385 The Spy Talks

July 19, 20X2 (Sunday)

Various Places

Yesterday went as if hours had become minutes for Yang. His dreams were no comfort at all. His children, although not from his blood, are suffering. The blood in his veins boiled. It is as if heated steam is trapped in his heart, and trying to burst open for release. He had his men on alert, prepared plans that even his backup plans had backup plans.

Yang had also pulled on his international contacts, asking for assistance in case things happen that are outside his jurisdiction. He had forsaken his pride and asked help, all for his children.

Hao Chen huffed out amid gasping for breath, "Yang, I've found the leak!" 

Because he was not expecting all of the people gathered in the room to turn to him all at once, Hao Chen jumped in surprise before hurrying to continue, "It's someone related to Dan. His Father, older than 60 years. I didn't read the files. He admitted everything to me when I asked once, sobbing along with the snot and slubber."

Alexandre gave a disgusted look directed towards Hao Chen before he muttered, "The whole family must be involved with the terrorist group."

Hao Chen immediately denied, "No, unfortunately, they have someone taken from them too."

Yang, who had been unusually quiet, asked with his voice rough with unuse but, still, his surprise was apparent, "What?"

"Dan's nephew had been taken a few months ago. Apparently, his parents were killed in the process, and The Fool has been using the kid as a hostage."

"Then Dan has been..." Chang Min trailed, not finishing his sentence as he let everyone continue what he meant to say. He felt a little bit guilty with all the torture he put the man under. As an uncle, he knew the feeling and could relate. 

Hao Chen hummed as his brain map out the best possible course of action before he suggested, "He probably knows more about the terrorist group, and if we tell him what we know now, he would most likely speak."

"He does have the tenacity to resist torture... so, I think it's better that someone who isn't heavy-handed like us, three, would go..." Hao Chen continued as he pointed at himself, Chang Min, and Yang. The members of the Zhao family and Xue family have always been a bit over the top. Hao Chen, although not a member of either family, can also get carried away, especially if it is something that bothered him.

"If his nephew is still alive, then they're of the same cloth." Chang Min commented a bit impressed, "Dan have been under torture by almost all of us and still haven't caved in at all."

It did not take them long to decide that someone should go and inform Dan about their information. Because Dan is probably already terrified with Chang Min, Hao Chen, and Yang that it was decided that the bubbly and goofy Alexandre would go since their strict resident doctor was still on duty.

Stepping inside their group's personal prison for Dan, Alexandre grimaced. He had never truly loved grim on his expensive shoes. Seeing the man tied on the chair, looking worse than a homeless person, made his grimace worse. Dan's finger only had two thumbs and some random two fingers on each hand... There were no nails at all. 

Alexandre's heart goes out to Dan in pity. His friends can differently go too far sometimes. Slowly, Alexandre reached out to tap the mangled man's shoulder while asking, "Are you awake?"

Alexandre heard the man groan, but there was no answer even after a few minutes. Sighing, Alexandre said, "We have discovered your father leaking our information while also stopping them from reaching to us."

Suddenly, Dan's head straightened up, and their eyes made contact. Alexandre couldn't help but feel a bit awe as he stared at the stubbornness and eternal fire that lit on the man's eyes. This man was a survivor. Interesting. 

"Kill me instead. Let my Father go, please."

Alexandre stared at Dan for a moment and then sighed loudly. A survivor, but still chooses family over anything else. A pity that this man crossed The Fool, he would have been a great addition to their group. 

"Your father has admitted to everything. We didn't even have to torture him. We know about your nephew... and we would like to lend you help." Alexandre calmly said.

Dan spat on the floor. If he was any closer, Alexandre would have had to throw away his shoes because it would have hit. Now he realized why Hao Chen wanted him to be here. That action would have cost Dan his life if it was the other three that came. Dan had been too angry at the three of his friends. Who wouldn't be, especially if you were tortured by them? 

"You misunderstand me. We would like to lend you help if you help us too," Alexandre then expanded, "My nephew, Chang, and niece, Ling Ling, have also been taken. According to our information, the probability of them being together in one room is most likely. The terrorists are not many enough to guard three children in separate rooms while guarding their territory. If you help us, it means you are also helping yourself."

Alexandre knocked the door behind him, and a lady in cheongsam entered while carrying an open laptop. Dan's eyes widen as he saw his Father on the monitor. He realized that it was a video call. Dan looked at Alexandre; the man only smiled warmly and gestured for Dan to communicate with his father. 

After a few minutes, Dan spoke directly to Alexandre, "The Sewers, give me a map... there is a new passageway that they often use."

Alexandre smiled and started undoing the ropes that tied Dan first before giving him a map. Dan nodded respectfully at him. His behavior was utterly different than before. Dan didn't even realize that Alexandre already had a map prepared, which meant everything that happened was planned.

Yang, Chang Min, and Hao Chen were in their other hidden warehouse, watching. Yang and Chang Min were vicious. Hao Chen could be too in some cases, but it was indeed Alexandre that was the most cunning. He had not only secured Dan's cooperation, but also the possibility of his loyalty. After all, the group has been understanding enough not to touch his family, and to a survivor that put his family first, which basically guaranteed debt of gratitude.