Desperate people, accept the seed of my soul!

"As for Han Xiao and Xu Suyuan..." Zhao Jianguo paused for a few seconds, a barely perceptible look of awe flashing in his eyes. "Although reason tells me that no one can survive at the center of such a powerful explosion, given that we are facing an 'anomaly'... we will adopt a parallel investigation strategy."

"On the one hand, assume they are dead and investigate the source of all this; on the other hand, maintain a very low probability of survival alerts and pay attention to any abnormal reports that match characteristics such as 'penetration' and 'kinetic control.' Zhou Ming will be in charge of this aspect."

"Gentlemen," Zhao Jianguo's voice lowered, "let's put away the old logic we used to apply to solving cases. In the past, we arrested murderers and ruthless criminals. No matter how vicious they were, they were still human beings and had to follow the laws of physics."

He pointed to the terrifying giant pit outside the tent, "But that pit outside is telling us that times have changed. Our adversary may no longer be a specific person, but a 'phenomenon' that is completely unfamiliar to us. Today it cuts half a meter off the ground in Nanshan, tomorrow it can cut a hole in the city center."

"From this moment forward, the Special Investigations Office will shift its focus from 'hunting down' to 'researching' and 'preventing' disasters. We need to understand them, predict them, and at the very least... know how to evacuate people before the next disaster strikes."

The car was deathly silent, with only the rustling of the morning breeze.

It felt as if a huge rock was pressing down on everyone's heart.

"Meeting adjourned. Everyone back to your positions."

Zhao Jianguo waved and walked out of the command vehicle alone.

It was six o'clock in the morning.

The dawn sunlight finally pierced through the clouds and shone down on the ruins without reservation.

However, this warm light did not bring any warmth to the scene.

Conversely, under bright light, the enormous vitrified crater reflected a blinding, cold light, appearing even more grotesque.

It's like a silent, gaping maw on the earth, mocking how fragile the laws and order that mortals are so proud of truly are.

Zhao Jianguo stood beside the yellow warning line and lit another cigarette.

Amidst the swirling smoke, his gaze passed over the ruins before him and landed on the gradually awakening outline of the city in the distance.

Skyscrapers gleamed in the morning light, and the sounds of bustling traffic could be faintly heard. The city remained prosperous and noisy, as if nothing had happened.

But he knew that some things had changed forever.

This crater not only remains in Nanshan, but also deeply etched in the hearts of everyone who knows about it, becoming a cruel scar before the arrival of a new era.

------

Forty-eight hours after the upheaval in Nanshan, night fell.

The top floor of the Wei Group headquarters in the core area of ​​Chenxi City CBD.

This is an extremely luxurious private restaurant, with the city lights shining brightly outside the window and the bustling cityscape that countless people look up to below.

But tonight, the atmosphere at this dinner is even more desolate than the ruins of Nanshan.

At the head of the long dining table sat no longer the arrogant Wei Donghai, but Wei Zi'ang with dark circles under his eyes.

Only the four most core members of the group attended the dinner.

"Zi'ang..." Wei Changsheng, who was sitting on the left, spoke first.

As the group's finance director and a senior member of the Wei family's collateral branch, his usually shrewd face was now filled with anxiety.

"There's a problem with the banks. The three main partner banks suddenly agreed at 2 PM today to require us to start this quarter's due diligence and fund flow verification ahead of schedule."

Wei Changsheng's voice was filled with anxiety: "The reason given was 'cooperating with the unified deployment of the higher authorities for financial risk investigation.' This is unprecedented, and the attitude is extremely tough; they even froze two of our working capital accounts for projects under construction."

Wei Ziang's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the knife and fork.

This is a signal.

A sign that everyone is pushing a wall when it's about to crumble.

"These snobs!" Wei Donghua, sitting opposite, slammed his hand on the table.

He is Wei Donghai's cousin, the group's security minister, a burly man in charge of the group's military affairs.

"Not only the bank, the police have gone mad!" Wei Donghua said angrily. "Just before we arrived, Lei Zhen, along with the city's criminal investigation team, wanted to seal off our two largest freight warehouses and parking lots in the Eighth District!"

"What's the reason?" Wei Zi'ang asked coldly.

"We received a report from the public that there are major fire safety hazards and suspected illegal stockpiling of materials!" Wei Donghua cursed, "Damn it, this isn't an inspection, it's clearly a bargain hunt!"

Wei Zi'ang closed his eyes.

My father has been missing for two whole days.

The news coming from Nanshan was completely blocked by the authorities, who only said it was a methane explosion, but given the scale of the commotion... coupled with the swift and decisive actions of the bank and the police, the answer was self-evident.

The man who sheltered the Wei family from the storm for decades is probably no longer here.

If the big tree falls, and the monkeys don't want to scatter, they'll have to grow fangs themselves, or... cut off their tails to survive.

After a long while, Wei Ziang opened his eyes again. The frivolous air of a rich second-generation was completely gone, replaced by a kind of resolute determination after being forced into a desperate situation.

"Uncle Zhang." He looked at Zhang Jingyi, the chief legal counsel who had been silent all along.

"exist."

"Vice Mayor Zhou is our biggest backer," Wei Zi'ang said coldly. "No matter what methods you use or how much money you spend, you must see him in person by tomorrow morning. I need to find out the true attitude of the higher-ups towards the Wei family—whether it's a 'warning' or a 'complete uprooting.' Tell him that as long as the Wei family can be saved, the price… we can discuss."

Zhang Jingyi nodded solemnly, but his eyes, slightly lowered, flickered uncertainly.

"Uncle Hua," Wei Zi'ang turned to Wei Donghua, "you immediately take men and get rid of everything 'that shouldn't be there' in the group!"

His gaze turned sinister: "If there are those who are prone to making careless remarks... you know what to do. Father taught you how to handle things before, you don't need me to teach you again, do you?"

Wei Donghua was taken aback, then nodded emphatically: "Understood! As long as I'm here, no one will be able to dig a single nail out of the group!"

After saying that, he rushed out in a flurry of activity.

"Third Grandfather." Wei Zi'ang looked at Wei Changsheng one last time.

"Zi'ang, you speak."

"Immediately launch Project Ark."

Wei Changsheng was shocked, looking at the young sect leader in disbelief: "Zi'ang, that's our last trump card... Once activated, it means we have to give up most of the country..."

"Do as I say!" Wei Zi'ang roared, interrupting him. "Father's gone, now I'm in charge! The Wei family can't fall in my hands! Transfer all transferable liquid assets out in batches through those clandestine channels. Balance the accounts, and quickly cut off any shady dealings that need to be cut!"

Wei Changsheng looked at the junior in front of him, who seemed to have become a stranger overnight, swallowed hard, and nodded heavily.

After everyone left, Wei Ziang was left alone in the restaurant.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the abyss-like night.

"As for me..."

Wei Zi'ang pressed his palm against the glass and murmured softly.

"I contacted the people in the Five Mountains Association myself. My father said that they were our last line of defense, and also our last... insurance."