Chapter 106: Countdown

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About five hours away from the Ghost Island waters, Zhang Xingmin and Yang Dalong finally made contact with Lin Xiaofeng. Using the briefest language, they explained the predicament Lin Xiaofeng now faced.

At first, Lin Xiaofeng was bewildered to learn he was wanted worldwide. But after calming down, he was no longer panic-stricken. Was this not a golden opportunity to infiltrate the enemy’s inner circle? More than two years had passed since the disaster. Countless righteous souls and innocent civilians had shed their blood on the battlefield, yet no one had uncovered the enemy’s stronghold. Even if they had, what use would it be? The enemy would not simply deliver themselves; instead, their power continued to grow.

Zhang Xingmin had mixed feelings about Lin Xiaofeng’s decision. He supported it because Lin’s reasoning was sound: going undercover to infiltrate the enemy was a clever move that could turn the tide. But if he failed, it would be a disgrace remembered forever. Even a one percent chance of such a fate was unacceptable to Zhang.

Yet, since Lin was determined, Zhang couldn’t stop him. They agreed to act according to circumstances and keep in constant contact. Meanwhile, Zhang Xingmin and Yang Dalong secretly drafted a detailed report explaining their situation and decisions, hoping to gain approval from higher-ups.

Regardless of the response, since their minds were made up, it was time to act. The real show was about to begin. Now was the moment to test their acting skills; any slip could mean irreversible disaster.

After the connection was cut, Lin Xiaofeng quickly erased all traces of communication...

Three hours remained before Zhang Xingmin and Yang Dalong would reach Ghost Island, when the woman in red finally regained full consciousness.

Lin Xiaofeng stood watch nearby.

“You’re finally awake?” Lin Xiaofeng had confirmed the woman was none other than Young Master Zhao Zeyi, but he pretended not to recognize her.

“Did you save me?” the woman in red asked with tender eyes.

“My name is Lin Xiaofeng. And yours?” Lin evaded her question and introduced himself, wanting to see how Young Master would respond.

“Anna! You can call me Anna! Thank you for saving me!” Young Master answered without the slightest hesitation.

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Sometimes, telling one lie requires hundreds of excuses to cover it up. Lin Xiaofeng firmly believed that. Since Young Master refused to admit his identity, this was a perfect chance to probe further. To be honest, the island was strangely deserted.

“I didn’t really help much, Anna. No need to thank me!” Lin Xiaofeng said gently.

Zhao Zeyi saw Lin remained the same naïve... no, particularly trusting fool, and felt relieved.

He quickly slipped into the prearranged persona of Anna, replying in a sweet voice, “Brother Xiaofeng, you’re such a good person. If it weren’t for you, I might have died on this deserted island!”

“When you came, it was a deserted island? Why would a young girl like you come to such a godforsaken place?” Lin decided to keep up the act to see who would crack first.

“Don’t underestimate me! I’m pretty tough! A few of us crossed the uninhabited Hoh Xil region on foot. If it weren’t for the pirate gang here... now I’m the only one left...” Anna trailed off, letting out a soft sob and refusing to say more.

Lin Xiaofeng coaxed her for a long time before stopping. For a moment, he almost believed she was a genuine cute girl and thought his initial judgment wrong. Knowing Anna sent him away under the pretext of hunger, Lin became cautious and glanced back secretly, confirming his original suspicion was correct.

To avoid arousing suspicion, Lin pretended to obediently cook. Actually, he knew where Anna was headed. Through the kitchen window, he saw more people gathering outside. Though he didn’t know where they had been hiding, he was sure the island was not deserted, and their sudden appearance was closely linked to Anna.

These people were indeed connected to Anna (Zhao Zeyi). After sending Lin away, Anna went to the nearest beach and lit a pre-prepared signal flare. Members of the shadowy organization lurking nearby began rapidly converging. They intended to set up their trap before the international investigation team’s transport ship arrived.

After sending the signal—or rather issuing orders—Anna feigned weakness and returned to bed, waiting for Lin Xiaofeng to take care of her.

Lin observed everything but had no intention of exposing her. Since this was a performance, it had to be convincing. Let’s see who outplays whom!

Carrying the egg and porridge he had just made, Lin approached Anna resting in bed, chuckled inwardly, then feigned ignorance and said gently, “I just made some porridge. You can make do with that. There’s really nothing else edible on this island!”

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Anna looked up at Lin Xiaofeng, unmoving.

“What’s wrong? Do you want me to feed you?” Lin looked at this feigning fool with disgust.

“Can I?” Anna replied casually.

“That wouldn’t be very convenient!” Lin refused decisively.

“I was just joking!” Anna smiled and reached for the food container. She didn’t start eating immediately but continued, “It’s too hot. I’ll eat later. If you’re busy, go take a walk! Thanks for taking care of me these past two days...”

Lin knew Anna was deliberately trying to get rid of him. He didn’t mind and simply said goodbye before leaving without looking back.

Stepping outside, Lin saw Ghost Island brightly lit. Compared to the deserted daytime, the sudden mass of lights at night was glaringly out of place, perfectly fitting the island’s name “Ghost Island.”

Lin knew there were no real ghosts causing this—it was a trap deliberately set. Caught in it, he had no idea what his future held...

By his reckoning, there was only about an hour left before Brother Da Min and Brother Long arrived. It had been a long time; he really missed them! With nothing to do, Lin wandered alone to the dock, staring blankly toward the approaching ship...

“Hey, buddy! New here? I haven’t seen you before...” a sunny young man greeted him.