The entire island was garrisoned by over five hundred armed soldiers, with more than a hundred on duty during this period!
The patrol team consisted of eight men, rotating every ten minutes.
This was why a patrol team passed by the beach every ten minutes!
After checking the beach, the patrol team would return to the plaza and pass by the building where the scientists were held captive. Eight soldiers guarded that building.
Ye Cangtian had long familiarized himself with the island's layout, including the number of armed squads and patrol times!
"So we only have ten minutes!"
After speaking, Ye Cangtian looked at everyone and, after a moment's thought, said, "Three of you will stay here. If we are discovered, those who remain can provide cover for us!"
"As for the others, follow me!"
Everyone nodded. By now, they all regarded Ye Cangtian as the core of the team. Even Gao Xiong had to obey him at this moment.
After all, this mission was very important, concerning several key Chinese scientists!
A moment later!
A patrol team appeared on the beach again, looking somewhat listless, their formation even scattered.
Two soldiers stopped to unbuckle their belts, intending to urinate there.
However, as they were comfortably relieving themselves, two shadows approached from behind, instantly knocking them out and dragging them behind a nearby reef.
Not long after, two men in soldier uniforms emerged from behind the reef, smiling, and quickly rejoined the team!
Along the way, two more soldiers were knocked out and their clothes were stripped.
The four soldiers walking ahead were completely unaware, their companions patrolling behind them had already been replaced.
Five minutes later!
This patrol team passed the plaza, following their route to patrol the other side of the island.
However, as they passed a building and reached a corner, the four 'soldiers' behind them suddenly moved.
The four soldiers in front were dragged into the darkness without making a sound.
...
In a factory-like building, within a space of over two hundred square meters, dozens of people in dirty white coats ate, drank, and handled their bodily needs in this place.
They were top scientists from all over the world, but in these past days, they had lived worse than pigs or dogs.
There were no beds here; these physically weak scientists could only lie on the ground to sleep, some lying on instruments.
Coughs could be heard from time to time, indicating that some had already fallen ill.
Shangguan Yanran was huddled in a corner, awakened by a cough next to her. She immediately searched for medicine from the first-aid kit she carried.
Then, she helped an old man up, administered the medicine, and asked worriedly, "Teacher, how are you feeling now?"
"Much better!"
After taking the medicine, the old man's cough eased considerably. He sighed weakly, "Yanran, it's my fault for implicating you. If I hadn't been so eager for you to return to school, you wouldn't have..."
Shangguan Yanran's nose felt a little sore. Hearing this, she shook her head, "It's not your fault, Teacher. Please don't worry, someone will save us soon!"
The old man gave a wry smile, "I don't have long to live anyway, so whether I get out or not doesn't matter. As long as Yanran can escape, that's good enough!"
Shangguan Yanran's tears fell. She knew her teacher's body had been weakened by years of research, and now that he had caught a cold here, his condition had worsened again.
Even if he got out, he might not live much longer.
She felt a sense of unease. Looking at her surroundings now, she couldn't help but smile wryly: could she really escape from here?
Could that Mr. Ye really save her?
Over the past few days, she had gained some understanding of the situation here. Setting aside the mysterious masked figures, even the armed guards with guns were not a small number.
"Perhaps he himself is in danger, why should I place any hope?"
After a self-deprecating laugh, Shangguan Yanran wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. She couldn't collapse; her teacher and the other two professors were very old and still needed her care.
Just then, she suddenly heard a sound at the main entrance, like someone falling to the ground.
A few breaths later, an armed guard walked in. After looking around, he quickly walked towards her.
Shangguan Yanran's body tensed, and she couldn't help but shrink back.
It was so late, and a guard was walking towards her, making her think of unpleasant things.
As the guard got closer, Shangguan Yanran was about to shout, but the person quickly lowered their voice and said, "Don't shout, it's me!"
Shangguan Yanran was stunned for a moment, then realized, and hesitantly asked, "Are you... Mr. Ye!"
Ye Cangtian, disguised as an armed guard, took off his hat and nodded, "It's me. From now on, listen to me. I will safely get you out of here!"
Shangguan Yanran couldn't help but show a look of joy. Was she finally going to escape this place?
Since being kidnapped and brought here, she, her teacher, and other scientists had been forced to conduct various experiments every day, and sometimes they were beaten.
Even soldiers or mysterious masked figures would harass her daily. If it weren't for the fact that they, as scientists, were still useful, she would have been insulted long ago!
Now that she could finally leave, she was naturally very excited. She quickly said to the sick old man beside her, "Teacher, we can be saved!"
The old man, whose face was somewhat pale, trembled slightly and looked at Ye Cangtian, "Did China send you to save us?"
"You must be Professor Yuan, right? I received orders from above to rescue you!" Ye Cangtian had seen the old man's photo.
Professor Yuan was a top research professor who had been sent to Europe for long-term exchanges with scientists from various countries. He was also an esteemed guest professor at a renowned European university and had won multiple international awards!
Professor Yuan, upon hearing the affirmative answer, was filled with emotion and tears. He hadn't expected that China had not abandoned him and was actively working to rescue them!
Ye Cangtian didn't say much. He glanced at the older professors staying with Professor Yuan and directly distributed the items in his hands to everyone.
"The four of you change into these clothes first, and then leave with me later!"
"Mr. Ye... Mr. Ye, are there only four sets of clothes?"
Shangguan Yanran hesitated for a moment, then looked towards the hall with a hint of reluctance, "But these people are just as innocent as we are!"
Ye Cangtian shrugged and shook his head, "My mission is to get the four of you out. As for the others, I can't help them!"
He wasn't being heartless; it was simply that even getting these four Chinese scientists out was already very dangerous. How could he possibly worry about anyone else?
Besides, he had no connection with these people. Why should he save them?
Shangguan Yanran bit her lip and remained silent, but Professor Yuan sighed, "Yanran, put them on. This gentleman is right, we can barely protect ourselves now!"
A moment later!
Everyone changed into the clothes, but Ye Cangtian was a little worried about the three professors.
Although Shangguan Yanran was a woman, she was young, and her body was fine! But the three professors were much older and had been through hardship here for days, their bodies already extremely weak.
Professor Yuan, in particular, had a pale complexion, walked unsteadily, and coughed intermittently.
As he led the four of them towards the exit, Professor Yuan couldn't help but cough twice, waking up a few of the scientists.
Just as those people looked confused, Ye Cangtian glared at them fiercely, scolding them in a low voice, "What are you looking at? Go back to sleep!"
The others were so frightened that they quickly closed their eyes!