leonardwarren Chapter 90 Dragon Returns to the Sea
Chapter 90 Dragon Returns to the Sea
In the basement of the safe house, eight people sat around a table.
"This is the evacuation route." Lin Zhe pointed to the map on the projector. "We'll split into four groups of two, each taking a different route to the Black Song border."
"Why did you split up like this?" Dragon Claw asked. "Wouldn't it be safer to travel together?"
"Going together would make us too conspicuous." Long Ying adjusted his glasses. "According to probability models, the chance of a group of four or more being discovered during a long journey is 72%, while for a group of two it's only 31%. If we split into four groups, even if one group is discovered, the others can evacuate safely."
"And of these four routes, only one is real," Lin Zhe smiled. "The other three are deceptive. The US is definitely analyzing our evacuation routes right now; they'll check every possible route. Our splitting into four groups, taking four different routes, will force them to divide their forces and also make them suspicious—which one is the real one?"
Longya's eyes lit up: "Brilliant! A perfect blend of deception and reality!"
"But in reality, we all need to meet up in Black Song City." Lin Zhe pointed to a spot on the map. "This warehouse on the outskirts of Black Song City is another safe point for our Dragon Kingdom intelligence department. The four groups need to arrive within five days, and then we'll arrange a unified evacuation."
"What about transportation?" Long Qing asked.
"Solve it yourselves," Lin Zhe said. "You can steal a car, hitchhike, or take the bus—but you can't take airplanes or trains, which require real-name authentication."
He paused, his expression turning serious: "The most important point—if we are discovered, if we are surrounded, we would rather die fighting than be captured. What we think is more valuable than our lives. Understand?"
"Understood!" the seven answered in unison.
"Time's on. We'll split up and depart at 10 PM tonight. Report your location and status every twelve hours via encrypted channel. See you in Black Song City in five days."
See you in Black Song City!
At 10 p.m. that night, the four groups left the safe house separately, disappearing into the night like drops of water merging into the ocean.
Dragon Fang and Dragon Claw drove the stolen pickup truck south along Highway 95. Both of them had changed their appearances—Dragon Fang wore a baseball cap and work pants, looking like a blue-collar worker; Dragon Claw, on the other hand, was dressed casually and wore sunglasses, looking like they were on vacation.
"Do you think the M Congress will guess we're going to Black Song?" Longya asked casually as he drove.
"Even if we guessed it, it wouldn't matter." Dragon Claw looked at the fleeting night view outside the window. "The border is over three thousand kilometers long. How many points can they hold? Besides, our people have already been arranged on Black Song's side."
Dragon Shadow and Dragon Thorn chose to take the bus. They bought tickets from Philadelphia to Chicago, planning to change buses there. The bus wasn't crowded, and the two sat in the back, pretending to sleep, but actually observing their surroundings the whole time.
Long Qing and Long Yan went even further—they hitched a ride on a long-haul freight truck. Long Qing used hacking skills to forge the freight bill, and the two of them disguised themselves as truck drivers.
Lin Zhe and Long Yan took the most risky route. They stole a motorcycle and planned to ride north. Although it was arduous, it was the most agile and the hardest to track.
The first day was calm and peaceful.
All four groups reported their locations on time, and no abnormalities were found.
The situation began to change the next day.
Wharton, CIA headquarters, seventh-floor conference room.
A huge map hung on the wall, marked with more than a dozen possible evacuation routes in red. The conference room was packed with people—representatives from the CIA, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, military intelligence, and all the agencies involved in the incident.
The meeting was chaired by CIA Deputy Director Robert Hansen, a veteran agent with gray hair and sharp eyes.
"Gentlemen, it's been forty-eight hours." Hansen pounded on the table. "It's like it's evaporated. Satellite surveillance didn't find it, traffic checks didn't find it, and even our informants all over the place haven't reported it."
FBI Deputy Director Smith frowned: "Could they have already left the country?"
"Impossible." Major Kate, the military intelligence officer, shook his head. "All exit points—airports, ports, land borders—have been tightened with checks. If they were leaving the country, we would definitely have found out."
"Where did they go?" the Department of Homeland Security representative asked. "They couldn't have really vanished, could they?"
Hansen pulled up an analysis report: "Our behavioral analysis team did some deductions. Based on the other party's style of doing things—bold, meticulous, and fond of surprise—they might have several options."
Several directions are highlighted on the map:
Heading north to Country J—the closest option, but risky due to strict border checks.
Departing from the east coast involves traveling by ship across the Atlantic, but this requires rendezvous and is vulnerable to naval interception.
Departure from the West Coast – also requires assistance, and the distance is far.
Heading south to Heige – a moderate distance, with many loopholes in the border, and the Heige government has weak control.
"Black Song..." Hansen stared at the map, "If it were you, which path would you choose?"
There was a few seconds of silence in the conference room.
"Black Song," Smith said. "Logically, it's the best option. The border is long, there are many loopholes in the checks, and you can detour through Black Song and then transfer back home—it's a roundabout route, but it's safe."
"Agreed." Kate nodded. "And regarding Black Song, China definitely has its own intelligence network that can provide assistance."
Hansen immediately ordered: "Notify the border patrol to strengthen security along the entire Black Song border. Send more troops and increase checkpoints."
"Furthermore," he added, "we should contact the government of Mukden and request their assistance. We should tell them that highly dangerous international terrorists may be attempting to leave Mukden and request that they set up roadblocks to intercept them."
"Will the government cooperate with the blacklist?" someone asked.
"They'll cooperate," Hansen sneered. "How much aid does Black Song get from us every year? They wouldn't dare refuse this small favor."
The order was quickly relayed. The number of checkpoints along the Black-Song border doubled, and patrols were conducted 24 hours a day. On the Black-Song side, under pressure from the United States, inspections were also symbolically strengthened at major entry points.
But Lin Zhe and his group are unaware of these things yet.
"There's a checkpoint ahead." Dragon Claw looked at the navigation. "Should we take a detour?"
"Go around." Longya said without hesitation, "Setting up a checkpoint at this time is probably aimed at us."
They turned off the highway and took country roads. But after driving less than 20 kilometers, they encountered another temporary checkpoint—this time they couldn't get around it, as the road was lined with farmland on both sides.
"Damn, are the checkpoints this many?" Longya frowned.
"Looks like the US guessed we'd be going through Black Song." Dragon Claw lowered his voice. "Make preparations in case we have to force our way in."
There were four people at the checkpoint: two police officers and two security guards. Seeing the pickup truck approaching, one of the officers raised his hand to signal it to stop.
Longya slowed down, stopped, and rolled down the window.
"Sir, please show me your driver's license," the police officer said.
Longya handed over the forged driver's license. The policeman looked at it, then looked at Longya: "Where did you get this from?"
"Philadelphia, going to St. Andrews to visit relatives."
"Where's the person in the back seat?"
"My younger brother." Dragon Claw waved in agreement.
The police went around to the back of the vehicle and looked at the cargo bed—it was empty. They then shone a flashlight inside the vehicle but found nothing unusual.
"Open the trunk."
Longya's heart tightened—their equipment pack was in the trunk, and although it was disguised, a careful inspection would still give it away.
He glanced at Dragon Claw, who nodded slightly—preparing to make a move.
Just then, the police radio crackled to life: "Attention all units, suspicious vehicle spotted to the east, suspected target. Proceed immediately to provide support!"
The policeman's expression changed, and he shoved the driver's license back into Longya's hands: "Get out of here, get out of here!"
Without saying a word, Longya stepped on the gas and drove away.
After driving for several kilometers, the two finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was close." Dragon Claw wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Eastward..." Longya mused, "Could it be another group?"
"Never mind that, report the situation first."
They parked in a secluded spot and reported the checkpoint's situation via an encrypted channel.
Lin Zhe's reply came quickly: "Attention all groups, the US has strengthened its defenses along the Black Song border, and the Black Song side may cooperate. The original plan remains unchanged, but vigilance must be heightened. If you encounter a checkpoint that cannot be bypassed, non-lethal methods are permitted to be used to break through it."
"clear."