I'm not told what crime had been perpetrated, but the discovery of a tunnel dug all the way into the Summer Palace—directly threatening the Ruby Five—is enough. Such a breach constitutes high treason, worthy of top priority and Xiaohang Wang's personal attention.

  We aren't the first team to investigate, nor are we the only team currently investigating. The tunnel has been examined repeatedly by many teams, obscuring crucial clues, yet something doesn't sit right with me. Several inconsistencies nag at my intuition.

  First, the tunnel doesn't point directly to the ventilation shaft—supposedly the assassins' target. Instead, it twists and turns erratically, as if searching in the dark. Strange. If these infiltrators knew the security landscape well enough to evade every pressure plate, motion sensor, and magnetic field detector, why wouldn't they know the exact location of their objective?

  Second, the soil moisture at both ends of the tunnel is nearly identical—suggesting the entire passage was dug in one short period, not over days as everyone assumed. Others dismissed this, citing climate control systems or proximity to the lake, but my doubts persist.

  Third, where is the excavated earth? Advanced technologies like plasma boring could eliminate the need for removal, but would generate unmistakable heat signatures and noise. The reinforced tunnel walls suggest they used the earth there, but this approach would take considerably more time than simply disposing of it in nearby abandoned tunnels.

  Fourth, the tunnel is uncomfortably narrow for mid-sized man. Haojin would barely squeeze through. People instinctively dig tunnels proportionate to their own bodies, suggesting slim diggers. Yet operating heavy machinery typically requires strength and bulk.

  As I mentally draft my report, weighing which observations to include, footsteps approached from behind.

  "What have you found?" Xiaohang Wang's voice cut through my thoughts from distance, his tone sharp with urgency.

  I spin around, spine straightening automatically as I snap to attention. "Sir," I salute, my posture perfect.

  His hand slices the air dismissively. "At ease. No need for formalities when time is critical."

  "Yes, Sir." I relax slightly, getting straight to the point. "Has anyone considered that this tunnel might have been dug from top to bottom, rather than bottom up?"

  Xiaohang's eyebrows shoot up, deep creases forming across his forehead. He exchanges a meaningful glance with the tall man in military uniform beside him before nodding slowly. "Continue."

  "The underground structure here repurposes an old tunnel system, but this area is completely sealed off from abandoned passages and the subway." I gestured to the surroundings. "The only breach is near East Tianmen Station, and it's barely large enough for one person. If they dug from here, how did they bring in drilling machinery?"

  As I speak, I notice the man beside Xiaohang nodding subtly, his eyes brightening with each word. Hope flickers across his face like a newly kindled flame.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Furthermore," I continue, tracing the tunnel's path with my finger, "the section near the shaft rises perfectly vertical. That's nearly impossible when digging upward, but natural when digging downward."

  "Usually, when digging upwards, you'd create an angle," the military officer interjected, unable to contain himself. He turns to Xiaohang, a hint of admiration in his voice. "She's good."

  Xiaohang's expression remains carefully neutral as he nods once.

  The officer's brow furrows. "If they dug from above, they were already inside the compound. Why dig a tunnel at all?"

  "Because they weren't moving people," I answered, holding his gaze. "They were moving materials. What items would be impossible to bring into the Summer Palace through normal channels?"

  They exchange knowing glances, a silent conversation passing between them.

  "That explains the minimal noise and their decision to reinforce the walls rather than remove the earth," I add.

  "How so?" challenges Xiaohang, his eyes narrowing slightly.

  I point to the cracked bricks nearby. "The exit on this side is easily spotted by patrols—impossible to conceal effectively. The digging had to be quick."

  "But on the other side," I continue, my voice gaining confidence, "I suspect the entry point is somewhere rarely visited. A hole in the ground, perhaps hidden under gravel or foliage, easily disguised between patrols."

  "They could dig for months without discovery," I conclude softly.

  Both men nod, exchanging another significant look.

  “On the other hand,” I press on. "Digging from this side, I'd remove the earth and hide it in nearby abandoned tunnels. But digging from above, where in the Summer Palace could they pile dirt without raising alarms? They had no choice but to use it for reinforcement."

  "Top-down digging seems to be the only viable explanation," the officer concedes, his posture relaxing slightly.

  Xiaohang's eyes lingers on me for a moment before he nods. "Wait here," he instructs, his voice leaving no room for questions.

  They walk away, heads bent in intense conversation, moving just beyond earshot. I stand motionless, hyper-aware of every distant sound echoing through the tunnel.

  When they return, Xiaohang wears something I've not seen from him—a genuine smile that softens his usually severe features.

  "You're dismissed. Take your team somewhere nice. I'll approve the reimbursement," he says, the smallest hint of warmth in his voice.

  The officer beside him laughs, a rich sound that bounces off the tunnel walls. "Xiaohang, still so stingy?" He turns to me, producing a sleek black card from his breast pocket. "Here, take this. Anything under 100,000."

  I glance at Xiaohang, seeking permission. He nods once, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face.

  The card feels heavy in my palm.

  "Tomorrow at eight-thirty sharp, report to the South Gate. Come alone. Your team can wait nearby," Xiaohang instructs, his eyes boring into mine, searching.

  The tall officer extends his hand. "I'm Shajun Wang," he says, his grip firm around my fingers. "I'm rooting for you."

  I bow deeply, taking his hand in both of mine. I recognize the name—Director of the Central Security Bureau, responsible for security details of every senior Republic leader and head of the 8341 Unit that I've encountered before.

  They turn and leave without further ceremony, footsteps fading into silence.

  I exhale slowly, shoulders slumping as tension drained from my body. They have swallowed my fabricated analysis completely—hook, line, and sinker. Now they are inviting me into the Summer Palace itself, the beating heart of the Republic's power. A place simultaneously the most secure and most dangerous in the entire country.

  My fingers close around the bank card as resolve hardens within me. Tomorrow will bring me closer to the top—but also to the edge of disaster. One wrong step, one careless word, and everything collapses into ashes.

  I stare down the empty tunnel, its darkness a perfect mirror for what lays ahead.