The sky was overcast, and a light rain was falling.
Ye Ying, dressed in black, sat in a wheelchair holding an umbrella, half her body wrapped in bandages, her expression blank and dazed.
Behind her stood a dozen men and women in black formal wear, their expressions solemn and mournful. Their gazes were fixed on the coffin in front of them, where Gu Ya lay with closed eyes and a peaceful expression.
The coffin lid was slowly closed. Liu Feng, Xian Wangchuan, and Xiao Jin Quan were among those who placed the coffin onto a conveyor belt.
The coffin entered the high-temperature, high-pressure furnace smoothly.
Everyone stood in the rain, motionless, silently watching the flames rage within the furnace.
Ye Ying could not bear to watch and buried her face in Tao Na's embrace.
For a moment, Tao Na's black dress concealed Ye Ying's face.
Ye Ying's expression immediately relaxed, her face serene, as if nothing had happened.
Bai Zhan·Hen stood beside Xian Wangchuan and whispered, "Miracle has received intelligence indicating eight individuals are secretly monitoring us nearby, identified as belonging to Special Section Nine and the异械科 (Yi Xie Ke). Their positions are confirmed. Shall we act?"
Xian Wangchuan replied calmly, "Let them watch. We will play our parts well and buy time for Gu Ya."
At this very moment, the real Gu Ya was piloting a mecha, rushing at full speed towards Shanhai City.
One day prior, he had received a message from Bai Ying:
【Zhan Huo·Ji was assassinated by the Xian Xia 异械科 (Yi Xie Ke); the assassin's superior is located in Xian Xia City】
Combined with the identity of the assassin from the previous incident in Jin Quan Country, Gu Ya immediately realized there was a hidden branch of the Chong Li Sect within the 异械科 (Yi Xie Ke).
As for why Zhan Huo·Ji was assassinated, it was undoubtedly because a high-ranking figure in Xian Xia wanted to replace the management of Shanhai City with someone more compliant.
Thus, Gu Ya faked his death, had his friends cooperate in a staged scene, and secretly flew towards Shanhai City.
After two days and one night of flight, Gu Ya met Bai Ying on the outskirts of Shanhai City and headed towards Xian Xia.
"How is Mother? I'm a little worried about her," Bai Ying said calmly, lying on Gu Ya's lap.
Gu Ya nodded, indicating that Ye Ying was currently well, then said, "Upon arrival in Xian Xia City, we will act separately. You will continue to search for the true identity of the mastermind. As for me, I need to meet someone."
"Let's confirm our secret communication protocols for contact."
The man and the cat finalized their encrypted communication.
Bai Ying said, "Father, I've been trying to contact Hei Yang, but there's been no response. Even if Hei Yang is caught in spacetime traversal and has gone to other dimensions, 识息 (Shi Xi) should be able to penetrate any blockade to find it. Father, I suspect Hei Yang has already returned, but for some reason, cannot return to your body."
Gu Ya settled into the pilot's seat, cradling Bai Ying on his chest, his fingers gently stroking her head, offering no reply.
Currently, Gu Ya's mind was too chaotic to think.
They had achieved a phased victory in the war against the Black Stars, rallying the world to counterattack, and severely damaging the Black Stars. But the cost came swiftly. Li Fang and Zhan Huo·Ji were killed, and Gu Ya narrowly escaped death, almost succumbing to the mecha blood factor. Fortunately, at the last moment, Ye Ying inadvertently transfused blood to Gu Ya, replenishing the mecha blood factor and allowing his evolution to outpace death.
Just as he was reborn and preparing to press his advantage, the Chong Li Sect interfered again. What further angered Gu Ya was that the assassins had nearly killed Ye Ying and Liu Feng.
Gu Ya knew that leaving the Black Star Metropolis at this time was detrimental to fighting the Black Stars. However, if they didn't clear out the "insects," they would undoubtedly continue to cause trouble.
"Father, what are you thinking about? Bai Ying wants you to scratch her head," Bai Ying said, staring at Gu Ya.
Gu Ya casually replied, "You're becoming more and more like a human. Is that a good thing, or a bad thing..."
A few days later, Gu Ya, piloting a standard mecha, landed in Xian Xia City.
As soon as they landed, Bai Ying bid farewell to Gu Ya and slipped into a dark alley, heading towards her target.
Gu Ya disguised himself as a cleaner and confidently walked into the Gu Lang Biological Research Institute.
After a gentle knock, Gu Ya pushed the door open and entered.
Zeng Lang, awakened, lifted his head from the sofa, his eyes blurry as he looked at Gu Ya, grumbling, "No need to clean! Get out! The company can't afford to pay you wages right now!" He was disheveled and exhausted, surrounded by clutter, looking like he hadn't been home in a long time. It was hard to imagine the once spirited and handsome youth now fallen so low.
Gu Ya quietly locked the door and said calmly, "Zeng Lang, it's me."
Zeng Lang was startled. He rubbed his eyes vigorously, and upon confirming it was Gu Ya, his eyes widened in anger. He shouted, "Get lost! I'm the boss, you're the boss! Everything here is important. Can you afford to pay if you break it?"
As he spoke, Zeng Lang subtly glanced towards a corner, then suddenly jumped up, pushing Gu Ya out the door.
The two of them left the room and quickly walked down the corridor. Zeng Lang led Gu Ya to a hidden room, where he finally let out a long sigh of relief.
"Xian Xia is strictly monitored; the office is full of surveillance! Brother, let's make it quick! Why are you here?"
"I faked my death to come to Xian Xia to investigate the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on me. I need the institute's laboratory to perform modifications on myself."
Zeng Lang looked troubled and sighed, "Brother, Xian Xia has strictly prohibited us from conducting any research. The laboratory has been sealed. Fortunately, Sister Ling Ling was considerate and transferred the data in advance. Now, Xian Xia is watching me every moment, making me afraid to go home. However... before the He Cheng Society split, your twelve followers transferred the research equipment to an abandoned building in the northern part of the city. Here are the address and the key."
Gu Ya took Zeng Lang's items and patted his shoulder heavily, "Please send my regards to Sister Ling Ling, and remember, all news about my death is false!"
As Gu Ya was about to leave, Zeng Lang pulled him back, saying, "There are Xian Xia informants everywhere outside. Your arrival here must have alerted them. Hide, and leave after dark."
After their long-awaited reunion, they hugged. Zeng Lang turned and left the hidden room.
Soon, voices were heard outside the hidden room.
"Where is that man just now?"
"Ah? I already sent him away. This is a restroom. You guys won't even let me use the restroom in peace, will you?"
"Be kind, I haven't done anything illegal. Why are you watching so closely! Give me some privacy, please?"
After dark, Gu Ya pulled his work uniform over his head and slipped out under the cover of night.
After several detours, he arrived at the address Zeng Lang had provided. He waited outside the dilapidated apartment building for two hours, ensuring he wasn't being followed, before quietly sneaking in.
Reaching the third basement level, he pushed aside cobwebs, moved aside the covering, and opened the door to enter. All the research equipment was there, intact and quiet. The power, water, and communication signals were all normal.
Gu Ya took off his clothes and quickly got to work. He first assembled a communicator for contacting Bai Ying and an instrument for hacking communication systems. Then, he made a multi-functional infrared single-aperture glasses, followed by a retractable short light sword, a 6.64mm caliber beam pistol, and a multi-functional tool kit. Finally, he assembled a small container.
After completing these, Gu Ya contemplated for a while, then rummaged through cabinets and drawers, finding the necessary circuit boards and a chip engraver, and began assembly. Three hours later, three intricate unique spatial instruments were manufactured.
Gu Ya stood up, mechanized his body, and installed all the manufactured items onto himself. After the installation was complete, Gu Ya took a deep breath, then transformed his body back into flesh. Indeed, all these items were deeply embedded into his flesh, firm and convenient. Although he felt a little unaccustomed, there was no pain.
Gu Ya nodded in satisfaction, glanced back at the laboratory with no regrets, and pushed the door open to leave. The sky was already beginning to brighten.
Gu Ya hid in a small, overgrown grove, turned on his communicator, and whispered, "Bai Ying, did you find anything?"
After a long pause, Bai Ying's voice trembled slightly, as if she were afraid of something. She said in a very low voice, "I have found the true identity of the mastermind. The other party did not hide, openly leaking their identity into the data stream. Based on my calculations and deductions, they surely believe there is no longer any need to conceal their identity."
Gu Ya frowned and said in a low voice, "Just say it directly, who is it?"
"Father, the 异械科 (Yi Xie Ke) has found me!"
"Who is it!!" Gu Ya roared in anger.
The signal suddenly became intermittent, accompanied by strong electromagnetic noise. Bai Ying struggled to speak, "Xian... Xia... Chief..."
Before she could finish, the communication was completely cut off. Gu Ya's expression froze. He repeated the name twice, and his eyes suddenly turned sinister.
"Xian Xia Chief!"