Chapter 91: Combat Readiness

Zhang Yao and Qin Qing were playing a game of open strategy.

An open strategy Qin Qing couldn’t refuse.

Even though Zhang Yao described the risks, Qin Qing didn’t believe the actual threat to her personal safety would be as severe as he made it sound.

Zhang Yao’s words revealed a lot.

One thing was clear: the organization he belonged to cared about Qin Qing—specifically, about the value her existence brought.

No matter how much they knew about her, the fact was that her existence alone had value, value that could yield benefits.

Before Zhang Yao reached out, the relevant personnel had surely evaluated this mission.

She must be useful. The state would never treat this as a one-off deal.

Even in the worst-case scenario, if she was just a disposable asset, they would still try to protect the missing doctor and his research outcomes.

After thinking this through, Qin Qing already had a strategy forming in her mind for this mission.

“I agree.”

She didn’t hesitate and gave Zhang Yao, who had been waiting for her response, a direct answer.

Zhang Yao relaxed his shoulders and let out a breath.

He rubbed his palms on his thighs.

Then he stood up, reached out his hand, and solemnly said, “Comrade Qin Qing, on behalf of the countless people who will benefit from the doctor, thank you.”

Qin Qing replied, “No need. Thank me when we actually find the doctor.”

“Alright, I’ll wait to drink that celebratory wine.”

Qin Qing gave him a sidelong glance, her expression odd.

Zhang Yao asked, “Is something wrong?”

Touching her chin, Qin Qing said, “In the movies, when someone says a line like yours, it usually means we’ll be parting in death, with only one left to pour wine on the other’s grave.”

“Comrade Qin, I’m not that brave. You fate masters are always so sure—please don’t say things like that. Gives me chills.”

Qin Qing said, “Fine, just a small joke.”

Then asked, “Have you met other fate masters?”

Zhang Yao replied, “Yes, but none as skilled as you.”

Qin Qing really did want to meet them.

She asked, “When do we leave?”

Zhang Yao said, “If possible, tonight. I’ve already notified the helicopter—it can take off directly from Jinyun Mountain.”

“Hiss… I’ll need to arrange things at home.”

“If you’re referring to the Border Collie, don’t worry. We’ll assign a comrade to take special care of it.”

Zhang Yao took out a notebook. “If there’s anything specific about its diet or play needs, just let me know and I’ll write it down to pass to the relevant personnel. If not, we can care for it to military working dog standards.”

Truly thorough. Is this what they call ‘when the chicken rises, the dogs follow’?

Qin Qing gave Zhang Yao her home’s passcode. “Will you be going? I mean to Safir Port?”

“No,” Zhang Yao shook his head. “I’m only responsible for coordinating your contact. A dedicated comrade will accompany you on each mission.”

Each mission—those words lingered on Qin Qing’s tongue, but she didn’t say them aloud.

Zhang Yao explained, “The frontlines of the combat zone are constantly shifting. Many of our compatriots are still stranded in the surrounding areas due to work or study. Tonight, there’s a repatriation flight departing from Fuxi Airport in the neighboring province. The helicopter will take you there, and a comrade involved in this mission will meet you. Then you’ll depart with the diplomatic team handling the evacuation.”

The roar of the helicopter blades signaled the beginning of a new journey.

Qin Qing didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to the people at the Taoist temple.

Zhang Yao walked her to the helicopter.

He asked, “Comrade Qin, this mission… it’ll go smoothly, won’t it?”

There was a hint of hope in his voice, wishing Qin Qing could give him a definite answer.

“Sorry to disappoint, but there are too many variables. A fate master can’t predict her own path.”

Zhang Yao nodded, then said, “Then I wish you success.”

“Thank you.”

Right before boarding, Qin Qing suddenly turned back and asked, “Officer Zhang, I’ve always wanted to ask—what does 1112 mean?”

Zhang Yao was stunned.

For the first time tonight, he lost his composure.

“You…”

“So you can’t tell me? Hopefully by the time I return, I’ll have the clearance to know.”

Leaving those words behind, she boarded the aircraft without waiting for Zhang Yao’s reaction.

There was no one else on the helicopter except the pilot.

An hour later, Qin Qing arrived at Fuxi Airport.

After ground personnel verified her identity, she was led by a shuttle bus to a large passenger plane.

Once the handover between ground crew and flight crew was complete, they left.

A flight attendant closed the cabin door.

Only then did Qin Qing realize that she was the last passenger the plane had been waiting for.

Besides the crew, there were very few passengers. Including Qin Qing, only seven people were aboard.

The other six were seated sporadically.

According to introductions, four of them were from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Which meant that only two others besides Qin Qing were part of the search mission.

Yes, two.

Not the three to five people Zhang Yao had mentioned.

Qin Qing took a deep breath—the situation seemed much harsher than she’d expected.

“Luo Yuan.”

“Dou Xu.”

Qin Qing gave her name as well.

After she sat down—

Dou Xu didn’t say much and handed her a multi-purpose backpack.

“I assume you already have a basic understanding of where we’re going. Inside is three days’ worth of food and water, stored at the very bottom of the bag. This is for emergencies—normally we eat standard meals and don’t touch this.

At the top is a bulletproof vest and helmet. I recommend you put them on before stepping off the plane and don’t take them off until we’re back on a plane heading home.”

He then took out a device and explained, “This is a satellite phone. I’ll teach you how to use it now. In case we get separated, it could come in handy. But I hope we won’t need it.”