The figure was draped in a loose gray robe, with sparse, yellowish-brown hair, but both in demeanor and appearance, he resembled a majestic lion.
General Focas!
This person was actually General Focas, whom the "Old Task Force" had previously cooperated with.
He was also a senator of the Senate, one of the commanders of the city defense forces, and a representative of the centrists.
This made even Jiang Baimian unable to conceal her surprise.
Ugo's friend was actually General Focas?
These two individuals, in terms of identity, status, and experience, seemed to have no overlap!
The world is truly amazing, and many things are beyond your reasoning... As Jiang Baimian composed herself, Shang Jianyao was already smiling and greeting him:
"General, you still owe us a victory celebration."
Focas raised an eyebrow:
"Aren't you surprised that it's me?"
"If there were a real lion sitting in your position, I might be surprised." Shang Jianyao, seemingly unfazed, gave the impression of one of the Nine.
At this moment, Jiang Baimian also returned to normal and said with a smile:
"The focus isn't on who's saying it, but what's being said."
She was curious about what General Focas wanted from them, and why he was using Ugo as a connection.
Focas sat upright, displaying the old-fashioned demeanor of someone who had come through the war years.
He said calmly:
"I want to know what you got from Marcus."
This... Jiang Baimian had anticipated several answers, but none were close.
How did he determine that it was us who did it in such a short time? General Focas wasn't even present when Shang Jianyao obtained information from Marcus! Although Jiang Baimian was mentally prepared for their identities to be exposed, she didn't expect it to happen so quickly, at least not within two or three days.
Moreover, judging from the fact that the "Old Task Force" received the message as soon as they returned to Ugo's Inn, General Focas had wanted to see them several days ago. At that time, they had just emerged unscathed from the Highest Arena and obtained the crucial information from Marcus's memory.
As soon as it happened, General Focas was certain it was us? Jiang Baimian controlled herself, not letting her eyebrows furrow.
Shang Jianyao didn't hide his curiosity and asked:
"How did you recognize us?"
General Focas smiled:
"You are still too young and lack sufficient understanding of the complexity of this world. Moreover, you have been lucky for too long and have lost your sense of awe in certain matters."
After delivering these lecturing words in an old-fashioned tone, he added:
"There are too many strange abilities in the Ashlands, and various advanced technologies originating from the Old World. Disguise does not mean absolute safety. At least for me, it is ineffective.
"The first time you entered the Highest Arena, observing Marcus and assessing the environment, I recognized you. I just didn't think it was necessary to expose you. I wanted to see what you could do. As a result, your performance was better than I expected."
Hearing this, Jiang Baimian couldn't help but exchange a glance with Shang Jianyao.
She had never expected this to happen, no matter how much she had calculated.
Although the main mistake was due to insufficient intelligence, General Focas was right in saying a few things earlier—the "Old Task Force" had made some truly risky choices without a sufficient understanding of the complexity of this world.
An ability that renders disguises ineffective, or... technology? Technology seems unlikely. There were no other electrical signals present on him at the time. A biological achievement? For a moment, Jiang Baimian's thoughts raced.
She didn't ask General Focas how he had identified them, as it clearly involved his secret.
Shang Jianyao didn't care about this and raised his hand to stroke his chin:
"Some kind of ability?
"A dog's nose? Did you memorize our scent?"
That's possible... Remember to use pungent perfume next time... Jiang Baimian's mind was focused on the problem, and she didn't correct Shang Jianyao's impolite wording.
General Focas nodded calmly:
"I have seen such abilities. It can indeed see through your disguise, unless you spray in advance, um, certain research results in the biological field."
Pheromone-based perfume? Jiang Baimian was no stranger to this.
She could hear General Focas's implication:
"I'm using another ability."
Seeing that the other party was clearly unwilling to answer, Jiang Baimian returned to the main topic and said with a smile:
"After Aolei's death, you played a crucial role in the political changes in 'First City,' yet you don't know what secrets Marcus had."
Focas maintained his dignified attitude, but his tone was very calm:
"I did make a small contribution, but it wasn't as crucial as you think.
"During that time, many people who had experienced the chaotic years were still alive."
"Is that so?" Shang Jianyao said directly.
Jiang Baimian then asked:
"As a veteran elder and the most senior general of 'First City,' why do you want to know this?"
"You don't need to know." Focas was as direct as Shang Jianyao.
Jiang Baimian, experienced in dealing with this, wasn't fazed and raised an eyebrow, saying:
"We obtained very important information. Give me a reason to sell it to you."
Focas had long considered this question and said at a measured pace:
"Money and resources shouldn't be of much value to you."
Who said that? We only recently stopped being so short on money, but even so, we are still six thousand Aolei short of Terrence, and three-fifths of Little Red... Jiang Baimian muttered in her heart.
Of course, the "Old Task Force" is essentially a team that pursues ideals, because its leader, Jiang Baimian, and its important member, Shang Jianyao, are both idealists.
Focas continued:
"I can provide two types of compensation:
"First, you should be doing some things next, and I can give you the necessary help. I know that, in your eyes, this is just a non-binding promise, but as long as you understand my past, you should know that I have fulfilled all my promises and have never violated them.
"Second, I will give you two pieces of intelligence that concern your future safety."
Jiang Baimian listened quietly, and then smiled noncommittally:
"Aren't you afraid that we'll give you false information?"
"The reason I chose to talk to you face-to-face is not because this is the only way." Focas raised his chin slightly, "I have enough ability to ensure the authenticity of the information. Believe me, the reason you can still talk to me so equally is because I don't want to make a big deal out of it."
"Yes, a general suddenly dying and entering the tomb is indeed a big deal." Shang Jianyao was never inferior to anyone in terms of words.
This had the same effect as "hanging himself to make a big scene."
As Focas narrowed his eyes, Jiang Baimian suddenly said with a smile:
"Deal."
She agreed so readily that Focas was a little taken aback.
Immediately afterward, Jiang Baimian added:
"But there's one more condition, six thousand Aolei."
Six thousand Aolei? When Focas heard the first half of the sentence, he had already focused his mind and prepared to evaluate the other party's requirements, but that condition only made him feel absurd.
This was like selling strategic weapons such as nuclear warheads, and the seller, in addition to a large amount of arms, oil, batteries, food, and other conditions, also additionally proposed wanting "a set of novels," or he successfully obtained a 10 Aolei discount after bargaining.
"Okay, I'll leave it with Ugo." The feeling of absurdity didn't affect Focas's judgment, and he quickly agreed.
Jiang Baimian didn't hide anything and told all the information she had obtained from Marcus, including the password "Messiah."
"Very good." Focas nodded with satisfaction, "My two pieces of intelligence are: First, the 'Hands of Order' are about to lock down your identities; second, in addition to the 'Hands of Order,' there are some forces looking for you, some of which I even feel dangerous. I suggest you go out less and see people less recently."
So fast... Jiang Baimian nodded slightly and raised another question:
"Why doesn't 'First City' kill Marcus and Avia to completely bury those secrets?"
"That would lead to a worse outcome." Focas answered rather vaguely.
After saying that, he slowly got up and said:
"When you need help, you know where to find me."
…………
On the way back to the safe house after retrieving the computer, Long Yuehong, after listening to his team leader's account, blurted out in shock:
"You, you really sold the information?
"Don't you need to seek the company's opinion?"
The importance of this information can be brought to the board of directors.
Jiang Baimian chuckled:
"The company didn't prohibit us from selling this information."
Immediately afterward, she put away her smile and educated him seriously:
"When doing things outside, the situation changes rapidly. How can we ask the company for instructions on everything? And there's no time for that.
"As long as the company doesn't state in advance that something can't be done, we don't need to be too cautious.
"Besides, being in a dangerous place with unpredictable situations, it's good to have an extra helper."
Bai Chen nodded in agreement:
"Whether it's Avia or the secret laboratory in Wasteland Ruin 13, they are very dangerous. Letting them take the lead and test the waters isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"Did you hear that? This wasn't my idea, the black-hearted one is Little Bai." The smile on Jiang Baimian's face showed that she actually thought the same way.
After joking, she "hmm"ed:
"After returning, we'll review all the details again to see if there are any hidden dangers that could expose our current safe house."
…………
Red Wolf District, 19 Rosta Street, "Hands of Order" headquarters.
The progress of the matter exceeded the expectations of Wall, Theodore, Constance, and others—it had only been a short time, and the "real" identities of the targets were presented before them.
"Ashlanders."
"Xue Shiming, Zhang Qubing, Qian Bai, Gu Zhiyong..."
"Except for Qian Bai, the others' earliest mission records are in Wildgrass City, last year... This shows that they should be from a large organization."
During the exchange, Wall's gaze suddenly froze:
The Xue Shiming and Zhang Qubing team actually accepted a mission to capture themselves!
ps: Today is Saturday