1976 Fallen (2)

Zhu Tianlong's gaze fixated on the USB drive, a deep furrow etching his brow. His mind raced, searching for a response.

Following a silent cue from the old man, a nearby officer swiftly connected the drive to a computer and initiated playback.

Zhu Ding's voice soon filled the room, his words dripping with malice.

"…Your daughter is about to enter primary school, right? Don't let her down, understand?… Don't worry. As long as you kill Yun Lintian and his team, I will let your family go."

A collective frown creased the officials' faces. The blatant threat, particularly by proxy, left them utterly bewildered.

"The target of this threat," Li Zong clarified, "was Chi Yuan, a former special forces captain."

The officer promptly switched to the following file, Chi Yuan's profile materializing on the screen.