Kufra, Libya, Africa
“Fox One calling the den. The cub has been rescued. We encountered heavy resistance and need support.”
“The den acknowledges. Execute Plan C.”
“Fox One acknowledges. We’re rendezvousing with Fox Two.”
“Third Squad, move to Point F immediately and cover the First and Second Squads’ withdrawal.”
“Sniper team, take out every enemy who dares stick their head out. Make sure we have no tails.”
“Medical Team, stand by.”
Inside a command vehicle disguised as a cargo truck, a black-haired man of average appearance, about 1.78 meters tall, stared intently at the screen, issuing orders calmly and methodically.
“Fox One calling the den. We’ve successfully withdrawn and are leading the cub to retreat according to plan.”
“Good luck.”
“Good luck.”
Wang Tian set down his headset and let out a long breath. Then he hurriedly slapped the driver on the back and shouted,
“Move it! We’ll be trapped if we don’t leave now!”
The driver said nothing, just made a gesture before driving the battered box truck away from the scene at speed.
About ten minutes later, a Helicopter arrived at the spot where the truck had just been. It circled for a while, then left.
“Jackal calling Lion King. Black Fox has left. Should we pursue?”
A white man aboard the aircraft spoke into his headset.
“Forget it. That kid’s wanted to leave for a long time, and we’re not some second-rate organization. Let him go.” A lazy voice came through the headset.
“Jackal acknowledges. But won’t it be hard to explain to the people upstairs?” The white man who called himself Jackal shook his head helplessly.
Lion King had been Black Fox’s Instructor. Knowing Black Fox as he did, if he’d truly wanted to stop him, how could he have waited so conveniently until Black Fox was gone before sending Jackal over?
“What’s there to explain? Just make a routine report and say we got there too late. What can those old geezers do about it?” Lion King’s unconcerned voice came through.
With all the contributions Black Fox had made over the years, would those old geezers who were practically in their graves really issue a wanted order for him? Would they have no shame?
Jackal didn’t say anything more. After all, he and Black Fox were on good terms, and he hadn’t wanted to take part in this hit job in the first place. Since the boss had given the word, he cared even less.
“Let’s go back. I hope that kid really can find a way to live in peace.”
Jackal spoke to the pilot, and the Helicopter slowly flew away from the area.
By then, Wang Tian had already reached the nearest civilian airport.
A small Airplane had been waiting there for some time. Wang Tian and the driver boarded, and as the plane slowly took off, Wang Tian murmured to himself,
“Thanks, Lion King.”
He knew his Instructor had gone easy on him. Otherwise, given how tightly run the organization was, how could he have gotten away so smoothly? He would remember this favor, though he didn’t know if he’d ever have the chance to repay it.
“Brother Tian, are you really going to Huaxia?” the driver, Zhang Wen, asked.
He was the person in the organization closest to Wang Tian. They were both Chinese, and they had joined at the same time, so ever since they began taking missions officially, they had always been partners. But this really would be their last time working together.
“Yeah. I’m tired. I want to go back and see where I was born.” Wang Tian reclined in his seat and spoke absently.
He had saved quite a bit of money over the years, through one brush with death after another. But he was truly growing tired of this life, always living on the edge, which was why he wanted to get out.
The main reason was that their service terms were far too long. If he didn’t run now, he might end up dead one of these days.
“But won’t your identity keep you from getting into the country?”
Zhang Wen was a little worried. People like them, who had made a name for themselves, had long since been placed on the lists of various governments. Sneaking in for a short while might be fine, but if he stayed long term, he would definitely be discovered.
“It’s fine. I’ve pulled a few strings. And once you get back, don’t stay in the Action Team either. Ask Lion King to transfer you to logistics and live a peaceful life.” Wang Tian gave his partner a word of advice.
“Of course I won’t stay in the Action Team. You’ve practically defected, so they won’t keep me there either. With Lion King around, I’m not worried about my safety, but I’ll definitely end up in some dead-end department.”
“Sorry. I dragged you into this.” Wang Tian spoke apologetically. The people he felt worst about leaving behind were Zhang Wen and Lion King. He wasn’t worried about Lion King, since he was the head of the entire Action Team; it was just a shame about Zhang Wen.
“Why bring that up? Besides, I haven’t wanted to be on the front line for a long time. Lily and I are planning to get married.” Zhang Wen said dismissively.
“Well, look at you, the prodigal son returns!” Wang Tian teased him, then continued,
“In that case, you know about my account in Mexico. Take the money in it as a gift from me. And you can have that ranch in the United States, too.”
“Then I won’t be shy about it. You won’t need it anymore anyway. I’ve had my eye on that ranch for ages. When I retire, I’ll take Lily there to spend our old age.” Zhang Wen accepted without hesitation.
Wang Tian stared speechlessly at his shameless friend. They said nothing more until the plane landed, then they said their goodbyes.
They didn’t waste time with pointless words. They were both outlaws. Wang Tian merely bumped fists with Zhang Wen, then put on some makeup before blending into the crowd and leaving.
Three days later, at the Vietnam–Huaxia border, Wang Tian was talking with a middle-aged Asian man inside a vehicle at the border.
“Mr. Gong, the promise you made still stands, right? I really did give up everything to come back.” Wang Tian was a little nervous now. If the other party went back on his word, he’d be left with nothing.
It wasn’t that he had to choose Huaxia; he had no choice but to come here. He had too many enemies, and only this place, with its strictest gun-control laws, was safe for him.
“Don’t worry. You’ve worked with us many times over the past few years and helped us a lot behind the scenes. Especially with that incident last time—the state is grateful to you. Your immunity papers were approved a long time ago. Still, there are a few things I need to make clear beforehand.”
Mr. Gong smiled at the somewhat nervous Wang Tian. Only after Wang Tian nodded did he continue, his expression turning serious.
“As you know, we generally don’t let people like you enter the country. But we can offer protection to those who’ve made contributions to the state. Since you’re planning to return and settle here, I’ll explain the rules first.”
“First, you must wear this watch at all times, even when you’re taking a shower. We need to know your location in real time. If the watch can’t detect your pulse for three minutes, it will trigger an alarm.”
Mr. Gong handed him a silver watch and gestured for him to put it on. Wang Tian didn’t mind; after all, if he was going to return, he had to be prepared for this.
“Second, you can’t go to any city on your own. Wherever you go, you must report to the local State Security Bureau in advance. A Special Agent will be responsible for handling it.” After Wang Tian put on the watch, Mr. Gong continued.
“Third, and most importantly, don’t cause trouble. People like you are too dangerous for ordinary people. Whatever you do, don’t cause trouble. The state agreed to let you return because of your contributions. We don’t want you to break the understanding between us. Do you understand?” Mr. Gong said seriously.
“What if I run into trouble?” Wang Tian asked.
“After you return, a Special Agent will be assigned to stay in contact with you. If anything comes up, you can go to them. Don’t handle it on your own.”
“Understood.” Wang Tian nodded seriously. After all, he only wanted to live in peace.
“All right, then. Welcome back, Wang Tian. Your new identity is all in this file. Would you like to visit your hometown? If I remember correctly, you lived in the country until you were seven.” After Wang Tian took the file folder, Mr. Gong smiled and said this.
“Yeah, I think I’ll go back and take a look. I barely remember anything.” Wang Tian glanced at his new identity and spoke softly.
“Then I hope you enjoy your life in the country. Someone will take you across the border in a little while and drive you to the airport.” After speaking, Mr. Gong got out of the car. He still had other matters to attend to.
Watching the car slowly drive away and begin crossing the border, Mr. Gong murmured to himself,
“I hope you can live in peace. I really don’t want to have to expel you again.”