Undercover

Aries and Xiao Wang first met ten days ago.

Aries had still been dressed in a white suit then. Upon seeing Xiao Wang, he had said only one thing: "I can help you find the people who murdered your parents."

Xiao Wang had been shocked at the time, because he had investigated his parents' killers in secret. Even his adoptive parents did not know.

But out of caution, Xiao Wang had ignored Aries completely, pretending he knew nothing as he prepared to leave.

Aries had not said anything more either. He had merely written a note, handed it to Xiao Wang, then turned and left.

The note had contained the information on the owner of this room.

Aries stood at the door, looking over the bloodstained room, where there was nowhere for him to step. "I didn't lie to you, did I? Do you believe now that I can help you find the people who murdered your parents?"

Xiao Wang had calmed down considerably by then. He quickly sorted through his memories and confirmed that this was only the second time his predecessor had met Aries.

And that second meeting was at a murder scene like this.

After weighing everything, Xiao Wang asked, "Tell me your terms."

Aries smiled. "I like dealing with smart people. Looks like my greeting gift was pretty good."

Xiao Wang said nothing and continued waiting for Aries to speak.

Aries rose onto his toes, carefully stepping only where there were no bloodstains. He moved a few steps toward the living room, found a relatively clean spot, and stopped there. "My terms are simple. I want you to enter the inner city and do a few small favors for me."

Whenever Xiao Wang heard a new term, he searched through and sorted out the memories in his mind.

He did not answer. Instead, he was processing the term "inner city."

When Aries saw that Xiao Wang was not responding, he continued on his own. "I know getting into the inner city is difficult, but I have faith in you."

"But I don't." After sorting through his memories, Xiao Wang answered. He had discovered that it was nearly impossible for ordinary people to enter the inner city.

"Young man, don't be so absolute. What if you do get in?" As he spoke, Aries moved toward the corpse on the floor. He looked down at it, then raised his head to Xiao Wang. His expression was grave and his tone icy. "You know the person you killed was from the Patrol Bureau, right?"

Hearing this, Xiao Wang quickly searched his mind for "Patrol Bureau." A moment later, he replied, "Are you threatening me?"

"How is that a threat? This is clearly a deal. I help you find the people who murdered your parents. In exchange, you enter the inner city and do a few small favors for me."

Xiao Wang fell silent again. He sorted through his predecessor's memories. For years, he had secretly investigated his parents' killers without making any progress, but the desire for revenge had been carved deep into his mind.

From Aries's reaction so far, it was clear that he had investigated Xiao Wang's predecessor.

To stay in character, Xiao Wang pressed, "If I refuse, will you report me?"

Aries looked at Xiao Wang and smiled. "Not necessarily. You just won't get the information on the rest of your enemies."

At that, Xiao Wang showed a look of surprise, his voice brimming with murderous intent. Of course, it was an act. "There were others who killed my parents?"

"Of course. Do you think an operation that big could have been carried out by someone who was only a low-ranking Patrol Bureau employee at the time?"

"Tell me. What do I have to do for you to give me the remaining list?"

"I already told you. I only need you to enter the inner city and do a few small favors for me."

"But getting into the inner city is so difficult. If I fail to get in, does that mean I'll never get the rest of the list?"

Aries shrugged. "I said it was a deal. A deal has to be equal. I've already given you such a big greeting gift. That's sincere enough, isn't it?"

Xiao Wang listened and fell silent for another moment. "Even if I can enter the inner city, it will probably take some time. Whatever you need done may already be too late by then."

"No rush. Whenever you enter the inner city, we can proceed with the next exchange."

Xiao Wang quickly considered the meaning behind those words. "You want me to stay in the inner city long-term after I get in?

"In other words, you want me to work as your undercover agent?

"No... could you be with the rebel army?"

Combining that with his predecessor's memories, Xiao Wang quickly analyzed the situation and reached this conclusion.

Rather than becoming angry or nervous, Aries simply smiled with ease. "As expected, I still prefer dealing with smart people. You're right. By your terms, I am indeed with the rebel army. But we call ourselves the Uprising Army."

Aries spoke casually, but Xiao Wang's whole body tensed instead.

Because if someone told you a secret that could cost you your head, there were generally only two possibilities. Either you got on board and kept the secret with him, or you died and he continued keeping it alone.

Xiao Wang looked at Aries. Aries appeared relaxed, but Xiao Wang noticed that the veins on the hand gripping his black cane had started to bulge.

"So I don't really have a choice?"

Aries looked at the corpse on the floor again, then said meaningfully, "Actually, you do."

Become a corpse, right?

Xiao Wang had wanted to make a sarcastic remark, but he held it back and asked instead, "If I never manage to enter the inner city, does that mean I won't get the next list?"

"I said this is a deal. But if you agree, I'll give you another gift later."

Xiao Wang sank into thought.

Outside the window, the rain still poured relentlessly, accompanied by rumbles of thunder.

If I don't agree, I probably won't leave this room alive tonight. Forget it. I'll agree for now and stabilize him first.

With that in mind, Xiao Wang looked at Aries and said, "Fine, I agree. But I can't guarantee that I'll be able to enter the inner city."

Aries laughed heartily. "Ha ha, I've said it several times already. You really are a smart man. A very wise choice."

After agreeing, Xiao Wang watched Aries's reaction and guessed that he had probably managed to placate him. Then his thoughts returned to the scene before him.

Looking at the blood-covered room, he asked, "What do we do about this now?"

Aries smiled. "You don't need to handle it. Leave it to me, because we're colleagues now."

After a pause, Aries reminded him, "You should go home. Come up with an excuse for where you were tonight, just in case."

Xiao Wang nodded. Once everything was settled, he instead became dazed, turning around in a haze as he prepared to walk outside.

"What are you doing? You're planning to go back like that?" Aries handed Xiao Wang the black bag he had been carrying. "Wash up, change into these, then go."

Xiao Wang took the bag and opened it. Inside were clean clothes to change into, along with a black raincoat.

Clearly, the other man had come thoroughly prepared.