Chapter 89

Fifteen minutes later, a helicopter set off from Warrior School, heading straight east.

On the plane, the members of the Red Blood Cell Group gathered together.

Besides Liu Xiaotian and his three companions, there were Group Leader Chen Shanming, Training Instructor Gong Jian and Xu Tianlong, as well as Song Kaifei, who was piloting the plane.

From the moment Liu Xiaotian and his three companions saw Fan Tianlei, they knew a mission was at hand.

Moreover, this was the first truly meaningful mission for the Red Blood Cell Group since its formation.

The four youngsters were somewhat excited; as soon as the plane took off, they eagerly asked about the mission details.

Fan Tianlei, with a stern expression, spoke through the headset to everyone in the Red Blood Cell Group:

"Comrades, this time the opponent you Red Blood Cell Group will face is no ordinary foe."

"Or rather, your true opponent is not a person."

Liu Xiaotian silently rolled his eyes in his heart.

In his view, Fan Tianlei, the Chief of Staff, was fine in every way, except that his background in political work was all too obvious.

Chief of Staff, couldn't you just state the mission plainly? Although we four are considered rookies in your eyes and need a little motivation and psychological reassurance, there's no need to beat around the bush. Besides, others may not know, but I do! The true opponent really isn't a person—it's a CVX2 poison gas bomb. What's there to hide about that?

Besides, if we follow the plot…… then Tang Xinyi……

Pah! Liu Xiaotian had just entertained that faint thought when he suddenly raised his hand and slapped himself, startling everyone, especially Fan Tianlei.

"Liu Xiaotian! What's going on?"

Liu Xiaotian quickly explained: "Um… there was a mosquito! Chief of Staff, you don't know, the mosquitoes on this tropical island are incredibly fierce!"

Given Fan Tianlei's experience, he naturally saw that the kid had just zoned out, but he didn't call him out and continued: "The reason I say your true opponent isn't a person is because it's a poison gas bomb with tremendous power!"

And the person in control of that poison gas bomb, code-named 'Owl', is a leader of an international criminal organization.

Now, the ship carrying that CVX2 poison gas bomb is anchored in our territorial waters.

Because the bomb's power is too great, we cannot sink it; we must first control the bomb and ensure it does not explode! Your mission is to board that ship, locate the bomb's exact position as quickly as possible, and secure it—under no circumstances may it be allowed to detonate!

Saying this, Fan Tianlei raised the tablet in his hand and brought it before everyone's eyes.

On the screen was a photo showing Tang Xinyi together with the CVX2 bomb—a 'joint photo'.

He Chen Guang felt uneasy the moment he saw Tang Xinyi, and he quietly clenched his fists.

And Liu Xiaotian slapped himself also because of Tang Xinyi.

He had to admit that, at that moment, a certain thought indeed arose in his mind.

But he quickly came to his senses, instantly overwhelmed by deep self-reproach.

His conflict with Tang Xinyi can never be resolved; they can remain perpetually unable to see each other, even frequently coming to blows under the pretense of 'training,' but he absolutely must not entertain such thoughts—not even a trace! Regarding He Chen Guang's reaction, Fan Tianlei also chose to ignore it, and continued: "Tang Xinyi previously went undercover beside Owl, and she was the first to send back news that the ship had entered our territorial waters."

Originally, their mission objective was not Owl, but due to a twist of fate… right, the one accompanying her was also Qin Yuxi.

"Cough… cough… cough…" Liu Xiaotian suddenly burst into a violent cough.

He certainly knew that Tang Xinyi had previously gone undercover beside Owl, and that Owl had developed genuine feelings for her.

Compared to He Chen Guang's modest liking, Owl's feelings could be called love.

Of course, Liu Xiaotian did not think Tang Xinyi had been sent to target Owl. Sending someone who had previously been undercover beside a target back to face that same target—only someone with a screwed-up brain would issue such an order!

But how did she manage to get aboard the ship?

According to the 'script,' shouldn't she have been sent later? The crucial question is, what was Qin Yuxi sent out to do?

Compared to Tang Xinyi, Qin Yuxi is merely an electronics technician—she has nothing to do with the three words 'special forces'!

At least Tang Xinyi's skills are decent, but what can Qin Yuxi do? Fan Tianlei glared at Liu Xiaotian and said sternly: "Liu Xiaotian! Behave yourself!"

Liu Xiaotian finally caught his breath and immediately asked: "Chief of Staff, has Instructor Qin received professional training? I really didn't notice it before, so I'm a bit surprised."

He said that merely to probe.

One can't just come out and ask directly what his rank and identity are, can they? Fan Tianlei shook his head:

"She has only undergone basic military training, and precisely because of that, she is more suitable."

Then Chief of Staff Fan shifted the topic: "Alright, you already know the general outline of the mission; now, your Group Leader and Training Instructor will study it and assign your respective positions and roles on your own!"

"Remember, this is the Red Blood Cell Group's first formal mission; if you fail…"

Having said that, Fan Tianlei stopped speaking.

The meaning was already clear enough; saying more would be pointless.

Seeing Fan Tianlei fall silent, Group Leader Chen Shanming and Training Instructor Gong Jian exchanged a glance and then spoke: "The Training Instructor and I had previously drawn up contingency plans for various missions; now I'll outline two assignment schemes. The Red Blood Cell Group totals eight people including the Training Instructor and me. The first scheme splits us into two teams, with me and the Training Instructor each serving as commander."

The second scheme divides us into four teams of two.

Each scheme has its pros and cons, but personally I think the latter is more suitable for this mission.

Training Instructor Gong Jian, what do you think?

Saying this, Group Leader Chen Shanming turned his gaze toward Training Instructor Gong Jian.

Training Instructor Gong Jian then said:

"I also think the two‑person team arrangement is more suitable for this mission, so let's proceed with grouping…"

Before he could finish, Wang Yanbing spoke up first, interjecting:

"I'll team up with Liu Xiaotian!"

A flicker of helplessness crossed Training Instructor Gong Jian's face, and he didn't pick up the thread.

Because he had seen in the eyes of He Chen Guang and Li Erniu the same thought as Wang Yanbing's.

He immediately realized that this would definitely not work.

Liu Xiaotian is indeed progressing rapidly; if nothing unexpected happens, he could be promoted to a cadre within a year or two.

But for now, he is after all just a rookie!

Moreover, most importantly, he isn't yet familiar enough with Xu Tianlong and Song Kaifei; doing this would effectively split the Red Blood Cell Group in two.

That's definitely not acceptable! (End of chapter)