Chapter 73: Laying the Trap

With a sweeping motion, Chu Feng retrieved all the silver needles embedded in the Wounded Wolf’s body. The moment the needles were removed, the Wounded Wolf felt as if a great burden had been lifted from him, and he exhaled a heavy sigh of relief.

He truly could not endure it any longer. Had Chu Feng not removed the needles, he would have begged for mercy. Even so, the Wounded Wolf was thoroughly terrified by Chu Feng’s methods. He had never imagined that such slender silver needles, when inserted into the body, could produce such excruciating effects.

“Speak now, or I’ll double the number of needles in your body. Then, you won’t even have the chance to beg for mercy,” Chu Feng threatened, twirling a needle before the man’s eyes.

Seeing the needle in Chu Feng’s hand, the Wounded Wolf could not suppress a shudder. He had been utterly broken by Chu Feng’s torture.

“If you want information, you’ll have to offer something of equal value. Otherwise, even if you kill me, I won’t speak,” the Wounded Wolf insisted, still attempting to bargain. He feared that if he divulged the information, Chu Feng would kill him to silence him.

“You must realize you’re in no position to negotiate. If what you say is what I need, I may let you live a few more days. But if you dare deceive me, I’ll show you pain far worse than what you’ve already endured.”

Chu Feng had no intention of bargaining—after all, the Wounded Wolf was trapped in his hands and had no leverage.

“I can tell you our objective, but you must promise me one thing: send the money I have to my wife and child, so they may live without worry.” The Wounded Wolf fell silent for some time before he spoke. He understood his predicament well.

Chu Feng was startled to learn the Wounded Wolf had a wife and child. That a man who had joined Sakura Path had a family—was he not afraid that his enemies might seek vengeance upon them?

“I promise,” Chu Feng replied; after all, this was a reasonable request.

“Thank you. And please, send this to my wife, along with a letter telling her to remarry.” The Wounded Wolf took a jade pendant from around his neck and handed it to Chu Feng.

“Don’t worry. As long as you speak the truth, I’ll grant you a swift end. And what you’ve asked of me—I will see it done,” Chu Feng said, accepting the bloodstained pendant.

“Our mission here was not only to assassinate the old man, but also to steal the research data at his side. The employer also demanded that you be eliminated.”

“At first, we intended to kill only the old man, then you. The prior intelligence reported you were merely a doctor with no fighting skills. None of us expected you to be so formidable—not even I could match you.”

“The people you captured last night were also from Sakura Path. They were ordered to kill the old man, and then kill us as well, because we had failed in our task.”

The Wounded Wolf’s voice was heavy with sorrow. Once he learned that his own comrades had been sent to kill him, he lost all hope.

“How did you know which ward the old man was in? That information is top secret—only a select few know it.” Chu Feng was determined to press for answers, suspecting that the Wounded Wolf’s earlier statements might all have been lies.

“Our employer provided it. As I told you before, we all called him ‘the Gentleman.’ I’ve been to his residence at Hengjing Villa, but I’ve never seen his true face.”

Evidently, some of the intelligence the Wounded Wolf previously provided was genuine; Chu Feng simply hadn’t analyzed it closely enough at the time.

“Did you plant any informants in the hospital? Otherwise, how could your employer have known the old man’s room with such precision?” Chu Feng was certain the Gentleman had an informant at the hospital; otherwise, the Sakura Path assassins would never have found the ward so easily.

“That, I don’t know. Before our operation, he told me the room number, but we couldn’t ask any further questions.”

The Wounded Wolf didn’t know much else; what he revealed was of limited use to Chu Feng.

“How many hideouts does the Gentleman have? Other than that villa, have you been anywhere else?” Chu Feng’s tone grew exceedingly grave. This ‘Gentleman’ was clearly a man of extreme caution.

“I only know of the villa. At headquarters, I heard others say the Gentleman has been our client for many years.” This time, the Wounded Wolf spoke the truth, divulging all he knew.

“Fine. I’ll verify what you’ve told me. As for your request, I will see it done. As for when I’ll send you on your way—that will depend on when I have the time.”

Chu Feng was in no rush to kill the Wounded Wolf; he had a nagging feeling the man might still prove useful.

When Chu Feng left, two soldiers were standing guard at the door. His immediate priority was to locate the Gentleman; only by capturing him could Chu Feng buy himself some time.

He needed to set a trap for the Gentleman, to lure him in. Once the Gentleman was ensnared, there would be no escape.

Chu Feng pondered carefully, then discussed the plan with Ma Han and the others, seeking their opinions.

“You want to set a trap and lure them in? I’m not sure that’s realistic. If they don’t come, our efforts will be wasted,” Ma Han cautioned. His main concern was that the Gentleman’s agents might eliminate all members of Sakura Path and Sunfire. If that happened, Chu Feng’s only lead would be lost.

“Let’s try. Perhaps the Gentleman’s arrogance will drive him to take the risk himself and step into our trap,” Chu Feng insisted. It was a chance worth taking; if they simply killed the Wounded Wolf and the Sunfire members, there would be no opportunity to ensnare the Gentleman.

“Captain, spread the word that we’re going to execute the assassins from Sakura Path and Sunfire. Get the news out as fast as possible,” Chu Feng ordered. Having made up his mind, he would act. As long as he could catch the Gentleman, he was willing to pay any price.

“All right, I’ll call the National Security Bureau and have them disseminate the message nationwide. I’ll also tell them to post the news on the Sunfire and Sakura Path websites.”

The National Security Bureau controlled a global intelligence network. Whenever any major event occurred, they were always the first to know—after all, their agents were present in every country.