The God of Wealth starts with doing whatever you want

The metal door to the interrogation room closed silently behind him, shutting out Andrei's heavy breathing and the smell of disinfectant.

Xu Yun stood under the cold white light of the corridor, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the edge of the tablet computer.

On the screen, Isabella Chan's file photo is smiling at the camera.

That was seven years ago, at her MIT graduation ceremony, wearing her master's gown, her eyes still filled with innocent longing for the future.

"Mr. Xu."

Liu Zhenwu emerged from the shadows, holding the newly printed communication records in his hand.

"Isabella has contacted Santos as you instructed."

The other party agreed to triple the final payment, but demanded 'conclusive evidence' within 48 hours.

"Quite an appetite."

Xu Yun took the document, glanced at the code for the encrypted frequency bands, and said, "They can't wait any longer."

"Because Andrei went missing?"

Liu Zhenwu lowered his voice and said, "Or is it... that 'Ghost' put pressure on us?"

Xu Yun did not answer immediately.

He walked slowly down the corridor, his footsteps echoing in the empty underground space.

This command center, built deep within the mountains of Crescent Island, is now like a finely functioning heart.

The flashing dots on the monitoring screen represent every sentry post, every drone, and every patrol boat on the island.

Data streams surge through the optical fibers, analyzing every fragment of signal intercepted from the reef.

But what Xu Yun really cared about were the things outside the screen.

"Santos was just a messenger."

Xu Yun stopped in front of an observation window.

Behind the window was the medical room, where Andrei was lying on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

“The ‘Ghost’ organization would not tell a Philippine Navy captain its true intentions.”

They're testing us, using Andrei and Isabella as pawns to gauge our reaction speed, defensive strength, and... bottom line.

Liu Zhenwu frowned and asked, "Then what kind of response should we give?"

"Give them what they want."

Xu Yun turned around, his gaze sharp, and said, "But it's not true."

He pulled up a 3D map on his tablet and traced an arc with his finger over a stretch of sea southeast of the island.

"Here, we set up a 'fake target' to mimic the underwater acoustic signals of a submarine entering and leaving the port, and create an infrared heat source so that a drone 'accidentally' captures an image of an underground facility entrance here."

The data should be made realistic, but a few flaws should be left that only professionals can spot.

"A bait?" Liu Zhenwu understood.

“Yes, have Isabella send this ‘evidence’ back.”

A cold smile appeared on Xu Yun's lips as he said, "We will verify the 'Ghost' repeatedly after we get it."

When they discover those flaws, they will assume that this is 'incomplete intelligence' that Isabella hastily obtained under pressure.

This aligns with their expectations; it's already difficult for an agent infiltrating behind enemy lines to obtain core secrets, so some imperfections are to be expected.

"and then?"

"Then they'll ask for more."

Xu Yun put away the tablet and continued, "And Isabella will tell them that she needs time, she needs support, and even..."

It is necessary to personally enter the 'core area' to collect evidence.

By then, the 'ghost' will reveal more clues.

The plan is meticulously structured, with each step interconnected.

Liu Zhenwu took a deep breath, and his gaze toward Xu Yun became more complicated.

This young man not only understands technology, but also human nature. He knows how to exploit his opponent's greed, anxiety, and arrogance to weave an invisible web.

"What about Isabella herself?"

Liu Zhenwu asked, "Although she agreed to cooperate, she is, after all, a former NSA agent, and we cannot completely trust her."

Xu Yun remained silent for a moment.

"Take me to see her."

When the door to the solitary confinement cell opened again, Isabella was sitting on the edge of the bed, scratching something on the wall with her fingernails.

Hearing the noise, she quickly withdrew her hand, reverting to her cold and wary demeanor.

But Xu Yun noticed the fine engravings on the wall; they were mathematical formulas.

The derivation of the Fourier transform.

"Still practicing?" Xu Yun pulled up a chair and sat down, his tone casual as if they were having a chat.

Isabella didn't reply, she just stared at him.

Xu Yun didn't mind, took out a small projector from his pocket, and placed it on the ground.

Blue light shone out, creating a three-dimensional star map in the open space between the two people.

It's not just any starry sky, but the densely packed orbital paths of satellites in near-Earth orbit.

The US GPS, Russia's GLONASS, China's BeiDou, and those gray dots without any nationality identifier.

"This is a record of satellite overhead views over Crescent Island over the past 72 hours."

Xu Yun swiped his finger lightly, zooming in on the star map, and a dozen red markers lit up.

"Seven of them belong to the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, three to the Japanese Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, and two more..."

A privately registered company in Luxembourg, but actually controlled by the 'ghost' organization.

Isabella's pupils contracted slightly.

"You knew all along." Her voice was dry.

I know more than you think.

Xu Yun turned off the projector, and the room returned to darkness. He said, "For example, your father, Professor Chen Qiming, had an 'accidental' car accident at Caltech three years ago. The driver who caused the accident has still not been found."

For example, your mother Li Wanqing's breast cancer was detected early, but the best treatment period was delayed due to the insurance company's 'system error'.

Currently, only three hospitals in the entire United States can provide the special medication that requires monthly injections.

Isabella's fingers clenched the sheets tightly.

"Miller did it."

Xu Yun said the name for her and laughed, "It's not just to steal your research results, but also to control you."

He knew you valued family ties, so he used your parents as leverage to force you to continue working for the NSA, and even after you left, he continued to use this tactic to prevent you from truly resisting.

"You said you would help me."

Isabella looked up, something burning in her eyes, and said, "You said you could make him disappear."

"I can."

Xu Yun met her gaze and replied, "But you need to prove first that you are worth my resources."

How can you prove it?

Xu Yun stood up and walked up to her.

They were very close, close enough to see the trembling of her eyelashes and to smell the faint scent of sweat and metal on her body.

That's the smell unique to people who spend a lot of time in contact with electronic devices.

"Tell me about the top-secret projects you worked on during your last year at the NSA."

Xu Yun lowered his voice, which had a certain alluring magnetism.

He said, "It's not what's in the public files, it's what's actually hidden in the Pentagon's underground servers."

Isabella's breath hitched.

“That’s treason,” she said in a hoarse voice.

“You’re no longer a U.S. citizen. From the moment Miller kicked you out, you became a pawn.”

Xu Yun's fingers gently brushed across her cheek, the touch was icy cold.

"And now, I'm giving you a chance not only to take revenge, but also to regain control of your own destiny."

His touch was light, yet it sent a jolt through Isabella's skin like an electric current. She should push him away; she should maintain the composure and distance expected of an agent.

But at this moment, the tension of the past few days, the frustration of the failed infiltration, the anxiety about her parents' safety, and the deep-seated hatred for Miller all intertwined, causing a crack in her defenses.

"There's a project..."

She heard her own voice, unfamiliar and hoarse, say, "Code name 'Persephone'."

Xu Yun's fingers stopped.

“Go on.”

"On the surface, it's about researching the military applications of quantum communication, but in reality..."

Isabella closed her eyes, as if gathering her courage, and replied, "It's about developing an 'unbreakable' eavesdropping system based on quantum entanglement."

It doesn't involve listening to the content of communications, but rather directly listening to a person's thought processes.

By measuring the weak electromagnetic fields generated when neurons in the brain fire, and combining this with AI algorithms, fragments of thought can be reconstructed.

Xu Yun's eyes suddenly sharpened.

"How far has it progressed?"

"When I left, the prototype was already able to achieve 30% accuracy in recognizing simple intentions on monkeys with electrodes implanted in their brains."

Isabella opened her eyes and said with a wry smile, "But what Miller wants is a non-invasive, long-range, human-targeted approach."

My report pointed out that with current technology, it would take at least twenty years, which he couldn't wait for, so..."

"So they stole your progress, kicked you out of the project, and then found someone more 'obedient' to continue," Xu Yun replied.

Isabella nodded, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Saying these things is tantamount to completely cutting off your own escape route.

But strangely, she didn't feel the panic she had imagined; instead, she felt a sense of relief.

Those secrets that had been buried in my heart for three years have finally found an outlet.

Xu Yun stared at her for a long time. Then, he made an unexpected move.

He leaned down and kissed her.

It wasn't a tentative touch, but a deep and forceful kiss, with an aggressive, all-encompassing sense of control.

Isabella froze, her mind going completely blank.

Reason told her she should resist, but her body betrayed her.

The tension that had been building for days suddenly eased during that kiss, and a deep-seated, long-suppressed vulnerability welled up inside.

Her hand unconsciously gripped Xu Yun's collar, her fingertips turning white.

The kiss lasted for about ten seconds, or maybe longer.

As Xu Yun stepped back, Isabella was panting, her eyes unfocused.

"This is the deposit."

Xu Yun brushed his thumb across her lower lip, his voice low and chuckled as he said, "A deposit to prove your sincerity."

He turned and walked toward the door, pausing before opening it.

"Contact Santos at 2 a.m. tomorrow as planned."

After that, I will arrange for you to leave the confinement cell and move into the guest room upstairs.

You can take a shower, change your clothes, and eat a normal meal as a reward for providing the information.

The door opened and then closed.

Isabella sat alone in the dim light, her fingers tracing her lips where she had just been kissed, where the warmth and touch still lingered.

She should have felt humiliated and used, but deep down, there was a shameful stirring within her.

That man saw through everything about her.

Her hatred, her weakness, her deep-seated desires.

The deal he offered was both cruel and tempting.

1:50 a.m.

The main control area of ​​the underground command center was brightly lit.

Liu Zhenwu sat in front of the command console, with twelve split screens in front of him, displaying real-time monitoring of Isabella's confinement room, signal strength of communication bands, and situation maps of the waters surrounding Crescent Island.

Xu Yun stood behind him, holding a cup of coffee that had long since gone cold.

"Could she try something funny?" Liu Zhenwu asked in a low voice.

"meeting."

Xu Yun answered decisively, saying, "But she hates Miller even more, and she needs me before she can completely bring Miller down."

So tonight, she'll cooperate.

One fifty-eight.

In the solitary confinement cell, Isabella put on specially made bone conduction headphones.

The device was delivered by someone sent by Liu Zhenwu. It looks like an ordinary military communication device, but it has built-in dual encryption and reverse tracking modules.

Every byte she sends is decoded and analyzed in real time by Crescent Island's technical team.

1:59.

She took a deep breath and typed the frequency code she remembered onto the keyboard. The screen lit up, indicating that the connection was being established.

It's exactly 2 o'clock.

“The nightingale is calling the eagle.” She spoke in the pre-arranged code, her voice so calm it was devoid of emotion, “The nest has been located. The chicks are hungry and need more grain.”

After a brief static interference, a male voice, altered by a voice changer, rang out: "Eagle received. The grain is on its way, but we need to see the chicks grow."

"Growth takes time, the nest is heavily guarded, and you can only eat a small amount each time."

"Time is running out."

The other party said firmly, "A storm is coming, and the fledglings must leave the nest before it hits."

Isabella looked at the camera.

She knew Xu Yun was watching.

She continued, following the script: "I need tools, a better observation scope, faster homing pigeons, and... permission to enter the inner nest."

silence.

A silence that lasted ten seconds.

Just as Isabella thought the other party was going to refuse, the voice rang out again.

"Permissions can be granted, but only once."

If you don't get what we want after 48 hours...

"I know the consequences."

Isabella interrupted him, deliberately adding a hint of anxiety to her voice, and said, "But you also have to understand that this is not an amusement park."

I almost got discovered. Andrei has gone missing. If you keep pushing him too hard…”

"That's your problem."

The other party coldly replied, "We'll pay you, you do the work, 48 hours is the deadline."

Communication was cut off.

Isabella took off her headphones; her back was soaked with cold sweat.

She looked at the camera and nodded.

Inside the command center, Liu Zhenwu breathed a sigh of relief.

“They’ve taken the bait. They’ve given us permission to enter the ‘core area,’ although it’s just a verbal promise, which shows they desperately need intelligence.”

Xu Yun stared at the signal tracing diagram on the screen, his brows furrowed slightly.

"Have you traced the source?"

"We're trying, but they used at least five layers of jump pads, and finally the signal source pointed to..."

The technician typed on the keyboard, zoomed in on the map, and replied, "The coordinates in the high seas area of ​​the South China Sea are constantly changing; it should be a mobile satellite terminal of some ship."

"Ship name?"

"Uncertain, but based on speed and route characteristics, it can be inferred..."

The technician pulled up the database for comparison and said, "It could be the 'Ocean Explorer,' but we can't rule out the possibility that other ships were involved."

Xu Yun put down her coffee cup. The cup struck the metal countertop with a crisp sound.

"Notify Lin Wanzhou to activate all of 'Cloud Leopard's' informants in Southeast Asia."

I need to know the movements of all suspicious vessels in the South China Sea over the past week, especially those registered with offshore companies and frequently changing their names and call signs.

"clear."

"besides."

Xu Yun looked at Liu Zhenwu and said, "Prepare a room for Isabella, do as I say."

In addition, two female team members were assigned to "take care" of her, ostensibly as care, but in reality for surveillance.

Will she accept?

"She will."

Xu Yun turned and walked towards the elevator, saying coldly, "Because she had no choice."

The elevator went up from the third basement level to the ground floor.

When the door opened, a salty, damp sea breeze rushed in.

The night on Crescent Island was quiet, with only the faint sound of machinery coming from the distant port construction area.

Xu Yun walked to the open-air platform and looked southeast.

The reef containing the sea caves was now hidden in darkness.

My phone vibrated.

It is Lin Wanzhou.

"Mr. Xu, we have news about Bergman."

Lin Wanzhou spoke quickly, saying, "Our people found him at a private clinic in Manila."

He underwent gallbladder removal surgery three days ago and is currently hospitalized. He has been placed under monitoring and can be brought under control at any time.

"Don't move yet."

Xu Yun said, "Keep an eye on him and see who he associates with, especially people in the military."

"Understood. Also, we've uncovered some new leads regarding the 'Ghost' organization."

Lin Wanzhou paused for a moment and then said, "This organization not only engages in intelligence trading, but also gets involved in arms smuggling and mercenary deployment."

Evidence suggests they have been frequently active along the Philippine-Malaysian border recently, possibly preparing for an operation for a "major client."

"What kind of action was it?"

"It's still uncertain, but it's quite large."

The intercepted communications mentioned "sea-based platforms," ​​"rapid deployment," and "asymmetric strike."

Xu Yun gripped her phone tightly.

The sea breeze tousled his hair and dispelled the last trace of weariness.

"Continue the investigation."

Also, please prepare a document for me.

All of Mueller's damaging information was compiled into a 'package' that could be submitted to the U.S. Congress, the Department of Justice, and the mainstream media.

I need to be able to get this information where it should be within an hour, if necessary.

“This requires utilizing our deep resources in the United States,” Lin Wanzhou cautioned.

"Then let's use it."

Xu Yun's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable power as he said, "Isabella has already pledged her allegiance; now it's our turn to demonstrate our strength."

After hanging up the phone, Xu Yun stood on the platform for a long time.

The night sky was moonless, with only sparse starlight scattered across the sea, breaking into pieces of silver scales.

This island, this chessboard, the pieces are already laid out, and the players are in position.

But the real adversary is lurking in the deeper shadows.

He remembered Isabella's kiss.

That wasn't desire, but a test, a confirmation, a chain that bound her firmly to his chariot.

She needed revenge; he needed her technology and intelligence. Each got what they wanted, nothing more.

At least, that's what he told himself.

As Xu Yun turned to leave the platform, he didn't notice that Isabella was standing in front of a window in the distance, watching his departing figure, behind a window whose light had just been turned on.

She had just taken a shower and was wearing a clean white bathrobe, her long hair still wet and draped over her shoulders.

The room was warm, the bed was soft, and there was even a plate of fresh fruit on the table—a stark contrast to the solitary confinement cell.

But her fingers unconsciously brushed across her lips.

The sensation of that kiss still lingers there.

The next morning, Xu Yun woke up in his temporary accommodation on the island.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the blinds, casting alternating stripes of light and dark on the floor.

He glanced at his phone; it was six in the morning.

There were over a dozen unread messages, mostly nighttime surveillance reports from Liu Zhenwu, and one from Lin Wanzhou, containing only a few words:

"Bergman was discharged from the hospital this morning, but his whereabouts are unknown. We have sent people to follow him."

Xu Yun sat up and rubbed his temples.

Even with less than four hours of sleep, the brain has automatically switched to working mode.

He walked to the window and opened the blinds.

Crescent Island awakens in the morning light, and cranes have already begun operating in the direction of the port, while transport vehicles shuttle back and forth on temporary roads.

On a distant mountainside, a radar antenna, disguised as a rock, is slowly rotating.

The island is growing at an astonishing pace, like a giant beast lurking in the depths of the Pacific Ocean, quietly stretching its limbs.

A knock came at the door.

"Enter."

Liu Zhenwu pushed open the door and came in, holding a tablet in his hand, his expression not very good.

"Mr. Xu, something has happened."

He handed over the tablet and said, "Our informant in Manila lost contact half an hour ago."

The last message that came back was that he saw Bergman get into a black SUV with the license plate covered, and then another car followed him.

They're not one of ours.

Xu Yun took the tablet, which displayed a screenshot of the last encrypted message, dated 5:17 AM.

"The informant's identity?"

“Code name 'Fisherman,' a local Filipino, has worked for us for three years and has always been very reliable.”

Liu Zhenwu said, "No distress signal was sent before contact was lost. It might be because it was too late, or it might be..."

"They've been taken into custody."

Xu Yun put down the tablet and walked to the small sand table in the corner of the room.

The sand table shows a miniature topography of the South China Sea and surrounding areas, with a small red flag planted at the location of Crescent Island.

"Bergman was just a middleman; arresting him wouldn't be of much value."

Xu Yun moved his finger from Manila to Crescent Island and said, "Their target is us, or more accurately, me."

"Do you think this is 'Ghost's' countermeasure?"

"Or it could be someone behind Santos who wants to see our reaction."

Xu Yun looked at Liu Zhenwu and asked, "Have the 'fisherman's' family been taken care of?"

"They've been rescued and are in a safe house."

“Very good. Send a message to Lin Wanzhou and tell him to activate the emergency protocol. All informants in the Philippines should go into a state of silence and await further instructions.”

Xu Yun paused for a moment, then said, "Also, have Isabella come to see me."

Liu Zhenwu was taken aback: "Now?"

"Now."

Twenty minutes later, Isabella appeared at Xu Yun's room door.

She changed into a gray tracksuit, tied her hair in a simple ponytail, and went makeup-free. She looked a few years younger than yesterday, but also a bit more vulnerable.

"Sit down." Xu Yun pointed to the sofa, and then sat down in the chair opposite him.

Isabella sat down, her hands on her knees, her posture stiff.

"Bergman has disappeared."

Xu Yun cut to the chase: "We lost track of our people, and our informant is out of contact. How much do you know about him?"

Isabella was clearly not prepared for this topic and paused for a few seconds before answering.

"Hans Bergman...I've met him three times."

On his first visit to Dubai, he represented 'Ghost' to discuss cooperation.

On his second visit to Singapore, he introduced Santos to Santos.

The third time, in Bangkok, he gave us an advance payment for this mission.

"His background?"

"A former East German intelligence officer, he lost his job after German reunification, worked as a private security guard, and later joined 'Spectre'."

He was responsible for business negotiations and cash flow in the Asian region, making him a mid-level manager.

Isabella recalled: "But he was very cautious, never used a landline, always met at different locations, and paid in a mix of cryptocurrency and cash."

"Is it possible that he has already betrayed us? Or that he has been taken over by another side?"

Isabella shook her head and said, "I'm not sure, but Bergman is a pure businessman; he only cares about money."

If he gets caught, it's either because the price wasn't high enough, or..."

“Either he knows something he shouldn’t know,” Xu Yun interjected.

A brief silence fell over the room.

The cries of seagulls drifted in from outside the window, clear and distant.

"Are you scared?" Xu Yun suddenly asked.

Isabella looked up and met his eyes. There was no probing, no calculation in those eyes, only a calm scrutiny.

"Fear."

She answered honestly, "But I'm more afraid of living in Miller's shadow forever." (End of Chapter)