Captain Han's expression changed dramatically as Han Lian decisively took out the walkie-talkie and shouted into it, "All teams, be alert. The people inside might have been tipped off and could burst out at any moment. Stay on your toes. If anyone comes charging out and you can't control them, open fire. Use any means necessary to block them."

"Team One, understood."

"Team Two, roger that!"

"Team Three, received!"

"..."

Just then, suddenly, gunshots rang out from one direction, cutting through the night air with crystal clarity.

"Damn, something must have happened," Han Lian exclaimed in surprise and started the car, racing toward the source of the gunshots.

But at this moment, gunshots were also heard from another direction. The shots from the two locations, in different directions, left Han Lian unsure of what to do for a while.

Meanwhile, anxious voices transmitted through the walkie-talkie, "Captain Han, we've heard gunshots at Gate One and Gate Three, it looks like a confrontation is happening. Should we go over to reinforce?"

Just as Han Lian was about to speak, Ling Zhenfei urgently reminded him, "No, do not reinforce. I suspect both these exits at Door Three and Door One are feints, designed to lure us away from the real escape route."

Han Lian swallowed the words she was about to say and instead asked Ling Zhenfei, "Do you mean to say, their real escape is through Gate Two?"

After a moment's thought, Ling Zhenfei said, "I've been through all three gates, entering through Gate One, and exiting from Gates Two and Three. Based on my experience, among these, the best escape route is Gate Two. After exiting from Gate Two, you can directly enter a residential area or take other routes. The situation there is complex, making it an excellent spot for escape."

Hearing this, Han Lian made a quick decision, "Team Two, listen up, do not go to reinforce. Guard Gate Two well, this is most likely a diversion. They really intend to escape through Gate Two. Reserve Team, head to Gate Two immediately to reinforce. Guard it firmly, I will be there shortly."

After dropping the walkie-talkie, she drove the car toward the Imperial Palace Club's Gate Two. Soon enough, news came from that location, "Boss, Gate Two is under a probing attack. It looks like they are indeed planning to escape through Gate Two."

Relief spread across Han Lian's face, "Hold your positions tightly. No one gets out, no matter what it takes."

Easily seeing through the opponent's deceit was certainly worth celebrating, especially considering how vital tonight's mission was, one that could afford no mistakes.

The car sped towards Gate Two, and in that instant, Ling Zhenfei suddenly shouted out.

"Brake!"

The exclamation made Han Lian subconsciously slam on the brakes, nearly ejecting both of them from the car due to the momentum.

"Ling Zhenfei, what are you doing? You scared the hell out of me," Han Lian looked at Ling Zhenfei, pale with shock, not understanding his sudden outburst.

"No, it's not right. They do not intend to escape through Gate Two, that too is part of their ruse to lure the tiger away from the mountain," Ling Zhenfei mused out loud.

"What do you mean? If it's not Gate One or Gate Three, and it's not Gate Two either, then what exactly are they planning?" Han Lian was baffled.

Ling Zhenfei didn't respond immediately, his mind racing. He had not fully grasped some aspects of the situation earlier, but he was certain that the first incidents at Gate One and Gate Three were not their actual escape points. Their goal had been to disperse forces across these two opposite gates.

Then, when Gate Two was under attack, it would create the illusion that Gate Two was definitely the intended escape route. But would Zhu Qiang, known for his shrewdness, really allow his plan to be so easily guessed?

Moreover, Ling Zhenfei couldn't figure out why, in the Imperial Palace Club, there were four passages, each corresponding to a door. Only the so-called fourth passage had been transformed into an office, hence there was no Gate Four.

But was it possible that there was still a Gate Four in the location of the fourth passage, only this door was sealed off and unknown to anyone? With the situation being critical, would Zhu Qiang and his people attempt to escape through this Gate Four?

"Come, let me do it."

Ling Zhenfei got out of the car, switched places with Han Lian and then drove in another direction.

Han Lian asked with some surprise, "Which way are you going?"

Ling Zhenfei said, "It's very likely that they won't use any of those three gates. Instead, there might be a secret passage."

Han Lian shook her head and said, "That's not possible. We've interrogated many who are very familiar with the Imperial Palace Club. They said there are only three gates. There can't be the secret passage you're talking about!"

"If everyone knew about it, it wouldn't be a secret passage," Ling Zhenfei said, his actions uninterrupted as he drove swiftly, frightening even Han Lian who always thought she drove fast.

"Ling Zhenfei, this isn't a joke. Are you certain?" Han Lian asked anxiously, looking at Ling Zhenfei.

"I'm not certain, but I must give it a try." Ling Zhenfei ignored Han Lian's words and continued to race in the car.

At that moment, Han Lian's walkie-talkie crackled with an alarm: "Captain Han, Gate Two is under fierce assault; they're breaking out!"

With the voice from the walkie-talkie came intense gunfire from the direction of Gate Two, indicating that the fight was fierce.

Han Lian became anxious. "Ling Zhenfei, did you hear that? Hurry up and take me back!"

"I can't take you back. I'm almost at the place I need to be. You must believe me; Gate Two is just a feint. Now, with Gate Two under such attack, those people will also be coming out of the secret passage."

"Ling Zhenfei, this is all just your speculation. Hurry up and take me back; you're going to get me killed," Han Lian said with anger and panic clearly showing on her face.

As the commander of the Imperial Palace Club, she was yet to arrive as the confrontation unfolded. If the incident were to over before she got there, the leaders above would undoubtedly hold her responsible.

Ling Zhenfei turned to look at Han Lian: "You don't trust me?"

Their gazes met, and for a moment, Han Lian was at a loss for words. Although Ling Zhenfei's actions seemed unreliable at the moment, she remembered that there hadn't been a single time he had let her down.

"Alright, I'll trust you this one time. If we're going to die, so be it," Han Lian said, as if she had made the most important decision of her life.

Upon hearing Han Lian's words, Ling Zhenfei smiled, "That's right, trust me. I won't deceive you."

After he finished speaking, Ling Zhenfei suddenly stopped the car, turned off the engine, and made a silent gesture to Han Lian, whispering, "Wait here, it should be right here."

Ling Zhenfei pointed towards an inconspicuous stone structure by the roadside, resembling a small outdoor lavatory, but it bore a sign that read 'Electrical Equipment - No Damage Permitted.'

The large iron door of the small hut was covered in rust, suggesting it hadn't been opened for a long time. The place was so unnoticeable that no one would pay it heed, and not far from it was a small road with several cars parked along it.

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