[Six hours before the start of Jing Liuli's New Year's Eve concert]
In the backstage dressing room of the Aurora Aria, the seaside concert hall, Jing Liuli stood in front of the full-length mirror, microphone in hand, seriously practicing her high notes.
Caroline, standing beside her, patiently adjusted her outfit and said softly, "Don't be too nervous. Didn't the rehearsal go smoothly yesterday?"
"But what if I forget the lyrics? Tendo even said I sang two notes wrong yesterday!"
Jing Liuli frowned slightly, clearly a little anxious about the upcoming concert.
"He was just trying to tease you."
Caroline said, glancing sideways at Tendo, who was standing at the doorway.
He was leaning against the doorframe of the backstage dressing room, looking down at his data terminal.
The screen displayed a message sent by Danica not long ago.
'Mr. Tendo, Isabel is being held in an "ice prison" beneath the center of Crimson Mist City, and only members of the Frost Tone Family family can unlock it.'
After reading this, Tendo turned to look at Chen Kong, who was at the end of the employee corridor, clutching a crumpled map and looking deeply troubled.
After a moment's thought, Tendo put away his data terminal and walked towards Chen Kong.
"If I were you, I wouldn't waste time staring at this map."
He kicked the mineral water bottle near Chen Kong's feet, making a soft 'clang' sound.
Chen Kong looked up, his eyes filled with complication.
He had considered asking Tendo for help, but the other party had warned that if they knew Chen Kong sought out Tendo, they would immediately 'tear up the ticket' (kill the hostage).
To ensure Isabel's safety, he had secretly done a few things these past few days.
As a result, when facing Tendo, Jing Liuli, and the others, he always felt an inexpressible guilt and uneasiness.
Tendo paid no mind, looking down at the map that Chen Kong had filled with dense red circles.
"I've sent the location to your terminal. You don't need me to tell you what to do next, right?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Kong's data terminal chimed 'ding-dong'.
He tapped the screen to open it. It displayed not only the detailed address of the underground ice prison but also a photo of Isabel.
She was confined in a cage made of profound ice, her golden hair stuck to her pale cheeks, a sight that was heartbreaking.
"How did you—"
Chen Kong's voice trembled slightly, unable to figure out how Tendo had managed it.
He, Liu Ma, Vivian, and others had searched for Isabel for two full days, basically flipping over every corner of Crimson Mist City.
Yet, they found nothing, but Tendo found her shortly after returning.
Is it because of his Star Eclipse Heavenly Eyes?
Chen Kong subconsciously looked at Tendo's eye covered by the eyepatch, a thought popping into his mind.
Tendo, as if seeing through his thoughts, said calmly, "Stop pondering over that. What you should be thinking about now is how to rescue your companion."
"You should know that the trouble you're facing now is nothing compared to the enemies you might encounter later."
"After all, the enemy this time never intended to make things difficult for you unrelated people from the start."
Hearing Tendo's words, Chen Kong finally regained his composure.
It was indeed not the time for agonizing.
He took a deep breath, stood up, and shoved the map into his backpack.
"Thank you."
He ran off while contacting Liu Ma and Vivian.
"Tendo, is this also part of your plan?"
Tendo turned around, noticing Caroline had silently appeared behind him.
Tendo smiled and said, "What plan? I just thought the stage was getting a bit crowded and needed a little clear-out beforehand."
With that, Tendo turned and walked towards the other side of the employee corridor, waving his hand as he said, "Caroline, the stage matters are in your hands. I'm going to greet the guests who will be arriving shortly."
"Mm."
Caroline nodded, indicating that with her presence, there would be no problems with the stage.
As Tendo's figure disappeared down the corridor, the scene switched once again.
[Underground Base in the Center of Crimson Mist City]
A biting cold air permeated the underground base, and thick ice crystals covered the walls.
The temperature here was so low that even the light from the cold lamps seemed frozen, emitting a faint blue-white glow.
In the control room, a few members of the Star Frost Faction were watching the surveillance screens when Jeremiah pushed the door open and entered.
"Lord Jeremiah!"
Jeremiah waved his hand, signaling them not to stand up.
After looking around the monitoring room, Jeremiah asked curiously, "Where is Elder Bingmo? Has he already departed?"
The control room member of the Star Frost Faction nodded.
"Yes, the Elder has left and said that having you, Lord Shuang Yuan, and Lord Shuang Hang here is sufficient."
"Is that so."
Jeremiah nodded, then looked down at the surveillance screens.
On the monitors, Isabel was sitting inside the profound ice cage, hugging her knees, her golden hair messy, clearly not having rested well.
"How is she doing lately?"
Hearing Jeremiah ask about Isabel's condition, the control room member replied, "Nothing unusual. The Elder said the necessary arrangements have mostly been made, and it doesn't matter even if she is rescued in the end."
Upon hearing this answer, Jeremiah couldn't help but smile.
"Feigning a blow to the east while striking to the west? It seems Elder Bingmo has done many things without informing us."
Hearing these words, the control room member dared not say a single syllable more.
Because some things Jeremiah could say, but they could not.
Ignoring the silence of the control room member, Jeremiah found a spot and sat down.
Jeremiah leaned back in the chair, stretching his long legs out onto the opposite table, nearly hitting a nearby coffee cup.
"Tell me, what does Elder Bingmo want us to do?"
"The Elder said that as long as you can pose a sufficient threat to Chen Kong, the Demon Blade of the Raging Sun family will absolutely not ignore her brother's situation."
"At that point, the only trouble left to deal with in the entire seaside concert hall will be Tendo Simei."
"Understood."
With things reaching this stage, Jeremiah also understood his mission.
It was to find a way to first beat up Chen Kong and the others, then hold back Chen Xing.
However...
"Relying on just me, I can't hold back that battle maniac."
"No worries, the Elder also said that Lord Shuang Yuan and Lord Shuang Hang will assist you."
"Fine then."
Jeremiah spread a comic book across his lap, adjusted himself into a comfortable position, without taking his legs off the table.
"Call me if anything happens. I need to finish reading this chapter; the protagonist is about to awaken a new ability."
"Yes, sir."
The members replied in unison, their gazes returning to the surveillance screens.
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