Chapter 59

Chapter 59: Sea Without Light Part 59

“Young man, don’t charge ahead recklessly,” Dr. Huang said earnestly. “If things look bad, get out immediately; charging in will only lead to big problems. You’re still so young; I wouldn’t want you dying young!”

He had just completed an amputation surgery on Jiang Ming. The nurses wheeled Jiang Ming into the intensive care unit, transfused blood, and administered many medications.

Getting a prosthetic limb was inevitable; once Jiang Ming recovered and regained consciousness, the Investigation Bureau’s medical center would provide several options for installing a prosthetic limb. He could choose from enhanced, speed, assistive, or combat types.

For many people, getting a prosthetic limb symbolized a fresh start. They discarded their old bodies and embraced new ones, allowing them to work and live better with the help of technology.

The Investigation Bureau provided free medical services and customized and installed prosthetic limbs for security officers at no cost.

“But if we don’t charge forward, who will protect the innocent people in the Harbor Zone?” said Liu Kangyun. “Those two extraordinary abilities are not to be trifled with; they must have ulterior motives for being here.”

“Heave a sigh… you guys,” Dr. Huang said with a complex expression looking at Liu Kangyun. His eyes were like those of someone watching a pig walk voluntarily to its slaughterhouse. “I’ll tell you something heartfelt about this particular situation.”

He lowered his voice and patted Liu Kangyun’s shoulder. “The other squads put in half efforts every day, patrolling, running away in danger, reporting unsolvable emergencies. But your Seventh Squad is putting in a hundred percent! It’s fine to patrol, but rushing into trouble isn’t good. You think you need more injuries?”

Liu Kangyun fell silent.

“Count this, has your Seventh Squad ever had the most casualties during external assignments? You guys keep visiting our medical center!” Dr. Huang said. “You are all great kids, and I don’t want to see you die early. I advise you to take it slow instead of rushing into danger. Someone will always take care of things in the end—why does it have to be you?”

Liu Kun opened his mouth but spoke clumsily, “But if we don’t go forward, who will protect the innocent people? If everyone retreats, who will step up?”

Dr. Huang rolled his eyes, “Got it, I know you didn’t listen. My point was, when others slack off, by working hard you stand out. Don’t be too prominent, understood?”

Lan Lan chimed in silently, “Dr. Huang, what you said makes sense. I also want to slack off sometimes, but seeing some colleagues lagging behind in handling incidents, I can’t help feeling anxious…”

Dr. Huang pointed at Liu Kangyun and Lan Lan, then turned to see Kuixing, who looked innocent lying in the hospital bed next to Xiao Shu, “You two! And near-fainting, you almost forgot about this kid and the patient here… The five of you really stand out. The Investigation Bureau finding good agents like you is tough!”

“What you misunderstand, Dr. Huang, I’m new.” Kuixing scratched his head. “I didn’t know some other squads might shirk. I joined the Seventh Squad first and haven’t had much interaction with others… Thinking that every squad is just as dedicated as us, my teammates worked hard, and I couldn’t slack off. So, I did too. Perhaps if I joined a shirking squad in the beginning, I’d be quite skilled at it now!”

Liu Kangyun glanced weirdly at Kuixing, while Lan Lan nearly burst out laughing.

“I’ve got work back in the office to attend to, do as you wish,” Dr. Huang said impatiently, leaving afterward.

Lan Lan whispered small, “Actually, he’s quite nice…”

“Lan Lan, let me finish, he used to treat me,” she continued. “He scolded me affectionately while dressing my wounds, reminding me of a family elder.”

Liu Kangyun nodded, “Everyone in the Bureau knows Dr. Huang’s amiable nature. A false person can’t win trust and respect.”

Kuixing: ‘…’

Maybe they really misjudged him.

Every undercover agent seemed to have dramatic flair. Dr. Huang could rival Oscar nominees. His extensive arguments about slackness revealed his sincerity with a hint of craftiness. He wasn’t a perfect person, but his authenticity and relatability made him trustworthy.

His role as a doctor allowed him quick rapport with patients, drawing near their hearts.

“At least three days before Jiang can return to duty,” Lan Lan watched the closed intensive care unit. “Wounds need time to heal, as do customizing a prosthetic limb.”

“What about the port patrol?” asked Kuixing. “Our members are insufficient; tasks cannot be assigned properly.”

“We don’t know; await instructions. Another team might send additional help, or we might get transferred out from the harbor, and another team would replace us,” Lan Lan replied. “Captain likely met in the leader’s office to discuss this matter.”

Hope it’s the second option; Kuixing prayed.

Investigation Bureau missions usually involved squads as units. Incomplete squads couldn’t undertake many tasks, as their members’ complemented abilities. For instance, Lan Lan controlled advanced tech devices, Kuixing a sniper, Jiang Ming and Liu Kangyun were melee units while Xueyao Shu commanded the group. Squad members never exceeded ten, and the Seventh Squad was among the smaller units.

With Jiang Ming requiring leg prosthetics, their squad lost essential combat power and theoretically shouldn’t execute exteriors until his recovery.

This should allow them to avoid the Bureau’s Kraken escort duties, right?

…

Xueyao Shu paused in front of a metal door with “Deputy Minister’s Office” inscribed. Beneath it was a smaller label naming the Deputy Minister: Lin Xinji.

“Deputy Minister Lin Xinji is currently meeting with Group Leader Jiang Meimei. Please wait,” Adam stated.

Xueyao quietly waited outside the office door for about fifteen minutes before the metal doors opened.

Group Leader Jiang Meimei smiled radiantly, and kindly asked Xueyao, “You came to speak with Deputy Minister Lin?”

“Yes,” Xueyao replied politely.

“Please come in,” Jiang Meimei gestured and said, “I’ll go now.”

“Take care, Deputy Jiang,” Xueyao said politely and stepped into the office.

In the cold-toned room, Lin Xinji sat behind a black desk.

“Good thing you’re here, Xueyao,” Lin Xinji nodded at Xueyao. “Have a seat. I’ve been informed about the harbor incident by Adam.”

“I hadn’t expected you’d be back today…” Xueyao started, “I wanted to inquire: Is there any hidden organization carrying out secretive activities in the Harbor Zone?”

“I just returned half an hour ago,” Lin Xinji said frankly, “Your speculation was correct. Indeed, a secret organization named ‘Mechanized Dawn’ operates in the Harbor Zone. The two extraordinary abilities you encountered probably belong to them.”

“Just one name?” Xueyao replied.

“Yep, this organization is very secretive and takes strict confidentiality measures,” Lin Xinji explained. “We initially bribed an insider, but he was cautious, sharing minimal information each time, never divulging crucial intel. Regrettably, we barely knew anything even after he died.”

Xueyao frowned, “What is the aim of the ‘Mechanized Dawn’?”

“No clue,” Lin Xinji replied.

“What do they hope to accomplish in the Harbor Zone?”

“Unknown.”

“Does this organization wield considerable power? The two extraordinary abilities we encountered were high-level individuals.”

“We also don’t know how big their organization is,” Lin Xinji added. “Everything remains unknown, and everything remains under investigation. We face a concealed serpent, adept at hiding. Information regarding this organization currently remains undisclosed, known only to a few higher-ups.”

“Could we deploy more people to search the harbor? I feel apprehensive… Why are so many factions eyeing the harbor now? This seems worse than previous occurrences.”

“Additional teams are already temporarily reassigned for inspection,” Lin Xinji confirmed. “We’ll uncover everything.”

“Understood,” Xueyao nodded. “Additionally, I request ending harbor patrols soon. Jiang was injured, and I’m also leading a new recruit. She’s impressive, but needs more experience to handle these duties effectively.”

Lin Xinji considered briefly, “Alright, I’ll inform Group Leader Wei Zhi. Another squad will replace yours; you’ll return to headquarters.”

“Thank you,” Xueyao said.

“Formality unnecessary between us,” Lin Xinji remarked. “I wanted to share my future plans with you.”

Xueyao raised an eyebrow, “Speak.”

“In a month, I’ll be relocating to the Federation Treasury. Group Leader Wei Zhi will advance to Minister; Logistics Support Group Leader Chen Dongchang will be Deputy Minister. At that time, vacancies will emerge in Leadership roles,” Lin Xinji explained.

“…” Xueyao kept quiet. “I am not ready for such a position.”

“It doesn’t matter if you’re capable,” Lin Xinji laughed.

His smile resembled Xueyao’s a bit.

“Important is that our family must uphold a key position within the Investigation Bureau—one with authority. Once I leave, you alone will carry this responsibility. This is Father’s decision,” Lin Xinji continued.

Xueyao faced Lin Xinji—his half-brother.

They had a tumultuous childhood but became adults, mastering social pretenses. Now they sat sturdily in peace, discussing openly.

“Okay, I understand,” Xueyao stood and departed.

Lin Xinji watched until the metal door shut.

“Deputy Lin,” Adam appeared, “A patrol squad detected explosive devices in the harbor.”

Lin Xinji lifted his eyebrows, “Fortunately discovered in time. Send a bomb disposal squad to defuse them.”

…

On the other side, Kuixing’s wristband vibrated urgently.

It notified Kuixing with an alert if something critical emerged.

Kuixing used an excuse to leave Lan and Liu behind and slipped into a restroom.

She sat on the toilet lid and started reviewing notifications.

What message had led to the urgent prompt from the “Mechanized Dawn”?

Red: “Lady Fortune, plan one failed. All explosives at the harbor were discovered by the investigation bureau. They’re organizing personnel for dismantling operations. We have to implement the second plan right away.”

Kuixing: “… What a mess.”

Kuixing regained composure after a few seconds and sent a message:

Advice: Immediately trigger all explosives regardless. Even partial explosions could inflict heavy casualties.

Red: “Thanks for the reminder, I’ve just done this.”