Chapter 289

The black sedan slipped through the night like a fish merging with darkness, silently leaving Luocheng's bustling urban core for a secret safehouse in the suburbs. The "Dark Star" aircraft rested quietly in the hangar, its streamlined hull reflecting a cold gleam.

Qin Feng and Xia Wan stepped out; the field operatives waiting there immediately approached, respectfully taking the silver metal case and storage drive from Qin Feng's hands. These spoils acquired from Wan Lun Entertainment would be sent immediately back to the New Era for deep analysis by the Science Council—perhaps revealing further secrets about the Shadow Council and its biological technologies.

The entire process was efficient and silent, with no unnecessary exchanges.

Xia Wan stood behind Qin Feng, watching the operatives carefully carry the items away. Excitement from the mission still lingered in her chest, mingled with a faint fatigue from using her power. She stole a glance at Qin Feng's profile—he remained as eternally calm as ever, as if the silent storm that had erupted in the heart of Luocheng had been nothing more than a trivial gesture to him.

At that moment, the station's commander—a sharp-featured middle-aged man—strode forward to Qin Feng and reported in a low voice:

"Mr. Qin, Madam SilverWestQing, who remains in the headquarters reception area, has requested another meeting. She says… no matter what, she wishes to see you before she leaves." The commander paused, then added, "Her stance is firm—she won't depart unless she sees you."

SilverWestQing.

Qin Feng had nearly forgotten her existence—the Dragon Country military officer who came seeking the truth behind her brother's death, "Silver Wing."

He paused briefly in thought.

The ten minutes reserved for tomorrow morning would have to be moved up.

"Bring her here," Qin Feng said coolly.

"Yes!" The commander immediately departed to carry out the order.

Qin Feng turned to Xia Wan: "Return to your room and rest."

"Yes, Mr. Qin," Xia Wan replied obediently, knowing this was now Mr. Qin's time to handle external affairs—not hers to interfere. She bowed slightly to Qin Feng, then followed a staff member to the room assigned to her.

The reception room of the safehouse was sparsely and coldly furnished, fitting its function as a temporary outpost.

Qin Feng sat alone on the main sofa, eyes closed, resting.

Soon, steady, clear footsteps approached from outside.

The reception room door opened, and SilverWestQing entered, accompanied by the commander.

She still wore the crisp silver-gray trench coat, her posture straight as a pine. Compared to yesterday, the sorrow in her eyes seemed overlaid by something more resolute, yet the intensity of her gaze, the unyielding determination within, remained unchanged.

The commander slipped out silently and closed the door.

Inside the reception room, only Qin Feng and SilverWestQing remained.

"Mr. Qin," SilverWestQing stood firm and delivered a standard military salute—clean, precise, radiating the demeanor of a soldier.

Qin Feng opened his eyes, his gaze resting calmly upon her. He gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. "Sit."

SilverWestQing did not hesitate. She sat on the sofa opposite Qin Feng, back still rigidly straight. She cut straight to the point, her voice metallic in tone:

"Mr. Qin, thank you for agreeing to see me. My sole purpose in coming is this—I want to know how my brother, 'Silver Wing,' died on Kunlun Mountain. Did he… leave behind any words? Or any… relics?"

She strove to keep her voice steady, but her trembling fingertips betrayed the storm of emotion within.

Qin Feng looked at her but did not answer immediately.

He had no intention of concealing the truth about "Silver Wing's" death—but for an ordinary person, the truth might be too cruel, too incomprehensible.

He fell silent for a moment, under SilverWestQing's increasingly tense gaze, then spoke at last, his voice flat and unrippled, yet striking her heart like a hammer:

"He died from erosion at the level of rules."

SilverWestQing's pupils contracted sharply: "Level… of rules?"

The term lay entirely beyond her comprehension.

Qin Feng offered no detailed explanation of the shadow's derivative form or its method of attack—it would be meaningless. He described only the outcome in the simplest terms:

"The attack did not come from physical weapons or known energies. His existence—armor, flesh, soul—was dismantled and erased at the foundational level the instant it contacted the attack, by a higher-order rule force. No pain. No process. And no… relics."

The word "erased" turned SilverWestQing's face instantly ashen!

No pain? No relics?

Even the trace of his existence had been utterly wiped out?!

This was more despairing than any brutal death—it meant her brother had no chance to leave even the faintest memory behind in this world!

Her hands clenched tightly on her knees, nails nearly digging into her flesh. Her body trembled from unbearable grief and an unspeakable rage.

The reception room sank into deathly silence.

Long moments passed before SilverWestQing, as if expending all her strength, forced out a hoarse voice:

"... I understand."

She lifted her head. Tears, forcibly held back, left only a cold, steel-like resolve in her bloodshot eyes.

"Thank you for telling me the truth, Mr. Qin."

She rose and saluted Qin Feng again—same precise motion, yet now heavy with weight.

"Though this truth… is cruel," she looked at him, her gaze complex, "at least I know why he fought, and by what force he fell. It is far better than an unexplained disappearance or a hollow excuse."

She paused, as if making a final decision, her voice growing firmer:

"Mr. Qin, my brother sacrificed himself to confront threats beyond conventional understanding. As his sister, as a soldier of Dragon Country, I cannot turn away, nor can I remain safely behind."

"I request to join the New Era's External Operations Sequence!"

This request took Qin Feng completely by surprise.

He regarded SilverWestQing, his gaze sharpening with scrutiny.

SilverWestQing met his eyes without flinching, her gaze clear and resolute: "I know the New Era's level far exceeds imagination. My abilities may be insignificant. But I am familiar with certain shadow networks within Dragon Country and internationally, and possess some intelligence analysis and tactical command skills. I am willing to start from the most basic tasks—only hoping to contribute, and perhaps… draw closer to the place where my brother last fought."

Her reasoning was direct and practical—both public-minded and personally driven.

Qin Feng watched her in silence.

SilverWestQing's qualities were undoubtedly high—a specialist from Dragon Country's elite units, resolute in will, capable in all areas. Against the backdrop of the New Era's evolving relationship with Dragon Country, integrating someone with her dual identity and background into the external network was not entirely disadvantageous—it could strengthen ties and allow deeper observation and influence over Dragon Country's next generation of core personnel.

Moreover, her determination to follow her brother's footsteps echoed, in some way, Xia Wan's own relentless pursuit of answers.

After a brief weighing, Qin Feng made his decision.

"Agreed," he said coolly. "You will be assigned to Lei Dong's Security Department External Intelligence Analysis Team. Your specific duties and clearance levels will be determined by him."

Instantly, bright light flared in SilverWestQing's eyes—she had not expected Qin Feng to agree so swiftly!

She suppressed her excitement, straightened her posture, and replied with sharp, resolute clarity:

"Yes! Thank you, Mr. Qin, for your trust! I will give it my all!"

Qin Feng waved his hand, signaling she could leave.

SilverWestQing said no more; she saluted Qin Feng once again, then turned and walked away from the reception room with firm steps.

Outside the door, the attendant waiting there looked at her with an expression of relief.

SilverWestQing nodded to him and whispered, "Mr. Qin has agreed."

The attendant's face showed surprise, then understanding; he whispered, "Advisor SilverWestQing, congratulations. I'll arrange your coordination with the Lei Minister immediately..."

Their voices gradually faded away.

Inside the reception room, Qin Feng closed his eyes again.

SilverWestQing's joining was a small interlude, perhaps destined to ripple in the future.

But now, what he cared more about were the clues about Jing Yi within the Kunlun Star Core, and the new discoveries made by Pioneer One in deep space.

This turmoil in Luocheng was but a speck of dust against the vastness of the stars and the long journey of civilization.

Everything had only just begun.