boyutpedia Chapter 211 Dust and Mold
Chapter 211 Dust and Mold
Old Zhang stood there quietly, seemingly awaiting Su Ming's reaction, his gaze tinged with a touch of expectation and amusement. He had seen too many newcomers like Su Ming, full of ambition and passion, entering the world of espionage, always eager to prove their worth, eager to control the situation, but often falling flat on their faces at the crucial moment. Old Zhang knew that only by truly understanding the core of espionage could Su Ming go further on this path; otherwise, he was destined to become one of countless casualties.
Su Ming pondered for a moment, but ultimately could not fully comprehend the profound meaning. He could only nod, "Trust... I will remember this, Mr. Zhang."
Old Zhang didn't elaborate, simply saying, "I hope you understand." He observed Su Ming's expression, a subtle flicker of complex emotion in his eyes, as if he were examining an uncertain future. He turned and continued walking, his tone calm yet carrying a certain weight: "Next, I'll give you a chance to experience what true trust and betrayal are."
Su Ming's heart tightened. The deeper meaning in Old Zhang's words made him feel vaguely uneasy, but he didn't retreat. He knew that becoming a disciple was no easy task, and Old Zhang would never let him off lightly. This opportunity might come with danger, but he had no choice. Having chosen this path, he could only forge ahead step by step.
The two men passed through several winding, narrow alleys. The buildings ahead gradually became sparser. The houses on both sides of the alley were dark and dilapidated, as if they had been neglected for a long time. The wind blew through the buildings, carrying an indescribable chill. Su Ming followed closely behind Lao Zhang, his heartbeat gradually accelerating. Every step was cautious, as if unknown danger lurked in the shadows around him.
Suddenly, Old Zhang stopped in front of a dilapidated wooden door. Tiny cracks covered the door, as if a gust of wind could blow it down. Old Zhang raised his hand and gently knocked three times, his fingers moving in a rhythmic pattern. Su Ming tensed, his eyes fixed on the door, his heartbeat accelerating.
"Next, there may be some things that will test you." Lao Zhang's voice was calm, as if this was just an ordinary meeting.
The door slowly opened, revealing a pale, middle-aged man standing in the doorway, a wary look in his eyes. He glanced at Old Zhang, nodded, and then his gaze fell on Su Ming. Su Ming felt that gaze like a sharp knife, slicing across his face, as if to slice open his heart and examine it. He stood there calmly, his face maintaining a calm expression, but his heart was tense to the extreme.
The middle-aged man was silent for a moment, then stepped aside. Old Zhang led Su Ming into the small room. The room was dimly lit, a few weak lights illuminating the worn furniture and mottled walls. The air was filled with a lingering smell of decay, as if the place hadn't been ventilated in years. Three or four people sat in the room, each with a serious and tense expression, clearly aware that this was no simple meeting.
Old Zhang walked to a table, picked up a piece of paper, and handed it to Su Ming. His tone remained calm: "This is your mission. Tonight, you must sneak into a place, find the target, and bring back a token."
Su Ming took the paper and looked down. There were only a few lines of text on it: the target address and brief instructions. It looked simple, but he knew it was no easy task. He had some doubts in his heart, but he didn't show them. He simply nodded.
"What kind of token did you bring back?" Su Ming asked.
Lao Zhang didn't answer. Instead, he smiled slightly, his eyes full of meaning: "You'll understand when you get there."
Su Ming felt a surge of unease upon hearing this. Old Zhang had clearly not given him all the information. This kind of mission usually meant a greater test. Su Ming quickly sorted through the information in his mind, considering various possible scenarios. However, in this uncertain situation, any plan could be thwarted in an instant.
He didn't ask any more questions, just stuffed the paper into his pocket, stood up and prepared to leave.
At this moment, a man in the room suddenly spoke in a low and cold voice: "You know, if you fail, you will have to leave your life here."
Su Ming paused, his heart sinking slightly. Those words were like a cold knife, piercing his heart. He had long understood that the price of mission failure was always life. However, the man's words seemed to contain a deeper threat, not just the consequences of mission failure, but something even darker.
Su Ming turned and glanced at the man. His eyes were calm, but a chill was creeping in his heart. He nodded, but didn't respond. Instead, he pushed the door open and left.
Under the night sky, Su Ming's steps were heavy, knowing he couldn't afford to make any mistakes. Walking down the dimly lit street, his mind raced over everything that had just happened: Lao Zhang's probing, the ambiguity of the mission, the man's threats. It all felt like a carefully laid trap, waiting for him to step into it.
Yet, Su Ming felt an unknown force within him, supporting him. This was perhaps the beginning of what Lao Zhang had called a test of "trust." Spy warfare is never a solitary endeavor; it requires trust in everyone around you, while also being wary of everyone. Trust and betrayal, in the world of espionage, are always two sides of the same coin.
He couldn't help but think back to his experience in the organization. Whether in simulated training or real missions, he had always acted independently. Every success came from his absolute control of the mission and a thorough understanding of the surrounding environment. But this time, things didn't seem as simple as he expected.
Su Ming's hand involuntarily reached for the piece of paper in his pocket, gently stroking its edge, as if trying to find some clue. However, the simple words on the paper didn't provide him with any further clues, and everything remained shrouded in mystery.
The streetlights on the corner swayed slightly in the night breeze. In the dim light, Su Ming saw a building not far ahead. It was the designated location for the mission, an old building that looked abandoned for years. Ivy covered the dilapidated exterior walls, and the windows had long been shattered. Like a silent beast, its dark mouth gaped, it awaited his arrival.
The moment Su Ming pushed open the door, the damp and rotten smell in the air immediately hit him in the face, as if the room had not been ventilated for many years and countless dust and mold had accumulated.