Chapter 148: Causing a Major Sensation

At this moment, Old Master Xie was startled by the information Lin Feng had just muttered to himself. Not only him, but even Old Master Lin and Lin Chuanming, who had been silently observing the conversation between Lin Feng and Old Master Xie, stared at Lin Feng in horror.

Regardless of whether Lin Feng was merely putting on a show or genuinely planning to go abroad to negotiate with Russia, Old Master Xie rushed in front of Lin Feng, blocking his path. Gripping Lin Feng’s shoulders tightly, as if afraid he might suddenly vanish, he asked, “Are you serious? Is there really such a weapon?”

Seeing that Old Master Xie had taken the bait, Lin Feng continued to feign innocence as he looked up at him. “Did I say anything? I didn’t say a word!” he replied, then attempted to break free from Old Master Xie’s grasp.

“Don’t, Lin Feng! It was my fault—I was too hasty just now! The terms you mentioned are negotiable. Our military can make an exception and talk with you. Don’t rush; we’ll take it slow!” Now it was Old Master Xie’s turn to panic. If such a weapon truly existed as Lin Feng claimed, and it slipped out from his hands to benefit other countries, he would be a traitor to the nation.

Old Master Xie’s concern made him lose his composure, failing to realize that Lin Feng was merely pretending. However, Old Master Lin saw through everything clearly. Their generation of elders cared deeply about the country’s strength. Seeing that things were nearly settled, he spoke up to advise Lin Feng, “Lin Feng, this is no time for jokes. Do you really possess the kind of weapon you just mentioned?”

Lin Chuanming also looked at Lin Feng with eager anticipation, wanting to hear the answer.

“Yes. I have the research data for this weapon right here in my laptop!” Lin Feng felt it was about time to stop pretending, as going further might be excessive. He nodded firmly at the three of them.

Upon receiving Lin Feng’s affirmative answer, Old Master Xie became visibly excited. Hearing that Lin Feng carried the research data for the equipment on him, he nervously said, “Ah! You carry it with you? Such important information—if others found out, it would be so dangerous!”

“Ha, Grandpa Xie, do you think anyone could snatch something from me? Besides, this is China. Who would dare?” Lin Feng chuckled at Old Master Xie’s concern, confident in his own capabilities.

Old Master Xie then recalled another identity of Lin Feng—that of an unparalleled expert.

“No, even if you say that, I still can’t relax. Wait here,” Old Master Xie said anxiously, still worried. If this weapon truly existed as Lin Feng claimed, it demanded the utmost caution.

After speaking with Lin Feng, Old Master Xie immediately pulled out his phone in front of the Lin family and called the Falcon Assault Team headquarters in Yanjing. He ordered them to dispatch five special forces assault squads to provide escort and protection along the way.

“Grandpa Xie, isn’t this a bit over the top? Such a large-scale deployment?” Lin Feng couldn’t help but express his disbelief upon hearing the order.

“Hmph. Do you think I’m a reckless young man like you? Do you understand the importance of this? I won’t feel at ease until it’s safely delivered to Zhongnanhai,” Old Master Xie said sternly, clearly irritated by Lin Feng’s casual attitude.

After scolding Lin Feng a few times, Old Master Xie turned to Old Master Lin and Lin Chuanming. “Old Lin, Chuanming, you two will accompany me to Zhongnanhai. This is too significant a matter for me to handle alone. The Chairman and Premier need to be involved, and as Lin Feng’s elders, you have the right to be present.”

Having issued these instructions, Old Master Xie fixed his gaze on Lin Feng, staring intently as if afraid that Lin Feng might disappear without warning.

The Falcon Assault Team headquarters, unsure of the situation, was surprised at the need to deploy so many elite squads, especially since the destination was the Lin family estate. Was there trouble at the Lin residence? That seemed impossible. Despite their doubts, the headquarters ultimately obeyed Minister Xie’s orders and dispatched the forces.

A large contingent of fully armed special forces soldiers, fully equipped, appeared en route to the Lin estate. Such a striking sight on the highway drew the attention of Yanjing’s citizens, who curiously took out their phones to snap photos. Some even uploaded the images to their social circles online. Netizens speculated that something serious must be happening in Yanjing to warrant the presence of so many special forces.

Inside the Lin family study, Old Master Xie received a message confirming that the assault teams had arrived outside the estate. He finally felt a weight lift off his chest and, after ordering the teams to maintain full alertness outside, hung up the phone.

“Old Lin, Chuanming, let’s go! The escort is already waiting outside. I feel much more at ease now!” Old Master Xie said as he looked up at the Lin family members in the study. Then, still worried, he reminded Lin Feng, “You must take good care of the research data for this weapon. If anything goes wrong and we lose face, it will be a disgrace to the Lin family.”

Lin Feng rolled his eyes at the nagging Old Master Xie but took the lead in picking up the laptop and stepping out of the study. He was also somewhat embarrassed by Old Master Xie’s fussing, recalling how, when he first arrived by plane, he had also been similarly nagged by Mo Tian several times.

The others in the study, seeing Lin Feng leave, quickly followed him out.

Outside the Lin estate, the fully armed Falcon Assault Team had already stirred curiosity among the other residents of the neighborhood. They cautiously discussed the unusual presence of the assault team at the periphery but dared not approach.

Because this operation involved a considerable number of personnel, a colonel-ranked officer from the Falcon Assault Team headquarters had also come.

“Commander, the Falcon Assault Team reporting!” The colonel saluted Old Master Xie as he emerged from the estate, immediately reporting.

“Thank you for your hard work. This is an escort mission. Please escort the four of us, plus one classified item, to the Zhongnanhai office area,” Old Master Xie explained the task succinctly.

The colonel was puzzled. Such a simple mission, within China no less, could have easily been handled by ordinary soldiers. Why summon the Falcon Assault Team? But these thoughts remained private; they were duty-bound to obey Old Master Xie’s orders.

After issuing the commands, Old Master Xie, along with the three Lin family members, boarded one of the armored vehicles in the escort convoy. Once the Falcon Assault Team confirmed security, the main force departed from the Lin estate, heading toward the Zhongnanhai conference room, leaving behind the murmuring onlookers.

Among the crowd was Murong Xue. Seeing Lin Feng at the Lin estate, she immediately guessed that the commotion was caused by him, though she was unsure whether it was good or bad.

The convoy drove straight ahead. Even before reaching the Zhongnanhai conference room, the scene at the Lin estate had rapidly spread throughout Yanjing’s prominent families.

Back in the Murong household, Murong Xue had just returned home and found Old Master Murong seated in the hall. She quickly recounted what she had witnessed outside the Lin estate.

“Grandfather, do you think this is good or bad? Could it be that something’s wrong with the Lin family and the state is cracking down on them?” Murong Xue asked after finishing her report, pausing before voicing her doubts.

“Impossible! If the state were targeting them, there would be signs. They wouldn’t act without cause,” Old Master Murong replied firmly.

“If it’s not because of trouble at the Lin family, then why mobilize so many assault team members? I just don’t understand,” Murong Xue pressed on.

Old Master Murong had no answer this time. He was no clairvoyant; how could he know that the sudden stir was due to Lin Feng unveiling a devastating new weapon, alarming Old Master Xie and prompting the recent events?

In the Zhongnanhai office, the Chairman put down the phone with a puzzled expression. He was confused about why Minister Xie had called him so abruptly and vaguely. The only message was, “He and the Lin family members are on their way to Zhongnanhai. There’s an urgent matter to discuss with the Chairman and Premier.” Then the call ended.

Though uncertain about the situation causing Minister Xie’s caution, the Chairman trusted the minister’s character—if he was this serious, it must be important. He immediately instructed his secretary to notify the Premier to come to his office so they could await Minister Xie and Lin Feng’s arrival together.

“Old Liu, you called me here for something?” Premier Zhu appeared in the Chairman’s office and asked. He still had many matters to attend to, but upon hearing the secretary say the Chairman wanted to see him, he came hastily.

Seeing the Premier slightly out of breath, the Chairman stood and guided him to the sofa, pouring a glass of water and handing it to him. “Old Zhu, you need to change your habit of rushing everywhere. You’re not as young as you used to be. Take care of your health. Drink some water and rest a bit; I’ll tell you what’s going on shortly.”

Premier Zhu, having been busy in his office without much water, gratefully accepted the glass and took several hearty sips.

Once refreshed, he asked again, “Old Liu, now can you tell me? What’s so urgent that you needed me here?”

The Chairman sighed, a bit helpless. “Old Zhu, I don’t know either. I just got a call from Old Xie. He and the Lin family members are on their way here. They should arrive soon. I guess something’s going on with the Lin family.”

“The Lin family? Is that kid Lin Feng with them?” The Premier was sensitive about the Lin family. Upon hearing their name, he immediately thought of Lin Feng.

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