Chapter 3410 — An Unexpected Complication
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
But this Ying Zhijia had been captured many years ago, and his identity was rather special besides: he was an operative of the Mysterious Investigation Bureau, and moreover one who had been given the very first batch of bio-engineered serum.
That serum had no antidote. It destroyed a person's mind and spiritual consciousness, leaving him able to act only under hypnosis—a walking corpse, in plain terms. The later serums, however, had been improved and did have antidotes; though the subject was hypnotized, his mind was preserved, and he could be restored.
Of course, even if he could be restored, Ying Zhijia's identity as an operative of the Mysterious Investigation Bureau meant he could not simply be released! He was a priority target specially flagged by headquarters—Lou dared not free him on his own authority.
So after much hesitation, he called Toru Riyue back.
"Hello, Mr. Lou. Well? You've found the man I want?" Seeing that it was Lou Qitian calling, Toru Riyue answered the phone in front of Wei Zhao.
"Clan Chief Toru, my apologies. There's no such man here—are you sure there hasn't been some mistake? I've no recollection of him at all," Lou Qitian said.
"None? How can that be? You told me before that you remembered him!" Toru Riyue's expression changed at once. "You swore to me, thumping your chest, that there was no problem at all. What is the meaning of this now? Do you take me for a fool?"
No wonder Toru Riyue was furious. He had assured Wei Zhao again and again that there was no problem; now the grand promise had been made, and the thing had not been done. Where did that leave his face? It was as good as slapping himself.
"This—" To be honest, Lou Qitian did not dare offend the Paoli clan. He made his living in the Hakunamata Desert; without the Paoli clan's protection all these years, the great houses and sects would have come to extort their share, and Lou Qitian would long since have been overwhelmed.
But this was a matter he truly could not handle or maneuver around. Hearing Toru Riyue's question, he knew he could hide it no longer, and could only lower his voice and hint, "Clan Chief Toru, is there anyone beside you? There are some things I'd like to discuss with you in private."
"No one of consequence. Speak." Toru Riyue could not possibly get up and leave now; if he did, it would look as though he were hiding something from Wei Zhao. He had no choice but to sit there and brave it out.
"It's like this, Clan Chief Toru. The man you asked me to find—his identity is a little special," Lou Qitian said cautiously. "His file is locked by headquarters. I can't release him on my own authority."
"What do you mean by that?" Toru Riyue asked.
"I'll be frank with you. This man is an operative of the Mysterious Investigation Bureau—back then, he was one of the people sent against our Red Conch!" Lou Qitian held nothing back now and said it straight out. (To be continued)