Chapter 177: Lin Guodong's Slander

Lin Chen watched as the ashes of Gan Jiang were gradually covered by the heavy snow, then turned and returned to the base.

Xia Nuan immediately greeted him, handing over a thick coat: "It's too cold outside,

put this on quickly. You aren't hurt, are you?" Lin Chen shook his head, took the coat, and put it on,

then briefly recounted the battle with Gan Jiang and the merging with the blackened Lin Chen.

After listening, Xia Nuan worriedly touched his arm: "Don't take such risks in the future; I'll be worried." Lin Chen held her hand.

"Don't worry,

I will be more careful from now on."

Tuan Tuan also came over and rubbed against Lin Chen's pant leg, seemingly checking if he was safe.

Lin Chen bent down to pick up Tuan Tuan and walked to the console, pulling up the surveillance of the base's perimeter—the heavy snow had covered most of the traces, leaving only a faint black mark where Gan Jiang had been burned away. "Have the guards clean this up tomorrow so no traces are left," Lin Chen said.

Early the next morning,

the heavy snow stopped,

but the temperature remained at minus 400 degrees.

Lin Chen arranged for guards to clean up Gan Jiang's ashes,

while he went to check the medicine transported back from the abandoned hospital. The medicines were all neatly stacked in the medical room,

and Chen Yao was counting the quantity. Seeing Lin Chen arrive, she said: "The medicine is all fine,

enough for the base to use for three months, and we can even share some with the Starfire Mercenary Group." Lin Chen nodded: "Thank you for your hard work. Distribute half to the mercenary group and keep the rest in reserve."

Just after handling the medicine, the system suddenly prompted: 【Detected abnormal personnel movement at the Iron Hand Group headquarters. 3 scouts are moving toward the base, targeting the host's information. It is recommended that the host prepare defenses.】

Lin Chen frowned and said to Xia Nuan: "The Iron Hand Group has sent people to investigate me. We must find a way to deal with it."

The two arrived at the base entrance, pretending to be inspecting the defense system,

while observing secretly. Not long after, three people wearing black coats appeared in the distance.

They did not approach the base but wandered around, occasionally using cameras to photograph the base's defensive facilities.

"They must be scouts from the Iron Hand Group, wanting to collect information about the base and me," Lin Chen said.

Xia Nuan took out the Purple Lightning Purifying Gun and asked in a low voice: "Should we capture them?"

Lin Chen shook his head: "No, let's see what they are going to do first,

don't alert the enemy." The three stayed on the base perimeter for half an hour, and after photographing the defensive facilities,

they went to the abandoned highway where Lin Chen had previously set an ambush to check the tracks of the overturned pickup truck before leaving.

Lin Chen immediately contacted Zhao Feng,

informing him that the Iron Hand Group had sent people to investigate. Zhao Feng said: "The Iron Hand Group must be wanting to retaliate against you because of the friction at the hospital last time and their squad suffering losses.

You need to pay more attention to your safety recently. The mercenary group will send two people to assist you.

" After thanking him, Lin Chen hung up the communication, knowing in his heart that the Iron Hand Group had already marked him as "trouble," and there would certainly be more actions to follow.

In the afternoon,

the Iron Hand Group's scouts appeared near the base again, and this time they brought someone with them—an Iron Hand Group member whom Lin Guodong knew.

That person pointed at the base and said something to the scouts, seemingly introducing the situation of the base.

Lin Chen saw this scene through binoculars and said to Xia Nuan: "They are looking for people who know the base to ask for information. We must warn Lin Guodong not to be used by them."

The two found Lin Guodong and told him about the Iron Hand Group's investigation.

Lin Guodong's face turned pale: "I do know that member. He previously tried to persuade me to join the Iron Hand Group,

but I didn't agree. I didn't expect him to help them investigate the base now.

" Lin Chen said: "You don't need to be afraid. If they come to find you again, just pretend you don't know the situation of the base and don't leak any information." Lin Guodong nodded: "I understand. I will definitely not leak anything about the base."

In the evening, the Iron Hand Group's scouts left, and the system prompted: 【Detected that the scouts have returned to the Iron Hand Group headquarters and are reporting the investigation results to the leader. The content includes the base's defensive facilities, speculation on the host's abilities, and Lin Guodong's contact information.】 Lin Chen said to Xia Nuan: "It seems the Iron Hand Group will take action soon. We must strengthen the base's defenses, especially at night."

The two went to the console, turned the sensitivity of the automatic machine guns to the maximum,

and activated the vibration sensing devices on the base perimeter—as long as someone approached,

it would sound an alarm. The guards also strengthened patrols, changing shifts every hour,

to ensure no corners were missed. Tuan Tuan also seemed to feel the tense atmosphere,

no longer running around, but following Lin Chen, occasionally letting out a "meow."

At night, Lin Chen and Xia Nuan sat on the sofa, discussing the plan to deal with the Iron Hand Group.

"If they send a large force, we will activate the energy shield and contact the Starfire Mercenary Group for support,"

Lin Chen said. Xia Nuan nodded: "We still have the intelligence on the Iron Hand Group we collected earlier,

and we know the location of their stronghold. If it really comes to it, we can take the initiative and disrupt their plans."

Just then, the communicator suddenly rang. It was a message from Zhao Feng: "Lin Chen,

the Iron Hand Group leader is gathering members. There might be a major move soon.

You must be prepared. Contact me at any time if there is a situation." Lin Chen replied "Received," more certain than ever—the Iron Hand Group's investigation was over, and what followed would be a real confrontation. ===== CHAPTER 178 =====