Dragon Clan, Lu Mingfei who repeatedly returns from the game

A systematic investigation, unfolding with lightning speed and far exceeding the scale of previous group operations, began to mesh and operate like precise gears, thanks to the coordination of Lu Mingfei's team and the strong support of domestic resources.

No longer limited to a specific warehouse or outpost, this investigation followed the population supply chain exposed by the Osaka laboratory, peeling back layers like silk or mercury spilling onto the ground, covering logistics, funds, personnel, equipment, and even the sheltered network in the gray area.

From the remaining shipping documents and vehicle tracks in Osaka, several seemingly legitimate foreign trade companies in Kyoto were traced back to those responsible for customs declaration and initial repackaging of the "special goods".

By examining the Kyoto company's cash flow and communication records, they uncovered a black market for biological materials in Nagoya that had clandestine dealings with multiple medical institutions.

The clues from Nagoya point to several loosely managed small private ports and storage areas in Kanagawa Prefecture, which served as the final springboard for "goods" before they entered the Tokyo metropolitan area.

The investigation shook the local power of the eight families in Sheqi, and many low- and middle-level cadres who were controlled by money or incriminating evidence were arrested, uncovering more old cases and chains of interest.

The diplomatic pressure exerted domestically translated into “active cooperation” from certain Japanese departments, which, while not necessarily sincere, cleared away many obstacles at the official level.

Ultimately, all the clues, as if guided by an invisible hand, clearly pointed to the final destination—Tokyo.

The sheer size and complexity of this megacity has made it the perfect hiding place for the enemy and the last stronghold that the investigators must conquer.

"Road Team, latest intelligence analysis summary."

Chu Zihang's calm voice came through the encrypted headset, carrying a hint of barely perceptible seriousness.

"Based on cross-analysis of unloading records left at the port of Kanagawa, abnormal water flow disturbance data, and some encrypted communication fragments we intercepted, we have reached a highly suspicious conclusion."

He paused, as if confirming his wording: "The other side may be using Tokyo's vast and partially dilapidated underground drainage system, including some pre-war secret passages, as covert transport routes for personnel and supplies into the city center. There are indications that there have been recent traces of unidentified small underwater vehicles entering the city from the direction of Tokyo Bay via underground rivers or large pipes."

"The specific route, landing point, and rendezvous method have not yet been fully ascertained. The other party is very cautious, and the route may be changed frequently, taking advantage of the natural shielding and chaos of the underground environment."

Zero's cold voice added, "Surface surveillance and conventional reconnaissance methods have limited effectiveness. We need someone to go deep into the underground pipe network to conduct on-site tracking and confirmation."

Lu Mingfei, Finger, and Gu Nan, who were eating steaming hot oden at an inconspicuous roadside stall in Tokyo in the cool morning air, almost simultaneously put down their chopsticks.

Lu Mingfei stuffed the last piece of radish into his mouth and chewed, but his eyes had already drifted to a rusty municipal sewer inspection manhole cover not far away.

Gu Nan frowned. She didn't really like sewers; she had crawled through one the day before yesterday, and the smell was unbearable.

Fingel grimaced and muttered to himself.

"They're scavenging in the sewers again... Are these guys rats? Why do they like carrying things through the sewers so much?"

"receive."

Lu Mingfei gave a brief, calm response to the miniature microphone hidden under his collar.

"Send me the coordinates of the last few possible entrances to Kanagawa, as well as a map of the possible intersections of Tokyo's underground pipe network. We'll go down and take a look."

Soon, the tactical tablets carried by the three men received encrypted data packets.

Chu Zihang and Ling have conducted a preliminary analysis of the complex Tokyo underground pipe network map, including the publicly available parts and some pre-war secret drawings obtained through special channels, and marked several waterways or large pipelines that extend from the direction of Kanagawa and penetrate deep into the heart of Tokyo's urban area and are most likely to be used.

"Let's go,"

Lu Mingfei tossed down a few banknotes, stood up, and stretched his wrists. "Make sure you have your gear ready; it probably won't be too clean down there."

Gu Nan rubbed her temples, trying to convince herself again and again, while Fingel resignedly checked her protective suit and portable air filter.

This time, going down there means facing not only enemies, but also the filth, swamp gas, unknown creatures, and even the possible residual radiation or chemicals that have accumulated underground in Tokyo over the past century, all of which pose potential threats.

The three avoided the morning rush hour crowds and quickly moved to their designated infiltration point.

An old, large drainage outlet located on the edge of an abandoned factory area, almost completely covered by weeds.

The heavy iron fence was already rusted, and a slight pry revealed a gap large enough for a person to pass through. Inside, it was dark and emitted a damp, rotten, and indescribable odor.

Lu Mingfei turned on his high-powered flashlight, the beam piercing the darkness and illuminating the concrete pipe wall covered with moss and slime.

The pipe is over three meters in diameter, and there is a shallow ditch flowing with sewage underfoot, with narrow maintenance walkways on both sides.

"Keep in touch, watch your step and your head."

Lu Mingfei stepped in first, and the cold, damp air instantly enveloped him.

Gu Nan followed closely behind, with Finger bringing up the rear. They quickly restored the broken fence to its original state, trying not to leave any obvious marks.

The beam of a flashlight swayed in the endless, dark tunnel, and footsteps echoed in the empty pipes.

Following the map's directions, and taking into account the subtle differences in water flow and air movement within the pipes, as well as Gu Nan's exceptionally keen perception of geological structures and unnatural vibrations, they cautiously began their advance towards downtown Tokyo.

The tunnels are intricate and have many branching paths. In some places, you have to wade through water, where the sewage is icy cold.

In some places, the space is narrow, requiring you to bend over and crawl, and you can occasionally see abandoned debris or even animal skeletons.

The air was filled with a nauseating smell, but the three of them had experienced much worse conditions, and with their equipment covering them up tightly, they were able to hold on.

"Three hundred meters ahead, there's a fork in the road on the right. The sound of flowing water is unusually echoing, which may indicate that the space has expanded."

Gu Nan whispered a reminder that her senses were especially useful in underground environments.

Lu Mingfei adjusted his direction, and sure enough, after turning into that side road, the pipeline suddenly opened up into a circular space resembling an underground reservoir, with a diameter of more than ten meters.

A flashlight sweeps across the wall, revealing traces of artificial chiseling and reinforcement, and even remnants of lighting circuitry.

"There are signs of activity here recently."

Fingel crouched down and shone his flashlight on a relatively dry area of ​​the ground, where there were several blurry footprints that didn't belong to them, as well as traces of dragging heavy objects.

Lu Mingfei crouched down, examined the area carefully, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

The marks were fresh and pointed to a more concealed opening on the other side of the reservoir, partially covered by partially collapsed rocks.

At the edge of the hole, there are clear marks, similar to those left by friction with rubber or a special material.

"Traces of a miniature submersible landing?"

Gu Nan leaned closer and lowered her voice.

"Probably."

Lu Mingfei stood up and looked at the dark cave entrance.

"Go in and take a look. Be careful, there might be guards or an alarm."

The three held their breath and silently approached the cave entrance.

Lu Mingfei gave a hand signal, and Gu Nan and Finger stood guard on both sides.

He turned sideways and slowly inserted a probe equipped with a miniature camera into the hole...