Chapter 470: The Fish Takes the Bait

After the Wangjiang Military Region meeting dispersed, Wang Meng repeatedly issued orders forbidding information leaks, then left the command center, his whereabouts unknown.

Gao Yan also left, dazed and spiritless.

Hearing the noisy commands outside, she intended to make a trip to Long'an Base.

The few Awakened Ones still lingering in the command center exchanged glances, their eyes unconsciously turning to the video disc Gao Yan had left behind.

Greedy, timid, torn, hesitant,

As time passed, just as they could no longer suppress the greed in their hearts.

Outside the command room.

A middle-aged Awakened One with a beard gave a light cough, then walked calmly to the conference table:

"Miss Gao Yan seems to have forgotten to take the video."

"I'll keep it safe and put it in the archive room."

Having said that, he ignored the strange looks of several people behind him who shared the same thought, snatched up the disc, and calmly slipped it into a file bag.

The technician beside him blinked slightly, merely furrowed his brow and said nothing more.

He recognized the middle-aged man, who was indeed responsible for filing.

Although he was an Awakened One, his talent had nothing to do with combat; he could only handle document organization.

Not thinking much, he simply blurted out a reminder:

"Don't lose it—Commander Wang Meng has issued a death order forbidding any information leak."

"Send it to the confidential room; otherwise, if any leak occurs, neither of us could bear the responsibility."

Hearing this, the middle-aged man nodded repeatedly, wearing an expression that said he would absolutely not allow a leak.

However, an Awakened One in uniform behind him opened his mouth to say something, but was covertly tugged on the sleeve by a companion beside him.

Filled with excitement, several Awakened Ones who shared the same thought followed the middle-aged man in single file, filing out.

Taking advantage of the moment when no outsiders were around, the Awakened One who first grabbed the soldier spoke first:

"Zhang Shao, the confidential room isn't this way, is it?"

A vague final probe.

The middle-aged man called Zhang Shao gave a light chuckle, looking at the few people behind him:

"We're all our own people."

"Why bother testing me?"

"We all escaped from the militia together; we can at least count as comrades who've shared hardship."

Having said that, he glanced at their expressions and then spoke plainly:

"Speaking openly, are you also wanting to sell Lin An's information?"

"In the trading channel, Lin An's information has been bid up to astronomical prices!"

Seeing Zhang Shao be so direct, several people felt a jolt in their hearts.

One of the most hesitant uniformed Awakened Ones hesitantly replied:

"Zhang Shao, aren't you being too bold?"

"The commander has ordered that information not be leaked; doing this, you..."

Although he said that, his eyes kept fixed on the disc in Zhang Shao's hand.

The middle-aged bearded man snorted, shaking the disc in his hand.

A fellow with thief's heart but no thief's guts.

"The commander indeed forbade it, but is the commander really right to do so?"

With a rhetorical question, Zhang Shao went on speaking as if he had done nothing wrong:

"I believe you've also sensed that our Military Region and Long'an Base secretly have some unspeakable secret."

"Not to mention the relationship between Miss Gao Yan and Lin An."

"Commander Wang has kept suppressing the information without reporting it—this is a mistake!"

"We clearly found the location of Long'an Military Region, yet Commander Wang refuses to report it to the Capital—this clearly violates military discipline!"

Seeing Zhang Shao speak so boldly, several people couldn't help but glance warily around.

"You can't say that! Commander Wang has his own ideas, and according to them, Lin An might be on our side!"

"To be honest, they indeed had the urge to leak Lin An's information, but they didn't go so far as to think Commander Wang had done anything wrong."

"Even saying that, when Lin An was at peak strength, they wouldn't have thought of such things."

"Furthermore, there was no thought of betraying the Military Region."

"But subconsciously, Lin An is now seriously injured, and perhaps everything will change."

"Moreover, they didn't consider Lin An to be part of the Military Region."

"Whether out of jealousy or greed, their turmoil is also a way to find a guilt‑free excuse for themselves."

Zhang Shao snorted, his expression gloomy:

"We?"

"Who are we?"

"Even if Lin An is with someone, it's with Commander Wang and Commander Gao Wang—not the Military Region, and certainly not us!"

"Don't you know the attitude of the Capital Military Region toward Long'an Base? Didn't you hear Gao Yan just say that Long'an Base wants to become independent?"

Gritting his teeth, as if truly angry:

"Wang Meng and his gang covering up Lin An's information—isn't that treason?"

"Even if Lin An cooperates, it's only with Wang Meng and his gang! They cannot represent the Wangjiang Military Region!"

Several people were stunned into silence; they had never considered it from this angle.

Seeing the strange atmosphere, Zhang Shao suddenly sighed, his tone softened a bit:

My words may sound severe, but they are also the truth.

In the course of speaking, he put on a determined expression and gave several people a meaningful glance.

I think you all want to sell the news of Lin An's serious injury, and your idea is actually the same as mine, right?

It's not just about exchanging supplies and strengthening our strength; by becoming stronger, we also help relieve pressure on the Wangjiang Military Region.

Another reason is for Commander Wang Meng's own good, to keep him from going down the wrong path!

His words left several people stunned; they didn't quite understand why Zhang Shao suddenly brought this up.

But the Awakened One with the most on his mind had his eyes flicker, and he couldn't help but hurriedly reply:

Exactly!

As if explaining, he repeatedly added:

Commander Wang Meng is actually hesitating too, and I believe you all have noticed that.

If we leak Lin An's information and let others deal with Long'an Base, then Lin An will die, Long'an will be gone, and Commander Wang will naturally no longer have this thought.

Cutting the Gordian knot! We're also helping Commander Wang relieve his worries!

We are loyal subjects of the state! We must also 'advise' the commander to absolutely avoid doing foolish things!

Saying this while sighing, as if truly left with no choice.

Upon hearing this, several people's hearts tightened, and they couldn't help but silently curse the old fox.

What talent—this person and Zhang Shao can convince themselves from this angle; it's truly eye-opening.

But upon careful thought, what he said is indeed correct.

They, who had originally been restrained by Commander Wang Meng's ban, now had their last hint of hesitation dispelled.

The atmosphere eased, and one of the somewhat older Awakened Ones gave a light cough, his gaze burning as he looked at the disc in Zhang Shao's hand.

What Brother Zhang said is right; we all share this idea.

But, who should we sell it to?

One disc, the information can only be sold once.

After all, without video proof, who would believe your words?

Looking at the purchase requests from various major forces in the chat channel, and the generous rewards, several people's hearts burned with desire.

Equipment, skill books, props, and even many forces promise that, as long as you provide Lin An's information, you can have power, women, even men if you want!

As the few people capable of such thoughts, naturally they cannot be said to be highly loyal to the military region.