Night had fallen.
Deep in the Pacific Ocean lay a private island unknown to the outside world, unmarked on any map.
The island was beautiful, with a pleasant climate.
But security was tight for a hundred miles around it. Any ship or aircraft that approached without permission would be shot down without mercy.
This was the headquarters of Hua Gate, the largest overseas Chinese organization.
At that moment, a magnificent building in the island's center, modeled after a Ming and Qing palace, blazed with light.
Inside the great hall, sandalwood incense curled through the air.
A portly middle-aged man in an expensive silk Tang suit hung up a Satellite Phone, his face flushed with delight.
His name was Qian Tong. He headed Money Hall, one of Hua Gate's thirty-six halls.
As its name suggested, Money Hall oversaw Hua Gate's finances and all its businesses.
"Hahaha!"
The moment he ended the call, Qian Tong could no longer contain his glee. He burst into a smug laugh.
"Hall Master, what's made you so happy?"
A trusted subordinate hurried over and asked with a fawning smile.
Qian Tong waved a plump hand covered in jade rings. "A deal of a lifetime! Those little Japanese devils just offered us a staggering five hundred million dollars!"
"F-five hundred million dollars?!"
His men all sucked in a sharp breath. Their eyes went wide.
That was no small sum!
"What kind of job pays that much?" his confidant asked curiously.
"Kill one man."
A scornful smile crossed Qian Tong's face. "An old man from Eastern Japan named Ito Yūgorō. Apparently, he's some kind of Class-A War Criminal."
"Best of all, the target's in the Dragon Kingdom, in a city called Jiangcheng. For us, it'll be child's play!"
"Five hundred million dollars for the life of an old