Chapter Ninety-Six: Eliminating Hidden Dangers (Part One)

Ning Zhiheng was somewhat surprised by Shao Wenguang’s words. Shao’s information was astonishingly swift—he had just rushed home and then hurried to the Military Intelligence Investigation Office. He’d barely been there a moment before Shao Wenguang already knew!

“Old Shao, where did you get your information?” Ning Zhiheng set down his teacup, curiosity evident in his voice.

“Heh, I’ve been conducting investigations in several police precincts in the northern part of the city! The precinct just reported the gunfight to me!”

Today, news arrived from the police: just an hour ago, a violent shootout broke out on a street in the city’s north. A large team from the Central Party Affairs Investigation Office surrounded the area, sealing it off completely, then conducted a massive search, turning the nearby blocks upside down.

“Did they gain anything?” Ning Zhiheng asked casually, though worry was beginning to stir in his heart. He didn’t know whether Wu Quanjiang and his men had managed to escape safely, or whether they were trapped by the Party Affairs Investigation Office’s agents during the sweep.

“They didn’t get a thing! I heard the corpses alone filled a whole truck—every one of them action team members from the Party Affairs Investigation Office. Not a single underground party member was caught. A disastrous loss—they’ve really lost face this time!” Shao Wenguang grinned, clearly enjoying their misfortune. “Those greenhorns, once they go to the battlefield, they’re just cannon fodder!”

The Central Party Affairs Investigation Office and Military Intelligence Investigation Office were notorious adversaries, often going out of their way to undermine each other for no reason other than to cause discomfort. This rivalry extended from their leaders to every level, and over time, the two organizations had become sworn enemies, never interacting unless absolutely necessary.

Shao Wenguang treated the news as a joke, but for Ning Zhiheng, it was a reassurance. He now knew that Wu Quanjiang and his team had escaped safely; the operation was a complete success.

After chatting a while longer with Shao Wenguang, Ning Zhiheng noticed Wei Liangbi peering in from outside the office, nodding at him. Ning Zhiheng understood and promptly made his way to Wei Liangbi’s office.

Wei Liangbi gestured for him to sit, his expression serious. “Shao already told you about the gunfight?”

Shao Wenguang was Wei Liangbi’s trusted confidant; any news was always reported to him first.

“He just told me the gist,” Ning Zhiheng nodded. “I heard the Party Affairs Investigation Office suffered losses.”

“Suffered losses? It was more than that! They even lost an action team leader—heavy casualties. Zhiheng, let me remind you again: don’t get entangled with the Red Party. These people are desperate and reckless; whether you win or lose, it’s never worth it. The Party Affairs Investigation Office’s disaster today is a warning. The Red Party’s ferocity is plain to see!”

“I understand, Senior Brother!” Seeing Wei Liangbi’s earnest admonition, Ning Zhiheng knew he was genuinely concerned and quickly agreed.

“As long as you understand. I warned you after Ma Hong’s case, told you not to investigate the Red Party, but you wouldn’t listen! And now, here are the consequences. The Central Party Affairs Investigation Office just sent a formal request for Lu Guangran’s corpse.

I know! You took the body out two months ago—what’s going on?”

Ning Zhiheng was startled by Wei Liangbi’s words; the case had been closed for two months. Why was the Investigation Office suddenly digging up old matters? Were they about to launch another investigation into Lu Ming? What was their intent?

“Lu Guangran was caught by me, and he died in my hands. Besides, the Shadow Group case was already over, and Lu Guangran was just a Red Party member, not a Japanese spy. We couldn’t leave the body in the freezer forever, could we? Our customs say the dead deserve respect and a proper burial. For my peace of mind, I took his body and buried it in Mingshan Cemetery.” Ning Zhiheng put on an innocent face, speaking indignantly.

“I sent Old Shao to look into Mingshan Cemetery long ago—you bought him the best plot. I understand you wanted peace of mind, but will the Party Affairs Investigation Office see it that way?

See, that’s the trouble. The Party Affairs Investigation Office and the Red Party are bitter enemies; what you did could be seen as sympathizing with the Red Party. So let me tell you again: avoid any contact with the Red Party, keep your distance, and you’ll be safe.

Besides, the Red Party’s underground members are so ruthless now—meeting them isn’t worth it!” Wei Liangbi’s tone was reproachful, clearly dissatisfied with Ning Zhiheng’s reckless behavior.

Ning Zhiheng was startled, realizing just how shrewd his senior brother was; few things escaped his notice. Quietly, he had already discovered where Ning Zhiheng buried Lu Ming!

He had indeed been careless. There were many details he hadn’t considered thoroughly. He thought the Lu Ming case was over and relaxed his guard, spending money to buy the best feng shui plot for Lu Ming’s grave—an oversight that was far too reckless for Ning Zhiheng.

“What’s wrong with that? For my peace of mind, I gave Lu Guangran a good resting place—is that so bad? Lu Guangran was caught by me; does the Party Affairs Investigation Office dare suspect me?” Ning Zhiheng feigned anger, raising his voice.

Wei Liangbi hurried to placate him. “Look at you! I’m just reminding you, why get so worked up? No need to rush.

I already pushed back the Party Affairs Investigation Office’s formal request at the division chief’s office. Since when does our Military Intelligence Investigation Office take orders from them? I just told them the body was dumped in the mass grave long ago, let them look for it themselves.”

Hearing this, Ning Zhiheng finally relaxed. Wei Liangbi was clearing the hidden dangers for him; his senior brother was truly caring, shielding him at critical moments.

“I’ve already had Old Shao replace Lu Guangran’s headstone with a blank one—so there’ll be no trouble in the future,” Wei Liangbi continued.

A veteran agent with rich experience in struggle, Wei Liangbi handled matters flawlessly, earning Ning Zhiheng’s admiration. His senior brother was indeed remarkable, always one step ahead, preventing problems before they arose.

“Senior Brother, you’re always so thoughtful. I really was too reckless and made you worry.” This time, Ning Zhiheng sincerely thanked Wei Liangbi, his gratitude genuine.

Leaving Wei Liangbi’s office, Ning Zhiheng felt a bit uneasy. He considered himself careful and meticulous, yet still managed to leave traces.

The matter of Lu Ming’s burial could be explained away as seeking peace of mind. After all, Ning Zhiheng had personally caught Lu Ming; others would find it hard to accuse him of sympathizing with the Red Party.

But were there no other loopholes? Of course there were—he just hadn’t thought of them.

Sitting in his office, Ning Zhiheng pondered deeply, reviewing every action he’d taken recently. He was determined to identify any points that could pose future risks.

Suddenly, he remembered something. He quickly felt for the Browning pistol at his waist. This was a loophole he’d overlooked in his haste.

That morning, he’d used this Browning pistol to kill nine people. The spent bullets weren’t a problem; the Military Intelligence Investigation Office was a military unit, and everyone practiced live fire at the range daily, using thousands of rounds. Ammunition management wasn’t strict—he could easily save a few bullets every time he practiced.

The real problem was the rifling in the barrel of his Browning pistol. He knew well that each gun’s rifling was as unique as a fingerprint. Even pistols of the same model could be distinguished by the wear on the bullets they fired.

He could never use this Browning pistol again. If the Central Party Affairs Investigation Office’s agents collected the nine bullets he fired that morning and performed a ballistics analysis, they’d have a record of his pistol’s rifling.

Of course, unless they suspected him directly, they wouldn’t examine his issued weapon for comparison. With so many people, why would they single him out? Besides, he was an officer in the Military Intelligence Investigation Office, and given the rivalry between the agencies, the Central Party Affairs Investigation Office wouldn’t dare trouble him lightly.

Ning Zhiheng felt this outcome was unlikely. Still, his cautious nature wouldn’t allow him to ignore the possibility—nothing in the world was absolute.

He had to take precautions, just as Wei Liangbi did, and ensure he left no hidden dangers behind.