"Qin Tian, are you sure itâs fourteen people?" Zhuge Yu glanced over at the soundproof barrier in Qin Tianâs room, and despite knowing the barrier could block the sound, he unconsciously lowered his voice, his tone heavy.
He couldnât believe that he and Dongfang Haoyue, with their guards, had been quietly approached.
"Yes, itâs fourteen people." Qin Tianâs tone was firm. "My perception is not wrongâthirteen are waiting outside the door, and one of them is now in the cargo hold of the flying device."
"The cargo hold? Thatâs specifically for storing supplies." Dongfang Haoyue frowned, "The flying device was temporarily deployed by the Mingwang Planet Aviation Center, and because the flight time was short, I didnât have anyone check it carefully..."
Their plan to come to the Ice Extreme Pass was extremely confidential, told to no one, yet they were still targeted.
He sneered inwardlyâthose people were indeed like ghost spirits, persistent and unyielding.
"What should we do?" Zhuge Yu looked at Qin Tian and Dongfang Haoyue.
"Lure them out to resolve it." Dongfang Haoyue said in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over the Ice Extreme Pass camp outside the window, "We canât make a move on Qin Tianâs turf, to avoid unnecessary casualties."
Qin Tian nodded secretly, holding a new level of respect for Dongfang Haoyue in his heart.
Obviously, the assassin in the cargo hold of the flying device was after Dongfang Haoyue; daring to act alone when Dongfang Haoyue was with Zhuge Yu and a dozen guards indicated the adversaryâs strength was certainly not weak.
Both Dongfang Haoyue and Zhuge Yu were Tier Six; the former also had Holy Blood, and to threaten him, it would have to be at least a Tier Seven Spiritualist.
If they started a battle at the Ice Extreme Pass, not to mention the possible damage to the base, even accidentally injuring soldiers was something Qin Tian could not accept.
"This person is probably similar to the ones who tried to assassinate you before, at least Tier Seven." Zhuge Yu added, with a tinge of gravity in his voice, "But his stealth technique is truly impressive; being this close, neither of us sensed him. Why not use the old trick, catch the turtle in the jar? I can contact my family now to send a few experts to support us."
"Alright." Dongfang Haoyue nodded, since the assassinâs whereabouts were already known, setting up a trap to capture him wouldnât be a difficult task.
"Wait, I have a better idea." Qin Tian suddenly spoke, a hint of calculation flashed through his eyes, and he asked the two of them, "Howâs the relationship between your families and the Luoho Clan?"
"As bad as it gets." Dongfang Haoyue didnât know why Qin Tian asked, but responded bluntly, "The Luoho Clan acts savagely, with no bottom line. Among the Nine Great Holy Bloods, only the Tianzhao Family is willing to ally with them. Most other families have conflicts with them, and our Dongfang Family and the Leng Family are considered their mortal enemies."
"This makes it easier." Qin Tianâs lips curled into a deep meaning, "I have a plan..."
He leaned closer to the two, lowered his voice, and slowly revealed his idea.
Meanwhile, in the cargo hold of the flying device.
An irregular bulge suddenly appeared on the cold steel wall, as if something was wriggling inside.
The next second, the bulge burst open, and a figure slowly "squeezed" out from the wall, landing steadily on the metal floor.
He had a typical Western face, so ordinary that heâd be unnoticeable in a crowd and was wrapped in a black cloak, his aura concealed to the extreme, like a lifeless stone, barely detectable even by his breathing.
Then, the black cloak slightly wavered, and his figure disappeared completely as if merged with the air.
A moment later, the door to Qin Tianâs room was pushed open.
"Letâs go, today is just the right time for Mr. Zhuge to show off and help me find the geomantic pattern, to locate a suitable site for a second base." Qin Tian walked ahead, his tone relaxed.
Zhuge Yu held a golden compass and replied with a smile, "Donât worry, with this compass from the Zhuge Family, I guarantee to find you an auspicious place to gather energy and wealth, and ward off evil."
Qin Tian looked at Zhang Hao, who was standing not far away, and instructed, "Zhang Hao, Iâm going out with some friends, and Iâm leaving the Ice Extreme Pass to you, remain vigilant."
"Understood, Military Lord, rest assured!" Zhang Hao nodded heavily, his gaze firm.
The three of them headed toward the flying device, and just as they were about to step on the boarding ladder, a clear voice suddenly echoed in Qin Tianâs mind: "Can I come with you?"
Qin Tian paused, turning his headâthe gaze of Lan, standing by the Cold Tree not far away, was fixed on him, with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
Qin Tian thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Of course you can."
Upon hearing this, Lan stepped forward.
His skin was as white as snow, and his features were so exquisitely sculpted as if carved from ice and snow, so much so that even women would be envious. His appearance immediately drew the attention of Dongfang Haoyue and Zhuge Yu.
"Another...beautiful woman?" Dongfang Haoyueâs gaze moved slightlyâthe quartermaster earlier was charming, while this person was flawlessly exquisite, even making him question if his own sisterâs beauty was slightly inferior.
"Let me introduce," Qin Tian said to Lan as he approached. "This is my friend, Lan. Lan, these are also my friends, Dongfang Haoyue and Zhuge Yu."
Lan looked at the two and managed to speak a somewhat unpracticed Empire language: "Hello...you two!"
The voice...carried a slight male timbre amidst its crispness!
Shock briefly flickered on both Zhuge Yu and Dongfang Haoyueâs faces, and they exchanged a look, seeing disbelief reflected in each otherâs eyesâsuch a beautiful person, yet a man?
Qin Tian was long used to such reactions and explained with a chuckle, "Lan is an outsider. Just recently started learning the Empireâs language, so heâs not fluent yet."