What Is Fear?

Military Intelligence Section 5.

The most legendary intelligence agency in the United Kingdom and even the world was established in 1905.

For people around the world, this intelligence agency is far less famous than its younger cousin, MI6. This is partly due to the powerful cultural export of the globally popular 007 series, and partly due to the different responsibilities of the two departments.

MI6 is responsible for foreign affairs, while MI5 is responsible for domestic affairs.

These two departments, together with the United Kingdom Communications Headquarters, form the trident of the United Kingdom intelligence agencies.

Now, high- Military Intelligence Section 5 officers, leading a well-trained and experienced team of body collectors, have arrived at this human trafficking gang's hideout to deal with the bloody killings.

"They look very skilled," Kang De said. "They must have done it many times."

Qin Mengjin only replied with a single word, "Mmm."

The intelligence team over there must be very busy, rushing to report to their superiors and receive consultations, because this discovery is extremely important not only to Kang De, but also to the nation.

--The fact that United Kingdom superhumans are brutally murdering ordinary people, and that their intelligence agencies are fully aware of this and are even adept at cleaning up the bodies, is a significant discovery that could lead to a reassessment of the country's policy toward superhumans, and could also become a major vulnerability.

Self-proclaimed as the birthplace of modern Civilization, the spirit of freedom, and democratic politics, it wallows in its past glory, harbors an arrogant and conceited attitude towards the world, and constantly follows its United States "daddy" in pointing fingers at the world, shouting slogans about human rights and freedom. So what about now?

The government is fully aware that human traffickers are tortured without trial, and that victims are even killed along with them. Instead of prosecuting and holding the perpetrators accountable, the government covers for them. If such things were exposed, the shock and upheaval would be enough to overthrow the current government.

After all, this happened in the capital city, and nearly a hundred lives were lost, all of them brutally murdered, and by superhumans no less.

"Incredible."

Kang De calmed himself down and said in a low voice, "Such a cruel and brutal massacre, and the United Kingdom intelligence service actually covered it up, and may even have been involved... Unbelievable, it feels unreal. I thought this kind of plot only appeared in movies and novels that glorified the government."

"Not surprising."

Qin Mengjin replied, "Military Intelligence Section 5 has a terrible reputation in the United Kingdom. In 2018, the United Kingdom government had to publicly acknowledge that for thirty years, starting in the 1990s, Military Intelligence Section 5 granted its informants and agents legal immunity, allowing them to commit serious crimes such as murder, torture, and sexual assault within the United Kingdom, as long as they felt it was in the public interest."

"Even earlier, MI6 was granted permission to commit crimes overseas."

"Torture terrorists, collect citizens' personal information, wiretap citizens' phones, assist the United States in arresting suspects, use torture to extract confessions for evidence, abuse prisoners... these are all things Military Intelligence Section 5 has done, and only a small part of what's been exposed to the public. Eye-opening, isn't it?"

To borrow a phrase from the internet, reality is far more fantastical than fiction.

Miss Qin said calmly, "Westerners have a very limited imagination; they can't fabricate vivid things out of thin air. The accusations they level against us are all things they themselves have done or are doing."

"I've heard of it."

Holding his phone, Kang De looked down at the bustling crowd and said calmly, "They say we forced locals into slave labor in the cotton fields of Xinjiang, and their evidence is that we fed them watermelons."

Now we can make them shoot themselves in the foot.

Qin Mengjin on the other end of the phone seemed to have received some instructions, and then said, "Comrade Kang De, now that we have clearly learned that the United Kingdom government is involved, we can use diplomatic means to resolve this issue. If you have a way to record clear video footage, we can put pressure on the arrogant United Kingdom to force them to return Miss An Youyi and You Luna."

Kang De's eyes flickered, and he said in a deep voice, "No."

Qin Mengjin, back in China, closed her eyes. The other intelligence agents who were listening to the conversation also slapped their foreheads. Kang De had his own ideas, and they didn't have many ways to interfere.

This is the most troublesome thing.

Because the way of thinking of a nation and an individual are different.

For a national regime, diplomacy based on strength is usually the optimal solution to problems. There is nothing that cannot be discussed. If there is, then flex your muscles before talking. After all, for the government and the person in charge of the country, efficiency and low consumption are the eternal pursuits.

Why resort to violence when things can be resolved at the negotiating table? Peace and harmony are far better.

"We cannot guarantee 100% that the United Kingdom government will comply. Even if we could, we cannot guarantee that the United Kingdom government will have absolute control over the organization that kidnapped An Youyi and that they will hand her over."

Kang De replied, "Therefore, rather than forcing or pressuring through the United Kingdom, I would rather spend more time rescuing them myself... This is the safest approach."

Back home, a gray-haired general took off his headphones, frowned, and said, "Why is he so suspicious? I don't think even Zhuge Liang was as cautious as him."

The person sitting next to him, who was taking notes, replied, "This is a rather important discovery. Generally speaking, excessive suspicion and vigilance are not innate. Even if someone is born suspicious, they wouldn't have such a meticulous and practical way of thinking... Most personality traits and temperaments are formed through acquired experiences. In other words, he..."

"I will record video and document their conversation."

Kang De said to Qin Mengjin, "I will provide them to you and hope that the nation will analyze and deduce the intelligence contained within them and report back to me. However, I require that you not use them to pressure the United Kingdom, in order to expose the fact that a supernatural force has already arrived in London."

After consulting with her superiors and exchanging brief instructions, Qin Mengjin said, "We would like to request that you be more cautious. Our suggestion is probably the safest approach..."

Kang De interrupted her persuasion, "The country must be very interested too, right? The organization involving supernatural beings that is lurking within the United Kingdom has a great influence on the United Kingdom political system, and even has a certain cooperative relationship with Military Intelligence Section 5 and the power structure. Don't you want to know what their background is?"

Qin Mengjin hesitated and said, "This..."

"Pressuring the United Kingdom government directly could indeed potentially get them rescued, but as I said, there are some minor risks involved. And of course, there's another important point."

Kang De said in a deep voice, "Pressure was applied, the United Kingdom gave in, and An Youyi was saved. This is not a perfect ending—because the villains were not brought to justice, and the evil was not punished."

Miss Qin took a deep breath. "I understand how you feel, but I don't recommend you start a massacre..."

Just then, Horus said, "Father, he has spoken."

Kang De interrupted the domestic dissuasion, "Audio transmission... listen carefully."

A standard Britain accent filled the headphones, elegant and haughty with a hint of pretentiousness.

"--Damn it! What's wrong with these guys?!"

The high- Military Intelligence Section 5 officer, covering his nose, was loudly complaining, "Damn it! They can't just do whatever they want! Are they all crazy? All that talk about blood sacrifices and pleasure, it always turns into this mess, and in the end, we're the ones who have to clean up this shit!"

Horus's drone recorded the scene and displayed it on the screen in front of Kang De.

These fully equipped agents used shovels to collect all the scraps of flesh and human tissue from the ground into bags, as if it were just piles of sand. Outside, people were constantly bringing in large barrels of disinfectant and cleaning solution; some were scraping the walls, and others were moving large pieces of corpses. Their work was very organized.

It's like a professional housekeeping company.

Who hired them as hourly workers?

"Sir, all the women who work here are dead."

A subordinate returned from the corridor, his tone indifferent. "The same way they died."

"Damn it, you beast!"

The official complained loudly, "And those rotten, lowly bastards! vile illegal immigrants! Stupid offspring of whores! Disgusting filth! They sneak into our country to do this filth, producing a bunch of mongrel scum, and yet they dare to share the glory and rights of this nation with us, turning glorious England into a stinking ditch! Why don't they stay obediently in their dirty, backward, inferior country?"

He spat forcefully onto the ground. "Even if they die, they'll still add to our workload!"

His subordinate nodded and said, "Yes, but apart from that, sir, it's not actually a bad thing. I mean, the only mistake these women made was that they increased our workload."

The Military Intelligence Section 5 officer nodded and said, "You're right... these scumbags only deserve to die like this."

He cursed and swore for a while, then covered his nose and left the blood-filled room, directing his subordinates to quickly pack up the large pieces of body tissue, especially the bones.

This process was relayed back to China. After the other party finished speaking, Qin Mengjin said in a cold tone, "It seems they want to move these corpses to another place to dispose of them. That's normal. After all, it's not easy for dozens of people to disappear silently without leaving a trace."

Kang De scoffed.

"What's the name of this white pig?"

"Ian Crook."

He nodded. "This guy... when he said 'What's wrong with these people?' it means he knows whose mess he's cleaning up after; he's not some nobody."

Qin Mengjin replied, "Yes... do you want to interrogate him?"

Her tone was somewhat nervous.

This person has a name on Military Intelligence Section 5's government website, indicating considerable power and status.

Kang De slowly said, "How to interrogate him? Interrogation is easy, but there's no way to make him lose his memory. If we kill him after the interrogation, it will attract the attention of Military Intelligence Section 5. If we don't kill him, the news will leak out. Besides, you're worried about this kind of thing, aren't you? If the United Kingdom find out that I've targeted a high-ranking official of the United Kingdom government, it will probably be a serious incident. Given how vengeful foreigners are, they will most likely retaliate in secret."

Qin Mengjin gave a dry laugh.

Kang De continued, "Furthermore, while he's not an unknown nobody, he's not a big fish either. He might only know about the organization but not the details. If I can't get the information I want, and I go directly to the head of Military Intelligence Section 5 or some higher-ranking official to interrogate him, you certainly wouldn't want that, would you?"

Miss Qin has fallen silent.

Kang De's face was ashen as he looked at the white man smoking in the courtyard, a cold smile on his face.

Throughout his trip to Britain, he maintained restraint and refrained from using force to intimidate or attack United Kingdom government departments unless absolutely necessary. This was not out of fear of the United Kingdom, but rather out of consideration for domestic sentiments.

This is also a form of caution. Otherwise, if the country sees him recklessly attacking, interrogating, and persecuting high-ranking officials and departments of a permanent member of the Security Council in order to achieve his goals, and even succeeding repeatedly, it might provoke certain sensitive nerves in the country and cause unnecessary misunderstandings and fears.

"So I won't do that."

He looked at Ian Crook: "I won't show up in front of him, I won't attack him, I won't target him, I won't interrogate him, I won't torture him."

Kang De said in a deep voice, "But I will show him what fear is."

Kang De was almost certain that this bureaucrat, who arrogantly slandered and insulted the dead women and showed no concern for their tragic experiences before and after death, would talk at length about multiculturalism and tolerance, equality and democracy in public. If he dared to utter even a single word of his previous comments, he would be considered socially dead.

They say one thing to your face and another behind your back; that's their style of doing things.

This white pig, well, it just so happens to be there.

Qin Mengjin asked tentatively, "What... what are you going to do to him?"

Kang De smiled. "No, what is he? Does he deserve my special attention? He's just an ant, and I have to do my thing... He'll soon find out what it's like to be an ant."

He whispered, "I have a plan—a great plan."

The clues deduced earlier are very important, especially An Youyi's current situation—she possesses some special qualifications or value, and is valued by that mysterious organization, which means that she will not be easily silenced or abandoned, in other words, she is safe to some extent.

So, we can do some less exciting things now.

"Today I'll show you what AOE (Area of Effect) really means."

Then Kang De...

--wait.

He waited patiently, and arranged for Horus to do some reconnaissance before returning to the White Mist World to make preliminary preparations and plans... until four hours later.

"Alright, let's get these things out of here first!"

All the large pieces of corpses and remains had been bagged and loaded onto trucks. With the concerted efforts of an astonishing number of body recovery teams, the initial cleanup was completed in just a few hours. The next step was a meticulous and thorough cleaning, using chemical methods to erase as many traces as possible. This no longer required surveillance by senior Military Intelligence Section 5 officials, who needed to return to report—it was already afternoon.

Ian Crook returned to the car, the driver started the sedan, and some of the armed men returned to the vehicle. There were a total of seven vans of various sizes, as well as several SUVs. This was the convoy escorting the wreckage and several women's rights activists.

Are these feminists going to be silenced?

Kang De watched the convoy drive away from the intricate slum with a detached eye, then quietly followed.

Good news.

Ten minutes later, Horus said, "They're heading south."

This is North London. To the south lies the true heart of London's prosperity, where the essence and glamour of all of London and even the whole of the United Kingdom are concentrated.

A faint smile appeared on Kang De's face, but it was cold.

"Very good," he said. "In the darkness, the sun shines brightly."

He followed silently like a ghost as the large convoy traveled south, the dilapidated buildings gradually disappearing and the bustling skyscrapers coming into view.

About forty minutes later, they drove into the Kensington.

Moreover, as they continued south, the sun shone brightly along the way. Luxury cars frequently passed by the convoy, and laughter echoed from the roadside. People of all skin colors and ages walked by, some hurrying, some leisurely. Couples strolled hand in hand, and beautiful women carrying shopping bags chatted and laughed. These people all had their own lives and their own happiness, and they only glanced at this strange convoy with curiosity.

No one knew that these vans carried countless crimes, as well as the humiliating pain, despair, and tears of dozens of women.

People outside stroll happily through the classic and elegant streets of London.

The people inside were scattered and piled up in the cold bags.

Their endless suffering and wailing in daily life, their desperate howls and roars before death, were never heard or known by the world except by the murderers and criminals.

To this day.

The River Thames is in sight.

The convoy arrived at the embankment, but instead of crossing the bridge, it headed south along the riverside road.

Boats drifted by on the river, pedestrians lined the riverside avenue, tourists took photos, and vehicles thronged the area, creating a bustling and lively scene. The sounds of people talking and laughing blended with the honking of car horns, a peaceful and prosperous era, a scene reminiscent of Britain.

"Let's do it here."

North of the Palace of Westminster and west of Westminster Bridge, at the intersection of the road and the bridge, lies the heart of the United Kingdom's political district, stretching from 10 Downing Street to the Foreign Office and even Parliament.

Kang De took out his phone and pressed a button.

A loud screech of brakes drew everyone's attention. The second SUV in the convoy braked suddenly, and the van behind it couldn't stop in time and crashed into it. The third van swerved and braked hard, but the driver was horrified to find that the vehicle had inexplicably lost control. The engine roared, and the vehicle crashed at high speed, breaking through the riverside trees, crashing through the guardrail, and plunging into the River Thames!

Everything happened too fast. In an instant, the convoy was involved in a chain collision. In the terrible chaos, several vehicles were smashed to pieces, and one van even overturned.

The surrounding vehicles braked sharply, pedestrians screamed, and tourists stood frozen in place, but the experienced United Kingdom turned and ran!

However, there was no explosion, and no one jumped out to fire in all directions. They stopped in their tracks, bewildered. People nearby instinctively ran towards the riverside railing, and a car plunged into the River Thames.

Someone shouted, "Call the police! Call Ratchet!"

Tourists peered over the railings into the river; some seemed eager to jump in and rescue someone, while others took out their phones to film and talk—this was a perfect opportunity.

But then they saw many things rising from the surging River Thames.

One after another, black bags.

What is that?

"Garbage?"

"Could it be money?"

"This is..."

"Aaaaaaaahhhhh!"

A scream erupted from a blonde tourist as she pointed in terror into the river, where the blue water was slowly turning red. Several black bags burst open, spilling out all sorts of gruesome things: arms, intestines, and even half a shattered head!

More and more people saw what was churning up in the river, screams erupted, some people had already fainted, and others were shouting loudly.

Meanwhile, in full view of the crowd, a man stumbled out of an overturned van. His hands were bound, and the duct tape over his mouth was inexplicably torn in half. He ran towards the crowd taking pictures, shouting, "Help! I'm a member of a human rights organization! They've kidnapped us! Help!"

A group of disheveled armed men rushed over from behind and pinned him to the ground. Another man raised his gun, but the Military Intelligence Section 5 officer stared blankly at the civilians around him holding cell phones. He didn't know what to do or say; he didn't know what was happening.

This is what Ian Crook saw after he was freed from the airbag.

He felt a chill run through his body. He took two steps back, unable to even support himself. The shouts of tourists by the river, the struggling human rights activists, and his subordinates rushing out of the car left him bewildered. He didn't know what to say, what to do, or what had happened.

Ian Crook, pale-faced, murmured, "This... this..."

Kang De concealed himself, standing atop a high streetlamp, looking down at the pathetic maggots, and sheathed the light blade in his hand—the tightly wrapped body bag wouldn't tear open by itself, the locked carriage door wouldn't open by itself, and the tape on the feminist's mouth wouldn't come loose by itself, unless someone did something small in the midst of this chaos, and all of this could be attributed to the violent collision in the car accident.

As for that white pig, he was just an ant and didn't deserve to be specifically targeted by Kang De. Kang De simply wanted to continue investigating the clues and details of that mysterious organization without exposing himself, so he arranged this scheme.

This ant was merely caught in the crossfire.

"The United Kingdom government is furious, and the mysterious organization is in a fit of impotence and rage. They will reveal more flaws in their cover-ups, accusations, and fury, while this white pig will be imprisoned and silenced."

Ian Crook was breathing heavily, unaware that a tiny, delicate metal insect had quietly slipped into his pocket.

"Let me see who will go looking for him, who will silence him, and who the person who silences him will report to."

Kang De chuckled softly.

"He knows what he will encounter, but he doesn't know exactly what he will encounter. In this desperate lucidity and painful waiting, he will learn what fear is."

He took one last look at the pathetic white man, then turned and left.

"I told you, I'll show him what fear is."

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS1: Update... I revised the final plot today. The original plan was to have the remains scattered near the Women of World War II Memorial, not far from 10 Downing Street, in the heart of the United Kingdom politics. Then my logical obsession kicked in, and I realized that writing it that way was neither logical nor easy to handle later. So I changed it to the River Thames... That's why the update is late. That's all.