Chapter 223

Inside the Lin Gong Guan study.

Lin Yu stood before the huge map on the wall, his gaze falling on the location of Lan Zhou. Outside the window the night was deep, but the oil lamp inside the study remained bright.

Qi Ming Yuan stood respectfully to one side, holding a freshly organized file. The file cover bore the words "Top Secret" in bold, containing a summary of Xiaoli Daifu's initial confession and photos of key physical evidence seized from the warehouse.

"These are the most crucial pieces of evidence." Qi Ming Yuan opened the file, "including Xiaoli Daifu's handwritten action plan, the roster of the Lan Zhou assassination team, and the coded telegram records of their communications with Tokyo."

Lin Yu gave a slight nod, walked back to the desk. He picked up a telegram form, pondered for a moment, and a hint of deep meaning flashed in his eyes.

Draft a telegram, to be sent to Governor Sun of Lan Zhou.

Qi Ming Yuan immediately picked up a steel pen, ready to take notes.

Lin Yu's voice was calm yet carried undeniable force: "Governor Sun, regarding the attack on Lan Zhou, the true culprit has been captured—it is Xiaoli Daifu of the remnants of the Oriental Special Higher Police, intending to frame us and provoke conflict between us. The related testimonial and material evidence is conclusive (see attached summary)."

He paused, then continued: "Lin Yu's words are deeds; your son has already been released by our side, and thereafter his safety is beyond my control, nor do I wish to see harm come to him. The matter of Shen City is settled; I hope Governor Sun will see clearly."

Qi Ming Yuan quickly finished recording, then looked up awaiting the next instruction.

Lin Yu set down the telegram form and walked to the window. In the night, the lights of Shen City flickered sparsely, and far off the surface of the Longjiang River shimmered with rippling light.

"Take the evidence we extracted from Xiaoli Daifu concerning their attack on Sun Lingyun, pick out the most crucial points, and attach them." His voice carried a hint of shrewdness, "We want Governor Sun that old fox to see clearly, but we must not let him know how much we actually know."

"Yes." Qi Ming Yuan opened the file and began careful selection, "We can attach excerpts of Xiaoli Daifu's handwritten confession, plus the map marked with the Lan Zhou operation route. These are enough to prove the Oriental plot, without revealing our intelligence capabilities."

Lin Yu nodded slightly: "Governor Sun is a man of deep scheming. He may not fully believe these evidences, but this is already enough to give him an out."

He turned, eyes sharp: "The key now is to make him point his spear at the Orientals. As long as he temporarily believes this wasn't done by us, that's sufficient."

"Those Oriental agents lurking in Shen City..." Qi Ming Yuan wanted to speak but stopped.

"No rush." Lin Yu curled the corner of his mouth in a cold smile, "After Governor Sun digests these evidences, we will slowly clean out these rats."

Lan Zhou Governor's Office.

Governor Sun sat in the master's chair of the study, before him on the redwood desk lay a telegram just translated. Outside the window the rain fell drizzling, adding a touch of gloom.

Wang Zhenwu stood at the side, his eyes filled with urgency. Half an hour earlier, news came from the hospital that the young master's condition had finally stabilized; though still not out of danger, at least his life was temporarily preserved.

Governor Sun's gaze moved slowly across the telegram, reading word for word. His expression was calm to the point of near indifference, as if he were looking at an ordinary document, yet the slight narrowing of his eyes revealed the shrewdness of an old fox.

The telegram detailed the key points of Xiaoli Daifu's confession and the outline of his action plan, every word indicating this was a carefully plotted frame-up.

Governor Sun lightly set the telegram on the table; his long fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest of the master's chair. Amid the rain, this faint tapping sounded especially clear.

Wang Zhenwu several times tried to speak, but each was stopped by Governor Sun's gaze. The silence in the study seemed to congeal.

After a long while, long enough that Wang Zhenwu's back was soaked with sweat, Governor Sun finally spoke slowly.

"Secretary Li." His voice calm, "Reply to Commander Lin."

The Secretary Li who had been waiting at the side immediately picked up his pen to prepare.

"Commander Lin has gone to trouble; it is enough that the truth be made clear." Governor Sun's tone was calm, "Regarding the Shen City matter, prior ties are settled; I, Governor Sun, am old and unable to look eastward. My son's injury is the work of petty villains, for which no one bears blame. Thereafter, Lan Zhou and Shen City should each keep to their own peace."

Wang Zhenwu jerked his head up, a flash of unwillingness in his eyes: "Governor! This......"

Governor Sun turned his head, his gaze like a blade, instantly cutting off Wang Zhenwu's words.

This longtime veteran subordinate understood that the governor had already made his decision. This reply was watertight: it neither signified full belief in Commander Lin's words, nor did it pursue responsibility for Sun Lingyun's injury. More importantly, it clearly indicated abandoning Shen City and drawing a clear line with Commander Lin.

This was the most rational choice, and also the one best suited to the current situation.

Even if doubts remained in his heart, even if he still harbored hatred toward Commander Lin, Governor Sun knew that, lacking solid evidence, tearing his face with the high-flying Commander Lin would bring Lan Zhou no benefit at all.

"Go." Governor Sun waved his hand.

Secretary Li bowed and withdrew, preparing to send the telegram.

The rain grew louder; Governor Sun gazed out the window, his eyes deep. This game of chess was far from over, but now was not the time to overturn the board.

At the border of Nanjiang Province, a secluded crossroads.

Under Lu Xuan's signal, the convoy slowly came to a halt. Ahead lay a wide official road leading to Nanjiang, its surface smooth, flanked by trees in shade; the other fork was a rough dirt road, winding and disappearing into the barren hills.

"Change vehicles." Lu Xuan gave a brief order.

The main convoy continued along the official road, while Lu Xuan, accompanied by Lu Xiao and two trusted guards, slipped into an old sedan already waiting by the roadside. This car looked quite ordinary, forming a stark contrast to the luxurious sedan they had previously ridden.

The car turned onto the dirt road and immediately began to jolt. Amid flying dust, the tires rolled over ruts, emitting a dull thud.

In the narrow cabin, Lu Xiao shifted uneasily. He wore a finely tailored British bespoke suit, now soaked with sweat and smeared with dust; each jolt made his complexion worse.

"Damn it!" he finally burst out, "What the hell? Abandoning the good road to take this broken track! It's shaking me to death!"

Lu Xuan leaned back against the seat, eyes closed, resting his spirit, as if he hadn't heard his brother's complaint.

"I just want to get back to Nanjiang quickly, take a hot shower, and sleep well!" Lu Xiao continued to complain, turning to glare at Lu Xuan, "What exactly are you afraid of? We're almost home—could the Lin surname still dare to come after us in Nanjiang and strike?"

Lu Xuan still kept his eyes shut, motionless.

Lu Xiao angrily shoved him: "Hey! I'm talking to you!"

Lu Xuan then slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm to the point of near indifference: "Careful sailing brings ten thousand years of safe passage."

"Careful?" Lu Xiao snorted, "I think you've been scared witless by Commander Lin! A raised......"

He cut off mid-sentence, but his contemptuous expression could not be concealed.

Lu Xuan turned his head and gave him a faint glance. That gaze made Lu Xiao inexplicably shudder.

"Not necessarily Lin Yu." Lu Xuan's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible cold, "Those who wish our brothers dead are not limited to him alone."

Having said that, he no longer paid attention to Lu Xiao, his gaze vigilantly sweeping the outside of the car window. The barren hills rose and fell unevenly; at times wild grass swayed in the wind, as if hiding killing intent.

Lu Xiao shrank into his seat, suddenly feeling a wave of inexplicable fear. Only then did he realize that perhaps his elder brother's caution was not without reason.