Chapter 198 The Taoist Priest Descends the Mountain

...

At the same time.

Across the ocean, in the Lighthouse Country, at Langley.

In the conference room, Smith, the Deputy Director of the Intelligence Agency, unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a neck covered in red rashes.

Recently, due to excessive pressure, his endocrine system was severely out of balance.

"Gentlemen, the White House has lost its patience."

Smith's fingers tapped on the tabletop, appearing restless and anxious.

"Regarding China's 'south heaven gate project'."

"We have already wasted six months."

"Millions of dollars in funding have been invested, and the result?"

"Nothing but a few health books and a pile of metaphysical reports on meridians and dantian."

"We have gained absolutely nothing!"

A technical analyst said with a bitter face:

"Sir, this isn't our fault."

"The physics professors at MIT analyzed the theory of Pre-celestial Qi in that book."

"They built dozens of mathematical models."

"Trying to derive whether this is some kind of metaphor for a high-energy particle stream..."

"But the logic simply doesn't hold up!"

"This stuff conforms neither to fluid mechanics nor to quantum mechanics!"

"Of course it doesn't!"

Smith crushed his cigarette butt fiercely into the ashtray.

"Because you are using Western scientific systems to explain Eastern mystical powers!"

He stood up and walked to the blackboard.

He forcefully drew a red circle around the words 'Red Star Technology'.

"That young man named Lin Xi is the key."

"A company that makes civilian fans."

"Suddenly produced precision machine tools, and then during last year's COCOM blockade war..."

"Bypassed all technical blockades."

"It's not scientific, but it is very 'metaphysical'."

Smith pulled a photocopy from his briefcase.

It was the list of exhibitors for the Hanover Fair.

"Since our people cannot penetrate China's mainland..."

"Then Hanover is the best hunting ground."

"This time, we will not only dispatch our most elite agent team."

"But also bring along a... special consultant."

Smith pressed the remote control.

The screen changed, revealing an unexpected photograph.

It was an ethnic Chinese man wearing a navy blue Taoist robe, holding a compass, and sporting a goatee.

His gaze seemed profound and unfathomable, but upon closer inspection, it held a hint of... shifty-eyed sneakiness.

The elite agents in the conference room looked at each other, and someone couldn't help but laugh out loud:

"Sir, who is this?"

"A Chinatown fortune teller?"

"Shut up, that is the laughter of the ignorant."

Smith scanned the room sternly.

"This is Mr. Wang, Taoist name 'Mingyue'."

"It was he who provided us with the core interpretation of the 'south heaven gate project' a few months ago."

"If Master Mingyue hadn't pointed out that the 'south heaven gate' is the gateway to the Heavenly Realm..."

"We would still think it was some kind of intercontinental missile defense system."

"And would have overlooked its true space-based attributes!"

The agents immediately stopped laughing, filled with awe.

So that was it!

To be able to analyze intelligence to this level, he was indeed a master.

Smith took a deep breath and quoted a phrase in clumsy Chinese he had just learned:

"The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it."

"Facing an opponent like Red Star Technology who doesn't play by the rules."

"Only magic can defeat magic."

"No matter what, I must find out what is inside that kid Lin Xi's head!"

"Exactly what is he hiding!"

...

San Francisco, an unmarked safe house.

Wang Ergou—

Oh no, the now highly respected 'Master Mingyue' of the Intelligence Agency.

He was sitting on a leather sofa.

Looking at the plane ticket to Germany in his hand, his legs were trembling.

What a disaster!

He was originally just a drifter who couldn't make it back home.

He had run to Chinatown in the Lighthouse Country, hoping to con his way into a green card.

Who could have thought that just to get a meal...

He had spouted a bunch of nonsense to a few white agents, and they actually took it as gospel?

Do these foreigners have holes in their brains?

Now he was in a bind, unable to back down.

"Master."

An agent in a black suit respectfully handed him a cup of hot tea.

"The Agency has made all the arrangements."

"As long as you are at the Hanover Fair..."

"Help us see through the disguise of the Red Star Technology people and identify their technical source..."

"The Director promises that your green card will be fast-tracked."

"We can even arrange an apartment for you in this community."

Wang Ergou's hand shook, and the tea almost spilled.

He didn't know the first thing about machine tools!

He even had to go to a repair shop if his bicycle chain fell off!

Asking him to go to a high-tech exhibition in Germany.

Isn't that like sending a eunuch to a brothel—having the heart but not the means?

If he was exposed, wouldn't these cold-blooded agents throw him into the Pacific to feed the sharks?

"Infinite Heavenly Worthy..."

Wang Ergou put down the teacup, struggling to control his facial muscles.

He put on the world-weary face of a transcendent master.

He stroked the beard on his chin.

"This humble Taoist has long since ceased to concern himself with the mortal world."

"This industry is but a collection of trivial tricks that disturb the mind..."

"Master,"

The agent interrupted him with a smile.

He quietly patted the bulging holster at his waist.

Then he pulled a thick stack of US dollars from his jacket and placed it on the table.

"This is for your dharma vessel procurement expenses."

"Additionally, if you don't go..."

"The Immigration Bureau might re-examine your entry records."

"I heard that you had some..."

"Less than honorable criminal records back home?"

A threat.

A blatant threat, accompanied by a sugar-coated bullet.

Wang Ergou looked at the stack of cash, then at the gun.

His brain worked at high speed.

If he didn't go, he'd die now or be deported;

If he went, as long as he continued to bluff and speak in riddles, he might just pull it off.

After all, these foreigners knew nothing about Eastern ways.

As long as he insisted that 'heavenly secrets must not be revealed', what could they do to him?

"Fine, fine."

Wang Ergou let out a long sigh.

His gaze became compassionate, as if he were forced to descend the mountain for the sake of all living beings.

"Since you are so sincere, this humble Taoist shall accompany you on this journey."

He stood up and swept his wide sleeves, looking quite like an immortal—

If one ignored his slightly trembling knees.

"But let me be clear."

Wang Ergou squinted his eyes, speaking in a mysterious tone,

"The person in charge of Red Star Technology has an extraordinary countenance; I fear he is protected by great providence."

"Once in Germany."

"All actions must follow this humble Taoist's command."

"One must not act recklessly and clash with... the baleful aura."

"Otherwise, even the gods cannot save you!"

The agent was overjoyed and stood at attention with a salute:

"Everything will be as the Master arranges!"

Watching the agent eagerly go to pick up the luggage.

Wang Ergou gave himself two hard slaps in his mind.

You and your big mouth! You and your showing off!

Now look what happened. The Taoist descends the mountain—either to become an immortal or to become a ghost!