NEC Chapter 31: Stargazing and Cihang

Lin Xiangdong, the section chief of the Comprehensive Division of the East Xia Military Security Bureau.

His name alone suggested a hint of family influence.

However, he had now been relieved of his position.

On the day he received the order from his superiors, he was taken to an independent interrogation room at the Security Bureau. All surveillance equipment was turned off, and before leaving, the minister activated a high-powered signal jammer.

The gravity of the situation sent chills down his spine, making him briefly wonder if his father, a senior military officer, had committed treason.

Then, the person who entered the room made him stand up in excitement.

The highest-ranking leader of East Xia’s central authority, Cangming.

“Comrade Lin Xiangdong, greetings. Given the urgency, I’ll get straight to the point.”

“We have reviewed your entire record. Both the Central Office and the Ministry of State Security hold you in high regard as a politically reliable, highly capable, and exceptionally talented professional. Now, the nation has a special mission and would like to invite your participation.”

Lin Xiangdong stood tall, eyes fixed forward, his voice booming through the interrogation room: “Please issue your orders, sir. I will resolutely complete the mission!”

“Hold on, hear me out first.”

“If you accept this mission, you will no longer have any personal privacy. Your movements will be fully monitored, your communication devices will be under 24-hour control, and every external contact you make will require approval. All conversations must be faithfully reported.”

“You will be permanently prohibited from leaving East Xia’s borders, publishing any content on public or personal media, or speaking in public without authorization.”

“Your future life partner will also undergo rigorous scrutiny. If you marry, to preserve necessary privacy, there will inevitably be times when you are not under surveillance. As a result, your spouse’s external communications will be subject to the same level of oversight as yours.”

“I must emphasize that these restrictions will not end upon completion or termination of your mission. They will persist throughout your life and even extend to all family members you wish to maintain contact with.”

“I think you need to consider this carefully!”

What was there to consider?

Lin Xiangdong felt his blood surge, his pounding heart seeming to beat out a battle anthem in his chest.

This was the treatment reserved for the nation’s titans in times past.

To bear the weight of the nation’s destiny and leave a mark in history!

Yes, he might live in obscurity, his name hidden until his death, perhaps even remaining classified for years to come.

But what did that matter?

For a son of East Xia with a deep sense of patriotism, could such temptation be resisted?

“Reporting to the leader, I confirm my willingness to accept the mission and obey any arrangements from the state. I will complete the task at all costs!”

His voice roared like thunder, expending every ounce of his strength.

“Good!” Cangming stood, extending his hand for a firm handshake with Lin Xiangdong.

“Comrade Xiangdong, starting now, you have two days. Personnel from Division One will accompany you to handle your personal affairs and say goodbye to your family. At this time the day after tomorrow, I’ll be waiting for you at Changle Palace.”

“From then on, you’ll reside in Changle Palace, and we’ll be working closely together!”

To be honest, for a fleeting moment, Lin Xiangdong felt that parents weren’t all that important, even a bit of a hindrance.

Bidding farewell to his chain-smoking father and tearful mother, Lin Xiangdong moved into the dormitory at Changle Palace’s Tongguang Hall, just a wall away from Linhua Hall.

There, he met his two colleagues. One was Chi Qiu, a refined man wearing half-rimmed black glasses, his gaze calm and focused behind the lenses. The other was Zheng Ran, tall with a buzz cut that gave him a crisp, scholarly air.

As someone from the Security Bureau, Lin Xiangdong quickly sensed, after brief exchanges with his colleagues, that this mission likely didn’t rely on physical force. Though all three had military or law enforcement backgrounds, they leaned toward administrative roles, the kind that required brainpower.

On the second day after settling in, Cangming personally announced the work protocols.

“Remember, under no circumstances is any one of you allowed to guard or handle the beacon alone! At least two or more personnel must be present.”

“It is strictly forbidden to disclose the beacon’s true information to anyone outside your trio. Subordinate personnel and departments may only receive your task directives and are not permitted to engage in any unnecessary communication beyond the mission’s objectives.”

“Sending information to any third party, other than myself, requires all three of you to be present or my personal presence…”

Cangming issued over a dozen directives, requiring the three to recite them separately before explaining the specific mission.

Lin Xiangdong, Chi Qiu, and Zheng Ran would form a core team codenamed [Stargazing], leading a newly established organization, authorized by East Xia’s central authority with near-unlimited access to national resources: the [Cihang] Project Command Office.

Contrary to expectations of earth-shattering tasks, the work was mind-numbingly tedious. As team leader, Lin Xiangdong’s daily routine consisted of reading, patrolling, patrolling, and more reading, all while guarding the ever-silent “beacon” that no one knew when it would awaken.

Sitting outside the isolation chamber once again, he opened the book My Back is a Torrent of Steel. Barely a few lines in, a sharp, distinctive alarm blared.

Lin Xiangdong sprang to his feet, exchanging a quick glance with Chi Qiu, who was on duty opposite him. They simultaneously adjusted their chest-mounted recorders, thumbs pressing heavily on the communicator buttons. Their devices were specially designed, requiring both to activate for issuing public directives to the project office.

With a slightly trembling voice, Lin Xiangdong issued a long-rehearsed string of commands.

“All on-duty personnel, evacuate immediately and proceed to Office Area Three for standby.”

“Notify the translation team, external liaison team, expert team, and analysis team to assume work positions and enter Level One response status. Other teams, Level Two response.”

“Security team! Seal all entrances and exits to the Cihang Office. Execute top-level lockdown! Silent protocol!”

After issuing the orders, Lin Xiangdong quickly opened his specialized encrypted phone, sending a pre-set combination of numbers and text to the only programmed number: “To Central Office: 0729—Wanderer Returns!”

Once everything was done, he confirmed via the surveillance screen that all peripheral personnel had reached safe positions. Standing side by side with Chi Qiu, they placed their palms on the door. After fingerprint, iris, and triple-password verification, a soft “click” sounded, and the heavy outer door of the top-secret vault slowly opened, revealing the second-layer observation area.

“I’m entering the inner vault!” Lin Xiangdong issued the concise order.

Chi Qiu hesitated for a brief moment before nodding. “Alright! Stay safe!” He swiftly moved to the control console, operating it with precision as he reported a series of data: “Geiger counter 0.20 μSv/h, radiation levels normal; aerosol concentration below threshold, air cleanliness standard met; rapid virus screening normal; microbial slot normal…”

“Entry permitted!”

>>> NEXT CHAPTER