At thirty, I started my comeback from the intelligence system.

How can I trust your assurances?

"Colonel Lang, regarding the exact whereabouts of 'Viper' and those two accomplices... I will give you a clear answer by tomorrow, or at the latest by tomorrow night. If I have lied to you, you are free to take any measures you deem necessary against me."

This is a "pledge of allegiance"!

Lang Hehe looked intently at Chen Geng. For him to make such a promise, he must either be extremely confident or fearless.

"Tomorrow night," Lang Hehe repeated. "Chen Geng, I've remembered your words. I hope you won't let me down."

"But there's one thing," she said, taking a half-step forward, closing the distance, and her battle-hardened aura swept over her.

"If any of your actions jeopardize national interests, no matter who's behind you, I will show no mercy. Understand?"

"Understood, Colonel Lang." Chen Geng nodded solemnly.

Lang Hehe said no more, raised his glass to Chen Geng, drank the champagne in his glass in one gulp, then placed the empty glass on the balcony railing, turned around, and walked back to the brightly lit banquet hall.

Chen Geng stood on the balcony, and as the night breeze blew, he realized that his back was covered in a thin layer of sweat.

The dinner ended in a harmonious atmosphere.

Lu Jingxiang sat in the back seat of the Audi sedan, his formulaic smile long gone, replaced by weariness and gloom.

The fire and the damage to the villa weighed heavily on his mind like a boulder.

He picked up his secure phone and dialed a number.

The call was answered quickly, and the other end of the line spoke respectfully: "District Chief Lu."

"Old Zhao, how's the situation?" Lu Jingxiang asked.

On the other end of the phone was Zhao Liming, the deputy director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau in charge of fire protection and public security, who was "one of the Lu family's own people".

"District Chief, please rest assured. The preliminary investigation results of the fire in Unit 301 of Hengda Garden are in. It was caused by an old leak in the indoor natural gas pipeline, which ignited upon contact with an open flame and caused an explosion. It is considered an accidental safety incident."

"The registered owner is a businessman named Sun Wei, who lives abroad. We have contacted him, and he has expressed his acceptance of the investigation results and entrusted us to handle the aftermath."

"The community surveillance footage from the relevant period suffered significant data loss due to aging wiring and is currently being repaired, but it may not contain any valuable information. The fire department is handling the matter according to standard procedures and has not found any suspicious human traces."

"At the scene... two charred adult male bodies were found. Their identities are being verified, but it is estimated that it will be very difficult."

Zhao Liming's report was well-organized and clear, indicating that everything had been arranged properly.

Lu Jingxiang felt slightly calmer, but his killing intent remained: "Do it cleanly. Old Zhao, there's one more thing. Help me investigate two people. Be quick and keep it a secret."

"One is named Yu Xiulian, a woman, around fifty years old, who works as a cleaner for a housekeeping company. The other is her son, in his twenties, who I think used to hang out at the Royal Palace Nightclub. I need their detailed addresses, family relationships, places they frequent, and all their information."

Zhao Liming paused for a second on the other end of the phone, then immediately replied, "Understood, District Chief. I will arrange for someone I trust to investigate immediately, and I will report back to you as soon as I have any information."

After hanging up the phone, a cold glint flashed in Lu Jingxiang's eyes.

He thought for a moment, then dialed a number he remembered.

He no longer has a second Liu Hui under his command, so he has to try other approaches.

After the bell rang several times, a hoarse, deep voice with a heavy local accent answered, "Who is it?"

"Third Master Qi, it's me... Lu Laosan." Lu Jingxiang lowered his voice.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a few dry laughs.

"Oh? Boss Lu? What a rare guest. Calling so late, is there some 'dirty work' to do?"

"Two targets, an elderly woman and a young child, both locals. I'll send you the information in a bit. It needs to be clean, quick, and without any future problems. Price is negotiable," Lu Jingxiang said succinctly.

"Hehe, Boss Lu is so generous. 200 bags it is then, 30% deposit first. Once I see the documents, I'll arrange for someone... to make sure it's like you never existed..." Master Qi's voice carried a chilling tone.

"As soon as possible!" Lu Jingxiang hung up the phone, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

At the same time, in a secluded private club in Iwata, Fukushima.

This is a teahouse full of classical Lingnan style, with mahogany furniture, purple clay teaware, and the faint scent of sandalwood.

Seated at the head of the table was an elderly man in his sixties, with gray hair but a vigorous spirit, dressed in a traditional Chinese jacket. He was none other than Master Qi, one of the most powerful figures in the underground world of Shenzhen.

In his youth, he was said to have made his way in the Guangzhou area before settling down in Shenzhen, where he ran some shady businesses. He was ruthless but also very "rule-abiding," and had some influence in both the legitimate and underworld circles.

Sitting opposite him were two foreigners.

One of them was "Viper," who had slipped away from the airport. At this moment, he had a realistic silicone mask on his face, his hair color and some facial features changed, and his eyes were sinister and calm.

The other is Carlos, who was transferred from the secret safe house, still injured but exuding a fierce aura.

"Mr. Qi, thank you for providing the safe house and medical assistance!"

Viper spoke in fluent but slightly accented Mandarin, his voice sounding somewhat unnatural due to the voice changer.

"If you take someone's money, you're obligated to do their bidding. Since you've paid enough, I'll naturally provide the corresponding services."

Master Qi slowly brewed his tea, without even lifting his eyelids.

"However, what you want, and what you're about to do, carries considerable risk. Emmas Morgan is someone everyone's watching closely; he's surrounded by layers of protection. You two are just two people; do you really think you can take him down?"

"We have our own plan and opportunities to get close to him. We don't need your people to take direct action; we just need you to provide the necessary equipment support, evacuation routes, and, if necessary, create some... distracting 'accidents'."

"Once the deal is done, the other half of the payment will be paid immediately. In addition, we have a stable smuggling route in Southeast Asia, which we can also share with you."

Master Qi blew on the tea foam, took a sip, and remained noncommittal.

At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed in black, with a sharp face and slightly bulging temples, walked over and whispered a few words in his ear.

This man was none other than Yao Qi, the strategist of Master Qi.

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Master Qi's eyes as he waved for Yao Qi to leave.

He put down his teacup, looked at Viper and Carlos, and a strange smile appeared on his face.

"Equipment and route, no problem. As for 'accidents'... hehe, Shenzhen has been rather unsettled lately, with fires and explosions happening all the time. Foreigners fighting foreigners, we onlookers can just lend a hand and add to the excitement, it doesn't hurt."

His words were veiled, but the meaning was clear.

Viper understood: "Very good! We'll discuss the specific details with Mr. Yao later. Emmas has a tight schedule; we must take action before the day after tomorrow."

"The items will be delivered to your new location tomorrow night."

Master Qi made the decision and then signaled Yao Qi to take the two of them to rest.

After Viper and Carlos left, Yao Qi returned to the tea room and whispered, "Third Master, the man surnamed Lu sent over the information. The mother and son look like ordinary people, but the price they asked for is not low."

Master Qi twirled his fingers and said calmly, "District Chief Lu is in a hurry to clean up his mess, isn't he? Just accept it!"