Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Around Tilia Island, there were more than a dozen warships patrolling the waters, ensuring that no private organizations could set foot on the island.
Despite its mysterious nature, Tilia Island had been somewhat tamed due to the constant influx of personnel carrying out missions. This had led to the development of safe zones, which evolved into tribe-like communities.
Each country had its own exclusive area, and without permission, no one was allowed to enter another nationâs territory.
Additionally, there was a large communal zone, which, compared to the rest of the island, was more bustling and lively.
However, the area consisted mostly of low-rise buildings, with only a few exceeding two stories.
The general atmosphere resembled that of a war-torn country in the Middle East.
In one of the low buildings within the public trading zone, a rugged, middle-aged man with a scruffy beard sat at a table. Scattered before him were several unremarkable dishes, and a bottle of vodka rested by his hand. He took occasional swigs, exuding a casual yet bold air.
This man was none other than Lin Jingzhan!
Across from Lin Jingzhan sat Song Jinmin, who was also drinking and eating, but his hands were busy fiddling with his phone.
âThose Meiguons have already crossed the Doly Valley River. I heard three of them died,â Song Jinmin commented.
âOnly three?â Lin Jingzhan replied, somewhat surprised.
âThe crocodiles in that river arenât known for being merciful.â
âRecently, things in Meiguo have been off. Their overall strength seems to have improved, probably because of that C-grade serum.â
âYou mean the stuff the Freemasons have been developing?â
Song Jinmin nodded. âOther than that serum, thereâs nothing else that couldâve given them such an enhancement.â
Lin Jingzhan fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
âLet them scout ahead, then. Even if they make it past the Doly Valley River, the last third of the jungle is no easy walk. Until theyâre out of the jungle, thereâs no need to pay them too much attention.â
âLetting them blaze the trail first is a good idea.â
As the two men spoke, a woman dressed in tactical camouflage entered the room.
Despite her unkempt hair and lack of makeup, she radiated a fierce, wild beauty.
This womanâs name was Mira, code-named âAce of Hearts.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âSomething interesting happened in Ouzhou. The Freemason buildings in both Lundun and Paree were set on fire.â
âThe buildings were burned?â
Song Jinmin asked, raising an eyebrow. âTwo fires at the same timeâit doesnât sound like a coincidence.â
âDefinitely not,â Mira replied.
âEven though the Freemason buildings donât hold much practical value, theyâre symbols of the Freemasons. The fact that two of them were burned down simultaneously is fascinating, no matter how you look at it.â
âIndeed,â Lin Jingzhan said, picking his teeth nonchalantly. âThere arenât many people in the world bold enough to make a move against the Freemasons. Fermi, that old bastard, would be one of them.â
âAny idea who did it?â Song Jinmin asked casually.
âNo clues yet,â Mira shrugged, then turned her gaze to Lin Jingzhan. âBut thereâs one curious coincidence.â
âWhatâs that?â Lin Jingzhan asked without much interest.
âJust a few hours before the Freemason building in Lundun caught fire, your son was spotted at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Heed Park.â
âHmm? What was he doing there?â
Lin Jingzhanâs expression, along with Song Jinminâs, became serious upon hearing this.
âLingyun Group, the Huaxian tech company, developed a lithography machine last year. With the governmentâs support, theyâve been building out an entire semiconductor supply chain. But with the ongoing trade war between Meiguo and Huaxia, some of the worldâs semiconductor giants are trying to reestablish agreements that would exclude Lingyun Group. Thatâs why he was there,â Mira explained.
âOh, and thereâs something else,â she continued. âSamsungâs heir apparent, Lee Yongchul, was also at that banquet. Your son stabbed him, apparently because Lee made a move on a woman named Ji Qingyan.â
Lin Jingzhan was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
âLook at that, he really is my son, stabbing a Samsung heir without hesitation!â
âHey, calm down! Thatâs not the main point here,â Song Jinmin interjected.
âI get the feeling your sonâs appearance in Lundun wasnât a coincidence. He might be the one behind those fires.â
âOf course, who else could it be?â Lin Jingzhan replied confidently.
âThere arenât many organizations in the world bold enough to take on the Freemasons. The Central Guard Brigade is one of them. And given that your son showed up in Lundun right at this critical moment, heâs the most likely culprit. The only question is, why would he do it?â
Mira adjusted her posture and said,
âEven if he knew that Wendevi and Lee Yongchul were connected to the Freemasons, this was ultimately a business issue. There was no need for such an extreme response. It seems a bit⦠low.â
âThereâs definitely more to this story. No doubt about it,â Lin Jingzhan said.
âMy guess is the Freemasons provoked the Central Guard Brigade in some way, and this is his way of exacting revenge.â
Snap!
Song Jinmin lit a cigarette and said, âKnowing him, setting fire to just two places is probably only the beginning.â
âLet him have his fun. Weâll just sit back and watch,â Lin Jingzhan said dismissively, waving his hand as if unconcerned.
âBut if Madam hears about this, she might not be as relaxed. She might come to you for help,â Mira said, probing for a reaction.
âUhâ¦â Lin Jingzhan hesitated for a moment. âLogically, she shouldnât. She holds Lin Yi to high standards. If itâs not a critical moment, she probably wonât ask me to step in.â
Mira and Song Jinmin exchanged a glance, both displaying expressions of mild contempt.
âBut I must admit, itâs tempting to join in. Setting a few fires sounds like fun,â Song Jinmin said with a grin.
âThis could be an opportunity,â Mira remarked.
âWhat kind of opportunity are you talking about?â Lin Jingzhan asked.
âAn opportunity to weaken the Freemasons,â Mira explained.
âThe global situation is becoming increasingly chaotic. The Freemasons, Mamon, the Halke Rangers, the Bilderberg Club, and the Blood Tribe are all becoming more aggressive in their activities.â
âOn top of that, smaller nations are beginning to realize their space on the island is shrinking. Theyâre secretly forming alliances to bolster their strength. Things are only going to get more chaotic.â
âThese people have no respect,â Lin Jingzhan chuckled.
âMy son hasnât even set foot on the island, and theyâre already making moves.â
Song Jinmin glanced up at Lin Jingzhan. âDo you really want him to come to a place like this? Arenât you Huaxians always talking about family and a warm home?â
âBut you have to understand,â Lin Jingzhan said, gazing toward the eastern horizon, âthereâs another saying in Huaxia: destiny.â
âHis destiny might be here. And no one can stop it.â