Chapter 101: Return to the Imperial Capital

The shadow of the Viper Group surged silently like an unseen tide, creeping beyond the tightly sealed defense system of the Qin Feng System. Internal investigations, external surveillance, and a flood of indistinguishable real-and-false information decoys—all proceeded with tense order. Yet, amid this storm-before-the-storm atmosphere, an Invitation Letter from the Imperial Capital arrived before Qin Feng with an irrefutable mandate.

The invitee was none other than the "Peak Forum on Frontier Technology and Future Industries," co-hosted by the Huaxia Academy of Sciences and Engineering. This was no ordinary business conference, but a top-tier closed-door gathering of the nation's most elite scientists, core think-tank members, and a select few entrepreneurs who had achieved breakthrough progress in critical fields. The attendee list was strictly confidential; the topics discussed touched upon the nation's core strategic directions for future development.

Receiving this invitation alone signified recognition—a symbol of inclusion within the national-level sphere of vision.

The forum's location: the Imperial Capital.

Qin Feng stared at the Invitation Letter in his hand—its material unusual, bearing the national emblem's watermark—his gaze calm. He could almost be certain: behind this, there loomed the shadow of the old man who shared his surname—Qin Yuanwei. Otherwise, given his youth and meteoric rise, even with his remarkable achievements, gaining entry into this core circle so swiftly would have been impossible.

"General Qin, the forum lasts three days and begins next Monday. Your itinerary…" Chen Ming asked beside him, his tone carrying a faint, almost imperceptible worry. He understood the latent threats they currently faced; leaving their long-established, heavily fortified stronghold to travel to the Imperial Capital would inevitably increase the risk.

Qin Feng fell silent for a moment. The Imperial Capital was the domain of Qin Yuanwei and countless other hidden behemoths—deeper waters, more complex terrain. The Viper Group's threat remained unresolved; traveling there now was undeniably risky.

But it was also an opportunity.

An opportunity to formally enter the national-level sphere, to speak with those who truly held resources and rule-making power. A stage to showcase the value and potential of the Qin Feng System to higher echelons. Evading had never been his style.

"Reply to them—I will attend on time," Qin Feng decided, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"What about security…" Chen Ming looked to Lei Zhan.

Lei Zhan stepped forward, his voice resounding: "General Qin, I will personally select the most elite squad to accompany you and coordinate in advance with reliable forces in the Imperial Capital to ensure your safety is absolutely guaranteed during your stay!"

Qin Feng nodded. He trusted Lei Zhan's capabilities.

"Also," Qin Feng turned to Chen Ming, "leak the information that I will depart on the weekend, traveling to the Imperial Capital by commercial airliner."

Chen Ming and Lei Zhan both froze. Commercial airliner? That would expose him to far greater risk!

Qin Feng looked at their puzzled expressions and smiled faintly: "The false appears real; the real appears false. Everyone expects me to travel with maximum security—I will do the opposite. If the Viper Group is truly watching, this is the best test—and it will disrupt their plans."

He paused, his gaze sharp: "Besides, I want to see what tricks they can pull at ten thousand meters altitude."

Lei Zhan instantly understood Qin Feng's intent: to use himself as bait, lure the snake out of its hole, and deliver a thunderous strike in a relatively controlled environment! He drew a deep breath and said firmly: "I understand! I will prepare thoroughly!"

The itinerary was set.

The information was "leaked" within a strictly controlled small circle.

On the weekend, Qin Feng indeed appeared at the airport's VIP channel, accompanied only by Chen Ming and several seemingly ordinary attendants (in truth, elite operatives disguised as the Shield), preparing to board the flight to the Imperial Capital. His itinerary appeared low-key and ordinary, indistinguishable from a routine business trip.

In the shadows, countless eyes watched.

"Target located. Confirmed boarding XX Airlines CA18XX, first class." "Guard strength… superficially weak, matches intelligence." "Opportunity rare. Proceed with Plan A?" "Confirm action! Remember: primary objective—capture alive. Secondary objective… eliminate!"

Cold commands transmitted through encrypted channels.

Qin Feng sat in the spacious first-class seat, eyes closed, resting as if utterly unaware of the danger approaching. Chen Ming sat behind and to his side, palms slightly sweaty, yet his gaze resolute. Lei Zhan and his squad were dispersed across different sections of the cabin, like prowling leopards lying in wait.

The plane lifted smoothly, piercing the clouds.

Some time later, as the aircraft cruised in the stratosphere and most passengers rested or read, sudden chaos erupted!

A "businessman" seated diagonally ahead of Qin Feng—who had been wearing headphones and reading a magazine—suddenly rose without warning, lunging at Qin Feng with lightning speed. In his hand appeared a short rod flickering with blue arcs of electricity. Simultaneously, two faint muffled thuds echoed from economy class, barely drowned by the engine's roar, followed by brief commotion!

"Move!" Lei Zhan growled at the same instant.

The "businessman" lunged with ghostly speed—a highly trained combat expert. The electric rod aimed straight for Qin Feng's throat!

Yet to Qin Feng's eyes, his movement seemed slowed by a factor of ten.

Qin Feng didn't even open his eyes. At the very moment the rod neared his skin, his right hand shot out like a phantom, gripping the man's wrist with pinpoint precision.

"Crack!" A sickening snap of bone echoed clearly.

The "businessman" grunted, eyes wide with disbelief and horror. The agony robbed him instantly of strength; the electric rod slipped from his grasp, caught effortlessly by Qin Feng's other hand.

Meanwhile, the commotion in economy class vanished instantly. Lei Zhan's squad, with overwhelming force, subdued the other two Viper Group members attempting to create chaos and provide backup—clean, swift, without triggering mass panic among passengers.

The entire sequence, from initiation to conclusion, took less than ten seconds.

Other first-class passengers stared in stunned silence, as if watching a meticulously choreographed action film.

Qin Feng finally opened his eyes, gazing at the attacker now pale with pain and shock. He casually tossed the electric rod to Chen Ming beside him, his tone utterly flat:

"Is this all you've got?"

The attacker stared into Qin Feng's bottomless eyes—a cold dread surged from his soles to the crown of his head. Intelligence was catastrophically wrong! This was no carefully guarded business prodigy—he was a… monster!

Qin Feng didn't spare him another glance. He turned to Lei Zhan, who hurried over: "Clean it up. Extract the mastermind. Don't disturb the other passengers."

"Yes!" Lei Zhan replied respectfully, gestured with a wave; several squad members swiftly dragged away the three incapacitated Viper Group members, as if disposing of trash.

Order in the cabin was quickly restored, though a faint trace of blood and tension lingered in the air. Flight attendants, calmed by Chen Ming's reassurance, began soothing the startled passengers.

Qin Feng closed his eyes again, as if nothing had happened.

The Imperial Capital had not yet arrived—but the first wave of probing had already been crushed beneath his absolute power.

But this was only the beginning.

He knew: the waters of the Imperial Capital ran far deeper than ten thousand meters of sky.

This return to the Imperial Capital was destined to be anything but peaceful.