Chapter 128: Direct Contact

Ning Zhiheng looked at Dai Daguang and nodded, saying, "You are a sensible man. Four days from now, once you return the jade to Su Yu, your task will be complete, and I will let you go home."

"Thank you, Officer Ning! Thank you, Officer Ning! I will certainly cooperate and make amends for my crimes!" Upon hearing Ning Zhiheng's words, Dai Daguang was instantly filled with a desperate hope for survival, thanking him repeatedly.

Ning Zhiheng waved his hand, and the field agents behind him led Dai Daguang away.

Watching Dai Daguang’s retreating figure, Ning Zhiheng’s lips curled upward, a flash of murderous intent crossing his eyes. This man, who spent his days scheming against others and whose hands were stained with countless blood debts, had become dim-witted under the threat of death, naively believing that he would actually be set free.

No matter how Dai Daguang behaved, Ning Zhiheng could never let him go. From top to bottom, the Military Intelligence Investigation Department was eager to inflate cases, hoping to frame anyone connected to an investigation as a spy. As a prisoner caught by his own hands, Dai Daguang was a piece of prey that Ning Zhiheng would certainly not let slip; it would be another notch on his record of merit.

Furthermore, there was the matter of the Zuo siblings. Ning Zhiheng had to clear their slate. Under Dai Daguang’s instigation, the siblings surely had blood on their hands. If he wanted to recruit them, he had to clean up their past. Keeping Dai Daguang alive meant keeping a human witness, a potential liability; Ning Zhiheng would not make such a low-level error.

Besides, the man was now a fatted pig on the chopping block. If he didn't take a slice, how could he justify it to himself? If he didn't do it, someone else would. Since Dai Daguang’s money was ill-gotten anyway, it was better to profit from it himself.

The Zuo siblings had been in custody for two days, but Ning Zhiheng had no intention of recruiting them yet. He would let them stew; people from the underworld were unruly and needed to be broken down, otherwise, they would easily ruin things later.

This phone call had stabilized Su Yu, and everything was going smoothly. Ning Zhiheng dialed Xiang Yan.

"Section Chief, everything is going according to plan. Su Yu has no suspicions."

"Very good. Call off the team. Tomorrow, we will see if these two targets have a direct connection before determining the next steps." Xiang Yan was very satisfied.

Ning Zhiheng hung up and said to Kang Shundong, "Old Kang, our work here is done. Restore the line immediately! We are pulling out."

Kang Shundong nodded and turned to oversee the wrap-up.

The next day was Sunday. Shortly after nine in the morning, Su Yu tidied himself up and took his private car to Song Hong’s private club.

Su Yu had been in a state of agitation for the past few days. With the family seal and the jade magatama still missing, he was even more anxious than Takeda Kaede. This concerned whether his only son could return to his side safely.

Dai Daguang, that fool, spent his days bragging about his influence in the underworld and his mastery of street affairs, yet when it mattered most, he couldn't handle a simple task. Still, at least there was some progress now; he would just have to endure for two more days.

Today was the day he was scheduled to meet Takeda Kaede, and he had to provide an update.

As Su Yu entered the private club, he did not notice a sedan following at a leisurely pace a short distance behind him.

Inside the car, Ning Zhiheng and Kang Shundong watched Su Yu’s back. Ning Zhiheng asked with suspicion, "What kind of place is this? The guards let him in without even asking. He must be a regular."

Kang Shundong replied, "Wait here. I’ll go inquire nearby. A compound this large isn't for ordinary folk."

He stepped out of the car, and after a while, returned. "I asked around. This belongs to a wealthy tycoon named Song Hong. It’s said to be a private club for the elite. I wonder if we can slip inside?"

Ning Zhiheng looked at the clothes of the men in the car. To avoid attracting attention, they were dressed in the most ordinary fashion—mostly Zhongshan suits or simple tunics. He shook his head. "We can’t get in wearing these. Even if we snuck in, we’d be far too conspicuous and would only alert the target. We wait here. If Tian Liqun shows up, he must be here to see Su Yu; there’s no such thing as such a coincidence."

Everyone agreed. People continued to enter the club, all dressed in sharp suits and formal wear; after all, they were here to socialize, not to dress casually.

Ning Zhiheng thought for a moment and said to Kang Shundong, "If I’m still uneasy, I’ll call the surveillance post watching Tian Liqun. If he hasn't moved, we’ll find a way to get in and see who Su Yu is meeting. If he has moved, he’s likely coming here."

Kang Shundong nodded. "It’s fortunate we have one more chance to confirm. We must see Su Yu’s contact with our own eyes in three days, or we’ll never be at ease."

"Once we confirm this location, we can prepare to get inside next time. But I suspect Tian Liqun will be here shortly." Ning Zhiheng admired Kang Shundong’s attitude; as Xiang Yan’s trusted aide, he was meticulous and cautious, no less diligent than himself. The Military Intelligence Investigation Department was truly full of talent at this time; every single person was an elite, far from the greedy, foolish buffoons portrayed in later dramas.

After getting out of the car, Ning Zhiheng found a shop with a telephone and called the surveillance post. Liu Yong picked up.

Hearing Ning Zhiheng’s inquiry, Liu Yong replied, "Five minutes ago, Tian Liqun got into one of our rickshaws and headed east. Officer Shao has already taken men to follow him."

Hearing this, Ning Zhiheng felt a sense of relief. Everything was going as expected; he was currently positioned to the east of the surveillance post.

He hung up and returned to the car. "No mistake now. Tian Liqun is on the move and heading our way. Move the car to a concealed spot, and let’s go have a look on foot."

The driver moved the car, and Ning Zhiheng and Kang Shundong stepped out, finding a corner with a good vantage point near the club entrance.

About twenty minutes later, a rickshaw approached. Ning Zhiheng recognized the puller as one of his own men. The rickshaw stopped at the club gate, and out stepped Tian Liqun!

There was no doubt about it! Tian Liqun could only be here to meet Su Yu, which meant the two had a direct connection. The next step was to feed them false intelligence, confirm Su Yu’s true identity, and follow the vine to uncover his superiors—or perhaps Tian Liqun himself was the superior!

Tian Liqun, also known as Takeda Kaede, sensed nothing unusual. He scanned his surroundings naturally and stepped into the club.

Not long after, Shao Wenguang appeared in Ning Zhiheng’s line of sight. Ning Zhiheng emerged from his hiding spot and waved him over.

"Zhiheng, has Su Yu arrived as well?" Shao Wenguang asked.

"Yes. It is now confirmed that these two have a direct connection," Ning Zhiheng nodded.

As usual, Takeda Kaede and Su Yu met in the chess room. After playing two games, they found a secluded seat and sat opposite each other.

"Well? Has the seal been recovered?" Takeda Kaede asked in a low voice.

"Not yet," Su Yu said. Seeing the sharp glare from Takeda, he couldn't help but offer a bitter smile. "Takeda-kun, please don't be anxious. It has been confirmed that this was just an ordinary theft. A habitual thief named Cui Er has been identified, and we will catch him soon. Give me three more days, and I will definitely get the seal back for you! I am even more anxious than you are!"

Hearing that Su Yu had determined this was just an accidental crime by a common thief, Takeda Kaede felt much more at ease. He had been worried that someone was targeting him. His expression softened slightly.

"Very well. Let’s set the next meeting for three days from now, next Wednesday at ten in the morning. I will wait for you here again. I hope you bring me good news. After all, this concerns the future of your son. I trust you won't disappoint me?" Takeda Kaede said with a helpless sigh.

"Of course, of course. But I hope Takeda-kun will keep his word," Su Yu replied.

"Do not question the honor of the Takeda family. It is settled!" Takeda Kaede said decisively.