This method of signaling is called the “cutting path method,” a secret communication technique used in ancient military camps. In ancient military camps, the lighting was dim, soldiers wore similar uniforms, and with a large number of unfamiliar faces, they would exchange passwords upon meeting. There were many types of passwords, and they varied each time, making surprise attacks fraught with difficulties.

It was unlikely that the foreigners used the cutting path method; it should have been taught by that Miss Dong. Zhang Haiyan glanced at the distance he had retreated and the opponent’s submachine gun.

Under the firepower of such a weapon, no matter how skilled he was in martial arts, it would be impossible to escape. Moreover, judging by the opponent’s demeanor, if he failed to provide the correct answer, the opponent would not hesitate to open fire.

Although simple, this was a defensive method that showed great determination. This Miss Dong was a tough character; he had underestimated the situation in the first round.

Zhang Haiyan had only one second to make a decision, and he made the best choice. He used the blade under his tongue to cut his tongue, then pressed hard to build up blood, and with a cough, he spat out both the blood and the blade.

At the same time, he staggered and fell to the ground, letting the blood trickle from the corner of his mouth and pretended to convulse.

A group of guards was momentarily stunned, exchanging glances, and it took them a while to react to what had happened before they all stood up.

Inside were all blades. Everyone was horrified: “What kind of technique is this?” All the guards pulled back their gun bolts.

The leading guard said, “Notify Mr. Warner.” His subordinate immediately went to inform him. He continued, “Anyone who approaches us within 10 meters will be shot.”

Everyone began to look for their defensive positions. The leading guard’s expression was serious as he glanced at Steven. One of the guards beside him asked, “Should we call the ship’s doctor? In Steven’s current condition, he probably can’t save himself.”

The leading guard felt Zhang Haiyan’s neck and softly asked, “Did he swallow any blades?”

Zhang Haiyan nodded, trying hard to act as if his tongue had been cut and the blade had been swallowed, pretending to be in shock. This way, he could be sent to the infirmary and then escape. The guard thought for a moment and sighed, saying, “We can’t call the ship’s doctor; he’s a bait. If we cut his tongue and send him here, there will definitely be their people among the ship’s doctors. If we send him over, the person escorting him is likely to be ambushed on the way.”

Zhang Haiyan was taken aback, thinking, “What are you analyzing, man? That’s completely wrong.”

But the others were quickly convinced and placed their hands on Zhang Haiyan, as if to bid farewell. The leading guard said to Zhang Haiyan, “Don’t worry, brother, God will bless you. I will personally send you to rest soon.”

“Wait—wait a minute, I—”

The guards ignored him and began to take action. The so-called notification to Warner was just a knock on the door next door.

The door opened, and more Americans walked out, all armed with rifles. The Americans who came out knocked on more doors, and soon the corridor was filled with Americans. Zhang Haiyan broke out in a cold sweat, realizing this joke had gone too far. No wonder those assassins didn’t come up; this wasn’t an assassination, this was clearly a setup, as they knew someone was trying to kill him and had dug a trench.

Then he was picked up and taken to a room, where he was placed on a sofa. Zhang Haiyan secretly looked around; the room was filled with various old blueprints, and he had no idea what the owner was doing.

He squeezed his tongue hard, letting the blood flow continuously, making anyone who saw him think he was about to die. Just then, he saw a hefty white man come out from the inner room.

Though he was called a hefty man, Zhang Haiyan had seen many people and knew this was not just extra fat; this person was naturally very sturdy and just a bit overweight, which made him appear quite large.

This man had a big beard and was wearing what was obviously tailored overalls and a suit. The leading guard lit a cigar and called out, “Mr. Walner, he’s not going to make it.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions, you idiot,” Zhang Haiyan thought angrily to himself.

Walner had piercing eyes and took the cigar, sitting down opposite Zhang Haiyan. He said to Zhang Haiyan, “Steven, you know what you should do now? Tell me what happened.”

“Save me,” Zhang Haiyan feigned a weak demeanor, “I was attacked by someone who had a blade in his mouth and moved like a god.” Originally, Zhang Haiyan wanted to say: he has a message for Miss Dong, that he must see her in person before I am allowed to speak. But after thinking it over, he felt that in the current situation, taking risks was too dangerous; if he died, Zhang Haiyan would not survive either.

Better to extricate himself first.

He changed his words, “He wants to negotiate with you. I can take you to the designated place. He said that as long as I take you there, he will find a way to let me live.”

“What place?”

“Mr. Walner, he said I must honor the agreement and take you there. I dare not defy him.” Zhang Haiyan stared into Walner’s eyes. Walner thought for a moment and said to the leading guard, “Hudson, didn’t Mr. Steven just use the phrase ‘negotiate with you’? Mr. Steven has worked with us for many years, and under such grammar, he should have said ‘negotiate with us,’ right?”

Zhang Haiyan broke out in a cold sweat, desperately suppressing his surprise. It wasn’t that this foreigner was too clever, but rather his way of thinking.

He was looking for bugs in his language, but this bug was quite special; someone who looks for such bugs knows about human skin masks.

This foreigner knew that there were people in the world who could use human skin masks for disguise, and he was doubting whether Zhang Haiyan was really Steven.

“I was just repeating what the other party said,” Zhang Haiyan deflected.

Walner looked at Zhang Haiyan and suddenly touched his own face, cursing, “Ridiculous, truly ridiculous. I can’t believe I fell for that woman’s nonsense. How could anyone in this world actually change their face? That woman really knows how to mislead people.”

Hudson said, “Do you think she is being alarmist?”

Walner replied, “Yellow-skinned swindlers love to be cryptic. We represent the advanced side; most of those supernatural things are just illusions. I only believe in what she showed us, that thing proves my years of research. That building is underground in Xiamen.”