Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei Returns from the Elden Ring

They had all learned about Lu Mingfei's network of connections on the Night Watchers' discussion forum, but they had no idea who this mysterious Miss Su was. She wasn't a relative of Lu Mingfei, nor did she seem to be from the branch. They felt like Tang Sanzang leading Sun Wukong on his journey to the West, only to suddenly discover that the all-powerful Monkey King had a girlfriend named Lin Daiyu…

The three of them sat in the carriage without speaking to each other.

The car doors closed immediately, and the Hummer sped away.

The rear compartment is a private space, completely separated from the driver's seat, decorated with cherry wood and burgundy lambskin. Inside the temperature-controlled wine cabinet, crystal glassware tinkles as the car sways, and a large kangaroo leather sofa faces a 42-inch LCD screen, which is currently off.

Based on Caesar's experience, he could deduce that the car owner was a career-oriented woman with a relaxed and easygoing demeanor; such people usually wielded real power. Every woman like this Caesar had met was an elder, some even senior members of their families.

……

The Hummer pulled up in front of the Regent Hotel, where the hotel's general manager had been waiting for some time. Before leaving, the driver handed Lu Mingfei a business card, indicating he was available at any time.

The three followed the general manager to the presidential suite. After seeing off the chef and waiters who were waiting in the room, they each found a room to put away their backpacks and other light luggage, and then went to the conference room located between the entertainment area and the bedroom area. The conference room had two floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the brightly lit city night view outside.

Caesar pushed a serving cart from the kitchen, lifted the cloth covering it, and revealed a bottle of Perrier Jouet, a top-quality champagne, in an ice bucket.

A small tag hangs on the bottleneck: "To the Dragon Slayers".

"To be honest, I originally thought that car would be parked in a villa filled with the smell of perfume and luxury goods." Caesar shrugged; he quite liked the champagne brand.

Chu Zihang projected the laptop provided by the executive department onto the conference room screen. After connecting to the network, Norma uploaded all the intelligence and progress gathered during the dozen or so hours on the plane. This operation actually had a fourth member: Norma, the academy's secretary. Due to security restrictions, the branch couldn't interfere with their actions, but Lu Mingfei made an exception and directly granted Norma high-level operational privileges.

“They are trustworthy people,” Lu Mingfei said. “There’s no need to worry about the mission being leaked.”

Caesar poured himself a glass of champagne: "The place where we connect to the network is just a branch office in Norma's eyes, and of course, there will be no leaks in the branch office's conference room."

“At least a thousand hybrids have arrived in Beijing from all over the world, and it is estimated that more than two thousand more will arrive in about five days.” Chu Zihang began to analyze Norma’s data. “Most of them come from hybrid families, not blind wild species, so there shouldn’t be too much chaos.”

"This is a giant city with over 3000 years of history and a current population of over 2000 million. A few thousand mixed-race people coming in is like throwing a stone into the sea," Caesar said calmly. "Our first priority right now should be to confirm which of the Supreme beings Fenrisulfr is. Don't you agree, boss?"

"About this," Lu Mingfei, who had been checking his phone messages, looked up, "I already know."

Chapter 104 Undercurrents (Part 2)

“Take a look at this.” Lu Mingfei asked Norma to project a set of data.

It was a world map, densely packed with point data. Chu Zihang moved the mouse over a point, and the name, latitude, and longitude of the earthquake data monitoring station were immediately displayed. Clicking on a point allowed him to view the intensity assessment and time series plot. Both Caesar and Chu Zihang immediately tried to glean something from the map, but at a glance, the data points were densely packed and even overlapping.

“From the ‘Fragments of the Ice Sea’ we know that the Supreme Beings are black, white, and the four elements of earth, water, wind, and fire. Does this data actually point to the earth and mountains?” Caesar had always been inferior to Chu Zihang in science and engineering subjects, and he never intended to compete with him in this area. He had always defined himself as a leader, and even though he was not the leader in this mission, he naturally considered himself to be a strategist, a mastermind.

During this time, Chu Zihang had already conducted preliminary calculations on another laptop, inputting the rough data into the simplified model. "The frequency of earthquakes in Beijing has increased by at least six times this year. This result is not accurate, but it is enough to illustrate the point."

“The awakening of the four monarchs is actually easier to observe than the awakening of ordinary dragons because their power is too great, and they will bring about similar catastrophic events.” Lu Mingfei shared the information that Su Enxi had just sent with his two team members. “Chu Zihang, Norma will assist you in processing this data. You try to pinpoint the source of the anomaly within the scope of BJ City.”

“Caesar, starting tomorrow, you and I will investigate the movements of two groups: the local mixed-race forces and those from Europe and America,” Lu Mingfei said calmly.

He had learned from Su Enxi about the current power distribution in the city, with the three main forces being the local mixed-race people, the Kassel College, and the North American mixed-race people.

"Okay." Chu Zihang nodded.

"Shouldn't we contact the branch?" Caesar, thinking from the perspective of the captain, agreed with Lu Mingfei's arrangement, but felt that something was missing—Lu Mingfei hadn't contacted the BJ branch since landing. "They were the first to send specialists to investigate, so they should have an advantage in intelligence and clues."

“All intelligence from the branch is under Norma’s surveillance.” Lu Mingfei said no more, placing the driver’s business card on the conference table. “Let’s rest today. You can call this number if you need to travel.”

Caesar watched as Lu Mingfei's bedroom door closed, then lowered his head and swirled the champagne in his glass, lost in thought.

"Chu Zihang, if I remember correctly, only the main campus of the academy can use Norma to monitor branches in various locations, right?" he asked softly.

“And the board of directors,” Chu Zihang added.

"Don't you find it strange? Lu Mingfei went to the board of directors and it seems his status is now equivalent to Professor Schneider's. I remember you were Professor Schneider's student, right?" Caesar turned to look at Chu Zihang.

Chu Zihang hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't know."

Chu Zihang had witnessed Lu Mingfei's intelligence network and his access to Norma. In his impression, Lu Mingfei didn't seem like a student or an executive officer, but rather a collaborator with the principal's faction. However, he was indeed unaware of the details.

Caesar sensed that Chu Zihang knew something, which annoyed him. He put down his wine glass and went back to his bedroom.

……

Someone knocked on the door, and Gao Mi got up to open it.

A young man in a black suit walked in, carrying a silver briefcase.

"Any news from the branch office?" the young man asked casually, putting down his briefcase. "Have you made contact with Lu Mingfei's team?"

Gao Mi glanced warily at the corridor outside, then closed the door.

“No need to be so vigilant,” the young man said. “The family’s executors arrived at the same time as me, and with them there, no one can track me.”

“Wan Boqian and I are in charge of searching the subway. The subway is the most crowded place. She is very sensitive to bloodlines and domains. We patrol along the subway line every day, but unfortunately we haven’t found anything.” Gao Mi shook her head. “As for Lu Mingfei… the branch only knows that a three-person team has arrived in Beijing, but we haven’t seen him. The previous reconnaissance team has already joined the branch’s operation plan.”

“That’s normal. Their mission is classified at the highest level, so you can’t contact them proactively.” The young man wasn’t surprised. He took out a card from his pocket. “This time, in addition to the weapon case, you also need to give him the information for this account. Remember, give it to him in the name of the Board of Directors. You should know what to say.”

“Okay.” Gao Mi took the card. The front had a Hunter Market account ID, and the back had the login password.

After explaining his situation, the young man looked around. This was a regular hotel suite next to the subway station. The BJ branch had arranged nearby accommodations for Gao Mi and Wan Boqian, considering that they needed to patrol the subway for a long time. "Isn't she staying with you? I remember you two have been a couple for a long time, right?"

Gao Mi was taken aback. On one hand, she was shocked that this important figure in the family actually remembered her marital status as a low-level spy. On the other hand, she was a little embarrassed. "I talked to her about the engagement before, but she never agreed."

The young man glanced at him indifferently, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Gao Mi saw him to the door. Before closing the door, the young man sighed softly, "If you like someone, make up your mind sooner rather than later, so you don't regret it when it's too late."

Gao Mi stared blankly at the young man's departing figure, realizing with shock that his network of relationships was completely exposed to his family. He returned to his suite, closed the door from behind, took out his phone, and texted his ex-girlfriend. He typed several titles, then deleted them, and after hesitating for a long time, he finally sent her a farewell message beginning with "I'm sorry, our relationship has been discovered by my family."

……

Around six o'clock in the morning, it was already dark.

Lu Mingfei sat in a bustling morning tea shop. On the table were fried dough rings, sesame cakes, millet porridge, and Beijing-style fermented mung bean juice. The surroundings were filled with the noise of people, but the shop was filled with steam despite the cold winter. The owners were busy and their foreheads were covered with fine beads of sweat.

A moment later, a burly figure apologized as he awkwardly squeezed through the wall of people consisting of office workers, students, and elderly people, finally sitting down opposite Lu Mingfei, pushing the student next to him, who was wearing thick glasses, almost against the wall.

"Excuse me." The foreigner spoke fluent Chinese, put his hands together to apologize to the middle school student who was looking down for his glasses, and then casually grabbed the fried dough ring in front of Lu Mingfei and stuffed it into his mouth.

He chewed a couple of times, found it a bit dry, so he picked up the pale grayish-green "soy milk" and gulped it down.

Lu Mingfei calmly picked up the sesame seed cake, watching with interest as Fingel's expression went from shock to contortion, and finally he covered his face in a grimace.

In this close proximity, elbow to elbow and back to back, he had nowhere to vomit, and might accidentally spill it all over Lu Mingfei and the breakfast on the table.

"What is this?" After swallowing it with difficulty, Fingel looked depressed and doubtful about life.

“Soybean juice,” Lu Mingfei explained. “It’s a traditional snack in Beijing. Drinking it can soothe the stomach, detoxify, and clear heat. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, it was a royal beverage.”

"Stop, stop, stop. Give me some mashed potatoes to rinse my mouth first," Fingel said, pointing to the millet porridge.

Lu Mingfei shrugged and handed him the spoon along with the food.

"This is quite delicious." Fingel savored the flavor of the batter and salt and pepper. "Salty and savory."

"Alright, tell me why you came to Beijing." Lu Mingfei didn't come to see him as a food critic.

In the morning, he and Caesar went to investigate the movements of various hybrid factions as planned. In the middle of the trip, Fingel suddenly sent a message saying that he was in Beijing and wanted to meet up with him.

Lu Mingfei had no choice but to split up with Caesar and go to this dim sum restaurant to wait for Fingel.

“I have important intelligence.” Fingel looked around. “Let’s talk somewhere else after I finish eating.”

……

There were few people on the street, and a cold wind was howling. Lu Mingfei and Finger walked side by side.

Why are you here?

"Since we don't have to go to class, Constantine went to see Old Tang. I figured I couldn't beat them both in StarCraft, so I thought I'd come to the capital of this country to experience Asia's grandest festival."

"Then what about the intelligence you mentioned?" Lu Mingfei asked, somewhat puzzled. "Weren't you here on vacation?"

“I’ve only been here a few days and I’m staying at a hotel near the airport,” Fingel said in a low voice. “But just yesterday, I discovered that the hotel was suddenly filled with mixed-race people. They weren’t from the academy or locals; they seemed to be from mixed-race families in Europe and America. I was worried that they were targeting you since you’re also in Beijing, so I came here specifically to report this.”

“I already knew the information you mentioned,” Lu Mingfei sighed. “But you also brought other information with you; I wonder if you noticed.”

"What?" Fingel was taken aback.

"You're being followed."

"Huh?" Fingel suppressed the urge to look back, kept his eyes forward, and continued walking along the sidewalk with Lu Mingfei.

"The woman looking at her phone on the bench to the right and behind, and the two people by the window in the coffee shop, two A-level and one S-level." Lu Mingfei didn't turn around, but clearly stated the location of the trackers.

Fingel pretended to tie his shoelaces, squatted down, and discreetly observed the two directions Lu Mingfei had mentioned. He indeed spotted the three suspicious-looking guys. His expression was strange. "Damn, that kid was following me on the subway. I felt the way he looked at me was weird back then. He's definitely not a good person."

"Junior brother, what should we do?" he asked quietly.

“I already said, this intelligence came to us on a silver platter,” Lu Mingfei said. “Let’s go to a less crowded place and see if they dare to chase after us.”

……

Caesar encountered the branch members.

After separating from Lu Mingfei, he dressed himself in a local style outfit: a light blue Chinese-style robe with rolled-up white sleeves, casual pants, and Beijing-style "strip shoes".

Norma constantly monitors the global network, and the distribution of BJ's various factions is displayed in real time on Caesar's phone.

The mixed-race people from North America were marked in yellow on the map, and most of them were now actually in the Forbidden City. Judging from their route, they seemed to have hired a guide... Caesar also knew the leader of this "tour group," named Tang Sen, a mixed-race man in the Chicago area who worked in the construction industry. Some branches of the Gattuso family had dealings with his company.

After much deliberation, he decided to first investigate the local mixed-race families, as Tang Sen and his group had clearly not found any clues.

At his request, Norma retrieved a cooperation agreement signed by Schneider between the branch and the local hybrid family. Apart from the formalities, the core of the agreement was to share some intelligence and resources and work together to maintain order in the hybrid world.

This cooperation agreement does not mean that the branch and the local hybrid families will join forces to find the ancient dragon. In other words, everyone will search for their own dragons, and if someone causes trouble, they will join forces to suppress it. At the same time, the senior management of each other will keep in touch by phone.

If it were the Gattuso family, Caesar could imagine what those old guys would do. In their eyes, anyone who didn't submit to them was an unstable factor, and there was no possibility of negotiation.

Caesar walked along the pedestrian street, lost in thought. He hesitated because if the branch couldn't obtain intelligence from the local mixed-race forces, their student team from Kassel College might not have the face to discuss further cooperation.

Just then, he stopped.

A figure was waiting for him not far in front of him. According to the information provided by Norma, the person was Gao Mi, a specialist from the BJ branch.

……

Lu Mingfei and Finger entered an underground passage. There was no one in sight, only a factory and a park nearby. To be on the safe side, Lu Mingfei released a weak field of influence, causing pedestrians within a one-kilometer radius to subconsciously ignore the area.

The underground passage has a vintage feel, with a layer of dust covering the stainless steel handrails on both sides. The floor is made of gray marble-patterned tiles, and the walls and ceiling are made of neatly arranged white rectangular tiles. There is a dim incandescent light bulb at intervals overhead.

The passageway has a corner approximately every 20 meters, and its overall layout is a spiral ascent.

Lu Mingfei and Fingel had already discussed their strategy. After confirming that the pursuers had caught up with them, the two suddenly accelerated and started running at a corner, their footsteps echoing through the quiet passageway system.

Of the three pursuers, only the woman entered the tunnel. Upon hearing the two men's footsteps, her first reaction was not to chase after them, but to run away.

The family's orders were to monitor Fingel and not approach Lu Mingfei, whose priority was higher. Therefore, the two targets should temporarily retreat after meeting. However, the executor who had just arrived from Italy disagreed and demanded to continue the pursuit.