Chapter 23 Warm Welcome

Han Xiao looked at the red-haired woman, unflinching.

The dagger stopped abruptly three centimeters from his carotid artery, the sudden shift in motion demonstrating impressive control over her body. A fierce glint flashed in the red-haired woman's eyes. "Why didn't you dodge?"

"Why should I?"

"You think I wouldn't dare to stab you?"

"You can try."

Han Xiao's expression remained normal. Beneath his clothes, where the red-haired woman couldn't see, the magnetically controlled extension armor had already crept up near his collar, ready to protect his neck at any moment. That was why he was so unafraid.

Besides, the fact that she could swagger into the military camp meant she was probably an agent from Hai Xia. She wouldn't really make a move. This was likely a test or an attempt to intimidate him. Choosing him as her target had annoyed Han Xiao slightly, and his gaze turned subtly more oppressive.

A chill suddenly ran down the red-haired woman's spine, and she didn't know where the feeling came from. Steadying herself, she snorted coldly, "Wen Na, from Military Intelligence."

As soon as she finished speaking, Wen Na suddenly felt something pressing into her abdomen. Looking down, she saw the barrel of a large-caliber handgun against her stomach.

Only then did Han Xiao smile. "Han Xiao."

So fast! I didn't even see him draw his gun!

Wen Na's pupils shrank. She retracted her dagger, and Han Xiao put away his gun as well.

"I'll remember that."

Wen Na turned and left.

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. "The Hai Xia people are indeed unfriendly. I hope they don't hold me back..."

...

After walking a distance, Wen Na let out a soft sigh of relief, only then noticing beads of cold sweat on her temples. Her expression was a little grave.

That Xing Long agent gave her a feeling... of great danger!

Wen Na returned to the Hai Xia agents' lounge. Ye Fan asked with a smile, "Any discoveries?"

Wen Na took a sip of water to moisten her dry throat and said in a low voice, "That Han Xiao might be very hard to deal with."

"Han Xiao?"

Based on her description of his appearance, Ye Fan tried to recall.

That guy had been keeping a low profile ever since they got off the train. It seemed like he only showed a strange expression when he heard his name.

"A weird one," Ye Fan concluded.

...

Han Xiao finished his cigarette, stubbed it out, and walked back to the lounge.

Qi Baijia looked over and suddenly asked, "Did anything happen?"

"Yeah, I saw a sow fall into a ditch."

Qi Baijia looked embarrassed. "Can you be serious?"

"Then nothing happened." Han Xiao picked at his ear. Since it had only been a harmless test, he didn't want to make it widely known. Partly for the sake of the mission, and partly because he didn't see a need to act impulsively.

In his mind, enemies were divided into three categories. The first were those who were in conflict with him over pride or infringed upon his interests. The second were enemies who wanted to kill him, threatening his life. The third was nemesis-level enemies, involving not only hatred but also conflicts of interest; Germination was one such example. Faced with Germination, the highest-priority enemy, conflicts over pride would have to wait in the queue.

Qi Baijia gave Han Xiao a deep look. His seat was by the window, giving him a clear view of the doorway. He had seen everything that had just happened. He had been on many overseas missions and knew that foreign agents would test and intimidate them. This was almost an unwritten rule. Agents were all proud and arrogant. Without demonstrating strength, they would have no say. Complaining to superiors would only result in ridicule.

A hint of approval appeared in Qi Baijia's eyes. He was very satisfied with Han Xiao's performance. He had not lost their dignity, and he was glad Han Xiao had kept it a secret. He thought to himself, "This guy has both strength and a good sense of the bigger picture."

...

"They didn't fight?"

After hearing the adjutant's report, Kelter nodded with satisfaction.

"Good. It seems those Xing Long people know whose territory this is."

...

Soon it was time to set off, and everyone arrived at the border exit. Ye Fan led Wen Na and a dozen other agents, ready to depart.

The first stop of the mission was a location far from Raven Forest Town, where one of Hai Xia's abandoned secret strongholds would serve as a temporary base.

The Thirteenth Bureau's vehicles had been transported by train. They were all normal off-road vehicles, except for Han Xiao's Big Black, which stood out from the rest, rumbling off with his teammates.

This time, he drove smoothly and steadily. Li Yalin was so moved that she almost cried. The other three teammates crammed into the cab were confused, unable to understand why Li Yalin looked like she had narrowly escaped death.

The journey would take about half a day. The Hai Xia convoy led the way, with the Thirteenth Bureau following behind.

Suddenly, the Hai Xia convoy accelerated, gradually increasing the distance between them. Di Su Su and Ma Qingyang, seeing this, also sped up to catch up.

Only Han Xiao drove Big Black, unhurriedly bringing up the rear.

"Brother Xiao, we should hurry up and catch up!" Lin Yao said anxiously.

Han Xiao held the steering wheel with one hand, while the other rested on the windowsill, letting the wind blow past, and said casually, "What's the point of catching up? No matter how fast they run, they'll have to slow down and wait for me anyway."

"That's true, but..."

*Crackle*—Di Su Su's laughter came over the radio. "Little Lin Lin, where have you disappeared to? Hurry up and catch up. Could it be that Brother Han Xiao's driving skills aren't up to par?"

"Waste of gas," Han Xiao said succinctly.

Di Su Su was stunned. This was the first time she had heard such a refreshingly unconventional excuse. Did they, as agents, need to worry about the cost of gas?

Ma Qingyang spoke on the comms, "Old Zhang, this is the Hai Xia people flexing their muscles. We can't show weakness!"

Zhang Wei thought for a few seconds, then patted Han Xiao on the shoulder, saying, "Catch up to them."

Li Yalin's face turned pale, and she hurriedly grabbed Zhang Wei's sleeve. "No, Captain, this speed is just fine!"

"What are you so afraid of?" Zhang Wei asked, puzzled.

"Captain, isn't being alive a good thing?!" Li Yalin's voice was trembling, on the verge of tears.

Zhang Wei was baffled and confused.

"Really catch up?" Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.

"Really catch up," Zhang Wei nodded.

Han Xiao sighed and skillfully shifted gears. "Then you guys hold on tight."

Li Yalin looked terrified, clutching the door handle with all her might, her teeth chattering.

"Y-you'll all regret this."

...

In the afternoon, the group arrived at their destination.

After everyone got out of their vehicles, they all cast gazes mixed with fear, astonishment, and disbelief at the black heavy truck at the front. Recalling what they had just experienced, they all shuddered.

As experienced agents, they had seen "S" turns and "Z" turns, but this was the first time they had seen "&" turns! And they had been going faster than anyone else!

This wasn't drifting! This was about to take off!

The heavy truck driver must have been drinking fake liquor!

Zhang Wei, Lin Yao, and Li Yalin stumbled out of the car, grabbed onto a nearby tree, and vomited until the sky and earth turned dark, the sun and moon lost their light, and the stars shattered. They wished they could be reborn.

"Gah—"

"F-feeling like I'm going to die, gah—"

"I told you you'd regret it, gah—"

Han Xiao got out of the car leisurely, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, and squinted at them. "You were the ones who wanted me to catch up."

"H-have you been driving bumper cars before?!"

Han Xiao curled his lip. Bumper cars? That was an insult. This brother used to drive mechs!

Lambert got out of the car, his steps steady, as if nothing had happened. Han Xiao's eyes lit up. "See, there are still normal people."

Lambert wanted to say something to Han Xiao, but as soon as he opened his lips, vomit poured out like a waterfall. After it had all flowed out, Lambert said emotionlessly:

"If you touch the steering wheel again, I'll jump out of the car."

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