Xiao Sanda watched Lin Feng carefully put away the half piece of the Heavenly Principle Diagram. After a slight sigh, he looked up at Lin Feng and said, "After I leave, your life won't be easy. You've been too close to me before. Gao Liang won't hesitate to find ways to make things difficult for you. If Gao Fatty starts putting obstacles in your way, you go find Xiao Heshang. Given his relationship with me, it won't be a problem for him to pull you out of trouble. Gao Liang still has to give face to the Monk."
Lin Feng replied expressionlessly, picking up Xiao Sanda's words, "Section Chief Xiao hasn't returned for four or five days. Could something have happened to him?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Sanda's expression darkened. After a pause, he said, "The Heshang wouldn't have gotten into trouble. Gao Liang just wants to get rid of me. His relationship with the Heshang is still passable; he wouldn't dare do anything to him."
Xiao Sanda paused again, looking at Lin Feng, then suddenly changed his tone: "You must carefully guard the Heavenly Principle Diagram. If I'm not mistaken, Gao Liang has already contacted Wu Mian. Soon, Wu Mian will come here. Then the Special Case Handling Office will be controlled by those two. Lin Feng, remember this: when I'm not around, you have to keep your tail tucked and don't provoke Wu Mian. Even if you have both the upper and lower parts of the Heavenly Principle Diagram, you're no match for him."
Throughout Xiao Sanda's words, Lin Feng kept his head lowered, not responding. When Xiao Sanda finished, Lin Feng finally looked up and said, "I'll watch over the Special Case Handling Office for you. If your trip to Hong Kong is obstructed, just come back. After all, this is your territory. So what if Wu Mian comes? I've read his files. He has a few days of weakness every three years. During that time, even a child with a knife could take him down…"
Before he finished, Xiao Sanda suddenly raised his palm and slapped Lin Feng across the face. The sharp slap echoed, causing Lin Feng to stagger back a few steps, five clear finger marks appearing instantly on his cheek. Xiao Sanda said sternly, "Are you treating my words like nonsense? I just told you to keep your tail tucked, and before my words have even cooled, you're already thinking about Wu Mian? Don't you consider how long Wu Mian has lived? Yes, he has a weakness every three years, but do you think only we know that? He's survived all these years. You think he can't protect himself during those times? If you don't finish him off, once Wu Mian recovers, with his vengeful white hair and unforgiving nature, no matter how far you run, you'll die by his hand sooner or later."
Despite the slap, Lin Feng's face showed no trace of resentment. After spitting out some blood, he still stood respectfully before Xiao Sanda. Xiao Sanda sighed deeply, then pulled a crumpled cigarette box from his pocket. He took out two unfiltered cigarettes, handed one to Lin Feng, and lit his own.
Taking a long drag, Xiao Sanda's tone softened as he said, "Lin Feng, you're my last hope inside the Special Case Handling Office. If anything happens to you, then my last foothold here will be gone. Without you or me, the office will sooner or later fall into Gao Liang's hands."
After Xiao Sanda finished, Lin Feng's expression dimmed. He seemed about to say something but hesitated, swallowing his words.
Xiao Sanda glanced at him, then continued, "You are my trump card inside the Special Case Handling Office. In other words, I am your hope outside it." At that, Xiao Sanda paused, his gaze drifting away from Lin Feng to a copper coin resting on the table beside him.
He picked up the coin and toyed with it. Seeing Lin Feng puzzled, he went on, "Before the New Year, when I was handling matters in Myanmar, I met Blind Jin from Hong Kong. Trying to curry favor, he cast a divination for me. The omen showed I am about to receive an astonishing windfall. For the next thirty years, I would guard a fortune rivaling a kingdom."
At this, Xiao Sanda tossed the copper coin toward Lin Feng, who caught it. Xiao Sanda looked at him and said, "If Blind Jin's divination isn't off, this fortune will be the capital for my return to the Special Case Handling Office. With you coordinating inside and a few helpers I'll recruit, as long as it's not Gao Liang, Wu Mian won't last here. The office will be ours again."
Lin Feng suddenly laughed. His laughter shifted in tone, and I jolted awake from the daze, finding myself again in the cave chamber. Staring blankly at the still-burning kindling, I recalled Lin Feng was Xiao Sanda's successor; the identity of that shadowy figure I had seen earlier might soon be revealed.
Just as the dizzying visions faded, a familiar voice spoke from the front chamber. My heart tightened. Peeking over, I saw another person had joined the three of us around the fire.
Wang Ziheng was addressing this newcomer: "Director Lin, don't be so modest. Everyone knows the real work in the Bureau is done by you and our Director Qiu. As for seniority, either you or Director Qiu will be the next deputy director. When will that fat guy ever get his turn?"
It was Lin Feng. I hadn't expected to see two versions of him within such a short time. But how did he get here? Weren't the director-level people still outside in the rain? I steadied myself, didn't react, and kept pretending to sleep, squinting to watch Lin Feng's intentions.
Wang Ziheng's remarks made Po Jun and Old Yi visibly uncomfortable. In his eyes, there was no one but Old Qiu. This flattery was only because Lin Feng was present. Po Jun, a newly promoted deputy director, didn't want to stir trouble, so he just smiled and said nothing.
Old Yi was an experienced deputy director, and in terms of seniority, apart from a few directors, he was one of the most senior. Moreover, Old Yi's patron was Ouyang Pianzuo. Anyone in the Second Division who didn't see eye to eye with him was inevitably tangled with Ouyang Pianzuo's faction. Old Yi gave Wang Ziheng a strange smile and said, "Ziheng, there's something I forgot to tell you. Director Ouyang asked me to pass a message to Director Qiu. For the safety of your main operators, your investigators in the Second Division must proactively come to our Fifth Division before every operation to have their natal talisman papers redone. To ensure accuracy, the blood sample collected might be slightly larger than before. But don't worry, it won't be much—at most, it will just match the amount from a few years ago."
Old Yi's words immediately shut Wang Ziheng up. The deputy director's face looked like he'd been punched; he was frustrated but couldn't complain, especially not offend Ouyang Pianzuo from the Fifth Division. So he had no choice but to swallow his anger.
At that moment, Lin Feng broke the tension with a chuckle, changing the subject: "You guys are lucky. The rain outside is getting heavier. Us old-timers are out there getting soaked, while you can stay inside here by the fire chatting. By the way, Shen La, what are you doing in there? So long without a word."
Hearing Lin Feng mention me, Po Jun called out loudly: "La, wake up! Don't sleep any longer! Director Lin is here—come over and have a chat."
Knowing I couldn't refuse, I pretended to just have woken up, rubbed my eyes, and shuffled over. Having just experienced Xiao Sanda's memories, I didn't dare sit next to or opposite Lin Feng. After surveying the layout, I chose to sit beside Po Jun and nodded to Lin Feng, saying, "Director Lin, long time no see. How's your injury? Healing well?"
Lin Feng smiled at me and said, "It's mostly healed now. But you know what they say: 'A blessing in disguise.' If my injury wasn't still healing, I wouldn't even be here to enjoy your company." Only then did I realize Gao Liang had spared him from the rain out of sympathy.
Lin Feng kept his eyes fixed on me the whole time, making me uncomfortable. Although I knew he couldn't possibly have known what I'd just seen in my dream, I felt guilty—so I avoided eye contact, deliberately looking away.
Listening absentmindedly to Wang Ziheng and the others, I had no idea what they were talking about. My mind was like a movie reel, replaying Xiao Sanda's three memory fragments, the shadow of Yang Xiao's wife reincarnating, and my recent experience in Las Vegas.
Suddenly, during a pause in their chatter, Lin Feng addressed me: "Shen La, I heard you, Consultant Xiao, and Director Sun found Xiao Sanda last year near Qinghe in the Northeast? I wasn't in the Bureau then. What exactly happened? Can you tell me in detail?"
Po Jun, also involved in that event, hadn't been asked, but instead, Lin Feng came to me—what did that mean? "That time with Xiao Sanda…" I pretended to recall carefully, fearing any wrong words might alert Lin Feng. If he really was the shadow figure, the four deputy directors inside this cave combined wouldn't stand a chance against him.
Fortunately, Po Jun sat nearby. Though unaware of the details, he sensed something was off. He glanced at me, then turned to Lin Feng and said, "Director Lin, I was involved in that event too. Other than finding Xiao Sanda, there wasn't anything particularly special."
Po Jun's words saved me. Lin Feng glanced at us but didn't pursue the topic further.
Suddenly, a lightning bolt streaked across the sky outside, illuminating the rainy scene like daylight, immediately followed by a booming thunderclap. Everyone inside the cave was startled and instinctively looked outside.
I was seated furthest inside. As everyone turned their heads, Lin Feng suddenly shifted his gaze back to me. His eyes were pitch black and oddly otherworldly. Though his face was lifeless, no trace of evil aura could be sensed. Under another flash of lightning, his expression grew even more eerie.
Lin Feng's gaze swept over my face, sending an icy chill that pierced my brain. Shaken, I instinctively stood up. Had Lin Feng discovered I knew his secret? Was he about to turn hostile?
I reached toward the short sword at my waist. Just then, the thunderstorm outside subsided, and when Po Jun and the others turned back, Lin Feng's face returned to normal. I stood awkwardly with my hand still near my waist.
"La, what's wrong?" Po Jun looked surprised, followed my gaze to Lin Feng, then turned back to me: "Are you okay?" Seeing him, Wang Ziheng, and Old Yi all wearing confused expressions, I tried to signal Po Jun but couldn't because Lin Feng kept staring directly at me. In the end, I faked a leg cramp and limped back a few steps, saying, "It's nothing, maybe I caught a chill while sleeping earlier. Sitting too long caused a cramp."
Backing away, I reached the doorway of the inner chamber before realizing I was heading the wrong way—straight into a dead end.
Communication devices, including phones, given by the Bureau had no signal inside the cave; they were basically useless. Just as I hesitated whether to find an excuse to leave and send messages to Sun Fatty and Gao Liang, Lin Feng suddenly laughed without reason, staring at the crackling fire, muttering, "I heard before that Wu Mian fused fragments of Xiao Sanda's soul into your body. Now it seems the absurd rumor is actually true."
He slowly raised his head, eyes fixed on me again, then paused before continuing, "I only want to ask you for a small favor. But it seems you know things you shouldn't. Alas… I'm afraid I'll have to deal with you all sooner than expected…"