anwhile, in Japan.
Capital City, Kyoto, Thousand Bird Tavern.
Dozens of Japanese in samurai attire, with katanas at their waists, gathered together and drank sake, the atmosphere very tense.
This was a samurai organization in Japan—Shenmu Group.
An elderly man with furrowed brows sat at the head of the table, holding a delicate sleeve crossbow which he was scrutinizing in silence, occasionally allowing a faint smile to cross his face.
"Mr. Jing Shang, how is the acquisition of the Mo Family’s ancient manuscripts on chanical techniques progressing in Huaxia?"
"Group leader, the task is quite challenging. After inquiring, we found that when Emperor Qin Shi Huang abolished the Hundred Schools of Thought, the bamboo slips of various scholars were nearly all destroyed in the flas. Even the few that survived are treasured by antique collectors who keep them sealed away from the public eye."
A middle-aged samurai with a face as red as a monkey’s butt got up, dragging his wooden clogs, and respectfully knelt before the old man to answer.
This elderly man was the leader of the Shenmu Group—Zaochuan Yifu.
He was ticulous and strategic, much like the intricate chanical techniques he deeply studied.
He held in high regard the philosophies of the Mo Family from Huaxia, and for years, he had been using various ans to acquire Mo Family bamboo slips from Huaxia, studying them day and night. Naturally, the results were remarkable.
rely the headquarters of the Shenmu Group was fraught with chanical traps and hidden pitfalls, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to navigate without guidance.
This also established the exceptionally lofty status of the Shenmu Group in Japan’s martial arts community, unrivaled by any.
Zaochuan Yifu put down the sleeve crossbow and smiled lightly, "We need to redouble our efforts, especially in collecting bamboo slips that record the chanical Bird and chanical Beast."
Jing Shangcilang, puzzled, said, "Group leader, don’t we already have chanical Puppets in our base? Why do we need the chanical Bird and chanical Beast?"
"Baga yarou, ignorant brute. Explaining the concept of analogy to you is like casting pearls before swine!" Zaochuan Yifu frowned with dissatisfaction, stood up, and asked, "Is Mr. Suzuki here yet?"
"Leader! He is already waiting outside the door," a samurai stood up and respectfully said.
Zaochuan Yifu turned his back and waved his hand, "Let him in!"
His tone brooked no argunt.
"Yes!"
The samurai nodded and, pushing open the wooden door, said to the young, rotund man outside, "Co in!"
That young man was Mr. Suzuki. Upon entering, he first bowed and then knelt, saying, "Teacher, you summoned ; what are your orders?"
"Hmm!"
Zaochuan Yifu turned around, squinted at Mr. Suzuki for a mont, and said approvingly, "You are indeed my proudest disciple. To be a middle ninja at such a young age is quite an accomplishnt."
"Thank you for your praise, Teacher!" Mr. Suzuki said humbly.
Zaochuan Yifu’s gaze suddenly turned stern, "You must have heard that Ichiro Sanjing and Tian Yuan t their deaths in a fire in Huaxia, but I do not believe the official explanation. Take five lower ninjas and go to Zhonghai in Huaxia imdiately. I want a clear investigation of this matter."
"Yes!"
Mr. Suzuki stood up, bowed again, and exited.
.........
On the other side...
Qianqiu Group, President’s Office.
Leng Ruobing stood with her hands behind her back in front of the window, gazing down at the bustle of traffic below, like a queen looking down from her throne.
Hers was a business suit that fit flawlessly but couldn’t conceal her exquisite curves, and her crossed arms emphasized her prominent peaks.
"Click, click, click..."
She walked with her high heels clicking, taking small, elegant steps, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed as if pondering sothing.
Suddenly, with a resolute expression, she strode over to her desk, picked up the phone, and dialed a number.
"Hello, Zhang Tong, it’s , Leng Ruobing!"
"Ah, Mr. Leng, what a coincidence, I was just about to call you," Zhang Tong on the other end of the line was unusually enthusiastic.
Leng Ruobing spoke indifferently, "I asked you to connect with another technology-related company, how is that going?"
"Mr. Leng, I was just about to tell you, soone from Jintian Corporation ca again. They said they want to continue negotiations with you and discuss cooperation matters."
"Oh? Their president died, and their accounts were frozen, weren’t they?"
"I don’t know about that, but they seem very eager to et you, saying that if you have ti tonight to discuss specifics, they’re willing to make certain concessions."
"Let think about it, I’ll get back to you this afternoon."
"Beep Beep Beep..."
Zhang Tong couldn’t help but give a wry smile as he listened to the dial tone of the hung-up call.
He turned to the Japanese man behind him and said with an apologetic smile, "Mr. Suzuki, Mr. Leng said she will give a response this afternoon. Why don’t you head back and wait for the notification?"
"Then I’ll leave it in your hands, Zhang Tong."
The visitor was indeed Suzuki Jun, a disciple of Zaochuan Yifu. He bowed politely, showing impeccable manners.
However, his gaze flickered and he said with gravity, "I would like to inquire once more about Mr. Sanjing and Mr. Tian Yuan, if I may?"
"Ah, regarding that, haven’t I already explained it to you? The night of the fire where they died, they had t with both and Mr. Leng, but a deal was not struck, only tentative discussions. Their deaths have truly nothing to do with us."
Zhang Tong was sowhat impatient, but he maintained a courteous deanor; after all, civility could bring in wealth.
"Then I won’t bother you any longer. Goodbye!"
Suzuki Jun bowed politely once more and left.
After leaving Zhang Tong’s company, his gaze grew incredibly grim. He commanded, "Activate our network in Huaxia to thoroughly investigate the background information and personal connections of Zhang Tong and Leng Ruobing. We must peel back the layers to find the true mastermind behind the killings of Mr. Sanjing and Mr. Tian Yuan."
"Yes!"
Five black-suited Japanese samurai bowed respectfully and dispersed.
Suzuki Jun lit a cigarette and took several deep drags before stubbing it out and returning to the hotel where he was staying.
In the past few days, he hadn’t been idle; he had accessed relevant information from the Zhonghai Municipal Public Security Bureau and the Fire Departnt, conducting a thorough analysis. He had discovered that the fire incident involving Mr. Sanjing and Mr. Tian Yuan was rely a smokescreen designed to conceal a violent murder scene.
His teacher had sent him to uncover the truth, and now that the outline of it was erging, he only had to wait for the detailed report from the five ninja.
By five o’clock in the afternoon, he still had not received a call from Zhang Tong. The situation seed very peculiar and fraught with suspicious points.
"Knock knock knock." There ca a knocking at the door.
Upon opening it, he saw the five ninja had returned as planned.
"How did the investigation go?" Suzuki Jun asked coldly, lighting another cigarette.
The ninjas competed to report in an orderly manner.
"Brother Suzuki, I retrieved surveillance video from the Golden Brilliance Hotel and spotted Zhang Tong’s movents. However, that Leng Ruobing is quite suspicious. After she entered the hotel, she did not co out again."
"Through special channels, I acquired the call records of Mr. Sanjing and Mr. Tian Yuan at that ti, and their content is related to the kidnapping of Leng Ruobing. It seems, the reason Leng Ruobing did not leave the hotel is that she was kidnapped by our people."
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