In a secluded quadrangle sowhere within a military restricted area in Beijing, an old man and a young man were seated in the living room. The old man's presence commanded respect without anger, his still robust fra sitting upright and quietly, his gaze kind yet emitting an intangible aura of decisiveness typical of a superior. He was Mr. Li, the highest authority of National Blade, and sitting respectfully across from him was Wu Jin, the captain of the National Blade Special Combat Team, who had been summoned. His firm eyes were tinged with red, clearly indicating a lack of rest.
"How is the situation?" Mr. Li asked indifferently, yet with an unquestionable dignity.
"Sir, the Military Research Institute has been peaceful for the mont; no attacks have occurred from yesterday to today." Wu Jin understood well what Mr. Li was inquiring about. Although curious why Mr. Li had urgently summoned him, he still responded respectfully, "Ghost has sent out a signal. Drunkard is leading a team for the rescue; I believe there should be no problem."
"That's good," Mr. Li said lightly. He pondered for a mont, his expression turning stern. Wu Jin felt a sharp edge of deadly aura hit him but was surprised to find it vanished in an instant. He then heard Mr. Li continue, "I called you here because there is an important task at hand. Do you rember Shadow?"
"Yes, Shadow is our Special Warfare Team's trump card. But wasn't he gone for nearly a year? What does the chief an?" Wu Jin asked back in surprise.
"The Intelligence Team has relayed news about him," Mr. Li explained, his eyes sharpening with brilliance as he fell into deep thought, his expression growing grave.
National Blade is divided into the Special Warfare Team, Intelligence Team, and Equipnt Team, with Mr. Li as the supre leader, directly loyal to the country's leader. Although Wu Jin was the captain of the Special Warfare Team, he was not privy to the core secrets of the other two teams. Knowing the information ca from the Intelligence Team, he understood it must be true. His eyes narrowed with resolve as he pondered. Shadow was the ace of the Special Warfare Team, a strong presence among the Elite Soldier Kings, with the best chance of becoming the Strongest Soldier King. One year ago, Shadow took on a secret mission personally deployed by Mr. Li and had since disappeared. Wu Jin hadn't expected news to erge suddenly, indicating that sothing must have gone wrong. He braced himself for what was to co.
After a while, Mr. Li seed to have co to so realization and spoke seriously, "A year ago, Shadow undertook a secret mission and has been gone for over a year. We all thought he had sacrificed himself for the country, but now there's unexpected news. However, it is not good news."
"Sir, what exactly has happened?" Wu Jin asked with a grave expression.
"An hour ago, the ssage from our embassy in Japan said that a gangster ca to claim a reward, saying soone told him to do so. I'll spare the details, but the ssage he brought was: 'On the sixth of June, behead the Dragon Head, within flesh find flesh, nation or not nation, shadow among shadows, flower under the moon.'" Mr. Li explained.
"What does that an?" Wu Jin was confused and looked at Mr. Li in surprise while trying to make sense of the phrase.
"Using soone to relay a ssage wouldn't be straightforward; it's in code. We passed this phrase to the Intelligence Team, who said it was sent by their operative Ye Laixiang, who was coordinating with Shadow at that ti," Mr. Li clarified.
Unaware of the core secrets of the Intelligence Team, Wu Jin was unfamiliar with the na Ye Laixiang. Considering Mr. Li had arranged it, he didn't ask further and patiently waited for more information.
"Our intelligence officers have deciphered the aning of that phrase," Mr. Li added, his face darkening and his expression growing grim. Wu Jin's heart skipped a beat, sensing trouble, and he beca anxious. Looking at Mr. Li, who took a deep breath to calm himself, he listened as Mr. Li continued, "On the sixth of June, 'behead the Dragon Head.' The words are sowhat cryptic, but if you know the leader of our country is visiting Albania that day, it becos clear."
"What? You an soone is targeting our nation's leader? Who?" Wu Jin stood up in shock, his face turning ashen and filled with fury.
"Don't rush; sit down and think about it. You can figure it out from the code," Mr. Li said earnestly.
Wu Jin was taken aback but sat down again. After thinking for a mont, he said, "'Within flesh find flesh, nation or not nation,' the latter part is easy to understand: it ans that the nation will face calamity. If the nation's leader is assassinated, it indeed is a major incident, but what does 'within flesh find flesh' an?"
"It's a type of poison. It's also what Shadow was investigating," Mr. Li said with a grim face, explaining further.
"Poison? What kind of poison is so powerful?" Wu Jin asked in astonishnt.
"A toxin extracted from raw pork, Clostridium Botulinum Toxin," Mr. Li explained.
"Clostridium Botulinum Toxin, how dangerous is it?" Wu Jin pursued with disbelief.
"Are toxins like abrus lectin, Sarin Poison Gas, VX nerve agent, Anthrax toxin, and others ranked high in the world not terrifying?" Mr. Li countered.
"Of course," Wu Jin nodded without hesitation. Each toxic agent ntioned by Mr. Li was horrific; for instance, a tablespoon of VX vaporized into the air could kill everyone within eight blocks, and five gallons released over a major city could result in half a million corpses in three days. It was more than just terrifying.
"Compared to Clostridium Botulinum Toxin, those toxins are like child's play," Mr. Li said sternly. Seeing Wu Jin's disbelieving expression, he elaborated, "I have consulted with experts. Clostridium Botulinum Toxin is the most poisonous substance in the world, where 7 nanograms can kill an adult. That ans half a kilogram of it is enough to kill the entire human population. Fortunately, it is not easy to extract."
"That's terrifying," Wu Jin's face paled.
"It is called 'within flesh find flesh' because it is extracted from raw pork. That's a code phrase set by the Intelligence Team for the mission. They knew to decode it the mont they saw it. As for 'shadow among shadows, flower under the moon,' it ans that Shadow is missing. According to protocol, Shadow is the primary agent for this mission, with Ye Laixiang in support. All ssages should be communicated by Shadow. Now that Ye Laixiang is risking exposure to send a ssage, you can tell the situation is extrely serious," Mr. Li continued to explain.
Wu Jin summarized and reviewed the situation narrated by Mr. Li, shuddering at the thought. He rushed to ask, "These conscienceless Japanese devils have developed such a monstrous toxin. Chief, give the order. What do you want our Special Warfare Team to do?"
"Good, I like your spirit of moving forward bravely. The toxin itself is not frightening, but the people behind it are. Deal with the people, and the toxin becos inert. However, this mission is extrely arduous and cannot tolerate any negligence. Who do you plan to send for the task?" Mr. Li asked with satisfaction.
"When do we move out?" Wu Jin asked seriously.
"The sooner, the better," Mr. Li stated earnestly.
"Uh?" Wu Jin fell into thought. With a month to go, he surveyed the personnel at the base. Most were engaged in different tasks, and among those remaining, many had other assignnts, or were not quite suitable. Mr. Li did not rush him; this was not a matter to be taken lightly. After a mont, Wu Jin spoke with firm resolve, "Ghost."
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