North America's Summons
After deploying the orders to protect Kong Xiang, Lin Feng did not feel relaxed at all in the secret room filled with the low hum of electronic devices and the unique "silence" of the signal shielding field.
Instead, a deeper, more profound contemplation, like a silent tide, slowly surged beneath his calm exterior. He shut down the terminal, walked back to his study, but instead of sitting in his usual spot, he strolled to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside the window, dawn was breaking in his city, the horizon tinged with a cold, pale white, but most of the city was still slumbering in the deep blue of night and scattered lights. This land, this city, was the starting point for his power to take root and sprout, and also the core area where his "system" network was currently the most densely covered and deeply rooted.
However, the crisis Kong Xiang encountered in Seattle, and the global upheaval caused by the "Kill Line" theory, clearly revealed a fact: the challenges he faced, or rather, the "chessboard" on which he wanted to intervene and exert influence, were no longer limited to this city or place, or even to this side of the ocean.
The events in Northern Myanmar, aided by Golden Sun's influence, were essentially a successful "leveraging" and "decapitation" operation, eliminating past threats and expanding channels for funding and intelligence. But what Kong Xiang did was something entirely different—he attempted to define, analyze, and shake the cold, hard logic at the bottom of a vast social system. This touched upon interests and nerves far deeper, broader, and more rebellious than those of a warlord, a fraud ring, or even a corrupt protector.
To protect Kong Xiang, to support the small but persistent effort represented by his words "I want to save them," and even to do more in that land in the future, simply sending an elite mercenary squad over long distances and relying on Golden Sun's unfathomable but ultimately "external" network of infiltration is far from enough. It's like trying to use a sharp but short dagger to block a heavy warhammer; you might be able to deflect it once or twice by chance, but it's by no means a long-term solution.
He needs more direct, robust, and "localized" power. He needs "hands" and "eyes" that can navigate the jungle of America rules and unspoken rules, understand its social fabric, exploit its contradictions, and even gain a foothold and leverage within its system.
All of this points to a crucial decision he must make, and a core conjecture about the "system."
He sat back down at his desk, without turning on the light, letting the gradually brightening daylight outside the window outline the cold, hard contours of the room's furniture. He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into that mysterious, deep space closely connected to the "Daily Random Summoning."
Since acquiring this ability, the assassins he has summoned, from the initial Wei Guanglin and Zhou Wenyuan, to Liu Zhenjun and K, and then to Kong Xiang far away in the United States, as well as other members who have not been emphasized but are scattered in various places, reveal a subtle but unspoken pattern when carefully examined in terms of their locations, backgrounds, and areas of ability:
The "range" and "quality" of the summoning seem to be positively correlated with his physical location and the area of focus of his consciousness.
Wei Guanglin and Zhou Wenyuan were his "timely help" when he faced threats from the official and legal levels in S City. Liu Zhenjun was a response when his personal safety needs became prominent. K was a top expert who appeared on the chaotic but suitable stage in Southeast Asia when he intended to control the internet and gray funds. Even Kong Xiang, who was far away in the United States, appeared before Lin Feng's main activities and crises had extended to North America. However, Kong Xiang's identity (a student studying abroad) and his initial "value" (biological sample channels and grassroots observation perspective) were relatively "mild," more like a tentative expansion of the "scope."
As his attention, his plans, and the direct challenges he faced increasingly pointed towards the other side of the ocean with the events in Northern Myanmar, the downfall of Xie Yunchuan, and the enormous waves stirred up by Kong Xiang, the existing "output" of his appeals seemed somewhat out of step. What he needed was no longer just domestic institutional forces, legal experts, top hackers, or bodyguards; he needed pawns with corresponding "regional attributes" and "professional qualities" who could directly exert influence on North America soil.
This hypothesis needs to be verified. And there is no more convincing and strategically valuable way to verify it than to personally set foot on that land and summon it from the core of the target environment.
"It's time." Lin Feng opened his eyes, his gaze clear and unwavering.
The trip to the United States was no longer merely about supporting Kong Xiang or dealing with the immediate crisis. It was a strategic move, a proactive test and expansion of the "system's" capabilities, and, more importantly, about gaining crucial "bargaining chips" originating from the "system" itself and belonging to North America in potentially more complex and intense future competition.
The decision has been made; the next step is to translate that decision into an impeccable and realistic path.
With his current wealth—after the transfer of funds from Northern Myanmar and K's continuous global asset allocation and appreciation—obtaining permanent residency, or even citizenship, in the United States presents no legal or financial obstacles. The EB-5 investment immigration program is negligible for him. He doesn't even need to make a specific, regulated investment; K has already prepared several "perfect" and verifiable "investment records" and "asset certificates" for him through a complex offshore structure and shell company network.
He picked up the internal phone and connected to K's line (a regular encrypted line, not for emergencies).
"It's me. Initiating the ' North America Identification' plan, top priority." Lin Feng stated succinctly, "Using ' Lin Mo's ' identity. Green card, investment immigration channel. Requirements: fastest speed, absolutely clean, no future troubles. Simultaneously prepare to purchase several properties in Washington State, in the Seattle metropolitan area, that match the level of this identity; one to be publicly disclosed, the rest as backups. Also, arrange for a local, reputable law firm and accounting firm to handle the ostensibly legal and tax matters."
"Understood. ' Lin Mo's ' database is ready, and the asset certificates and investment documents can be in place within three days. Immigration lawyers and local service agencies will begin contacting you today. Property information will be screened simultaneously for your confirmation." K's answer was quick and professional, leaving no unnecessary questions. Preparing multiple legal identities for his boss and establishing footholds in major regions around the world was part of his daily work.
"Furthermore," Lin Feng added, "After I leave, you will be in charge of coordinating all domestic affairs. Wei, Zhou, Liu, and others will continue their daily work as usual; any major decisions or unusual events should be reported to you, and then you can relay them to me. Lü Yi will stay to assist you and also serve as my liaison with the domestic situation."
"Received. I will make sure everything runs smoothly." K's assurance was reassuring.
After hanging up the phone, Lin Feng silently began to organize the other preparations for the trip. Liu Zhenjun must accompany him; he is the last line of defense for physical security. One or two of his most elite, cleanest-background, and knowledgeable individuals with some experience in overseas operations must also be selected from his staff. Equipment will be transported to the safe house in the United States in advance by K through special channels. Communication will be fully upgraded to a composite mode combining satellite encrypted networks and local anonymous networks.
The itinerary should not be publicized. Under the public pretext of "investigating the investment environment and expanding business in North America," fly directly to Seattle. Upon arrival, first, under the new identity of "Lin Mo," discreetly integrate into the local Chinese business or investment circles to establish a reasonable public profile.
All these arrangements ultimately point to the same core purpose: to allow him to safely, legally, and inconspicuously be on the North America continent, in Seattle, on the edge of the storm that was gathering because of the "Kill Line," and then... to make his first call on that land.
He looked eastward; the blue of the sky grew increasingly deep, and the dawn was about to pierce through the clouds.
The other side is a crisis, a challenge, a vast and unfamiliar battlefield.
But it is also an opportunity, a new testing ground for the "system," and an essential path for the expansion of his power to the frontier.
In order to "save their kind," and also to place more significant pieces in this ever-expanding game of chess.
He has to go.