Chapter 260: Han Meng's Infiltration

Aurora Base, first floor.

After Qiong Xuan led the group through the dormitories and cafeteria, he slowly began: "You should all be aware of the basic situation by now. Now, it's time to officially commence our security duties. Personnel assignments will be handled by Deputy Captain Han Meng. Everyone has their own responsibilities; remember, do not do anything unnecessary."

After speaking, Qiong Xuan turned and left. All the enforcers simultaneously looked at Han Meng, seemingly awaiting his assignments.

Han Meng held the personnel list, his eyes glinting. After a moment of thought, he slowly began: "According to regulations, personnel will rotate shifts every six hours. For the first shift, Yue Dingyuan and Chi Shixiang will be responsible for guarding the entrance and exit checkpoints. Wang Linxiang, Tian Yuezhong..."

As Han Meng read out name after name, all personnel for the entrance/exit and first-floor patrols were confirmed. Finally, it was time for the second-floor patrol assignments.

"An Yongjian, Qiao Teng, Chen Xin... you will be responsible for patrolling the second floor." Han Meng put away the list. "I will briefly outline your specific patrol routes in a moment. First, go to the dormitories to drop off your belongings. You will officially begin in three minutes."

A hint of surprise flashed in the depths of Chen Ling's eyes after hearing the personnel assignments. He had been assigned to patrol the second floor, meaning he could move freely and openly there for the next six hours. This eliminated the need to find a way to obtain a key to infiltrate the second floor, avoiding many unnecessary risks.

After a quick tidy-up, Chen Ling took the key, passed through the second checkpoint, and entered the second floor.

The overall structure of this floor wasn't significantly different from the first; both consisted of individual rooms connected by corridors. Wearing his enforcer's trench coat, Chen Ling walked openly, his peripheral vision occasionally glancing at the rooms on both sides. Although most doors were closed, occasional glimpses into the rooms were possible when figures in white coats entered and exited. Inside, groups of people were gathered, seemingly busy with something in a laboratory. A pungent, unusual smell would emanate from the room whenever a door opened.

Chen Ling sniffed, his brow furrowing instinctively. "Trinitrotoluene... are all the explosive raw materials sent to the base located here?"

Chen Ling merely glanced, then nonchalantly averted his gaze, continuing his patrol on the floor. After patrolling for a considerable time, he finally managed to discern the floor's purpose. The numerous laboratories here functioned like an assembly line for manufacturing explosives. Each room carried out independent production and processing procedures, akin to a meticulous and cautious military factory. Once the final products were transported out of the last room, specialized personnel would handle them safely. After sealing the boxes, they would be transported in reverse, back to the first floor.

Chen Ling had thoroughly familiarized himself with both the first and second floors. He knew very well that the first floor simply had no space to store these explosives, so it was highly probable that they were being transported directly back to the surface via the first-floor elevator.

Raw materials were transported to the Aurora Base, processed, and then sent back to the surface... So where were these terrifying quantities of explosives ultimately being sent? What exactly did the Aurora Base intend to do by manufacturing explosives at such a critical juncture?

Chen Ling continuously patrolled his assigned route, pondering the possible destination of these explosives. Just then, a familiar figure, also moving about on the second floor, walked directly towards him.

Han Meng's gaze lightly swept over the surrounding laboratories, his brows unconsciously knitting together, as if he too was deep in thought.

Both men's wandering gazes simultaneously noticed each other. Their movements subtly paused, then they feigned nonchalance, scanning their surroundings.

"Chen Xin, patrol thoroughly. Report anything to me immediately." Seeming to sense the subtle atmosphere, Han Meng spoke indifferently, assuming his deputy captain's authority.

Chen Ling: "..."

"Yes, Deputy Captain," he replied, biting his tongue.

'Heh, it seems your reason for entering the base isn't so straightforward either...' Chen Ling thought to himself.

As soon as Chen Ling rounded the corner, he heard Han Meng stop behind him. Instead of continuing his patrol, he silently hid by the wall, quietly listening to the sounds from behind.

Han Meng also stopped, but his position was at the checkpoint leading from the second to the third floor. Han Meng's peripheral vision quickly swept left and right. After confirming he was alone, he walked straight towards the third-floor passage. The moment his foot stepped forward, an invisible barrier appeared out of nowhere, forcing him back into the corridor.

Han Meng frowned. Simultaneously, a dark green eye opened from the depths of the passage.

"Name," a hoarse voice echoed from the depths of the passage.

'Is this the sacrificial artifact Qiong Xuan mentioned?'

"Han Meng," he replied calmly.

"Position."

"Aurora Base Security Deputy Captain."

"Reason for passage."

"To inspect the third floor."

After Han Meng finished answering, the dark green eye stared intently at him, its eerie gaze seemingly trying to penetrate his mind. Approximately five seconds later, the hoarse voice spoke again: "Identity and reason correct. Barrier deactivated."

The dark green eye slowly closed. Simultaneously, the barrier covering the entire passage disappeared, revealing the path to the third floor before Han Meng.

Chen Ling, who had witnessed the entire process, his mind racing, saw Han Meng about to enter the third floor. He steeled himself and, feigning to be merely passing by, walked out from around the corner.

"Oh? Deputy Captain Han Meng, what are you doing?"

Han Meng, who was just about to enter the third floor, slightly flinched at the sound. He turned to look at Chen Ling, whose face was full of surprise, and his expression was peculiar.

"Inspecting the third floor," Han Meng replied calmly.

"Inspecting the third floor?" Chen Ling was taken aback. "We haven't received any orders to inspect the third floor..."

"You don't have that order. This is my duty as deputy captain," Han Meng retorted. "Is there a problem?"

"...No."

Han Meng glanced at the troublesome first-rank enforcer, unwilling to waste time with him. The longer he lingered, the more likely the other two patrolling enforcers would pass by. He hadn't reported his entry to the third floor to anyone. While his position as deputy captain indeed granted him access, going down suddenly without a word at a time like this would inevitably be blown out of proportion if it reached Qiong Xuan. One first-rank enforcer, Chen Xin, was manageable; he was a newcomer, after all, inexperienced and easily bluffed. But if all three patrolling enforcers came over upon hearing the commotion, it would surely reach Qiong Xuan's ears.

Just as Han Meng was congratulating himself on having bluffed past Chen Xin, the newcomer, Chen Ling turned and walked towards the first-floor passage.

Han Meng paused, instinctively sensing something was amiss, and asked: "Where are you going?"

"Huh? I'm going to report it to Captain Qiong Xuan," Chen Ling replied, scratching his head. "After all, if you go down alone and something goes wrong, I, as the security patrol for the second floor, would certainly be held accountable... It's safer to report it."

Hearing this, Han Meng's face stiffened, and he almost acted on the spot out of sheer frustration... Should he just knock out this annoying newcomer?

'No... If he knocked him out, how would he explain it later?'

Han Meng deliberated for a long time, then looked at Chen Ling with a peculiar gaze. He motioned for Chen Ling to come closer.

"Huh?" Chen Ling looked puzzled.

"Come here, you..."