The coming storm requires the living to face it.
This sentence was Johnny's view and summary of this series of events. For him, there were still many things left undone.
For example, the guy hiding in the shadows had already fixated on him.
Johnny couldn't worry about how Li Zicheng would act decisively for now. He just wanted to know who was targeting him.
If it weren't for this guy, Ding Qing wouldn't have chosen to 'die', and his death made it impossible for Johnny to complete his commission.
Johnny leaned in the shadows at the end of the corridor, his fingertips unconsciously caressing the cold grip of the glock 34.
Ding Qing's death, rather than a mission failure, was more like a choice he made, to pave the way for Li Zicheng, and also for himself.
The end of an era, and the beginning of a more dangerous, more unpredictable game.
The opponent hidden in the dark, like a cold mist, not only took his employer but also precisely punctured his previous confidence.
The suffocating feeling of being completely seen through and judged from above, like a cold poisonous thorn, pricked his heart.
The enemy is hidden, I am exposed.
This feeling was terrible.
In Korea, he was practically alone, lacking a reliable intelligence network and support.
Blindly searching for that ghostly assassin on his own was like looking for a needle in a haystack, and he might even fall into the opponent's rhythm again.
He once again lamented, if only he had a partner, he wouldn't be so passive!
Just then, his phone rang in his pocket.
Johnny's eyes narrowed, and he quickly pulled out his phone.
The screen was pitch black, with no number displayed, only an unknown English word on it.
There were no other prompts, but Johnny answered the phone directly. After all, not many people knew his number, and everyone who did was a capable individual.
He immediately answered, put it to his ear, and didn't speak first.
There was silence in the earpiece for two seconds, then a slightly distorted voice, yet still discernible as having a British accent, came through:
"I heard... the night wind in Seoul is a bit cold, and it even shut off the client's heating?"
Johnny's lips curved upwards in an uncontrollable, cold arc, yet with a hint of genuine relaxation.
It was him.
The guy who helped him cleanly deal with the trouble of Santino.
A Jackal who only cared about money, but was extremely professional and terrifyingly efficient.
He just didn't know why this guy would suddenly call him, and more importantly, he was actually in Korea!
"It's bone-chilling cold, and there are some ignorant White Lions circling nearby, making it impossible to sleep."
Johnny responded, confirming his own predicament and the presence of a powerful, unknown opponent.
"Oh? A rare breed? How does it taste?"
The voice on the other end of the phone carried a hint of interested amusement, as if discussing a novel dish.
"Never seen one, very sharp teeth, even keener nose, almost got bitten."
Johnny briefly described the opponent's difficulty.
"Interesting. Send me the address and the ingredient shopping list. Although my master asked me to help you, it's still the old rule: half upfront, free shipping, but no after-sales service for the cooking."
The voice on the other end of the phone said crisply, referring to the encrypted method of receiving mission details and funds, and clarifying that he was only responsible for intelligence gathering and assistance, not direct assassination.
"I'll send the list shortly," Johnny said. Although he didn't know how many people were on the other side, having someone help him would make things a lot easier.
"Received. Keep the channel clean. Good... hunting."
The call ended without any lingering hesitation.
Johnny put down his phone and let out a long breath.
The oppressive feeling in his heart lessened considerably.
With that guy providing intelligence support from the shadows, he was no longer blind.
Though the cost was high, it was worth it.
But what made him a little curious was who the other party's master was, to be able to command this guy to voluntarily help him. Although it was a paid service, wasn't that enough?
Now, he needed to create a more favorable environment for the 'hunt', and also... to set the stage for himself and that assassin.
A deadly stage.
A stage where the assassin hidden in the dark could be completely exposed to the air. As long as the opponent left the curtain of darkness, he would have a way to deal with him.
His gaze turned towards the direction of the ward, Li Zicheng's broken yet determined figure swaying at the doorway.
A plan quickly formed in his mind.
He needed to "put on a good show" with Li Zicheng.
He composed himself, put on his stern mask again, and walked towards the ward.
Inside the ward, the doctor had just declared the rescue unsuccessful and was making the final arrangements.
Li Zicheng stood by the bed, his back rigid, fists clenched, body trembling slightly, but a cold, desperate resolve was replacing his previous sadness and confusion.
Johnny walked up to him, his voice low and direct: "Director Li, my condolences. This is not the time for sorrow."
Li Zicheng slowly turned his head, his eyes red, but his gaze was like a tempered blade: "I know. Big Brother's last words... I heard them."
His heart had to be harder to survive.
"Mr. Ding's death cannot be in vain."
Johnny looked him directly in the eyes, "We need to make some people... pay the price."
Li Zicheng's pupils contracted: "What do you want to do?"
"Openly repair the plank road, secretly cross the Chencang Pass."
Johnny's voice dropped even lower, "You need to, in the name of revenge, with the fastest speed and the most ruthless methods, integrate all the forces you can control, clean up internally, especially... Zhang Shouji and Lee Joong-ku, and of course, some Jackals hidden in the dark."
Johnny's words instantly made Li Zicheng's heart even more bitter. So you knew too?
Is my acting that bad?
"I will help you openly, be your sharpest blade. We will create a huge commotion, making everyone believe that all our attention is focused on internal cleansing and dealing with Zhang Shouji."
Li Zicheng understood instantly: "You want to use Zhang Shouji... as bait?"
"Not just him."
Johnny's eyes were deep, "We need to stir up the waters, the muddier the better. Let everyone see our madness and desperation. That guy hiding in the dark, since he's so interested in Mr. Ding and me, then he definitely won't be able to resist... coming closer to watch this grand performance we're orchestrating."
"As long as he gets close," Johnny's voice was cold as iron, "I can smell him."
"And I," he paused, "will prepare an... unexpected welcoming ceremony for him."
Li Zicheng looked at the undisguised killing intent and carefully woven trap in Johnny's eyes, and his heart skipped a beat.
He realized that this assassin was far more terrifying than he had imagined.
He was not just a blade, but an extremely dangerous schemer.
But at this moment, he needed this terrifying power.
"Good!" Li Zicheng nodded heavily, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes, "It starts with Zhang Shouji! I'll make him... die a terrible death!"
A bloody purge targeting the Goldmoon Group's internal structure was about to begin in the name of revenge.
And beneath the clamor of this mad revenge, a deadly hunting net targeting White Lion Luka also began to quietly weave.
The hunt, indeed, had begun.
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