Chapter 213: Chapter 0213: The Reason (Part 1)
Zhao Dawei and his companions turned pale with shock. Almost simultaneously, they took out their mobile phones to check them. Finding the devices turned off, they silently heaved a sigh of relief.
Originally, Tutu had turned on Zhao Dawei’s phone, but it was naturally switched off when they entered Zhang Bin’s Villa. There was no need for mobile phone surveillance anymore, as their target was right under Zhang Bin’s nose.
"What about your phone?" Zhao Dawei jumped up and asked worriedly.
"It’s in the room," Zhang Bin lied.
In fact, his phone was inside his Space Ring. Although the Space Ring was magical and contained its own space, the material it was made from couldn’t block signals, so it was perfectly safe to keep the phone there. Furthermore, Zhang Bin didn’t even need to take out his phone; he could contact Tutu directly in his mind. That way, no one would know about his phone’s special abilities.
"That’s good." Zhao Dawei wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
It seems they’re terrified of the Hacker Rabbit King, Zhang Bin mused. If they knew that I *am* the Hacker Rabbit King, I wonder if they would faint on the spot?
Zhao Dawei continued to eat his bread, an unsettled expression on his face.
However, Zhang Bin was now certain that his speculation was correct. That He Banxian was indeed a member of the Special Ability Squad with an amazing Mind-Reading Ability. It was he who had used his power to read Liu Ruomei’s thoughts and learn about her rendezvous with the Hacker Rabbit King. Then, they had set an enormous trap.
But Zhang Bin still had his doubts. If they had read the secret of my meeting with Liu Ruomei that day, why didn’t they capture the Rabbit King immediately? Why wait a month for the final meeting? And why didn’t they follow me? Could it be they were waiting for the Rabbit King and Liu Ruomei to become deeply involved before making their move? That way, it would be easier to capture and control the Hacker Rabbit King with Liu Ruomei as his weakness! And they didn’t track the Rabbit King to avoid alerting me?
He felt a sense of relief that their plan was flawed. Otherwise, they would have surely discovered that he, Zhang Bin, was the Hacker Rabbit King. He broke out in a cold sweat.
He Banxian was also a dangerous person. He could read Liu Ruomei’s thoughts, and his ability was far more powerful than her own Mind-Reading Ability. From now on, he couldn’t contact Liu Ruomei using his identity as the Hacker Rabbit King, as they could read her thoughts.
Have all my efforts to save my sister-in-law been for nothing? Am I going to fail halfway through? Zhang Bin felt both angry and helpless, but his resolve hardened. I’ll have Liu Ruomei practice the Pure Heart Mystique even harder. I’ll teach her the Secret Technique to enhance her Mind-Reading Ability and push it beyond its limits. I’ll make her ability so strong that they can’t read her thoughts. Instead, she’ll be the one reading theirs! Hmph, you’re still far from being able to compete with me.
"Brother Zhang Bin, I have to tell you, although Liu Ruomei is your sister-in-law, you cannot reveal this secret to her. The consequences would be tremendous. Chen Junheng is too important to our country; the nation must secure his cooperation," Zhao Dawei said seriously.
"Don’t worry, I won’t tell her. I know the difference between right and wrong on important matters," Zhang Bin said, patting his chest.
"Then I can rest easy." After taking another big sip of tea, Zhao Dawei said with renewed severity, "Zhang Bin, I brought you into the Special Action Team before but never tasked you with a mission. Today, however, I’m here to tell you that you must take part in a very important operation. You won’t refuse, will you?"
"I’m just a small-time farmer with no training in that area. How can I be sent on a mission? I’m simply not up to the task. It’s better not to let me join, lest I mess up a matter of national importance," Zhang Bin said in astonishment.
"You are a very powerful small-time farmer; you’re the top expert in our group. We really need you for this mission to have even a sliver of a chance," Zhao Dawei said. "The nation needs you. You can’t refuse."
"How am I powerful? I’m just a farmer and a doctor with no significant strength. I’m not competent," Zhang Bin said, repeatedly shaking his head.
"Don’t deny it. You can use Sword Control and killed Qingyun Sect’s leader, Zhu Yuanwu, with ease. You must know, Zhu Yuanwu was a terrifying expert who had cultivated to the Liquid State Middle Stage!" Zhao Dawei said admiringly. "Your strength is now comparable to your senior brother Zhang Kai. Even Master Tianlong is deeply impressed."
"Yes, yes, Brother Zhang Bin! You’re so powerful, how can you just stay in this small mountain village? You must go out and face powerful enemies to grow stronger faster," Qian Bing chimed in.
"Zhang Bin, the nation needs a super expert like you to contribute. The safety of the people also requires you to step up," Sun Tie said gravely.
The Special Action Team is too well-informed. They even found out about me killing Zhu Yuanwu with Sword Control. His brows furrowed deeply as he said irritably, "Dawei, back when I helped you grow back your little ’dingle-dangle,’ all I asked for was a gun to train my sword speed. The truth is, I’m not a member of the Special Action Team. You know that perfectly well, which is why you’ve never sent me on a mission. Why have you changed your tune now?"
"This..." Zhao Dawei looked a bit embarrassed. "The truth is, this mission is too important and too difficult. An expert like you is essential for any chance of success. How about this? The country will hire you for this mission and provide you with a reward."
"What reward?" Zhang Bin asked indifferently.
"How about a Spiritual Medicine over five hundred years old?" Zhao Dawei smiled like a cunning fox.
Spiritual Medicines over five hundred years old were indeed Zhang Bin’s Achilles’ heel. He could use them to refine True Essence Pills, and with his Spiritual Water, he could enhance their effect several times over.
His eyes lit up. "One hundred stalks of Spiritual Medicine over five hundred years old, and then I might reluctantly agree."
PFFT...
Zhao Dawei spat out a mouthful of tea.
Qian Bing and Sun Tie’s jaws nearly dropped. They stared at Zhang Bin as if he were a monster, wondering how he dared to make such an outrageous request.
"What’s wrong?" Zhang Bin asked in astonishment. "You just said the mission was critical. Is my asking price really too high?"
"Do you think Spiritual Medicine grows like cabbage? Where would we find that many? Two stalks of Spiritual Medicine!" Zhao Dawei countered.
Zhang Bin haggled back and forth, but Zhao Dawei firmly refused to budge, only willing to offer two five-hundred-year-old Ginseng roots.
In fact, this compensation was already very substantial. Ginseng over five hundred years old was a priceless treasure, unobtainable for less than several hundred million. Zhang Bin already had the other main and auxiliary ingredients he needed; with these, he could refine a furnace of True Essence Pills. After taking them, he might even reach the Qi Sea Boundary Great Perfection. Then, he could start looking for a way to break through to the Liquid State.
Having wasted so much breath to no avail, Zhang Bin was naturally disgruntled. He said irritably, "First, tell me what the mission is. Only then will I give you an answer."