Xiaofeng, Lin, K, and Rush emerged from Navi's quarters, with Lin pressing a gleaming ice blade firmly against Navi's waist.
Navi was well aware that these four were no ordinary men, so he refrained from any furtive moves and obediently followed them into a jeep, which then headed toward the rear of the base.
Meanwhile, the stunningly beautiful woman was bound by Lin, a towel stuffed in her mouth to silence her. Though Lin had no desire to harm her, he feared she might leak information, so he confined her securely.
After a dozen minutes, the group arrived at the base's prison. Navi sat rigidly in the passenger seat, Xiaofeng clutching his collar from behind, startling him.
Whispering coldly into his ear, Xiaofeng warned, "Don't even think of any tricks. We could end your life at any moment."
Navi nodded nervously. "Understood..."
With that, Xiaofeng released his grip. Navi straightened his clothes and stepped out, followed by Lin and Xiaofeng.
Navi addressed the two soldiers guarding the prison gate: "Bring me the woman and child we apprehended yesterday."
The soldiers saluted crisply. "Yes, sir."
They unlocked the cell, releasing K's loved ones—his woman grimy, her clothes torn; his child equally disheveled and pitiful.
As K's trembling partner clutched her child and stepped forward, she eyed Navi warily. "What do you intend to do?"
Lin approached and supported her gently. "Anna, come with me."
The woman's gaze lifted in surprise at hearing her name from the soldier's cold, resolute voice, her expression momentarily frozen.
"Lin?"
He nodded. "Yes, Anna. Time is short. Don't dawdle—get in the vehicle."
Anna gathered her child and entered the jeep, closing the door behind her.
Xiaofeng leaned close to Navi again, voice low and firm: "Drive us out of the city and this won't concern you anymore."
Navi nodded. "Understood."
They all climbed aboard; Lin took the wheel, altered course, and began their departure.
The prison guards exchanged surprised glances.
"Do you recognize those soldiers?"
"No, I don't think so. Were they the guards Colonel Navi just called?"
"I have a bad feeling. That woman seemed familiar with one of them… very familiar."
"You mean—"
"There's definitely something suspicious about those soldiers."
"So, what should we do?"
"Alert the patrol. Stop them at all costs!"
Quickly, the guards activated their radios, urgently broadcasting: "Intercept Colonel Navi's jeep! The vehicle is in danger!"
...
Lin skillfully maneuvered the jeep out of the base. After two turns, a patrol armored infantry vehicle sped toward them. Lin saw the lights of a second armored vehicle in his rearview mirror, confirming his worst fears—their cover was blown.
His brow furrowed sharply. "Everyone, brace yourselves!"
He slammed the accelerator to the floor; the jeep roared forward, hurtling straight at the oncoming armored vehicle.
Though bulky, the armored vehicle could not block the entire street. The soldier behind its wheel executed a sharp turn, causing the vehicle to tilt sideways, attempting to block their path completely.
His plan was astute—but he underestimated Lin.
Known as the most skilled driver Xiaofeng had ever witnessed, Lin pressed the gas harder just as the armored vehicle began to sway, hurtling the jeep past with mere centimeters to spare.
The driver's face registered shock as the jeep sped through.
Lin turned to the passengers: "I'm afraid we've been compromised. From here on, we're on our own. Colonel Navi, this is your fault."
Confused, Navi protested: "I never said anything. I never intended to! I already handed over K's woman and child…"
But K seized Navi's collar from behind, voice ice-cold: "Colonel Navi, if we don't get out of Aidenway City alive, I'll drag you down with me. Even in hell's fiery depths, you'll find no peace."
His words were a bitter winter gale that sent a shiver through Navi.
Turning to K, Navi insisted: "It's not me. I gave no orders to mobilize them." Yet, he suddenly sensed something amiss in the jeep but couldn't pinpoint it.
Then, with a deafening crash, the jeep was violently struck, nearly lifting off the ground. K shielded Anna and the child in his arms; unlucky Navi slammed his head against the window, nearly shattering the glass.
Lin cursed sharply: "Damn fools!"
Quickly regaining control, Lin veered onto another street. Behind them, two jeeps gave chase at high speed. In full throttle mode, Lin's jeep outran the armored vehicles, whose speed could not keep pace.
With Colonel Navi aboard, the armored troops dared not open fire—any mistake could endanger their own officer.
Lin darted into a narrow street, two jeeps following closely. Suddenly, two more jeeps appeared head-on.
Trapped between two jeeps ahead and two behind, with only a narrow alleyway ahead, Lin spun the wheel and plunged into the alley.
He hit the brakes sharply as an armored vehicle slowly advanced from the opposite end. Glancing back, he saw another armored vehicle thunder toward them.
Now, trapped in this crossroad, four jeeps and two armored vehicles encircled them.
Feeling the gravity of their predicament, Lin slammed the steering wheel. "Damn it..."