Chapter Forty-Six: Kill Them All

Old Chen cracked a joke, never imagining that those who sought his death would spend such a fortune to do so.

“Old Chen, in our eyes, never mind three hundred million—even thirty billion wouldn’t be enough. You, sir, are priceless.” Ma Han’s words, though spoken in jest, proved that the technology Old Chen possessed could elevate China to a new level on the international stage.

“Did you find those two snipers? If Old Jin and I hadn’t run fast enough, we’d have ended up dead under their guns.” Chu Feng hadn’t asked Wang Chen about the snipers while he was outside.

“No, we found their sniping spot, but they’d already vanished. Only a spent shell was left behind. This type of sniper rifle costs a fortune—about a million dollars. Such rifles are rare in China; they must have smuggled this one in from abroad.” Ma Han handed the shell found at the sniping point to Chu Feng, and then explained the rifle’s features to him in detail.

“These people really have money. A sniper rifle and its scope come to nearly a million dollars, and smuggling it into the country must have cost even more.” Chu Feng, recalling the events of the day, felt the mastermind behind all this was truly wealthy—throwing around billions as though it were nothing.

“Old Chen, you should get some rest. Dawn is almost here, and if you keep pushing yourself, your health won’t hold up.” Chu Feng checked his watch and urged Old Chen to lie down in his hospital bed.

Once Old Chen was settled, Chu Feng and Ma Han left the ward. Chu Feng immediately instructed Wang Chen and Xiao Hei to keep watch here, warning them to be extremely careful to prevent any mishaps.

“Do you regret joining Dragon Scale? After all, joining means half your life is tied to your belt.” Ma Han and Chu Feng walked to the hospital’s smoking area.

“What’s there to regret? I made my choice and never look back. Besides, even if I did regret it, there’s no such thing as regret medicine in this world.” Chu Feng took out his cigarettes and offered one to Ma Han, who politely declined.

“Smoking dulls your mind. You should cut down.” Members of special operations teams like theirs were expected to quit smoking; if they indulged, it was only on their days off.

“You called me over because you have something to say, right? Just spit it out. If I can help, I will.” Chu Feng knew the captain hadn’t pulled him aside just for idle chit-chat.

“Yes, I need a favor from you. But you must promise me one thing—this must remain a secret, even from Old Chen.” Ma Han sighed, not revealing the matter yet, instead asking Chu Feng to agree to his condition first.

“Go ahead.” Chu Feng’s reply was an implicit promise.

“You must ensure Old Chen’s safety here. If, one day, his life is truly threatened, I want you to take him and escape—even if it means sacrificing everyone else.” Ma Han’s words were born of necessity. According to the intelligence he had received, the organization wanting Old Chen dead was not just Sakura Road.

“So, if it comes down to it, you want me sacrificed as well?” Chu Feng hadn’t expected Ma Han’s request to be so grave.

“No. Because I know that, if real danger comes, only you can get Old Chen out. If you’re lost, his life is lost too. This is an order from above.” Ma Han disliked such measures, but some sought Old Chen’s death with utter ruthlessness.

“I’ll do as you ask. It’s a mission; after I complete it, I won’t take on another this year.” Chu Feng agreed, but set his own condition.

“That’s fine. As long as Old Chen is safe, you won’t have to take on any new assignments for a year.” Ma Han accepted his terms.

As he said earlier, even for thirty billion, he wouldn’t hand Old Chen over—not only for the sake of the country, but because what Old Chen possessed, if successfully developed, would have influence rivaling that of an aircraft carrier.

“As for the assassins caught today, I’ll hand them over to National Security at dawn for interrogation. Perhaps there’s something useful to be gleaned from them.” Ma Han wanted to take the three assassins away, hoping to extract further intelligence.

“Forget it. Those three have confessed everything. Just kill them all. If you hand them over, you’ll have to feed and house them—that’s just a waste of resources.” Chu Feng wanted to collect the remainder of their lifespans. If National Security took them away, their lives would be wasted.

“Alright, then. I’ll notify National Security. If they want information, you can provide it.” Captain Ma Han didn’t argue; three assassins weren’t enough to stir up trouble.

“I’ve noticed you haven’t been here long, but you seem pretty adept at charming women. I heard there’s a young nurse interested in you—she came looking for you late at night.” Ma Han suddenly leaned in, his expression secretive and sly.

“You’re a big shot now—can’t you curb your gossip? What do you mean ‘interested’? So what if she came to see me at midnight? I’m a doctor; maybe she wanted to discuss medical technique.” Even Chu Feng didn’t believe his own words. Han Xuefang, the young nurse, was indeed attractive and kind-hearted.

Still, Chu Feng dared not get involved with anyone lightly. His current identity was different; one misstep could drag others into trouble.

“You’re not fooling anyone. Midnight medical discussion—more like anatomical exploration, I’d say. You’ve got the desire but not the guts.” Ma Han didn’t buy Chu Feng’s excuse; no matter how skilled, it was hard to believe a nurse would seek him out in the dead of night.

No one would believe that story; anyone would suspect something else. Ma Han’s teasing was already mild.

“Enough, let’s drop this topic. If you keep this up, the whole hospital will be buzzing about it tomorrow.” Chu Feng cut him off, fearing that a malicious eavesdropper could spread rumors throughout the city.

“Fine, I know you’re thin-skinned—consider your dignity preserved. After dawn, send Old Chen back to his original room; I’ll take my men back as well.” With that, Ma Han departed, having worked through the night and needing some rest.

Chu Feng stood alone, his gaze fixed on the ancient city of Beijing, whose legacy stretched back a thousand years.