Chapter 127: Surrounding Stone Gate Village

Peng Dongli took the photo and examined it, shaking his head. "What is this? I haven't seen it before."

Tian Wenyuan also looked at the photo, equally unable to decipher its meaning.

Zhang Mingyang pulled out his phone and searched for the image online. The results appeared almost instantly: it was a photograph of a black hole.

"A black hole?"

Zhang Mingyang immediately thought of the Black Hole Organization. "Senior brother, could this have been left by the Black Hole Organization?"

"It’s highly likely." If the Black Hole Organization left a picture of a black hole, it very likely meant they were the ones who had abducted the two elders.

"I can't wait! I have to go back to my hometown immediately to check."

As Zhang Mingyang was about to leave, Peng Dongli stopped him. "Junior brother, wait a moment. Director Wang’s people will be here soon. It’s too dangerous for you to go alone right now."

"My grandparents have already been missing for days. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes. I have to go now."

With that, he broke free from Peng Dongli’s grip and ran out.

"Old Tian, what are you standing there for? Go after him!" The two men also ran out to pursue Zhang Mingyang.

Downstairs, nearby residents were gathered on the residential complex's basketball court, staring at a helicopter. It turned out that Peng Dongli and his companion had landed the helicopter directly on the basketball court to catch up with Zhang Mingyang.

Seeing the helicopter, Zhang Mingyang ran straight toward it. He climbed in, flashed his credentials, told the pilot to take off immediately, and gave him the coordinates.

*Thwack, thwack, thwack!*

As the rotors spun faster and faster, the helicopter lifted off and headed toward Shimen Village.

Having run downstairs, Peng Dongli saw the helicopter already flying away. He quickly contacted Wang Bowen, telling him that Zhang Mingyang had already set off for Shimen Village and urging him to hurry over.

After hanging up, the two men rushed to grab a taxi to the nearby high-speed railway station.

Inside the helicopter, Wang Bowen called.

"Hello, Grandpa Wang?"

"Mingyang, come back immediately. Jin Yaowen is too dangerous; you cannot go alone."

Wang Bowen’s tone was stern; he absolutely could not allow Zhang Mingyang to face Jin Yaowen by himself.

"Grandpa Wang! My grandparents have been missing for I don't know how many days. Their lives are uncertain, and I must go there immediately. They are the only family I have left; I cannot lose them."

After saying this, he hung up the phone and told the pilot to increase speed.

At this moment, Wang Bowen had just stepped off a plane and was heading to the military jurisdiction next to Jiyang Airport; he had already received authorization from his superiors to mobilize nearby troops.

Ten minutes later, the helicopter reached the sky above Shimen Village. Zhang Mingyang looked down and saw a large number of men in black suits patrolling the village. It seemed Jin Yaowen really was there.

"Sir, please drop me off at that open space at the village entrance."

Zhang Mingyang guided the pilot, and the helicopter touched down at the edge of the village.

Jumping out, Zhang Mingyang dismissed the pilot, intending to go in alone.

Arriving at the large pit at the village entrance, several men in black gathered around. They wore earpieces and carried weapons, clearly acting as bodyguards.

"Mr. Zhang, Mr. Jin has been waiting for you for a long time."

One of the bodyguards gestured for Zhang Mingyang to enter.

Escorted by two of the guards, Zhang Mingyang walked toward Liu Mingqian’s house. Along the way, he observed his surroundings, noting at least fifty bodyguards stationed around the village, some of whom appeared to be robots.

Upon reaching Liu Mingqian’s home, the bodyguard opened the courtyard gate and gestured for Zhang Mingyang to enter alone.

Stepping through the gate, Zhang Mingyang found himself once again in the familiar courtyard of Old Man Liu.

"You're here!"

In the yard, Liu Mingqian was sipping tea at a stone table. He pointed to the empty seat opposite him, signaling for Zhang Mingyang to sit.

Looking at the calm and composed Liu Mingqian before him, Zhang Mingyang could hardly believe this was a man who supposedly suffered from chronic mental illness.

Sitting down, Zhang Mingyang looked at him and asked, "Should I call you Old Man Liu, or Jin Yaowen?"

Liu Mingqian laughed at the question. He reached up to his face, peeled off a mask, and revealed the face from the video.

"Suit yourself. You can call me Old Man Liu, or Jin Yaowen—it makes no difference."

Zhang Mingyang looked at him and asked, "Where are my grandparents?"

Jin Yaowen pointed to the old house next door. "Don't worry. I’ve been your family's neighbor for a long time. Your grandparents are doing just fine; you can take them with you in a moment."

Hearing this, Zhang Mingyang was confused. "Did you abduct them just to see me?"

Jin Yaowen took a sip of tea and replied, "This might be the last time we see each other. I wanted to see you one more time before I leave."

"See me?"

Zhang Mingyang didn't understand. "I don't get it. Why have you lived next to our house for over a decade? Was it just to see me?"

"That’s right!"

Jin Yaowen nodded. "I originally wanted to just watch you wait for your death here, but I didn't expect you to join the base. I had no choice but to use this method to get you out."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhang Mingyang’s mechanical arm, his eyes flashing with a flicker of pity.

"Get me out of the base?"

Zhang Mingyang thought he had misheard. "I don't understand why you have such animosity toward the base? And why did you kill Wang Huairen?"

"I didn't kill him!"

Jin Yaowen grew agitated. At the mention of that name, his eyes turned fierce. "None of you understand. Wang Huairen was wrong. Why must you all follow him?"

"Wang Huairen was wrong?"

Zhang Mingyang asked, "Then tell me, where was he wrong? And if you oppose the construction of the Energy Ship, why are you building a spacecraft yourself?"

"You know about that?"

Jin Yaowen was surprised that Zhang Mingyang knew about his project. He smiled and replied, "That just means I was partially wrong, and I am correcting it. But you lot have been wrong from the very beginning and haven't changed a bit."

"That's not—!"

"You keep saying 'wrong, wrong, wrong!' What is it that you're actually after?"

"After?" Jin Yaowen shook his head. "I can't tell you. You mustn't get involved any further. Mingyang! Take my advice: quit this project immediately and leave that place."

"Why?"

*Bang!*

The gate was pushed open, and a bodyguard ran in, shouting, "Mr. Jin, they are here."

Jin Yaowen replied, "You all go. I will stay here."

"Yes, sir!"

With that, the bodyguard gestured, and everyone left.

"You aren't leaving?"

Zhang Mingyang watched the departing guards, confused as to why Jin Yaowen wouldn't leave.

Jin Yaowen finished his tea, stood up, and walked toward the gate. Before stepping out, he said, "Your grandparents are next door. When you see them, please convey my apologies—it was a last resort."

"Oh! I forgot to mention: if you really want to know the truth, you'll have to find it yourself."

With that, he walked out of the courtyard.

Seeing Jin Yaowen leave, Zhang Mingyang stood stunned for a moment before running out after him.

As he stepped outside, he saw Wang Bowen arriving with a large contingent of troops. Jin Yaowen was kneeling on the ground with his hands behind his head, appearing ready to surrender.