Chapter 35: The Chemical Plant

After spending a day dealing with their personal matters, the two contacted Ye Tang. To test them, Ye Tang took them to another city. No one noticed the car following behind them; the driver was none other than Li Ning. Ever since seeing Du Bin’s necklace on the mail ship, Li Ning had been curious about what he was hiding, especially after seeing that girl. Fortunately, he had secretly installed a tracker on Du Bin’s phone beforehand.

Ye Tang drove into a remote mountainous area. After getting out of the car, she pointed to a large factory not far away and said, “Do you see that chemical plant? First, I want to test your abilities. There’s a vampire here. Your task is to infiltrate the factory, identify the vampire, and lure him to a spot I’ll specify.”

“There’s really a vampire inside?” Hu Guozheng scratched his head in bewilderment, pointing toward the chemical plant several hundred meters away.

“Fatty, are you doubting my abilities?” Ye Tang rested her sword on Hu Guozheng’s shoulder. Fatty shook his head frantically, “I wouldn’t dare.”

“We’re not just supposed to go in there empty-handed to hunt vampires, are we?” Du Bin, considering safety, wanted to confirm how they were expected to deal with vampires.

“What’s wrong with going in empty-handed?” Ye Tang replied.

“We’re just regular people. Without weapons, we’re at a disadvantage.”

Ye Tang was speechless with him. “Ha, do you think you’re going to eliminate the vampire inside? Even if I gave you weapons, could you handle it?”

Du Bin realized the question was unnecessary. “So, our goal isn’t to eliminate it.”

“Of course not. Your only task is to find the target and lure it out. That’s all.”

“I understand,” Du Bin nodded.

“Once inside, you must follow my instructions completely.” Ye Tang took two walkie-talkies and a pair of glasses from the car and handed them to them.

“What are these glasses for?” Du Bin asked, puzzled.

“So dense! If I gave them to you, of course there’s a reason. The glasses can detect hidden vampires. The lenses are specially processed to see the aura; anyone surrounded by black mist is your target.”

“That’s pretty advanced—must be expensive,” Hu Guozheng said, trying on Du Bin’s glasses and looking around.

“A million, nothing more. Be careful with them; if you break them, you’ll have to pay.” In truth, the glasses were just cheap trinkets, but Ye Tang wouldn’t let them know.

“I’ll just give you Little Du as compensation, how about that?”

“Cough, cough. Let’s get serious now, Fatty, quit fooling around.” Du Bin glared at him, but Hu Guozheng ignored his words.

“Whatever means you use, you must lure him to the back mountain. I’ll be waiting there,” Ye Tang said, then turned and drove away.

“What sort of test is this? We have to rely on our own abilities, and lure him to the back mountain?” Hu Guozheng spat in dissatisfaction, sitting on a pillar by the roadside.

Before long, the two carefully observed the chemical factory’s layout and quickly found a way in. They had acquired intel by paying out of their own pockets; the informant told them there would be an employee meeting at eight tonight.

After hearing the news, they nodded at each other, deciding to blend in during the chaos tonight. As for Ye Tang, she had nothing else to do, so she lay in her car for a nap.

Night gradually fell, heavy clouds looming, giving off an uneasy feeling. In a dark corner, two shadows suddenly appeared.

Du Bin and Hu Guozheng leaned against the wall, observing from afar as many people walked in groups. They had already arranged with their contact and wore employee uniforms to blend in. The security guards were briefly suspicious but eventually let them through.

Following the crowd, the two soon arrived at an elegant building. After careful observation, they saw that the lobby was quite spacious, making it difficult to scan everyone at a glance.

Eventually, they found a remote spot with a good view and sat down. Hu Guozheng, trying to look cool, put on the glasses.

“We made it inside. Next step is to wait for them to come out,” Du Bin said, fitting the walkie-talkie earpiece and choosing an unused channel.

“Be careful not to alert anyone. I know you’re not strong enough, so just try to lure him to me. If you can’t, use the necklace to restrain him,” Ye Tang’s voice came through.

Du Bin saw more and more people arriving, soon filling the hall. Then a female host took the stage with a microphone.

“Any sign yet?”

“None. Doesn’t seem to be here.” Hu Guozheng examined everyone carefully but saw no one surrounded by black mist.

“Look closer. Use your bear instincts.”

“Are you complimenting or criticizing me?”

“Fatty, check this guy, he seems odd.” Du Bin glanced at the entrance and saw a security guard closing the doors. Someone walked in, and Du Bin immediately felt he was peculiar, especially his eyes.

“More than odd, even his body isn’t normal.” Hu Guozheng followed Du Bin’s gaze; the glasses revealed a black aura.

Perhaps because they made too much noise, the man turned his gaze toward them, startling both. They pretended to remain calm, listening to the host.

Whether by accident or intention, the man sat not far behind them. This left them too nervous to do anything, so they communicated with hand gestures.

Du Bin grimaced, and Hu Guozheng nodded decisively. Once sure, Du Bin took out his phone and messaged Ye Tang.

The message read: “Target found. He’s sitting right behind me. He seems to sense something off about us. What should we do?”

At that moment, Ye Tang, having woken up hungry, drove to the city to find something to eat. She received Du Bin’s message and replied while eating: “Handle it as you see fit.”

“Damn!” Du Bin nearly shouted aloud. Hu Guozheng kicked him, asking what was wrong. After reading the message, both could only sigh in resignation.

“Dear leaders and employees, the staff meeting will now begin. Please welcome our Chairman Li to speak.” The host finished and clapped her hands, prompting enthusiastic applause.

An elderly man with white hair slowly walked to the stage, looking to be well over sixty.

“More pointless speeches. I can’t stand these,” Hu Guozheng complained about the routine orations.

“Shh! Quiet!”

The chairman continued talking about the factory’s achievements. When he finished, an hour and a half had passed. Most people sat through the ordeal, listless, until finally the host said the most beloved words: “Meeting adjourned.” The employees surged out like a tidal wave, relieved to escape.

Taking advantage of the dispersing crowd, the two slipped out. Once everyone left, the hall grew quiet and dark, all lights extinguished.

“Where to now?”

“Follow that man.”