Chapter 318: Chapter 285 Hostage Tong Yitong_1
Chui Chui’s alert system connecting the real world with the Magic World was triggered, and Tong Yitong was kidnapped by unknown forces.
Upon receiving the information, Yan Xing rushed back to the real world and then took a private plane to Gryphon Island.
By then, Chen Shi had already arrived, and he took Yan Xing, who had just gotten off the plane, to a room.
A projector showed footage of Tong Yitong being taken away.
Soon Feng Tingyue, responsible for the Griffon cultivation project at Renlun Company, also hurried over.
"I’m sorry, this is our negligence. We have already started an investigation into this incident, and these are the clues we have found so far," Feng Tingyue apologized first upon seeing Yan Xing.
The security of Gryphon Island had been entrusted to Renlun Investment Bank, and now that such a serious incident had occurred on the island, Renlun Investment Bank could hardly shirk the blame.
Yan Xing’s expression was very grave as he took a stack of files from Feng Tingyue.
The files included photos from the scene and underwater, analyses of the kidnappers’ escape routes, and satellite images.
It was evident that Renlun Investment Bank had deployed all its available resources to find Tong Yitong in such a short time.
"Tell me what you have found," Yan Xing said to Feng Tingyue after looking over the files.
Feng Tingyue answered based on the clues she had gathered, "The kidnappers were very professional, and the diving equipment they used isn’t something ordinary kidnappers could get their hands on.
We didn’t find any vessels used by the kidnappers in the nearby waters, so we infer that they must have come in using a small submarine.
The sonar detection network around Gryphon Island isn’t complete yet, and we can’t rule out the possibility that an insider has leaked the underwater route. We are currently investigating internal staff in the hopes of finding the mole."
At this point, Chen Shi added, "I held a video conference on the plane with the directors and heads of various departments.
Many of them questioned the capabilities of Renlun Investment Bank.
If Renlun Investment Bank can’t even protect someone as important as Miss Tong, how can they be trusted to secure the safety of Gryphon Island?"
Feng Tingyue didn’t answer.
This situation left Renlun Investment Bank in a very passive position. Facing such a significant security breach, any explanation was futile.
The room fell into silence for a moment.
"What do you think is the kidnapper’s motive for taking Tong Yitong?" Yan Xing asked. He didn’t dwell on the issue of accountability. The most pressing matter was to rescue Tong Yitong as quickly as possible; the issue of blame could be addressed later.
Feng Tingyue replied, "So far, we haven’t received any ransom demands from any organization, so we can’t determine their true intentions.
Our only guess is that they might want to exchange Miss Tong for our Griffons."
Yan Xing pondered for a moment and said, "Exchange for Griffons? One or two?
They should know that Tong Yitong cannot be exchanged for all six Griffons.
Less than three Griffons would hardly be sufficient for them to breed. Once the Griffons die, they would have nothing.
It’s best for everyone in the world if all six Griffons remain on Gryphon Island. Only we can breed Griffons on a large scale to satisfy collectors’ demands.
Though I can’t rule out some extremely paranoid lunatics, I think the kidnapping of Tong Yitong is not directly related to the Griffons."
Chen Shi, deep in thought, asked, "Then what do they want?"
Yan Xing said, "I don’t know..." He glanced at the projection screen, then continued to Chen Shi, "Gryphon Island will continue to operate as usual. The kidnappers went through great effort to take Tong Yitong; they must have a next move planned.
For now, we can only wait for them to make the first move.
Arrange a room for me. I’ll stay here for the next few days."
Chen Shi led Yan Xing to rest.
Feng Tingyue, recalling what Yan Xing had just said, picked up an encrypted walkie-talkie and said, "Arrange for personnel to strengthen Mr. Yan Xing’s protection... The kidnappers’ taking Tong Yitong could very well be to lure out Yan Xing.
Continue searching the surrounding islands and Gryphon Island for any underwater caves.
Investigate the Zhao Family, especially their branch in M Country."
While Renlun Investment Bank searched for Tong Yitong everywhere, Tong Yitong had just awakened from her unconscious state.
She found herself in a secret room.
A strong light above her head shone down, causing discomfort with its glare and heat.
She tried to stand, but discovered she was tied to a metal chair, which was bolted to the floor.
In front of her was a metal interrogation table, and opposite was a mirror that filled the wall.
It very much resembled an interrogation room from Western movies.
The mirror was probably a one-way mirror, and on the other side, the rebel boss was likely watching her.
Tong Yitong realized that she shouldn’t be thinking about this now. She should be screaming and crying like a normal woman would.
But why was she so calm?
Could she have the potential to be a special agent?
Tong Yitong noticed her thoughts were straying again.
"Who are you? Why did you kidnap me?"
She saw a spherical camera in the corner of the room and stared at it as she questioned it.
The room was silent. There was no response.
Tong Yitong stopped talking, too. Based on all the American series she had watched, she knew they were aware of her awakening. So, she just had to wait. Sooner or later, someone would respond to her.
As time ticked away, Tong Yitong sat quietly, reviewing similar scenes from American series she remembered.
It’s quite interesting.
As time passed, Tong Yitong felt a power within her being stirred. She had no thoughts of fear; instead, beneath her calm exterior, a frenzied idea was taking root.
It was as if a sealed demon was gradually shedding its bonds.
It was getting more and more interesting!
After an indeterminate amount of time, the closed metal door opened with a CLANG, and a blond man with Western features walked in.
He shut the door, glanced at the mirror on the wall, then sat down opposite Tong Yitong.
"Miss Tong, I have some questions for you, and I hope you’ll cooperate," the blond man spoke in very standard Mandarin. "It will spare you some pain."
"I’d prefer you speak English with me..." Tong Yitong looked intently at the man, her eyes brimming with an intense, nefarious aura. She spoke in English, her tone audacious. "I could practice my spoken English."
The man was startled by the woman before him; his intimidating presence instantly deflated.
What had just happened?
The Tong Yitong documented in their files was supposed to be a mild-mannered little girl from Z Country. Why was she acting like this?
Is this what Z Country calls mild-mannered?
No matter... Just ask the questions that need to be asked and see how much useful information can be gleaned from her.
"Alright, that’s a good start," the blond man said, switching to English. He then asked Tong Yitong, "According to the information we have, you were among the first batch of employees when Yan Xing founded Eternal Commerce and Trade, and he held you in high regard. There’s more to your relationship. When you were with Yan Xing, did he ever mention Sir Lei Ming to you?"
"I suddenly think we should continue in Mandarin. Your English accent is too nonstandard!"