Chapter 134: Venturing Aboard, The Secret of the Sacred Mountain

After hearing this, Song Kai was at a loss for words. No normal person would participate in such an event, especially given Joel’s high social standing.

Song Kai pointed at Joel and said, “Have you lost your mind to believe in this nonsense?”

Joel was momentarily stunned. “I know I’m wrong, but the leader truly has extraordinary powers. He is immortal, incredibly powerful, able to command clouds and mist. His abilities are beyond belief. You just have to trust me.”

Song Kai scratched his head and turned to Danlina. “It seems this guy has been brainwashed. Maybe we should just kill him outright.”

“Agreed.” Danlina aimed her gun at Joel.

Joel immediately shouted, “I’m telling the truth, really, it’s all true!”

With a dismissive wave, Song Kai threw a punch that knocked Joel unconscious.

Song Kai muttered in disbelief, “I can’t believe it. Joel, with such a lofty position and such profound knowledge, actually believes in these things.”

Xu Ling looked at Song Kai and said, “You don’t need to be surprised. Have you forgotten the uproar recently over Park Jin-hye from Han State being put on trial?”

Song Kai looked at Xu Ling, puzzled.

Xu Ling continued, “Actually, Park Jin-hye could defend herself against other charges, but when it came to the sinking of the Han State Suìyuè ship, she had no defense. In truth, that was a sacrificial ritual, a ceremony using hundreds of university students to appease the gods.”

Danlina nodded beside him. “That’s true. Interpol once intervened in the investigation.”

Song Kai was speechless.

Xu Ling added, “Our country, Huaxia, is largely atheistic, so you find these sacrificial ceremonies unbelievable. But abroad, such practices are far more common than you’d imagine. Their fear and longing for the divine run deep.”

“Alright,” Song Kai admitted, realizing his own ignorance.

Danlina stood up. “I’m contacting our headquarters in New York for backup and reporting to the Asa State government. We’ll ask them to send reinforcements. Cambridge’s local police and the FBI can no longer be trusted. Also, I’m putting you two on a plane immediately to get you out of here.”

Song Kai shook his head. “Xu Ling, you should leave first. Take your documents and head to the airport. Fly back home. I’ll stay with Danlina to rescue the others. After all, Daixina is our friend and was kidnapped because of us.”

Xu Ling nodded. “Alright, I won’t hold you back.”

“Good.”

After their discussion, Danlina quickly called for reinforcements while Xu Ling booked her flight. The three drove to the neighboring city’s airport, avoiding boarding a plane directly in Cambridge.

As for Joel, they stuffed him under the bed in the next room and tied him up tightly so that even if he woke, he couldn’t move.

At the airport, Song Kai accompanied Xu Ling all the way to the security checkpoint.

“Hey, Xu Ling,” Song Kai said, reaching out to hug her.

Xu Ling was taken aback.

Before she could react, Song Kai leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. But Xu Ling was quick; she raised her hand and blocked his mouth with her palm.

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” Xu Ling glared at him.

Seeing his plan foiled, Song Kai cheekily licked her palm.

Xu Ling hurriedly pulled her hand back and pushed him away. “You rogue!”

Song Kai looked pitiful. “We’re about to part ways tonight. You’re on one side of the Earth, and I’m on the other, separated by the vast and sorrowful Pacific Ocean. Don’t you think a farewell kiss is warranted?”

Xu Ling laughed. “Use some of that brainpower for studying, will you, last-place Song Kai? Alright, I’m off.”

She waved goodbye and boarded the plane.

Song Kai watched her until she was safely inside before turning away.

Outside the airport, Danlina sat in the car, smoking.

“What’s wrong, beautiful Danlina?” Song Kai smiled at her.

Danlina stubbed out her cigarette and smiled. “Your girlfriend leaves, and your mouth suddenly turns sweet. I’ve contacted reinforcements. They think this case is serious and both sides will send people, but I worry that by the time they arrive, Daixina might already be dead.”

Song Kai thought for a moment. “Then let’s go see this so-called Sacred Mountain cult ritual. I’d like to see it for myself.”

“Alright.” Danlina exhaled in relief. With Song Kai’s help, she felt much more confident.

She looked at him and beckoned.

“What is it?” Song Kai asked, curious.

“Bring your ear closer,” Danlina said.

“There’s no one else here.”

Still, Song Kai leaned in.

Danlina lowered her head and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

“There, you saw how you got rejected at the airport, so now it’s my turn. Satisfied?”

Song Kai’s cheeks flushed slightly, but he muttered unhappily, “Not satisfied. Now that Xu Ling’s gone, maybe we can kiss more passionately. What do you think?”

“Heh, maybe next time. Sit tight, little rookie.” Danlina smiled and started the car, heading toward the Cambridge Islands ferry terminal.

It was just past four in the afternoon. A ferry was already docked, and many people were boarding, each holding what looked like a QR code.

Danlina handed Song Kai a pair of binoculars. “Take a look.”

Song Kai scanned the scene, then lowered the binoculars. “There are good points and bad points.”

“Hmm,” Danlina nodded. “The good news is they all wear disguises on board, clearly wanting to avoid recognition, so it’ll be easier for us to blend in. The bad news is they all have invitations, and we don’t.”

Song Kai nodded, scanning the parking lot. Suddenly, he tensed. “They’re here.”

“Who’s here?” Danlina asked.

“Our invitations,” Song Kai said, handing her the binoculars.

Danlina looked toward the lot and saw Edgar wearing a trench coat, holding a blonde woman’s arm, speaking by a car.

Song Kai said quickly, “That guy is definitely boarding. Let’s go grab his invitation.”

“Got it.”

Danlina and Song Kai sprinted toward the parking lot.

Edgar was at the car’s trunk, retrieving something.

Song Kai leapt forward and punched Edgar in the temple.

Edgar, an FBI agent with good reflexes, staggered and instinctively reached for his gun.

Song Kai followed up with a downward leg sweep.

Edgar collapsed, unconscious.

Nearby, Danlina used her rifle butt to knock the woman to the ground.

Song Kai shoved Edgar into the trunk.

Inside, he found two masks.

He searched further and found two thin films resembling phone screen protectors, each with a QR code-like pattern—these could be attached to the arm.

Song Kai said, “Found them. Let’s get on the ship.”

Danlina tossed the woman into the car, then pulled a business card from her clothes. “Strange. She’s not a prostitute. She’s the general manager of the Cambridge branch of Medall Corporation, a very successful businesswoman. Medall is well-known in Asa State. No matter how you look at it, she’s upper-class and successful.”

Song Kai frowned deeper. “This Sacred Mountain cult is really powerful. They’ve recruited so many successful people—not just inspectors and professors, but also wealthy business elites.”

“Yeah, we need to be extra cautious.”

Holding the invitations and the masks, Song Kai and Danlina headed toward the ferry terminal.

Only then did Song Kai notice that everyone arriving came in pairs, a man and a woman.

As boarding time neared, everyone put on simple masks before entering.

Song Kai took a deep breath, glanced at Danlina, and smiled faintly.

Danlina winked back, and hand in hand, they stepped onto the ferry…