“Understood, Mr Wade.”
At the airport, Wu Bolin, waiting alone for forty minutes, finally received his boarding notification.
Li Yalin immediately accessed his flight and informed Charlie wade at once. “Mr Wade, the third person is heading to Ushuaia, a southern city in Argentina.”
“Ushuaia?”
Charlie wade was instantly baffled. Why would this third elder come to Ushuaia?
Could he be tracking him?
Charlie wade thought carefully and felt it unlikely. If the Poqing Society had truly uncovered his trail, they would know he had brought Lin Wan’er, Yun Ruge, and Song Ruyu: so many key targets. How could they send only one elder? All three together would ensure certainty.
Thus, ruling out pursuit of him, the only remaining possibility was another purpose in Ushuaia.
Charlie wade was not afraid of him going to Ushuaia. As long as the destination was not Antarctica, all was manageable. Even if he came to Antarctica, theoretically no great worry: the continent was vast. Encounter chances minuscule.
Thus, he instructed Li Yalin to continue tracking the three’s subsequent movements, reporting any new progress immediately.
Ten minutes later, Wu Bolin boarded an Airbus A320.
The aircraft’s first class had only eight seats. After Wu Bolin settled, a few Argentine passengers boarded gradually. Minutes later, a young man of Chinese features sat in the empty seat beside him. After sitting, the young man said respectfully, “Elder Wu, under Governor Wu’s orders, I am to accompany you to Ushuaia. This season makes Antarctica difficult. He feared unfamiliarity and language barriers might hinder your journey.”
Wu Bolin was unsurprised. Wu Tony was always thorough. He indeed knew no foreign languages. Plus, off-season for Antarctica: finding ways alone would be troublesome. An assistant saved much hassle.
He asked the young man, “Are you from the Left Army Governor’s Office?”
“Yes.” The young man replied truthfully, “I am Wu Siyuan, serving as an officer in the Left Army Governor’s Office, mainly handling all coordination in Buenos Aires.”
Wu Bolin nodded. “So you are also a Wu. Tell me: does the Left Army Governor’s Office have forces stationed in Ushuaia?”
“No.” Wu Siyuan explained, “Ushuaia is remote, sparsely populated, economically underdeveloped. Thus, no outpost there.”
Wu Bolin asked, “Is it not the gateway to Antarctica? Has your office no layout in Antarctica?”
“Antarctica…” Wu Siyuan said awkwardly, “Antarctica is special. It belongs to no nation, merely closer to Argentina. Many countries signed an Antarctic Treaty, allowing only national research projects and professional polar tours. Strict controls on personnel entry/exit. Beyond national researchers, only commercial tour groups access. Strict regulation makes reasonable layouts difficult. Thus, virtually no involvement there.”
Wu Bolin nodded slightly in satisfaction. For him, fewer people in Antarctica was an excellent sign: most areas untouched by modern humans. His chance of finding opportunities grew.
He asked Wu Siyuan, “Then what is the most convenient way for me to enter the Antarctic continent now?”
Wu Siyuan said, “The only current method is research vessels. But they are strictly managed. Forcing aboard would draw extreme attention. Governor Wu’s suggestion: I first scout vessel details and departure times. Then rent a boat to take you out to sea. When a research vessel approaches, you board at sea: most reliable.”
