Five minutes later.
Ming Zheng’s figure appeared on the seventh floor.
Her originally elaborate curly hair, which had been meticulously styled in front of others, was now tied up into a high ponytail.
The complex and sensual mermaid gown was replaced by a sleek, black, form-fitting combat suit that accentuated her graceful figure.
She lurked in the shadows.
Her pair of pitch-black eyes scanned every angle of the seventh floor without a moment's pause.
The mission this time for the Mo Clan.
It was a request for support from the Xia Nation’s unified command.
The mission location was none other than this opulent cruise ship.
This ship, on the surface, was being used by the Piao Nation’s high officials to foster closer relationships with their counterparts from other countries, specifically for their birthday banquet.
In reality, this so-called cruise ship banquet.
Was jointly chartered by countless international dignitaries.
Solely for the purpose of…
Conducting secret dealings that couldn't see the light of day, hidden in the darkness.
A grand international auction was to be held aboard this vessel.
Of course, not everyone who boarded the ship could participate in this auction.
Ming Zheng’s objective was to rescue an auction item tonight – a soldier of the Xia Nation – before the cruise ship docked on the high seas.
Onboard this ship, a unit of Xia Nation soldiers was being held captive. These were soldiers who operated on the fringes of international operations, defending against and preventing other countries from resorting to despicable means to interfere with the Xia Nation.
During one mission.
This unit had fallen into a trap set by the Piao Nation, exposing their identities and becoming prisoners.
As is widely known.
Xia Nation soldiers are unyielding and iron-willed.
Even when caught in a trap, they will resist to the death.
No amount of torture will ever make them betray their brothers behind them.
The prospect of torturing such iron-willed individuals, full of pride.
Watching them bow their heads in submission, begging for mercy, would undoubtedly be exceptionally thrilling.
It would greatly satisfy the twisted hearts of those high-ranking officials from countries.
Who had been suppressed by the Xia Nation for so long.
Doesn’t the Xia Nation always say.
That the people of Xia Nation are of one heart, united as a family?
Then, by stepping on these Xia Nation soldiers.
Wouldn’t that be equivalent to stepping on the Xia Nation itself?
Thus, this Xia Nation unit was to be presented as an auction item by the Piao Nation tonight, to be put on the auction block.
Ming Zheng needed to quietly rescue those soldiers without disrupting the diplomatic relations between the various international powers.
The Mo Clan accepting this request.
And Ming Zheng agreeing to assist her fifth senior brother.
Was precisely because of this mission…
That they absolutely had to be here.
Although the Mo Clan was a force that transcended national borders and was not regulated by the world.
The entirety of the Mo Clan members were Xia Nation citizens.
From the Xia Nation’s request.
They felt it was their unwavering duty!
This cruise ship had a total of twelve floors.
From the seventh floor upwards.
This was where the international dignitaries gathered.
Entry was forbidden without an invitation.
Just as the gatekeepers had stated, even her fifth senior brother, disguised as "Young Master Zheng," could not enter.
"Young Master Zheng" was, after all, merely the son of a high-ranking official.
And, a son of a high-ranking official from the Xia Nation.
The Piao Nation, simultaneously fearful and resentful of the Xia Nation's rapid development over the past few decades.
Naturally, they held no favorable regard for the Xia Nation.
The number of Xia Nation individuals invited to the cruise ship this time constituted only ten percent.
It was estimated that on the floors above the seventh.
The Piao Nation would wish they could post a sign saying – "No Xia Nation Citizens Allowed."
Ming Zheng quickly surveyed the layout of the entire seventh floor and memorized the identities of all the international dignitaries entering and exiting the seventh floor.
Soon.
She infiltrated the eighth floor.
The security on the eighth floor was even more stringent than on the seventh.
The air itself seemed to carry a heavy, oppressive scent.
At every corner.
One could see individuals in Piao Nation military uniforms, holding firearms.
In the most luxurious and spacious hall on the eighth floor.
Six individuals in formal attire were seated on custom-made leather sofas.
One of them occupied a single armchair, holding a glass of red wine, casually swirling it.
The seductive crimson, illuminated by the brilliant lights, seemed to splash a pool of blood within the glass.
He swirled his wine, remaining silent.
The five people seated beside him also dared not utter a word.
The atmosphere was exceptionally somber.
Ming Zheng, hidden in the shadows, immediately recognized who the individuals seated on the sofas were.
Earlier at the Mo Clan headquarters.
Her master had instructed her to memorize the faces of all the international dignitaries.
She only needed a single glance.
To instantly retrieve their matching names from her memory.
The individual in the single armchair was a high-ranking official from the Piao Nation, holding a position of great authority, whose word commanded widespread obedience.
The five individuals beside him were high-ranking officials from the Sun Never Sets Nation, the Man Nation, the Rakshasa Nation, the Bang Nation, and the R Nation.
And they were all dignitaries who held sway on the international stage.
These international dignitaries, gathering here covertly.
Were likely making preparations for the upcoming auction.
"Vice-Leader, there's no need to worry. The auction in two hours is all set, and those entering the auction hall will undergo the most advanced security checks to ensure no unexpected incidents occur."
A clear and gentle young voice, speaking in perfect Piao Nation dialect, echoed through the spacious and somber hall.
Instantly, all six individuals’ gazes snapped towards the source of the voice.
A young man, dressed in a light gray suit, wearing black-rimmed glasses, and possessing a gentle, jade-like demeanor, walked slowly towards them.
He stood behind the dignitary from the Sun Never Sets Nation, a faint yet pure smile gracing his lips.
Even when standing before numerous international dignitaries, he remained composed and unfazed.
Upon seeing the young man.
Ming Zheng’s pupils constricted in surprise.
Ming Chu Yan?
Why was he here?
Someone who was still studying at the Imperial Capital Academy.
How could he possibly be in such a place… a place involved in international affairs.
After all, even the identity of "Young Master Zheng" was insufficient to enter the seventh floor.
Yet here was Ming Chu Yan on the eighth floor.
And in the presence of the Piao Nation's high-ranking official hosting tonight’s auction.
The Piao Nation's high-ranking official’s gaze, following the sound, fell upon Ming Chu Yan.
Upon seeing Ming Chu Yan's Xia Nation face, his expression darkened, and he violently flung the wine glass he was holding towards Ming Chu Yan: "Why is there a Xia Nation person here!"
Ming Chu Yan sidestepped to avoid it.
The wine glass shattered on the floor, breaking into pieces.
The crimson liquid seeped into the floor.
It looked…
Exceedingly shocking.
The other international dignitaries quickly stood up, attempting to placate the Piao Nation official.
The dignitary from the Sun Never Sets Nation quickly said, "Vice-Leader, please calm down, please calm down. Although he is from the Xia Nation, he is my adopted son. He is very intelligent and capable, and at such a young age, he is already an A-level martial artist."
"Don't worry, since I dared to bring him by my side, I can absolutely guarantee one hundred percent that he is loyal to me."
The dignitary from the Sun Never Sets Nation pulled Ming Chu Yan closer, smiling at the Piao Nation official, "The security check system for tonight's auction hall was provided by this adopted son of mine. I have been using it for a full three months, and there are absolutely no problems!"
The Piao Nation official’s gaze remained fixed on Ming Chu Yan.
His eyes sharp, like a venomous snake: "I warn you, for tonight's mission, I will not tolerate any mistakes. Do you understand?"