Spy Wars: Strong Agents Who Are Ruthless and Talk Little

Chapter 205 Don’t Trust Anyone

Su Ming gritted his teeth, his inner discontent still lingering. He knew his master was right, but his logic weighed on him. He understood that the world of espionage was rife with deception and betrayal, but he longed for some kind of emotional stability, even a modicum of security, to avoid being constantly pushed to the brink.

"If even you say so, then what can we rely on?" Su Ming asked in a low voice, a hint of helplessness and confusion in his tone. He knew his words were a bit too emotional, but the pressure and loneliness that had been pent up in his heart for a long time made it impossible to suppress them any longer.

The Master's gaze grew complex, no longer pure indifference, but hinting at hesitation and wavering. It was the first time Su Ming had seen such emotional fluctuations on his Master's face, and it sent a shiver through his heart.

"You don't rely on others," the master said slowly, his voice low and hoarse, as if carrying an immense weight in this sentence, "but on yourself."

Su Ming was stunned. He hadn't expected his master to answer like that. For so long, he had believed himself to be a pawn, raised under his master's protection. But now, hearing these words, he realized that his master had long seen through his inner fragility and longing.

"Only myself..." Su Ming repeated these words in a low voice, his heart a little mixed. He knew what his master meant, that he had to rely on his own strength to face the challenges ahead, but these words also stung the loneliness deep in his heart.

For so many years, he had always believed that when he was carrying out his missions, there was at least one person standing behind him, guiding him forward. But now it seemed that the foundation of that trust was nothing more than an illusory sense of security.

"I understand." Su Ming's voice was a little low, but his tone was firm. He said nothing more, taking a deep breath and suppressing the resentment and grievance in his heart. He knew that complaining and emotional outbursts would not solve any problems, especially in such a critical situation.

The master looked at Su Ming, a subtle flicker of approval in his eyes. He knew that Su Ming's inner struggle was a necessary test and a necessary step in his growth.

"Very good." The master nodded slowly, his tone slightly slowing down. "Now, follow me."

The master turned and led Su Ming to the deepest corner of the basement. There was a secret door there, and behind it was an even more secret underground passage, leading to an extremely safe place - at least in the master's plan, this was their hiding place where they could temporarily avoid the eyes and ears of all enemies.

The two men walked into the passage, dimly lit by a small overhead bulb. Su Ming followed closely behind, only hearing the sound of their footsteps echoing in the narrow space. The air grew colder, and the passage was filled with a damp, musty smell, as if time had stood still for an eternity.

"Su Ming." The master's voice rang out again, especially clear in this small space. "Have you ever considered that the true mission lies not in the actions you perform, but within your heart?"

Su Ming was stunned, his heart slightly shaken. He hadn't expected his master to suddenly ask such a profound question, especially at such a moment. His master's words were like a sharp knife, cutting directly into the depths of his heart.

"Inner thoughts?" Su Ming repeated in a low voice, his inner doubts once again flooding his mind. He had thought about the dangers of the mission and the enemy's schemes many times, but he had never seriously considered the role of his inner world in this spy war.

"The enemies we face aren't just outside," Master said in a calm and profound voice. "The fear, doubt, and vulnerability within are the most deadly enemies."

This statement instantly revealed the source of Su Ming's inner imbalance. He had always believed his stress stemmed from external threats, but in reality, it was the hidden emotional fluctuations within that truly made him feel powerless. Whether it was his dependence on his master or his doubts about his own abilities, these were the inner enemies he had failed to overcome.

"So, Master asked me to act alone, not just because of the dangers outside." Su Ming understood his Master's intention. This wasn't just a mission, but also a spiritual practice for him, a test of his own struggle.

"You need to face more than just external enemies." The master nodded, as if seeing through Su Ming's thoughts. "You also need to face the darkness within yourself. Only then can you become truly independent and no longer rely on anyone."

Su Ming nodded silently, his inner turmoil gradually subsiding. He knew that every word his master said was loaded with meaning, and the weight of these words was enough to make him ponder for a long time.

Passing through a long, narrow passage, a faint light gradually appeared ahead. It was a secluded room, simply furnished but extremely sturdy. Su Ming noticed that the surrounding walls were covered with a variety of complex instruments and monitoring equipment. This was a deeply hidden stronghold, clearly a temporary shelter prepared for times of crisis.

The master walked into the room, glanced around, picked up a small radio device, and turned it on. Su Ming stood quietly by, observing the layout of the room.

"Next, your mission is clear." The master handed a piece of paper to Su Ming. There were only a few simple lines of words on the paper, with the names and geographical locations of several people written on it.

Su Ming took the note and glanced down at it, his mind racing. While the mission seemed simple, he knew that carrying it out would never be as easy as the few words on the paper. Behind every name could be a hidden trap and danger.

"Remember, don't trust anyone easily." The master's final words struck Su Ming's heart like a hammer. He knew he had embarked on a path of no return.

Su Ming stood at the basement's exit, his fingers stroking the slip of paper filled with the mission objectives, a complex, indescribable feeling welling up in his heart. The lights were dim, the walls were mottled, and the cold air, like an invisible shell, tightly enveloped his heart.

He sighed softly, feeling a tinge of loss and bitterness within him. For years, he had followed his master, almost without a moment's hesitation. He had rigorously followed through on every mission and every decision, without complaint or regret. Yet, at this moment, he felt an unprecedented sense of alienation and indifference.

"Has he lost his trust in me?" This thought flashed through Su Ming's mind, making it a bit difficult for him to bear. Although he knew that his master treated all his disciples equally and never showed favoritism to anyone, he always thought that he was an exception - or at least, that he had a more special place in his master's heart.