Chapter Sixty-Eight: Acting Without Permission

Chapter Sixty-Eight: Acting Without Permission

The person trailing An Guoming was Bai Zeshou. Initially, there was no need for Bai Zeshou to be involved; after all, Lu Tiankang, the Red Party’s undercover agent in Shanning, had already been eliminated. However, the situation had become tense recently, and if An Guoming discovered he was being followed by his own comrades, things would truly become complicated. To track a special commissioner sent by a superior merely out of suspicion—while it might seem like a simple investigation, in the grand scheme, such behavior verged on betrayal of the revolution.

For this reason, Bai Zeshou had to take on the task. Even if An Guoming realized he was being followed, Bai Zeshou had his own “cover” to rely on.

Trailing An Guoming as he wandered aimlessly through Shanning’s streets, Bai Zeshou found everything progressing smoothly at first. But after An Guoming bought a box of cigarettes from a roadside vendor, his movements became strange and unpredictable.

Observing this, Bai Zeshou silently cursed—clearly, An Guoming had detected he was being followed. Bai Zeshou was always confident in his surveillance skills, and until now, An Guoming had not noticed a thing. Yet suddenly, he had become aware. In that instant, Bai Zeshou glanced toward the cigarette vendor.

But the vendor had disappeared. Bai Zeshou instantly understood: the man disguised as a vendor had tipped off An Guoming.

He had no time to ponder who would help An Guoming. He hurried in the direction where An Guoming had vanished, only to run right into the crowd pouring out of a movie theater. Bai Zeshou watched helplessly as An Guoming was swallowed by the throng, disappearing from his sight.

Standing there, Bai Zeshou’s face flickered with indecision. After a moment’s silence, he resolved to act on his own. Returning to report to Mr. Li would be useless now.

That earlier scene had deepened his suspicions about the special commissioner. An Guoming was an outsider; who but Red Party underground members would aid him?

He had to apprehend An Guoming before the other side could react. That way, he could also test certain people’s attitudes. As for the risk of arresting the wrong person or making a misjudgment, Bai Zeshou had already considered that. Nowadays, the Secret Service mistakenly apprehended plenty; An Guoming would just be one more. He could always find an excuse to release him later.

Of course, such actions would inevitably earn Bai Zeshou a disciplinary mark. But if it could prevent losses to the underground organization, he felt the risk was worthwhile.

With this in mind, Bai Zeshou waved down a rickshaw and climbed aboard. “To the Secret Service.”

“Ah…” The rickshaw puller’s voice trembled, clearly intimidated by the powerful men at the Secret Service.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get your fare—and hurry,” Bai Zeshou said, handing over money. With the payment in hand, the puller sped up.

Upon entering the Secret Service, Bai Zeshou headed straight for Wu Zhengke’s office. Seeing Wu Zhengke’s face mottled with bruises, Bai Zeshou paused in surprise, then recalled the gossip Monkey had shared and gave a knowing look.

“Captain, I have something to report,” Bai Zeshou said, withdrawing his gaze and adopting a serious tone.

“What is it?” Wu Zhengke noticed the fleeting oddity in Bai Zeshou’s eyes but remained curious.

“That Shanning Red Party leader, Mr. Li—you remember him, right?” Bai Zeshou composed his words.

“Of course I remember. His wanted posters are still plastered all over the streets. Have you found him?” Wu Zhengke replied carelessly.

“I actually have,” Bai Zeshou said.

“Xiao Bai, are you serious?” Wu Zhengke jumped up from his chair.

“Yes. I saw him meeting with an outsider, but unfortunately, they escaped. However, I know roughly where the outsider is hiding, and I got a clear look at his face.”

“So I’d like to ask for your cooperation, Captain—let’s seal off the area and search house by house. We’ll definitely find him.” Bai Zeshou laid out his plan.

Yet after Bai Zeshou finished, Wu Zhengke didn’t answer immediately. He pondered for a moment before speaking in a low voice, “Xiao Bai, I won’t hide it from you—you know the situation in the office right now, don’t you?”

“I do,” Bai Zeshou replied, recalling Liu Peiru’s arrest and understanding Wu Zhengke’s reaction.

“Let me ask you: how confident are you?” Bai Zeshou, who had begun to lose hope, suddenly heard Wu Zhengke’s question.

He raised his head to meet Wu Zhengke’s calm gaze. Steeling himself, Bai Zeshou replied, “Eighty to ninety percent. I can draw a sketch of the man’s face—if we have enough personnel and search carefully, we’ll find him.”

“Good. I’ll have Group One and Group Two assist you. I’ll call the police bureau to coordinate as well, but you must succeed.” Having made up his mind, Wu Zhengke wasted no time, picking up the phone.

Soon, the call was finished. Wu Zhengke looked at Bai Zeshou with a meaningful expression. “The police bureau will send Sun Yanjie to assist you. Given your relationship, I expect you not to let down my support.”

“Rest assured, Captain—I’ll bring the Red Party in,” Bai Zeshou declared loudly, then, feeling a chill on his scalp, explained cautiously, “Actually, Captain, Sun Yanjie from the police bureau and I have only played a few rounds of mahjong together.”

“I’m not interested in your personal affairs. Just remember—I want the Red Party. You know what I mean. Go sketch the suspect. I’ll notify Gao Debiao and Ye Mao.” With that, Wu Zhengke waved Bai Zeshou off.

Half an hour later, all members of the operations team were assembled. They boarded vehicles and left the Secret Service in force.

In the military jeep at the center, Bai Zeshou, Ye Mao, and Gao Debiao sat together. Gao Debiao, with a hint of sarcasm, said, “Group Leader Bai, can you tell us what’s going on here? The Captain is having both groups fully cooperate with you.”

“Heh, see this sketch? Our mission is to capture this man,” Bai Zeshou said, smiling as he produced the drawing.

“Who is he?” Ye Mao asked.

“Red Party,” Bai Zeshou replied curtly.

Gao Debiao, expecting Bai Zeshou to elaborate on the target, was left frustrated when Bai Zeshou uttered only two words and nothing more.