Chapter 179: Heavy Mists

Zhao Dayong's capture spread through the Steel Rolling Mill like a gust of wind; the workers chattered, none had expected the usually proactive veteran to be a spy. Li Ping'an dared not relax a hair, knowing that catching Zhao Dayong was merely pulling out a fang of the organization.

"Chief, this was seized from Zhao Dayong's residence." Wang Dahu placed an Iron Box on the desk, inside were several blurry photos and a densely written notebook.

Li Ping'an lifted the photos; they showed several unfamiliar faces, all set against the Steel Rolling Mill area. His gaze lingered longest on one picture— a middle‑aged man in official attire standing at the Workshop entrance talking with Zhao Dayong.

"Have you identified who this person is?"

"Deputy Section Chief Zhang of the Intelligence Section." Wang Dahu lowered his voice, "Should we arrest him now?"

"No rush." Li Ping'an set the photos down; you must cast a long line to catch a big fish.

At that moment, the office door was knocked. Deputy Section Chief Zhang entered with a stack of documents, a warm smile on his face: "Li Chief, this is the Intelligence Section's safety report for the month."

Li Ping'an took the documents without a flicker, but Divine Perception quietly unfolded. On Zhang Deputy Section Chief he sensed a faint sandalwood scent, just like the one on Zheng Zeming before.

"Section Chief Zhang, what soap have you been using lately? The scent is very distinctive."

Zhang Deputy Section Chief was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "It was sent from home by someone from Shanghai; Li Chief, if you like, I can bring you a piece tomorrow."

"No need." Li Ping'an said lightly, "I'm allergic to fragrances."

After Zhang Deputy Section Chief left, Wang Dahu immediately leaned in: "Chief, do you suspect him?"

"Go check his social connections, especially who he's been in contact with over the past six months."

In the following days, the plant appeared calm on the surface, but undercurrents surged. Li Ping'an noticed that Deputy Section Chief Zhang's work suddenly became very proactive, arriving at the plant earliest each day, leaving latest, and often volunteering for duty.

That night, deep into the hour, Li Ping'an patrolled the plant with two team members. Near the Intelligence Section, he suddenly halted— a faint knocking sound drifted from the office, rhythm oddly peculiar.

"Stay here." Li Ping'an signaled the team to hide, and slipped silently to the window.

Through a slit in the curtain, he saw Deputy Section Chief Zhang sitting before the Radio Station, his fingers rapidly tapping the key. The rhythm varied, clearly transmitting an Encrypted Telegram.

Just as Li Ping'an was about to act, a sudden deafening blast rang out from afar!

"Transformer station!" the team shouted.

Li Ping'an's complexion changed; when he turned back, Deputy Section Chief Zhang had already shut down the Radio Station, calmly sorting papers as if nothing.

"What a classic feint…" Li Ping'an sneered inwardly, yet he had to lead his men to the transformer station.

Inside the transformer station was a mess; a distribution box belched black smoke, the duty officer pale as death: "Chief, Chief, it just exploded…"

Li Ping'an examined the blast site, finding the detonating device exquisitely crafted, far beyond the skill of an amateur.

"Chief, should we seal off the plant?" Wang Dahu asked anxiously.

"No, let them keep performing." Li Ping'an's gaze was sharp; "I want to see how long this play can go on."

At dawn the next day, Li Ping'an chaired the routine safety work meeting as usual. Deputy Section Chief Zhang also arrived, sitting in the corner, diligently taking notes.

The accident from last night was preliminarily attributed to equipment aging. Li Ping'an surveyed everyone, urging each department to take it as a warning and strengthen equipment maintenance.

After the meeting adjourned, Deputy Section Chief Zhang stayed behind deliberately: "Li Chief, the Intelligence Section has some old wiring that needs replacement, what do you think…"

"Direct that to the Logistics Department." Li Ping'an cut him off, "I'm coordinating with the Public Security Bureau on a case; you can focus on the plant matters."

A flash of delight flickered in Zhang Deputy Section Chief's eyes, brief though it was, and Li Ping'an's gaze caught it.

When the office was left with only one person, Li Ping'an dialed the Public Security Bureau: "Deputy Director Liu, the fish has taken the bait."

That afternoon, Li Ping'an deliberately took most of the security personnel out to cooperate with the investigation, leaving only a few on duty. Before leaving, he specifically told Zhang Deputy Section Chief in front of him: "I may be back very late today; the plant's safety is in your hands."

Night fell, and the Steel Rolling Mill grew unusually quiet. Deputy Section Chief Zhang stood by the office window, watching the dimming plant, a cold smile curling his lips.

At nine p. m., he slipped back to the Intelligence Section and reopened the Radio Station. This time his telegram was longer, his fingers dancing over the key, his face showing uncontrollable excitement.

"Who is this urgent report for?"

A sudden sound made Zhang Deputy Section Chief shudder all over. He whirled around, seeing Li Ping'an standing at the doorway, though he hadn't known when.

"Li, Li Chief… you aren't…"

"Not here to cooperate with the investigation?" Li Ping'an entered, "If I don't leave, how could you act with confidence?"

Zhang Deputy Section Chief's face turned deathly pale, he suddenly reached for his gun. But Li Ping'an was quicker; a Stone shot through the air, striking his wrist.

Zhang Deputy Section Chief let out a wail as his Handgun fell to the ground.

"Did you think we didn't know?" Li Ping'an picked up the Handgun, "Since you first appeared at Zheng Zeming's home, we've been watching you."

"What?" Zhang Deputy Section Chief's eyes widened; "that day you…"

"That day I deliberately let you see me investigating Zheng Zeming, to Lure the Snake Out of the Cave." Li Ping'an sneered, "You indeed couldn't stay calm, rushing to eliminate this threat."

At that moment, a rapid series of footsteps sounded outside the window. Wang Dahu and his team burst in, surrounding Deputy Section Chief Zhang.

"Chief, everything is set as planned."

Li Ping'an nodded, looking at the ashen‑gray face of Zhang Deputy Section Chief: "Speak, how many people do you still have in the plant?"

"Hmph, you think catching me means victory?" Zhang Deputy Section Chief suddenly burst into manic laughter, "Zhu Jiguān's plan won't stop! Soon you'll know…"

His words cut off, a strand of black blood seeped from his mouth, his body went limp and collapsed.

"Poisoned!" Wang Dahu hurried forward to check, "It's cyanide…"

Li Ping'an frowned at the corpse on the ground. What exactly is this Zhu Jiguān organization? Why are its members so resolute?

In the subsequent massive search, they found more evidence in Zhang Deputy Section Chief's secret residence: a complete set of Explosives, several factory maps marked with red dots, and a cipher‑written directory.

"Chief, the names on this…" Wang Dahu flipped through the directory, his complexion growing darker; several were city officials.

Li Ping'an took the directory, his mood heavy. He had thought that eliminating them would bring temporary peace, but instead it drew a bigger fish.

Late at night, he alone studied the evidence in his office. Outside, the Steel Rolling Mill glowed brightly, workers still pulling overtime shifts. Behind this prosperity, how many hidden dangers still lurk?

Ding—ding—

The telephone rang, snapping his thoughts. Deputy Director Liu's voice on the other end was grave: "Ping'an, we just received a report; a spy codenamed Shadow Warrior has infiltrated Four Nine City, the target is likely still your plant."

"Shadow Warrior…" Li Ping'an repeated the codename, "What are its characteristics?"

"No concrete intel, only that the person is extremely cunning, best at Camouflage." Deputy Director Liu paused, "Ping'an, this mission is more dangerous than any before."

He hung up, walked to the window. The Steel Rolling Mill in the night resembled a sleeping giant, while hunters in the shadows were already sharpening their claws.

He lifted the telephone, dialed the internal line: "Dahu, notify all team members, start Level‑One alert tomorrow."

He puts down the Telephone, his gaze falls on a family portrait on the table—a photo of him and his sister taken at the entrance of the Siheyuan. Li Pingle smiles brightly, completely unaware of the danger his elder brother is undergoing.

No matter what, I must hold on… Li Ping'an murmurs to himself.

Outside the window, a bright moon hangs high. The cool moonlight spills over the factory complex, also illuminating the steadfast profile of this guardian. A new contest has already begun quietly.