Chapter 25: To Hong Kong

Su Wenqian's movements were swift and precise.

After careful screening and processing, the evidence was delivered like several bombs wrapped in delayed fuses, silently arriving at the anonymous email boxes of several media reporters renowned for in-depth investigations and a certain upright Deputy Director at the Municipal Business Environment Supervision Office.

Almost the instant Wang Hongyuan's "two-day deadline" expired, the first wave of explosive news reports spread across the internet like a plague.

"Explosive! Hongyuan Group Exposed for Using Illegitimate Means to Monopolize Property Rights in the 'Qinghe Yuan' Project!"

"Audio Proof! Wang Hongyuan's Private Conversations Leaked, Suspected of Bribery!"

"Business Competition or Market Disruption? Exposing Hongyuan Group's 'Eviction' Tactics!"

Although the reports omitted the most critical parts that could ignite backlash against themselves, the disclosed content was already shocking enough. Especially the processed audio recording—Wang Hongyuan's voice, laced with arrogance and threats, was unmistakably clear, instantly igniting public outrage.

"Damn! Wang Hongyuan is so ruthless!"

"No wonder the 'Qinghe Yuan' evictions were so violent—turns out there was such filth behind it!"

"Demand a thorough investigation! Such unscrupulous companies should be shut down!"

"Earlier I wanted to short Xingyao Department Store? Turns out it's the thief crying 'Stop thief!'"

Public opinion erupted; all fingers pointed squarely at Hongyuan Group and Wang Hongyuan himself. The stock price plummeted instantly, crashing to the daily limit within less than an hour of trading! The municipal government swiftly responded, announcing the formation of an investigation team to probe the 'Qinghe Yuan' project and related enterprises.

Wang Hongyuan was utterly stunned.

He sat in his office, staring at the glaring green line of the daily limit on his computer screen and countless condemning comments, listening to the constant stream of bad news over the phone—banks demanding repayment, partners inquiring, regulatory authorities requesting meetings… He trembled with rage, sweeping the entire desk—computer and documents—onto the floor.

"Qin Feng! It's you! It has to be you!" His eyes burned red, screaming like a madman. He never imagined Qin Feng would play so unpredictably—directly overturning the table, and striking with such ruthless, deadly force!

This was no longer business competition—this was an attempt to destroy him utterly.

"If you won't let me live in peace, I won't let you live at all!" A mad, vicious gleam flashed in Wang Hongyuan's eyes. He picked up his encrypted phone and dialed a number. "Hello, it's me. Prepare to move. Target… Qin Feng! I want him gone forever!"

While the outside world erupted over Hongyuan Group's scandal and Wang Hongyuan secretly plotted his furious revenge, Qin Feng had already quietly left the city in turmoil.

A Wanliu G650 private jet landed smoothly at Hong Kong International Airport.

Qin Feng, accompanied by Sun Zhe and two capable bodyguards, traveled light and exited the VIP terminal. Hong Kong, this Eastern pearl, with its status as a free port and thriving financial market, had become the location of Qin Feng's next target.

He came here for two primary reasons.

First, to temporarily avoid the potential fallout and hidden dangers stemming from the Hongyuan incident. Wang Hongyuan, cornered like a rat, might do anything. Though Qin Feng wasn't afraid, there was no need to stay and become a target. Hong Kong's legal environment could effectively filter out many underhanded tactics.

Second—and more importantly—he intended here to seek the first batch of "Tech Points" for the 【Technology Core】 and attempt his first true "technology application."

On the plane, he received an ecstatic call from the head of Light-Year Materials: they had achieved a breakthrough in stability testing of the new perovskite material, reducing efficiency decay to an unprecedented level, far surpassing current mainstream technology!

Almost simultaneously with this good news, a system alert sounded in Qin Feng's mind:

【Ding! Detected a major technological breakthrough in the "Light-Year Materials" project invested and advanced by the Host!】

【Based on technological impact assessment… Reward issued: +500 Tech Points!】

On the 【Technology Core】 interface, the number that had been 0 finally flickered—changing to 500/.

Though still far from upgrading, this was undeniably a breakthrough from zero! It proved that driving technological breakthroughs in invested projects was indeed an effective way to acquire Tech Points!

With these 500 Tech Points, he could now attempt to use the 【Technology Core】's analysis and even simulation functions!

"Director Qin, the hotel has been arranged—it's the President Suite at the Peninsula Hotel," Sun Zhe reported softly. "Also, as you instructed, we've booked a meeting tomorrow morning with Professor Smith of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He's a world authority in micro high-precision transmission and mechanical structures."

Qin Feng nodded. His choice of Professor Smith as his first contact was no accident. During the flight to Hong Kong, he had carefully studied the 【Technology Core】's description and found that its Level 1 capabilities were best suited for analyzing and simulating relatively basic yet critical "machine tools"-type technologies—and high-precision transmission and mechanical structures were among their core components.

The internal structure of the Bronze Navigator fragment in his possession—those seemingly crude yet uniquely patterned holes—might spark an insight when paired with Professor Smith's research. Using Tech Points to accelerate analysis, or even simulate an entirely new micro-transmission technology surpassing current levels, was not impossible.

Inside the Rolls-Royce waiting to pick him up, Qin Feng gazed out the window at Hong Kong's bustling streets and the dazzling lights of Victoria Harbour, his eyes deep and unreadable.

The troubles of Hongyuan Group were but a minor skin rash. His true journey lay in the stars and seas—the infinite possibilities hidden within the 【Technology Core】.

Wang Hongyuan's desperate thrashing? He didn't even merit a glance back.

What interested him now was tomorrow's meeting with Professor Smith—and what surprises those 500 Tech Points might bring.

"To the hotel," Qin Feng said calmly.

The car silently merged into Hong Kong's night traffic, like a fish slipping into the Deep Sea—quiet, yet with unerring purpose.