Chapter 60: In Danger [^_^]
Nan Yu sat quietly inside the hovercraft.
Qinghe Residential District, where they were headed, was near the academy, and the distance between the school and the Nan family residence was actually...
Alright, there was still some distance.
But hovercrafts were fast. As long as nothing unexpected happened along the way, they wouldn't need to spend too much time.
But today seemed to be a day full of trouble. Halfway through the journey, another hovercraft suddenly rushed out of its own lane and blocked their path.
Their hovercraft had been on autopilot ever since leaving the Nan residence, so when it detected an obstacle ahead, it automatically stopped.
However, the force of inertia still made everyone inside lurch violently.
Nan Yu slowly stood up.
"What's going on?"
Nan Yun said, "Don't move. We'll go take a look."
Nan Yu and Yang Zhou were left inside the hovercraft, while Nan Yun and Nan Zhen got up to check the situation outside.
Of course, they couldn't just go out without knowing what was happening. They had to check the outside situation first.
"How is it? Did something happen?"
Nan Yun looked at the display screen showing the situation around the hovercraft. Everywhere else seemed fine, but in front of their hovercraft was another damaged hovercraft. It looked as if it could no longer start.
Nan Zhen said, "It's smoking. Should we go out and take a look?"
Nan Yun replied, "We can't go out casually. Things are different now. If this were before, of course going out to check would be fine. But now..."
They had to protect their little brother properly.
And who knew whether this incident had been deliberately aimed at them?
Besides... the hovercraft was already smoking, yet the people inside still hadn't come out. Wasn't that just deliberately waiting for them to go down?
No matter how he looked at it, it was suspicious.
Nan Zhen took a deep breath.
"Then what should we do? Just wait here? Right, didn't they say someone was secretly protecting Little Brother? Why hasn't anyone come over yet?"
Nan Yun also found it strange.
"That's right. I heard they were people from the legion. Did something happen to them?"
Nan Zhen said, "Probably not. If these people could even eliminate the people sent by the legion, they wouldn't wait for us to go out. They'd just come straight over to capture us."
Nan Yu's expression didn't look good.
"Could we really have run into trouble? Hurry and contact Dad."
He opened his communicator, but when he saw the name in his contact list, he froze for a moment.
Usually, his father's contact number was at the very top, so Nan Yu normally just opened the list and subconsciously selected the first one.
But for some reason, this time Yu Lanfeng's contact number was at the top.
So, by instinct...
He chose wrong.
Just as he came back to his senses and was about to hang up, the communication connected.
Looking at Yu Lanfeng's face on the screen, Nan Yu was so embarrassed he wanted to dig a hole and bury himself.
"What happened?"
Nan Yu's communication was public, so everyone could see it.
Yang Zhou widened his eyes at that face.
"Wow, it's Marshal Yu!!"
Nan Zhen and Nan Yun exchanged glances and walked behind Nan Yu.
Fu Yu'ang, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief.
To be honest, while he had no issues with combat, fighting was not his most outstanding specialty.
If he had to fight enemies openly, he wasn't sure whether he would be able to handle it.
Yu Lanfeng asked, "What happened to you?"
Nan Yu organized his thoughts and explained what they had just seen.
"Marshal, my dad said the legion sent people to protect me. In a situation like this, would they come out and handle it?"
Yu Lanfeng remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"Share your location with me. I'll bring people over immediately."
"Remember, before I arrive, your hovercraft must not move. No one is allowed to leave the hover..."
At that point, Nan Yu and Yu Lanfeng's communication suddenly cut off.
Everyone froze.
Nan Yu took a deep breath.
"Big Brother, Second Brother, Brother Fu, it looks like we've run into trouble. Someone has interfered with the communication magnetic field in this area. Now... I don't know if Marshal Yu can get our location."
Nan Yun frowned hard.
"No matter what, we can only stay inside the hovercraft for now. We can't go out casually."
Nan Zhen walked to the control panel and pulled Fu Yu'ang over as well.
Fu Yu'ang was an expert hacker and very familiar with electronic systems. In just a few moves, he activated the hovercraft's protective shield.
Although it might only be a small barrier against the enemy, it was better than nothing.
At that moment, several figures appeared on the hovercraft's internal display screen, which showed the outside situation.
They hadn't been visible earlier.
They had appeared suddenly.
Nan Yu's eyes widened sharply.
"When did those people appear? Did they come down from that hovercraft?"
Nan Yun saw that they were all wearing gear that covered them tightly, and there were weapons on their bodies.
"No. We can't just sit here and wait to die. See the weapon in the hands of the person standing in the middle?"
"With one shot, they can blast open the door of our hovercraft. And the protective shield we just activated won't be of any use at all!"
Fu Yu'ang tried every possible method to use his optical computer to contact the outside world, but unfortunately, the other party's interference was extremely effective.
Or perhaps his ability was still insufficient.
He could not successfully contact anyone outside.
While anxiety surged through him, he also realized for the first time that he had been too proud before and had neglected improving his abilities.
If he had spent all his free time on proper training, then right now maybe he could have...
For the first time, Fu Yu'ang felt that his own strength was lacking.
Nan Yu said, "Big Brother, Second Brother, if you have an idea, do it. I agree with you."
Then he looked at Yang Zhou.
"I'm sorry, Yang Zhou. They're probably here for me. I've dragged you into this..."
Yang Zhou shook his head.
"What do you mean dragged me into this? You're only going out because you wanted to help me. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have come out at all. I'm the one who should apologize."
"But saying this now is pointless. We should think of what to do."
At that moment, Nan Yun suddenly slammed his fist against the control panel in fury.
"Not good. For some reason, the autopilot system can't start, and we can't operate it manually either!"
In other words, the hovercraft could not be started for now.
Everyone's heart trembled.
These people were far too well prepared.
And... the most important thing was, what were they supposed to do now?
At the same time, the display in front of Yu Lanfeng showed the video segment from his communication with Nan Yu.
"Stop!"
The video quickly paused on one frame.
In the image, Nan Yun and Nan Zhen were behind Nan Yu. Fu Yu'ang was beside him, and Yang Zhou was sitting on the other side.
Behind them all was the scenery outside the hovercraft shown on the hovercraft's display screen.
Yu Lanfeng pointed at the image on that display.
"Can you identify this place within one minute?"
Because Nan Yun and the others had been extremely cautious earlier, the hovercraft's screen had displayed a very wide external range.
This gave Yu Lanfeng's people a lot of room to work with.
Forget one minute.
The result came out in half a minute.
"Marshal, this location is on the route from the Nan residence to the Royal Military Academy. It is a middle section of the route, and it has the least people and hovercraft traffic along the way. Also..."
"Also, all ten people we sent cannot be contacted."
There was a high possibility they had all died.
They were soldiers. If they were still alive, they would definitely find a way to contact legion headquarters.
Moreover, they carried special communication software. Even if there were no magnetic fields nearby to assist them, they could still contact the legion.
But they had not.
Either their optical computers were damaged and they couldn't make contact, or they were dead.
Marshal Yu ordered, "Set out immediately!"
Marshal Yu was actually not on Capital Star at the moment, but he was almost there.
Originally, he had planned to leave directly, but then he remembered that he had left something important at his residence.
After thinking about it, he decided it was better to return personally to retrieve it.
And so he had come back.
He simply hadn't expected that just after the spaceship left the starport and began heading toward Capital Star, this would happen.
"Remember, Nan Yu's value is immeasurable. You must do everything possible to preserve his life."
"As for the others, handle it according to the situation. But unless there is truly no other choice, you are not allowed to abandon anyone. Understood?"
"Yes, Marshal!"
Yu Lanfeng's people on Capital Star were immediately mobilized.
It would still take some time for them to reach Nan Yu's location, but forming an encirclement in a short time was no problem.
They rushed as fast as possible. Only seven minutes had passed since the Marshal gave the order when the first group arrived near the hovercraft.
But they saw no one there.
Only a smoking hovercraft tilted on the ground, and another hovercraft hovering unsteadily over the road.
That one looked intact, but they didn't know what was happening inside.
So for the moment, they didn't dare approach.
The magnetic field nearby had already recovered as they gradually approached, and real-time communication was now possible.
After them, Nan Ming also quickly arrived at the scene.
He did not rashly approach the hovercraft. Instead, he opened his communicator and called Nan Yu.
But there was no response at all.
Nan Ming was frantic with worry, but anxiety was useless now.
He grabbed someone nearby and asked, "What's the situation?"
"We're not sure yet. We still haven't determined what's happening inside. But if they were free to move, they should have come out by themselves by now. It's just..."
It was just that they had been here for a while. If the people inside had noticed them, they would have come out quickly.
But from the current situation, it seemed something really had happened.
"First, confirm whether they are still inside the hovercraft."
He waved his hand.
Soon, a small team headed over.
Before long, they reached the two hovercrafts. They used special methods to open the hovercraft door, but inside...
"There are people inside!"
Nan Ming rushed over and saw several people lying scattered across the floor.
There was Yang Zhou, as well as the two brothers Nan Yun and Nan Zhen.
Fu Yu'ang was lying in the corner.
Almost everyone was there.
Only his youngest son, Nan Yu, was missing.
"Xiao Yu is gone! Their target really was Xiao Yu!"
But Nan Ming was extremely confused.
"When you formed the encirclement, they definitely hadn't left yet. Then how did they secretly get out of your encirclement?"
Logically speaking, it should have been impossible.
So they could only still be nearby.
The question was, where exactly were they hiding?
Everyone's gazes subtly fell on the smoking hovercraft not far away.
Nan Ming crouched down and checked Nan Yun, Nan Zhen, and the others.
Only after confirming that they had all merely fainted did he feel slightly relieved.
They had likely lost consciousness due to some kind of drug.
For now, they didn't know what drug it was, so it was difficult to make a judgment.
Soon, people came over and carried the unconscious victims away for treatment.
Right now, finding Nan Yu was their most important task.
The Marshal had personally ordered before that Nan Yu's safety had to be prioritized. If necessary, the others could be sacrificed.
But now everyone except Nan Yu was fine.
The one person they were supposed to focus on was missing.
Nan Ming asked someone nearby for a set of protective equipment, swiftly put it on, and led a small team carefully toward the smoking hovercraft.
However, nothing happened from the moment they approached the hovercraft until they opened its door.
Nan Ming and the others checked it.
There was no one inside.
Only then were they certain.
Nan Yu was truly no longer here!
"There's a mole! There must be a mole! Otherwise, Xiao Yu couldn't have been taken away after you formed an encirclement!"
"And... where are the people the legion sent to protect Xiao Yu?"
"They were supposedly all elite soldiers. I refuse to believe they were wiped out without even sending a single signal."
"Where is the Marshal now? I want to contact him!"
"Major General Nan, please calm down. The Marshal is already aboard a spaceship headed for Capital Star. He will contact you himself when the time comes."
Nan Ming frowned tightly.
What exactly was going on?
Who could take Nan Yu away so silently?
Who could make sure no one noticed?
They could only wait until Nan Yun and the others woke up to know the details.
But after Nan Ming searched the area and found nothing, the hospital sent test results saying that these people would not wake up for the time being.
Nan Ming hurried to the hospital to meet the doctor.
"Tell me exactly what's going on."
The doctor said, "They were poisoned. This poison is relatively rare, but there are records of it in the Empire. Our hospital has also had a few cases before. Generally, these cases appear near Border District Eleven."
Nan Ming instantly remembered the missions he had previously carried out near Border District Eleven.
"You mean purple-blue poison?"
The doctor nodded.
"That's right. It seems Major General Nan still remembers it."
"Purple-blue poison is a very special toxin. Under normal circumstances, it only makes people sleep for several days. The problem is that they can only wake up on their own. All external intervention methods are ineffective."
"After waking up, it can also remove some Mental Contamination to a certain extent. But the amount of Mental Contamination removed is too small, so people in the Empire don't really use it."
"And because it causes unconscious sleep for several days without warning, it was still purchasable in the past, but now the Empire has already banned its sale. It has become contraband."
Nan Ming said, "So what you're saying is that the people who can access purple-blue poison are limited to those near District Eleven, people who have been to District Eleven, or even people living outside District Eleven, meaning the enemy nation bordering that area..."
The doctor replied, "Everything is uncertain right now. We should wait for the legion's investigation."
Nan Ming refused to give up.
His three sons—
Two were lying unconscious in the hospital and would sleep for several days without knowing anything.
His youngest son, Nan Yu, was missing.
He didn't know where Nan Yu was or whether he was safe.
Had he already been taken away from Capital Star?
At that moment, Yu Lanfeng, who was still on the spaceship, gave an order.
"Notify everyone and the other legions. Starting now, all routes that can leave Capital Star are to be sealed off!"
"Marshal, this..."
Yu Lanfeng said, "Enemy spies have infiltrated. We must thoroughly investigate all of Capital Star!"
"Yes, Marshal!"
If they were doing this for Nan Yu alone, of course it wouldn't work.
After all, that would only be the matter of one person.
But if enemy spies were involved, then it was different.
This reason was entirely justified, and everyone had to comply.
Yu Lanfeng looked at the test report just sent by the legion hospital.
At first glance, he knew his guess was correct.
The situation had become more complicated.
After Yu Lanfeng issued the order, he soon received a communication request from his brother-in-law, the Emperor of the Empire.
"Xiao Feng, is the situation truly that serious?"
Yu Lanfeng briefly explained the matter.
The Emperor paused slightly.
"So that's what happened? Then it is indeed somewhat dangerous. Proceed according to your plan. I will also issue orders from my side."
"Capital Star will enter full martial control starting today. Every person living on Capital Star will be investigated one by one."
As Emperor, he still had this much authority.
Yu Lanfeng said, "Thank you, Brother-in-law."
The Emperor sighed in relief.
"Alright. After you come back, have a proper talk with your sister. She truly thinks that way."
"Besides, my thoughts are actually more or less the same as hers, but it's harder for me to act on it."
"If you really think it's acceptable, and if you have that intention, then try it. Be a little proactive."
"Alright, alright. That's all I'll say. This is your own business anyway. You decide for yourself."
Yu Lanfeng treated his words as if he had farted and didn't take them seriously at all.
But in truth, this matter still planted a seed in his heart.
Thinking of Nan Yu, whose safety was still unknown, Yu Lanfeng felt faint anxiety.
How long had it been since he had felt this kind of emotion?
Even he himself didn't know.
But in any case, right now he had to find Nan Yu as quickly as possible and ensure his safety.
Since the people who acted were targeting Nan Yu, they definitely wouldn't harm him.
So his safety could be temporarily guaranteed.
When Yu Lanfeng arrived at the hospital, he happened to meet Nan Ming walking out.
"Marshal!"
Yu Lanfeng said, "Major General Nan, let's talk inside."
Nan Ming nodded.
The two strode inside. The office had already been prepared.
Nan Ming said, "I heard the entire planet is under martial control."
Yu Lanfeng replied, "This matter may involve foreign spies infiltrating the Empire, so it must be handled seriously."
Nan Ming was silent for a moment.
"Thank you, Marshal. I will carry out the mission seriously!"
Yu Lanfeng said, "No need, Major General Nan. Your emotions are unstable right now."
The greatest taboo in carrying out missions was emotional instability.
Nan Ming's current state made him completely unsuitable for executing missions.
Nan Ming suddenly stood up.
Before he could speak, Yu Lanfeng continued.
"Major General Nan, please trust my ability!"
Nan Ming's eyes widened slightly as he looked at him.
Yu Lanfeng's ability?
Of course he trusted it.
Yu Lanfeng might even do better and more brilliantly than him.
And he admitted that he was emotional right now.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Marshal. I hope Xiao Yu is safe."
Yu Lanfeng said, "Major General Nan, stay at the hospital and wait for news. Trust me. This matter will be handled very soon."
Nan Ming paused slightly.
"Alright. No problem."
Nan Ming could only watch helplessly as Yu Lanfeng left with his people, while he stayed behind to wait for news.
Waiting was the most agonizing thing.
As Yu Lanfeng walked, he asked about the situation.
"Have those two hovercrafts been thoroughly inspected?"
"Marshal, both have been checked. There are no issues with either. There are only purple-blue poison residues inside the Nan family's hovercraft."
Yu Lanfeng asked, "What about the squad sent to protect Nan Yu?"
"Marshal, they have all been found. Their situation is the same as Nan Yun and the others. They were all affected by purple-blue poison, and their condition is more serious. They may sleep for more than half a month."
Yu Lanfeng knew that the attackers had probably thought the dosage was too low and that these soldiers might wake too soon and ruin things.
So they had ruthlessly used an enormous dose.
"Has the area around the hovercraft been searched extensively?"
"It has been searched. Nothing was found."
"We also checked the surveillance on the Nan family's hovercraft earlier, but there were no findings. The internal surveillance and some recorded videos were all damaged and deleted. Restoring them will require three hours."
But right now, it seemed they didn't have much time to waste.
Yu Lanfeng ordered, "This is an emergency. Begin investigating every person who entered or exited Capital Star during this period. Anyone with even the slightest unclear identity must be investigated to the end!"
"Yes, Marshal!"
Yu Lanfeng gave orders from this side, while the Emperor supported him from behind. Naturally, all reasonable orders would face no problem.
After all, the situation was serious now.
Enemy spies had infiltrated Capital Star.
No one wanted to become a dead soul under an enemy spy's blade, so everyone cooperated.
After a round of large-scale screening, they really found several people...
It wasn't that their identities were unclear exactly, but that there were some questionable points. For the moment, their backgrounds could not be clarified completely.
Yu Lanfeng's side received the investigation reports on these people immediately.
There were ten people in total.
Among them, two had been brought back from outside planets by certain individuals...
"Brought back" was only the polite way to put it.
In truth, they had been bought from black markets on certain gray planets.
Their identities were said to come from some small planet, but before verification was complete, there was no way to know their true identities.
"Focus the investigation on these two women."