Chapter 94: Internal troubles, external threats? There's a traitor!

Longyin Research Institute, the lights in the Number One Emergency Conference Room were still on, but the atmosphere had changed.

Feng Yan brought Wang Hao and "Tie Jiang Li" back in a hurry; the ones left behind, Li Yang, Chen Guang, and others, immediately gathered around.

When Feng Yan briefly explained the situation of "Tie Jiang Li" and the samples and ideas he brought.

The heaviness and anxiety on everyone's faces finally eased.

"Master Li, welcome!" Li Yang was the first to extend his hand, his expression still concise.

But his eyes revealed respect for fellow craftsmen and a yearning for new technology.

"Master Li, this approach… is kind of interesting." Chen Guang pushed up his glasses.

He had already picked up the "Chaotic Stew-1" alloy sample and was scanning it with the portable micro-spectrometer he carried.

Wang Hao even gave "Tie Jiang Li" a hearty pat on the shoulder:

"Master Li! Awesome! From now on, we'll rely on you for our materials!"

"Let's see how those Eagle Country bastards try to choke us now!"

"Tie Jiang Li"—now he should be called Master Li Kui.

Seeing this group of young but already national-pillar top technical experts so enthusiastic, his dark face also showed excitement and a somewhat shy smile.

However, this newly risen warm current of hope was quickly diluted by the cold news Chen Guang reported next.

"Feng Brother," Chen Guang raised his head, his face even more solemn than before.

"After you left, I and Old Li followed your instructions and upgraded the network security level."

"While screening the logs, I confirmed that the previous abnormal access was not a false alarm."

"There were at least three different IPs using highly disguised technology, attempting to infiltrate our core R&D database, target..."

"It seems to be directly aiming at the drive architecture of 'Iron Wolf' and the guidance head algorithm of 'Peregrine Falcon'."

He called up the monitoring screen, which displayed a complex network topology diagram and red markings of attack routes.

"The attack method is very professional, bypassing our usual firewalls; it looks like... a targeted advanced persistent threat (APT)."

"Damn! It's definitely the Eagle Country bastards pulling the strings!" Wang Hao exploded, "If we can't beat them head-on, we'll play dirty!"

Feng Yan's eyes turned icy; he looked at Chen Guang: "Guangzi, can you trace the source? Or carry out a countermeasure?"

Chen Guang shook his head: "The other side is very crafty, using multiple layers of jump hosts."

"The true source is hidden overseas; it's hard to pinpoint precisely in a short time."

"However, I activated the previously reserved 'Firefly' laser communication link backup protocol, switching the physical transmission channels for all core R&D data to a closed laser network."

"For now, it cuts off the possibility of them stealing data via the network. But..."

He paused, pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting the screen's cold light:

"The other side knows our technological weak points so precisely and seizes the timing so well."

"I suspect... it's not just a simple external attack."

As soon as he said that, the meeting room fell silent instantly.

The ever-silent Zhao Gong, now speaking slowly, his voice carrying the heaviness typical of the elderly, yet like a heavy hammer striking each person's heart:

"What Xiao Chen said makes sense. Domestic thieves are hard to guard against."

"Our operation keeps growing, people come and go, it's hard to guarantee that no one or two haven't been taken in by sugar-coated bullets."

"Or they might have come here with a mission in the first place."

His cloudy yet sharp gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling on Feng Yan:

"We can find a way to get past the technical difficulties."

"But if this internal fence isn't tightened, we're just making wedding clothes for the enemy."

Feng Yan took a deep breath; Zhao Gong's words confirmed his deepest worry.

A fortress is most easily breached from within.

Outside the "Glass Cage," the dark hands in the shadows have already reached in eagerly.

"Master Li's accommodation and the lab preparations, Director Lin, you take charge immediately, raising the confidentiality level to the highest."

Feng Yan first issued orders to the administrative supervisor.

"Master Li, please temporarily stay in the institute's confidential dormitory, even if it's a bit of a grievance."

"If you need any equipment or materials, just give a list to Director Lin."

Li Kui quickly nodded: "No problem, Section Chief Feng, I'll follow all arrangements!"

Feng Yan then looked at the technical core: "Old Li, Guangzi, Haizi, the materials and ideas provided by Master Li are an important breakthrough."

"Form a special team right away, with Old Li heading it, to conduct comprehensive testing and verification of the samples."

"At the same time, based on Master Li's 'non-mainstream path,' quickly produce a feasibility plan for our own high-performance motors and special alloys!"

"Time waits for no one!"

"Understood!" Li Yang nodded heavily.

"Data analysis and simulation are mine." Chen Guang had already begun planning the test procedure on the terminal.

"Material performance testing I know! Leave it to me!" Wang Hao also clenched his fists.

"As for the internal security issue..." Feng Yan's gaze sank and steadied.

"Guangzi, you handle the technical side, reinforcing all systems."

"Especially the 'Firefly' network, ensure physical isolation."

"At the same time, set up some 'honeypot' data to see if we can lure the snake out of its hole."

"Haizi." He turned to Wang Hao.

"The security detachment, you coordinate with Team Zhang, strengthening the institute's internal and external physical security and personnel access management."

"For all members who come into contact with core technology, conduct a round of non-public background review."

"Understood!" Wang Hao set aside his usual frivolity and gave a solemn reply.

"Zhao Gong," Feng Yan finally looked at the experienced old artisan.

"You old-timer are the institute's stabilizing divine needle; usually pay more attention, and tell me immediately if anything seems off."

Zhao Gong grunted, indicating his assent.

Orders were issued one after another, and the team resumed efficient operation.

However, an invisible pressure weighed on everyone's hearts.

Externally there was a technology blockade, internally undercurrents surged, and the Dragon Chant, a giant vessel just set sail, was steering into waters fraught with danger.

In the following days, the atmosphere at the research institute became noticeably tense.

The frequency of security patrols increased, personnel entry and exit required stricter checks, and internal network access permissions were tightened again.

The special team's work proceeded in a flurry within the confidential laboratory.

Master Li Kui's "folk-method" alloy, after undergoing precise testing by Li Yang's team, still had stability issues.

But the occasional "top-grade" appearance, whose performance rivaled imported materials, gave everyone great confidence.

Based on the amorphous soft magnetic material sample he provided, Li Yang and Chen Guang also began designing a new high power-density motor architecture, and the "Dragon Core Project" was formally established.

Wang Hao busied himself with material testing while cooperating with security work, muttering complaints, but his actions were unequivocal.

Chen Guang practically lived at the information center; aside from assisting the special team with data processing, he spent most of his time building stronger network defenses and monitoring anomalies.

Beneath his calm exterior lay a highly focused vigilance.

That late night, Feng Yan was still in the office processing backlogged documents when the encrypted communicator chimed again—it was Chen Guang.

"Feng Brother," Chen Guang's voice came through the encrypted channel, still calm but with a hint of undetectable chill.

"The 'honeypot' has been triggered."

"'Someone is attempting to access the fake documents we set up concerning the hypothetical structural diagram of a next-generation individual platform.'"

"'The access route… passed through an internal network relay node.'"

Feng Yan's heart clenched: "Can we pinpoint the exact location or individual?"

"The other party is very cautious, using disguised internal permissions and clearing most access traces," Chen Guang replied.

"But the underlying logs of the 'Firefly' system recorded an abnormal packet forwarding request, the source… pointing to the data interface of Building No. 3 R&D."

"That area mainly houses… the offices of newly hired administrative and technical staff."

"Internal… there really is a ghost!"

Feng Yan's face darkened.

Building No. 3 R&D is precisely where Director Lin's administrative team and some newly hired technical support staff are located.

"Continue monitoring, don't startle the snake." Feng Yan issued the order in a low voice.

"Expand the monitoring scope; I need to know what this snake lurking in the dark intends to do, and whether it has accomplices!"

"Understood." Chen Guang paused, then added.

"Feng Brother, should we remind Li Brother and Haozi to strengthen the physical isolation of their own projects?"

"Especially Li Master's side."

"Not for now." Feng Yan pondered for a moment.

"The special team's confidentiality level is already the highest; the other party shouldn't be able to access it in the short term."

"Hastily strengthening it might instead alert the insider."

"We… need patience."

Ending the communication, Feng Yan walked to the window and gazed at the research institute, still brightly lit in the night.

In the distant workshop, the faint roar of machine tools could be heard; the laboratory windows reflected the busy figures of researchers.

His team was exerting all effort to break through the blockade, yet in the shadows someone was trying to stab him in the back.

Feng Yan's eyes flashed with a glint of cold, icy light.

The rat lurking in the dark, since you've shown your tail, this time you won't be able to shrink back.