"This person is indeed clever," he said. "Instead of the troublesome and dangerous task of transporting those materials back to sell, it’s much simpler and safer to sell the information for money. And with so many countries or forces looking to buy, the amount earned might not even be that much less than selling the materials directly."
Su Chen’s lips curled slightly as he spoke indifferently:
"However, there’s a significant question here.
"What question?" Qin Ming promptly asked.
"You just mentioned that many countries have bought the location information from that explorer. There lies the problem."
Su Chen looked into Qin Ming’s eyes and asked:
"Why didn’t the first person to buy the location kill him, or at least detain him? That way, the island’s location would be known only to that one country. The man is just an explorer, after all. It surely wouldn’t take much effort to deal with him!"
"What you’re saying does make some sense," Qin Ming admitted, furrowing his brows upon hearing Su Chen’s words. "Or perhaps the person anticipated the danger and took precautions. Maybe by the time the first country to buy the information found him, it was already too late, and others, like our Huaxia Country, had also become aware. Thus, it wouldn’t be necessary to take such action."
"Perhaps,"
Su Chen responded noncommittally. He had to admit, what Qin Ming said was not impossible.
"Regardless, with such matters, it’s better to err on the side of belief than disbelief!"
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A glint of determination flashed in Qin Ming’s eyes.
In fact, Su Chen harbored the same thoughts. Although some aspects didn’t make sense, what if it was true? After all, those materials were far too important!
"Now that many countries are aware, how should this be resolved? It can’t possibly lead to a fight, can it?"
Su Chen laughed lightly as he took a sip of his tea.
"That’s precisely the difficulty," Qin Ming explained. "No one wants to give up on such materials, but we can’t deploy troops because doing so would easily spark a war!"
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Qin Ming looked at Su Chen and continued:
"So it’s agreed that no country will send in troops. Instead, each can send no more than eight people to represent them in the contest!"
"You mean to say, ’finders keepers’?"
Su Chen laughed upon hearing this. No wonder this old fellow came looking for him!
"Something like that. Each country will send their most capable people, and to the victor go the spoils."
Qin Ming, now somewhat embarrassed, laughed along:
"You understand now why I came looking for you, don’t you?"
Su Chen felt the situation was utterly absurd: national disputes being settled in such a manner was like children playing house! However, upon further thought, it no longer seemed so strange. With so many countries involved, any friction that led to war would escalate matters significantly!
If not managed properly, it could even spark a larger, all-out war, something no country wanted to see happen! Sending capable individuals from each country to compete became the only and best choice. In its own way, wasn’t this another kind of competition?
"But what does this have to do with me?"
Suddenly, Su Chen smiled.
Qin Ming was momentarily taken aback at this question, but quickly said:
"Su Chen, as a soldier, how can you remain indifferent when national interests are at stake?"
"But I’m no longer one. I’m just an ordinary citizen now,"
Su Chen spread his hands and casually shrugged.
"But you are still a citizen of Huaxia!"
Qin Ming stood up abruptly. He had high hopes for Su Chen and was immediately anxious when he heard the refusal.
"There are many citizens of Huaxia; I’m not the only one,"
Su Chen picked up his now-cool tea and took a shallow sip.
"Tell me, what will it take for you to agree?"
Qin Ming suddenly calmed down; he realized that this guy was trying to seize the opportunity to set conditions.
"You know."
Su Chen lit another cigarette, took an indifferent drag, and smoke rose in front of him, somewhat blurring his features.
Upon hearing this, Qin Ming’s expression became somewhat dim, and then he lifted his head to look at him:
"Why do you want to investigate that matter, what does it have to do with you?"
"You’ll find out later. I can’t tell you now, just think of me as fulfilling someone’s request."
Su Chen said indifferently.
"What will you do if you find out what happened back then?"
Qin Ming asked, staring intently into Su Chen’s eyes.
"That depends on what the real truth was back then! Some people, some things, they don’t just become history because they’re past. Sooner or later, there needs to be a reckoning."
Su Chen said somberly, then stood up:
"Alright, think it over, and contact me when you’ve made up your mind."
After finishing his words, Su Chen turned and left. He had only taken two steps when Qin Ming called out to him.
"What? Have you thought it through so quickly?"
Su Chen turned around and smiled.
"I promise you, it’s a deal!"
Qin Ming ground out through clenched teeth.
"Old man, it’s a pleasure doing business with you!"
A triumphant smile finally spread across Su Chen’s face.
Actually, even if Qin Ming hadn’t agreed to his terms, he would have taken the matter concerning the materials anyway.
After all, he was from Huaxia, and furthermore, a former soldier. The words ’Huaxia’ had always held considerable weight in his heart!
But, if he could use this matter to have Qin Ming help investigate that incident from the past, why not do it?
After all, in his position, it was much more convenient for him to conduct inquiries than it was for Su Chen himself.
This was also because Su Chen knew Qin Ming well enough to be certain he would agree, which is why he "extorted" him in this way!
Seeing the smug look on Su Chen’s face, Qin Ming felt somewhat uneasy, not sure whether agreeing to his condition had been wise.
He had always been curious as to why Su Chen had been relentlessly pursuing the incident involving the Su Family from seventeen or eighteen years ago.
That was the Su Family, the once-undisputed number one family!
If it hadn’t been for some events that happened back then, even the Shen Family today would find it difficult to hold a candle to them!
"Alright, when do I set off?"
Su Chen asked.
"The sooner the better, best if it’s now, because we are not that close to the place, and I expect people from some countries are already on their way."
Qin Ming became extremely serious when he spoke of this matter.
"Alright then, I’ll go back and inform my wife."
"Hmm, go and return quickly; the car is waiting for you at the entrance of your community."
For Qin Ming, every minute was critical now; it was essential to act with utmost urgency!
When Su Chen went back to speak with Lin Ruoxue, he didn’t dare tell her where he was going or what he was doing. He simply said he would be out for a while, helping that person from earlier with something.
If he told Lin Ruoxue the actual situation, she definitely wouldn’t be able to sleep well.
Lin Ruoxue didn’t think too much upon hearing Su Chen’s words; she just told him to take care of himself...