A Sharp Edge Emerges From The Mist Chapter 25

Crisis reappears

The calm after the birthday dinner, like the brief and fragile gap before the storm, lasted only three days.

In the early morning of the fourth day, Lin Jianfeng was awakened by a rapid shaking sound.It’s not a phone, it’s an independent alarm that she deployed in Shen Qingwu’s apartment and is connected to several hidden monitoring nodes in the periphery.Alert level: Red, the highest level.

She woke up instantly, grabbed the pistol and communicator on the bedside table, and rolled out of bed.Almost at the same time, there was a slight sound of opening the door in the next room – Shen Qingwu also woke up.

The two of them looked at each other in the dim light of the corridor and entered a state of alert without the need for words.Lin Jianfeng gestured to Shen Qingwu to stay in the room and lock the door, while he quietly moved to the living room window and looked out through the gap in the curtains.

The street below the apartment was empty and silent, the street lights dimmed, nothing out of the ordinary.But the footage returned from the two hidden cameras she installed on the roof of the opposite building and on the corner of the block showed that a few minutes ago, two black business cars with no headlights on and their license plates covered silently parked near two different entrances and exits of the apartment building.At least six people got out of the car, moved quickly, spread out, and disappeared into the shadows of buildings or street corners.

Not the police.The police can’t be this sneaky.

“Unidentified vehicles and people are approaching. At least six people are well-trained and are approaching the building in a dispersed manner.” Lin Jianfeng lowered his voice and reported to Shen Qingwu through the micro communicator, while quickly checking the status of all electronic security systems inside the apartment.The screen showed that the public surveillance system of the building itself experienced brief signal interference ten minutes ago. Although it recovered quickly, it was enough for the other party to complete the initial infiltration in a certain blind spot.

“My personal sensors detected abnormal heat sources and vibrations at the fire exit and underground garage entrance.” Shen Qingwu’s calm voice came from the communicator, accompanied by the slight sound of her quickly operating the equipment. “They avoided the main entrance and the security sentry on the surface. The goal is very clear and they have an understanding of the building structure. I am trying to activate backup jamming and misdirection procedures to buy time.”

“Notify Qin Mo and peripheral security to be on first-level alert, but do not actively exchange fire to avoid hurting innocent people. Call the police and use an encrypted channel to directly contact the command center to report that we are threatened by unknown armed men and request special police support. However, it is stated that the other party may have monitoring police frequency equipment. The action must be secretive and quick.” Lin Jianfeng quickly issued the order and checked the pistol magazine and spare ammunition.The wound on her left shoulder has basically healed and does not affect her ability to hold the gun.

“Understood.” Shen Qingwu’s answer was concise and decisive.

A tense silence fell in the apartment.There was only the low sound of the equipment running and the gentle breathing of the two people.Lin Jianfeng guarded the only way from the living room to the entrance door, with his back against the solid load-bearing wall, the muzzle of his gun slightly lowered, and his eyes sharply scanning the door and several windows that might be breached.Shen Qingwu stayed in the relatively secluded study, monitoring the intruders’ movements through her devices, and trying to interfere with their communications and positioning.

Time passed by minute by minute, and every second seemed to be stretched out.

Shen Qingwu’s low voice came from the communicator: “They broke through the backup access control of the underground garage and are moving upward through the freight elevator shaft at a very fast speed. The jamming program worked and their internal communications were chaotic, but… they had a backup plan and divided into two groups. One group continued upward and the other turned towards the power distribution room.”

Cut off the power?Create chaos?Lin Jianfeng’s thoughts changed rapidly.”Can you pinpoint the specific location of the group of people in the power distribution room?”

“The thermal image shows that they have entered the corridor of the floor where the power distribution room is located. I am trying to remotely lock the fire door on this floor and activate the backup lighting, but it will take time to crack the physical isolation device they may have installed.” Shen Qingwu’s voice was still steady, but a trace of tension could be heard.

Suddenly, the lights overhead flickered and then went out completely!The entire apartment was plunged into darkness, with only the emergency lights and some electronic device screens emitting green or dark blue light.

The other party moved too fast!

Almost at the same moment when the power was cut off, there was an extremely slight scratching sound of metal tools prying the door lock from the direction of the entrance door of the apartment. It was extremely professional and almost inaudible.Immediately afterwards, there was a dull “click” sound as the precision components inside the door lock were violently destroyed.

Here they come!

Lin Jianfeng held his breath, tightened his body muscles, and pointed the muzzle of his gun steadily toward the door.The darkness gave both parties equal cover, and also amplified the sensitivity of their senses.She could hear her own steady heartbeat, and she could hear at least two different, extremely light breathing and footsteps outside the door.

The door was pushed open silently through a gap.

There was no immediate intrusion.The other party is very cautious, observing and listening.

A few seconds later, a slender, high-intensity tactical flashlight beam suddenly penetrated the dark living room and swept quickly!The beam of light passed over the edge of the wall where Lin Jianfeng was hiding, without stopping.

That’s it now!

The moment the light beam moved away, Lin Jianfeng jumped out from behind the wall like a cheetah. He did not fire a shot (to avoid the bullet injuring Shen Qingwu or exposing his precise position), but instead threw a high-intensity shock bomb (non-fatal, but capable of causing temporary blindness and dizziness) that he had already held in his hand in the direction of the source of the light beam at the door!

“Bang——!”

A dull explosion accompanied by a dazzling bright light exploded at the door!There were two short muffled groans and the sound of a body falling to the ground from outside the door.

Lin Jianfeng did not hesitate, lowered his body and quickly moved sideways to another bunker.Almost at the same time as she moved, a string of bullets equipped with silencers was shot from another angle outside the door, hitting the position where she had just been hiding, sparks flying everywhere!

There are more than two people on the other side!And the response is extremely fast!

“Qingwu! They’re coming in! There are at least two people outside the door to support them! The group in the power distribution room may be approaching too!” Lin Jianfeng reported quickly, and at the same time judged the approximate location of the other person outside the door based on the angle of the bullet.The darkness and the effect of the blast bombs gave her a brief advantage, but the opponent was obviously an experienced player and did not rush in blindly. Instead, he used crossfire to suppress and test.

“Received. I have activated the backup power supply, and some lighting and monitoring are being restored. Qin Mo is leading people to clear the power distribution room team from the top-level safety channel downwards, but it will take time. Hold on, support will arrive in five minutes at the fastest!” Shen Qingwu’s voice contained a subtle tremor, but the instructions were clear.

Five minutes… is long enough in a close firefight indoors.

The two attackers who were affected by the shock bombs at the door seemed to have recovered and began to move gropingly indoors. Although their movements were a little staggering, they still maintained their tactical formation.The gunman outside the door also stopped shooting blindly and seemed to be repositioning himself.

Lin Jianfeng leaned against the cold wall, breathing steadily and calculating rapidly in his brain.The opponent came prepared, with superior numbers and well-equipped equipment.Fighting hard is not the best option.We must use the terrain and darkness to deal with it and delay it.

She moved quietly, avoiding the route that might be predicted, and approached the study, not only to protect Shen Qingwu, but also to ensure that she was not surrounded.

Suddenly, there was a loud sound of broken glass coming from the direction of the study!

“Qingwu!” Lin Jianfeng’s heart tightened. That was the direction of the floor-to-ceiling windows in the study!Did they climb up from outside?Or making false claims in the east and attacking in the west?

“I’m fine! The window is bulletproof, but the outer layer is broken! They tried to break in from the outer wall, triggering the anti-intrusion current and alarm!” Shen Qingwu’s voice came immediately, with a hint of urgency, “But the alarm may reveal my specific location!”

Sure enough, the attackers at the door and outside the window seemed to have received the order at the same time, and the firepower began to pour in the direction of the study consciously!Bullets hit the thick bulletproof glass and walls, making a heart-stopping muffled sound.

Lin Jianfeng knew he couldn’t wait any longer.She must attract firepower, buy time for Shen Qingwu, and create opportunities for support to arrive.

She took a deep breath, leaned out from behind the bunker, and fired continuously in the direction of the door!The precise bursts of fire forced the attackers at the door to retreat into their bunkers, and also attracted some of the firepower outside the window.

Bullets whizzed past her, shattering vases and piercing furniture.She moved flexibly, using the complex layout and furniture of the living room as cover, constantly changing positions, while maintaining communication with Shen Qingwu using gestures and short commands.

The exchange of fire was intense but brief.Both sides are moving at high speed, looking for each other’s weaknesses.Lin Jianfeng relied on his excellent tactical qualities and rich practical experience to barely stay in the game, but his left arm was still grazed by a stray bullet, causing burning pain.At least one person on the other side was hit by her counterattack and groaned in pain.

Time seems to be stretched infinitely.Every second was filled with screams of metal, shattering glass, and strangled breaths.

Just when Lin Jianfeng felt that he was about to run out of ammunition and the pressure doubled——

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

Suddenly there was a clear gunshot from downstairs that was different from the silencer!Then came the sound of rapid footsteps and a majestic order: “Police! Put down your weapons!”

The SWAT is here!

Almost at the same time, the communication system inside the apartment was restored, and Qin Mo’s urgent but clear voice came: “Mr. Shen! The power distribution room team has been controlled! We are cleaning the floor!”

The attackers outside the door obviously did not expect that police support arrived so quickly, and that they came from both the inside and outside.There was a flurry of shouts and retreat orders coming over their communication channel.

Lin Jianfeng seized the opportunity, rushed out from behind the bunker with all his strength, and shot an attacker who was about to retreat at the door in the leg, knocking him down.The other attacker hurriedly fought back, and the bullets flew past her ears, but she did not pause. She used a standard tactic to roll close and hit the opponent’s neck hard with the handle of the pistol!

The attacker groaned and fell to the ground.

The attacker climbing outside the window also quickly disappeared, leaving only the shattered window glass and the harsh sound of the rappelling rope rubbing against the outer wall.

In just a few dozen seconds, the battle came to an abrupt end.

The apartment was in a mess and smelled of smoke and dust.All emergency lighting was on, clearly illuminating the broken glass, bullet holes and fallen attackers on the ground.

Lin Jianfeng leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. Blood oozed from the wound on his left arm, staining his sleeves red.She looked towards the study room.

The study door opened and Shen Qingwu walked out quickly.Her face was a little pale, but her expression was calm, and she was holding a small but obviously powerful gun in her hand.Seeing the blood on Lin Jianfeng’s arm, her pupils shrank and she rushed over immediately.

“You’re hurt!” Her voice was filled with anxiety that could not be concealed.

“Small injury, nothing to worry about.” Lin Jianfeng waved his hand and glanced at the subdued attacker, “Take care of the scene first.”

The special police and security personnel led by Qin Mo quickly controlled the entire floor, counted the number of people, rescued the wounded (including the attacker), and collected evidence.Preliminary confirmation showed that there were eight attackers in total, all carrying professional weapons and climbing and blasting tools. Their target was clearly directed at Shen Qingwu’s apartment, and they had a good understanding of the building’s structure and security weaknesses.

The crisis is temporarily over.

But both Lin Jianfeng and Shen Qingwu knew that this was just the beginning.

The other party was no longer satisfied with warnings and tests, but directly launched a fatal surprise attack.

Their positions, their alliances, and the secrets they hold have been completely exposed to the muzzle of the “Undercurrent”.

There is no way to retreat.

Next time, it will only be more dangerous.

Shen Qingwu carefully made a temporary bandage for the simple wound on Lin Jianfeng’s arm, his fingertips trembling slightly.Lin Jianfeng held her hand and felt the coldness in her palm.

“It’s okay.” Lin Jianfeng whispered with firm eyes, “The more they act like this, the closer we are to the truth.”

Shen Qingwu raised his head and looked at Lin Jianfeng, at the blood seeping out of her arms and the unyielding light in her eyes.The fear and panic in her heart were miraculously relieved by this force.

She held Lin Jianfeng’s hand tightly with her backhand and nodded vigorously.

Outside the window, police lights flashed, illuminating the deepest darkness before dawn.

The crisis reappears, but they are still together.

The battle is far from over.