Chapter 356: Iron Box Terror

Xu Damao clutched the rusted Iron Box tightly, as if holding a scorching gold brick, and like cradling a landmine that could explode at any moment. Their heart pounded in the chest, shaking the eardrums with a buzzing.

Zhang Jianguo's photo is inside! This must be the key figure the Project Team is looking for! I, Xu Damao, my luck has turned!

In their mind countless scenarios have already played out: how they calmly hand over the Iron Box, how they report the discovery process with clear logic, how they modestly say this is merely fulfilling a revolutionary cadre's duty…

Factory Director Li praised them with a pat on the shoulder, the Project Team leader personally shook hands in thanks, perhaps they could even get a commendation notice and appear in the factory newspaper! Then, will the Sha Zhu crew still dare to look down on them? Will the heads of the Logistics Department still dare to outwardly obey while secretly defying them?

The excitement clouded their mind, and even the courage that had been shattered two days earlier by Geng Fugui's corpse was bolstered a few points.

They even felt that the cold rust stains on the Iron Box exuded an aura of auspiciousness.

Where to go first? Xu Damao's steps were hurried, thoughts racing. Storm into Factory Director Li's office directly? Too abrupt, would show they couldn't keep composure.

First find Chen Jianghe? Chen Jianghe works for Li Ping'an, the credit is easily shared, and Li Ping'an is too shrewd to be fooled.

Right, first call Factory Director Li's secretary Xiao Zhao, arrange a time, to appear as if they understand the rules and have restraint! Also probe the mood, see how Factory Director Li feels now.

Having made up their mind, they turned toward the office building, looking for a place with a Telephone. On both sides of the factory road stood towering Workshop buildings, the roar of machines drowning out other noises. The afternoon sun was somewhat glaring, and few workers were on the road.

Just as they passed through a relatively quiet alley between two factory buildings, a sudden rapid footstep sounded from behind.

Xu Damao instinctively turned back, only to see a figure in a worn work uniform and a dirty hat hurrying toward them, head down, face indistinct.

Xu Damao felt a sudden thump in their chest, inexplicably uneasy, instinctively clutching the Iron Box tighter and quickening their pace. The person behind also accelerated, the footsteps drawing nearer.

What does this person want? Xu Damao's back broke into cold sweat. A robbery? The factory's security isn't that bad, is it? Could it be… they came for the Iron Box? That thought made them feel their soul scatter.

Run! That was the only thought in their mind, they threw their legs forward and sprinted.

But they were accustomed to a life of ease, not fast at running. After barely ten meters, they felt their shoulder seized by a hand like iron tongs!

A great force came, Xu Damao staggered as they were pulled, turned around, and met a pair of cold, murky eyes that nevertheless radiated ferocity.

It was the man previously disguised as a cleaner beneath the wall! Now his hat brim was lowered, his face smeared with dust, yet the murderous aura was unmistakable.

"Give me the thing." The man's voice was hoarse and dry, like sandpaper rubbing, and his other hand already shot like lightning toward the Iron Box in Xu Damao's arms.

Xu Damao was terrified to the core, instinctively clutching the Iron Box tightly, shrieking: "Help! Bad guys! They're stealing!" Their voice, warped by extreme fear, sounded weak and mournful against the backdrop of roaring machines.

The man's gaze hardened, no longer wasting words, and he squeezed the hand gripping Xu Damao's shoulder hard.

Xu Damao felt a searing pain as if the shoulder blade were shattering, let out a howl, and the arm involuntarily loosened its grip.

Seizing the chance, the man snatched the Iron Box in one clean, swift motion.

After securing it, the man did not flee immediately; instead, he stared at the trembling Xu Damao, paralyzed on the ground by pain and fear, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.

He quickly scanned the surroundings; the alley was empty front and back, only towering walls and deafening machine noise.

Silence them! Must silence them! This kid saw the Iron Box and started shouting.

The man released his grip on the shoulder, the hand swiftly moving down like a Poison Snake emerging from a hole, precisely strangling Xu Damao's throat! The fingertips, hardened with calluses, exerted force enough to crush the throat bone in an instant.

Xu Damao watched helplessly as the death‑grasping hand reached for them, pupils dilated, the extreme terror rendering them mute, only flailing arms futilely.

At that hair‑raising moment, a harsh shout rang from the alley entrance: "What are you doing! Stop!"

It was Chen Jianghe! He, accompanied by two security guards, was on routine patrol nearby, vaguely heard the unusual shout, rushed over, and happened to witness the dramatic scene.

The cleaner man reacted instantly; hearing the shout, the hand strangling Xu Damao's throat froze mid‑stroke, then without hesitation he turned and bolted toward the other end of the alley, speed astonishing, vanishing around the corner after a few strides.

Chen Jianghe and his men gave chase, but the opponent was clearly intimately familiar with the factory layout, weaving through twists and turns, and soon vanished from sight.

They only found, by a sewage ditch, a discarded broken hat and an old work uniform jacket.

Chen Jianghe's face turned ashen, and he immediately ordered the nearby area sealed off for search, then returned to check on Xu Damao.

Xu Damao lay paralyzed on the ground, face ashen, a clear red mark on the neck, shoulder throbbing, body trembling like a leaf in the wind, and the crotch of the pants soaked.

The Iron Box was gone, and they had nearly lost their life. In that instant, they truly felt the breath of death.

Chen Jianghe helped them up, asking in a deep voice: "What happened? Who was that person? What did they steal from you?"

Iron... Iron Box... Xu Damao's teeth chattered, words incoherent, photos... Zhang Jianguo... Geng Fugui... He wants to kill me... He really wants me dead! Saying this, they suddenly burst into a wailing sob, feeling both fear and grievance.

Chen Jianghe's brows knit tightly as he listened, instantly realizing the seriousness. He simultaneously ordered someone to take Xu Damao to the factory health clinic for examination and to be closely guarded, while rushing to the Security Department to report to Li Ping'an.

Li Ping'an was reviewing the safety inspection summaries reported from each Workshop when he heard Chen Jianghe's report and suddenly rose.

Xu Damao discovered Zhang Jianguo's photo in the Iron Box? Attacked inside the factory, the Iron Box stolen, the opponent intending to silence witnesses?

He immediately grabbed the Telephone, connected to Project Team leader Sun, and concisely explained the situation.

Sun was silent for a few seconds on the other end, then his voice, laced with suppressed anger and gravity, said: "The other side is desperate and has leapt over the wall."

Xu Damao realized the Iron Box incident was accidental, but it exposed that the opponent still had operatives inside the factory, and that cleaner was very likely the one Su Xiulan described, who went to the library to inquire about the old workers of Yongli Factory!

They have been searching for that photo, or whatever else is inside the Iron Box! Geng Fugui is dead, they thought the lead was cut off, but Xu Damao's accident brought it back up. They must seize it back!

Li Ping'an hung up the Telephone, ordering Chen Jianghe: immediately conduct a comprehensive sweep from this morning to now of all temporary personnel, subcontractors, cleaning staff who entered the factory, especially unfamiliar faces. Focus on the area near where the cleaner discarded his clothes.

On Xu Damao's side, ask clearly what else is in the Iron Box besides the photo. Also, tighten surveillance on Su Xiulan's residence and the library; the opponent may also target her.

Chen Jianghe took the order and left. Li Ping'an walked to the window, gazing at the factory grounds.

In broad daylight, in the factory's core area, agents dared to openly assault cadres, seize evidence, and attempt murder! Their arrogance reached the extreme, also showing they felt a mortal threat and would risk everything.

What exactly is inside the Iron Box that makes them so tense? Just an old photo of Zhang Jianguo? Or those fragments of paper with vague numbers hiding a code? Is that cleaner still lurking somewhere in the factory, or has he already fled with the Iron Box?

Xu Damao this time managed to claw back a life, but also became fully exposed in the enemy's sight, turning into a live target.

He, this Kua Dan, truly poked the hornet's nest this time, dragging himself into the eye of the storm.

Li Ping'an rubbed his temples. The opponent's frantic counter‑strike meant the final showdown was drawing near. They, like trapped beasts, began to bite recklessly.

And the Security Department and the Project Team must weave the final net, capturing them entirely before they cause greater damage.

He recalled Xu Damao's terrified, cowardly demeanor, and thought of Su Xiulan's eyes filled with fear and struggle.

These small figures swept into the torrent, their fates now hinge on this silent contest.

Xu Damao brought this upon themselves, but what about Su Xiulan? And the thousands of oblivious workers in the factory?

Never allow the shadow of agents to devour this steel city that runs at full power.

Li Ping'an's gaze became sharp and resolute again. He took his hat, put it on, and strode out of the office. He needed to see the Xu Damao who was nearly scared to death, and also re‑examine how many deadly knots still lurk in this massive web woven by accident and conspiracy.