Even before arriving, he had studied the situation in Harmony City using a map, especially the area around Harmony University—a basic quality of an excellent assassin.
After hailing a taxi, Yamada Daiki got in and said in fluent Chinese, "To Tiansheng Hotel."
Tiansheng Hotel is a fairly good hotel located opposite the north gate of Hexie University. After saying this, Yamada Daiki closed his eyes, looking completely at ease. Anyone who didn't know better would think he had been to Hexie City many times.
However, the driver was very talkative. He asked, "Is it the Tiansheng Hotel next to the old campus of Hexie University? Oh dear, that hotel isn't very good. It's advertised as a three-star hotel, but it's not really a star hotel. I have a friend who stayed there. He said the service was terrible."
"Are you driving or not? If not, I'll switch cars." Yamada Daiki gently opened his eyes, shutting down his driver's words with a single sentence.
"Okay, okay," the driver quickly started the car and said, "The customer is king, wherever you say we want to go, we'll go!"
But the driver couldn't stay still. After driving for a while, he said, "Sir, you're not a local, are you?"
Yamada Daiki closed his eyes and didn't answer, but the driver didn't seem to mind and laughed, "Your accent sounds a bit like a Beijing accent. Are you from Beijing?"
Yamada Daiki couldn't stand the driver anymore and simply replied with one word: "Yes."
"Oh? You've seen the Imperial Seal of the State?" the driver exclaimed excitedly. But he didn't dare turn around while driving. "The seal is currently on free display at the Palace Museum. Have you seen it yet?"
"without."
"Oh my, that's a national treasure! If I were in Beijing, I'd go there right away." The driver said regretfully, then perked up again: "Hey, did you know that Chen Xu, who found the Imperial Seal of the State, is in our Hexie City, and he's studying at Hexie University right next to the Tiansheng Hotel!"
Upon hearing the driver mention Chen Xu, Yamada Daiki suddenly opened his eyes and asked in a deliberately nonchalant tone, "Oh?"
"My son is his classmate!" the driver said proudly. "They're in the same major, live in dorms next to each other, and have a pretty good relationship! They say Chen Xu is a very capable kid! He's also an apprentice of the internet god SMMH! He has a bright future ahead of him."
"I think his future is bleak, because he's going to die soon." Yamada Daiki sneered inwardly, but didn't say it aloud. He simply asked, "I've heard of this Chen Xu. Is he still studying at Hexie University?"
"Of course he's rich! But I heard he's already very wealthy, yet he hasn't forgotten his roots!"
"A waste of time! And he's asking for it!" Yamada Daiki sneered inwardly. Why did Bill Gates drop out of school? Because school was such a waste of time. He'd rather use that time to make more money. What could one learn in school? Especially in Chinese universities! Before Yamada Daiki came, Twelve Petals Chrysanthemum had specifically investigated Chen Xu's background and found that he was one of the richest people in China. His father's pharmaceutical company was now a global success, and it was said that he had also acquired a 5% stake in "The Translator of Babel." With so much money, the fact that he was still wasting his time in school only showed that this guy lacked ambition.
However, with his killer instincts, Yamada Daiki couldn't help but ask about Chen Xu. For an assassin, especially one like Yamada Daiki, it's not about taking down an opponent with a sniper rifle and a single bullet... and he didn't carry such a weapon. To kill Chen Xu, he would have to get close to him, or rather, enter Hexie University and find an opportunity to eliminate him.
Therefore, Chen Xu's lifestyle and personality traits were extremely important to Yamada Daiki. Knowing one's enemy is half the battle, Yamada Daiki naturally wouldn't overlook any opportunity to learn about Chen Xu.
Seeing that the guests were interested, the driver became even more talkative.
Actually, many taxi drivers are like this. They drive all day long and get bored to death, so some drivers become very talkative. This talkativeness might make many less talkative passengers feel helpless. But at this time, Yamada Daiki wanted to learn more about Chen Xu, so he naturally appreciated this talkativeness.
"Speaking of Chen Xu, he's really something else. He's rich, but not the kind of annoying spoiled brat. My son and Chen Xu get along very well, and I'm even planning to have my son bring Chen Xu home for a meal sometime."
Yamada Daiki thought for a moment and asked, "Where does Chen Xu usually like to eat?"
The driver found the question strange: "What's so curious about where he eats?"
"No, I was thinking, he's already so rich, and I've heard the food in the university cafeteria is terrible, so he probably won't stay there to eat, right?" Yamada Daiki smiled calmly: "I also like food from different places. I wanted to ask if there are any good restaurants around Hokkien University?"
"I really didn't know that." A strange glint flashed in the driver's eyes, but Yamada Daiki, with his face turned away, couldn't see it. The driver said, "My son told me that Chen Xu usually eats in the cafeteria, and only occasionally gets a few dishes cooked to change things up. So let me tell you, Chen Xu is a great young man. He's rich, but he hasn't forgotten his roots! And let me tell you, my son said that Chen Xu is the earliest riser in his school every day. He gets up at five in the morning to run, and then he reads. Except for cloudy or rainy days, he's almost always there. So I say, he's successful because he works hard. How many young people can persevere like him?"
Upon hearing this, Yamada Daiki was overjoyed, and a slight expression couldn't help but show on his face, but he didn't care at all... Why care so much about a taxi driver?
Chen Xu gets up to run every morning around 5 a.m.?!
This is truly invaluable intelligence!
Although the Twelve-Petaled Golden Chrysanthemum had thoroughly researched Chen Xu's background, it hadn't studied his lifestyle. The organization gave Yamada Daiki a month, during which the murder only required one day, and the remaining twenty-nine days were for him to study Chen Xu's lifestyle so that he could make a perfect move on the last day!
He runs every morning around 5 a.m., when there shouldn't be many people around. If he were to set up a sniper rifle on a building near the Hexie University playground at that time... Although Yamada Daiki didn't bring a gun, it would be too easy for him to get a sniper rifle he wanted in China with Twelve Petal Chrysanthemum's abilities... In that case, Chen Xu would be a sitting duck!
Either run with him, Chen Xu is human too, he'll definitely be thirsty after running, so he should have brought bottled water, and you could poison the water when he's not looking...
In the blink of an eye, Yamada Daiki came up with seventeen or eighteen ways to kill Chen Xu!
Who gave him this habit?
Considering how much the driver had helped him, Yamada Daiki gave him a 100-yen bill as soon as he got out of the car, without even asking for change.
As Yamada Daiki entered the hotel, the driver smiled and picked up the intercom: "A suspicious person has been spotted and has checked into the Tiansheng Hotel..."
Chapter 318 Assassin (Part 2)... Welcome to Hell
Poor Yamada Daiki and the twelve-petaled golden chrysanthemum had no idea that a tiny Harmony City had already laid a trap for them.
Chen Xu's life was threatened, which was no small matter. The identity that Huang Anping had arranged for him came in handy at this time. The authorities responded quickly and made it imperative to eliminate the foreign organization that was threatening Chen Xu's life!
What's more, Chen Xu is connected to Director Wang of the Municipal Public Security Bureau—no, he's now the Deputy Director of the Provincial Public Security Department!
Given Chen Xu's relationship with Director Wang, and Chen Xu's special status, the authorities acted swiftly.
The Eastern Divine Sword Squad dispatched three hundred soldiers to infiltrate Harmony City for a secret manhunt for the suspect. Director Wang and several influential figures in the city's underworld exchanged serious greetings. For a time, Harmony City appeared calm on the surface, but beneath the surface, undercurrents were swirling. Both the legitimate and criminal worlds were on high alert, waiting for the assassins of the Twelve Golden Chrysanthemums to walk right into their trap!
After interrogating Jimmy, the criminal experts of the Eastern Divine Sword Squad conducted a deduction... Based on the other party's methods of killing, especially the Shadow Division's style of doing things, at least at the beginning, the other party should not take very violent measures, but rather approach secretly and assassinate when the opportunity arises.
Although Harmony City has an airport, it is virtually impossible for the other party to take a plane.
So, if they wanted to get close to Chen Xu, they would probably first find a place to live near Hexie University, observe Chen Xu, and then decide how to make their move.
Therefore, the Public Security Bureau issued a secret document, ordering 300 soldiers from the Eastern Divine Sword Brigade to disguise themselves and infiltrate hotels, inns, bus stations, and train stations around Harmony City. They also notified taxi companies, selecting a group of highly skilled drivers, some of whom were also disguised as taxi drivers.
These taxis loitered around the train and bus stations, and when they encountered suspicious individuals, they would try to gauge their reactions by shifting the conversation to Chen Xu.
As soon as Yamada Daiki got in the car, he wanted to go to the Tiansheng Hotel, which already gave the taxi driver a signal. Then, when the driver brought up Chen Xu, this suspicious person showed abnormal attention and enthusiasm, which was completely opposite to his taciturn attitude when he first got in the car!
Such unusual behavior naturally attracted the driver's attention. Poor Yamada Daiki had no idea he was already caught in a sea of people, unwittingly revealing his identity.
Wolf Fang and the others who received the call were also incredibly surprised; they hadn't expected the method to actually work!
Harmony City is, after all, a provincial capital with a large migrant population. The train and bus stations see a huge flow of people, making it inevitable that some might be missed. Therefore, people didn't have high hopes for this method initially. Furthermore, they didn't know if the other party had an inside man. If they did, this needle-in-a-haystack approach would be misdirected and unlikely to succeed. So this was only the first method of searching for a needle in a haystack; the focus remained on hotels and residences around Harmony City.
Hidden cameras have been installed at the gates of Hexie University to record who enters and exits. Chen Xu has been staying inside Hexie University recently, like Jiang Taigong fishing—waiting for the willing to take the bait!
If you want to kill Chen Xu, you'd have to get inside Hexie University, right? Every accessible area of Hexie University has hidden cameras that record everyone, then filter them to see which unfamiliar faces appear most frequently, or whose movements are suspicious… Finding someone without leaving a trace is absolutely impossible.
However, this project will definitely be huge. With so many people coming and going from a university every day, wouldn't comparing them one by one be exhausting?
However, with Xiaomin around, this project is nothing at all.
How powerful are Xiaomin's computing abilities? The signal came back, and she directly compared the outlines in the photos with the photos of students and teachers, instantly filtering out those who weren't from the school. Finding strangers with malicious intent from among them was much simpler, and she could act quickly. This blind cat really stumbled upon a dead mouse!
Although it's still uncertain whether this guy is the killer of the Twelve-Petaled Golden Chrysanthemum, the fact that the driver secretly recorded their conversation at the time basically confirms that this guy definitely had a purpose towards Chen Xu!
Once we've found the person, things will be much easier. As for whether he's the killer of the Twelve-Petaled Golden Chrysanthemum, we can just drag him over, strip him naked, and check if he has any golden chrysanthemum tattoos on his body.
Or perhaps, it doesn't need to be this complicated at all.
"According to the hotel records, the registered name of this person is Aso Ishizo, a Japanese from Tokyo, and his identity is a tourist... However, we have submitted this photo to Interpol, and after comparison, they concluded that this guy is very likely the notorious international A-level assassin Yamada Daiki, who is one of the top assassins of the Twelve Golden Chrysanthemums."
Looking at the faxed information, Wolf Fang grinned and said, "We've been searching high and low, but it's come to us without any effort. We've caught one so quickly. Brothers, notify all units to be on alert. Snipers, prepare tranquilizer grenades. The enemy is a well-known international A-level assassin. We should treat him well."
Seeing the special forces soldiers rubbing their hands together, eager to try, Chen Xu rubbed his nose with a wry smile: "Go easy on him. This guy looks pretty skinny, don't crush him. Also, just in case, everyone put on liquid body armor before we move. I don't want any of you to get hurt because of me, even a scratch would be too much for them to pay for."
Hearing Chen Xu's sincere words of concern, the special forces soldiers all laughed.
Wolf Fang patted Chen Xu hard and said casually, "Don't worry, we'll be careful! Okay, guys, put on your bulletproof vests, don't try to be heroes! Little Chen, putting everything else aside, just for this bulletproof vest, we have to help you. Sigh, if we had something this good back then, many of our brothers wouldn't have... never mind, let's not talk about it. But we still have to thank you! Your foundation has made life better for the families of our fallen brothers. Look, you and your apprentice have done so much for us, it's only right that we protect you!"
Chen Xu was very moved. He hadn't done these things with any ulterior motives, but he knew he would be rewarded.
These are the honest and straightforward soldiers! They will never forget what you did for them; they will repay kindness with kindness and revenge with revenge!
Poor twelve-petaled golden chrysanthemum, poor chrysanthemum party, do you really think Chen Xu is an easy target?
You're wrong! You haven't just messed with Chen Xu, you've messed with the entire military!
Wolf Fang waved his hand: "Tell all units to be alert, we're moving out!" Seeing Chen Xu's still somewhat uneasy expression, Wolf Fang laughed: "There's nothing to be uneasy about. This was supposed to be a surprise attack, and we have bulletproof vests. If we get injured and still can't catch that guy, we might as well just slit our own throats!"
Chen Xu wanted to say something more, but the strong confidence emanating from the Wolf Fang told him not to worry, they were China's best soldiers, the best in the world!
Sure enough, the mission was over half an hour later.
Wolf Fang and his men rushed into the room and easily subdued Yamada Daiki, who was completely unprepared. They easily dislocated his jaw to prevent him from committing suicide. Poor Yamada Daiki didn't even know what was happening before he was tied up like a dumpling.
Daiki Yamada was thus captured.
Next up was a Frenchman, Baz, also an A-level assassin.
Buzz was more careful this time. He first went to a small city next to Harmony City, then stole a car and drove over himself.
As a result, on the third day, Baz was also arrested.
Seeing the bald Frenchman looking bewildered, not knowing how he had been discovered, Wolf Fang grinned and slapped his shiny bald head, laughing loudly, "Damn, with that hairstyle, you're sure to turn heads wherever you go! Sneaking around like a thief in Hexie University, how could we not spot you?!"
Baz was imprisoned with Yamada Daiki, who had been in custody for four days.
When Buzz saw Daiki Yamada, he almost didn't recognize him!
This notorious killer, known for his cruelty and perversion, was now filled with terror, as if he had seen something utterly horrifying. He kept saying, "Don't make me see anymore! I'll tell you everything! I'll tell you everything!"
"That traitor!" Buzz spat on the ground like a tough guy. "Bring me whatever means you have. If I even flinch, I'm not a man!"
"That's exactly what Yamada Daiki said when he was first arrested." Wolf Fang laughed when he heard this, then took a hood and put it over Baz's face before walking out the door.
Baz was completely strapped in, making it difficult for him to move even slightly. He didn't know what the other party's intention was. But when Wolf Fang closed the door, he heard several voices outside: "Place your bets, place your bets. I bet he can only last twelve hours."
"Ten hours."
"Eight hours, I'll bet 100!"
Buzz didn't understand what this meant, but just then, an incredibly shrill scream suddenly rang in his ears!
Then, Buzz suddenly found himself in complete darkness, and the screams beside him sent chills down his spine. He yelled, "Who! Who's there!"
No one answered. In the darkness, Buzz felt countless evil eyes staring at him, but he couldn't move. He could only hear a strange and terrifying "whoosh" sound in his ears.
Those sounds, howling like the wind, were incredibly eerie, as if they carried a fixed melody.
Buzz listened intently, and his face immediately turned deathly pale!
Because the sounds, when combined, formed a French phrase that sounded like chanting:
Welcome to Hell!
Chapter 319 Ghost Interrogation
Buzz was filled with suspicion. He could guess that this must have been the other party's doing, trying to scare him with this kind of superstitious trick? Hmph, that's too naive!
Baz was a killer with a bloody record; people like him didn't believe in ghosts or gods. At that moment, he realized that Yamada Daiki's terrified state was clearly due to being frightened by the other party's methods.
At this thought, Buzz perked up and roared, "Bring it on! I'm not afraid!"