Chapter 483: Undercover Gambit
The Intelligence Briefing
In an office building in the east of Shanghai, a location unknown to outsiders, Dai Yunkai returned to his office after his conversation with Zhang Ruochen.
Six people were waiting in the office—four men and two women. The oldest was nearly fifty, and the youngest was in their early twenties.
Dai Yunkai took a sip of cold tea and, feeling a headache, rubbed his temples. He turned his gaze to the young man on the far right.
"Have the matters in Yungui been fully investigated?"
The young man took a file and placed it on the desk. "The results have been compiled. It is as True Master Zhang described: all of them had their souls extracted. In addition, several hundred goats and a few domestic animals were also affected."
"Agricultural experts tested the land within a twenty-mile radius, and the results are extremely poor. Insects, birds, and even microorganisms in the soil have died in large numbers. No crops can be cultivated there for at least five years."
As he finished speaking, the others in the room drew a sharp breath.
"Is he a devil? One person capable of doing all that?"
The oldest man, Qi Jianqiu, said coldly, "Young Master Shaw from Coast City. Just as we anticipated, he is hiding terrifying, unknown power."
"What did Zhang Ruochen say?"
Dai Yunkai put down his teacup. "The other party offered a compensation plan: establishing 150 free schools with the best teaching equipment in the Yungui region and 5 billion U.S. dollars in local investment."
One young man, Lin Kun (35, known for his unyielding character and strict adherence to principles, which is why he was sent to handle this special case), angrily retorted, "He thinks too simply! Trying to use money to pay for a crime? What does he think this place is?"
Compared to Lin Kun's righteous indignation, the others were somewhat silent. Dai Yunkai lit a cigarette and took a long drag.
"Director Lin, how do you propose we handle this?"
"In accordance with the law, arrest him."
"Arresting him requires evidence."
Lin Kun said sternly, "If we investigate diligently, we can surely find evidence."
Dai Yunkai gave a bitter smile, unsure how to respond. The idea was great, but reality was different. This was a supernatural incident. When the crime occurred, the nominal Luke Shaw was in the U.S. How could they prove he was the murderer? Should they tell the world that he used superpowers from thousands of miles away to seize the souls of hundreds of villagers?
Who would believe that explanation?
Unless he personally confessed, there was simply no evidence.
Dai Yunkai understood this, and so did the others, including Lin Kun, who simply didn't want to give up yet.
The meeting was bound to end unhappily. Unable to get results, everyone had to leave, but Qi Jianqiu stayed behind.
The Super-Agent's Dilemma
"Tell me, what's really going on?"
His relationship with Dai Yunkai was close; they were colleagues and close friends.
Dai Yunkai offered a wry smile.
"If I'm not mistaken, Luke Shaw participated in the Battle of Metropolis two months ago. The Kryptonian spaceship stuck in outer space was very likely destroyed by him. After the ship exploded, his soul attached to a fragment, which crashed in the Yungui mountains, leading to the subsequent series of events."
"Are you certain?"
"This is the conclusion derived from synthesizing various pieces of intelligence. Even if it's wrong, it won't be far off."
Qi Jianqiu furrowed his brow, finding the matter tricky.
The whole world knew about the Kryptonians, and the superheroes who fought them became targets of worship. If Luke Shaw truly was one of them, then the matter of compensation became awkward.
After all, he saved the Earth. In principle, everyone owed him a life.
Dai Yunkai continued, "There are two points in this whole affair that require special attention. First: his relationship with the U.S. President. Joel Nash used his presidential authority to forcefully order several Asian countries to collect warship fragments. Ostensibly, it was for technology, but in my view, the fundamental reason is Luke Shaw."
Qi Jianqiu's eyes widened. "You mean he can influence the U.S. President's decisions?"
"In a certain sense, yes."
Qi Jianqiu couldn't stay seated. His mind was reeling, completely scrambled. The leader of the world's foremost military power was being influenced by a twenty-year-old boy!
Dai Yunkai felt the same way. The deeper he delved, the more he felt the young man's terrifying power—a novice who, in just a few short years, had spread his influence throughout both the political and business sectors by mastering the underworld.
How could such a figure not be feared?
"No wonder you've maintained such restraint," Qi Jianqiu sighed. "How do you plan to handle the follow-up?"
Dai Yunkai opened his drawer and took out a file.
"This is the second compensation plan he offered."
The second plan?
Qi Jianqiu was confused. He quickly opened the file and scanned the contents. After reading it, he immediately stood up.
"Is this... is this real! He's actually willing to provide the core technology of the power armor?"
"It is real. However, there's a condition: if we take this, we don't get the schools and the compensation money."
"Why the hesitation? Power armor is national defense technology; of course we should take it! We can handle the schools ourselves."
"It's not that simple," Dai Yunkai said helplessly. "Given Luke Shaw's character, why would he hand over such vital technology just to compensate two hundred-plus villagers?"
"You mean..."
"I have no clue either."
Dai Yunkai rubbed his temples, his fatigue evident. "The two choices seem appealing, but the initiative is firmly in his hands. What's more troubling is that these choices are private agreements and cannot be made public. If he goes back on his word, we have no counter-measures whatsoever."
"From start to finish, he has been leading us by the nose."
The calm words carried a hint of despondency. Qi Jianqiu was speechless.
"This is the first time I've seen that expression on your face. That's not like you, Mr. Dai."
"Wisdom has limits, but the Dao is endless. There is always a better man out there!"
Qi Jianqiu impatiently waved his hand.
"Sour, truly sour. You sound like a pauper."
Dai Yunkai smiled and shook his head, resting his legs on the desk and letting out a long breath.
After a few brief exchanges, Qi Jianqiu got straight to the point.
"If you ask me, you should go talk to him in person. Show our sincerity and, while you're at it, probe his intentions. I don't think that boy is completely unpatriotic. Regardless, he still has our blood in him."
"It's not that simple," Dai Yunkai waved him off. "Take the Superman, for example. Despite being a Kryptonian, he still chose to fight his own people for Earth."
"Bloodline doesn't mean everything. Have you forgotten our past experience?"
Qi Jianqiu's face immediately darkened, his eyes stern, lost in some old memory.
"Stall for time. As long as he doesn't leave, we'll have opportunities."
Qi Jianqiu snorted. "Don't we still have Qu Youran? She looks like a celestial fairy. You've had her assigned to him for so long, and you haven't made any progress?"
Dai Yunkai offered a wry smile.
"Don't laugh, but their relationship is only slightly better than that of strangers."
Qi Jianqiu was dumbfounded.
He was truly defeated. A man full of vigor, facing a beauty like Qu Youran, could actually resist temptation.
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