Chapter 632: Inside the Wall

Ye Mo looked at Shen Qianqian, feeling helpless. He couldn't leave her, but he was sure the four had left the cruiser. He wasn't worried, however; they were still on Qizhou Island, marked by his spirit sense.

Considering this, Ye Mo used his chi to dispel the alcohol in Shen Qianqian's body and gave her a bracelet. He said, "Wear this. Find a place to stay and wait for me. I have things to attend to, but I'll be back."

Shen Qianqian accepted the bracelet, unaware of the spirit sense mark. She mused, Why didn't he just leave his number?

She soon understood. Ye Mo had boarded the ship mysteriously and lacked a legitimate identity; he had to leave the same way.

...

Ye Mo's guess was correct. A little over ten kilometers from the dock, the four had regrouped.

"Sophia, get the Five Element Rock," Song Benlang commanded sternly.

Cassy asked, "Is something wrong, Captain Song?"

Song Benlang's face was grim. He took the wrapped item from Sophia. "I just learned only Shen Qianqian disembarked, and the big bearded man vanished. He disappeared as suddenly as he appeared. I think underestimating him could cost us our lives."

"I don't think we're underestimating him; we're taking him seriously. But no matter how clever he is, he couldn't have anticipated our departure from the cruiser," Sophia shook her head.

"I agree. That big beard is strange. At the bar, even without looking at me, I felt watched. That's it! The same feeling I had with the camera! I'm sensitive to telekinetic abilities. Could it be—" Cassy stopped abruptly.

All eyes fixed on Song Benlang's hands. He unwrapped the package; inside wasn't the Five Element Rock, but a piece of gold.

"The Five Element Rock?" Sophia's voice trembled. She hadn't expected the rock, hidden in her bra, to be replaced with gold. Who else could have done it?

"Captain, it wasn't me," Sophia's voice shook, picturing the organization's torture methods.

Song Benlang's hands trembled. They had been meticulously careful, yet the Five Element Rock was stolen right before their eyes. He knew Sophia couldn't have done it unless she wanted to die, but he remained silent.

Someone had to take responsibility. Sophia had carried the empty package, so she would be held accountable.

"I believe this has nothing to do with Sophia. We've known her for years. She wouldn't do it, and even if she did, she wouldn't return. It must be the big beard. He's unpredictable," Bobby, usually quiet, spoke up in her defense.

Sophia looked at him with gratitude.

Cassy's guilt flickered before he said, "Though we believe Sophia, the package was on her when stolen. The difficulty of switching it shouldn't need mentioning. Even if we believe her, what about our superiors?"

"Cassy, what do you mean?" Sophia knew he was trying to shift blame. "It was always on you before I got it. No one saw you take it out. How do we know it wasn't switched then?"

Song Benlang and Bobby fell silent. Sophia was right; no one knew when the switch occurred.

Seeing suspicion turn toward him, Cassy argued, "Back at the bar, while the big beard and Sophia were intimate, perhaps it was then."

Sophia retorted, "Cassy, do you think winning a tiger without touching the table is possible? Honestly, who had the best opportunity? If I was dealing, it would be easy."

Cassy sneered, annoyed. "You're saying I conspired with him? I've been with the organization for years, I would—"

Song Benlang stopped him. "Enough. If I'm not mistaken, there's something special about this gold. Maybe he can track us with it. We need to leave. The authorities will investigate."

Sophia and Cassy's hearts sank. Song Benlang didn't assign blame, but they knew the organization. Even if innocent, the slightest doubt meant intense interrogation.

"Captain, what now?" Bobby asked.

Song Benlang produced a black, rubbery object, attaching it to the gold. He handed it over. "I added a missile emitter. I'll give this to someone else, instructing them to drive in the opposite direction."

Song Benlang left, returning shortly. "Let's go. Split up. I've given the frequency to our superiors. If the big beard follows the gold, someone will deal with him."

"Rendezvous point?" Bobby asked.

"Nan Ji 123 Hotel," Song Benlang said, leaving. He didn't go far, ducking into a nearby supermarket, observing the bar through the glass doors.

Bobby was next, hailing a taxi to the hotel. Sophia followed, stopping a car and driving off in the opposite direction. Cassy then left, taking a car in Sophia's direction.

Song Benlang emerged, satisfied. The item was lost; even if not Sophia or Cassy's fault, a scapegoat was needed. If they fled alone, things would be easier.

He knew they would run; not everyone could withstand the torture. Some would choose death.

Sophia and Cassy were expendable. Questionable loyalty wouldn't reflect on him. He'd completed his part, giving the item to Sophia. If not her fault, they would have succeeded.

Song Benlang returned to his room, finding the big bearded man seated there. He shivered involuntarily before hearing, "You're clever. Your plan shifts all responsibility."