Chapter 16: Report to the Provincial Committee

The next morning, Li Mo traveled with Tang Hu in Tian Yun’s vehicle, arriving at Fushi, the provincial capital of Fu Province.

Tian Yun’s car entered the compound of the Fu Provincial Party Committee. Once the vehicle came to a stop, Tian Yun fixed his gaze on Li Mo and Tang Hu and spoke gravely, “You both surely know where this is. If anyone questions you later, answer truthfully.”

“Understood,” they replied promptly, nodding. Naturally, they were well aware of the reason for coming to the Fu Provincial Party Committee compound. Tian Yun nodded slightly, then opened the car door and stepped out.

Tang Hu and Li Mo followed closely behind.

After getting out, the two accompanied Tian Yun toward the large building ahead.

At the entrance, all three underwent inspection by the armed police on guard before being allowed inside.

By the door stood a middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses. Upon seeing Tian Yun’s group, he immediately approached and extended his hand, saying, “Secretary Tian.”

“Director Bai,” Tian Yun responded quickly, shaking his hand with a smile.

Director Bai scrutinized Li Mo and Tang Hu briefly, then fixed his gaze on Li Mo, speaking softly, “You must be Li Mo? Your name has been frequently mentioned recently.”

“Li Mo, this is Director Bai of the Provincial General Office,” Tian Yun introduced.

“Greetings, Director Bai,” Li Mo said respectfully, his mind rapidly recalling details about Bai: Bai Zheng, Secretary Long Yuntao’s aide and the former deputy secretary-general of the Provincial Committee—a high-ranking official of ministerial level who left Fu Province alongside Long Yuntao upon the latter’s term completion.

As Long Yuntao’s secretary, Bai Zheng, though officially a deputy department-level cadre, commanded significant respect within Fu Province, second only to a few standing committee members.

After nodding, Bai said, “Follow me. The boss is already waiting for you.”

Tian Yun, Li Mo, and Tang Hu quickly followed him.

Soon, they reached an office door. Bai knocked, then entered first, while Tian Yun led Li Mo and Tang Hu to stand outside.

“Come in,” a voice called moments later.

Tian Yun moved quickly like a keen leopard and entered first. Li Mo, like a well-behaved lamb, deliberately held back half a step, trailing just behind Tang Hu as they stepped inside.

Once inside the office, Li Mo’s gaze, sharp as a hawk’s, immediately caught sight of Bai Zheng standing straight like a pine tree before the sofa. Seated on the sofa were two men. One was familiar to Li Mo, like an old friend reunited—the same Chen Teng he had met just days before. The other, though unknown in person, seemed vaguely familiar—Long Yuntao, the Provincial Party Secretary.

“Greetings, Secretary Long, Governor Chen,” Tian Yun greeted with the eagerness of a songbird released into the valley.

Li Mo and Tang Hu echoed in unison, “Greetings, Secretary Long, Governor Chen.”

Both Long Yuntao and Chen Teng gave slight nods. Long raised a finger like a conductor’s baton, gesturing to the sofa opposite them. With calm authority, he said, “Sit.”

Tian Yun, as if receiving a royal decree, walked to the indicated spot and sat down slowly. Li Mo and Tang Hu followed suit, never far behind.

“Don’t be so formal. We’ve brought you here simply to understand the work of your task force,” Long said.

His gaze, like a spotlight, settled on Li Mo. “You must be the young comrade Li Mo?”

“Yes, Secretary. I am Li Mo,” Li Mo replied immediately, springing to his feet.

Though Long Yuntao’s face bore a gentle smile like a spring breeze, his mere presence radiated an invisible pressure, as imposing as a mountain crushing an egg—a natural aura cultivated by high office.

“Tell me about this operation. How were you able to track those people with such keen acuity, like a hunting dog?”

“If I recall correctly, it was you who first discovered their trail. But at that time, they escaped, causing some trouble for our investigating comrades,” Long continued.

Hearing this, Li Mo glanced at Tian Yun and Tang Hu before speaking, “Secretary, the first time we located their trail, they indeed managed to escape, and it did cause some trouble for our colleagues.”

“Tang Director is more familiar with the specifics since he led the team then,” Li Mo added.

Tang Hu straightened up at the mention of his name.

“Oh?” Long looked at Tang Hu. “Then start from that first operation.”

Tang Hu immediately stood and reported, “Secretary, that mission was assigned by Director Tian, ordering me to lead the team to verify the intelligence reported by Li Mo and Zheng Tao—that the assassins might be hiding at No. 78 Jiangbei Road.”

“Upon arrival, I led the team into the courtyard of the targeted building. Just as we were about to enter, we sensed something abnormal inside. I ordered the team to withdraw immediately, and right after we left, the bomb inside detonated.”

“Fortunately, since we hadn’t entered, although everyone received injuries, none were severe.”

“Afterward, I reported the situation to Director Tian.”

At this, Tang Hu looked toward Tian Yun. Long Yuntao and Chen Teng also focused their attention on Tian Yun.

“Secretary, Li Mo and Zheng Tao were in my office at the time. Upon receiving the news, I instructed them to leave immediately and reported to the Provincial Committee, requesting an upgrade in the operation’s priority,” Tian Yun stood and explained.

Long nodded and turned back to Li Mo. “Then tell me how you tracked them down a second time.”

“My master—Zheng Tao—and I found the assassins’ trail together,” Li Mo said. “After leaving Director Tian’s office, we analyzed that since these criminals could control the bomb so precisely, they must have been closely monitoring Director Tang’s team.”

“So we went to our bureau’s surveillance center. With the help of Qin Ming and others, we identified several areas that could have a view of No. 78 Jiangbei Road.”

“Through screening the footage, we eventually found the vehicle used to move those assassins.”

Li Mo glanced at Long and Chen. Seeing they made no move to interrupt, he continued, “My master and I, with our bureau’s colleagues, traced the vehicle’s route and determined where they got off.”

“So they disembarked midway?” Long interrupted.

“Yes, Secretary Long,” Li Mo nodded.

“Explain how you confirmed this,” Long said.

Though not originally from the public security system, Long had decades of political experience, rising from grassroots to his current position. During his tenure governing locally, he had encountered similar situations. Back then, delayed investigation caused the operation to fail.

Hence, he was very curious how Li Mo’s team had locked onto the assassins’ location so swiftly.

He had also heard military reports that the assassins had already removed their tattoos during the operation.

With slight treatment, those tattoo marks would fade—potentially allowing them to slip through unnoticed.

“This…” Li Mo hesitated briefly, then said, “Secretary Long, this part is a bit difficult to describe. Please give me a moment.”

With that, Li Mo approached Bai Zheng. “Director Bai…”