Chapter 178

The festive atmosphere of New Year's Day had not yet dissipated when the Steel Rolling Mill's Security Department received an urgent notice—higher-ups reported that enemy spies might sabotage key factories during the Spring Festival. Li Ping'an looked at the document in his hand, his brows gradually knitting.

Director, it's almost New Year, won't they ever rest? Wang Dahu came over to glance at the document, why not have the brothers step up patrols?

Li Ping'an shook his head: overt patrols must remain as usual, but secretly we need a different approach.

He walked to the window, gazing at the workers coming and going in the factory area. After several previous encounters, he knew these spies would not give up easily. Especially that escaped team leader, like a sword hanging over his head.

Dahu, go fetch the files of the new recruits. Li Ping'an turned and said, especially Zhao Dayong's—I want to look it over again.

The file shows Zhao Dayong indeed served in Dongbei; his record is spotless, with no fault to find. But Li Ping'an always felt something was off—this man was too perfect, perfect as a meticulously crafted disguise.

At evening shift end, Li Ping'an deliberately lingered a while at the factory gate. Workers chatted and laughed as they left, each face glowing with holiday joy. Zhao Dayong was the last to come out; seeing Li Ping'an, he froze for a moment, then gave a standard military salute.

Director, haven't you left work yet?

Just heading out. Li Ping'an asked seemingly casually, I heard your hometown is in Shandong?

Yes, Yantai Penglai. Zhao Dayong answered flawlessly; have you been there, Director?

No, I've heard it's a nice place. Li Ping'an smiled, hurry back now—you're on duty tomorrow.

Watching Zhao Dayong's retreating back, Li Ping'an's gaze grew sharper. Just now he deliberately used Divine Perception to probe, discovering that this person's left foot was lighter than the right when walking—a habit formed from long-term single-shoulder load-bearing—whereas Recon Soldiers usually carry weight on both shoulders.

Late at night, Li Ping'an alone in the office studied the factory map. His finger traced several key locations—substation, water supply station, secret workshop... these were all possible sabotage targets.

Ding-ling-ling—

The telephone suddenly rang, especially piercing in the quiet night. Li Ping'an picked up; on the other end came Deputy Director Liu's anxious voice:

Ping'an, we just intercepted an encrypted telegram—there's action!

What's the content?

The telegram was encrypted, but we can be sure it's aimed at your factory. Deputy Director Liu paused, we suspect... there's an Inside Agent inside the plant.

After hanging up, Li Ping'an's heart sank. The thing he feared most had come to pass.

Early the next morning, Li Ping'an convened all security personnel for a meeting. He noticed Zhao Dayong sitting in the last row, head down, taking notes.

During the Spring Festival, security work is top priority. Li Ping'an surveyed everyone, starting today, all duty personnel will double-post, and patrol routes will be changed daily.

After the meeting adjourned, he deliberately kept Zhao Dayong: Dayong, you're a Recon Soldier by background; tonight you'll lead a team to guard the substation.

Zhao Dayong stood at attention and saluted, his eyes showing no flicker.

After everyone left, Wang Dahu approached: Director, the substation is a vital department—is it appropriate to send a newcomer?

Precisely because it's vital, we want to test him. Li Ping'an lowered his voice, take two people and watch him covertly; report any abnormality immediately.

The day passed unusually long. Li Ping'an handled his duties as usual, but his Divine Perception kept watch on Zhao Dayong's movements. This kid acted too normally—normal to the point of being abnormal.

In the evening, Li Ping'an made an excuse to inspect safety facilities and walked around the factory. As he neared the substation, he suddenly sensed a faint energy fluctuation.

It's a radio signal!

He continued forward without changing expression, but his Divine Perception locked firmly onto the signal source—exactly the direction of the substation duty room.

Sure enough there's a problem... Li Ping'an smirked inwardly.

At eight p. m., Zhao Dayong arrived with two squad members on time to take over the substation. Li Ping'an stood on the office building roof, using a telescope to observe the substation's movements.

The first half of the night was normal. Zhao Dayong led his team in earnest patrol, checking every corner meticulously.

At midnight, shift change time arrived. The incoming team found the substation gate locked tight; no matter how they knocked, no one answered.

Director! Something's wrong! Wang Dahu's urgent voice came over the intercom.

Li Ping'an immediately led people to the substation. He used the spare key to open the gate, only to see two squad members bound to chairs, cloth strips stuffed in their mouths. Zhao Dayong had already vanished.

What happened? Li Ping'an asked while untying the squad members.

Zhao Dayong... he's defected! A squad member panted, saying he suddenly knocked us out earlier, and when we woke up we were bound here!

Li Ping'an quickly entered the duty room. The radio on the table was still lit, with several pages of code books scattered nearby. He picked up the top page, which showed a diagram of the substation's structure, several key positions marked in red.

Which direction did he run?

The back gate... he ran toward the back mountains!

Li Ping'an immediately led the pursuit. The night was deep, footprints on the back mountain trail were chaotic. At a fork, the footprints suddenly vanished.

Split up to pursue! Wang Dahu led his group leftward.

Li Ping'an, however, stopped in place. His Divine Perception carefully probed every inch of surrounding land, finally detecting an anomaly beneath a thicket—the soil there had been disturbed.

He pushed aside the brush, revealing a hidden cave. Inside lay an oilcloth bag containing a mini transmitter and a code book.

Quite the Zhao Dayong... Li Ping'an sneered, indeed he had been plotting meticulously.

Just then, a gunshot rang out in the distance. Li Ping'an's face changed, and he immediately rushed toward the sound.

In a cave on the mountainside, he found Wang Dahu and the others. Zhao Dayong was cornered inside, handgun raised, his former simple honesty gone from his face.

Drop your weapon! Li Ping'an shouted sternly.

Zhao Dayong gave a bitter laugh: I never thought it would still fall short...

Who exactly are you?

Tell you, why not. Zhao Dayong's eyes went mad, the Night Owl's successor! Last time you captured my master; this time I'll make you pay!

Suddenly he raised his hand to fire. Li Ping'an was faster; a stone shot through the air, striking his wrist precisely.

Zhao Dayong cried out in pain, the handgun fell to the ground.

Everyone swarmed forward, binding him securely.

Returning to the factory, dawn was just breaking. Li Ping'an stood at the office window, gazing at the factory in the morning light. Although they'd caught the traitor that night, he knew the organization behind it was far larger than imagined.

Director, the interrogation is complete. Wang Dahu pushed the door open and entered, Zhao Dayong's real name is Wu Tian Yilang, a Japanese spy. He infiltrated three years ago.

Li Ping'an nodded: strengthen vigilance, this matter isn't over yet.

He picked up the telephone and dialed the Public Security Bureau's number. Outside the window, the sun was rising, a new day beginning. But Li Ping'an understood, the struggle in the shadows had only just entered its climax.