Chapter 503: A Case of Cross-Border Intrigue

Chapter 503: Weapons (Update 1)

A memory flashed in Xiao Yu’s mind.

It was from a case.

First, a bank heist; then a policeman’s murder; next, terrorist cells; and finally, mercenaries crossing the border… All for the sake of a Fake Currency Circuit Board.

For that case, National Security deployed two teams: Team Two and Group Nine.

The military sent in a Special Forces squad.

In the end, Xiao Yu eliminated a group of terrorist cells and took down a mercenary squad…

Speak of the devil and he appears.

The Special Forces squad arrived at the border outpost.

Captain Zhao Long stood by Xiao Yu’s side.

Soon after, Wang Dong also arrived.

The four who once executed missions together now meant one of them was confined to a hospital bed.

“Though gravely injured, he was treated in time.”

Xiao Yu studied the injury report in his hand. “Don’t count on him recovering any time soon. Whether he can continue leading Group Nine depends entirely on how well he heals!”

With his Medical Expert skill, he could assess Zhou Lie’s condition.

Fortunately, he had cheated death and avoided permanent damage.

With proper care, he’d still be a hero.

After Little Brother’s words, Wang Dong and Zhao Long exhaled in relief.

They had chosen these special roles to defend the nation.

They had long accepted the risks of injury, disability, or sacrifice.

Yet seeing a familiar face lying helplessly was still painful.

But at that moment…

Zhou Lie, who should have been in a post-surgery coma,

stirred and slowly opened his eyes.

His sharp gaze softened upon recognizing the three familiar figures.

The man behind the breathing mask managed a feeble grin and said,

“What a disgrace!”

“Money is just an accessory—either you need it or you don’t.”

“But your face is essential—it must be guarded!”

Being the leader of Group Nine, lying like this was a massive blow to his honor…

Xiao Yu and the others chuckled softly.

If he could still joke, it meant things weren’t too bad.

Xiao Yu pulled a chair to the bedside and fixed Zhou Lie with a steady look. “Just being alive is something to be grateful for—don’t be ashamed.”

“Did Big Boss send you?” Zhou Lie asked, not entirely dull-witted.

“Mm.”

Xiao Yu nodded. “Let me take charge of Group Nine for now.”

“Having you here is more than mere leadership,” Zhou Lie managed a weak laugh, “Big Boss is furious—he’s unleashed National Security’s sharpest weapon!”

Xiao Yu frowned. “What exactly was the mission?”

“It seems mercenaries were crossing the border. I led my team to investigate and, in the end…”

Zhou Lie gave a bitter smile. “It was a setup!”

To bait, you need either lures or traps.

And what’s the point of fishing if not to catch fish?

“So National Security is the target?”

Xiao Yu couldn’t understand. “How could they dare?”

“Didn’t my team mention it?”

Zhou Lie explained, “It might be linked to that mercenary squad that crossed over earlier.”

“How can you be so sure?” Xiao Yu frowned.

“A photograph!”

Zhou Lie’s eyes shifted toward a nearby member of Group Nine.

The member handed over a photo to Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu took the photo and, after a brief glance, his eyes narrowed.

In the picture were two men—two Black individuals.

One of them was someone Xiao Yu recognized all too well—

the Black mercenary who had lurked in the shadows during the last incursion and was ultimately killed…

When Xiao Yu flipped the photo, he noticed English writing on the back.

His expression shifted subtly.

【Hazel is waiting for you in Hell!】

Who is Hazel?

He was likely the Black mercenary leader whom he had dispatched.

Revenge… Really that cliché?

A mocking smile tugged at Xiao Yu’s lips as he shook his head.

Such over-the-top revenge plots belong only in novels.

Every sensible person knows—

no mercenary, not even a mercenary king,

would dare parade in a superpower’s territory.

That would be a death sentence.

It’s like trying to party in the underworld.

Who with a clear head would dare such a stunt?

Only children buy into such reckless fantasy.

Adults know… it’s all utter nonsense!

It isn’t about revenge at all… Xiao Yu scoffed.

Since it wasn’t about revenge, then the enemy’s aim in crossing the border must be—

“They fled, exited?” Xiao Yu asked Zhou Lie.

“Fleeing was inevitable,” Zhou Lie replied.

But they wouldn’t dare run into the country.

The only escape was to leave the country!

“Mm!”

Zhou Lie’s once pale face flushed red with shame.

“Interesting!”

Xiao Yu slowly narrowed his eyes. “They knew we couldn’t capture them across the border, so they fled without fear!”

The logic was simple.

Not only is crossing borders prohibited—if even a single bullet crosses into another nation, it could ignite a huge crisis.

Then Zhou Lie recounted how he was injured.

At the border, traces of mercenaries were detected, threatening national security.

Such matters should have been handled by the military.

But since National Security was implicated, they inevitably sent in their own investigators.

Zhou Lie led two team members to the suspicious area.

By the time they realized it was a trap, it was too late.

Thanks to their experience, they dodged a sniper’s bullet.

However, stray gunfire caught them off guard, and Zhou Lie was hit twice.

The sniper and the gunman escaped, leaving behind the photograph.

It was as if they were announcing to everyone that they were out for revenge.

Not only was it brazen arrogance, but also a deliberate provocation.

No nation could tolerate such defiance.

Big Boss of National Security was livid and called Xiao Yu personally.

Although not much was said on the phone,

he instructed Xiao Yu to temporarily take charge of Group Nine.

But the message was clear:

Anyone who violates national territory must be hunted down, no matter how far they flee!

……

“Heal up properly.”

Standing up, Xiao Yu said to Zhou Lie, “Leave the rest to me.”

“Mm,” Zhou Lie replied without argument.

Xiao Yu knew exactly what Little Brother was capable of.

He couldn’t help but think—does Xiao Yu only solve cases?

Bluntly put,

if Xiao Yu had his eyes on the Group Nine leader’s position,

then Zhou Lie could retire early.

After all, his feat of taking on an entire mercenary squad singlehandedly wasn’t a joke.

Today, Xiao Yu had long replaced Zhou Lie’s former role.

He had become National Security’s ultimate weapon.

Weapon: Deterrence, Attack, Defense.

It could be as simple as a wooden stick.

It could also be an ordinary shield.

Likewise, it could be… a nuclear bomb! Hmph.