Chapter 26: Successfully Rescuing Wen Xishu

The bunker’s temperature was well-suited for human survival. Only around the time of the Great Devouring would there be drastic shifts in climate.

Yet, in this pleasant warmth, Xie Changfeng’s forehead was beaded with sweat. He knew all too well that if Wen Xishu were rescued from his custody, his own end would likely be grim. He wanted to stand firm and tell Albert that even a freshman from the Three Towers Academy could not evade the law. But the words died in his throat. Outside the door lay fifty-four guards; with every muffled groan that echoed, it was clear they had all been incapacitated.

Xie Changfeng stammered, “Even… even you cannot take him away! The Director specifically ordered his interrogation.” He added, his voice trembling, “You should know that if you take him, we will deploy armed forces!”

Albert actually stopped. He said with a look of feigned difficulty, “That sounds truly terrifying. Ah, I am merely a frail old man in the twilight of his years; I have no desire to face the bunker’s military.”

Seeing Albert pause, Xie Changfeng let out a sigh of relief. Ultimately, Albert was only human. The old man might possess some ability, but it was impossible for one person to stand against a fully armed military unit.

“Principal, my apologies. Wen Xishu holds the secrets of the criminal Wen Zhaohua, and we—” Xie Changfeng intended to say they would not allow Wen Xishu to leave.

His declaration was cut short by the sound of dense, rhythmic footsteps approaching from the distance. A large group was closing in on the interrogation room. A familiar voice rang out, and Xie Changfeng felt a sense of impending doom.

“Surround the area! Ensure the safety of Elder Albert at all costs!”

Liu Jinsen.

Xie Changfeng loathed him from the bottom of his heart. Perhaps he hadn’t felt such animosity before, but during the interrogation, Wen Xishu had repeatedly conveyed one message: *Bring in Liu Jinsen; you are nowhere near as capable as he is.* This had left Xie Changfeng with a deep-seated resentment toward the man.

Following Albert’s arrival, the personnel from the Second Bureau of the Bunker Security Agency had arrived in close pursuit. Albert rubbed the back of his head and laughed heartily once more.

“Hahahaha! I am much obliged for your protection. You frightened this old man quite a bit. It seems I won’t be gunned down by you lot after all—that would have been quite troublesome!”

Liu Jinsen had arrived with over thirty elite field agents from the Second Bureau. It wasn't a massive force, but against the decimated remains of the First Bureau’s interrogation department, it was more than enough. Even if Xie Changfeng were to call for reinforcements now, it would be too late—and besides, it was unlikely anyone would answer. The Second Bureau’s blatant interference suggested that the power struggle at the top had not ended in his favor. If it all came down to a reckoning, the blame would almost certainly fall on him: Xie Changfeng, who had failed to extract information despite authorized drug use, and who had allowed a variable to emerge.

Xie Changfeng grew increasingly anxious and could not help but shout at Liu Jinsen, “Do you have any idea what you are doing! Wen Xishu is a criminal! This is nothing short of a prison break!”

Liu Jinsen was a man of integrity, yet even he had learned to play the game of plausible deniability. “I don’t know what you are talking about. We are simply here to protect a legend of the bunker—a man who turned the tide during the Great Devouring and was awarded a medal by the Bunker Council—Mr. Albert Napolitano.” He paused, then added, “What prison break? Where is Wen Xishu? I do not understand.”

Xie Changfeng was stunned. How was it that he couldn’t win an argument against anyone today? You, Liu Jinsen, with your earnest face—when did you learn to play the fool?

Albert hoisted the unconscious Wen Xishu onto his back, his laughter as familiar as ever. “Hahahaha! This favor, the old man accepts! Children these days are truly terrifying; they think nothing of ganging up on the elderly and weak. Without your help, I might never have walked out of this interrogation room.”

In truth, this was Liu Jinsen’s first time interacting with the legendary figure. When he arrived with his men, he hadn't expected to find over fifty elite agents of the First Bureau lying on the ground. Hearing Albert’s comment, even the taciturn Liu Jinsen couldn't help but think: *You are the most terrifying one of all… it is the people from the First Bureau who should be feeling fear.*

With Wen Xishu on his back, Albert walked out of the interrogation room and headed toward the ascent channel, preparing to return to the eighth level. That was the fourth functional level, and home to the Seventh-Level Facility: the Three Towers Academy. Although it was a seventh-level facility, the school had been placed in the middle of the bunker. It was a gesture of sorts, intended to make the academy a bridge between the lower and upper levels—a symbol that the academy could help those from the bottom rise to the top.

Before leaving, Liu Jinsen said, “Old Principal, the Security Agency may not let Wen Xishu go so easily. Our ability to help you take him away came at the cost of certain compromises.”

Albert nodded. “Speak. What must this boy pay? And what must I pay?”

Liu Jinsen replied, “Wen Xishu must cooperate with us and periodically… periodically enter the Strange Tower.”

Albert’s gaze sharpened slightly. The ascent channel was at the edge of the level, and despite being on the periphery, the flow of people was quite dense. Even with the many elite agents from the Second Bureau surrounding them, those nearby felt a sudden, oppressive pressure. Passersby felt an inexplicable chill, and their teeth began to chatter.

“No matter how high a score you achieved in the Strange Tower last time, the next time you go in, you could die for no reason at all.” Albert’s voice was cold. “The Strange Tower is unreasonable; you should know that well. Furthermore, you must understand: he is now my student.”

Liu Jinsen bowed his head slightly. “My apologies, Old Principal. We cannot compromise on this matter. I can only tell you that I am responsible for Wen Xishu’s tower-climbing schedule, and I will do my best to extend the intervals.”

“But the directors have reached an agreement: Wen Xishu must explore the Strange Tower periodically.”

Liu Jinsen began to feel the pressure, wondering how to continue the negotiation. To his surprise, Albert suddenly laughed.

“Fine, let’s leave it at that. After all, who am I but a lone, powerless old man? You all should disperse; I am heading back to the Three Towers Academy.”

Liu Jinsen was stunned. He hadn't expected this legend to be so much more reasonable than anticipated, nor that he would spare him any trouble.

In reality, Albert had already intended for Wen Xishu to climb the tower frequently. It was, in a sense, a favor he was granting the Security Agency. Whether it was Liu Jinsen, the Second Bureau, Wenren Jing, or Xun Hui—none of them could have forced Albert to rescue Wen Xishu. The only reason he had done so was because he had already planned it. He simply needed to interview Wen Xishu himself.

Now, he was very satisfied with the results of this first interview. He didn't know what methods Wen Xishu had used to prevent Xie Changfeng from extracting information despite such a prolonged interrogation. But seeing Wen Xishu, with his consciousness blurred and his flesh battered, yet refusing to let Xie Changfeng succeed—that alone made Albert very pleased.

His hearty laughter echoed through the ascent channel. People nearby looked with bewilderment at the white-haired man with the well-defined muscles. The old man, however, paid them no mind, viewing their stares as the curious gazes of innocent children.

Feeling the steady breathing of the child on his back, Albert had actually considered whether he should take this moment to ask about the secret of Wen Zhaohua. But that would be too boring. He didn't know why Wen Zhaohua, one of his three most prized disciples, had turned into a villain… but so what?

In the eyes of others—even the bunker’s highest authorities—it was a matter of world-shaking importance, but Albert could remain completely uninterested. Compared to the work he was doing, everything else was trivial. If possible, he hoped Wen Zhaohua would cause an even bigger stir.

His thoughts returned to Wen Xishu. “Among this year’s freshmen, there are a few rather interesting little ones—counting you, and those from the fourth year.”

“Perhaps the bunker’s second golden age is about to arrive.”

Wen Xishu had already fallen into a deep sleep; even if Albert had voiced his innermost thoughts, the boy could not have responded. Nevertheless, Albert could feel the vibrant life force within the child. He began to contemplate the content of the second “entrance interview.”