amaotonovel Chapter 1308 Another Hidden Dragon
Chapter 1308 Another Hidden Dragon
Seeing Hu Yidao's sensitivity, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "What, do you think I'm such a petty person?"
After hearing this, Hu Yidao waved his hands repeatedly: "No...no...no...of course not...I mean..."
Seeing Hu Yidao's somewhat flustered expression, Xiao Ce smiled wryly and said, "Hu Yidao, no need to explain... It's been too long, we're still getting awkward..."
Hu Yidao became increasingly embarrassed upon hearing Xiao Ce's words...
Seeing Hu Yidao's somewhat helpless expression, Yin Pan'er burst out laughing...
"Hu Yidao, don't be afraid, the prince is just joking with you?"
Upon hearing Yin Pan'er's words, Hu Yidao was even more puzzled...
Yin Pan'er laughed and said, "You see... you really don't understand the Prince. He's just joking with you. He wants you to not be so nervous..."
Hu Yidao looked at Xiao Ce.
Seeing the smile return to Xiao Ce's face, Hu Yidao gave an awkward laugh, scratching his head: "Your Highness... I thought you... I haven't been with you for too long... I really don't know you very well anymore..."
Seeing this, Xiao Ce said, "Don't be too nervous, this has nothing to do with you. You've done very well, and don't take your anger out on your subordinates..."
Hu Yidao nodded after listening to Xiao Ce's words.
Xiao Ce then said to Hu Yidao, "That token you mentioned... the Brahma Token..."
Hu Yidao nodded, then said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, only I, Sanjie, and Commander Eva can issue these Brahma Tokens. However, there's usually a time limit when we issue them... it's not like there's no time limit..."
"I don't think that thing might be real..."
Xiao Ce nodded, then seemed to be deep in thought...
After waiting for a while, Hu Yidao asked Xiao Ce, "Your Highness... what should we do next?"
Xiao Ce pondered for a moment, then said, "Immediately seal off all news about the whereabouts of the Commander-in-Chief and the Little Prince! Keep that old gardener and Amir under tight control, ensuring they cannot contact the outside world and are not allowed to utter a single word! Thoroughly investigate the Brahma's secret order—was it forged or stolen? Who handled it? Detain all those involved!"
Hu Yidao accepted the order without hesitation.
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Ce continued, "Mobilize all your most elite informants, those best at tracking and most familiar with the terrain of India. Don't conduct a large-scale search for the commander-in-chief himself! Focus on investigating the monk's whereabouts! Where did he go after leaving the palace? Who did he contact? Where did he stay? Don't overlook even the slightest trace! At the same time, send someone to Master Sangye to subtly inquire..."
Hu Yidao nodded, then asked Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, are you suspecting Sang Jie?"
Xiao Ce shook his head at Hu Yidao, then said, "It's not that I suspect Sangjie... I'm just checking... After all, apart from you, I don't trust anyone else..."
Hu Yidao nodded and then said, "Yes, Your Highness, I'll take care of it right away..."
Xiao Ce then looked at Yin Pan'er and said, "Pan'er, find a way to contact your father..."
Before Xiao Ce could finish speaking, Hu Yidao interjected, "Your Highness, we have a dedicated line for contacting the Xiao Kingdom. You can use it..."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ce nodded approvingly and said, "That's wonderful..."
Then Xiao Ce continued speaking to Yin Pan'er, "Contact your father and have him use the East Asian Federation's top-level intelligence network..."
Yin Pan'er nodded.
After the establishment of the East Asian Federation, strict restrictions were placed on intelligence.
While other countries can inquire about each other, the intelligence organizations of the East Asian Federation are different.
They can collect intelligence from various countries and have the right to access the networks of intelligence organizations in those countries.
After hearing this, Yin Pan'er agreed without hesitation...
Hu Yidao still sounded worried and said, "Your Highness, what about the safety of the Commander-in-Chief and the young prince...?"
Xiao Ce closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, the rage in his eyes was forcibly suppressed, replaced by a bottomless calmness. But beneath this calmness was a determination hotter than magma.
“Eva is smart and decisive. Since she chose to hide with Farview, she must have somewhere she considers safe. Our current high-profile search for them is actually helping Qianlong and those bastards.”
As he spoke, Xiao Ce said with a firm gaze, "Although I don't have any evidence... I have a vague feeling that they're after me..."
"Coming for you? Were you discovered?" Hu Yidao subconsciously glanced at the little mudfish to the side.
After all, Yin Pan'er would never betray Xiao Ce, and the only one who could accurately know Xiao Ce's whereabouts was Xiao Mudfish...
The little mudfish was terrified after being targeted by Hu Yidao...
"I...I don't know anything..."
Xiao Ce smiled helplessly, then said to Hu Yidao, "Alright, stop scaring the child... I always feel like there's an invisible pair of eyes watching from the shadows..."
Hu Yidao misunderstood the meaning and looked around.
Xiao Ce smiled at Hu Yidao and then said, "Description...this is a description...understand?"
Hu Yidao gave an awkward smile and then nodded.
"Alright... don't be nervous, go do what you need to do..." Xiao Ce said to Hu Yidao.
Hu Yidao nodded respectfully after hearing this.
Xiao Ce then asked, "By the way, how many people know I'm here?"
Hu Yidao said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, I didn't tell anyone, not even Sangjie. Everyone here is absolutely one of our own, and your arrival was kept completely secret. You came as a special envoy... so, no one should know..."
After hearing Hu Yidao's words, Xiao Ce nodded and then said, "That's good... then keep it up..."
Hu Yidao nodded, then said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, do you have any other instructions?"
Xiao Ce shook his head and said to Hu Yidao, "That's all... Let's just wait and see..."
Hu Yidao was initially surprised to see Xiao Ce so calm, but then he suddenly understood.
The person in front of me is Xiao Ce, who has seen all kinds of storms.
After Hu Yidao finished speaking, he went to do what he needed to do.
Yin Pan'er returned shortly afterward.
Just now, Hu Yidao arranged for him to transmit messages via a dedicated line. Yin Pan'er said with some surprise, "Your Highness, I didn't expect that they've already started using radar, and that this dedicated line arrived so quickly..."
Xiao Ce was also somewhat surprised: "We've made contact..."
Yin Pan'er nodded: "That's right... My father said this is the arrangement; his dedicated line can connect to the East Asian intelligence network... By then, Hu Yidao should have received the message..."
After hearing Yin Pan'er's words, Xiao Ce nodded and then said, "Alright, let's wait and see..."
Yin Pan'er saw Xiao Ce's current state: "Your Highness, do you already have some suspicions in your mind...? I feel like you've become calmer..."
Xiao Ce said to Yin Pan'er, "The appearance of the Blood Nether Pavilion is clearly aimed at me... Whether it's Eva or my child whom I've never met... their ultimate goal is only one thing... and that is to target me..."
"The reason they're contacting me is either to threaten me, or to threaten me again... There's no third possibility..."
"So, until I hear anything, I feel safe..."
Yin Pan'er listened to Xiao Ce's analysis, nodded, and then thought it made sense: "That's right, that makes sense..."
At this moment, Xiao Ce looked at Yin Pan'er and a hint of weariness appeared on her face.
"Alright, Pan'er, it's getting late, go and get some rest..."
Yin Pan'er nodded after hearing Xiao Ce's words, without saying anything more...
They need to have enough energy to face the potential dangers ahead.
The next day, the two of them got up early.
Actually, I didn't sleep well either. I had things to do, so I couldn't sleep soundly...
Not long after they woke up, Hu Yidao rushed over.
Your Highness! News has arrived! A top-secret urgent telegram from the East Asian Federation Intelligence Agency!
Hu Yidao presented a translated telegram to Xiao Ce with both hands, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, "Lord Yin Weiyong personally oversaw this, using the highest level of authority to screen almost all suspicious intelligence nodes in India and the surrounding areas! He has locked onto a target!"
Xiao Ce was visibly surprised after hearing Hu Yidao's words...
He then said, "So fast?"
He then took over the translated text...
Urgent report from the India branch: After cross-verification from multiple sources and confirmation through special channels, a highly suspected individual has been found in the large shantytown on the southeastern bank of the Varanasi River, locally known as "Shiva's Tears." Characteristics: Male, approximately 40 years old, with the appearance of a local Indian, no fixed occupation, and has been acting suspiciously for the past two days.
Key points: Witnesses reported seeing him hastily hide a tattered, dark red robe and a uniquely shaped black monk's staff (with a crescent-shaped metal band at the top) in his temporary shelter. The area is a mixed bag and extremely complex environment; secrecy is advised.
Intelligence source codenamed "Nightingale", reliability rating: A+.
Xiao Ce looked at Hu Yidao.
Hu Yidao then began to explain: "Your Highness, to put it simply, this place called Shiva's Tears is a shantytown... a poor area... Your Highness, although we are vigorously developing, there are always some conservative people, and..."
Xiao Ce smiled at Hu Yidao and said, "I understand. You don't need to explain. There are always hidden corners that go unnoticed in the light... That's not surprising... Even in Xiao Kingdom, there are such places..."
"Alright, let's not get off topic... Do you know this place?"
Hu Yidao nodded, "Of course: The intelligence was very detailed. This East Asian Federation's intelligence organization is truly impressive..."
Xiao Ce decisively said, "We can't alert him. We must capture him secretly, before he realizes what's happening! That robe and staff are key evidence; we must get our hands on them!"
A fierce glint flashed in Hu Yidao's eyes: "Your Highness, rest assured! This humble general will personally lead the team! I'll select a few of the most clever, skilled, and knowledgeable local spies, have them dress in tattered clothes, and disguise themselves as scrap collectors or laborers to infiltrate the area. I guarantee we'll find that scoundrel without a sound!"
Xiao Ce stood up, his gaze resolute: "No, I'll go with you."
"What?!" Hu Yidao and Yin Pan'er exclaimed in surprise at the same time.
"Your Highness! Absolutely not!" Hu Yidao was so anxious he almost jumped up.
"That 'Tears of Shiva' is the most chaotic and filthy slum in Brahma City! It's even worse than the Dragon Guardian Ghost City back then! I know about the Dragon Guardian Ghost City, but actually, these two are not the same place..."
"That place is filthy, teeming with disease, and teeming with desperados and spies! It's a giant cesspool and den of thieves! How could you, with your precious life, venture into such a dangerous place? What if something were to happen to you..."
Yin Pan'er gripped Xiao Ce's arm tightly, her face filled with worry: "Your Highness! It's too dangerous! General Hu is more than enough! He's familiar with this area; he'll definitely be able to handle this... You wait here for news..."
Xiao Ce gently patted Yin Pan'er's hand to reassure her, but his gaze was fixed firmly on Hu Yidao: "Precisely because it is a den of dragons and tigers, I must go there."
"The opponent might be a hidden dragon, with unpredictable and treacherous methods. Hu Yidao, you are unparalleled in bravery, but dealing with this kind of venomous snake lurking in the shadows requires even sharper perception and judgment. Moreover..."
He paused, his tone carrying an undeniable authority: "My wife and children are missing and in grave danger because of this. As a husband and father, how can I sit idly by? I won't be at peace until I personally seize this lead. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing and won't act recklessly. The person you choose must be absolutely reliable. Pan'er, you and Little Mudskipper stay here and don't go anywhere. Wait for me to return."
Seeing the deep resolve in Xiao Ce's eyes and his concern for his wife and children, Hu Yidao knew he could no longer persuade him.
He understood Xiao Ce's character; once he made a decision, it was extremely difficult to change it.
He clasped his hands tightly and gritted his teeth, saying, "Yes! This humble general obeys! I will protect Your Highness with my life!" He immediately turned and went out to make arrangements.
Judging from Xiao Ce's personality, Yin Pan'er knew that he must have made up his mind after saying that.
Knowing that dissuasion was useless, she could only suppress her worries and squeeze Xiao Ce's hand tightly: "Please be careful! Little Mudskipper and I are waiting for your safe return! But, Your Highness, you must be careful! In all things..."
Xiao Ce gave her a reassured look, then said to Yin Pan'er, "Pan'er, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."