Chapter 132: Returning the Jade Artifact

Back at his home, Su Yu was deep in thought. The unexpected interruption in transmitting intelligence today was a setback. Although he had established an emergency contact method with his superior, "Viper," it was meant only for dire, last-resort situations.

The current situation was merely an accident, far from being a true crisis. Furthermore, the intelligence was not time-sensitive; a day or two of delay was of no consequence.

Tomorrow was the day he had agreed to meet with Dai Daguang. He wondered how Dai had fared with his task over the past two days. According to their arrangement, the items should have been recovered by now. If everything went smoothly, he would retrieve the jade pieces from Dai tomorrow, and on Wednesday, he would meet with Takeda Kaede. By handing over both the jade and the intelligence, he would fulfill his promise to both parties while using Takeda’s channels to send out the information—a perfect solution that killed two birds with one stone. Although intelligence agents were generally prohibited from unauthorized contact, he knew that specific circumstances could dictate otherwise.

The next morning, Ning Zhiheng followed the previous procedure and brought Dai Daguang to the house where the phone call had taken place four days earlier. The Telecommunications Section had made early preparations, extending a private line into the room and setting up the telephone.

At exactly ten o’clock in the morning, Su Yu placed the call.

"Old Dai, four days have passed. How did the matter turn out?" Su Yu asked anxiously on the other end of the line.

"Haha, Director Su, you can rest assured when I, Dai Daguang, handle things. My men have already retrieved the two jade pieces!" Dai Daguang said with a chuckle.

"You got them back? That’s wonderful, Old Dai! I owe you a great debt of gratitude for this. Don't worry, your efforts won’t go unrewarded. There’s definitely something in it for you!" Su Yu said happily.

This fellow had not disappointed him. Despite the two-day delay, he had delivered. Once this was settled, given Takeda Kaede’s temperament, his son should be able to return to his side safely. The Su family would have an heir; it was truly a blessing.

"Very well, Old Dai. I’ll head to your place right now to retrieve the jade," Su Yu said, unwilling to wait even a moment longer.

Ning Zhiheng, who had been monitoring the call, gave Dai Daguang a sharp look. Obviously, he could not let Su Yu go to Dai’s home, or the entire ruse would be exposed.

"Director Su, how could I dare trouble you with such a trivial matter? Tell you what, I’ll bring the items to your residence myself. You don’t need to make the trip," Dai Daguang said obsequiously.

Su Yu considered this. The matter had to be kept strictly confidential. His home, with his wife and servants present, was not the most convenient place, so he replied, "In that case, go to the cafe near my house immediately. Hurry, I’ll be waiting for you in private room number three!"

"Understood, I’ll be there right away!" Dai Daguang promised.

After hanging up, Dai Daguang looked at Ning Zhiheng and asked, "Officer Ning, I said exactly what you instructed. So, about that..."

Ning Zhiheng nodded, appearing satisfied. "The final step remains. Go meet him now and hand over the two jade pieces. If all goes well, I will let you go home immediately!"

He inspected Dai Daguang’s attire. Apart from his somewhat haggard appearance, there were no obvious flaws. Ning Zhiheng drove Dai Daguang to the designated cafe. Before getting out of the car, he handed Dai the two jade boxes and cautioned him repeatedly, "Stay sharp. Remember to act natural; don't let anything slip."

"Please rest assured, Officer Ning. I will handle it perfectly and leave no room for suspicion," Dai promised.

Dai Daguang exited the car and entered the cafe.

Kang Shundong, sitting in the back seat, asked, "Do you think there will be any trouble with Dai Daguang?"

Ning Zhiheng smiled. "No. Trust my judgment. Besides, the lives of his entire family are in our hands; he knows what he has to do!"

Upon reaching room three, Dai Daguang knocked and entered. Su Yu was already waiting inside.

"Old Dai, you’re here! Quickly, let me see the jade!" Su Yu urged.

Dai Daguang handed over the two boxes, smiling, "Director Su, you can always count on me!"

Su Yu ignored his remark and quickly opened the first box. Inside lay a jade magatama of superior quality, translucent and finely textured. He opened the second box to find an exquisitely crafted seal, heavy with the weight of history. Although he had only heard Takeda Kaede describe them, he possessed a keen eye; these were undoubtedly precious artifacts. Specifically, the seal bore the Takeda family crest. The items were genuine.

Only then did he look up at Dai Daguang and nod. "Did you tie up all the loose ends? Don't leave any traces; that only leads to trouble later."

Dai Daguang smirked, "Don't you worry about that. That thief, Cui Er, has been dealt with. It’s just that the cash and gold bars he stole had already been squandered; they couldn't be recovered."

Su Yu did not think much of it. If Dai had recovered every single stolen item, he would have found it suspicious. Since it was the work of a petty thief, how could such a person resist spending the money? Perhaps it was even one of Dai’s own men who had pocketed the loot. The integrity of such underworld figures was notoriously unreliable.

None of that mattered; the most important items were back. Su Yu carefully packed the boxes into his leather bag.

"Old Dai, you’ve done an excellent job. I won't make empty promises. In the future, your business is my business. We have a long road ahead," Su Yu said with excitement.

Dai Daguang inwardly scoffed. *A long road ahead? You’re staring death in the face and don't even know it. Spy or not, once you’re targeted by the bloodsucking demons of the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau, you’re on a path of no return.*

Little did he know that his own fate was identical to Su Yu’s—a dead end awaited him as well.

The two exchanged a few more polite words, each harboring their own secrets, before parting ways.

Watching from a nearby car, Ning Zhiheng and Kang Shundong saw Su Yu depart, knowing the task was complete. Shortly after, Dai Daguang returned to the vehicle. Ning Zhiheng asked, "How did it go? Did Su Yu suspect anything?"

Dai Daguang replied immediately, "Everything went smoothly. Su Yu didn't suspect a thing. Officer Ning, can I go home now?"

Ning Zhiheng looked at him with a mocking smile. "No need to rush. If you go back on your own, people might get suspicious. Your mistress and two bodyguards are still in the detention center. Let’s head back there first, pick them up, and then send you all home together."

Dai Daguang thought this made sense. His mistress, Guo Ruxue, and his two men had been held in separate cells since his arrest; he hadn't seen them since. Seeing that Ning Zhiheng clearly wanted to keep this operation quiet, Dai was more than happy to comply. He would have to instruct Ruxue and his men to keep their mouths shut; he couldn't have it known that the great Master Dai had been thrown into a cell for days—it would be a total loss of face!

While he was lost in these thoughts, the car pulled into the detention center. As soon as he stepped out, several burly agents pinned him to the ground, and a pair of handcuffs was snapped back onto his wrists.

"What? What is this? Officer Ning, you promised me! You said if I finished the job, you’d let me go home! You can’t go back on your word! You can’t—" Dai Daguang shrieked, struggling as he lunged toward Ning Zhiheng.

He finally understood: the man looking at him with such mockery had never intended to let him go.

Pinned to the ground, he managed to grab Ning Zhiheng’s ankle, clutching it like a lifeline. "Officer Ning, please, I beg you, let me go! I have money—I have plenty of money! I’ll give it all to you, I'll honor you, just spare my life!"

Only now did Dai Daguang realize he had been nothing but a clown in their eyes. Once used, he was to be discarded. He recalled the rumors: no one ever left the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau alive. His life was finished.

"I could let you go, but Dai Daguang, money makes the world go round. In this day and age, you can't get anywhere without it. You’re a smart man; you know how to choose. What’s more important: your money or your life?" Ning Zhiheng’s tone was cold and ruthless.

"I understand, I understand! My life is more important! Officer Ning, I’ll hand over every cent I have, just please don't break your word this time! I, Dai Daguang, will remember your kindness for the rest of my days! I beg you!" Dai Daguang wept, sobbing uncontrollably as he continued to plead.