Chapter 560: Overnight Action!

Lin Yuan's expression instantly turned solemn, his brows tightly furrowed.

He asked in a low voice: "Are you planning to make an interprovincial arrest?"

Mu Lingxue nodded firmly, her eyes resolute: "Exactly, the headquarters of the Thunder Tiger Sect is in Gan Province. To completely eradicate them, we must strike directly at their lair. Although cross‑province joint operations are troublesome, they can minimize interference from local forces."

Lin Yuan fell silent, his fingers lightly tapping the table as he sank into thought.

He was never the type to meddle in others' affairs.

His identity as a member of the Ghost Doctor Sect had already brought him trouble; if he were to get involved in such a major cross‑province arrest, he would likely expose himself to even more forces' scrutiny.

But Lin Yuan reconsidered: the Thunder Tiger Sect had committed countless evils—drug trafficking, organ trade—each a heinous crime against heaven and reason…

Leaving this sect alive would only continue to harm society and hurt more innocent people.

Mu Lingxue watched his thoughtful expression, not urging him, merely a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

She quietly waited for his reply.

She knew this request was somewhat demanding.

After all, Lin Yuan had no connection with the police, and yet he would have to risk his life to restrain ancient martial arts masters.

After a moment, Mu Lingxue couldn't help but speak again.

Her tone carried a hint of urgent pleading: "Lin Yuan, I know this is dangerous and will bring you trouble, but I truly have no other option. The police have no one who can deal with ancient martial artists; only you can help me."

Looking at Mu Lingxue's earnest eyes, and thinking of the Thunder Tiger Sect's atrocities…

The scales in Lin Yuan's heart finally tipped toward the latter.

He slowly lifted his head, his gaze returning to calm.

Lin Yuan nodded at Mu Lingxue: "Alright, I agree."

"Really?" Mu Lingxue's eyes lit up instantly.

A delighted smile appeared on her pretty face, her previous seriousness and solemnity swept away: "Thank you so much, Lin Yuan!"

Lin Yuan gently shook his head: "Don't thank me yet; I can only help you restrain the ancient martial arts masters. The actual arrest operation still needs to be carried out by your police."

"No problem! That's enough!" Mu Lingxue quickly agreed, the heavy stone in her heart finally falling to the ground.

Lin Yuan sat in the restaurant, first contacting Su Monong to explain that he needed to take a week off.

After the call connected, Lin Yuan spoke calmly: "Director Su, I have some family matters to attend to; I'd like to request a week off from the company."

On the other end, Su Monong didn't press further, speaking gently: "If there are family matters, go handle them first; don't worry about work, I'll take care of it. Do you need any help?"

"No need, thank you." Lin Yuan said softly, "I can handle it myself."

He did not tell Su Monong the real reason for his leave request.

First, he didn't want her to worry.

Second, cross‑province arrest is too dangerous, and Lin Yuan also didn't want to drag Su Monong into it.

"Alright, stay safe and call me anytime if anything comes up." Su Monong readily agreed to the leave request.

After hanging up, Lin Yuan finally let out a breath of relief.

After the meal, Mu Lingxue said directly: "We'll set off for Gan Province early tomorrow morning; I'll come to your house tonight to work out the details of this cross‑province arrest—such as meeting time, contact point, and specific strategies for dealing with the ancient martial arts masters."

Lin Yuan had no objection, nodding: "Alright."

…

Soon, they arrived at Lin Yuan's home.

After entering, Mu Lingxue took out the relevant documents and map of the Thunder Tiger Sect headquarters from her briefcase and spread them on the coffee table.

She began to discuss the matter carefully with Lin Yuan.

The two exchanged words, finalizing every detail of each step to ensure the arrest operation would proceed smoothly.

By the time they finished discussing the details, it was already late at night.

Mu Lingxue gathered the materials, looked at Lin Yuan, and her cheeks suddenly flushed with a faint blush.

Her gaze also softened.

Mu Lingxue hesitated for a moment, then walked up to Lin Yuan and gently took his hand.

Mu Lingxue's voice carried a hint of shyness and yearning: "Lin Yuan… I still want…"

Lin Yuan looked at her shy yet determined expression and sighed helplessly.

Lin Yuan's tone held a mix of amusement and exasperation: "You little minx, really… didn't we just do it yesterday and this morning? How can you still be unsatisfied?"

"Yesterday was yesterday, today is today!" Mu Lingxue's face grew redder, yet she still refused to let go.

Instead, she stepped closer, pressing herself nearer to Lin Yuan.

Her voice was soft and carried an irresistible tone: "Besides, it's so late now; I'll stay at your place—perfect, we can set off early tomorrow morning."

Before Lin Yuan could voice any objection, Mu Lingxue tightly gripped his hand and forcefully pulled him toward the bedroom…

Lin Yuan hadn't really intended to refuse, and with her considerable strength, he stumbled a few steps as she pulled him into the bedroom…

Bang!

The bedroom door was shut…

Tonight, yet another sleepless night…

…

A night of entwinement.

The next day, as morning sunlight streamed through the curtain gaps into the bedroom, the two finally woke up slowly.

As Lin Yuan just opened his eyes, he felt Mu Lingxue move beside him…

Immediately, a warm sensation drew near.

Mu Lingxue actually slipped straight into the blankets, actively moving close to Lin Yuan…

Mu Lingxue actively helped Lin Yuan relieve his morning heat.

Mu Lingxue's movements were gentle and skilled, compared to the earlier awkwardness, now more natural.

Lin Yuan closed his eyes, feeling the warmth in his arms……

He still had a bit of drowsiness, but that sleepiness vanished instantly, leaving only a flutter in his heart.

After a moment, everything returned to calm again.

"Little sprite." Lin Yuan reached out and pinched her blushing cheek, his tone full of helplessness yet tinged with indulgence.

Mu Lingxue raised her head and gave him a playful smile……

Her face still bore an unfaded flush.

Afterwards, Mu Lingxue got up…… and pulled Lin Yuan into the bathroom.

After they both washed up simply.

Lin Yuan then quickly made a simple breakfast.

After finishing breakfast, Mu Lingxue glanced at the time and said, "It's about time to set off; our colleagues from out of province are already waiting for us to meet in Gan Province."

Lin Yuan nodded and picked up the simply packed luggage he had prepared earlier.

Inside were a few changes of clothes, plus the acupuncture silver needles he had prepared and emergency healing herbs.

The two walked out of the house side by side……

Mu Lingxue drove a Range Rover, Lin Yuan sat in the passenger seat, and they headed straight for the highway exit, making for Gan Province.

The car left the urban area, and the scenery outside the window gradually became unfamiliar.

Mu Lingxue drove while giving another reminder:

"Once we reach Gan Province, we'll first meet with the colleagues there to learn the latest movements of the Thunder Tiger Gate headquarters. Their headquarters is located in a remote mountainous area of Gan Province, surrounded by their people, so we must act cautiously."

"Don't worry, I know my limits." Lin Yuan leaned back, his gaze calm, "I will first help you hold off the ancient martial arts masters inside; the rest of the capture operation is up to you."

……

The off-road vehicle sped along the highway.

The scenery outside the window flew backward.

The familiar cityscape gradually gave way to unfamiliar mountain scenery.

Mu Lingxue gripped the steering wheel attentively, occasionally turning her head to say a few words to Lin Yuan to ease the fatigue of long-distance driving.

After traveling the whole way, a full six hours later……

At 4 p. m., the car finally entered Gan Province.

Finally arriving at the provincial capital of Gan Province……Changnan City.

"First find a place to stay, put our things down, then go to the Public Security Bureau." Mu Lingxue glanced at the time and said to Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan had no objection and nodded in agreement.

The two drove around the city and found a tidy chain hotel.

When Mu Lingxue got out of the car to handle check-in, she directly requested a large bed room.

After getting the room key, the two took the elevator upstairs together.

Upon entering the room, Lin Yuan put his luggage in the corner and was about to sit down to catch his breath.

Mu Lingxue then said, "Let's rest two minutes, then we'll go to the City Public Security Bureau to meet Director Li and learn the latest situation."

After a brief rest, the two set out again.

Driving toward the Changnan City Public Security Bureau.

Soon, the car stopped at the entrance of the Public Security Bureau.

Mu Lingxue and Lin Yuan walked in side by side.

After the front desk reported, someone soon led them to the director's office.

In the office, a middle-aged man in uniform with a stern face sat at his desk handling documents.

He was the director of the Changnan City Public Security Bureau, LiJiuzhe.

Seeing Mu Lingxue enter, LiJiuzhe put down his pen, stood up to greet her, smiling and extending his hand: "Officer Mu, you've worked hard on the way!"

"Director Li, you're too polite." Mu Lingxue shook his hand, her tone respectful.

LiJiuzhe's gaze quickly fell on Lin Yuan beside Mu Lingxue.

A flicker of curiosity crossed LiJiuzhe's eyes as he asked, "Who is this?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Lingxue instinctively leaned closer to Lin Yuan.

She naturally introduced, "Director Li, this is my boyfriend, Lin Yuan. I came here on a mission, and he worried about my safety, so he specially accompanied me."

"Boyfriend?" Upon hearing those three words, LiJiuzhe froze mid-reach, his hand suspended in the air.

Director LiJiuzhe's eyes were filled with disbelief.

He had long heard in the police circle

that Mu Lingxue was wholly devoted to her work, always single, never having had a male companion by her side.

But today, how did Mu Lingxue suddenly have a boyfriend?

LiJiuzhe stared for a few seconds before slowly withdrawing his gaze.

After LiJiuzhe sat back at his desk, his gaze toward Lin Yuan held a hint of scrutiny.

Lin Yuan was somewhat caught off guard by this sudden "boyfriend" identity.

Lin Yuan opened his mouth to explain, but then thought that, being at a critical moment of the mission, denying it outright would only make things more awkward.

This might also arouse LiJiuzhe's suspicion.

Lin Yuan could only silently nod, acquiescing to this identity.

"I see, I was uninformed." LiJiuzhe quickly composed his shock, regained his director's dignity, and gestured for them to sit: "Please sit, let's first talk about the mission."

Mu Lingxue and Lin Yuan then sat down one after another.

LiJiuzhe immediately had someone notify the core members of the criminal police team to come for a meeting.

Not long after, several uniformed, sharp-looking criminal police entered the office, all greeting LiJiuzhe and Mu Lingxue.

The meeting officially began.

LiJiuzhe spread a map marked with detailed information on the table.

LiJiuzhe pointed to a remote area and said, "Officer Mu, based on our recent investigations and intelligence gathering, we have already located the headquarters of the Thunder Tiger Gate. It's in a rundown village on the outskirts of Changnan City... Stone Hollow Village."

"This village is extremely concealed, surrounded by deep mountains, with inconvenient transportation. More importantly, the entire Stone Hollow Village is the headquarters of the Thunder Tiger Gate; the so-called 'villagers' are all members of the Thunder Tiger Gate in disguise."

"They usually use farming and animal husbandry as a cover, secretly engaging in drug trafficking, organ trade, and other illegal activities, with extreme vigilance toward the outside world." LiJiuzhe's tone was solemn, introducing the key information word by word.

Mu Lingxue leaned over to look at the map.

She traced the outline of the village with her finger, her eyes turning sharp.

Mu Lingxue said coldly, "Since the address has been confirmed, we can't delay. My plan is to join forces with the Changnan City criminal police and strike tonight, launching a night encirclement of Stone Hollow Village!"

"A night encirclement?" one criminal police couldn't help but say, "Officer Mu, nighttime operations have limited visibility, and the village situation is complex; if we alarm them, they might very well escape via the mountain trails behind, given how familiar they are with the terrain."

"Precisely because visibility is limited at night, it's more suitable for a surprise attack." Mu Lingxue shook her head, her tone firm.

"Even if the Thunder Tiger Gate members are highly vigilant, they will relax their guard at night."

"We can divide our forces into three routes, respectively blocking the village's east, west, and north exits, leaving the southern rear mountain as a bait direction, then assign an elite squad to break through from the front; this would both prevent their escape and catch them off guard."

Upon hearing this, LiJiuzhe nodded in agreement: "Officer Mu's plan is very thorough; no more delays, let's proceed with this plan. I will now deploy police forces, assign specific personnel duties, and ensure tonight's operation is flawless!"