Chapter 248: Duty
On May 14, Zhou Jian saw Zhong Jing helping He Jian Qing Ya organize a suitcase in the living room. He Jian, on the other hand, was sitting on the bed with her ragdoll cat, Hei Xin, gently stroking its back while gazing at the floor, seemingly lost in thought.
“… Don’t think too much. You have never left the sight of the old ghost from Tengshan. Although he doesn’t quite believe that you will tell me the truth about Meng Xiang’s death, as long as I still have a close relationship with Feng Xin Zi, he will remain cautious.”
Zhong Jing lowered her head, sorting through the miscellaneous items in the suitcase, her lips moving slightly, her words so quiet that only the two of them could hear.
As she spoke, Zhong Jing sneakily glanced towards the balcony, feeling like someone from Fujihara Kyōzan was always spying on the room.
With arrogance on the outside but weakness on the inside, akin to petty people, Fujihara Kyōzan openly flaunted his control over He Jian Qing Ya, which made Zhong Jing think of the phrase “petty people are inwardly timid.”
“Jing-kun, Fujihara Kyōzan’s character is undoubtedly selfish. This time he is helping the Engel family, and he must guarantee he won’t be exposed; otherwise, his family won’t spare him.”
He Jian Qing Ya bit her lip, her eyes glimmering coldly: “But he never tells me the details and timing of the operation. We can’t prepare in advance.”
“There’s no need to worry about that. As long as the Master knows that old ghost is going to appear, he will prepare a contingency plan.”
Zhong Jing stood up and walked in front of He Jian Qing Ya. Hesitating for a moment, she bravely extended her hand to touch the ragdoll cat. Hei Xin only slightly turned its head before continuing to purr in He Jian’s arms.
“Jing-kun, Wan Yue’s words last time were correct. I am a pawn of Fujihara Kyōzan, but isn’t he also a pawn of his own family?… If this time succeeds, Fujihara’s family will also gain benefits. If he fails and is exposed, they will surely cut ties with him swiftly!”
“Hahaha, if he exposes himself this time, in order to give an account to the dark front, he wouldn’t survive… this is our best opportunity!”
This time, Fujihara Kyōzan mixed up with the Engel family, and He Jian Qing Ya couldn’t believe that the Fujihara family was still in the dark.
For the Fujihara family, the hidden arrows of Huaguo were an existence they absolutely couldn’t antagonize. The impression left by the war over seventy or eighty years ago was too deep.
As the former vassal family entangled by the Tanaka family, the Fujihara family was naturally also a target of those hidden arrows in that world war. The ruthlessness of their opponents, who did not treat life as life, still made the Fujihara family wary to this day.
Now, the Fujihara family had replaced the Tanaka family and had become Japan’s top marquis family; but Huaguo’s hidden arrows had grown more than a hundred times stronger than before.
Once the hidden arrows discovered that the Fujihara family had personally joined forces with the Engel family against Huaguo, in accordance with the nature of hidden arrows, basically anything belonging to the Fujihara family in Huaguo would be eradicated, and there might even be a complete reckoning of history.
“Yes, you plan to head south to Z City on the old ghost’s orders; it’s probably just a cover to throw people off track. He will definitely not allow you to stand by and will not let you know the details of the plan in advance…”
Zhong Jing’s judgment was extremely accurate. This time, He Jian Qing Ya followed Fujihara Kyōzan’s mobilization order and almost mobilized all her subordinate manpower.
After thinking for a moment, He Jian Qing Ya released her pet, stood up, and embraced Zhong Jing, pressing her head against the other’s chest: “Jing-kun, because of this operation, the engagement date has to be postponed… Do you feel less pressure now?”
Zhong Jing did not answer, just gently stroked the other’s hair, a faint smile on her lips, though it was slightly stiff.
He Jian Qing Ya seemed to have long since grown accustomed to Zhong Jing’s subtly distant approach and smiled as she withdrew from the embrace: “Alright, Jing-kun, I need to explain and apologize to Bai Yu-kun… I will personally explain to Uncle and Aunt before dinner.”
Zhong Jing nodded slightly and turned to leave the room.
Sitting back on the edge of the bed, gazing at the slowly closing door, He Jian Qing Ya let out a soft sigh.
……
“Hey, son, come talk to your parents!”
As Zhong Jing walked down to the living room on the first floor, she saw her mother approaching with a strange expression, while her father sat on the sofa, still hiding behind a newspaper.
“I said, why is there no news from the He Jian family? Wasn’t it said this month…”
Mom grasped her son’s hand, her eyes occasionally darting toward the second floor.
During this time, Qing Ya has either been in Europe or back in Japan; even in this house, you are all busy with your own affairs… You have to tell Mom the truth, is there something going on between you?
What could be wrong?
Zhong Jian touched his nose, avoiding his mother’s gaze. “There’s just too much going on in Z City, Qing Ya is the person in charge of the cooperation between the He Jian Group and EVN Group, so many things she has to handle herself. She has more experience dealing with those Europeans than I do.”
Hearing this, Mom nodded, forcing a smile. “That’s good… I was thinking, when can your dad and I go to Japan to discuss things with our in-laws…”
“Alright, Qing Ya has to go to the airport this afternoon, so hurry and prepare lunch, don’t spend all day being suspicious.”
Zhong Hai put down the newspaper and waved his hand at his wife.
Mom glanced at her husband, who was sitting firmly, hesitated for a moment, and then had to leave.
Soon, the father and son were locked in the study, staring at each other.
“Zhong Jing, is your relationship with He Jian Qing Ya real or fake?”
Zhong Hai stared into his son’s eyes, lowering his voice and speaking word by word: “You can fool your mother however you like, but don’t think I’m blind.”
“A broker provides clients with channels and resources to handle affairs, but you absolutely cannot personally get involved, whether in our world or the other side’s.”
He Jian Qing Ya is not a naive girl; even if she marries you in the future, you must treat her with caution.
Zhong Jing did not argue but gently nodded, then pulled out a cigarette.
Zhong Jing did not see any discordant emotions on his son’s face, only sighed: “What the hidden arrows want, or what the Fujihara family aims for, you must remain neutral. For matters beyond your ability, you can refuse directly; there’s no shame in that.”
“What if it’s our own business and it has nothing to do with the broker?”
While smoking, Zhong Jing muttered suddenly.
“Our own business?”
Zhong Hai was stunned, not understanding the meaning behind his son’s words.
“Dad, Aunt Mengxiang is just a passerby in your life, and the Fujihara family could be considered your benefactor… but have you ever thought about repaying some things for her? Some matters cannot be resolved simply by being friendly…”
Zhong Jing turned his body slightly, staring intensely at his father’s face, a strange smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
“What do you want to do?!”
Zhong Hai’s heart raced, and he suddenly stood up. “I warn you, don’t overstep. That’s a matter of the other side! Is He Jian Qing Ya inciting you?”
Haha, that side… When He Jian Mengxiang was pregnant, why didn’t you think it was just a matter of that side?
Zhong Jing coldly smiled, a bit disappointed: “If she didn’t choose to leave on her own, you all might have been a legal couple long ago. Then I want to ask… What does the grudge of a murdered wife mean to a man?”
Zhong Hai felt as if an invisible hammer struck his head, his whole body shivering, and his face turned as pale as death.
Cutting off someone’s financial resources, seducing someone’s wife or daughter, killing someone’s parents, can be said to be the three great deadly enmities of Huaguo men from ancient times to the present. Any entanglement with these would be unending.
“She has nothing to do with you…”
Zhong Hai trembled as he muttered to himself.
So you do actually know who did it… For her, she has no relation with me, but you and your elder brother do, and so do I.
“I just want to ask, if something happens to mom, should I, as her son, risk my life? My elder brother bears his hatred, do I as a younger brother not have the right to seek justice?”
Yes, my elder brother has already sacrificed, but does that mean the hatred just disappears? The feelings you had with He Jian Mengxiang thirty years ago, are they really worthless? Why did you even bring my elder brother home?
Once I marry He Jian Qing Ya, what about her sister who was assassinated back then? She was abused since childhood; doesn’t that hatred still have nothing to do with me?
Dad, life is like business; the principles of debts must be paid, and murder must be avenged. You know this better than I do! Since they’re all the people most closely related to me, it’s no longer a matter of repayment, but rather a man’s matter!
Zhong Jing’s words, although softly spoken, struck Zhong Hai like thunder, leaving him dumbfounded.
Zhong Jing left the study; Zhong Hai couldn’t remember when or how, only feeling his limbs turned cold and his head dizzy.
……
In the bustling pedestrian street of District J of City C, people chattered and cars buzzed.
In the afternoon, Meng Huai followed the address provided by Wan Yue and arrived at a high-end traditional tea house.
After going up to the third floor, winding through the corridors, they arrived at an independent tea room.
The moment he walked into the tea room, Meng Huai was stunned, while across from him, a certain young officer was yawning and had not noticed that the tea in hand was slightly spilling.
Meng… Meng Ge? What are you doing here…
Han Jie Li felt the heat on his thigh and only then realized that the hot tea had soaked his pants. He hurriedly put down the tea bowl and stood up to close the door to the tea room.
From now on, I will handle the communication with that side.
Meng Huai sat down across from Han Jie Li, glanced at the tea bowl, but did not reach for it.
You represent the Wang family? I mean… What exactly is your situation in the Wang family now?!
Han Jie Li was somewhat unable to believe his ears and took a long while to ask.
A gofer, nothing more.
Meng Huai said, giving a self-deprecating smile, then directly took out a voice recorder from his pocket and placed it on the table. This conversation needs to be recorded; I will explain upon my return.
Han Jie Li’s expression darkened, even a hint of panic creeping into his eyes. Meng Ge, don’t you think it’s too deliberate for someone from the Wang family, I’m referring to that woman, to make such an apparently absurd arrangement?
Meng Huai did not directly answer but stared blankly at the recorder on the table, remaining calm.
Han Jie Li snatched the recorder, found it was not turned on, and immediately breathed a sigh of relief. A few seconds later, he leaned forward, with a more severe tone: “Now, I have an uncertain hunch, Meng Ge, have you been exposed?”
Haha, does it matter?
Meng Huai thought of a few occasions where he had chatted privately with Wan Yue but did not respond to Han Jie Li’s statement.
Is it his identity that has been exposed, or the strategic mission?
Han Jie Li clenched his fists, continuing to question, his mind recalling the time he coincidentally saw that Xia Yan when he first went to the Wang family.
I don’t know… but you’re not any better off; the talented Han family heir is now alone, having to secretly conspire with the Wang family…
Meng Huai coldly replied, turning his head to gaze out the window.
Uh… The two seniors from the Wang family should have told you about my current situation. They are certain that I and Uncle San must rely on the Wang family to carry out this operation.
Han Jie Li stared at Meng Huai for over ten seconds, then smiled helplessly. Meng Ge, do you still remember the seed confidentiality system? If your identity is confirmed to be exposed by your superiors, the Special Confidential Operations Team will sever all connections with you, and you will lose your identity and privileges as a seed.
Now the Wang family has brought you out, probably to extract all your value… Sigh, including my Uncle San, they’re all shrewd old folks and thought about you.
Meng Huai did not care about Han Jie Li’s reactions, speaking calmly: You are a straw man; you judge for yourself… I feel I’ve been used by some people for a long time.
Seeing Meng Huai’s resigned demeanor, Han Jie Li fell into silence. After a long while, he murmured: “No, you haven’t been exposed; at least we must hold onto this point…”
Yes, if I report the situation of Meng Ge’s identity being exposed, Meng Ge would become a pawn. Uncle San’s operational plan, my cooperation with the Wang family, and the resources for action in Meng Ge’s hands would all become ineffective…
As he thought about this, Han Jie Li began to sweat coldly, realizing that he was facing a top spy from the Wang family, as if that woman directly admitted that someone from the Blood Dragon Squad was inside.
Let’s talk about business. The reason I came this time is just to give you a piece of news: Fujihara family’s Fujihara Ming Shan has secretly colluded with the Engel family to prepare to strike against the hidden arrows.
Meng Huai broke the silence, directly stating the content of this meeting while turning on the voice recorder.
Thinking over it, he showed a hint of confusion: “Fujihara Kyōzan… isn’t the whole Fujihara family involved?”
Yes, the Wang family judges that it’s Fujihara Kyōzan’s personal action, and they also hope not to publicly oppose the whole Fujihara family at this time. They want you not to alarm the snake; the Wang family will make arrangements.
Meng Huai leisurely sipped his tea, as if he were merely a pure voice box.
“Indeed, understood. I also have some intelligence here but it hasn’t been confirmed yet… The Lu family in Western G Province has already sent a request for assistance to the hidden arrows through middlemen, apparently because the Wang family sees it as none of their business.”
While speaking, Han Jie Li relayed some information he had gathered from Ye Zhixing.
“Now, everything the Wang family can let the hidden arrows grasp is virtually a smokescreen meant to confuse the judgment of the insider.”
As soon as Han Jie Li finished speaking, Meng Huai directly concluded about this intelligence.
“That makes sense. Was it that senior from the Wang family who told you?”
Han Jie Li was somewhat taken aback; he didn’t expect Meng Huai’s reaction to be so quick.
“The insider isn’t a fool, and the Wang family can’t possibly expose their true intentions, even if you are now a cooperating entity. I suspect they had a plan set up long ago, just using you to confuse the insider.”
“Alright, I’ve said what I needed to; let’s end it here for today.”
After saying this, Meng Huai turned off the voice recorder but did not get up to leave.
The exchange of intelligence during this meeting was not extensive, but the weight in both their hearts had grown heavier during the previous conversation. Now, as they sipped their tea, neither knew what to say next.
Meng Ge, the girl from the Wang family who accompanied you that day, is she close to you?
A few minutes later, as Meng Huai glanced at his watch, Han Jie Li tightly clenched his fist hidden under the coffee table, then cautiously asked.
“Why do you care about this?”
Meng Huai shifted his gaze from his wristwatch to Han Jie Li’s face, his expression unusually calm.
Seeing Meng Huai’s too calm demeanor, Han Jie Li pondered over his wording: “Did you know her before, or…?”
“Just got to know her not long ago; she has helped me a lot in these past few months.”
Meng Huai started drinking tea again, as if everything was normal.
Han Jie Li grinned, unsure of what else to say. The previous Meng Huai was not skilled at lying, nor did he disdain lying.
Jiang Yan, whether before or now, was like a magical ghost surrounding Meng Ge.
Perhaps in Meng Ge’s subconscious, he wished for his identity to be exposed, to free himself from the restraints imposed by the hidden arrows?
Maybe Meng Ge is not suitable to be a seed; his character is too unique…
As he thought of this, Han Jie Li could only silently sigh.
Since the Wang family informed you about the Blood Dragon Squad, have you done any checks privately?
Meng Huai avoided the topic about himself and directed the conversation toward the core of the current situation.
A few days ago, I received an encrypted email from the Wang family containing a list of personnel who infiltrated the Blood Dragon Squad back in the day. However, I am unsure of the authenticity of the list and whether these names match with the squad members, so I have not dared to mention it to Uncle San.
Thinking of this again, Han Jie Li’s mind felt overloaded.
Previously, there was insufficient information; he was entirely groping in the dark, relying on intuition and logic to sort things out. Now, the information provided by the Wang family was monumental, broadening his perspective, but it made Han Jie Li more hesitant to act rashly.
“Hmm, you’re devious; you figure it out yourself. I’m leaving.”
Meng Huai set down his tea bowl, packed the voice recorder, and prepared to leave.
“Oh, I almost forgot! Meng Ge, do you recognize this person?”
Han Jie Li suddenly smacked his head, quickly rummaged through his bag, and put a photo on the coffee table.
Meng Huai picked up the photo and saw a young officer whose apparent age was obviously inconsistent with the military rank shown.
A few seconds later, Meng Huai set the photo down, shaking his head directly.
Han Jie Li pointed to the person in the photo, smiling slightly: “Tu Wei Jun, the instructor of the Blood Dragon Squad, one of the first selected candidates, now a baron of the Apennine blood clan… If I say he knows you, do you believe it?”
Meng Huai once again picked up the photo, his brows furrowing, unable to recall when he had encountered anyone from the Blood Dragon Squad.
Tu Wei Jun has been overseeing some top-secret tasks for the Blood Dragon Squad. Two months ago, he was assigned to infiltrate northern Myanmar, secretly searching for you…
In the following minutes, Han Jie Li briefly recounted the intelligence regarding Tu Wei Jun, and the more he spoke, the more shocked Meng Huai became.
“… Tu Wei Jun didn’t fire, so you managed to escape a calamity. But at the very least, it proves one point: the number of people within the hidden arrows who know about your existence is greater than I imagined. The credibility of this network is also one of the reasons I am no longer overly concerned with the seed confidentiality system.”
As Han Jie Li put away the photo, he sighed, his expression deeply conflicted: “The highly confidential task he accepted was issued through special channels; even he does not know who the superior giving the order is.”
“However, Tu Wei Jun is indeed the instructor of the Blood Dragon Squad. Regarding your conduct in northern Myanmar, he feels it does not match the description of a traitor in the mission… and now that the Blood Dragon Squad has become a focal point of opposing forces, he had to find me privately to seek cooperation; he also sensed problems with the upper leadership.”
To undermine the secret operations of the environmental security team, an insider risks potential exposure to issue a covert assassination mission executed by the Blood Dragon Squad, and at the most critical moment, Tu Wei Jun surprisingly let you off?
Hearing Han Jie Li reveal this secret, Meng Huai was greatly shocked, and he further understood the high value of his strategic mission.
Whether it can ultimately eradicate the Ancestor Plan remains uncertain, but dealing with Xia Yan and Yan Yao, making opponents lose their game pieces, is indeed the safest option available for the hidden arrows at the moment.
“Can you guarantee that his position is trustworthy?”
After several seconds, Meng Huai asked in a deep voice.
Han Jie Li shook his head: “I can’t be sure, so I am continuing to observe.”
“However, he has now been included in the main list of personnel participating in operations within the Blood Dragon Squad. If what the Wang family said is true, it indicates that he has also become a target for elimination among the insiders. In my personal judgment, the probability of him being a member of the Wang family is very low.”
Meng Huai nodded, not saying more.
……
As the sun set, the evening glow spread across the sky, and the bustling crowds and various noises once again filled the lively pedestrian street.
Meng Huai had left hours ago, but Han Jie Li still sat alone in the tea room, writing and sketching in his notebook, showing no signs of fatigue.
After finishing a pot of tea and making another trip to the restroom, Han Jie Li glanced at the increasingly darkening sky outside, took a deep breath, and pulled out a secure phone.
“Uncle San, it’s me.”
Han Jie Li grasped a sheet of paper filled with various inexplicable brainstorming maps, speaking in a hushed tone.
“Does the Wang family have new information?”
On the other end of the line, Han Guowei’s voice was calm.
“Yeah, the Wang family is likely to protect the last of the Lu family and Liang family. As for the rest, they expressed helplessness. I plan to report this intelligence to the Intelligence Bureau right away.”
Han Jie Li tried to calm his heartbeat and breathing, for the first time lying to his Uncle San—this authorization granted him the qualification to speak absurdly or blur the truth.
“Haha, good.”
Han Guowei showed no emotion.
Han Jie Li hesitated for a moment, then continued: “Uncle San, can you get me the list of personnel participating in the operations of the Blood Dragon Squad? Including the personal files of those who were selected back then.”
“Are you still suspecting that an insider has infiltrated the Blood Dragon Squad?”
There was a subtle change in Han Guowei’s tone.
Han Jie Li involuntarily nodded: “Uncle San, do you still remember the last time when the instructor of the Blood Dragon Squad, Tu Wei Jun, killed Yang Jiu? We all suspect that an insider reached into the Blood Dragon Squad, and I am sorting through some clues.”
“Additionally, we need Uncle San to designate me as the informant, accompanying the Blood Dragon Squad in their southbound operation.”
There was silence on the phone for a while, and then Han Guowei replied in a deep voice: “Alright, as long as you dare to take on the responsibility. As for the list of personnel from the Blood Dragon Squad, it has been repeatedly deliberated by people from the Operations Department and the Intelligence Bureau. I can provide it to you, but you must maintain absolute confidentiality.”
The conversation was brief, and Han Guowei didn’t seem inclined to delve further into this topic with Han Jie Li—they were both deeply immersed in their roles.
