"Of course, I canāt guarantee it will work. If it fails, you mustnāt blame me!"
Upon hearing this, Gao Jinās eyes flashed with keen interest:
"Just speak your mind. I always judge intentions, not consequences. As long as you sincerely help, I wonāt blame you no matter what the outcome is."
"Besides that..."
Xu Hao paused for a moment, then earnestly added:
"You must promise me one condition first: never reveal to White Owl or anyone else that I gave you this contact information."
"Otherwise, Iād rather die than tell!"
"I promise you, if the information leaks, may I be struck by lightning."
Gao Jin swore without hesitation.
"Alright."
Xu Hao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then casually directed:
"Give me a pen and paper."
Gao Jin immediately took a pen and a note sheet from the drawer, handed them over as requested, eyes filled with anticipation.
Xu Hao seriously picked up the pen, as if preparing to write down a series of phone numbers or an address.
However, Gao Jin soon realized something was wrong.
Xu Haoās handwriting was crooked and illegible, more like drawing tadpoles, or perhaps some kind of scribble.
Moreover, with each stroke, he would stop, close his eyes and think for a long time.
Then, carefully write another stroke.
Like this, with many pauses, a few minutes passed, and the paper was still covered with meaningless lines.
Gao Jinās patience was wearing thin, but he held back from urging him.
Finally, Xu Hao exhaled, putting down the pen.
He looked as if he had just solved an incredibly complex math problem.
"What is this?"
Gao Jin couldnāt help but ask.
"This is the contact information."
Xu Hao pushed the note covered with scribbles over to him.
Gao Jin frowned, picking up the paper to examine it closely.
The symbols looked like some unknown alphabet, with a hint of hieroglyphics, utterly bizarre.
Xu Hao rubbed his forehead, as if drawing this thing had exhausted him, and weakly explained:
"This is the contact that White Owl originally gave me. He said if you concentrate and pronounce these spells, you can enter a special spirit space and communicate with him directly through voice."
"Iām not the brightest, never succeeded, and I donāt know if heās tricking me."
"Since you want to find him so badly, Iāll let you try; itās like using a long shot as a last resort."
Hearing the words "spells" and "spirit space," Gao Jinās eyes flashed briefly, as if something came to mind.
"Itās roughly like this; listen carefully."
Without stalling, Xu Hao cleared his throat and chanted in a peculiar tone:
"Om... Ah... Mi... Ma... Wa... She... Mou..."
The pronunciation was extremely awkward and obscure, as Xu Hao demonstrated word by word.
However, to Gao Jinās ears, the syllables sounded like an exceptionally pleasing melody.
His lips moved slightly, mouthing the words.
Suddenly, his fingers gripping the paper trembled slightly, a flicker of peculiar light in his eyes.
It seemed as if he just sensed an inexplicable response or saw some special vision for a moment.
"Thereās also a very important point."
Following Fang Chengās guidance, after trying to demonstrate, Xu Hao specifically reminded:
"If you manage to contact him, donāt call him āWhite Owlā."
Meeting Gao Jinās puzzled gaze, Xu Hao explained:
"Because this name represents many unpleasant memories from the Noah Organization. He loathes being called White Owl."
"Now, itās as though heās reborn and calls himself āSmiling Demonā."
Upon hearing this, Gao Jin nodded solemnly, somewhat touched.
He recalled that night when the masked man emphatically denied being White Owl too.
"Thank you."
Gao Jin looked at Xu Hao, his expression softening:
"Ah Hao, youāve performed excellently on this undercover mission."
"Once weāve eradicated the Noah Organization, Iāll personally recommend you for a merit. Youāll officially join the Special Search Team with honor."
"Heh, Iād rather not."
Xu Hao curled his lips:
"Just so long as you bother me less in the future, letting me enjoy a few peaceful days and Iāll be content."
He then stood up and asked:
"If thereās nothing else, can I leave now?"
A slight smile broke through Gao Jinās stern expression, making a gesture of "please" to him.
The door creaked open.
From the corridorās tea room, Zhou Liang and Ali leaned against the wall, smoking and waiting.
Upon hearing the movement, they immediately extinguished their cigarettes and rushed over.
They glanced at Xu Hao, then at Gao Jin escorting him out, faces full of surprise.
They couldnāt fathom why the boss treated this rogue mongrel of an undercover informant so politely.
Xu Hao walked straight past the two, deliberately huffing.
Chin up, chest out, he swaggered away with an air of indifference.
"Boss Gao..."
Zhou Liang and Ali looked at Gao Jin in confusion.
"Come in and Iāll explain."
Gao Jin gestured with his eyes.
The three returned to the office, closing the door behind them.
"Xu Hao has confessed thoroughly, no need to bother for now. Iāll personally handle the White Owl matter."
Gao Jin instructed solemnly: "You two, keep a close watch on the Red Tiger Gang and Noah Pharmaceutical. Report any movements immediately."
Ali promptly nodded in agreement.
However, Zhou Liang hesitated a bit and asked:
"Boss Gao, HQ has sent out a notice to temporarily halt the search for Noah Organization personnel. Should we continue?"
Hearing this, Ali also paused his nodding, looking at Gao Jin with a bit of confusion.
Gao Jinās expression turned exceptionally firm:
"Now is the best time to strike against the Noah Organization and eliminate this cancer; how can we easily give up?"
"Those above have their considerations, while we have our duties."
Holding the paper with the scribbles, he glanced over his trusted subordinates:
"As long as we manage to contact the āSmiling Demon,ā this key individual, we have a great chance of severing one of Noahās claws in East Capital."
"Or even further, through his unique identity, obtain intelligence on Noah Organizationās secret experiments in Xia Country. I believe HQ will ultimately support us."
"But, will he be willing to cooperate with an official entity like us?"
Zhou Liang remained somewhat worried.
"He will."
Gao Jin asserted confidently:
"Xu Hao, being an uneducated rogue, responded fluently earlier. Although he exaggeratedly performed, it revealed something; someone is directing him, preparing him beforehand."
"Clearly, Mr. White Owl, too, intends to cooperate with us against common enemies."
Finishing his words, he turned to look out the window.
High-rise buildings etched a golden outline in the sunlight.
Such a beautiful city, how can darkness be allowed to grow unchecked in the shadows?
Gao Jin tightened his grip on the paper, his gaze sharper than ever before.
..................
In the kitchen of the new house in Wanghu Town.
The range hood hummed as the aroma of cooking grew stronger and stronger.
"Mom, the fish-flavored shredded pork is ready!"
Fang Cheng dished out a plate of brightly colored food.
"Coming, coming!"
Li Biyun quickly stepped in, carefully lifting the plate.
From the living room came the shout of Uncle Li Jianguo:
"Ah Cheng, hurry over to eat, the dishes are all ready, stop working!"
"Okay!"
Fang Cheng turned off the stove, picked up another plate of "stir-fried seasonal vegetables," and walked out of the kitchen.
The round table in the living room was already filled with sumptuous dishes.
The whole family sat around, enjoying the blissful harmony.
Grandpa lifted his glass, face aglow with cheer:
"Come, hereās to our familyās health and happiness in all things!"
"Cheers!"
The crisp clinking of glasses resonated with joy.
Fang Cheng took a sip of the cool beer, his eyes squinted slightly, and his lips curled into a smile.
The spells connecting to the "voice chat room" had been handed over to the Special Search Team.
Next, it will be up to Gao Jin and Cheng Jiashu to collaborate and handle Noah Organization on his behalf.