Chapter 224

The order for the "Catch the Wind" plan was issued, like a stone cast onto the dark web, setting Pandora's vast and hidden intelligence network into efficient motion. Fragmented information about the mysterious youth began converging on Suicheng from multiple channels.

However, Mu Bai's identity had been meticulously protected by Mu Zhaoxue before her death, and with Lei Dong's tight guard on Qin Feng's side, Lilith's people could not yet reach the core. They could only approach from the periphery, attempting to piece together the boy's background.

Several hours later, a preliminary analysis report, laden with heavy speculation, sat on Lilith's desk.

The report ruled out the possibility that the youth was Qin Feng's illegitimate son (age mismatch, and Qin Feng's rise timeline did not align), and also eliminated the chance he was the offspring of any high-ranking member of the New Era. The clues ultimately, albeit vaguely, pointed to a name long buried—Mu Zhaoxue.

"... Based on limited image comparisons and reverse-engineered movement patterns, the target youth exhibits high facial resemblance to Mu Zhaoxue, the renowned astrophysicist who died in a laboratory accident seven years ago. Mu Zhaoxue did have a son at the time of her death, aged only eight, who was subsequently placed under the care of distant relatives; information about him was extremely scarce, nearly tantamount to living under an assumed name..."

Upon seeing the name "Mu Zhaoxue," Lilith's violet eyes sharply contracted!

She remembered that name—not because of Mu Zhaoxue's academic achievements, but because in a top-tier Pandora classified file on "Anomalous Celestial Phenomena and Their Connection to the Ancient Civilization," Mu Zhaoxue had been marked as a "potential threat" and "knowledge holder." The file noted that shortly before her death, Mu Zhaoxue appeared to be researching an extremely sensitive topic possibly linked to the Star Ring (the file used another codename), and had attempted to contact international organizations to issue a warning—before her "accidental" death.

Pandora's high-level leadership, or certain covert forces secretly tied to Pandora, had welcomed this outcome at the time, and may even have played a dishonorable role to ensure the secret was not exposed prematurely.

Now, Mu Zhaoxue's son had somehow obtained potentially critical research findings—and gone to Qin Feng?!

A chilling coldness, mixed with fury over being preempted, surged through Lilith's entire body. She finally understood why Qin Feng valued the youth so highly! The boy held in his hands—most likely—a key capable of unlocking some Pandora's box (this Pandora, not that Pandora). And that key should have belonged to her—or at the very least, been under her control!

She stared fixedly at the photograph of Mu Zhaoxue on the report, taken at an academic conference, her face radiating intellectual grace and determined resolve. A cruel, biased thought surfaced uncontrollably in her mind.

This pretentious woman! Even dead, she couldn't rest! She secretly researched things she had no business touching, brought death upon herself—and now she's letting her little bastard son carry this dangerous legacy to undermine her plans and defect to Qin Feng!

In her warped perception, Mu Zhaoxue's actions became a deliberate betrayal and provocation aimed directly at her.

"Hmph..." Lilith let out a cold, derisive laugh, her fingers squeezing so hard the Tablet Computer nearly shattered, "Pretending to be pure and virtuous, sacrificing herself for truth—so what? She still left behind a bastard, and even in death, she's causing trouble!"

The more she thought, the more her resentment festered—a toxic blend of jealousy (over Mu Zhaoxue's possible possession of core secrets), contempt (for her "naive" scientific idealism), and malice.

"Her own mother, some bitch." She spoke in a tone of utter disdain and venom, addressing the air—and her subordinates—as she imposed this twisted verdict upon the long-dead, worthy scientist.

In her view, anyone who obstructed her from obtaining Qin Feng or seizing power was vile—including a dead mother and her underage son.

This behavior—elevating her own desires above all else, even defaming the dead to justify her actions—was the ultimate manifestation of her inner corruption and obsession.

"We must obtain Mu Zhaoxue's research materials!" Lilith surged to her feet, her eyes blazing with ruthless determination, "And that little bastard... he certainly knows more than this. If Qin Feng treasures him, then he's even more valuable!"

She was no longer content with mere investigation. She would act—she would seize both the boy and the materials before Qin Feng could fully absorb the information.

"Notify our people at the Port," Lilith issued a new order to her trusted subordinate, her voice icy, "Target revised. Original interference plan against Qin Feng is canceled. New priority: intercept Qin Feng's escort team as they attempt to remove Mu Bai from Suicheng. At all costs, seize Mu Bai and all items he carries."

She would launch a flawless ambush beyond Qin Feng's territory! Once she captured Mu Bai and obtained the materials, she would have sufficient leverage to force Qin Feng to sit down and "talk" with her!

Then, let's see if he can still ignore her as he does now!

A deadly trap, quietly laid in the shadows of Suicheng around Mu Bai, was now set in motion.

Meanwhile, Qin Feng and Mu Bai, secretly preparing for evacuation, remained unaware that an unexpected storm awaited them.