Chapter 117: A Target Emerges (Please Vote)

Upon hearing Liu Datong’s words, Ning’s heart leapt with joy, and he quickly pressed for more details. “Tell me first about this person’s identity.”

On the other end of the line, Liu Datong replied, “His name is Dai Daguang, thirty-six years old. In his early years, he was a gang leader in Nanjing. Now, he owns a trading company called Xinghe Trading Firm in the southern part of the city. He wields considerable influence and is a well-known figure in that area. Guo Ruxue is his mistress.”

“Is this information reliable?” Ning Zhiheng asked.

“Absolutely. The jewelry store owner has known Dai Daguang for years; there’s no mistake!” Liu Datong assured him.

“Where is this owner now?” Ning Zhiheng inquired further.

“I’ve dispatched men to bring him to the police station. Officer Ning, your judgment is spot on! When I showed him the photo, he pretended not to recognize it, but I caught the flaw in his act and gave him a good scolding before he finally confessed,” Liu Datong said admiringly.

Ning Zhiheng had long suspected this man was no ordinary individual. With some power behind him, local merchants would naturally be cautious. Following the principle of maintaining harmony in business and avoiding unnecessary trouble, it was likely they would conceal the truth. That’s why Liu Datong was sent with extra men—to apply pressure if necessary.

Now that Liu had brought the man back to the station, it was better; otherwise, he might alert Dai Daguang outside.

“Where are you now?” Ning Zhiheng asked.

“I’m currently with a few men, tracking Dai Daguang’s whereabouts. Should I bring him back to you as well?” Liu Datong requested.

Ning Zhiheng chuckled softly. “Don’t be eager to take credit or act rashly. Dai Daguang is very likely a Japanese spy; this matter is critical! Just focus on finding his location. I will personally meet this Mr. Dai tonight. Notify me immediately once you find him. And remember, don’t alert him!”

“Yes, no disturbance! Don’t worry, I know what to do!” Liu Datong replied promptly.

After hanging up, a surge of excitement rose within Ning Zhiheng. Dai Daguang must have ties to Tian Liqun and had been dispatched by him to seek the family emblem seal. At last, another target had been uncovered.

Returning to the interrogation room, Ning Zhiheng decided against further questioning the Zuo siblings. After all, the mastermind was now clear. Inflicting more torment might breed resentment, which would not be helpful in bringing the three under control later.

He faced the three Zuo siblings and said, “That concludes today’s interrogation.”

Pausing, he frowned, seemingly recalling something. “By the way, after all this time, you probably don’t even know who I am, do you?”

The Zuo siblings exchanged puzzled glances. This young man wore no police uniform, just a plain Zhongshan suit, and had never revealed his identity since their meeting. Initially, they thought he might be some precinct chief, but the way the police leaders treated him—with fear and respect—was unlike anything they had seen. They sensed this cold, aloof youth was no ordinary person.

Moreover, judging by the precision of the arrest, the team was clearly elite. The two men who subdued Zuo Rou were undoubtedly masters. Despite her skills, she never had a chance to fight back and was effortlessly overcome. The entire operation was swift and decisive, leaving the siblings no room to resist.

Previously, the Zuo siblings had frequent run-ins with the police and never took those black-clad officers seriously. But today’s group was different—far from ordinary—which left them deeply suspicious.

Listening to Ning Zhiheng, they looked at him with uncertain eyes, eager to know the true identity of this formidable adversary.

Ning Zhiheng continued, “My name is Ning Zhiheng, Captain of the Military Intelligence Investigation Department’s Special Operations Unit. Our primary duty is to capture Japanese spies. Unfortunately, you have now been entangled in this espionage case. You have resorted to murder to silence witnesses and have been desperately seeking a seal and a jade pendant—key pieces of evidence in this spy case and crucial clues we have long pursued. You are Chinese, yet you serve the Japanese—that is treason, a grave crime.

“For this, you will pay a heavy price. The man behind you, Dai Daguang, is very likely a Japanese spy. You are aiding the enemy. I hope you understand the seriousness of this.”

His words struck the Zuo siblings like thunder. They could barely grasp what was happening.

The Military Intelligence Investigation Department? They had heard of it, of course. Civilians might be unaware, but not them. It was the most feared military agency in the country, rumored that no one who entered ever came out alive—and indeed, that was true.

How had it come to this? They were only hired to find two pieces of jade, yet it had escalated into something so grave. Now they were being branded as traitors and sellouts. Was this some trick? Their own boss, Dai Daguang, a Japanese spy? Could it be true?

“Impossible! Dai Daguang cannot be a Japanese spy! We—how could we be traitors? You’re lying! We—” Zuo Rou could not accept Ning Zhiheng’s accusations. But she could not explain their actions either. Desperation made her words incoherent.

Zuo Gang and Zuo Qiang tried to argue as well, but with cloth stuffed in their mouths, they could barely speak.

Ning Zhiheng observed their reactions and was confident the three were unaware of the full situation, merely following orders and serving their boss.

It was clear the breakthrough had to come from Dai Daguang.

He raised a hand to stop Zuo Rou’s protests and said, “I hope you are not truly willing to serve the Japanese. I am willing to offer you a chance—if you repent and cooperate, I can speak on your behalf. The deaths of those thugs can be overlooked.

“The Military Intelligence Department has the authority to drop charges. You can start anew and serve the nation.

“But if you resist and insist on being scapegoats for your boss Dai, I will have no choice but to enforce the law and send you to the gallows.

“Your fate is in your hands. This opportunity is yours to seize. Think carefully—are you willing to betray your country, to be despised by millions after death, and bring shame upon your ancestors? Is it worth it?”

Ning Zhiheng’s words were clear: he wanted the siblings to grasp the gravity of their actions, paving the way for their eventual surrender.

He then called in Old Liao, instructing him, “Keep them detained and treat their wounds with the finest Yunnan Baiyao. No one is to contact them without my permission. Understood?”

Old Liao hurriedly agreed.

“Now, what about Cui Er?” Old Liao asked, glancing at the collapsed man on the floor. If not for Ning’s previous orders, Cui Er would have been eliminated long ago.

“He cannot be kept alive. Handle it yourself. Be swift and merciful,” Ning Zhiheng whispered.

Cui Er knew too much. The jade pendant and family emblem were all extracted from him, along with the gold. He probably harbored deep resentment toward Ning and the others but dared not show it.

What if he spread rumors after release? Besides, he was a liability. Better to end it quickly than waste resources. In Ning Zhiheng’s eyes, such scum were worthless and would die of starvation sooner or later.

Old Liao nodded and set the plan in motion.

Ning Zhiheng and Sun Jiacheng exited the interrogation room, where Shi Hong and Wang Shucheng approached. “Captain, what are the next steps?”

“Tell the team to rest for now. Liu Datong has made an important discovery. We have another operation tonight,” Ning Zhiheng said.

“That’s great! I didn’t expect results so soon. I wonder what big fish we’ll catch this time!” Wang Shucheng exclaimed excitedly.

Over the past six months, the Third Operations Unit had repeatedly captured Japanese spies and cracked major cases, earning them a stellar reputation within the Military Intelligence Investigation Department. The Shadow Spy Squad’s investigations had brought the Third Unit into the spotlight.

As deputy captain, Wang Shucheng had benefited greatly, receiving multiple commendations. Another merit would likely promote him to lieutenant soon.

Seeing his peers advance, he felt anxious. Though his classmates were still second lieutenants, compared to the prodigious Ning Zhiheng, he lagged far behind.

Hence, he was eager to distinguish himself in the next case and was thrilled to hear tonight’s operation might bring results.

Shi Hong also smiled, “Captain, the case is progressing smoothly. I assume we’ll wrap it up soon?”

Ning Zhiheng shook his head. Despite the progress—Tian Liqun under surveillance and now Dai Daguang identified—he remained cautious. Smiling, he said, “It’s still too early to say. We must proceed carefully and steadily. Everyone must keep working hard to achieve complete success.”

The three deputies nodded in agreement.

It was now seven in the evening. After a long day without food, hunger gnawed at them. Shi Hong arranged for the team to have dinner and rest while staying on standby.

Ning Zhiheng and his group grabbed a quick meal nearby before returning to the detention center to await Liu Datong’s call.

Liu Datong’s efficiency was remarkable. Half an hour later, Ning Zhiheng received his call and ordered the entire team to mobilize.