People like Qin Shufeng, who held a special position in Jiuzhou, or those noticed by the Zhao clan, would usually have people placed by their side to monitor them.
These operatives typically required over a decade or two to cultivate. Their training demanded extensive experience, considerable effort, and substantial financial backing.
This was not something that could be accomplished in just one or two generations. Families like the Zhao clan, established and influential, had over a thousand years of experience in cultivating operatives and embedding spies.
"You won't blame me, will you, Ye Fan?"
"I was truly left with no choice."
Tears streamed down Su Xiaorou's face. She cautiously approached the bedside table and slowly reached for the blood-stained dagger.
Ye Fan was completely unaware of the impending danger, nor that the woman he trusted most, the woman he had risked his life to save, had chosen to kill him.
Upon learning of Ye Fan's life-threatening situation, his master, Wu Guofeng, immediately sought confirmation from Qin Shufeng.
Times have changed. Sometimes, even if you dial the correct number, the person who answers might not be the one you're looking for.
Si Jinyan had now been assigned to work under Young Master Yun, and his entire team had been replaced. Top personnel were assigned to his squad by those above.
Disrupting a phone call was a simple task for the members of Si Jinyan's team.
This was the consequence of information lag; those who couldn't keep up with the times were destined to be eliminated.
After confirmation, Wu Guofeng's suspicions were dispelled. He trusted Qin Shufeng, and their relationship was far more complex than outsiders imagined.
Wu Guofeng disregarded his own life and descended the mountain.
Ye Fan was his second life; his entire life's hope rested on Ye Fan. Even if he died, he couldn't let Ye Fan be harmed.
Most importantly, Wu Guofeng had never married or had children. The adopted Ye Fan was treated as his own son.
Ye Fan did not share his surname because, when he was found, the cloth wrapped around him was embroidered with the character "Ye."
Tragically, Wu Guofeng did not reach Ye Fan. Having just left Qingluan Mountain, he lay on the ground, riddled with bullets, blood gushing from his mouth, his body convulsing intermittently.
Si Jinyan, clad in elite gear, emerged slowly from the forest, holding a silenced submachine gun. Figures continuously appeared around him.
"The once-renowned martial physician Wu Guofeng, it seems, is no more than this."
Si Jinyan, wearing a skull mask, took out a camera and aimed it at Wu Guofeng. He needed proof of his kill, even in death, for his superiors.
He had anticipated Wu Guofeng's route and had laid an ambush. Once Wu Guofeng appeared, he would have no option but to fall under the overwhelming hail of bullets.
Even if Wu Guofeng was a powerful martial artist, he was still flesh and blood. Facing the cold, unfeeling bullets, he could only die in regret.
"I never imagined I would die at the hands of your Zhao clan in the end, but I believe the Zhao clan will certainly fall at my Ye Fan's hands."
Lying on the ground, Wu Guofeng gazed at the starry night sky and sighed inwardly. It was a pity he wouldn't live to see that day. The light in his eyes gradually faded until it disappeared completely.
"Go confirm if the target is dead. He's a martial physician; what if he's not dead? What if we get taken down?"
As this was the first mission assigned by Young Master Yun, Si Jinyan treated it with utmost seriousness and caution.
A team member directly fired at the deceased Wu Guofeng.
"Rattata!!!"
They didn't stop until Wu Guofeng's body was riddled like a honeycomb, having expended two magazines worth of ammunition.
"Captain, confirmation complete. Target is deceased."
The somewhat rash newcomer, after reloading, reported to Si Jinyan.
*Slap!*
Si Jinyan struck the back of the recruit's head.
"Is that how you confirm a target is dead? Did your instructor at the training camp teach you how to confirm a target's death?"
"Report, Captain. My instructor taught me that the safest method is the best way to confirm death, otherwise, Captain, we risk being counter-attacked."
*Slap!*
"You're still arguing? Do I need you to tell me?" Si Jinyan pointed at Wu Guofeng's corpse, speaking with disappointment. "He's been shot to this state, his face unrecognizable. What if Young Master Yun wants to see his face?"
"I'm sorry, Captain." The team member lowered his head in shame.
Si Jinyan shook his head, walked forward, and patted the newcomer's shoulder. "Forget it. I'm your captain after all. If there's any blame, it's on me."
Then, Si Jinyan pointed at Wu Guofeng's body and issued an order to his team: "Clean up the scene, take the body, and let's go back to report."
Si Jinyan and his team traveled by private helicopter, all properly certified.
Qingluan Mountain was not far from the ancient city. A journey of just over ten minutes, and they could return quickly.
...
Su Xiaorou held the blood-stained dagger in one hand, standing before Ye Fan, hesitant. She had never killed anyone; how could she bring herself to do it?
She was unaware that Zhao Yunhai was watching everything.
The surveillance cameras here were newly installed, transmitting wirelessly. Zhao Yunhai didn't need to worry about signal issues; his subordinates would handle it.
"I gave her a chance."
Zhao Yunhai plunged a fruit knife into an apple. Either she killed Ye Fan, or she couldn't blame him for being ruthless.
What if she was the female lead? What if one or two died? He didn't care; she was just a woman.
He wasn't a man who couldn't live without women. If Su Xiaorou killed Ye Fan, then she would be worthy of becoming his woman.
He didn't need a woman whose heart belonged to another man.
"Young Master Yun, Si Jinyan has returned with his men," Ah Da said, looking at his phone.
"Have someone divert Qin Shufeng. We'll go now and have Si Jinyan's men rendezvous with us."
Zhao Yunhai rose, grabbed a handgun, and tucked it into his waistband.
...
In the villa, Qin Shufeng was about to rest when his phone rang. With a grave expression, he left the villa with two bodyguards.
He also arranged for Ye Fan and Su Xiaorou to be moved to the villa's basement.
Qin Shufeng sensed something was amiss, but he was powerless. Even retired, as long as he was still alive, he remained part of that circle.
In Qin Shufeng's estimation, this basement was incredibly safe, sufficient to guarantee Ye Fan and the other's lives.
After Qin Shufeng left, Si Jinyan's team infiltrated the villa's security system.
The villa had a security system secretly purchased by Qin Shufeng, but he would never have imagined that the company producing this system was also secretly controlled by the Zhao clan.
Once Si Jinyan's team dealt with the villa's security personnel, a car stopped outside.
Zhao Yunhai stepped out and walked into the villa. Si Jinyan, with two team members, stood at the villa's entrance to greet him.
"Young Master Yun, we've learned the location of the basement from our informant, and its entrance has been secured."
Si Jinyan deliberately lagged a step behind Zhao Yunhai, lowering his head slightly, and spoke rapidly.