Chapter 48

Han Minghao's incident was like a tiny pebble dropped into a deep pool, failing to ripple even a single wave in Qin Feng's heart after his verdict: "Neither fish nor fowl." Lin Xuan's invisible forces had already begun to move; within the coming week, Dinghao Group suffered a series of setbacks: key projects were indefinitely suspended, major cooperating banks suddenly tightened credit, and several seemingly accidental workplace safety accidents occurred, causing heavy losses. Han Minghao himself, after a late-night high-speed drive, "accidentally" crashed into a guardrail—no life-threatening injuries, but both legs broken, requiring long-term bed rest for quiet reflection.

Su Wenqian summarized these reports concisely for Qin Feng; he merely murmured a faint "Mm," then turned away. The cries of ants were not worth the attention of the strong.

His attention was drawn more by developments coming from Gu Qingcheng's side.

The ancient musical score, inherited from Xia Yunge's grandmother, had finally revealed a sliver of its secrets under Gu Qingcheng's relentless day-and-night deciphering and research. She discovered that the seemingly chaotic, peculiar symbols were not mere musical notations, but rather a hybrid of encrypted star charts and geographic coordinates, their rhythms and cadences subtly aligning with ancient celestial movement patterns.

"Mr. Qin," Gu Qingcheng said in the video call, pointing to the symbols she had rearranged on the projection, her beautiful eyes gleaming with both excitement and gravity, "according to my preliminary interpretation, this score points to a precise geographic location in the West Pacific, within the Public Sea, situated between the Mariana Trench and a known ancient underwater volcanic group. More astonishingly, a recurring core motif in the score—I cross-verified it using ancient Sanskrit, Sumerian cuneiform, and Mayan calendrical systems—all point to the same concept—"

She paused, then spoke each word deliberately: "—'Guan Zhou.'"

"Guan Zhou?" Qin Feng frowned slightly; the term carried a heavy classical Dragon Country flavor.

"Yes. But this 'Guan Zhou' is no ordinary vessel. In records from multiple lost civilizations, there are legends of 'Celestial Guan Zhou,' 'Ark of the World,' or 'Divine Chariot.' It does not refer to any earthly government boat, but rather likely a massive vessel… from beyond the heavens, or a relic left behind by a previous civilization epoch—a mobile fortress, or perhaps a Base." Gu Qingcheng's voice burned with the fervor of a researcher, "If this score is genuine, it may well be the key to finding this 'Guan Zhou,' or at least one part of the 'password' to activate it!"

Celestial vessel? Civilization relic? Qin Feng's gaze sharpened. Though the Source Technology Imprint encompassed countless knowledge, specific details about Earth's ancient civilizations remained vague, as if deliberately obscured by some force. Could this 'Guan Zhou' be connected to the origin of the Imprint? Or perhaps the culmination of some lost technology?

Whatever it was, its value was incalculable!

"Have you confirmed the accuracy of the coordinates?" Qin Feng asked.

"The score provides a range, roughly covering a 100-nautical-mile area. To pinpoint it precisely, field exploration will be necessary," Gu Qingcheng replied. "Moreover, that region's depth exceeds five thousand meters, with complex conditions—conventional survey methods struggle to be effective."

Deep Sea exploration? This was precisely a gap in Qin Feng's current industrial layout—but not unsolvable.

"Understood. Continue your deep research into the score. Try to decipher more information, especially regarding how to interact with the 'Guan Zhou.'" Qin Feng ordered.

"Yes, Mr. Qin."

After ending the communication with Gu Qingcheng, Qin Feng fell silent for a moment, then connected to Su Wenqian's internal line.

"Wenqian, in the name of Qin Feng Venture Capital, issue a global tender to acquire a company possessing the most advanced Deep Sea exploration technology and equipment, with operational capability below five thousand meters. Simultaneously, identify a large-scale research or engineering vessel with high retrofit potential—I want the best."

Su Wenqian did not hesitate: "Understood, General Qin. I'll handle it immediately."

The plan to find the 'Guan Zhou' had been put on the agenda, likely requiring massive resources and time. But Qin Feng had a hunch: this mysterious 'Guan Zhou' might become one of the most crucial pieces in his future blueprint.

As he planned his Deep Sea strategy, Tang Rou knocked and entered, her face bearing an unusual seriousness.

"General Qin, a visitor has arrived. Official, but not the previous investigation bureau."

"Oh?" Qin Feng looked up.

"It's a vice-director from the High-Tech Industry Division of the National Development and Reform Commission—his surname is Zhou. He arrived in a standard Audi A6, but the license plate begins with Jing A·G." Tang Rou added; AG plates typically indicated direct State Council-affiliated agencies.

NDRC? High-Tech Industry Division? This combination carried profound implications. This was no longer a warning contact from security agencies—it was an official, formal overture with clear intent for cooperation.

"Show him to Meeting Room One." Qin Feng rose, straightened his collar, and smiled with quiet depth.

It seemed the ripples from the wings of his butterfly had finally reached the halls of power.

The 'Galaxy Chip' project might be receiving its favorable wind sooner than anticipated.

And this official 'vessel' arriving from above—how should he steer it? And could he use it to sail toward even vaster seas of stars?