Gongdian night watchman, and the youngest Brigadier General in Beizhou's history.”

Zhuxue lowered his head, folding the white paper, a smile on his lips.

Lin Lin was silent for a moment, sensing the mockery in those words.

“Someone who never takes a vacation, why would they suddenly want to take one?” Zhuxue seemed to be posing a question, but it was more like answering himself, “I remember ten years ago, when we were learning from ‘Teacher,’ you never liked listening to lectures. You always liked to daydream and cause trouble in class, but one day you suddenly became well-behaved and obedient… It wasn't because you’d seen the light, but because you’d fallen asleep.”

People’s habits

cannot be changed in a day.

“So there’s only one truth… This trip isn’t just about getting some fresh air…” Grand Duke Zhuxue suddenly raised his hand, smiling as he displayed the freshly made craft in his palm, and said, “Ta-da!”

In the short span of a few sentences, the white paper had been folded into a simple paper airplane.

Lin Lin, with his legs crossed, silently watched the man before him.

In Qianjin City, many people feared the name Zhuxue… because the name represented iron blood, coldness, and ruthlessness.

Zhuxue had no friends.

So no one had ever seen… this Duke say so many words in one go.

“As I expected, seeing you is a terrible thing.” Lin Lin slowly uttered those words, “Then I’ll just lay my cards on the table and erase the trajectory of gB096.”

“…Everyone has secrets.”

Grand Duke Zhuxue narrowed his eyes and said, “I won’t ask where you’re going. But erasing the trajectory is a big responsibility for me to shoulder.”

“This isn’t a secret. I’ll tell my sister everything.”

Lin Lin said something that Zhuxue couldn’t refute.

Zhuxue could only fall silent.

Seconds later.

He examined the paper airplane in his palm, sighed softly, and asked, “I’d really like to know… After this is done, you won’t stay in Qianjin City?”

Lin Lin was silent.

Zhuxue asked with a smile, “Not even for a minute?”

Zhuxue sighed again, “Your sister wants to see you. Can’t you even catch up?”

The silence in the study lasted for a long time.

“Six hours ago, when you set off, I’d already erased the record. The gB096 airship will not be detected by the Federal Council. I’ve given it the highest authority in Qianjin City. Now it’s a ghost floating in the skies above the Five Continents.”

Zhuxue turned his back and gently breathed on the paper airplane.

The snow-white paper spun in the air.

A gust of wind blew over Qianjin City, the airflow turbulent, but the paper airplane flew steadily, heading far into the sky, disappearing into the light clouds, eventually vanishing from sight.

Zhuxue narrowed his eyes, gazing at the distant clouds, and softly murmured, “The willful are always accompanied by good luck… Congratulations, you’re free again.”

The study was already empty.

…

…

Dadu District.

Northern edge, on the summit of a barren mountain, a dozen lanterns were lit.

With the flames of these lanterns burning, the summit of this barren mountain was completely shielded from the data surveillance of the Shenhai (Deep Sea) network… In fact, this was already the weakest point of monitoring in Dadu District. On weekdays, it was sparsely populated, and big data hardly transmitted computing power here, so the surveillance density couldn’t compare with the bustling areas of Dadu Center.

“Although I don’t know what kind of transaction this is… but you insisted on appearing in person, even using the lanterns, and yet you didn’t bring any guards. Isn’t that inappropriate?”

The view from the summit was very open.

There was only one person here.

Lu Nanzhi stood in the mountain wind, and said calmly, “Ying Ji is still lying in bed… If he recovers, I’ll be happy to bring him with me.”

Cui Zhongcheng was on the other end of the communicator, and was silent for a moment.

The Huazhi (Flower Sign) had received the task of arranging "Jinqi Mountain" several days ago. In reality, this was a rather remote and barren mountain… The so-called arrangement task was to install Huazhi's own "surveillance" methods, while shielding the Deep Sea data surveillance as much as possible.

As the person in charge of the task

Cui Zhongcheng only knew that the Madam would be completing a transaction today… As for the person, object, and everything else involved in the transaction, he had not been informed.

Ninety-nine percent of the people in this world would be curious.

But Cui Zhongcheng just so happened to be that one percent.

He didn't ask, simply because… he didn't want to ask, or rather, he didn't care.

Cui Zhongcheng glanced at the time and said, "It's the agreed time. There are no abnormalities in the surveillance cloud map… As you said, if the 'transaction' begins, the surveillance needs to be disconnected. If something unexpected happens, how can we ensure your safety?"

Five thousand meters away.

Snipers, officers, and members of the Chengxin Society had already been lying in ambush… They were ready to deal with any unexpected situation in this “transaction” at any time.

Lu Nanzhi raised her head.

Above the clouds in front of her, there was a low rumble of wind and clouds.

Above the cloud top, there seemed to be a faint shadow, like a whale swimming.

There was the sound of something falling rapidly from the sky.

Everyone was very nervous.

But… all they saw was an alloy heavy-duty container falling from a height of ten thousand meters, landing with incredible precision on the summit of Jinqi Mountain. After stirring up a cloud of dust… the surface of the container was undamaged.

The next moment.

The giant whale seemed to spurt out a circle of exhaust, like a loud, drawn-out cry.

None of the superhumans waiting here could see the true appearance of the "comer."

Everything was already over.

Even Cui Zhongcheng fell silent, and asked uncertainly, "Is it over?"

"Mm…"

What a guy who comes and goes like the wind.

Lu Nanzhi narrowed her eyes, trying to capture the receding shadow in the clouds, but to no avail.

She shook her head and said softly, "The transaction is complete. You can have the people outside withdraw."

The shadow just now was… an airship from Beizhou.

073 really came.

In fact, from the very beginning, the biggest problem with this transaction wasn't whether the goods could be delivered.

But… whether 073 was willing to keep the appointment.

She walked to the huge alloy box, and saw a line of small characters engraved on the surface of the box.

"From 073."