In April, Yunzhou City experienced an unusual chill despite the warmth of spring. While everything appeared calm on the surface, a hidden surge of turbulence was quietly stirring beneath.
Since the discovery of a member of the "Dark Abyss" organization found dead in a dark alley, the police had suspected that the organization was undergoing an internal power struggle, one that remained largely unknown. The apparent calm on the surface was merely a precursor to a larger conspiracy.
The Special Task Force of the Criminal Investigation Bureau had been monitoring suspicious individuals' activities for several days. Meanwhile, the technical department had analyzed foreign data streams and uncovered several encrypted communications linked to old underground facilities in the city. Su Wanqing reviewed the analysis report, her frown deepening as she read.
"This isn't a single operation," she tapped the table, speaking with a calm yet urgent tone. "They're laying the groundwork for something bigger."
Just then, Lu Chenzhou entered the meeting room holding new intelligence obtained from an informant. "The information indicates that a group of unidentified individuals has been frequenting an abandoned chemical plant in the northern part of the city. It's rumored to be the new command center for 'Dark Abyss.'"
"They won't wait much longer," Su Wanqing lifted her gaze, a cold glint in her eyes.
The two decided to split their efforts for investigation. Su Wanqing utilized forensic systems and the physical evidence division to analyze old cases in an attempt to uncover any common logic behind the past attacks of "Dark Abyss." Meanwhile, Lu Chenzhou led a team for a field investigation, collecting physical evidence related to the suspicious activities.
On the third night, Su Wanqing stayed late at the bureau. She reviewed "Dark Abyss" related files from the past three years, and a particular document caught her attention—an engineer named "Zheng Hongyue," who had been forced by "Dark Abyss" five years ago to design a remote detonation device. The case had been closed after Zheng Hongyue supposedly died in a "car accident," but the case had ended abruptly.
After enlarging the image of the accident, Su Wanqing noticed that what had been described as an "accident" appeared far more like a meticulously disguised murder. She quickly locked onto the security company Zheng Hongyue had worked for at the time and found a staff photo that revealed a man in the corner who looked strikingly similar to the "Dark Abyss" wanted criminal, Ma Zhenkun.
Realizing the significance of the clue, Su Wanqing decided to investigate Zheng Hongyue's former residence that very night. She didn't inform Lu Chenzhou, merely leaving a message for him to check it when he woke up.
However, she didn't anticipate that someone had been tracking her movements.
At 2 AM, Su Wanqing arrived at the apartment. As she opened the door, she immediately sensed something was off—the air felt unnaturally still. She was about to leave when a shadow rushed toward her from behind. A bag was thrown over her head, and a powerful anesthetic took effect instantly.
Meanwhile, Lu Chenzhou woke up at the bureau, saw her message, and his heart skipped a beat. He quickly contacted the satellite system to locate her. The GPS signal stopped at the southern part of the city—and then vanished.
"Something's wrong!" He growled and immediately led his team to the location.
When Su Wanqing regained consciousness, she found herself bound in an abandoned garage. The surroundings were filled with rusted tools and old machinery, the dim light casting eerie shadows. A masked man stood coldly watching her.
"You've asked too many questions," he said, his voice raspy. "At first, we only wanted you to be quiet, but Lu Chenzhou… He's always been our target."
Su Wanqing showed no fear. Instead, she smirked coldly. "So, you plan to use me to lure him in?"
"Smart, but useless." The man picked up a cable and approached her. "This time, no one is coming to save you."
Before he could make another move, a gunshot suddenly rang out as the roof was blown open and the skylight shattered. The next second, a SWAT team burst through the doors from all directions. Lu Chenzhou was at the front, kicking open the side door of the garage and charging straight toward the target.
"Let her go!"
The black-clad man, in a panic, tried to fight back, but he was quickly subdued. Su Wanqing was freed, her wrists bruised and bloodied, but her mind remained sharp. Her first glance was at Lu Chenzhou, whose face remained serious, though his eyes betrayed his worry and urgency.
"I'm fine." She smiled weakly. "Next time, I should listen to you and wait for you to act with me."
Lu Chenzhou furrowed his brows, his voice deep. "This is the last time you act alone. If it happens again, no matter who you are, I'll lock you in my office."
Su Wanqing froze for a moment, then chuckled softly.
The immediate crisis was averted, but the technical department quickly decrypted more shocking information from the communications equipment carried by the black-clad men.
"According to the decryption, this group of 'Dark Abyss' members plans to carry out a series of bombings in three days during the trial run of Yunzhou City's Subway Line 3. The targets include five stations and two central hubs."
The city-wide alarm was immediately raised.
The battle was far from over. Su Wanqing and Lu Chenzhou exchanged a glance, both of them understanding clearly: this was the beginning of a direct confrontation with "Dark Abyss." The murders, kidnappings, infiltration, and poisoning were just the prelude.
Now, the true tide of darkness had begun to rise.