Chapter 922: Speculation

"God, I'm finally alive again." Chen Ying sighed dramatically, color returning to her frozen cheeks. "The latte's perfect. If only we had cookies."

"Twist it, dip it, lick it." Heavenly Dog's eyes glazed over at the thought.

"Have you considered," Liao Liao rummaged through her backpack with a knowing smile, "that I might have a box of black and white cookies, but didn't offer because I thought you wouldn't want any?"

"Cool," three voices chorused.

They gathered closer to the fire, coffee and cookies in hand, as talk turned to work.

"I’ve been watching the Ocean River Union's underground base exit all night," Chen Ying reported. "Nothing."

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Liao Liao frowned. "That's odd. It's been three days."

"Sister Liao Liao, isn't it normal for them to lay low after losing?" Hong Xiaoxiao asked.

"Little Hong, you've never lived in an underground base." Liao Liao's smile held complicated memories. "Since the civil war started, that's been our life. The daily waste alone is enormous, not to mention supplies needed."

She continued, "Usually, you surface at least weekly. They'd already been down there six days before the battle. They should've come up for air by now."

Chen Ying considered this. "Maybe they've adapted. Wandering Tune's Portal leveled up. They could use that for breaks."

"Unlikely," Liao Liao countered. "Portals don't last long enough. Fine for trash disposal, but not resupply. Dimensional Storage would work, but that's ours now."

She referred to Raven Shark's recent acquisition of the Talent.

"Given everything, wouldn't laying low make sense?" Chen Ying knew the base intimately; surviving months inside was possible.

"Logical, but improbable." Liao Liao explained patiently. "With Surnamed Li's Prophet, they're safe from ambush. No need for such extreme caution. Plus, intelligence work requires surface activity, beyond just throwing out trash and getting supplies."

Chen Ying mulled this over before nodding. "When you put it that way, something's definitely off."

"I have a theory." Liao Liao's smile tightened. "The Ocean River Union might have relocated."

The others froze.

Hong Xiaoxiao groaned in frustration. "So we've been freezing out here for nothing?"

Liao Liao snorted.

Not bad. She's thinking like a proper slacker now.

"If that's true, they must be planning something major." Chen Ying tensed. "This oversight is serious. We need answers."

"Agreed!" Liao Liao's expression hardened. As a newly appointed team leader, a significant error on her first mission would look terrible.

She quickly formulated a plan.

“Chen Ying, it may be difficult for you to reach several hundred meters underground with Sensory, and they might have used Blocking, but you should be able to confirm if there is any danger along the elevator shaft, right?”

“No problem,” Chen Ying said.

"Good. You and Heavenly Dog cover me. Alert me to any danger immediately." Liao Liao fitted her earpiece.

"Understood."

"Hong Xiaoxiao, you'll provide Invisibility. We'll use Intangibility to enter the elevator. Then I'll send some insects down to scout the base."

"Got it!" Hong Xiaoxiao's enthusiasm barely masked her nerves.

"Don't get careless," Chen Ying warned. "If you lose contact with the insects, pull out immediately."

"Sister Ying, you don't know me well enough." Liao Liao smiled, patting her chest. "In the Hundred Rivers Union, no one valued their life more than I did."

Chen Ying's lips curved. "Right. You were famous for being the top lurker."

Liao Liao began cleanup. "Douse the fire. We move in five."

...

Spectres’ Mansion, early morning.

The living room lay dim, the recently extinguished fireplace still radiating comfortable warmth. Gao Yang dozed on the sofa until his phone buzzed with Liao Liao's message.

Now that the Ocean River Union had lost both Dr. Jia's genius and Liao Liao's hacking skills, the Nine Scions could freely use smartphones. Once Dr. Jia returned from Ni Nation, their enemies would be the ones forced to use outdated phones. How the table had been turned.

Gao Yang's eyes gleamed as he read. He typed back quickly: "Wait for me."

He started to rise, then noticed the silver-haired figure resting on his lap. Fresh Snow had slipped in at some point, falling asleep beside him.

Her peaceful breathing proved oddly infectious, radiating security and calm.

Gently, he smoothed her disheveled hair, then carefully lifted her head to slip a pillow beneath it.

"Hmph..."

Fresh Snow slept on.

Gao Yang stood quietly, tucking a blanket around her. After a final glance, he vanished, teleporting to the mansion's front yard.

Nine Frost stood sentinel in the heavy snow, his dark green coat stark against the white. Magpies perched everywhere—on fences, lampposts, snow-laden branches. All extensions of his watchful eyes.

He scattered breadcrumbs, drawing crows to squabble at his feet.

"You're awake, Captain," he said, turning to Gao Yang.

"Yeah."

Unable to leave Gao Yang alone, Nine Frost had volunteered to stay at the mansion. He kept watch outside during Gao Yang's rest, retiring to his room or handling team communications when Gao Yang woke.

"Something's come up with Liao Liao. I'm heading there," Gao Yang said.

"Okay."

Previously, Nine Frost would have worried about letting Gao Yang go alone. Now things were different; companions might even be a hindrance. He trusted Gao Yang's solo capability more.

"Keep a close watch on Fresh Snow," Gao Yang reminded him.

"Leave it to me," Nine Frost replied steadily.