"If you want the complete data, come to the Guatemala border yourself."

After Qi Yun finished speaking, he directly hung up the phone, not giving the other party a chance to speak.

Like to play tough, huh? As if nobody else can do it...

Sure enough, as soon as he put down the phone, the other party immediately called back, but Qi Yun didn't answer it. He just tossed the phone aside and got up to leave the room.

Let them stew for a bit; they need to understand their place.

...

In the afternoon, energy expert Seth was also sent to the small town by Guo An's colleague, and Qi Yun personally took people to bring him back.

As soon as they met, Seth urgently asked if his daughter had been found.

"Don't worry, your daughter has already been rescued by my people and is on the way here. She should arrive soon," Qi Yun reassured him.

Upon hearing this, Seth's tense mood finally relaxed a bit. He grabbed Qi Yun's arm: "Is she... is she alright? Is she hurt?"

"She was just a bit frightened, physically she's fine," Qi Yun patted the back of his hand, signaling him to relax, "You'll be reunited soon, but this is not a place to stay long. We need to get you to Huaxia as soon as possible."

Seth nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Okay, I'll follow your arrangements."

"Alright, and don't worry about the money. Whatever amount your previous buyer was willing to pay, we can double it. You can focus on your research over there," Qi Yun continued to reassure him.

"Money... money is no longer important, Mr. Qi."

His voice choked up, "Being alive and together with my daughter is more valuable than any amount of money. Your country willing to accept us and offer protection is already... overwhelming."

Qi Yun nodded with satisfaction, having this realization is excellent.

He'll be able to focus on high-tech research back home.

There's no airport in Outo Town, the nearest city where planes can land and take off is Melcho, which is over sixty kilometers away.

After picking up Seth's daughter, the convoy headed straight to Melcho.

Kubi helped arrange a plane, the old-fashioned propeller type, and Qi Yun even worried it might fall out of the sky.

"You'll first fly to Rio de Janeiro, where my private jet will be waiting to safely take you to Huaxia."

He pointed to Chen Wei beside him, "My people will protect you all the way."

Seth bowed deeply to Qi Yun: "Thank you for everything you've done; I will never forget your kindness."

Though he knew Qi Yun saved him for a reason, the fact is, they not only rescued him but also saved his daughter from Hede Company's hands and provided them a safe environment, which indeed is a significant grace.

Qi Yun reached out to help him up, "Show your gratitude to my country. When you're over there, everything will be arranged. Looking forward to hearing good news from you."

The propeller plane taxied slowly on the runway, flying southeast towards Rio de Janeiro.

After sending off this father and daughter, Qi Yun let out a long sigh of relief, finally completing this major task.

Sitting in the car and checking the time, it should already be morning back home, so Qi Yun dialed Xiao Hanguang's number. After calling twice, there was still no answer, possibly because it was a new number.

"Vigilant against scam calls, huh..."

Qi Yun muttered to himself, then called his liaison Xiao Han, who picked up.

"Xiao Han, it's Qi Yun."

"Ah? Oh... Brother Qi."

"Is Director Xiao there? I called him, but there was no answer."

"You're looking for the boss, right? Let me go check for you."

"Okay, thank you."

On the other end, Xiao Han's footsteps could be heard as she got up and left. After more than a minute, Xiao Hanguang's voice came through, "What do you want? I'm in a meeting."

"There's something, I brought you a treasure back..." Qi Yun briefly explained Seth's matter to him.

"Wait a minute!" Xiao Hanguang said and hung up.

After a while, he called back with his own phone, "What did you say?! Nuclear desalination technology?!"

"Exactly! I packed both the person and his research results on a plane already; they're on their way home."

"You brat..." On the other end, there was a noticeable pause in Xiao Hanguang's voice, as if he were digesting this explosive news.

"Do many people know about this? Can you ensure the scientist's safety?"

Qi Yun understood his concern and explained, "Besides my core team, only a very reliable friend knows about it. The flight path doesn't go near America, just directly to Rio de Janeiro. My people are escorting all the way; there will be no problems."

"Good, make sure absolutely nothing goes wrong!" Xiao Hanguang spoke with a serious tone, "This person, along with his technology, is extremely crucial! You've really made a big contribution this time!"

"I will report this immediately and initiate special procedures."

"Alright, you handle it. I've only told you about this, not even Leader Wendong." Qi Yun hinted with his remark.

Xiao Hanguang understood, feigning a cold smile: "I find you're becoming increasingly impure in thought?"

"Where's the fervor of your previous dedication? I really misjudged you."

"Alright, let's not talk about it now, I need to head home immediately."

Qi Yun speculated that when Xiao Hanguang mentioned 'home,' he definitely meant his uncle's place, so he didn't delay any longer and added, "Um... by the way, Leader, Minister Blue provided quite a bit of help in this matter."

Xiao Hanguang pondered for a moment before replying, "Understood, don't mention this to anyone else for now, I'll arrange things and get back to you."

"Okay."

Hanging up the phone, Qi Yun stretched comfortably.

Actually, with his current position, he could directly report through that secretary.

However, doing that wouldn't have much meaning.

If Seth's nuclear desalination technology and he himself are worth a hundred buns, Qi Yun's capacity could at most eat ten.

Because progress, or reward, must be achieved step by step; trying to take on too much at once is unrealistic and could invite criticism from others.

So, the other ninety would most likely go to waste.

But with Xiao Hanguang handling it, all one hundred buns could be utilized by his uncle. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Qi Yun had long formed a bond with Xiao Hanguang, their relationship also being that of both mentor and friend. Could the latter ever shortchange him?

"Let's go, back to the camp first."

...

Meanwhile, in the Congress Building in Washington.

The top three Democratic Party members of the House were having a small meeting in an office, a closed-door session convened by Greenfield.

He had just shown them a partial segment of the video content provided by Qi Yun.

"There's no doubt that Barnes from Hede Company is indeed in that Huaxia person's hands now. This is very critical for us. If we bring Barnes back, it could severely damage those Republican guys!"

After contemplating for a moment, the other two old foxes nodded: "Indeed, with both the Energy Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense involved in such scandals, this highlights severe government corruption! We can launch a full-scale offensive in the mid-term elections based on this."

The positions these individuals hold are extremely vital, having been personally promoted by the president after taking office, and are core members within the Republican Party.

The old man sitting behind the desk slowly took off his glasses, carefully wiping the lenses, "This indeed is an opportunity. What are the conditions proposed by that Huaxia person?"

Greenfield shook his head, "Perhaps my previous attitude made him feel there was arrogance; he didn't communicate more details with me, requiring me to meet at the Guatemala border in person."

"Go to the border personally?" Number two frowned, "I see no need for negotiation, just send someone to retrieve Barnes directly."

The head of the group, after putting on his cleaned glasses, eyes shimmering: "No, since he set the meeting place at the Guatemala border, it shows he's wary of us."

"To ensure safety, let's not create trouble at this juncture. Greenfield, go yourself and hear his terms out."

"If they don't touch our bottom line, agree to them."