Chapter 143: Desire For The Truth
In the grand living room of Sun Gang’s villa, a tense air enveloped the space as Sun Gang swirled a glass of whiskey, deep in thought and visibly agitated. Master Kong, an imposing figure, walked in with an air of authority and sat beside Sun Gang.
His piercing, glinting eyes sent a shiver down Sun Gang’s spine as Master Kong addressed him, "It seems like you’re failing to execute the order I gave you, Sun Gang."
Sun Gang’s heart raced, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "I’m sorry, Master. The people I hired are delaying," he pleaded.
Ignoring Sun Gang’s plea, Master Kong continued sternly, "This means I have to do things myself now."
Sun Gang desperately asked for more time, but Master Kong remained resolute. "Tomorrow, you will go and get the third page. I will give you its location," he commanded.
"Yes, Master," Sun Gang replied obediently.
With a warning tone, Master Kong emphasized, "Do not fail me, or there will be consequences. Do you understand?"
"I won’t fail you, Master," Sun Gang assured with a hint of fear in his voice.
Master Kong painted a tantalizing picture of power and legacy, promising Sun Gang great fame and the overthrow of the richest family. Greed flickered in Sun Gang’s eyes, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Master Kong, who smirked at the sight.
After a few inaudible chants, Master Kong departed, leaving Sun Gang to quickly make a phone call. On the other end, a voice answered, and Sun Gang wasted no time venting his frustration.
"It’s been weeks, and the mission I paid millions for isn’t complete," Sun Gang expressed his displeasure.
The voice on the phone responded confidently, "Our agent has faced setbacks, but the mission will be completed in less than three days."
Growing impatient, Sun Gang demanded, "Get someone else to do the job! What could be so hard to eliminate two nobodies?"
A warning came from the other end, "Be careful of your tone. You don’t want to be on my bad side."
Sun Gang quickly corrected himself, "Apologies. I just need this done quickly."
The man on the other end, still retaining his stern tone, responds, "Your impatience won’t change the situation. The mission will be completed as promised, and you will get the desired results. We are professionals, and we don’t take shortcuts that might jeopardize the success of the mission. Be patient, and you’ll get what you paid for."
Sun Gang, somewhat pacified, says, "I expect swift action. Failure is not an option. I’m counting on you."
The man replies, "Rest assured, Sun Gang. The mission will be accomplished. You’ll receive confirmation soon."
With that, Sun Gang ends the call, still grappling with the impatience and frustration boiling within him. The prospect of obtaining the third page and achieving his long-held aspirations fuels his desperation to expedite the process. The power, wealth, and status promised by Master Kong tantalize him, making him blind to the potential consequences of the dark path he has chosen.
Meanwhile, Agent 17 found himself brooding in his hotel room, the sterile atmosphere doing little to ease the chaos in his mind. He swirled a glass of vodka, contemplating the events that had unfolded. The room’s dim light cast shadows on his fatigued face, exposing the weariness that had settled in.
The call disrupted his introspection, and he answered with a tinge of irritation, "Hello."
The man on the other end, a representative of the organization, spoke with a stern tone, "Agent 17, you have not given us results. Should we get another agent to complete the mission?"
Agent 17, suppressing his frustration, replied, "No."
The man, sensing an unusual tone in Agent 17’s voice, pressed further, "You don’t sound like yourself."
"I’m fine, just a few injuries," Agent 17 dismissed, attempting to downplay the internal conflict raging within him.
The organization’s representative warned, "If the mission isn’t completed by tomorrow night, another agent will be dispatched. It will tarnish your clean record."
"I will complete the mission," Agent 17 asserted, the weight of his emotions conflicting with his professional commitment.
As the call ended, Agent 17 stared at the strands of hair in the sealed bag. The decision loomed over him — to follow the path of duty or to delve into the mysteries that now surrounded him. The glass of vodka remained a companion in the quiet room, witnessing the struggle between the professional and the personal within Agent 17.
Agent 17 stared at the strands of hair in his hand, a turmoil of conflicting emotions stirring within him. The face of the person he was supposed to eliminate lingered in his mind, and for the first time, he felt a strange connection, a sense of identity that had been buried deep within.
As the vodka numbed his senses, he contemplated the choices he had made. His training had taught him to be ruthless, to carry out missions without hesitation, but this time, doubt gnawed at the edges of his resolve. The prospect of tarnishing his clean record haunted him, yet an inexplicable force restrained him from completing the mission.
He thought about the unexpected skill and strength displayed by Li Chen during their encounter. It wasn’t just physical prowess; there was something else at play, something he couldn’t quite comprehend. The revelation that Li Chen and he might be connected by more than just a mission weighed heavily on his mind.
In that moment, he made a decision. Agent 17, known for his cold efficiency, was experiencing a crack in his professional facade. He couldn’t bring himself to follow through with the mission, at least not until he unraveled the mystery surrounding his own identity. The sealed bag with strands of hair became a symbol of the uncertainty and complexity that had infiltrated his life.
Agent 17 dialed a number on his phone, and a woman answered with a hint of annoyance, "Oh, so after ghosting me, you decide to call tonight. Feeling too lonely by yourself?"
Agent 17, straight to the point, replied, "I need your help. I am in Shanghai."
The woman retorted, "You call me only because you need me?"
Agent 17, unyielding, stated, "Are you going to help me or not?"
The woman, relenting, asked, "What do you want?"
Agent 17 responded, "DNA testing."
The woman instructed, "Come by my office. I’ll send an address. You can’t ask for my help and not want to see me, right?"
Agent 17, somewhat reluctantly, conceded, "Fine, I’ll be there tomorrow morning."
After hanging up, Agent 17 poured another glass of alcohol. The desire for the numbing effect of the alcohol to help him sleep was strong, but an unspoken force was compelling him to uncover the truth about any potential connection between him and Li Chen. Something deep within urged him to unveil the mysteries surrounding his own identity.
