Chapter 248: Net‑Casting Operation

After dealing with the nauseating incident involving Sato Kenichi, Lin Yu did not immediately rest.

He knows the true decisive battle is imminent, and he must be in peak condition to personally witness the maritime clash that could reshape the Far East.

Lin Yu returned to his bedroom and opened the wardrobe. There, a brand‑new uniform was already prepared—a bespoke military suit the system fashioned for him after he joined the "Sea Eagle Task Force", modeled on the attire of German navy officers.

Lin Yu shed his blood‑stained casual clothes and donned the brand‑new uniform.

The uniform's primary hue is a deep black, like Dark Night, symbolizing power and authority. The fabric is top‑grade finely‑spun wool, crisp yet supple, perfectly outlining Lin Yu's tall, slender figure.

The tailoring is extremely meticulous, with hard‑lined shoulders and a slightly cinched waist; every detail exudes German‑style rigor and superb craftsmanship.

Silver shoulder boards bear a unique commander‑star insignia generated by the system, flashing a cold light under illumination. The collar is a stiff stand‑up style edged with fine silver trim. On the chest are several system‑generated medals denoting special merit.

A wide armored belt with silver buckles encircles his waist, adding a touch of grim severity. He wears polished black high‑cut leather boots that thud with steady, powerful sounds on the floor.

When Lin Yu is fully dressed and stands before the full‑length mirror, the sight in the glass makes him pause in slight astonishment.

The person in the mirror still has a youthful, delicate face, but the fitted black uniform grants him an unprecedented aura of dignity and presence.

The black accentuates his fair skin, yet shows no frailty; instead it radiates a cold, blade‑sharp edge.

His upright posture, austere gaze, and the power‑laden uniform make him appear like a king of Dark Night—unfathomable and exuding a lethal menace.

Lin Yu faced the mirror, extended his clearly jointed fingers, and methodically adjusted the disciplinary button on the stand‑up collar. His reflection's eyes glittered with uncontainable excitement and resolve. It was the anticipation of standing on the front lines of an epic sea battle, the yearning for the imminent slaughter, and the confidence in wielding absolute power to dictate the enemy's fate. The uniform seemed to perfectly match his current mindset, complementing each other.

"Now that looks proper," Lin Yu said, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He turned, left the bedroom, entered the study, and immediately summoned Qi Ming Yuan.

"Director Qi," Lin Yu said, looking at the hastily arrived head of the Intelligence Bureau, issuing the order directly, his voice steady and forceful, "Notify General Shen Chonghai that I will, at dawn tomorrow, proceed to the offshore anchorage and board the battleship Iron Blood to personally observe the 'Welcome Ceremony'!"

"Commander, you intend to go personally…" Qi Ming Yuan was startled by the words, wanted to dissuade, but seeing Lin Yu's unquestionable gaze, he swallowed his protest.

"Yes! I'll arrange it immediately!" Qi Ming Yuan bowed and accepted the command.

Lin Yu nodded and continued, "Furthermore, the moment the Eastern Fleet enters our coastal artillery and fleet ambush zone and the battle erupts—" a cold glint flashed in his eyes, "order the Intelligence Bureau's Operations Division to act simultaneously!"

"Launch a full‑scale net‑casting operation against all Eastern intelligence outposts, hidden agents, and infiltrated or turned sources we monitor in Kunshan, Dongchi, Yunxu, and surrounding areas!"

"I will let the Easterners suffer defeat at sea while I eradicate every one of their terrestrial claws and eyes without exception! Completely purge all Eastern intelligence forces around Shen City!"

This order means Lin Yu will not only deliver a devastating strike on the Eastern Fleet at sea, but also launch a simultaneous land‑based purge of its intelligence network! A two‑pronged approach to ensure a decisive victory, thoroughly crippling the Eastern presence in the Southeast.

Qi Ming Yuan, after listening, was invigorated, his eyes igniting with battle fervor: "Yes! Mission guaranteed! We have already laid out meticulous deployments, awaiting your single command!"

"Go prepare," Lin Yu waved his hand, "Tomorrow will be a day recorded in the annals."

Qi Ming Yuan took the order and left. The study was left with only Lin Yu. He walked to the window again, gazing at the heavy night outside.

A war that will decide Shen City's fate and perhaps reshape the entire Far East is about to unfold under his scheme. He will don this brand‑new battle garb, go to the front lines, and witness it all!

After receiving Lin Yu's dual‑pronged critical command, Qi Ming Yuan dared not delay. He performed a standard military salute to Lin Yu, his eyes flashing with resolve, then turned and briskly left Lin Gong Guan.

The night was deep, yet vehicles still coursed through Shen City's streets. The black sedan carrying Qi Ming Yuan, shielded by darkness, sped at top speed toward the secret manor in the former British Concession—the Shen City Intelligence Bureau headquarters.

His expression was solemn, but his heart brimmed with excitement and combat resolve. The Commander's decision was set; a long‑brewed counterattack is about to commence, and he and his Intelligence Bureau will play a crucial role!

When Qi Ming Yuan arrived at the Intelligence Bureau headquarters, the place was brightly lit, yet the night atmosphere added a layer of grim tension compared to daytime bustle. Though it was late, core staff of each department were on duty, and the whole organization functioned like a tightly wound precision machine—efficient and orderly.

In the Intelligence Analysis Center, Liang Shubai led analysts, closely monitoring the continual influx of the latest intelligence on the Eastern Fleet's routes and movements, marking and projecting on a massive sea chart. In the Technical Department, Shang Yining and Gu Mo performed final inspections and calibrations of all communication lines and surveillance gear to ensure flawless execution once the operation begins. The Field Department also issued final orders to agents embedded across locations, confirming target positions and statuses.

Qi Ming Yuan hurried into the operations command room in the core zone. The Operations Division commander, the lithe, cold‑aura youth Xiao Yunxiao, had already been waiting. Under him, the chief of agents Yan Beichen and the key members of the Infiltration, Defection, and Assassination sections were present, solemn, awaiting the final order.

Seeing Qi Ming Yuan enter, Xiao Yunxiao stepped forward immediately: "Chief, all action teams are ready, targets locked, ready to move at any moment!"

Qi Ming Yuan nodded, his expression solemn, his gaze sweeping over every action core present.

"We just received the Commander's order," his voice deep and powerful, rang clearly to everyone, "Tomorrow at dawn, the Commander will personally go offshore to observe the Eastern Fleet's 'Welcome Ceremony'."

Upon hearing the news, everyone's spirits lifted, excitement flashing in their eyes.

"At the same time," Qi Ming Yuan's tone grew colder, "the moment the sea battle erupts—"

He walked to the massive regional map, his finger pointing at Kunshan, Dongchi, Yunxu and other areas marked with red danger symbols.

"Order the Operations Division to launch the 'Scavenger' plan immediately! Conduct a full‑scale raid and capture of all Eastern intelligence outposts, hidden agent nests, and liaison stations we previously targeted in Kunshan, Dongchi, Yunxu and surrounding areas!"

"All targets must be controlled or eliminated in the shortest possible time! All related files, codebooks, and radio equipment must be seized!"

"This operation, codename 'Thunderclap,'" Qi Ming Yuan's eyes were knife‑sharp, "Requirements: absolute secrecy, swift action, precise timing! It must be perfectly synchronized with the onset of the sea battle! While the Easterners are still lost in their naval invincibility fantasy, pull out every eye and ear they have placed around Shen City in an instant! No one left!"

"Xiao Yunxiao!"

"At once!" Xiao Yunxiao stepped forward.

"You will command this operation with full authority!" Qi Ming Yuan stared at him, "I have only one requirement: clean and decisive! No leaks whatsoever, and it must not affect the main sea operation!"

"Rest assured, Chief!" Xiao Yunxiao's eyes flashed with blood‑thirsty light, his tone resolute, "Mission guaranteed! Let those Eastern moles meet their Amaterasu in their sleep!"

With the order issued, the entire Intelligence Bureau headquarters entered its final pre‑battle preparation stage. Communication lines were repeatedly inspected, operatives performed a last cross‑check of timings and codes, and weapons were distributed. A silent aura of killing began to spread throughout the secret manor.

A thunderous sweep against the Eastern intelligence network will sound in the pre‑dawn darkness, in concert with the sea's artillery!