chsdbacks Chapter 196 Star Glory Society?
Chapter 196 Star Glory Society?
Breakfast was simple, but satisfying—steaming hot white porridge, homemade pickled cowpeas and dried radishes, boiled eggs, and cornbread buns. For the two who had been starving all night and had just finished a series of meals, it was a true feast. Chen Duo held the porridge bowl, which was bigger than her face, and sipped it with relish. She ate two buns and an egg in one go, her face beaming with satisfaction. (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
Nie Lingfeng ate quickly, but very politely. While eating, he used his encrypted phone to quickly browse the partial archives Zhao Dong had opened. Sure enough, under the categories of "Forbidden Existence," "Ancient Secrets," and "Extraterrestrial Knowledge," he found scattered records about "Nyarlathotep." The information was extremely scarce and vague, mostly from fragmented stone tablets and murals discovered by ancient supernatural beings exploring certain forbidden lands and ruins, or the ramblings of certain fanatical cultists. The descriptions often associated it with unsettling titles such as "The Faceless God," "The Thousand-Faced God," "The Crouching Chaos," and "Messenger of the Outer Gods," regarding it as a symbol of some indescribable, incomprehensible, ancient, and evil existence beyond human comprehension. Some extremely secretive records even suggested that certain ancient catastrophes, the loss of civilizations, and even the distortion and mutation of some "supernatural beings'" abilities might be related to the "whispers" or "influence" of this being.
The file's security classification was "Top Secret - Annihilation Level," meaning that knowing it could be dangerous. Nie Lingfeng quickly jotted down several key pieces of information and potentially related ruins (most marked "destroyed" or "extremely dangerous"), then exited the archive. His heart sank even further. It seemed that this time, he had provoked not just some ambitious individual or cult leader, but someone who had truly touched upon the world's deepest, potentially life-or-death, terrifying secrets.
"Teacher Nie, the car is ready. We can leave anytime," Xiao Yang said after finishing breakfast.
Nie Lingfeng nodded, then helped Chen Duo, who had just finished the last bite of her steamed bun and was carefully licking the porridge stains off her fingers, to her feet. He didn't say goodbye to the busy rescue workers, but simply nodded to Xiao Yang: "Thank you for your hard work here. As for the villagers... please help them as much as you can."
"Don't worry, Teacher Nie, this is our duty!" Xiao Yang said solemnly.
It was still that slightly worn brown SUV, driven by Xiao Yang himself, carrying Nie Lingfeng and Chen Duo, as they followed the rugged mountain road they had come from, leaving the ancient Miao village where they had just experienced a nightmare. The sun had fully risen, its golden rays piercing through the mountain mist and sprinkling the verdant mountains, as if draping this land in a new garment full of hope. But only those who had experienced the terrifying ritual of the previous night knew what profound darkness had lurked beneath this beautiful facade.
The return journey seemed much faster than the way there. In the afternoon, the SUV once again entered Guiyang city. Unlike the tranquil and pristine mountains, the city's hustle and bustle, traffic, and skyscrapers brought a familiar restlessness of modern civilization, giving Nie Lingfeng a strange sense of being in another world.
Following the instructions, Xiao Yang drove to a relatively quiet, well-landscaped old residential area on the outskirts of the city. The buildings were mostly six or seven stories high, somewhat old in appearance, but clean and tidy. Xiao Yang led the two to the top floor of one of the buildings and opened the door to a three-bedroom apartment.
"Teacher Nie, Miss Chen Duo, this is a safe house within the company. It's regularly maintained and very safe. All necessities are provided, and there's food in the refrigerator. Your 'new identity' information is in the study drawer. Here are the key and access card." Xiao Yang handed the items to Nie Lingfeng, then passed him a file folder. "This is the latest briefing on the 'Yaoxing Society's' activities in Guiyang and the surrounding area, as well as information on a target suspected of being connected to them that needs investigation. Please take a look, and contact me anytime if needed."
"Thank you for your hard work, Master Yang." Nie Lingfeng accepted the gift.
"Of course. I'll be going now, so as not to disturb your rest." Xiao Yang tactfully took his leave.
The door closed, leaving only Nie Lingfeng and Chen Duo in the room. The room was simply decorated, but clean and comfortable, with sunlight streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making it warm and inviting. There was even a lush potted plant on the coffee table in the living room.
Chen Duo curiously wandered around the house, peeking into each room, then, clutching her panda plushie, walked to the largest sofa in the living room, sank into it, and sighed contentedly. For her, having a clean place to live and Nie Lingfeng by her side was enough. (๑´ㅂ`๑)
Nie Lingfeng went to the study, opened a drawer, and found two brand-new ID cards, a driver's license, and several bank cards from different banks. The names were aliases, and the photos were altered, but they were sufficient for general identity verification. He put the documents away and then opened the file folder left by Xiao Yang.
Inside were several printed reports and some photos.
The report shows that Yaoxing Society has a "Southwest China Biotechnology and Folk Culture Research Center" in Guiyang. Nominally a private non-profit research institution, it primarily engages in the "scientific" research of ethnic minority medicine, local flora and fauna, and "paranormal phenomena." Although established less than three years ago, the center boasts substantial funding, advanced equipment, and collaborations with numerous local universities and research institutions, earning it high social acclaim.
However, through long-term surveillance and information provided by informants, the company's intelligence personnel discovered that the activities secretly carried out by this "research center" were far more complex than they appeared. They frequently ventured into ethnic minority areas and remote, untouched forests in Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangxi provinces, collecting large quantities of unique local plant and animal specimens, minerals, and even... relics or remains considered taboo by the locals and associated with ancient beliefs and rituals. Evidence suggests they had secret contact with local "ghost masters" and "priests" who knew the secrets, and may have exchanged money or "technical support" for access to unknown ancient traditions or taboo knowledge.
Even more suspiciously, about six months ago, the center secretly purchased an abandoned chemical plant in the suburbs of Guiyang and carried out large-scale renovations. The perimeter is heavily guarded, with professional security personnel and suspected supernatural beings acting as guards. The internal situation is unclear, but nearby villagers who patrol at night report hearing inhuman, chilling screams emanating from the plant area, and seeing strange, seemingly living shadows briefly flitting across the sky above it. The company's drones have attempted to approach and reconnoiter, but all have been hampered by strong signal interference, preventing them from obtaining clear images.
Most of the photos were taken from a distance, and some are blurry. There's the imposing glass-walled building of the "research center," the eerie-looking abandoned chemical plant in the suburbs surrounded by high walls and electric fences (now the secret base of the Yaoxing Society), and some candid shots of people in white lab coats or plain clothes entering and leaving these locations.
One of the photos caught Nie Lingfeng's attention. It was a snapshot taken at the entrance of the research center. A woman who looked to be around forty years old, wearing a well-tailored white suit, gold-rimmed glasses, and with her hair neatly styled in a bun, exuding a capable and aloof air, was looking down at a tablet computer as she entered the building surrounded by a group of researchers. The photo captured her profile, and although she was wearing glasses, Nie Lingfeng recognized her immediately—Qu Tong! The president of Yaoxing Society, the mysterious woman who, during the "Dawn" mission, was marked as "suspected to be related to 'that person'" and was conducting experiments on "human modification" and "consciousness uploading"!
She's actually in Guiyang! It seems that this important southwestern city, or rather this land containing countless ancient secrets, holds extraordinary significance for the Yaoxing Society and the forces behind her.
The report concludes with the specific objectives of this investigation:
Objective 1: Confirm the actual research content of the Yaoxing Society's "Southwest Research Center" and its secret base in the suburbs, especially projects related to "ancient god worship," "human experimentation," and "mind manipulation."
Objective 2: Investigate whether Yaoxing Society is related to recent "abnormal ancient god worship" incidents in various places (including the Luodongzhai incident), and whether it is the mastermind or "technical support" provider behind the scenes.
Objective 3: Obtain as much information as possible about Qu Tong's activities in Guiyang, the people she contacted, and her purpose. If possible, attempt to "contact" or "control" her, but assess the risks to avoid alerting her.
Objective 4: Assess the overall strength, personnel composition, and potential threats of Yaoxing Society in the Southwest region.
The mission level remains A+, but the notes have been updated to include "The target is extremely dangerous and may involve higher-level forces. Extreme caution is required during execution. Authorization is granted to use 'unconventional' methods when necessary."
Nie Lingfeng closed the report, walked to the window, and looked down at the elderly strolling leisurely and the children playing in the neighborhood, his eyes sharp as an eagle's. Qu Tong, Yaoxing Society, secret base, human experimentation, mind control... and possibly the "ancient god faith" and the "being" behind it all...
The clues seem to be connecting little by little. The "Cave God" of Luodong Village, the research of Yaoxing Society, the "Gate" of Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley, the pollution of Lingyun Cave, the whispers in the Blood Moon... Behind all of this, it seems that an invisible net is slowly tightening.
"Nie Lingfeng," Chen Duo appeared at the study doorway at some point, holding a doll, leaning against the doorframe, her emerald green eyes looking at him, "Are we going to fight the bad guys?"
Nie Lingfeng turned around and looked into her clear eyes, the heaviness in his heart seeming to lessen somewhat. He smiled and said, "No rush. Let's rest first, eat our fill, and then... go see what those 'bad guys' are up to."
"Mmm!" Chen Duo nodded vigorously, then touched her stomach and whispered, "I... I'm a little hungry again."
Nie Lingfeng chuckled, glanced at the time, and realized it was almost dinnertime. "Come on, I'll take you to eat something delicious. Guiyang has lots of local specialties: 'Silk Doll,' 'Changwang Noodles,' 'Love Tofu Fruit'... I guarantee you'll love them."
Upon hearing about delicious food, Chen Duo's eyes instantly brightened compared to the sunset outside the window. (☆▽☆)
The two changed into ordinary casual clothes, took their new ID cards and wallets, and walked out of the safe house like an ordinary couple (or perhaps a brother with his sister?), blending into the bustling and vibrant streets of Guiyang in the evening.
Neon lights gradually illuminated the scene, and the aroma of food wafted through the air. For now, they cast aside the conspiracies, pollution, and whispers, savoring this moment of peace and warmth belonging to "humanity." Because Nie Lingfeng knew that the investigation to come would be anything but easy. And being able to spend time with Chen Duo, searching for a favorite little shop on the streets of an unfamiliar city, and tasting the local flavors, was perhaps the most precious moment in this increasingly bizarre and dangerous journey.
He took Chen Duo's hand, feeling the warmth from her palm, a warmth unique to the Phoenix True Fire, and stepped into the warm, brightly lit depths filled with the aroma of food and the sounds of people.