Chapter 40: The Concern of Professional Agents (Please Collect)

  Huang Li smiled and said: "Look at Niu Niu being so sensible, leaving a good spot for both of us, one on each side."

  The conversation was pleasant and relieved the awkward atmosphere of the two being alone together. Zhen Niang sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her daughter with a loving expression.

  Huang Li took off his outer clothes and pants, lay on the bed, and closed his eyes. At this time, the more he twisted and turned, the more awkward it would be. On the contrary, with a clear conscience and a relaxed attitude, people's mood would become more relaxed. He slept until afternoon, when Huang Li woke up, he saw Zhen Niang and Niu Niu sleeping soundly, but didn't know when they lay down or fell asleep.

  …………

  The news of the hijacking of the Shun Tian Lun spread extremely quickly and had a great impact. On the day the ship arrived in Yantai, British Consul General Dewar rushed to Jinan overnight and met with Shandong Provincial Chairman Han Fuqu, strongly demanding that the Tianjin and Jinan authorities quickly investigate the case.

  The next afternoon, major newspapers in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai reported the robbery of the British merchant ship "Shun Tian Lun" by pirates. The headline on the front page of the Tianjin newspaper "Dagong Bao" read: "Sensational Robbery Case off Dagukou - Shuntianlun Hijacked by Bandits, Mysterious Hero Saves the Day, Various Parties Dispatch Warships to Investigate". The "Yishi Bao" newspaper used the headline "Thrilling Evil Drama on the High Seas of Dagukou - Maiden Voyage Interrupted as British Merchant Ship Shuntianlun is Hijacked; Daring Feat, Scarred Swordsman Appears and Disappears Mysteriously", sensationalizing the event.

  Although only some property was lost and no passengers were hijacked, this vicious incident also put great pressure on the Nanjing government. The Nanjing government ordered Shandong Province Chairman Han Fuqu and Qingdao City Mayor Shen Honglie to immediately dispatch naval and land forces to intensify the pursuit of the bandits. At that time, Minister of Military Affairs He Yingqin also sent a telegram to the British Embassy in Beiping, expressing apologies and willingness to cooperate with all parties to solve the case as soon as possible.

  The Third Fleet Command of the Nationalist Party immediately dispatched the "Yongxiang" and "Haiou" vessels stationed at Changshan Island, as well as the "Tongan" and "Zhenhai" vessels stationed at Weihai, to search for them. The British Navy in Weihai also sent warships to the scene of the incident to assist in the search.

  No matter how intense the outside was, Huang Li and Zhen Niang living in the hotel had no way of knowing. They could only anxiously wait for the investigation to end before continuing on their journey.

  As the saying goes, success or failure depends on Xiao He. The Shanghai thieves' robbery had temporarily trapped them in the hotel, which was a result of Tai Li's enthusiastic help; and to gain freedom ahead of time, they still needed Tai Li's mediation. Travelers are also divided into three six nine grades, more than a dozen foreigners and wealthy merchants/high officials among the Chinese were simply asked a few questions and then let go, while ordinary people without background would always be bullied no matter what. Thanks to Tai Li, this foreign female teacher speaking for them, they did not show anything unusual, only then could they shake off suspicion and finally gain freedom on the third day.

  Tai Li waited for them outside the hotel, smiled faintly when they met, said a few casual words, and then led them to a restaurant.

  "Are you treating?" Huang Li raised his head and looked at the sign of the restaurant, asking in doubt.

  "Thank you," Terri said briefly, pulling Zhen Niang and Niu Niu inside.

  What does it mean? Without a head or brain, Huang Li shook his head. Although he didn't understand the meaning, he couldn't not go in either!

  A few people sat down in a quiet room, served tea and ordered dishes. After this procedure was completed, Tai Li stared at Huang Li with a thoughtful expression, as if she had an extremely strong interest in his face.

  "What's wrong? Is there a flower on my face?" Huang Li asked strangely.

  Tai Li gently rotated her teacup and asked with a hint of a smile, "That day in the ship's dining room, I didn't seem to see you, where did you go?"

  Huang Li blinked his eyes, he didn't expect Tai Li to remember these things in that chaotic scene, let alone she was insulted by the pirate and shouldn't have noticed such details. Although somewhat surprised, Huang Li didn't show too much abnormality, just smiled slightly and said: "That pirate wanted to...to you, you must be too flustered, so you didn't notice, I was among the passengers! Don't believe me? Ask Zhen Niang."

  It's an old story, or rather a shameful one. Tai Li's face turned red and she glared at Huang Li fiercely, this conversation couldn't continue anymore.

  Tai Li didn't ask anymore, but Huang Li still had doubts and said in a low voice: "Are you blaming me for not standing up bravely to rescue you?"

  "That's not it," Terri said, shaking her head. "In that case, how could I possibly ask you to go get yourself killed? Of course, if you had the skills of that mysterious Mr., it would be a different story."

  "Hmm, that guy is indeed formidable, one shot one kill, just like a heroic knight." Huang Li's face showed admiration.

  "If I find him, I must thank him properly." Teri's attitude was sincere and genuinely grateful.

  "Better be grateful to others, or else you'll... Hehe." Huang Li deliberately teased Taili for a moment before asking tentatively, "Do we have any leads now? A living person can't just disappear into thin air, right?"

  Tai Li was about to say something but stopped herself, sighed, and spread her hands helplessly, saying: "There's no way, it really has vanished into thin air, it's truly baffling."

  Huang Li pursed his lips, and it seemed like Taili wasn't telling the truth. Today she came to ask herself if it was at someone else's behest or just her own speculation. But he didn't plan on continuing to pry, showing excessive sensitivity would only make people think he had a guilty conscience.

  Zhen Niang teased Niu Niu, sitting next to her without saying a word, not even glancing at Huang Li, which made Huang Li feel very relieved.

  The Huang Li calendar did not know that while they were eating in this room, someone was paying attention to him in another room. This person was also a fellow practitioner and a special agent, surnamed Zeng, named Chen, who was one of the people in charge of the Zhongyi Rescue National Association in Tianjin.

  Since the signing of the Tanggu Agreement in 1933, Japanese infiltration in North China has become increasingly rampant. The Tianjin area saw a surge in traitors, posing a risk of losing control over the region. Enlightened members within the Revival Society felt compelled to curb this situation and established the Loyal Patriot Rescue Association in 1934. Zeng Che was the association's representative in Tianjin, who after reporting his work in Nanjing, was ordered to return to Tianjin to form an "Anti-Traitor Special Action Group", but unfortunately coincided with the pirate hijacking incident.

  Throughout the hijacking process, Zeng Che was alone and helpless, and even in a hurry, he did not make any resistant moves. Of course, he didn't want to expose his identity easily either. What shocked him, however, was that he saw someone with such amazing skills and abilities. In Zeng Che's memory, at least within his own system, he had never seen anyone who could surpass this mysterious guy.