Chapter 107

The preliminary agreement with Longteng Group was like injecting powerful national-grade fuel into the giant vessel of the Qin Feng System, accelerating the pace of all ongoing tasks. The establishment of the Joint Laboratory, the transfer of technical documentation, personnel vetting—all proceeded with urgent yet orderly precision.

Qin Feng's attention was largely consumed by these efforts, even causing temporary delays in the Observation of the Shadow Shuttle and the Heart of the Ocean. It was precisely during this high-speed operation, when everything seemed to be going smoothly, that an unexpected message fell like ice water, jolting Qin Feng awake from his busy official duties.

The message came from An Ying, head of the Shield's intelligence division. His voice, transmitted via encrypted communication, carried a rare gravity and urgency:

"Director Qin, Rose… has gone dark."

Rose.

A long-forgotten codename surfaced in Qin Feng's mind. She was neither a member of his Shield nor the Qin Feng System, but a woman from his earlier days—before he acquired the System, when he was still struggling at the bottom, in an era steeped in gray zones and danger—someone both ally and enemy, with a complex relationship.

Her real name was unknown, her origins a mystery. She was highly skilled, adept at intelligence gathering and assassination, operating across international gray zones like a thorned rose blooming in the dark night. Qin Feng had crossed paths with her multiple times—sometimes cooperating, sometimes opposing—each having suffered losses at the other's hands, yet each sparing the other's life at critical moments. A delicate, intricate bond.

Later, Qin Feng acquired the System and soared to new heights, completely leaving that world behind, severing all ties with Rose. He had assumed this dangerous rose had long since faded into memory as a fading symbol.

Until now.

"What happened? Give me details." Qin Feng frowned, his tone turning grim. He knew Rose—this woman was as cunning as a fox, with countless survival tricks; she would not go dark unless facing an extremely dire situation.

"Our assets in Europe reported that the last confirmed sighting of Rose was three days ago, in Marseille, a port city in southern F Country. She appeared to be investigating something, triggering a fierce conflict with a mysterious organization called the Shadow Trade Guild. After that, all contact was lost. We tried every known emergency protocol—no response." An Ying reported swiftly. "Based on fragmented intelligence, the Shadow Trade Guild has deep roots, linked to multiple international underworld factions. Their operations are secretive and ruthless. Rose likely has been captured by them—or worse."

Shadow Trade Guild?

A flash of cold light passed through Qin Feng's eyes. He recalled the name—it was an organization that had grown active on the international darknet in recent years, allegedly specializing in smuggling, intelligence trafficking, and illicit trade of "special items," with influence primarily across Europe and North Africa.

Why would Rose provoke them? What was she investigating?

Countless questions surged into his mind at once.

Logically, Rose's fate had nothing to do with Qin Feng anymore. They belonged to two different worlds; the vague, tangled past between them had long since blown away with the wind.

But…

Uncontrollably, images flashed through Qin Feng's mind: in a rain-soaked alley fight, Rose tossed him a first-aid kit before turning away; during a deal, she could have double-crossed him but ultimately honored that ridiculous "thieves have honor"; and their last meeting, she smoked lazily, smiling with dangerous charm, saying: "Little Madman, when you make it big, don't forget me, big sister…"

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath.

Reason told him not to stir up trouble. His status was different now—pull one thread and the whole fabric unraveled. Provoking a mysterious organization with unknown ties over a past "acquaintance" was not wise.

Yet something deeper stirred—perhaps a sense of "moral obligation" toward that past era, perhaps a flicker of admiration for Rose's unique vitality, or perhaps… simply because Qin Feng would not allow anyone who had ever crossed his path to vanish in such an ambiguous, unexplained way!

Especially now, when he possessed sufficient power!

"Investigate!" Qin Feng snapped open his eyes, his voice cold and absolute. "Deploy every available resource. Find out everything about the Shadow Trade Guild. Find out what Rose was chasing. Find out where she is now. Alive or dead—I need a definitive answer!"

"Director Qin, this…" An Ying hesitated. Was it worth such a massive mobilization—risking enmity with the Shadow Trade Guild—for a stranger?

"Execute the order!" Qin Feng's voice brooked no argument.

"…Yes." An Ying said no more.

The communication ended.

Qin Feng sat alone in his office. Outside, sunlight streamed in, yet it could not dispel the gloom on his brow.

Rose's disappearance was a thorn embedded in his now-stable, tranquil life—reminding him that the world was far more complex and dark than he'd imagined. And reminding him that some pasts cannot be severed simply by wishing.

He picked up the internal phone and dialed Lei Zhan.

"Lei Zhan, select your most elite personnel, skilled in overseas operations. Prepare for possible… overseas deployment."

Lei Zhan did not hesitate: "Yes! Standing by!"

Hanging up, Qin Feng walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing toward the distant west.

Marseille… Shadow Trade Guild…

He murmured softly, his gaze sharp as a blade:

"You touched someone of mine… did you even ask me?"

Though Rose was not officially his subordinate, in Qin Feng's heart, anyone who had crossed his path carried his Imprint.

His people—even those from the past—were not for others to touch!

A cross-continental undercurrent, triggered by the disappearance of a "Rose," began to stir quietly.

For the first time, Qin Feng's Empire extended its reach—actively, forcefully—into the international shadows.