Chapter 69 — The Search
"Beep beep beep..."The alarm clock by the bedside rang out.Su Chen slowly opened his eyes, and after waking up fully, he got out of bed.
"Ah Chen, can we rest a little longer?"Liu Ling'er rubbed her sleepy eyes and mumbled.
"You sleep, I'll go start the car."Su Chen said, leaving the room after putting on his clothes and heading to the driver's cabin.
Although he told He Wang they would leave at night, it wasn't really going to be in the dead of night.The heavy rain and poor mountain roads made it dangerous to travel overnight.He planned to depart around five or six in the morning—when everyone was still drowsy. If they left quietly then, Gao Qiqiang's group wouldn't notice.
"He Ge, please open the gate."Su Chen spoke into the walkie-talkie.
"All right! It's open now. Safe travels!"He Wang responded, opening the big iron gate at the back courtyard as instructed.
Su Chen flicked on the hazard lights and drove the car out of the Yuelton Hotel into the pouring rain.Despite the darkness and heavy downpour, the lights of the Nomadison shone like twin beams cutting through the gloom, illuminating the road ahead.
He drove along the winding mountain road, heading northwest. Fortunately, the higher terrain there kept the road intact.
By dawn, Su Chen had arrived at the foot of Phoenix Mountain.After a quick breakfast, he resumed driving.
By noon, Su Chen reached a fork in the road.Beside the path to the right lay a fallen signpost, knocked down by the heavy rain.He took his umbrella and went to check it out.
The sign read in large characters: "Military Restricted Area — No Trespassing!"
This must be the place!
Without hesitation, Su Chen started the car and turned onto the side road.
The quality of military infrastructure really was top-notch.Despite the long rain, the road remained undamaged.
After driving for some time and thinking he was close, an unexpected obstacle appeared.Up ahead, a river swollen by continuous heavy rain had flooded, submerging the surrounding bridge and turning the area into a vast lake!
"Ah Chen, there's no way forward. Maybe we should turn back?"Seeing the situation, Liu Ling'er couldn't help but suggest.
"There were no roads in the world to begin with. When enough people walk, a road forms."Su Chen smiled faintly, then went back to the rear cabin.
He retrieved an inflatable boat stored away for emergencies like extreme heat, floods, and freezing cold — all scenarios he had carefully prepared for.Wearing a high-end tactical jacket costing nearly ten thousand yuan, and carrying all the necessary gear, he was about to open the door when Liu Ling'er hurriedly said,
"Ah Chen, what about me?!"
"You wait in the car."Su Chen ordered.
As a weak woman, her coming along would only add trouble.
"Huh?"Liu Ling'er was stunned.
The sky was dimming and the area deserted.Being left alone was scary, but seeing Su Chen's firm attitude, she reluctantly nodded in agreement.
She didn't have a driver's license, and the huge Nomadison was linked to Su Chen's authorization—no one else could start it.This was why Su Chen could leave so confidently.
Soon, Su Chen reached the water's edge with his equipment.He placed the folded inflatable boat on the water and turned on the pump.
In no time, the boat inflated and floated.This small inflatable boat was equipped with a rear propeller and had excellent safety features—it could still float even if filled with water and wouldn't easily capsize in strong waves.
Once ready, Su Chen climbed aboard and started the motor.
"Vroom vroom vroom..."The boat sped across the water's surface.
After about ten minutes, darkness began to fall.Using a headlamp, Su Chen noticed several buildings ahead.His heart quickened, and he slowed down to observe them carefully.
As expected, the buildings showed clear military-style architecture.But their lower levels were submerged by floodwaters.
This had to be the military camp He Wang mentioned.Heavy rain had caused water accumulation and flooding, turning the whole camp into a watery expanse!
The soldiers likely had retreated, possibly taking the weapons with them.If that were true, the trip would be wasted.
Feeling a bit discouraged, Su Chen reminded himself that since he was here, he might as well search thoroughly and hope for some luck.
He circled the buildings by boat, eliminating dormitories and office buildings, then zeroed in on a structure that looked like an armory.
Carefully, he approached and kicked the glass window, breaking it.He tied the boat's rope to the window frame, then climbed in through the opening.
The building was about five stories tall.He entered on the third floor since the lower two floors were flooded.
Inside the pitch-black rooms, using his flashlight, Su Chen cautiously searched every room.
But after searching the upper floors, no weapons or even related parts were found.
Had he come to the wrong place?
Looking out over the endless water, Su Chen thought for a moment, then decided to dive in and search underwater.
He took off his jacket and put on a pre-prepared wetsuit, goggles, and a breathing apparatus with a small oxygen tank.
After all preparations, he took a deep breath and submerged himself.
The water here was murky floodwater, unlike a pool or the sea.Visibility underwater was extremely poor.Even with a flashlight, he could only see about half a meter ahead.
Relying on his experience searching upstairs, Su Chen carefully combed through the second floor underwater.
Like above, no luck.
He reluctantly moved down to the first floor.
His efforts finally paid off.
When Su Chen reached a door, he clearly saw the words "Weapon Storage" written on it.
His heart leapt, and he pushed it open.
Surprisingly, the door was unlocked and swung open easily.