Swing the sword at the future female devil

Chapter 455 Genius Agent Duan Huaige!
Duan Huaige forced a laugh and feigned excitement, saying, "I would go through fire and water for the imperial court without hesitation! But... this mission sounds like a classified mission, right? Can I ask to go home and see my parents and relatives first?"

"Don't worry about that. We will fully consider the needs of your personnel. I'll arrange for someone to bring your parents over immediately." Commander Zhang said earnestly, "The imperial court will cover all their needs! We can't let those who bear the burden for this world be disheartened!"

"Is that so? Then let's forget about it. Since ancient times, loyalty and righteousness have been mutually exclusive." Duan Huaige changed his mind and said, "How can such an important mission be delayed by my personal matters, which is a matter of saving the world!"

"Hahaha! Good! Good! Good!" Commander Zhang clapped his hands and laughed, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes. "It's good that you have this ambition, young man! Cultivation can be improved, and experience can be accumulated! As long as you are willing to put your heart into it, I believe you will shine brightly in this Kunlun Ruins!"

He stood up and instructed Xie Changming, "Changming, take Xiao Duan to the 'Class A No. 1' meditation room and settle him in properly. From today onwards, young friend Duan is a specially invited researcher of my 'Kunlun Tian Shu'! The cultivation resources he needs will be allocated according to the highest standards! No one is allowed to neglect him!"

"Yes, sir!" Xie Changming accepted the order in a deep voice, looked at Duan Huaige with a complex and unreadable expression, and finally said only: "Researcher Duan, please come with me."

Duan Huaige stood up and bowed respectfully to Commander Zhang: "Thank you for your kindness, Commander. But may I ask where my two companions who were arrested with me—cough cough, who were invited in—are?"

"Is that so?" Commander Zhang looked at Xie Changming with feigned suspicion and joked, "Changming, you can't use your daughter as a pretext for personal revenge."

"Take good care of our researchers! There could be emergencies at any moment." Commander Zhang waved his hand with satisfaction, his warm smile seemingly never fading, though a cold sense of control flashed deep in his eyes.

"Yes!"

Duan Huaige followed Xie Changming out of the oppressive stone chamber. The moment the stone door closed behind him, the scene before him suddenly opened up, making Duan Huaige feel a chill run down his spine.

They were in an extremely wide passageway, seemingly carved into the belly of a mountain. The passageway's sides were not rough rock walls, but rather inlaid with huge jade slabs radiating a soft, spiritual light, engraved with intricate defensive and energy-gathering runes. Above them, a dome tens of feet high hung with "lamp-like" lamps carved from single massive fluorite stones, emitting a bright yet gentle white light that illuminated the entire space as if it were daytime.

Along the passageway, squads of soldiers clad in uniform spirit armor, their auras sharp and disciplined, patrolled in perfect unison, their armor plates clanging together with a crisp, metallic sound. Further on, a massive gate could be seen, from behind which the faint sounds of bustling voices and the hum of psionic machinery could be heard.

A massive bronze cauldron hovered in mid-air, slowly rotating, its surface shrouded in flowing runes, seemingly monitoring the flow of spiritual energy throughout the area. The air was thick with spiritual energy, yet it was also mixed with metallic scents, talismans, and a barely perceptible stench of blood and malevolent energy.

This is a massive military fortress and research center hidden deep within the Kunlun Mountains! Its significance and investment far exceed Duan Huaige's previous imagination!
Xie Changming led the way with steady steps and unwavering gaze, while Duan Huaige followed half a step behind in silence. The two traversed the magnificent yet frigid fortress as if walking through the intestines of a colossal beast.

They turned a few corners and entered a relatively secluded side road leading to the residential area. There were far fewer patrolling soldiers here, and the light was somewhat dim, with only the moonstones embedded in the walls emitting a cold, eerie glow.

As they passed a huge bronze pillar engraved with ancient star map reliefs, Xie Changming seemed to slow his pace unconsciously, almost walking side by side with Duan Huaige.

At this moment, the surrounding dim light suddenly dimmed completely. Xie Changming abruptly turned his head, his voice extremely low, piercing Duan Huaige's ears, his tone more anxious and heavy than ever before:

"Hurry! Find an opportunity! Immediately! Call that young girl from the Qin family to take you away from Kunlun Ruins!"

Duan Huaige's heart trembled violently. He quickly asked, "Uncle Xie, what's going on?"

Xie Changming's eyes showed even more solemnity and guilt. He moved his lips slightly and hurriedly added, "It's my fault. I sent people to keep an eye on you, and they discovered the Mountain and River Map you were carrying."

"They've now retrieved the blood samples you left behind, confirming that you've cultivated the Mountain and River Daoist arts. I'm worried that this exploration plan might not be as simple as it seems on the surface, and it might even be related to..."

Before he could finish speaking, a patrol of Xuanjia Guards turned around the corner ahead, their steps perfectly synchronized. The squad leader, upon seeing Xie Changming, immediately stood at attention and saluted: "Commander!"

Xie Changming instantly regained his dignified and aloof demeanor, nodding slightly: "Yes, continue patrolling and strengthen vigilance." "Yes, sir!" The patrol team continued forward without looking to the side.

Once the patrol team had gone far away, the complex emotions on Xie Changming's face had completely vanished, replaced by a calm and composed demeanor. It was as if that brief exchange, filled with warning and remorse, had never happened.

He stopped talking, but silently quickened his pace, leading Duan Huaige through several corridors, and finally stopped in front of a heavy stone door engraved with protective runes.

There were guards by the stone gate, who immediately bowed to Xie Changming upon seeing him.

"Open the door. Commander Zhang has ordered that Researcher Duan wants to see his companion," Xie Changming said coldly.

The guards dared not delay and immediately activated the mechanism. The stone door slowly opened inward with a low, grinding sound.

Inside the door was a relatively spacious stone chamber, simply furnished with only a stone bed and table. Yan Qiuxi was sitting cross-legged on the stone bed, idly pointing at the runes carved on the wall and muttering something unintelligible. Jiang Xiyu, on the other hand, was shouting out the window, "Let me out, or I'll turn evil and wipe you all out in a minute!"

The sound of the stone door opening startled the two of them.

"Huaige!" Yan Qiuxi's eyes lit up when she saw Duan Huaige. She jumped off the bed like a rabbit and rushed to the door in a few steps, her face showing undisguised surprise and worry. "Are you alright? Those guys didn't do anything to you, did they?"

Jiang Xiyu immediately opened her eyes, quickly got up, and walked briskly to Duan Huaige's side. Although she didn't rush over like Yan Qiuxi, her eyes were full of concern. Her gaze quickly swept over Duan Huaige, confirming that he had no obvious external injuries, before she breathed a slight sigh of relief and said proudly with her arms crossed:
"Hmph, what a pity, why didn't I beat you up a few times to help me vent my anger!"

"I'm fine." Duan Huaige gave the two women a reassuring smile. Seeing that they were unharmed, he felt much relieved.
“The situation has changed somewhat; we are safe for now.” He gave a subtle look, indicating that now was not the time to discuss the details.

Yan Qiuxi, ever quick-witted, noticed Xie Changming's stern expression following behind Duan Huaige. She immediately swallowed back a string of questions, simply pursing her lips and muttering, "At least it's safe… This place is suffocating…"

Xie Changming looked at the three young people in front of him, especially his daughter's good friend Xiao Jiang, and a complex emotion flashed in the depths of his eyes.

He said in a deep voice, "Commander Zhang has ordered that Duan Huaige has been specially appointed as a researcher at 'Kunlun Tian Shu' and enjoys special privileges. As his companions, you two can be released from detention and temporarily move freely within this area, but you are not allowed to leave the designated living area and await further arrangements. Your daily necessities will be delivered by someone."

"Free time?" Yan Qiuxi's eyes lit up. Although there were restrictions, it was still better than being locked up in a cell.

Xie Changming nodded, his gaze sweeping over Duan Huaige, a businesslike reminder in his voice, "Researcher Duan, Commander Zhang has high hopes for you. Settle in as soon as possible and familiarize yourself with the environment. The mission... could begin at any time."

After saying that, he didn't linger. He gave the guards a few instructions on strengthening "protection" and then turned and strode away.

The stone door slowly closed, leaving Duan Huaige, Yan Qiuxi, and Jiang Xiyu looking at each other in the stone chamber.

With surveillance potentially lurking everywhere, Duan Huaige's expression turned grave. He needed to get the message to the two young ladies as soon as possible.

Fortunately, the former genius agent Yan Qiuxi gave Duan Huaige this excellent inspiration.

(End of this chapter)