Chapter 223: This Is an Order!

"Hmm, your speculation does make sense; I'll have someone investigate this later, and if it turns out to be the Kuangfeng Martial Arts School responsible, I'll warn them and have them withdraw the pursuit against you."

Bing Li nodded.

"Alright, then I entrust it to you, Brother Bing Li."

Jiang Cheng let out a sigh of relief and gave a wry smile, "In the next few days I plan to find a place to lay low; if I stay within the Society, that traitor will surely keep targeting me and send more assassins after me again."

"No, in the coming days you must come to headquarters."

Bing Li suddenly said, his tone carrying an unmistakable authority.

"?"

Jiang Cheng was taken aback by the remark.

"Cang Hai, I understand what you're worried about; the Blood Hand Society's pursuit of you is real, but this is also a good chance to eliminate the traitor within."

Bing Li looked into Jiang Cheng's eyes.

"As long as you appear at headquarters, that traitor will inevitably reveal himself; then I'll have a chance to catch him, and the person who hired the Blood Hand Society to kill you will be exposed, without needing to search everywhere."

"But..."

Jiang Cheng wanted to say that the employer was obviously the Kuangfeng Martial Arts School.

And doing this is treating him like bait, right? This time the opponent underestimated his strength, or rather the traitor inside the Society underestimated him, resulting in the Blood Hand Society sending only a third-level Force Warrior.

But with the assassin's death, they'll surely realize something's off, and the next one they send could be a fifth-level.

If even that can't kill him, then the next time would be sixth-level? Seventh-level? "No, there's no but."

Bing Li's face hardened, cutting Jiang Cheng off.

"This is an order; there's no room for negotiation."

A wave of pressure came head‑on.

"Cang Hai, don't overthink it; we certainly won't send you to your death."

One of the followers who came along laughed, "We'll split into two groups; besides hunting down that traitor, we'll also send people to guard you from behind and help block the Blood Hand Society's assassins."

"Indeed, Cang Hai, eliminating the traitor is a good thing for both you and the Dawn Society; if others find out, they'll sincerely thank you."

"Bing Li's order may sound harsh, but it's really a Special Mission; anyone inside the Society cannot refuse such a task."

The three of them spoke back and forth, each replying to the other's words.

There was comfort, persuasion, and also warning.

Jiang Cheng took a deep breath.

He knew he had no right to refuse.

He also understood why, after hearing his request, Bing Li didn't agree immediately but said they'd investigate first.

He feared that deep down the latter was clear‑minded, and this matter was almost certainly orchestrated by the Kuangfeng Martial Arts School.

Warning the other side in the name of the Dawn Society would surely deter them, unless they are willing to go all out.

But if they do so, the Blood Hand Society's pursuit would cease, and the traitor would fall silent again.

Therefore, he must step forward and serve as the bait.

"Cang Hai, since you're a newcomer, I can give you a night to think it over," Bing Li said slowly, "Hope that tomorrow morning you'll give me the answer I want to hear."

"No need, Brother Bing Li."

Jiang Cheng inhaled deeply, "Since this is a Special Mission within the Society, I naturally won't refuse. I'll eliminate the traitor quickly, and then I won't have to worry about being followed when I go out; the death warrant can be lifted promptly."

The other three exchanged glances upon hearing this.

They thought the newcomer was still sensible.

Otherwise it would have gotten ugly, and no one's face would look good.

Bing Li's expression also softened a bit.

"But, Brother Bing Li, the Vajra Talisman I obtained earlier was almost used up in the recent battle. If we encounter stronger foes later, could the Society give me another Vajra Talisman, or perhaps a stronger defensive Talismans?"

"That can certainly be arranged."

Bing Li also knew they couldn't push someone too hard.

Moreover, he valued Jiang Cheng's potential quite a lot.

"Tomorrow morning, come straight to headquarters to receive a Vajra Talisman from me."

"Alright, thank you, Brother Bing Li," Jiang Cheng said, putting on a look of relief.

Inside, however, he felt very disappointed.

He had no other choice but to make the best of it, and the result was only one Vajra Talisman.

If he could, he certainly wouldn't want to be the bait.

Unfortunately, there is no if.

"Alright, you've worked hard tonight; go home early and rest. Don't worry, with us here, the Blood Hand Society's men can't hurt you."

Bing Li smiled and patted Jiang Cheng's shoulder.

Jiang Cheng smiled back, said farewell to the others, and left.

After he was completely out of sight,

Someone spoke up, "Bing Li, should we send someone to keep watch on him? What if he runs off with his family tonight?"

"Yeah, Bing Li, he seems reluctant; he might say one thing and do another."

"No need."

Bing Li smiled.

"Even if he could run, where would he go? Being found by us is only a matter of time."

"Indeed."

The few exchanged glances and all laughed.

They weren't actually trying to make Jiang Cheng go to his death.

They just really wanted to root out the traitors inside the organization.

Of course, they'd also try to protect Jiang Cheng's safety, but if the protection is insufficient, there's nothing they can do; a Second-level Force Warrior, if he dies, he's just dead.

After all, no matter how talented, it still takes a long time to mature.

……

On the way back.

Jiang Cheng didn't feel anyone watching him from behind.

But he didn't dare to conclude that there was no one behind him.

It was even possible that it was someone from the organization.

So he didn't dare to show his emotions on his face.

In his heart, there was only one thought: become stronger!

Strong enough that no one could force him to do something he didn't want to.

When he returned home, it was already past seven o'clock.

The family was waiting in the living room; when they saw Jiang Cheng return, the Old Man, Chen Sao and Lin Yue all broke into smiles.

"Xiao Cheng, why are you back so late today? Did something happen on the road?" Chen Sao asked concernedly.

"Just something, I worked overtime for a bit. Chen Sao, haven't you eaten?"

Jiang Cheng glanced at the empty dining table.

"Not yet. Aren't we waiting for you to come back and eat together?" Chen Sao said with a smile. "We're waiting, I'll bring the dishes right away."

"Yes, Jiang Cheng, we specially made your favorite sweet‑and‑sour spare ribs!" Lin Yue said proudly.

"Xiao Cheng, sit down quickly. You're tired after a day's work, right?" The Old Man's eyes showed concern.

"I'm fine."

Jiang Cheng smiled, feeling a warm feeling rise in his heart.

Home is a safe harbor; that saying is indeed true.

Yet all this feels like a fleeting illusion.

The Dawn Society gave him a place to stay, and it could also take those things back, even with profit.

Just like today, how could he dare not to agree?

Even if he doesn't agree, he still has to.

(End of chapter)