Chapter 144: Something Huge is About to Happen

“Damn, Vermin really is everywhere,” Mo Shu slammed his fist on the table and said sharply.

“Hey, there’s no other way. We’re basically opening the door for business now; we have to deal with all kinds of people,” Wang Yu shook his head.

“By the way, didn’t you have something to tell me?” Wang Yu asked.

“Don’t mention it. I was just a step too late.” Mo Shu pointed out the window but still couldn’t figure out whether the external telemetry system had a direct connection to Simon’s accident.

At that moment, Wang Yu’s assistant pushed the door open, holding a large envelope.

“Mr. Wang, I’ve taken care of the matter you assigned,” the assistant handed the envelope to Wang Yu and bowed slightly before leaving.

Wang Yu tossed the envelope in front of Mo Shu and nodded toward it, as if urging him to open it.

Mo Shu eyed it suspiciously, tearing it open while asking, “What’s going on? Why all the secrecy?”

“I thought the situation was a bit complicated, so I had someone check all the contestants with incomplete records. It turns out that Guan Mie and another person have problematic files too, so I asked an old friend to dig up some intel for me.”

“Really? Is this envelope what you got?”

“Yeah, take a look. I guess you’re more anxious than I am.” Wang Yu nodded.

“Well done, Old Wang!” Mo Shu eagerly pulled out two stacks of documents and began examining them carefully.

“Gao Fei!”

As soon as he read the first line, Mo Shu couldn’t help but growl lowly.

“What’s wrong? Tell me.”

“Old Wang, from the very beginning we were going down the wrong path. This Fan Yu isn’t a Vermin agent at all.”

“Then who is he?”

Mo Shu didn’t answer but instead threw the first stack of documents toward Wang Yu.

“Fan Hulin?” Wang Yu read the name slowly.

“Yes, Fan Hulin is actually Guan Mie’s real name,” Mo Shu emphasized.

“So, does that mean Fan Hulin and Fan Yu are likely family?” Wang Yu furrowed his brows.

“Definitely. Have you forgotten? Both come from southern Huaxia.”

“Wow, this just got interesting. Let’s see what the other file says.”

Mo Shu looked down and Wang Yu even noticed Mo Shu take a sharp breath.

“What’s written? Hurry up.”

“The young man who just defeated Simon Alto was also using an alias. His real name is Fan Fei.”

“My god!”

Wang Yu suddenly felt a heavy weight pressing down on him, leaning back in his chair.

“Fan Yu, Fan Fei—Jade and Emerald—these two have to be brothers. Looks like Guan Mie came to compete with his two sons. No wonder... no wonder...” Mo Shu pondered.

“How come I didn’t realize earlier? We should have investigated Guan Mie’s background from the start,” Wang Yu said regretfully.

“But... one thing doesn’t add up. Why is Ai Chixiang involved with them?” Mo Shu suddenly recalled the screenshot on the computer.

Just then, a photo dropped at Mo Shu’s feet, face down, with a small line of writing on the back.

“Confirmed by the hospital, this person is Ai Chixiang. Please review, Mr. Wang.”

“Ai Chixiang’s photo?” Mo Shu murmured as he picked it up and flipped it over.

“Damn!”

“What now?” Wang Yu was startled by Mo Shu’s reaction.

Mo Shu shook his head with disdain and handed the photo to Wang Yu, muttering repeatedly, “So tragic... so tragic...”

Wang Yu took the photo and was equally shocked.

The image showed a hospital ward. A person lay on the bed, entirely wrapped in bandages, making it impossible to tell if it was really Ai Chixiang.

Wang Yu examined the nursing card hanging by the bedside, but the photo’s low resolution made the details almost unreadable.

The only thing he could barely make out was the department name.

“Burn unit...” Wang Yu squinted and read aloud.

“Damn... maybe Ai Chixiang’s just fuel for those three father and sons,” Mo Shu wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or worried.

“That fast? Ai Chixiang was fine in the video, and now he’s burned like this in no time?” Wang Yu expressed doubt.

“Maybe for others, no. But that’s Guan Mie—a villain with the ultimate system,” Mo Shu slammed the documents on the table and walked to the window, feeling downcast.

*Ring~~~*

Suddenly, Mo Shu’s phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number.

“Shh... maybe it’s Guan Mie,” Mo Shu gestured to Wang Yu.

Wang Yu nodded, signaling him to put the call on speaker.

“Hello?” Mo Shu answered.

“......” Silence on the other end.

“Hello? Who’s this?” Mo Shu glanced at the screen; the call was connected, but no one spoke.

Frowning, Mo Shu’s finger moved toward the hang-up button just as a voice finally came through.

“Is this Mo Shu?” It wasn’t Guan Mie but a woman’s voice, somewhat familiar.

“Yes, speaking. Who is this?” Mo Shu exchanged a look with Wang Yu.

“I’m Vermin.” The voice was direct and crisp, and Mo Shu almost dropped his phone.

Wang Yu blinked rapidly, urging Mo Shu to stay calm.

“Ahem, quite a surprise. How did you get my number? What do you want?”

“Getting your number was easy. I’m calling to warn you—your current situation is extremely dangerous.” Vermin’s voice remained cold and composed.

“What do you mean?”

“Guan Mie is very dangerous. I suggest you cancel the competition and evacuate the crowd immediately.”

“You think it’s that simple, just cancel it?”

“Tell me, have my two Revered Ones lost their matches?”

“Yes, they lost, and quite badly,” Mo Shu was surprised at how fast Vermin got the information.

“Here’s the thing: the two Revered Ones and all their staff are now out of contact with me. So I’m trying to reach you for help,” Vermin continued.

“Really? Didn’t expect Vermin to be powerless sometimes,” Mo Shu scoffed.

“I’m not joking,” Vermin’s tone turned slightly displeased but she pressed on, “Also, the other three Revered Ones reportedly received Simon Alto’s distress signal and are rushing to Nanshan in Huaxia. I can’t reach them either.”

“If you can’t contact them, I’m even more helpless,” Mo Shu felt the pressure mounting as all the Revered Ones seemed to be converging on Nanshan.

“Not only that, your people—your racing team’s lead drivers, Geng Hua and Wang Qing, and your young girlfriend Wang Yining—reports say they’re also en route to Nanshan. If they haven’t informed you, there’s a strong chance someone set a trap,” Vermin’s voice remained steady.

“That’s impossible. They should’ve notified us before leaving,” Mo Shu refused to believe it.

“What if I told you Guan Mie’s specialty is ‘Racing Radio Engineering Technology’ and ‘Automotive Circuit Systems’? If he can control racing radios, do you think your phones or your friends’ phones are safe from him?”

“But how come my phone and Wang Yu’s are still working?” Mo Shu still doubted.

“That I don’t know. Maybe it’s to avoid raising your suspicions, or perhaps he has some other purpose and hasn’t acted yet. You’ll have to ask him yourself. Besides, if it weren’t to save my Revered Ones, I wouldn’t be calling you,” Vermin said patiently.

“Save the Revered Ones? You want me to rescue them? Why didn’t you come yourself?” Mo Shu retorted.

“Me? I’m on my way. See you soon.” With that, Vermin hung up.

Mo Shu stared at his phone, stunned for a full ten seconds before looking up at Wang Yu.

Wang Yu was even more dumbfounded, his eyes vacant and lips slightly parted.