Spy Wars: Strong Agents Who Are Ruthless and Talk Little

Chapter 224: But My Heart Wasn't at Peace

The master frowned, saying nothing more, simply gesturing for Su Ming to follow him. The two of them walked through the narrow corridor, one in front of the other, towards the end of the room. At the end of the corridor stood an unassuming iron door, its surface covered in traces of age, its lock rusted.

The master took out an ancient key from his pocket and gently inserted it into the lock. When he turned it, there was a slight "click". The iron door slowly opened, revealing a dark underground passage.

"Follow me closely." The master whispered and walked in first.

Without hesitation, Su Ming followed his master into the dim underground passage. The narrow staircase led down, the air gradually becoming damp and cold. The surrounding walls were covered in moss and moisture, and the sound of footsteps seemed particularly muffled in the narrow space.

Su Ming's heart began to grow wary. He was familiar with this underground passage. Years ago, his master had brought him here once, telling him it was a secret refuge, used for confidential meetings and operations. However, today, he had a vague feeling that this operation was not just for refuge.

"Master, where are we going?" Su Ming finally asked, his voice echoing in the narrow passage with a hint of doubt.

The master's steps didn't stop, remaining steady and resolute. "I'm going to see an old friend. He has the information we need."

Su Ming's heart tightened slightly. **Old friend?** He had never heard his master mention such a friend before, which made him feel a little more suspicious. But he knew that his master would never mention anyone lightly, nor would he take any meaningless action.

"I can see you have a lot of questions right now." The master's voice sounded in the front, with a hint of deep meaning, "But there are some things you shouldn't know now. When the time comes, you will naturally understand."

Su Ming didn't ask any more questions. He knew that in front of his master, asking too many questions often meant distrust, and he had never doubted his master. However, he could sense that today's actions implied more truths that he had yet to discover.

The corridor grew narrower, the air thicker. Su Ming felt an inexplicable sense of oppression, as if the underground space was gradually compressing his nerves. He tried to remain calm, following his master, focusing on every footstep to resist the pressure from deep within.

The two finally reached a heavy wooden door. Intricate carvings, like ancient symbols, etched on it, appeared to indicate a specific location. The master paused, gently tapped a few times on an inconspicuous spot, and then pushed it open.

Inside the door was a low, dark basement, lit only by a few old lamps. In the center of the room stood several worn wooden tables, piled high with documents and instruments. In the corner, an elderly figure, his head bent, was concentrating on operating some equipment. Hearing the door open, he slowly raised his head.

It was a wrinkled face, with eyes that were deep and shrewd. Though old, Su Ming could sense that this man's eyes were still filled with sharp insight. He glanced at his master, then back at Su Ming, nodding slightly, as if sizing up a long-lost acquaintance.

"Is he the new disciple you brought?" The old man's voice was hoarse and carried the vicissitudes of time, but there was a hint of appreciation in his words.

The master nodded and said softly, "It's him, Su Ming. You should have heard of some of his deeds."

The old man smiled faintly, stood up, walked slowly towards Su Ming, and extended a bony hand: "Young man, welcome."

Su Ming bowed slightly and cautiously extended his hand to shake his. Although the other man's hand looked withered, the strength of his handshake was unexpectedly strong. Su Ming was secretly alert. This seemingly elderly man was clearly not as fragile as he appeared.

The old man turned and walked back to the table, his fingers gently flipping through the documents. Finally, he picked up a yellowed piece of paper and handed it to the master. "The information you need is here. The situation has become complicated. The issues involved in this name are much deeper than we previously expected."

Su Ming stood aside, his eyes fixed on the piece of paper his master had accepted. He had a vague feeling that the contents of this paper might completely change the situation they would face next.

The master took the document, glanced at it carefully, and frowned. After a moment, he turned and handed the document to Su Ming. Su Ming took it and quickly scanned it, his heart suddenly filled with turmoil.

"This is impossible..." Su Ming murmured in a low voice, with an expression of disbelief in his eyes.

The document detailed the structure and plans of a secret organization, involving multiple forces, and even concealed a name Su Ming had never heard of before. This name was the key figure Su Ming learned from his opponent, and behind it was a deeper conspiracy.

The master walked over to Su Ming and patted him on the shoulder. "This is the enemy you will face next. It's not just one person, but a huge system. We don't have much time. You must make a decision quickly."

Su Ming was silent for a moment, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him. He knew this path was destined to be filled with danger and uncertainty, but that was one of the reasons he chose to become an agent—in the face of uncertainty, even death, he chose to move forward.

He raised his head and looked at his master with a firm gaze: "I understand, I will complete the task."

Su Ming clutched the document tightly, his fingertips gleaming faintly. His mind was a tangle of confusion. All the clues, the mission, and the complex situation before him were like a vast web, gradually entangling him. Although his master remained as calm as ever, the old man's eyes were filled with confidence, as if they had long been certain of the situation before them, and had even prepared a complete response plan.

But Su Ming's heart was not at peace at all.

He looked at the intelligence in his hands, a wave of imbalance rising within him. He knew he was a pawn in the mission, but he had never truly understood the full scope of the situation. He had once believed he possessed sufficient information and the ability to handle everything before him, even believing he had shrunk to the truth. Yet, now, he realized he was merely a tiny, insignificant figure at the very edge of a vast conspiracy.

Why? Why did the master and this old man look so calm? Why were they so confident, while I was like a newbie, overwhelmed by all this?

He was not reconciled.