dmims Chapter 166: Why did he also abduct a girl?
Chapter 166: Why did he also abduct a girl?
That evening, when Fingel and Chu Zihang returned to their hotel suite, Lu Mingfei was sitting cross-legged on the living room carpet, with a detailed map of Tokyo spread out in front of him, along with a laptop and some scattered notes.
"You're back? Where did you go to 'maintain world peace' this day?"
Lu Mingfei didn't even look up, his finger tracing across the map.
Fingel slumped onto the sofa and sighed dramatically:
"Don't even mention it! Today, they were cleaning up a Deadpool at an abandoned factory in the suburbs. It was supposed to be really ferocious, but it turned out to be as skinny as a bamboo pole! Genji was using a sledgehammer to crack a nut; he chopped it in one stroke, and then spent ages explaining the Deadpool's mutation characteristics and how to deal with it... I almost fell asleep listening to him!"
He perfectly imitated Genjiro's serious yet aloof expression.
He thought it was just another gang conflict like before, but he ended up waiting to see the show for nothing, spending most of the day just on the bus.
Disappointing...
Chu Zihang then walked over to Lu Mingfei, looked at the map, and calmly added:
"Very efficient, but we don't get any information related to the trafficking case. Genji is intentionally keeping us out of the core business. And,"
He paused for a moment, then said, "Language is a barrier. I can't understand much of the speaking speed and dialects in everyday conversations."
Lu Mingfei then raised his head and smiled:
"As expected. The reason I had you come along was to see what they were up to, and to give them some extra work of 'accompanying foreign guests'."
Chu Zihang nodded, then remembered something else:
"Towards the end of the afternoon, Genji received a phone call. He took a few steps away and lowered his voice, but I could still vaguely hear a few words... 'disappeared,' 'confirm as soon as possible,' 'don't make a fuss.' After he finished the call, his expression didn't change, but he immediately said goodbye to us, saying that he had urgent family matters to deal with, and left in a hurry."
"Gone?"
Lu Mingfei raised an eyebrow.
"A person? Or a thing?"
"Judging from the context, it's more like a human being."
Chu Zihang analyzed, "It could be a member of a family, or... an important person related to them."
Lu Mingfei stroked his chin, seemingly lost in thought:
"Interesting. It seems there are indeed some troubles within the Snake Clan that are beyond their control."
At this moment, Qingniao, the secretary who had been quietly sitting beside him working on her tablet (Lu Mingfei finally remembered her name), looked up, adjusted her glasses, and asked softly:
"Team Leader Lu, do I need to book a vehicle or prepare any documents for tomorrow?"
Lu Mingfei looked at her, and suddenly had an idea:
"Bluebird, don't stay in the hotel tomorrow, it's kind of boring. You go on a mission with Senior Brother Chu and Fingel, along with Yuan Zhisheng and the others."
The bluebird paused for a moment, then nodded:
"Okay, team leader. What do I need to do?"
"Your Japanese is pretty fluent, isn't it? Be their translator."
Lu Mingfei pointed to Chu Zihang and Fingel.
"So they don't get sold out and then help the seller count the money. By the way, keep your ears open and listen to what they talk about in private, especially things related to urgent matters like today."
Chu Zihang immediately understood Lu Mingfei's intention.
With the bluebird, a fluent and perceptive "ear," they were able to glean more information from conversations and even phone calls between Genjiro and his subordinates, no longer being completely passive.
All I can say is that he overestimated Lao Lu.
He simply felt that Qingniao was quite bored being alone in the hotel during his free time.
Let's find her something to do, and in case anything happens, these two people can protect her.
After all, she was just a B-grade mixed-race.
Fingel got excited: "Great! With the little bluebird around, I can have in-depth conversations about food culture with the old lady selling takoyaki on the street!"
A barely perceptible blush flashed across Qingniao's face, but she quickly regained her professional expression:
"Understood, I will do my best."
It seems she knows the ropes.
Lu Mingfei stood up and stretched:
"Alright, I already spoke to those 'bodyguards' downstairs today and told them not to follow me too closely. I like peace and quiet. They weren't too happy about it, but they didn't force me to stay."
He gave a sly smile.
"I'm going out for a walk by myself tomorrow to get some fresh air. It's really uncomfortable to always be followed by people."
Chu Zihang looked at him with a questioning look in his eyes, but didn't say anything.
Lu Mingfei knew what he was worried about, and waved his hand:
"Don't worry, I'm just strolling around and enjoying the scenery. Besides..."
He lowered his voice and said meaningfully, "We're not entirely without 'support' here."
He didn't explicitly say who the "responder" was, but Chu Zihang and Fingel both understood.
Given Lu Mingfei's current status, it's perfectly normal for him to connect with people or make arrangements in Japan.
"be careful."
Chu Zihang only said these four words in the end.
"Okay, okay."
Lu Mingfei chuckled, "You two should 'learn' from Patriarch Yuan tomorrow and strive to become experts on Japan as soon as possible. Bluebird, keep an eye on the two of them and don't let Fingel actually go to some strange place for 'in-depth exchanges'."
Just don't cause a transnational scandal...
With everything arranged, everyone went to rest.
Lu Mingfei stood by the window, looking at the dazzling yet cold night view of Tokyo, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the window frame.
As dawn broke, the March morning breeze still carried a chill, dispelling the last trace of drowsiness from the streets of Tokyo.
Lu Mingfei deliberately lingered for a while, waiting for Chu Zihang, Finger, and the temporarily added translator Qingniao to leave the hotel with Saeki Ryuji, who had a businesslike expression, before he leisurely changed into a more inconspicuous dark hoodie and jeans, pulled his baseball cap brim even lower, and strolled out the door.
Yuan Zhisheng didn't come today; it seems he hasn't dealt with yesterday's matter yet.
His actions today were more relaxed, even somewhat leisurely.
Yesterday he proved with his actions that he was capable of escaping routine surveillance, and today he intends to go even further.
At the bustling Shibuya Crossing, taking advantage of the surging crowds and the momentary chaos of the trains arriving at the station, he vanished completely from the sight and perception of the Shekihachi family's monitors, like a drop of water dissolving into the ocean.
After winding through several quiet backstreets, Lu Mingfei arrived at a tranquil Japanese-style room deep within an old residential area, with a sign that read "Antique Restoration".
I have no idea how they found such a remote place.
As I opened the door, warm air and familiar complaints rushed out.
"See? I told you he'd find us!"
Xia Mi was sitting cross-legged on the tatami mat, munching on a string of dumplings. When she saw Lu Mingfei come in, she immediately puffed out her cheeks and accused him, but her eyes were full of sly smiles, showing no sign of fear whatsoever.
"I knew I couldn't escape him when I saw him in the business district yesterday!"
"You little brat! You went on a publicly funded trip abroad and didn't even take me with you! You ran off to eat and drink the good life all by yourself, you're a complete beast!"
Gu Nan stood up abruptly, hands on her hips, looking fierce. Today she was wearing a black outfit that allowed for easy movement, and her ponytail was tied high, making her look like a little leopard ready to pounce and bite.
Lu Mingfei felt a throbbing in his temples, and the expected headache arrived right on time.
He quickly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender:
"Oh my goodness! Spare me! This isn't a game, it's serious business! Serious business that's like dancing on a knife's edge!"
As he spoke, he glanced at the quietest person in the room.
Ling knelt quietly beside the low table, brewing tea with a small charcoal stove, her movements fluid and graceful.
She raised her icy blue eyes and glanced at Lu Mingfei indifferently. Her gaze lacked Gu Nan's murderous intent and Xia Mi's mockery, but it clearly conveyed the words "I didn't say I wouldn't come along," which made Lu Mingfei smile nonchalantly.
"Okay, okay, I was wrong, I apologize..."
Lu Mingfei skillfully slid to his knees, but his gaze was involuntarily drawn to the fourth person in the room.
She was a girl who looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, about the same age as him.
He was now sitting quietly a little behind Zero.
She wore a slightly oversized, plain-colored kimono, and her long, dark red hair was loosely draped over her shoulders, with the ends of her hair clearly defined.
Her skin was very white, a pale white lacking color, and her features were as delicate as a doll's. Her deep red eyes were quietly watching Lu Mingfei with a hint of curiosity and timidity.
Most striking was the long, rectangular object she was tightly clutching, which appeared to be taller than her and was wrapped in a plain white cloth. Judging from its shape, it was likely a sword or similar weapon.
"so……"
Lu Mingfei pointed at the unfamiliar girl with suspicion, "Who is this little girl? Nuonuo's sister? She does look a bit like her... but why is she with you? And why is she carrying a knife?"
"Snapped!"
Gu Nan slapped away Lu Mingfei's hand that was pointing at him without any politeness.
"Be polite! Don't point your finger at that young girl!"
Her tone softened slightly. "Besides, she can't speak."
"Can't speak?"
Lu Mingfei was stunned.
Xia Mi leaned closer, lowered her voice, and spoke with a hint of mysterious excitement:
“Her name is Erii. We found her on the street! Near where you found us yesterday. She was all alone, like a lost kitten. She only communicated with pen and paper, and she wouldn't let go of her knife. We felt sorry for her, and she's a mixed-race… and,”
Xia Mi emphasized her words, her eyes shining.
"I can sense that her bloodline is extraordinary~ Although she's quiet, she's incredibly powerful!"
Better than you?
Lu Mingfei glanced at her casually as he turned his head and continued:
"Japanese? How did you communicate with her? You can't just guess, can you?"
"Cut~"
Xia Mi, with a smug look that said, "You just don't understand," pointed to Zero, who was elegantly serving tea.
"Of course, it's all thanks to our all-powerful, emotionless queen—Zero-chan! Not only is she incredibly strong, but she's also fluent in Japanese, French, German…no communication barriers whatsoever!"
Zero pushed a cup of tea in front of Lu Mingfei and confirmed in a calm, even tone:
"She can understand Japanese and communicates quickly with pen and paper. We can communicate in a basic way through writing and gestures. I have some guesses about her identity, but I need to verify them."
Lu Mingfei's gaze fell back on the girl who called herself "Eri".
A powerful hybrid?
Can't you speak?
Holding a long package that might be a weapon?
Lost on the streets of Tokyo?
Every single element of this seems suspicious, especially at this sensitive time.
He picked up his teacup, the steam rising from it illuminating his thoughtful face.
The urgent phone call that Genji received yesterday...
The person who "disappeared"...
The mysterious girl before me is "Eri"...
coincidence?
Or is he getting closer to a truth that the Snake Clan is trying so hard to cover up?
"Eriyi..."
Lu Mingfei repeated the name softly.
Looking at the three uninvited "helpers" and the mysterious "trouble" in front of him, he suddenly felt that this trip to Tokyo would probably be much more "lively" than he had expected.
"Alright, since we're already here..."
Lu Mingfei sighed, put down his teacup, and his eyes sharpened.
"Then don't just sit there. Zero, I need you to use your connections in Japan to investigate two things: First, whether there have been any unusual personnel changes or search operations by the Snake Clan recently; second, do your best to find out Erii's background, but be careful not to alert her."
Erii, who was sitting obediently to the side, seemed to have heard Lu Mingfei mention her, so she raised her writing board.
"?"
But Lu Mingfei didn't notice that as soon as the gentle Zero Mom patted her head.
"Gu Nan, Xia Mi,"
He glanced at the other two eager-to-try guys and sighed...
These two seem to be unused for the time being.
"You two... behave yourselves! Stay here for now, take good care of 'Eri,' and try not to go out and wander around, especially don't provoke the Snake-Headed Eight Family!"
He now strongly suspects that this girl is the person Genji is looking for.
"I know, I know!"
Gu Nan and Xia Mi readily agreed verbally, but their eyes were already exchanging glances as they began to discuss their "Tokyo adventure plan."
It's impossible to control...
Lu Mingfei rubbed his temples, feeling that the difficulty of the mission had instantly increased by at least two levels.
On the other hand, with these few unconventional insiders, they might actually be able to pry open the seemingly impenetrable iron curtain of the Snake Clan.
He needs to rethink his plans for today.