Chapter 115: Back to Luocheng

The "Shadow Shuttle"'s assault was precise, swift, and utterly unexpected.

When this futuristic aircraft appeared like a phantom above the "Poseidon" cruise ship and instantly disabled most of its electronics and communications with a powerful electromagnetic pulse, the "Alpha" team members aboard failed to organize any effective resistance.

Led by Lei Zhan, the "Shield" elite descended like divine warriors, sliding down the "Shadow Shuttle"'s rapid-deployment cables onto the ship's deck; with real-time intelligence provided by the "Shadow Shuttle"'s powerful detection system, they swept through the outer defenses with overwhelming force and stormed straight toward the luxury suite at the ship's core.

The battle was brief but fierce. Though the "Alpha" team members were well-trained, their desperate resistance proved futile against the crushing superiority in equipment, intelligence, and absolute power. Within ten minutes, resistance inside the suite was completely eradicated.

When Qin Feng stepped into the suite thick with smoke and blood, Lei Zhan had just cut the ropes binding Rose. She looked even weaker than before, with new wounds on her body—clearly subjected to interrogation during her abduction—but the untamed defiance in her eyes remained. Seeing Qin Feng, she forced a complex smile onto her pale face: relief mixed with shame.

"Again… it's you…" Her voice was hoarse.

Qin Feng said nothing, stepped forward to check her injuries, confirmed she was not in mortal danger, then ordered Lei Zhan: "Clean up the scene. Collect all valuable intelligence and equipment. Evacuate in five minutes."

"Yes!"

The operation was clean and efficient, leaving no survivors or incriminating evidence. When the "Shadow Shuttle" silently ascended again and vanished into the night sky, the "Poseidon" cruise ship continued its automated voyage—its core luxury now replaced by death and silence.

On the return journey, Rose fell into a deep sleep from her injuries and exhaustion. Qin Feng began reviewing the preliminary spoils gathered by Lei Zhan—encrypted communicators, electronic devices, and some paper documents seized from the "Alpha" team members and the suite.

Most of the information required time to decrypt, but one frequently appearing coordinate caught Qin Feng's attention. It was an address in North America, belonging to an organization called the "Prometheus Foundation." According to fragmented records in the "Shield" intelligence database, this Foundation appeared to be intricately linked to the legend of "Pandora's Box."

The "Alpha" team's abduction of Rose was likely more than mere hired work—they were probably backed by the "Prometheus Foundation"!

The trail led to North America.

Qin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly. It seemed the bloodshed in the Mediterranean was merely the beginning.

After relocating Rose to a secret Medical Center for deep treatment and rest, Qin Feng had little time to rest. Numerous tasks awaited him: the collaboration project with Longteng Group, the inauguration ceremony of the Future Technology Research Institute, and the critical milestone for Su Jin's Gene Optimization Fluid…

Yet that coordinate from North America, and the name "Prometheus Foundation," stuck in his mind like a thorn.

He needed to go to North America—not only to pursue the clues to "Pandora's Box," but to strike first and crush potential threats while they were still in their infancy. Passive defense had never been his style.

Fortunately, Qin Feng Pharmaceuticals' plan to expand into the North American market, including establishing a branch in Luocheng—the so-called "Biotech Capital"—was already on the agenda.

A ready-made excuse.

Several days later, Qin Feng landed at Luocheng International Airport aboard a specially modified, high-security private jet.

Stepping onto this land again, Qin Feng's state of mind was worlds apart from his days as a student abroad. Once, he had been a penniless, unknown student struggling for tuition and living expenses. Now, he was a global business magnate, the mastermind behind a mysterious Tech Empire.

Outside the airport VIP exit, Qin Feng Pharmaceuticals' North American preparatory team and pre-deployed "Shield" Security Personnel were already waiting. The luxurious convoy drew glances from many passengers.

Inside the extended armored sedan, Qin Feng watched the familiar yet alien streets outside. Luocheng still shone under bright sunlight, bustling with traffic—but in his eyes, beneath the city's glittering surface lay countless hidden currents and opportunities.

"Director Qin, the preliminary site for the branch has been set in the downtown tech park. Here are the details. Also, here is a brief on recent findings regarding several potential local partners… and… competitors to watch." The branch manager respectfully handed him a Tablet Computer.

Qin Feng took it and skimmed quickly. His gaze lingered on a company named "Chuangsheng Technology." This firm had recently surged in the fields of gene editing and cell therapy, rumored to be backed by Wall Street and certain mysterious capital, with an aggressively bold operational style.

"Arrange it—tomorrow I'll visit the branch. Also," Qin Feng set down the Tablet, his gaze deep, "send an Invitation Letter to Chuangsheng Technology's CEO under my personal name. Set the date for three days from now."

"Yes, Director Qin." The manager, though puzzled why he was focusing on a competitor first, immediately noted it down.

Qin Feng leaned back against the comfortable seat and closed his eyes.

Returning to Luocheng, he was no longer the impoverished student others looked down upon.

This time, he brought not just commercial expansion, but thunder and storm hidden beneath a calm surface.

"Prometheus Foundation"... "Chuangsheng Technology"...

He wanted to see just how many big fish lurked in Luocheng's murky waters.

And how great a storm this crossing dragon could stir upon this land!

The convoy entered Luocheng's bustling downtown, sunlight streaming through the windows, casting alternating light and shadow across Qin Feng's face.

A new game had begun.