Chapter 22: Base Privileges

Zhang Zijian stood stiffly at the entrance of the private room, eavesdropping on the muffled conversation within. As he mulled over Wang Ji’s identity, a subordinate hurried up, tugged at his sleeve, and whispered urgently in his ear.

Zhang Zijian’s expression changed dramatically. Without delay, he dashed down to the first floor.

Meanwhile, Sun Guoyao and Liu Tao each led more than thirty men to Dinghai Tower. With a silent gesture, their soldiers swiftly spread out, blocking all exits and entrances.

The two officers strode into the main hall, just as Zhang Zijian came rushing toward them.

“Officers—such an honor to receive you! Please forgive us for the lack of preparation.” Sweating profusely at the sight of the dozens of fully armed soldiers, Zhang Zijian stepped forward to greet them.

Sun Guoyao returned a salute. “Mr. Zhang, apologies for disrupting your business. We’ve received intelligence that military supplies are being traded here illegally. We must conduct a search.”

Zhang Zijian’s heart sank and a chill ran down his back. He knew exactly how many illicit goods were stored in the building’s warehouse—if they were to be discovered, even his boss would be in serious trouble.

He stammered, “O-officer, that’s impossible. My father is Zhang Xiong, head of Logistics. Our cooperation with the military has always been aboveboard, I assure you…”

Liu Tao stepped forward. “No need for nerves, Mr. Zhang. This is just a routine search, it won’t disrupt your business. Tell me, were there any military personnel here this morning?”

Zhang Zijian hesitated. He was vaguely aware of internal tensions within the military, and decided not to hold back. “Yes… on the second floor, but—”

Without waiting for more, Liu Tao signaled his men, and a dozen soldiers, weapons raised, moved swiftly upstairs.

“Wait—officer, hear me out! That’s your battalion’s Second Company Commander up there!” Zhang Zijian hurried after them, deeply anxious. No matter the outcome, with an incident like this happening here, he was in trouble either way.

Downstairs, several men were eating but were quickly isolated and ushered out by soldiers. They tried to glean information, trading cigarettes and drinks for any scrap of news.

The deployment of such a large force quickly became the talk of the camp, drawing onlookers from every faction, no matter their size.

Meanwhile, upstairs in the private room, Wang Ji and Cao Muhua were still locked in a battle of wits.

Wang Ji rose slowly, calmly facing several drawn pistols, and subtly shielded Xiao Liu behind him. He smiled, “Captain Cao, there’s no need to trouble yourself over my identity. I simply wish to know—why haven’t you opened the shelter? Surely the supplies stored inside could sustain the camp for several months?”

Cao Muhua, wary of the mysterious power backing Wang Ji, waved his men to lower their weapons. “The shelter, to be frank, is indeed here, but—”

Before he could finish, the door was abruptly kicked open. Several soldiers burst in, weapons raised.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Cao Muhua exploded, cursing as the soldiers trained their guns on him.

“Quite the display of authority, Captain Cao. On orders, I am here to search the premises. There are allegations of illegal military supply transactions. I ask for your cooperation.” Sun Guoyao entered at a measured pace, Liu Tao at his side.

Cao Muhua’s eyes narrowed, but after glancing at Wang Ji, his expression suddenly relaxed. “So it’s Captain Sun and Company Commander Liu. Are you accusing me of such a crime? Let me tell you, I demand evidence. Even if I accept such a slander, my hundreds of men will not!”

“You—! Hmph. The camp rules clearly forbid private transactions of military supplies. Didn’t you come here to sell him military goods?” Sun Guoyao pointed at Wang Ji.

Cao Muhua, unfazed, sat leisurely back in his chair and chuckled. “Nonsense. I came to see this distant cousin of mine, to share some tea and reminisce. Isn’t that right, Wang Ji?”

Inexplicably dragged into the fray, Wang Ji could only roll his eyes. Surrounded by armed soldiers, he nodded and said, “There’s been a misunderstanding, officers. I fully support the camp’s regulations. I met Captain Cao here solely for a friendly chat over tea.”

Seeing the demeanor of Wang Ji and Cao Muhua, Sun Guoyao’s temper flared. “Evidence, you say? Are you willing to let us search?”

“Don’t push your luck, Sun Guoyao!” Cao Muhua shot back, pointing at him.

“Unless you’ve got something to hide, you shouldn’t be afraid,” Liu Tao interjected coldly.

Cao Muhua hesitated for a moment, then turned sharply and snapped, “Search, then! If you find nothing, I expect a full explanation!”

“Glad you see reason,” Sun Guoyao replied, waving his hand. His men began searching the room—it wouldn’t be necessary to search their persons, for illicit military goods would be far too conspicuous.

Moments later, a young soldier hurried over and whispered to Sun Guoyao.

“Nothing? How can there be nothing? Search the hotel again! They said—” Sun Guoyao’s face was livid.

Cao Muhua watched him with a smug look. He never brought the goods to these meetings; besides, he’d never expected this encounter with Wang Ji to be nothing more than a conversation.

“Finished yet, Sun Guoyao? I don’t have all day to waste here!”

Pacing back and forth, Sun Guoyao’s expression darkened. He cursed his intelligence officers under his breath—now that he’d openly challenged Cao Muhua, he had no way to back down. If he failed to pin something on Cao Muhua, his own prospects would be bleak.

Suddenly, a soldier returned, looking troubled. “Sir, a male corpse was found in a car trunk downstairs. The man had been shot in the head, apparently with an officer’s Type 64 pistol.”

Hearing this, Sun Guoyao seized on it like a lifeline and turned on Cao Muhua. “Captain Cao, we have evidence now. You are suspected of murder and must come with us for investigation!”

Cao Muhua sprang to his feet, his eyes cold and venomous as a serpent. He stared at Sun Guoyao. “Are you sure you want to do this? Life is cheap these days. That man tried to steal my gun on the way here—I shot him in self-defense. Do you believe me?”

“Hmph. We’ll discuss this back at headquarters!” Sun Guoyao pressed forward, drawing his pistol.

Cao Muhua whipped out his own gun and aimed it at Sun Guoyao. “You son of a bitch, you’re really pushing it! I’ll tell you now—I’ve left men in the camp. If they don’t hear back from me in half an hour, they’ll come for me! Sun Guoyao, are you sure you want to see this through?”

Faced with Cao Muhua’s threat, Sun Guoyao hesitated, weapon raised but not daring to act. The room was thick with tension, the standoff poised to explode.

Liu Tao, wary, signaled his men to be on guard.

Noting Liu Tao’s gesture, Wang Ji quietly took Xiao Liu and retreated into a corner.

The oppressive atmosphere was suffocating. Cao Muhua and Sun Guoyao locked eyes, neither willing to yield.

“Sun Guoyao, I knew you wouldn’t dare! I’m leaving!” At last, Cao Muhua moved to leave, his gun still in hand.

“You can’t go! Not until this is investigated!” Sun Guoyao stubbornly blocked the door.

Cao Muhua checked his watch, his gaze turning wild. He raised his gun and aimed it at Sun Guoyao’s forehead.

“You’re not afraid to die? Fine, I’ll oblige you!”

“Who dares! Drop your weapons!” A commanding voice rang out. At the doorway, Chen Yukai strode in, his bloodshot eyes blazing with anger.

“Enough! What do you think you’re doing—are you still soldiers?”

He glared at both men. “Pointing guns at your own comrades? Have you forgotten your duty in that uniform?”

“And you! Your weapons should be aimed outward, not at each other! We’re here to stand together—do you understand? The lives of a hundred thousand people depend on us!”

Chen Yukai vented all his pent-up frustration at Cao Muhua and Sun Guoyao.

Overawed by his authority, everyone put away their guns, even Cao Muhua, who sullenly donned his overcoat and stepped aside.

Still indignant, Cao Muhua muttered, “Captain Sun, I won’t accept being falsely accused of trading military supplies!”

“Hmph, your little schemes—I know all about them. If you want nobody to find out, don’t do it in the first place!” Chen Yukai glared at him in exasperation.

“I’ve long wanted to take my men and strike out on my own, avoid all this humiliation! If not for the supplies in the shelter—”

“Enough!” Chen Yukai slapped him hard across the face. The existence of the shelter was a tightly kept secret, and Cao Muhua had nearly blurted it out.

He turned to everyone present. “Listen well—all of you, forget what you just heard, understand?”

Morale was fragile, and news like this, if it spread, would be all over the camp in no time.

His gaze fell on Wang Ji and Xiao Liu. Chen Yukai frowned. “Who are they?”

Cao Muhua, nursing his stinging face, shot Chen Yukai a cold look. “That’s Wang Ji. He came to ask why the shelter hasn’t been opened. I suspect he’s from headquarters.”

“Wang Ji?” Liu Tao, standing nearby, furrowed his brow. “Sir, earlier someone brought us two heavy machine guns asking for help. I escorted Old Hu to see him—I didn’t expect he’d survive.”

Only now did those present pay real attention to Wang Ji, previously unnoticed in the corner.

Chen Yukai pondered for a moment, then waved his hand. “Everyone else, leave us. I wish to speak with Mr. Wang.”

Once the soldiers had filed out, Chen Yukai composed himself and turned to Wang Ji. “Forgive the scene, Mr. Wang. Please, have a seat. Could you tell me who you are?”

Yet again confronted with questions about his identity, Wang Ji wore a confident smile—especially after communicating with the X system moments before. He took a seat.

Facing the four leaders of the military, he delivered a shocking declaration.

“My identity isn’t important. But—I can help you open the shelter.”

“What? Are you joking? The shelter is a top state secret! Opening it requires a central military authorization code and the biometric verification of a living major general or above!” Chen Yukai stared at Wang Ji in disbelief; in his memory, there was no one named Wang Ji in the southern military district.

“Let’s see for ourselves, shall we?” Wang Ji raised his teacup, took a sip, and smiled at the four of them.