Romance of Dragons and Snakes

Just half an hour after Wang Chao had been under fire, Cao Yi had hurriedly came flying towards them with several other people. There was still drowsiness in his eyes–a clear indication that he had been sleeping when the call came in. There wasn’t even any time for him to wash his face.

When he heard that Wang Chao had came across a sniper, Cao Yi had been so startled that his heart had paused for just a moment.

“Next time you head out, bring some more people with you! It’s lucky that nothing happened this time.” Cao Yi spoke before having some people come in to tidy up the area. There had been an emergency morning meeting to discuss what would be done in regards to the study and interrogation of the sniper that Wang Chao had knocked out.

At the same time at around ten in the morning, Cao Yi had written out a detailed report for the higher ups to have someone be dispatched to investigate.

“There’s no need for that. It was only a single incidence, what’s the use making such a big fuss over this?” Wang Chao had disapproved of Cao Yi’s suggestion. “According to logic, we should be even secretive about this. Being under fire is a statistically high chance. I’ve heard that Duan Guochao was targeted for assassination many times in the past as well. After my battle with Nguyễn Hồng Tú, I’ve made those warlords lose out on a wealthy sum of money and slapped the face of Muay Thai. Having them hire some assassins is nothing strange.”

“Where would those warlords gain the guts to do something like this? Hiring specialists to come to the mainlands to kill you specifically? You aren’t a regular civilian, they won’t try to kill you without a specific profit to be made. They may have lost money because of you, but assassinating you would be pointless for them.”

Cao Yi tapped his finger before pulling out the drawer next to him. Pulling out several papers, he slammed them onto the table to give Wang Chao a look at the four pages. The first page had a young man with black hair, blue eyes, and a straight nose.

The second page had a black man.

The third had a tall caucasian.

The fourth was the assassin that had just recently tried to kill Wang Chao.

Cao Yi let Wang Chao look at the four pages as he lit up a cigarette to smoke. “We managed to investigate these men just now. They’re specialists that deal with working any mission as special operation soldiers. Codenamed the ‘Forest Python #4’, this man once worked with several rich American groups to establish a mercenary group in Africa. These four men are men from that very same mercenary group. They’re all outstanding soldiers and complete missions at the highest of difficulty on a daily basis.”

“The first man’s codename was the ‘Spirit Fox’, he went by another codename, the ‘Reaper’s Bullet’. He’s a mixed-breed who went by the Chinese name Yang Yingming. Proficient in Wingchun, Hung Gar and hundreds of different firearms, he once assassinated many different officials within Africa. He’s also rumored to never have missed a single shot and is one of their strongest. This second man is Violent Bear. The third is Evil Wolf. The last one that tried to kill you is Forest Python.”

Listening to the explanation, Wang Chao asked, “These three have nothing to do with me, don’t tell me they’re coming to kill me as well?”

“The first three men are already dead.” Cao Yi spoke, causing Wang Chao to be slightly surprised.

“Do you know how they died?” Cao Yi puffed on his cigarette calmly. “Our investigations concluded that five years ago, the records show that they traveled into the mainlands and into the S Province. It was there that they were killed by someone in the Tianxing district.”

“What?” Wang Chao suddenly found himself overwashed with emotion.

These three men had originally came into the mainlands five years ago on a secret mission to assassinate or capture the super-expert Tang Zichen. At that time, Wang Chao had only started to learn martial arts at that time and knew nothing about the world. But even though he knew nothing then, Wang Chao could begin to guess at what Cao Yi was getting at here.

“There are many experts of martial arts that roam around outside of our nation. In the previous century when the nation was in strife, there was much conflict to be had. With so many experts, they were sent into exile as a result.” Cao Yi observed Wang Chao as he thought to himself, “We’ve worked together for many years now. And I’ve watched you grow up as well, we could be considered old friends by rights. There are some things I cannot say, but I would like to warn you nonetheless so that you may be prepared.”

“What things?” Wang Chao’s eyes narrowed.

“The one you fought in Beijing, Jiang Hai, he’s one of us now. Right now he’s been sent outside of China for several missions. If you come across him in the future, be careful; he may still hold a grudge.”

Wang Chao gave a laxed look, “I was already prepared for that.” Cao Yi’s words were clearly making them sound more and more like close friends.”

“One more thing. Your master is most likely the head of several different Chinese gangs in over twenty nations including Europe. At your age, you’ve already earned the title of general–even if it was awarded to you in secret. But there is still a connection between you and her.” Cao Yi hesitated on this part as if he was speaking all that he knew.

Wang Chao’s finger twitched minutely. His face grew dark and he could only ask a single question, “Does she have a connection with the higher ups as well?”

“There actually isn’t.” Cao Yi breathed out. “The European Chinese associations and gangs usually rely on the Hongmen Society, but there are plenty of smaller organizations that they work with as well. According to what I know, the power of your master stems from the people she works with, such as the leaders of the political, economical, and other monetary areas of Europe. She has in the past worked in Africa to help some political factions rise in power while dropping the others. Even more, she has cooperated with the Middle East for work. Her business generally revolves around the big three: weapons trade, political manipulation, and oil and energy.”

Wang Chao had been listening very attentively; this was the very first time he heard about the circumstances behind Tang Zichen.

“The higher ups hope that you will be able to come into contact with her and have her work with us for the sake of our nation. But to you, this is a suicide mission that must be accomplished.”

“I don’t have that big of a capability.” Wang Chao’s eyes flickered with light.

“You are already starting to have the capability to do so. The overseas Chinese all pay attention to tradition. A martial artist is someone to respect highly to even them. You are already a well known martial artist; within the mainlands and Southeast Asia, even Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Myanmar and India all know of you and your prestige. Even in the overseas Chinese community, you would have the right to say your mind.”

Cao Yi had spoken correctly. For the common person of Chinese descent overseas, they would generally hire an expert lion dancer to celebrate a major ceremony like their birthday. The better and more thrilling the dance, the better their luck for the next year. Legends and traditions like this were carefully observed.

The lion dancers would also have a well respected man come and use a cinnabar brush and ink to paint the eyes of the lion.

The well respected man would in turn generally be a well known practitioner or martial artist.

Even the head of a secret society or gang would not have the pleasure of being invited for this act. It could be said that if Wang Chao were to go overseas, he would share the same level of rights as the senior figure Zhu Hongzhi in the world of martial arts. Indeed, he would even be invited by someone to paint the eyes of the lion.

Even a government official would not be able to have the right to paint the eyes of the lion if they attended a celebration for a secret society.

“When does this mission start?” Wang Chao suddenly asked.

“That I don’t know.” Cao Yi shrugged his hands, “What I’ve told you today isn’t in adherence with the higher ups, but it’s all that I know. If I would make a guess, I’d recommend you prepare yourself so that you won’t make a reckless decision. This is just a talk between us two, so don’t repeat what I’ve told you to anyone else, or I’ll be in danger of being accused of leaking national secrets.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Wang Chao replied. With his talk with Cao Yi being done, Wang Chao prepared to stand up to leave.

Being attacked by a sniper was merely a small incident. However it was handled, it would be up to Cao Yi, meaning there was no need for Wang Chao to care.

“Ah, I hope that Jingjing will only just be learning martial arts. Whatever grudge you’re caught in, I would rather she not get involved in it. I only want her to learn to protect herself and grow strong–not fight and kill.” Cao Yi called out to Wang Chao before he could stand up. “This concludes our private talk, there’s still some talks about business we need to discuss before you leave.”

“There’s still business to talk about?”

“Of course. You are a well known representative of martial arts in Asia, and a major general of the army to boot. I believe the higher ups have heard of your demonstration of dodging a bullet? They’re very interested in this and hope that you will help broaden the mind of the army and teach them to help increase their aptitude. I received a notification today to have you go to the Southwest Infantry School to work as a close combat instructor. If after three months there is someone you find to be skilled enough, you may feel free to take him in as a disciple.”

“Ah, so it is about me being an instructor. But why haven’t I heard of this Southwest Infantry School before? And, what about the school in Shandong?”

“Just let Lin Yanan deal with the school. This is merely a way to avoid a repeat of earlier and get you away from the winds. The Southwest Infantry School isn’t open to the general public–it’s where we raise our more talented soldiers. Most of the Central Guards are from there; even the masters you fought in Beijing teach at the school. But the students you’ll receive are quite special. In the past all-military competition, they earned second, third, fourth and fifth place. Pay attention now. The higher ups wish for them to be your disciple.”

“Who was the first place winner?” Wang Chao asked curiously.

“He died; that was Duan Guochao.” Cao Yi stated expressionlessly. “Those students are rather unruly and wild. But this time you can’t be too cruel to them.”

“I know what will be the appropriate behavior for this.”