Pillar of Yita

As Zhang Tianmiu closed the door on his way out, he overheard the conversation between Su Changfeng and the ambassador:

”How is it?”

”Originally, I planned to let him into the Special Preparation Team. You know the current situation, if the baseline expands, we must be more prepared.”

Once Su Changfeng stepped out, his expression was no longer as relaxed as before. He rarely showed such a demeanor in front of his daughter. He said, ”It’s not just about the US and Russia, even South Korea, Japan, and the European Union are preparing for this. It’s about planning ahead...”

Ambassador Liao nodded: ”He is indeed a promising candidate. The story about him obtaining the Dragon Crystal from the Sea Witch is likely true, but we still don’t know how he got into the system.”

He then changed the subject: ”But I suggest you give up. This task can only be done by him; this is also the decision from above, and indeed, there is no more suitable candidate than him.”

”Alright, let’s not talk about this. After all, the baseline situation still needs observation. But the key now is whether we can trust him. How is that investigation progressing?”

”I was just about to discuss this with you. I always felt that Huang Bingkun wasn’t telling the truth. Our investigation into his communication records revealed that before contacting the target, he accessed the target’s personal space several times, and he was on the target right after they posted an inquiry in the community.”

”The most interesting part is that this is his first time aiding someone to cross the border—though the target spent over a hundred thousand, a large part of it was non-deductible costs. In this ’business,’ Huang earned only a few thousand in total.”

A sharp light flashed in Su Changfeng’s eyes: ”Interesting, go on.”

”Simply put, his risk input does not match the actual return. A normal person wouldn’t make such a choice. Moreover, this person has a history of being addicted to virtual gambling, spending money lavishly, and often overspending. Three months before contacting the target, a large sum of mysterious funds was deposited into his account.”

”Oh?” Su Changfeng showed some interest: ”Did he say anything about it?”

The ambassador shook his head: ”Huang admitted to his actions without concealment, but he remained tight-lipped about the origin of the money. We investigated the source of the funds, and they mostly came from public accounts of private financial management institutions and virtual lending platforms, wired in installments, making it hard to trace further.”

”Do you think the target is aware?” Su Changfeng asked.

”Based on comprehensive investigations, the target seems unaware. I also tried probing subtly before, but the target showed no reaction at all. Of course, it can’t be ruled out that the target has extensive counter-espionage experience, but I think the likelihood is low.”

Ambassador Liao continued: ”In all respects, the target appears to be a relatively simple-minded teenager, and his actions are logically consistent. His family environment and growth background also provide a reasonable explanation. Overall, he is a child of good quality.”

Su Changfeng sighed: ”Good quality? If my girl at home were half as obedient, I would laugh even in my sleep.”

Ambassador Liao, having heard of his family’s young lady, couldn’t help but tease: ”But your Little Princess and he don’t seem to have a bad relationship.”

”Just rumors.” Su Changfeng shook his head, though there was a mixture of concern and anticipation, thinking he’d have to find a good time to ask if this was true.

However, he knew his daughter was quite cunning, so he needed to approach Fang Hong for this matter.

”So what about this matter?” he asked again.

”Let him complete this task first, as a kind of trial,” Ambassador Liao replied. ”Besides, why would Huang Bingkun and the source behind his funds pay so much attention to a half-grown child? The target himself might not know, but I believe someone else must be aware.”

Su Changfeng pondered slightly, then asked back: ”Are you referring to his uncle and aunt?”

The former nodded.

Only then did he look back at Zhang Tianmiu by the door and said, ”Director Zhang, the target is in your hands now.”

Zhang Tianmiu, upon hearing this, merely nodded.

...

Fang Hong sat on the bed, pondering the recent conversation.

When Su Changfeng asked for his opinion about the Super Competitive League, he thought for a moment and posed a question he’d always wanted to ask:

”Ambassador, sir, I don’t quite understand why the country remains indifferent to the actions of the Super Competitive League in the Southern Region. Isn’t their interference in Colin Ishurian’s internal affairs under the guise of Guild restructuring a well-documented fact?”

And there was an unspoken undertone. If the government and military had acted sooner, how could the situation in the Southern Region have reached its current state? It was because the Super Competitive League forced Ye Hua to dissolve the Southern Alliance (Invoker part), leading to a power vacuum in the Southern political map.

Ambassador Liao, however, saw through his intentions and smiled, saying: ”It seems you have a big grievance with our decision. Are you saying that we’re aiding and abetting evildoers?”

Fang Hong quickly said he didn’t dare, but secretly thought, bureaucratism and disengagement must be present.

Ambassador Liao said: ”You’re not wrong, but it’s not that simple. Mainly for two reasons. First, the Stargate Port is an international institution established under United Nations regulations. Although in Eteliria, there are designated zones, the designated zones are just a classification method, not a territory, nor an exclusive economic zone, and certainly not a new colony or within a sphere of influence. The official term for it should be the counterpart country, so we have a counterpart agreement with Colin Ishurian, similar to the US with North Aoshu, the European Union with the Giant Tree Hill, and the New CIS with Rotao.”