While Jiang Bai Mian was thinking, Bai Chen, who was driving, mentioned a place where he thought the real "Father" might appear:
"Since he smoked Flag cigarettes, could he be addicted to them and frequently need to go to the port to buy them?"
"Considering the real 'Father's' chronic sleep deprivation, he'd definitely keep using similar items as long as they're effective," Long Yuehong agreed.
Shang Jianyao scoffed upon hearing this:
"But there are only five of us."
Jiang Bai Mian nodded in agreement:
"It's very likely that the real 'Father' would continue buying Flag cigarettes, but the problem is that in the port alone, there are so many shops selling this kind of cheap cigarette. Many people go to buy them every day, and the real 'Father' would definitely not show up in person. He'd definitely use 'hypnotized' passersby to act as tools.
"We can't monitor so many shops at the same time, and it's difficult to distinguish who among the buyers is a 'tool.'"
"Yeah," Genava said, having somehow picked up Long Yuehong's catchphrase. "It would be great if the port area, including the entire Green Olive District, had cameras everywhere like Tarnan."
That way, they could hack into the municipal system, write a program, filter surveillance footage, and use time and patience to find traces of the real "Father."
"This place does need some upgrades," Shang Jianyao agreed.
After a brief silence, Long Yuehong suggested a second possibility:
"Monitoring General Focas's residence?
"Since you guys were brainwashed there and followed by the real 'Father's' puppets, could the real 'Father' be hiding there, or does he often need to go there to communicate with the strong members of the 'Anti-Intellect Church' who are hiding there?
"Once we spot a target matching the description, we'll have Old Ge go and confirm."
Jiang Bai Mian nodded slightly:
"That's one idea, but I don't think it's very likely.
"Since he has puppets, the real 'Father' doesn't need to show up in person to communicate. He can just use someone like the fake 'Father' Sandel."
She considered her words and continued:
"Judging from the real 'Father's' style, he only steps out of the darkness and into the sunlight when he needs to take action himself."
"So, we need to find a target that the real 'Father' is likely to personally deal with?" Long Yuehong asked, cooperating.
Jiang Bai Mian nodded:
"The current focus of the 'Anti-Intellect Church' should be to provoke internal strife in 'First City,' causing the situation here to become chaotic.
"Now that they've taken the first step, we need to know who the key figures are that are preventing them from taking the second step.
"This can be done by collecting information through the company's intelligence network, seeing who is working hard to maintain stability and suppress radical behavior in light of Elder Valero's involvement in colluding with the 'Savior Army' and the 'Anti-Intellect Church,' who is hindering the complete breakdown between the conservative and reformist factions, or whose death would completely intensify the conflict."
At this point, Jiang Bai Mian chuckled:
"After locking onto the corresponding targets, we might have to act as free, covert bodyguards for a while.
"When that happens, we won't interfere with the 'Mind Corridor' level of confrontation, but just find an opportunity to give the real 'Father' a good beating."
Clap clap clap, Shang Jianyao applauded.
He asked with a hint of anticipation:
"Are we going to see that 'Garibaldi' again?
"Will he have moved to a better café this time?"
"Maybe it'll be a restaurant?" Jiang Bai Mian replied with a smile.
Shang Jianyao's eyes suddenly lit up.
…………
Two days later, the fake "Father" Sandel sent a telegram saying that after reporting the attack to the real "Father" and barely escaping, he appeared to be free from suspicion and investigation, but had not received any more orders sent by letter.
He felt that the real "Father" should be aware of something and was likely keeping him around as a "poison bait."
In the process of secretly competing with the real "Father," the Old Task Force became increasingly cautious. They not only quietly moved back to the Ugo Hotel, but also rented a few extra rooms as safe houses.
They no longer sent telegrams from where they lived, fearing that their radio signals would be monitored and their location locked. Instead, they went to that specific safe house to handle such matters.
And near this safe house specifically used for sending telegrams, there was another safe house, whose purpose was to monitor whether the former had been exposed and whether there were any suspicious people in the vicinity.
In similar fields, the Old Task Force quickly accumulated sufficient experience.
This was a "subject" that Jiang Bai Mian and the others had touched on before, but not in depth, and was mostly theoretical.
After letting the fake "Father" Sandel continue to lie low, Jiang Bai Mian and Shang Jianyao went out and, as usual, went to the Silver Candle Café on Bliss Street in the Red Wolf District.
Yes, the informant "Garibaldi" still chose the old place.
Before going out, Jiang Bai Mian and Shang Jianyao had both disguised themselves to a certain extent, and the military green jeep had undergone a new round of painting at a modification shop trusted by Bai Chen, turning it into a dark green.
This was quite different from what the real "Father" knew.
In fact, there were several "Rootless" camps around First City, but Ferlin's "Sangzi" merchant group was not here at the moment, and Jiang Bai Mian didn't trust the other "Rootless" teams.
At the Silver Candle Café, Jiang Bai Mian and Shang Jianyao, deliberately showing off their mercenary aura, each ordered a cup of coffee and sat in their usual spot by the window and tucked in the corner.
Bai Chen, Long Yuehong, and Genava were afraid of encountering an accident and did not split into three teams, but all went into the same monitoring position.
While drinking the inferior "Bushar" coffee, Shang Jianyao proposed an idea:
"Our height and our race are still too conspicuous in First City. Even if we disguise ourselves, it's easy to leave an impression on others.
"Why don't we find some 'Rootless' to dye our hair? Alas, it's a pity that there are very few colored contact lenses in the Ashlands now."
Even ordinary contact lenses had extremely low production.
--Ordinary people just had to live with their myopia; they didn't have the ability to get glasses at all. And the middle class, who lived a slightly better life, had enough money for normal glasses, so there was no need to pursue contact lenses.
Only the group standing at the top of the Ashlands pyramid had the leisure, resources, and motivation to pursue contact lenses.
"You can shave your head," Jiang Bai Mian suggested, holding back a laugh.
Shang Jianyao actually considered it seriously.
"That would be even more conspicuous," Jiang Bai Mian quickly dismissed his idea.
To be honest, she couldn't imagine a bald version of Shang Jianyao.
Although that might make him even stronger.
As they were talking, a man wearing a thin black coat and a peaked cap, less than 1.75 meters tall, entered the Silver Candle Café.
He quickly scanned the room and chose to sit behind Jiang Bai Mian and Shang Jianyao.
When passing by Shang Jianyao and Jiang Bai Mian, the man took the opportunity of pulling out his right hand to wipe his face, bringing out a neatly folded square piece of paper.
The piece of paper landed in front of Shang Jianyao, who deftly reached out and completely covered it.
The man seemed to have noticed nothing and sat down in the spot he had chosen.
He was one of Pangu Biology's informants in First City, "Garibaldi."
This time, he didn't introduce himself or ask any questions, but patiently waited for Jiang Bai Mian to give him new requests.
As for the content he wanted to convey, it was all on those folded sheets of paper.
This included the detailed circumstances of Elder Solas's assassination by the real "Father," the test results of that cigarette butt, the current political situation in First City, and the respective roles of several key elders.
The latter two were used to analyze the Anti-Intellect Church's next target.
Jiang Bai Mian immediately picked up her cup, took a sip of coffee, and said:
"No other business this time."
She deliberately lowered her voice, as if she didn't want to disturb the other customers in the café.
Shang Jianyao then helped her repeat it.
"Garibaldi" did not leave immediately, but like an ordinary customer, waited for his coffee to arrive and slowly finished it.
Jiang Bai Mian was also in no hurry. After a while, she unfolded the piece of paper Shang Jianyao handed her and quickly glanced through it.
The first page contained the test results of the cigarette butt:
"Human saliva was extracted... The saliva contained a peppermint ingredient, which, after comparison, belonged to 'Ralphy' candy. It contains the root and stem ingredients of the Ralphy plant, which can effectively refresh the mind and cause diarrhea to a certain extent. It is popular in First City (note: the dietary structure of First City is prone to constipation and indigestion)... The DNA does not match any samples in the laboratory database, and the identity cannot be determined..."
Seeing this, Jiang Bai Mian noticed that "Garibaldi" put down his cup and slowly walked out of the café.
She lowered her head and continued to read the information.
Suddenly, a gunshot rang out from outside.
Jiang Bai Mian and Shang Jianyao suddenly raised their heads and looked out the window, only to see a person falling to the ground on the street.
He was wearing a thin black coat and a peaked cap.
"Garibaldi"!
ps: I recommend a book, I Eat Monsters in the Demon Suppression Division, Qin Shao You transmigrated to a world where demons run amok. Coincidentally, he is a member of the Demon Suppression Division, which has the highest rate of reincarnation. Looking at the eerie painted skins, the cunning fox demons, the terrifying snake spirits, and the evil demons and ghosts posing as gods and Buddhas... Qin Shao You's mouth watered with desire to eat. Close the door, heat the water, let's have a feast today!