Chapter 136: Operation Wind and Thunder

Despite Bai Zeshao's "audacious" behavior, Wu Zhengke did not get angry at all. Instead, he just chuckled and scolded, "You rascal."

Immediately returning to his previous stern demeanor, Wu said, "Stop fooling around. You know the seriousness of this matter; tell me immediately if you need anything."

"Captain, rest assured. If you don't trust me, I can write a formal military pledge in blood."

"What use is a military pledge from you? If things go wrong, it won't just be you—even I will be in deep trouble," Wu Zhengke interrupted, speaking in a deep voice.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Since this operation relies heavily on concealment and speed, I hope to have absolute control over the personnel participating in the mission, ensuring strict obedience to orders," Bai Zeshao finally dropped the beating around the bush and stated his demand.

He glanced at the silent Wu Zhengke and softly added, "Captain, you know that the guards from our Special Service Directorate always look down their noses at everyone. If any unexpected incidents happen during the operation, I won't be able to bear the responsibility."

"Alright, I understand your point. The superiors already anticipated this. The guard detachment for this mission will be led by Shi Zhichao. Given your relationship with him, I believe you should be able to command them seamlessly," Wu Zhengke explained, casting a glance at Bai Zeshao.

"Ah, it's Brother Shi. Then I can rest easy." Bai Zeshao breathed a sigh of relief. He was genuinely afraid that his own side might cause flaws in the mission, which would make him the very first person pushed out to take the fall.

Truth be told, if Bai Zeshao hadn't already been deeply entangled in this affair, he would never have wanted to take on this assignment.

However, in every crisis lies opportunity, and danger is always accompanied by chances. If this mission is executed brilliantly, he will undoubtedly make a favorable impression on the top brass.

Once that happens, as long as he doesn't take a misstep, his future within the Special Service Directorate will undoubtedly be bright.

Furthermore, regardless of the final outcome of this operation or how it ultimately concludes,

after such a chaotic ordeal, the already estranged Special Service Directorate and the Party Affairs Directorate will likely see their conflicts intensify even further.

This, in turn, will be beneficial for the development of the Red Party.

Just as Bai Zeshao stood there momentarily lost in thought, Wu Zhengke continued, "Do you have any other requirements?"

"No, none," Bai Zeshao shook his head.

"If there are no other demands, get on with the operation immediately!" Wu Zhengke waved his hand.

"Captain, what about Tian Yaopeng? Are we just going to let him roam free in the Party Affairs Directorate?" Bai Zeshao turned and asked just as he was about to leave.

"Him? Heh, presuming to instigate a war between the two major systems and still expecting to roam free? Someone from the higher-ups has already gone personally to negotiate. This is not something we can meddle in. But as long as you handle your own business well, we will hold the absolute upper hand in this game," Wu Zhengke said with a cold sneer.

"I understand, Captain." Bai Zeshao walked straight toward the door.

Yet, the moment he stepped out of the office, Wu Zhengke's voice echoed in his ears once more:

"Xiaobai, once you capture those surveillance operatives, make sure their surveillance logs are properly secured. Do not let outsiders lay eyes on them."

Bai Zeshao paused for a fraction of a second before continuing forward.

He understood the implication behind Wu Zhengke's words. Who knows what these people from the Party Affairs Directorate might have managed to monitor?

Once certain unspeakable secrets are leaked, the bigwigs of the Special Service Directorate will truly suffer a catastrophic loss of face.

Leaving Wu Zhengke's office, Bai Zeshao headed straight out of the administrative building, where Shi Zhichao was already waiting for him downstairs.

"Brother Shi, you must know about the operation by now," Bai Zeshao said with a smile.

"Actually, I don't. The only order I received was that I and my men are to obey your command and arrangements," Shi Zhichao replied, gesturing toward the two military trucks parked behind him.

Since the higher-ups had not filled Shi Zhichao in on the inside story, Bai Zeshao chose not to elaborate further. He simply said, "Then let's begin the operation."

Two military trucks and one jeep quickly pulled out of the Special Service Directorate compound.

The formidable convoy of Bai Zeshao and his men naturally stirred the curiosity of others within the directorate, though nobody knew what mission they had set out to accomplish.

"Uncle, you saw the situation outside. What on earth happened for them to dispatch the guard detachment?" Liu Xiaobai asked Liu Peiru.

"I have no idea, but it must be a major matter, and highly classified," Liu Peiru said, frowning. "Still, that old classmate of yours seems to be doing quite well for himself."

Liu Xiaobai remained silent, though his fists hidden inside his sleeves clenched tightly together.

On the road.

The motorcade carrying Bai Zeshao and the others quickly drew the attention of passersby, causing pedestrians to halt and curse under their breath, mentally revaming that the lackeys of the Special Service Directorate were on the move again, and judging by this formidable lineup, someone was bound to suffer.

Bai Zeshao's first destination was the surveillance post located near Liu Peiru's apartment.

Due to the element of surprise, rapid execution, and overwhelming raid tactics, the surveillance post was dismantled without a single hitch—not even a shot was fired.

Leaving Shi Zhichao to handle the scene, Bai Zeshao collected the surveillance logs.

As for the captured agents of the Party Affairs Directorate, Bai Zeshao conducted only a brief interrogation before turning them over to the local police department responsible for cleanup operations.

In the time that followed, Bai Zeshao and Shi Zhichao rushed tirelessly from one surveillance post to another.

Even though they hurried as much as possible, the sheer number of surveillance posts scattered across every corner of Shanning meant that by the time Bai Zeshao cracked the sixth post, a large portion of the day had already passed.

Furthermore, as time went on, their operations lost the lightning speed of the beginning, because the Party Affairs Directorate had begun to mount a counter-offensive.

It was already past one o'clock in the afternoon.

The men from the Special Service Directorate had not yet eaten. Yielding to the quiet pleas of his subordinates, Shi Zhichao turned to Bai Zeshao and said, "Xiaobai, this mission doesn't seem too difficult, but look at the time—it's already noon. How about we find a place to get the brothers something to eat?"

Bai Zeshao glanced at Shi Zhichao and said with a bitter smile, "Brother Shi, it's not that I lack consideration for the men, but our current mission must be carried out in one single, sustained push. If we give the opponents any breathing room, this operation of ours will only end up fizzling out."

"Xiaobai, I won't pry into the specifics of this mission, but let me ask you this: are our targets people from the Party Affairs Directorate?" Shi Zhichao asked, fixing his gaze on Bai Zeshao.

"That's correct, but the specific details cannot be disclosed. Please forgive me, Brother Shi," Bai Zeshao replied, looking apologetic.

"It's fine. I'm no recruit; I know the rules," Shi Zhichao shook his head indifferently.

"Brother Shi, please tell the brothers to hold on just a little longer. Once the mission is completed, I will treat everyone to a banquet at the Deyilou Restaurant, followed by a night out at the Rose Dance Hall," Bai Zeshao promised.