The man was about forty years old, with a steady expression.
The woman was much younger, under thirty, wearing a beige trench coat. She was beautiful and carried a heroic aura.
Chen Fan sensed a martial artist's aura emanating from both of them.
"Who are you?"
The woman scrutinized Chen Fan and his companion, asking in Sakura language.
"And who are you?"
Kono Shinobu countered.
As soon as he spoke, the man and woman exchanged glances. Then, the woman suddenly attacked, her hand shooting towards Shinobu.
Her movements were swift and sharp.
Kono Shinobu, prepared for this, stepped back and struck with his elbow.
But the woman was strong. She darted forward, pinning Shinobu's elbow with one hand while her other landed on his shoulder.
Kono Shinobu twisted, attempting a counter-strike, but the woman's hands were like claws. Grabbing his shoulder, she launched a knee strike upwards.
Kono Shinobu raised a hand to block, but it was futile. He stumbled back. The woman, light on her feet, circled behind him and twisted his arm.
At the same time, the middle-aged man blocked Chen Fan, preventing him from aiding Kono Shinobu. He then attacked, reaching for Chen Fan's arm.
Chen Fan shook his head and threw a punch.
With a bang, the man staggered back.
"Alright, stop fighting!"
Chen Fan spoke.
He used Daxia language.
His words stunned the man and woman.
Kono Shinobu was still struggling but was clearly no match for the woman.
"Are you... from Daxia?"
The middle-aged man asked.
"Like you, we're here to investigate."
Chen Fan replied.
The woman released Kono Shinobu and said, "Identify yourselves!"
"We were invited by the Xiang family."
Chen Fan said casually.
The man and woman exchanged glances and took a step back.
However, their expressions remained unconvinced. The woman, in particular, showed a hint of disdain, asking, "Then what have you found?"
"Nothing much," Chen Fan said. "There are no traces left here. We still need to find the scene of the incident. Have you found anything?"
The middle-aged man said, "It seems you know who we are. If we can't find any clues, you won't find any either."
"People like you are arrogant and will only cause trouble, disrupting our operations. You should return home as soon as possible," the woman said.
Kono Shinobu, who couldn't speak Daxia language but understood it, gaped at her words, finding them incredible.
Chen Fan shook his head and said, "If you had found the person, why would I have come here? So much time has passed; the golden hour is over."
The man and woman's expressions darkened at his words.
Chen Fan's words were harsh, but they pointed out an undeniable reality.
"We... just arrived!"
The woman said indignantly. "Give me some time, and I'll definitely find the target."
"Then we'll wait until you find them,"
Chen Fan said, tired of arguing. "Shin, let's go."
"Okay."
Kono Shinobu nodded and opened the car door.
Chen Fan got in, and they drove away.
The man and woman watched them leave, not pursuing further.
"Wang, were those two experts?" Kono Shinobu asked as he drove.
"Not really," Chen Fan replied. "If they had any leads, they wouldn't be here."
Chen Fan didn't recognize the two individuals, but as Kono Shinobu had said, they were likely elites deployed from elsewhere by Daxia's Intelligence Department.
Xiang Jingzhu's disappearance had put immense pressure on the Intelligence Department.
However, Chen Fan had no intention of cooperating with them.
The Intelligence Department had deployed considerable resources but found no clues, indicating that conventional methods were ineffective.
This was why Chen Fan had sent the Seers to Sakura country instead of going through the Xiang family or official channels.
Official actions came with many reservations, while Chen Fan and the Dark Night organization operated without such constraints.
Operating abroad was different from operating domestically. In Daxia, Chen Fan had to be mindful of many things, but in a place like Sakura country, he could act with impunity.
"Wang, are we going back now?" Shin asked.
"No, it's getting late. Let's go for a drink."
"A drink?" Shin was surprised.
"The Yukihime Izakaya. Do you know the place?"
"I... have heard of it."
Kono Shinobu drove to the Shibuya district and parked the car outside a narrow alley.
Chen Fan and Shin walked a short distance into the alley and entered an izakaya with a flag.
Such izakayas were common in Sakura country, selling Sakura sake and offering food, similar to bars.
However, unlike bars, izakayas had private rooms and offered special services.
"Welcome!"
A hostess greeted them warmly. The two entered a private room and sat on the tatami mats.
When the hostess brought the drinks, Chen Fan asked, "Is Mr. Matsushita here?"
"Mr. Matsushita hasn't arrived tonight. May I help you with anything?"
Chen Fan took out a few bills and handed them to the hostess. "When Mr. Matsushita arrives, please bring him to me. Tell him that an old friend, Ye Sang, has arrived. Thank you."
"Hai!"
Chen Fan drank and chatted with Shin.
"Wang, who is that Mr. Matsushita?" Shin asked.
Chen Fan smiled and said, "We'll see. We have no leads right now, so we have to find them ourselves."
"What about the clues you were looking for earlier? They weren't helpful, were they? You didn't finish what you were saying."
Shin asked.
Chen Fan glanced at the young man.
Shin had potential, but his experience was still lacking.
"We were discussing how someone tricked their way in and took the person away."
Chen Fan continued, "The person taken was an overseas operative from Daxia, likely trained to some extent."
"Under those circumstances, for him to be easily subdued and taken away indicates that the person who tricked their way in was a master, possessing not only great skill but also extensive experience."
Taking a sip of his drink, Chen Fan added, "In Onigakure, someone capable of this is certainly no ordinary person. We can rule out involvement by gangs."
"It's highly likely a seasoned special agent from your Sakura country."
Kono Shinobu slapped his forehead and then bowed deeply. "My King, I still have much to learn."
Chen Fan smiled.
He didn't like the people of Sakura country, but this nation indeed possessed admirable qualities, such as a willingness to learn.
Of course, he held no prejudice against Kono Shinobu.
"Our guest hasn't arrived yet, and we still have some time. Shin, tell me about some recent news,"
Chen Fan added.
"News?"
Kono Shinobu asked, "Wang, do you think there might be clues in the news?"
Chen Fan nodded.
Kono Shinobu thought for a moment. "Three months ago, we changed our Prime Minister. The new appointee is..."
Chen Fan drank his wine, occasionally interjecting with questions.
Sakura country was different from Daxia. Although small in area, it had a large population, and its economy was controlled by conglomerates.
Much information lay hidden behind many news stories.
As they drank and chatted, not long after, the hostess knocked on the door, and a short, middle-aged man with a disheveled beard appeared at the entrance.
Seeing Chen Fan, the man's face lit up with surprise. "Ye Sang, is that really you? You're back in Tou-ou again?"
Chen Fan smiled. "Mr. Matsushita, come have a drink. I have something I need to ask of you!"