Chapter 28: A Plan is Set

The inner workings of the Dark Organization were far from monolithic. Perhaps at its inception, its members were united by a common ideal, or perhaps by motives best left unspoken. Yet, as with all things in this world, what is joined for profit will often dissolve for the same reason. When their numbers were few, such fissures were hardly apparent. But as the organization expanded, hierarchies formed, and hidden conflicts began to surface.

Especially after the founding of the Underground City—a dazzling achievement that empowered the organization to rival governments across nations—seeds of disaster were also sown. The Underground City not only freed them from their days of perpetual hiding; it also provided new roles for those who had reached bottlenecks in their research, assigning them to management positions instead.

But managers without proper oversight inevitably breed corruption and abuse of power, leading to widespread discontent. The so-called “mad scientists” were seldom tactful; tension was palpable everywhere, though most endured in silence under pressure from above.

Take Yan Ze, for example. He was both Professor Wu’s assistant and protégé, and Professor Wu was one of the organization’s elders, a member of the triumvirate ruling the Great Desolate Mountain’s Underground City. Yan Ze had always been the center of admiration, hailed as a brilliant young pillar of the next generation. Yet, some whispered that he was nothing more than an empty suit, earning his favor through flattery rather than talent; after all, he had no notable achievements to his name after all these years. But Yan Ze cared little for such talk—he had no desire to remain here. It was only under Professor Wu’s coercion, as his graduate advisor, that he had come to the Underground City at all…

Or consider Tao Ran, once a rising star—at least within the Underground City. He had been utterly devoted to scientific research, especially those experiments forbidden by official decree, which only fueled his frustration. That was why he had come here. But witnessing the suffering of human test subjects forced him to reflect upon his actions. He realized his mistake—everyone deserved the right to live freely, not to become stepping stones for another’s ambition. So, with his close friends and a newly acquainted companion, he planned the July Uprising, intent on freeing the Underground City’s inhabitants. The attempt failed; his two friends became skeletal exhibits, while he survived—barely.

Every resident of the Underground City bore a story. Director Jiang Hao of the Central Hospital was no exception. His arrival was pure accident—or, one might say, a deception. Once a chief physician at a top-tier hospital, Jiang’s work kept him so busy that his marriage faltered; his wife grew resentful, their affection faded, and soon only the appearance of harmony remained. This facade soon crumbled when he could no longer ignore his wife’s infidelity. After their divorce, Jiang, seeking solace, took a month’s leave and happened to save the life of one of the organization’s founders. Believing it a government-sponsored charity project, he agreed to join—only to discover illicit experiments underway. But the ship was easy to board and hard to disembark; escape was no longer an option.

After weighing their options, the Falcon Squad decided to approach Director Jiang first, for convenience’s sake. They went to the Central Hospital under the pretense of experimental side effects, insisting on seeing Director Jiang. After a long wait, they finally met him.

The director was a gentle soul. When Damin and Brother Long explained their intentions, he neither grew angry nor considered reporting them. He, too, had once hoped to change everything upon joining the organization. But age had sapped his youthful passion. Despite repeated persuasion, Director Jiang refused their request.

Meanwhile, Xiaofeng and Nana went to win over Yan Ze, but could not even find him. Yan Ze was a solitary figure—at least in the Underground City. He avoided all contact, indifferent to friend or foe, to every faction. He merely tried to protect himself, waiting for a day when he might finally live an ordinary life.

Only one option remained: Tao Ran. With no alternatives, they decided to stake everything on him. The Falcon Squad resolved that they must secure Tao Ran’s cooperation at any cost—and, failing that, would detain him and assume his identity as the leader of the rebellion.

This time, instead of paying a visit, they kidnapped Tao Ran directly. Terrified, he thought his involvement had finally been uncovered, that the sacrifice of his friends to save him—the seed of justice—would now be extinguished. Had the Underground City’s administration finally found him?

But upon seeing his captors—strange, young faces—he was momentarily puzzled. Then he recognized them as key figures on the Underground City’s watch list. Could the rumors be true? Was there truly someone still willing to lead another revolution?

Indeed, as Tao Ran suspected, these youths wanted him to emerge from seclusion, to use his reputation and the remnants of the last uprising to start anew.

“This is a fool’s errand,” Tao Ran refused.

“This time is different. We have allies outside. All we need is to open a breach from within, and the garrison in Guazhou City can arrive in two hours. With inside and outside working together, we can strike a heavy blow to the Dark Organization and free the innocent people of the Underground City.”

“And if I refuse?” Though their conviction stirred him—the seeds of hatred had long grown into towering trees within him—Tao Ran remained cautious.

“Then we’ll have to inconvenience you, Commander Tao!” said Brother Long nonchalantly, certain of his methods.

In the end, Tao Ran agreed. They named their operation the “Freedom Revolution,” hoping to rally others to their cause. For decades, a saying had circulated: “Life is precious, love is dearer still; but if for freedom, both may be cast aside.” The suffering test subjects of the Underground City felt these words all the more deeply.

The operation was set for November 11th, two months hence—a day known as the Singles’ Festival. This date was proposed by the Falcon Squad, though they kept their plan to rescue Baobao secret from Tao Ran. Coincidentally, the date was close to the anniversary of Tao Ran’s friend’s death, so he agreed readily, suspecting nothing of their ulterior motives.

With the date set, preparations began. In accordance with tradition, they would wrap the event in the trappings of fate to boost morale.

One morning, as everyone woke and opened their doors, they were greeted not by the artificial sky on the screens, but by a cascade of dandelion seeds swirling through the air. Though dandelions grew by the roads in the Underground City, there was no wind, so such a spectacle was impossible.

The administration knew someone was behind this, but the ordinary folk paid no heed. It had been so long since they’d seen such beauty; their spirits were lifted in that rare moment of ease.

Soon, rumors spread: before the leaders of the July Incident were executed, they had prophesied, “When the season comes and dandelions fill the sky, we shall return. Then, democracy and freedom will illuminate every street and alley of the Underground City.”

Not long after, another startling rumor: a man’s bust was unearthed at the mines, arms crossed before his chest—said to be the very leader executed years before. The administration swiftly suppressed the news.

With mysterious events occurring one after another, the administration resorted to harsher measures, executing those who spread rumors. But once unrest had begun to stir, it could not be stilled.

“Are we ready?” Tao Ran asked Zhang Xingmin.

“Yes! Everything has been arranged as you instructed.” Zhang Xingmin, exhausted from orchestrating these mysterious events while avoiding discovery, looked weary.

“Good. Then we wait for the appointed day to strike—we’ll lead the charge!” Tao Ran, too, felt a measure of anticipation, though he knew this time there would be no return.