Chapter 129: The Servant of Three Masters

Monkey’s words made Bai Zeshao’s heart tighten. If the higher-ups at the Special Service Office were already preparing for future intelligence work between China and Japan, it suggested that tensions between the two nations had reached a breaking point, and a major war might be imminent.

However, Bai Zeshao remained skeptical about Monkey’s claim that the upcoming training course would involve internal recruitment from within the Special Service Office. In the intelligence business, experience wasn't always synonymous with success; sometimes, fresh faces or inexperienced recruits could achieve unexpected results. That was precisely why the Office typically recruited heavily from outside whenever they organized a training program. It was a dual strategy: to scout for new talent and to ensure their operational objectives could be met. Still, the news brought by Monkey stayed on his mind, and he began to consider whether there might be an opportunity for him to get involved.

At that moment, in Liu Peiru’s office at the Special Service Office, Liu Xiaobing looked at his uncle with a serious expression. "Uncle, I followed the secret contact signal you left behind and found the note Tian Yaopeng left for me. He didn’t show himself—he’s being very cautious—but he hasn't rejected our help, either."

"He is an ambitious man, yet meticulously careful. Given that he is a wanted fugitive, his behavior is understandable. It’s just unclear where he is hiding now," Liu Peiru said with a faint smile. He continued, "But since he has contacted us once, he will surely reach out again. When that happens, we will know exactly what has become of him."

"Understood. I will keep a close watch on the contact point," Liu Xiaobing nodded, then asked with curiosity, "Uncle, is it true that the leadership plans to select candidates from within our own ranks for the new training course?"

"It is true, though no one yet knows how exactly they plan to execute it," Liu Peiru replied, surprised by the question but deciding to answer candidly.

"Why recruit from within this time?"

"That is not for you to worry about. Now, if there is nothing else, you may go. Remember, do not let your guard down regarding the matter of Tian Yaopeng."

"Understood." Liu Xiaobing left the office.

While they were discussing Tian Yaopeng, the man himself was busy aligning with Zheng Zhibin. With the Special Service Office hunting him and the Red Party’s action teams also on his trail, a cornered Tian Yaopeng had no choice but to defect to the Party Affairs Office. Although the Party Affairs Office lacked the scale and manpower of the Special Service Office, its influence was not to be underestimated, which was why Tian had ultimately chosen them.

Zheng Zhibin, for his part, was quite interested in Tian Yaopeng. After all, having someone who had successfully infiltrated the Red Party provided invaluable experience and tactical insight, which would surely prove helpful for their future anti-insurgency operations.

"Team Leader Zheng, I am honored that you think so highly of me. Let me toast you," said the one-eyed Tian Yaopeng, raising his glass.

"Think nothing of it. Brother Tian, you are a man of great talent. It is the Special Service Office’s loss that they failed to utilize you. Those brutes only know how to kill; they would never truly appreciate a man like you. Rest assured, here at the Party Affairs Office, your talents will not go to waste," Zheng Zhibin said with a warm, cordial smile.

"Then I thank you," Tian Yaopeng replied, downing his drink in one gulp.

"By the way, Brother Tian, what is your opinion of the Red Party?" Zheng Zhibin inquired.

"They are difficult to deal with, and their commitment to their faith is incredibly firm. Even when living conditions are abysmal, they never abandon their beliefs. I must admit, these people are formidable; it would be best to eradicate them as soon as possible," Tian said, a lingering sense of unease evident as he recalled his past experiences.

"You are right. As long as the Red Party exists, the threat remains, and as time passes, they will only become harder to uproot."

"Hunting down the Red Party is our specialty here at the Party Affairs Office, so don't be discouraged, Brother Tian. Things will improve soon," Zheng Zhibin said with a laugh.

"You’re right. Compared to the crude and heavy-handed methods of the Special Service Office, the Party Affairs Office is much more refined, yet your results are clearly superior," Tian said with a sigh of mixed emotions.

"Haha, you are too kind, Brother Tian," Zheng Zhibin laughed. "But look, Old Tian, you are a wanted man. While we don't see eye-to-eye with the Special Service Office, we cannot openly harbor you. So, for the time being, you will have to endure some hardships."

"And what does that mean, Team Leader Zheng?" Despite having prepared himself, Tian felt a surge of disappointment upon hearing the implication in Zheng’s words.

"It means you will have to start from the bottom, as a field agent in the action team," Zheng said with a smile.

"Team Leader Zheng, this is..." Tian Yaopeng’s face darkened.

Before he could protest further, Zheng Zhibin cut him off. "Old Tian, I know what you want to say, but rest assured: as long as you perform meritorious service, I will certainly promote you. Being a field agent is only temporary."

"Very well." With the matter settled, Tian Yaopeng had no choice but to swallow his pride.

Shortly after Tian departed, one of Zheng Zhibin’s confidants asked, "Team Leader, are you really planning to put this guy in a position of importance?"

"Important position? Ha, you think too much. No one trusts a man who serves three masters. I am merely pacifying him. After all, the Special Service Office managed to capture the Red Party’s number two man because of him; I just want to see if there is any remaining value to be squeezed out of him." Zheng Zhibin watched Tian’s retreating figure through the window with a cold sneer.

"I see. That makes sense. I was wondering why you would ever trust a man like that," the subordinate replied, enlightened.

"Furthermore, even if we don't know why he killed someone and escaped, he can never return to the Special Service Office. No matter how we utilize him, he has no choice but to accept it. Who knows? He might even prove useful in an unexpected way when we eventually clash with the Special Service Office," Zheng added with a sinister tone.

"Exactly. He is just a card in our hand. We can play him however we like, entirely at our own discretion."

"Enough, let's stop talking about him."

"Understood."

Outside the room, Tian Yaopeng’s expression was grim. Zheng Zhibin had spoken with honeyed words, but in the end, there were no tangible benefits. Ultimately, it was because he lacked a 'pledge of loyalty.' For the Party Affairs Office, the best pledge would be the capture of Red Party members, but the Red Party cells in Shanning had already been decimated; only small fry remained, and the big fish were nowhere to be found.

Even so, he still held one trump card. If he played it well, he would surely make a comeback. When that time came, he would make sure those people at the Special Service Office paid the price.