Chapter Fifty-Four: Target Located

The female officer, well-acquainted with the archives, swiftly retrieved the files Ning Zhiheng required, stacking a thick pile on the table. Fortunately, Ning Zhiheng had a clear target and a portrait in hand, making the search quick. He opened the files and first checked whether the photographs resembled his subject. Yet he worried that the photos, taken years ago, might be distorted. He carefully cross-referenced each candidate against the clues and conditions he had deduced.

Unfortunately, after a whole morning spent flipping through all the records of field-grade officers, not a single one matched the image in his mind.

Fearing there might be omissions in the files the female officer had produced, Ning Zhiheng asked again, "May I ask your surname?"

"My surname is Luo—Luo Shuyu," the officer answered cautiously.

Ning Zhiheng noticed Luo Shuyu was clearly nervous and softened his tone: "Captain Luo, your rank is higher than mine. This is just a routine investigation. There's no need to be so tense."

Luo Shuyu gave an awkward smile. "Your Military Intelligence Bureau always acts like a superior officer; how could I not be nervous?"

"Captain Luo, let me be direct. These files don't contain what I'm looking for. Is there anything missing?" Ning Zhiheng asked.

"I assure you, these are all the files for officers at field grade and above," Luo Shuyu said quickly.

"Very well. May I ask, do you recall any file transfers for field-grade officers in recent years? If there were, you should have records," Ning Zhiheng pressed.

He realized his search shouldn't be limited to the Eleventh Division. Perhaps the mole had been transferred over the past years, but such a transfer would require the file to move as well. As the archives manager, Luo Shuyu might remember.

Luo Shuyu pondered. "All transfers are recorded. I have records of file transfers from the past three years. There should be entries for field-grade officers. I'll fetch them now."

With records available, the task was manageable. Ning Zhiheng dreaded finding no clues here—otherwise, he would have to search unit by unit, an exhausting process.

He still believed the mole must be linked to the Eleventh Division, perhaps previously stationed there. Ideally, he could use targeted information to narrow his search, making it more efficient.

Luo Shuyu brought out the transfer records for the past three years. Ning Zhiheng carefully compared each entry.

Sadly, these were only transfer logs; the detailed files had been moved, so he couldn't check photographs to confirm his target more quickly.

He picked up his pen and wrote down the names of fourteen field-grade officers, together with the units to which they had been transferred.

Now, his focus narrowed to these fourteen individuals. His next step would be to verify each at their respective units.

The matter settled, he packed his things and smiled at Luo Shuyu. "Captain Luo, thank you for your cooperation. Though it may be impolite, I must stress that this investigation is strictly military confidential. I trust you understand."

Luo Shuyu nodded hastily. "Captain Ning, rest assured. As an archivist, I'm well aware of the confidentiality protocols. Not a word of our conversation today will reach a second person."

Ning Zhiheng smiled and nodded, expressing his thanks before departing.

Reviewing the transfer records of the fourteen field-grade officers, Ning Zhiheng organized the data and found that eight had been transferred to units outside Nanjing, while six remained in local units. He would naturally prioritize the investigation of those six.

Over the next two days, he hurried to the garrisons of the six officers. At last, in the Fourth Division's archives, he found the file he had been searching for.

He picked up the document and compared the photograph. It was undoubtedly the man he had sought so desperately these past days.

Lin Mucheng, age thirty, rank of major. Two years ago, he transferred from the staff of the Eleventh Division to become the confidential secretary in the Fourth Division's headquarters. He graduated from the seventh class of the Whampoa Military Academy, contemporaneous with Wei Liangbi—perhaps the two even knew each other.

One detail caught Ning Zhiheng's attention: Lin Mucheng's father was listed as Lin Zhen.

If Ning Zhiheng recalled correctly, Lin Zhen was the name of a prominent Baoding clique figure in the military. Checking the father's position, he saw: Deputy Commander of the Third Army, Lin Zhen.

Ning Zhiheng hesitated. Lin Mucheng had an excellent record, consistently rated as outstanding, and his background was impeccable—especially his powerful family connections. Such a person could not be acted against lightly; it would require incontrovertible evidence, and even then, it might not be possible.

He had imagined that, should Lin Mucheng remain hidden with no flaws to expose, he could seize him privately and subject him to harsh interrogation.

After all, he was certain this man was the mole, and feared no mistake. If Lin resisted, he could eliminate him and probe his memories in his final moments, hoping to uncover the whereabouts of other Shadow Group members.

But now, seeing these details, he abandoned such thoughts. If he acted recklessly, Lin Mucheng's powerful background could destroy him at the slightest misstep. It was far too risky.

Truthfully, there were many enemies in the world, and Ning Zhiheng would not gamble his life and reputation on capturing Lin Mucheng.

If force would not suffice, then subtlety must be employed. He would follow Lin Mucheng's trail in the shadows, seeking to uncover the entire Shadow Group.

As for Lin Mucheng himself, Ning Zhiheng resolved to proceed with caution, not planning to apprehend him unless absolutely necessary.

After all, he himself was a member of the Baoding clique, and his mentor He Feng was a key figure in the group. Offending Lin Zhen would have dire consequences.

It was like Qian Zhong's handling of Kong Liangce, which ultimately required the murder of Huang Xiansheng to cover it up, leaving endless troubles—like a ticking time bomb that might one day obliterate him.

Was it necessary to tackle such a hard target? If nothing else, Lin Mucheng could be left in place as a hidden asset.

Ning Zhiheng knew that most successful operations in the world were not perfect, often involving twists and compromises. As long as the ultimate goal was achieved, the outcome of each detail mattered little.

He silently memorized the contents of the file and again reminded the Fourth Division’s archive manager of the investigation’s confidentiality, then feigned disappointment as he departed.

Returning to the Military Intelligence Bureau, he immediately called Liu Datong.

Liu Datong’s circumstances had changed completely. Promoted to sergeant, he now had his own office—even Ning Zhiheng still shared a room with Shi Hong and the others.

These days, Liu Datong felt as though he were dreaming. Everyone’s attitude toward him had undergone a complete reversal. His loyal brothers were naturally elated, and nearly all the patrolmen in his squad had been transferred to become security officers under his command. Director Tang hadn’t objected at all, addressing him warmly as “Brother Liu.”

People who previously ignored Liu Datong now rushed over from afar, smiling and flattering him in every possible way.

Never in his life had Liu Datong enjoyed such prestige; he was intoxicated by it. Everyone knew he had a powerful backer—the Military Intelligence Bureau. Any policeman understood what sort of department that was. With such support, he could walk anywhere in the precinct with impunity.

Director Tang had personally selected his office—the brightest, most spacious in the station, complete with a dedicated phone line.

He was comfortably reclining in his chair, savoring fragrant tea and puffing on a cigarette, thoroughly content.

The telephone rang, and he picked up slowly. Upon hearing the voice on the other end, he jolted upright, springing from his chair and answering urgently, "Sir Ning, it’s me, Big Head! What are your orders?"

"Big Head, I can't discuss details over the phone. Come to the teahouse near the Military Intelligence Bureau immediately. I have something for you," Ning Zhiheng said.

Having a telephone was convenient, but specific details could not be discussed, as the Military Intelligence Bureau's phones went through telecommunications, and were sometimes monitored.

Most people avoided discussing private matters by phone—except for the few senior officials with dedicated lines, which no one dared to monitor.

He took a document envelope from his desk drawer, containing several photographs of Lin Mucheng.

He hurried to the teahouse not far from the Bureau’s entrance. The Red Harmony Teahouse, which also served meals, was clean and popular; Ning Zhiheng had frequented it lately.

He went directly to the second floor, chose a window-side private room, ordered a pot of tea, and waited for Liu Datong.

After about half an hour, Liu Datong hurried into the teahouse. Seeing Ning Zhiheng waving from upstairs, he rushed up the steps.