Chapter 129: Executing the Mission

"You know a little something about Chu Feng's identity, but there are some things you cannot know. However, I can guarantee that Chu Feng will not be harmed."

Old Chen could not tell Han Xuefang too much, so he could only offer a few words and leave the rest for her to ponder. Upon hearing this, Han Xuefang stopped asking. She knew that Chu Feng’s status was special and that he was often unreachable, but she asked simply because she missed him.

"Damn it, these guns are going to be the death of me. I've been shooting for two days, and my head is splitting." Chu Feng lay on his bed, clutching his head. His mind was filled with the ringing of gunfire—the result of firing too many rounds. Unable to sleep, he walked out of his room to pace around. He hadn't gone far when he spotted a familiar figure sitting in the distance.

"Why are you sitting here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping? Trying to play a ghost and scare people?" Chu Feng sat down directly beside the man and handed him a cigarette.

"You aren't asleep either. Is it the shooting? Are your ears and head still ringing with gunfire?" The man was Long Feihu. When he saw Chu Feng approach, he knew exactly why he couldn't sleep.

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be suffering like this. You just had to drag me out to practice shooting." Chu Feng retorted irritably.

Long Feihu didn't take the bait; he just smoked, staring at the sky. The weather was decent tonight, clear enough to see the full moon and the stars.

"Is something bothering you? Tell me, maybe I can help." Seeing Long Feihu’s demeanor, Chu Feng knew he must be facing a difficult problem.

"It’s a mission. I’m debating whether to send your Special Action Team or just regular squad members." Long Feihu didn't hold back and explained the nature of the task.

A group of international thieves was targeting a temple in Zhongyuan, planning to steal relics left behind by a high monk. The Ministry of State Security had already sent agents, but the thieves were incredibly cunning, and the agents had come up empty-handed.

"You told me the day before yesterday that the purpose of our Dragon Scale unit was to protect Old Chen and his research. Why are we now protecting a monk’s relics?" Chu Feng was somewhat confused about the true nature and scope of Dragon Scale.

"You’re right; that is the fundamental reason Dragon Scale was created. But we have hundreds of people; we can't just hover around Old Chen all day. We have to share the burden for other departments as well."

Long Feihu didn't elaborate further, as such things were difficult to explain clearly—it was all, ultimately, for the country.

"Then why not have the local police assist in the search? If we're looking for foreigners in Zhongyuan, it should be easy; they’re so conspicuous."

Chu Feng had only been in Dragon Scale for a short time and wasn't entirely familiar with the bureaucratic constraints. In the capital, he knew Li Zeming and could call him for help, but in other provinces, requesting assistance or mobilizing armed police required navigating tedious, slow-moving procedures that could drive a person mad.

"You don't understand. Are you interested in this mission? If so, you can set off for Zhongyuan City tomorrow. Someone will meet you there."

Chu Feng hesitated. He could easily decline, as his primary duty was protecting Old Chen. But Long Feihu was stretched thin, and with Ma Han and the others often occupied helping at the hospital, he truly lacked available personnel.

"When do I leave? I need to tell Old Chen and make arrangements to ensure his safety while I’m away." Chu Feng’s words signaled his acceptance.

"I’ll give you tomorrow to prepare. You’ll head to Zhongyuan the day after. I’ll have someone book your tickets." Long Feihu was pleased. These were trying times, and he had to safeguard both the man and his research. He provided Chu Feng with the details of the mission, the characteristics of the thieves, and all the relevant intelligence.

The next morning, Chu Feng drove back to the hospital. Those two days had felt like a month; repeating the same task over and over was agonizing. After informing Old Chen of the mission, he summoned Ma Han and his team, tasking them with the responsibility of protecting the old man during his absence.

"Chu Feng, take the girl Ziyan with you. She was an international assassin; she might have heard of these thieves and could prove useful." Old Chen was happy to hear of the mission; he was proud that Chu Feng, a man of such unique talents, was serving the country.

"Alright, I’ll call the team leader to book an extra ticket." Though Chu Feng didn't quite understand why Old Chen insisted on bringing Ziyan, he agreed.

After discussing the mission, he massaged Old Chen and continued his treatment. With proper care, he predicted the old man would be discharged in less than a month. At noon, he met Han Xuefang for lunch, telling her to think things over and talk once she had reached a decision.

The following morning, Chu Feng and Ziyan were driven to the airport by Wang Chen. After collecting their tickets, they waited in the terminal.

"Why did you agree so readily? This is an internal matter; why would you want to help?" Chu Feng asked, looking at Ziyan sitting beside him. When he had asked her yesterday, she hadn't even hesitated.

Ziyan glared at him. She didn't know why she had agreed so quickly herself, and by the time she wanted to regret it, it was already too late.

Twenty minutes later, their flight was called. After boarding, the plane soared into the clouds toward Zhongyuan City. Long Feihu had booked economy class, but Chu Feng, not wanting to deal with the discomfort, used his own money to upgrade them to first class.