Chapter 108

The "Shield" intelligence machine operated with unprecedented efficiency; vast funds and resources flowed through complex channels toward Europe, and a rapid intelligence network targeting the Shadow Trade Guild and the Missing Rose was swiftly deployed. Meanwhile, Lei Zhan personally selected a Quick Reaction Squad composed of twelve top-tier operatives, fully prepared to board flights under false identities and depart for F Country at any moment.

On the eve of the operation, a message, encrypted on the dark web and using an old cipher known only to a handful of people between Qin Feng and the Rose, appeared like a ghost on the "Shield" intelligence department's monitoring screen.

The message was extremely brief: only a coordinate and a single, incomplete sentence.

【"Old Place, come quick. Bring plenty of 'sincerity'—I messed up this time~"】

The coordinate pinpointed a location near the Marseille Old Port District—a disused warehouse where they had once briefly hidden after a failed mission.

The message's send time showed it had been sent two hours ago.

Shadow immediately reported this message to Qin Feng.

"Director Qin, the message's origin cannot be traced, but the cipher confirms it's the Rose's old version. But… this is almost certainly a trap! The Shadow Trade Guild is using the Rose as bait to lure us in!" Shadow's tone was grave.

Qin Feng stared at the message on screen—the tone, unmistakably the Rose's signature lazy, teasing style. But as Shadow said, it was far too perfectly crafted to be genuine.

The coordinate was clear, the tone casual, as if it were just an ordinary invitation from an old friend. Yet this clashed eerily with the grim reality: the Rose had been missing for days, likely captured.

"Can you confirm whether the Rose was under coercion when sending this message?" Qin Feng asked.

"Cannot confirm with one hundred percent certainty. But based on the transmission node and concealment methods, the operator is highly skilled—not the behavior of someone fully controlled. It's possible the Rose escaped on her own but remains in danger, hence this method of signaling for help." Shadow gave his professional assessment.

Two possibilities, each fifty percent.

Go, and risk walking into a trap.

Stay, and if this truly was the Rose's plea for help, risk losing the last chance to save her.

Qin Feng fell silent, his fingers idly tapping the desk. The image of the Rose's mocking smile flashed again in his mind.

Moments later, a flash of resolve lit his eyes.

"Reply: Received. I'll be there in one hour." Qin Feng issued the order.

"Director Qin! This is too reckless!" Shadow couldn't help but protest.

"I know it's reckless." Qin Feng's voice was calm. "But some risks must be taken. Notify Lei Zhan—the plan is changed. The squad proceeds with the original infiltration into Marseille, but do not approach the coordinate. Establish perimeter control and stand ready to extract. I'm going alone."

"You're going alone?!" Shadow and Chen Ming both froze in shock.

"If they're targeting me, I won't reveal their hand unless I show up. If this is the Rose's plea, my presence will stabilize the situation." Qin Feng stood, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Do as I say. Also, have Dr. Su prepare a Strong-effect Emergency Drug and a Neuro-stimulant—I'll take them."

One hour later, Marseille Old Port District.

The setting sun bathed the ancient port in warm gold; seagulls circled overhead, the air thick with the mingled scents of saltwater, fish, and coffee. Qin Feng, dressed in unremarkable casual wear, moved like an ordinary tourist, entering alone the labyrinthine warehouse district.

Following memory, he quickly found the agreed-upon abandoned warehouse. The rusted iron door hung slightly ajar; inside, dim light spilled over piles of discarded containers and debris, the air heavy with dust and rust.

Qin Feng did not enter immediately. He stood at the threshold, his Life Enhancement senses fully extended, scanning every minute vibration—the wind, distant port whistles, the scuttle of rats—no hidden breaths, no glint of sniper scopes.

He gently pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The warehouse interior was vast; shafts of light pierced through the broken roof, illuminating swirling dust. At the farthest corner, a relatively clean space held a figure sitting on a broken wooden crate, head bowed, fiddling with something.

The slender back, the familiar wavy chestnut hair—it was the Rose!

She seemed to hear his footsteps and slowly turned her head.

When he saw her face, Qin Feng's pupils contracted.

The Rose's face was terrifyingly pale, her lips devoid of their usual color, a dark red, dried wound on her temple. Her signature red leather jacket was torn in multiple places, stained with grime and… blackened blood. Yet when she saw Qin Feng, her still alluring peach-blossom eyes instantly brightened, and she forced a weak but undeniably seductive smile.

"Oh… Little Madman… you're here sooner than expected…" Her voice was hoarse, thick with exhaustion, yet the lazy, intoxicating tone remained intact. "Sister knew… you couldn't bear to leave me…"

Qin Feng strode forward, crouched beside her, his gaze sharp as he scanned her injuries. Beyond the temple wound, her left arm bent unnaturally—clearly fractured—and her abdomen bore crude bandages, seeping blood that signaled serious trauma.

"It's time! Are you still flirting?!" Qin Feng snapped, his voice carrying a hint of anger—and concern—he hadn't realized he felt. He swiftly pulled out the Strong-effect Emergency Drug Dr. Su had prepared and grabbed her uninjured right arm, ready to inject.

"Don't rush…" The Rose gently blocked his hand, her eyes flickering with complexity, the smile still on her lips, but deep within them lay a barely perceptible urgency and warning. "We haven't seen each other in so long… can't sister take a proper look at you? I heard you've become quite the important person now…"

As she spoke, her left hand—hidden behind her back and resting on the crate—tapped the wooden surface with the faintest, quickest fingertip motions.

It was their oldest, simplest Cipher—【It's a Trap! Get Out!】

Qin Feng froze mid-motion, his gaze instantly turning icy as a blade!

He understood at once: she had escaped—but drawn pursuers. Her presence here was bait. Every bit of her "flirting" and teasing had been a signal—her way of warning him!

At that moment—

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Heavy iron doors at several exits slammed shut and locked from outside. Simultaneously, shadows on the warehouse's upper level and behind massive containers erupted with a dozen figures!

Dressed entirely in black tactical gear, masked with only eyes and mouths exposed, they held suppressed assault rifles, moving with swift, professional precision, forming a perfect circle. Cold gun barrels all locked onto Qin Feng and the Rose in the center.

A lead black-clad man stepped forward and spoke in heavily accented English:

"Mr. Qin Feng. Miss Rose. The game is over. Come with us. Our Boss wants to have a proper… conversation."

The Rose's smile vanished instantly, replaced by cold despair and regret. She looked at Qin Feng, lips moving silently: "I'm sorry…"

Qin Feng slowly rose, shielding the Rose behind him. Facing a dozen black muzzles, his face showed no fear—only a cold, almost amused smile, as if staring at dead men.

"Conversation?" He casually cracked his knuckles, the sound crisp and sharp, his gaze sweeping over the lead black-clad man with utter disdain.

"You? You're not even worthy."