Chapter Thirty-Four: The Hunter

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Hunter

Bang!

A sudden bang echoed from within the secret chamber, startling Bai Zeshou, who had been anxiously waiting outside. After covering his face with a cloth, he pushed the door open and rushed in, but was taken aback by the scene inside.

"Brother, why did you come in? Didn't you say it wasn't convenient for you?" Ah Hai said awkwardly upon seeing Bai Zeshou burst in, retracting his arm just as Shen Guohua lay unconscious on the floor, his face filled with unwillingness.

"What did you do? Don't tell me you knocked him out?" Bai Zeshou asked, dumbfounded.

"Yes," Ah Hai nodded, glancing nervously at Bai Zeshou. "Brother, I was afraid he'd reveal our secret, so I used a bit more force. The key is, I worried if I didn't hit hard enough, he wouldn't pass out."

"Fine, it's done. Did you manage to revive him?" Bai Zeshou looked toward Mr. Li, who stood not far away.

"No. He said he tried his best, but the patient is too weak, so the earliest he'll wake up is tomorrow," Ah Hai replied, relieved that Bai Zeshou didn't blame him.

Bai Zeshou nodded. "Did he mention anything we need to pay attention to?"

"He didn't say, and I didn't ask," Ah Hai answered honestly.

"You..." Bai Zeshou shook his head in exasperation. "Alright, it's getting late. Give me a hand, let's move this guy out first."

"Alright."

The next morning.

Shen Guohua awoke feeling groggy. Bai Zeshou and Ah Hai had returned him home the night before, but Ah Hai's heavy hand left him in poor shape upon waking. Remembering the masked man's rough actions, Shen Guohua could only smile bitterly. He had one more piece of advice he wanted to give last night: the patient was too weak and needed nourishing food.

Unfortunately, before he could speak, the other party had acted directly. Realizing it was already late, Shen Guohua got up and left for Yaren Hospital.

On his way, he noticed a crowd gathered around a wall, whispering and pointing. Curious, he stepped closer and discovered people were examining freshly posted wanted notices. After scanning the contents, Shen Guohua’s eyes immediately locked onto the portrait. He knew this face well—it was the patient he had treated last night.

His suspicion was confirmed: the man was indeed a member of the Red Party. Shen Guohua continued toward the hospital, observing that wanted posters bearing Mr. Li’s image were plastered across every major intersection, station, and crowded place throughout Shanshi City.

Meanwhile, as Shen Guohua discovered the wanted notice, Ye Weitian at the Hongxi Photo Studio also noticed the posters and quickly called in Zhou Shan, Guo Xiaofei, and Mrs. Wang.

"What do you think? Could this be the work of secret agents, trying to find us? With the recent crackdown, many of our peripheral members have been mistakenly arrested," Ye Weitian pointed at the wanted notice on the table, seeking everyone's opinion.

"I think it’s real. Old Li must have escaped the special unit’s custody. There was a murder on Xin Yi Street recently. From what I heard from the police, this can't be fake," Guo Xiaofei said confidently.

"Xiaofei is right. Someone rescued Old Li, and now the special unit is in turmoil. The agent in charge is determined to root out the traitor. Qian Yihai hasn’t spent a night at home in ages," Mrs. Wang added.

"So, who rescued Old Li?" Zhou Shan voiced the question lingering in his mind.

Everyone turned to Ye Weitian, the highest ranking among them and most likely to know, but he shook his head. "I don’t know either."

"Still, we shouldn’t forget how our superiors responded to the Old Li incident: they told us to remain silent. I suspect this rescue was orchestrated from above," Ye Weitian said uncertainly, then smiled. "All we can do now is wait for Old Li to contact us."

"Agreed."

"By the way, Xiaofei, Zhou, how is Wu Xiaoming—the factory director you rescued from the hospital—doing?" Ye Weitian suddenly remembered Director Wu and asked.

"He was shot through the trachea and can't speak. His right hand suffered a comminuted fracture. I’ve arranged for him to be sent to the rear," Guo Xiaofei paused, then continued, "I know who caught Director Wu—a newcomer to the special unit. Too bad we didn’t get rid of him at the hospital."

"No matter, there will be more opportunities. For now, let's patiently wait for Old Li to reappear. Everyone disperse—the daytime is risky, and the agents are still hunting us," Ye Weitian concluded.

The group left Hongxi Photo Studio one after another.

…

Special Unit Headquarters.

News of Qian Yihai’s appointment as head of the inspection team spread quickly. Because of the traitor situation, the headquarters felt cold and subdued; even the usual bustle had vanished.

Upstairs in the Intelligence Division, Liu Peiru locked himself in his office as soon as he arrived for work. At half past nine, he picked up the phone.

"After Mr. Li was arrested, didn’t I say I’d keep silent to avoid suspicion? Why are you contacting me now?" a deep voice came through the phone.

"You’ve seen the wanted notice for Mr. Li, right? He’s no longer in our hands. Do you have any information about him? Has he contacted your underground group?" Liu Peiru asked urgently.

"Hmph. Are your people eating their fill and doing nothing? You had him in custody, and still let him escape?" The other person spoke with dissatisfaction and anger. After all, the first thing Mr. Li would do upon his return would be to investigate the reason for his arrest.

That would certainly make things difficult for him.

"You think I wanted this? It’s because we have a mole from your side inside. I hope you can help me find this person. Your code name 'Hunter' isn't for nothing. I trust your abilities—otherwise, Mr. Li wouldn’t have been captured in the first place," Liu Peiru said, shaking his head in frustration and stating his purpose.

"What? Impossible," the Hunter was astonished by Liu Peiru’s message.

"It’s true. There is definitely such a person, and their identity is highly classified within your organization. Don’t worry—if you do well, money won’t be an issue. This isn’t our first collaboration. You know what kind of person I am."

"Understood," the Hunter replied, then hung up the phone.