Agent: Intercepting Yu Manli at the start!

Chapter 28 is too abnormal!

A moment later, Zhou Xiao and the man in the baseball cap stood in front of Shen Lin.

"Director Shen, I've heard so much about you." Zhou Xiao glanced at Shen Lin's crisp Zhongshan suit, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Seeing is believing—I just never expected that my first interaction with you would be a 'visit' to you."

Shen Lin's expression remained calm, but his tone was extremely tense: "Mr. Zhou, what kind of etiquette is this?"

"Politeness?" Zhou Xiao raised an eyebrow, his imposing aura suddenly pressing down, his fingertip pointing directly at Shen Lin's chest. "When you sent people to stab me in the back, did you even consider the concept of politeness?"

"Just a routine check." Shen Lin lowered his eyes, his voice calm and unhurried. "If you act uprightly and honestly, what do you have to fear from being followed?"

"I know perfectly well whether I've done anything shady! I don't need you all spying on me like shadows!" Zhou Xiao suddenly stood up, slamming his hand heavily on Shen Lin's desk, making the teacup jump. His gaze was like a knife, piercing Shen Lin's eyes: "Besides—when did it become your place to interfere in the affairs of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics? The Military Bureau of Investigation and Statistics' territory is not for outsiders to trespass and cause trouble!"

Throughout history, secret service agencies have always been established in pairs, to check and balance each other and monitor one another. The Ming Dynasty had the Eastern Depot, and the Western Depot was born in response; in the late Qing Dynasty, there were secret agents in the police department, and the military police inspection office emerged as a result.

The situation is similar now: first, the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (Zhongtong) was stationed in Nanjing, and then the Military Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (Juntong) emerged out of nowhere, standing as rivals.

The Eastern Depot and Western Depot fought fiercely back then, and the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics were no less formidable. These two agencies operated independently, nominally with a clear division of labor—one focused on spies within the Party and government system, while the other targeted enemy spies in key military locations. However, in practice, their work was fraught with problems: overlapping leads, duplicate informants, and competition for intelligence. Even the purchase orders for listening equipment often ended up in the same budget. Sharing the same resources but having only one set of utensils, how could they not fight?

Two stubborn donkeys cannot be tied together in one trough; from then on, the two families engaged in open and covert struggles, with undercurrents surging beneath the surface.

However, the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS) was ultimately inferior and repeatedly fell behind.

"Zhou Xiao! This is the Investigation Department, not your Military Intelligence Bureau's training ground!" Shen Lin stood up abruptly, his voice deep and sharp, like a taut steel string. "Investigating you is done according to procedure! Why should the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics bow and scrape to you?"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Xiao had already raised his hand and drawn his gun—the muzzle didn't even wave at Shen Lin, it directly locked onto the man in the corner wearing a baseball cap.

boom!

The bullet tore through the air and precisely pierced the outside of the opponent's left thigh, exploding the flesh and spurting blood instantly.

"ah--!"

The man screamed and fell to his knees, clutching his wound tightly with both hands. Blood quickly soaked his trousers, leaving a glaring red trail on the cement floor.

Whoosh!

The investigators around him all drew their guns, pointing them at Zhou Xiao's chest.

He didn't even blink, and a cold smile even appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Next time I see one of your men hanging behind me, this bullet won't just hit my leg—it'll go through my skull." His voice wasn't loud, but every word struck the ground. After saying that, he turned and walked away, the hem of his coat fluttering as he left without looking back.

He has an imposing aura, and he is ruthless and decisive.

To overturn a table, fire a shot, make threats, and walk away right under someone's nose... that kind of audacity is in no way inferior to Zheng Yaoxian's—after all, Zheng Yaoxian had long since made this a second nature.

Everyone stood frozen in place, watching him push open the door and leave, and no one dared to move.

"Director Shen, are we really just going to let him go like this?" A section chief stepped forward quickly, his voice tense. "He fired a shot in public, wounding one of our men!"

"I'll take responsibility for this." Shen Lin's face was ashen as he spoke slowly and deliberately, "First, take him to the hospital to stop the bleeding, clean the wound, and prevent infection."

The man only suffered a penetrating wound and was out of danger. This shot was meant to serve as a warning.

Everyone gritted their teeth and clenched their fists, no one moved an inch, their chests burning with anger.

If someone corners you at your door and slaps you in the face, can you still swallow it?

Shen Lin suddenly roared, "I told you to get back—didn't you hear me? Are your ears stuffed with donkey hair? If you dare to track Zhou Xiao again, you'll pay with your heads! Those Military Intelligence Bureau guys are all mad dogs with no regard for their lives!"

The usually gentle and refined section chief, who held his pen with the grace of jade, now had bulging veins on his forehead and his Adam's apple bobbing, looking like a trapped beast driven to the brink of despair.

Seeing that the section chief was truly enraged, his subordinates put away their guns, lowered their heads, and silently withdrew.

Shen Lin stood alone at the table, staring at the pool of blood on the floor that hadn't yet congealed. He slammed his fist down on the table, making the glass window vibrate: "This is outrageous!"

He desperately wanted to get justice for his men, but his opponent was Zhou Xiao—

Now a highly sought-after sharp blade in the Military Intelligence Bureau, he was praised by Boss Dai himself for his "extraordinary courage," and it is said that even Director Weiyuan personally inquired about his case.

If this matter were to escalate to the head of the Imperial Academy, the only one to suffer would be the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS). The people investigating the Military Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (JBI) are already walking on the edge of the rules; if they cross the line even slightly, they will give others a handle to use against them.

As the head of the investigation department, Shen Lin carried a heavier burden and felt more frustrated than anyone else.

……

Military Intelligence Bureau Headquarters, third floor, east side office.

"Sixth Brother! I heard your apprentice managed to pry open that old Japanese devil's mouth? Another merit!" Xu Baichuan leaned against the door frame, his eyes wide with a smile. "That old guy is tough as nails. It took him more than a month to finally open his mouth. It wasn't easy."

Zheng Yaoxian casually took out a cigarette case, pulled out two cigarettes, handed one over, and the two of them lit them, the smoke rising in wisps.

"The credit doesn't go to me," he said calmly, exhaling a puff of smoke. "It was Zhou Xiao who pried it open."

"Zhou Xiao?" Xu Baichuan's eyes lit up, and his smile deepened. "The talent you personally selected is indeed extraordinary—quick-witted and steady-handed."

"I came to find you because of him."

Zheng Yaoxian looked up.

"My mole in the investigation department just got word out—Zhou Xiao is being watched. Without a word, he barged into Shen Lin's office, shot the tracker in the thigh right in front of Shen Lin, and turned and left without even glancing back."

"Shen Lin's face turned green, but he didn't dare to stop him, hahaha! That spirit of yours is exactly the same as yours back then!"

On the surface, the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics maintained a semblance of harmony, but behind the scenes, they secretly planted spies and informants to uncover each other's true intentions. However, a direct confrontation like today, where they stormed in, launched a sneak attack, and trampled on each other's dignity, is truly rare.

Zheng Yaoxian took a deep drag of his cigarette, exhaled slowly, and smiled slightly: "Similar? Indeed. Not afraid of being taken advantage of, and not afraid of trouble—that's the essence of this line of work."

Over the years following Zheng Yaoxian, Zhou Xiao learned far more than just the basics of fighting, demolition, and secret writing. More importantly, he learned the subtleties hidden in the eyes, the probing in the pauses, and the calculations behind the silences—things that can't be written in textbooks, but can only be understood through observation, listening, and heartfelt experience.

Zheng Yaoxian had been an undercover agent for ten years and knew best how to walk on the edge of a knife: how to forge itineraries, how to use the enemy to eliminate obstacles, how to slip away unnoticed when his identity was about to be revealed, how to win over key figures without making a sound... Every single one of these was experience gained at the cost of his life.

Although Zhou Xiao had the system's support, his master Zheng Yaoxian was no mere figurehead.

Of course, Zhou Xiao did surpass his teacher in some areas, even impressing Zheng Yaoxian, who couldn't help but regard him as a mentor.

"Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me"—this saying is never just a polite formality when applied to Zheng Yaoxian.

He was convinced from the bottom of his heart that Zhou Xiao was a rough gem that had already shown its brilliance, and no one dared to estimate how far he could go in the future; in terms of potential and temperament, he had already firmly established himself in the top echelon of the special agent ranks.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the graduation assessment was fast approaching.

Only three days left!

Three days later, Zhou Xiao will officially "graduate" and be able to stand on his own.

The third to last day.

Military Intelligence Bureau Headquarters, Section Chief's Office.

As soon as the door opened, Zhou Xiao stepped across the threshold and saw Zheng Yaoxian bending over and fiddling with a purple clay teapot—a scene so rare that it made one want to take a second look.

It's so abnormal!

Zheng Yaoxian has always loved red wine, and his cup is always filled with foreign liquor. His tea set has been covered in dust for a long time and has almost become a decoration.

"Zhou Xiao is here?" He looked up and smiled, gesturing with his hand, "Sit down, and try my newly learned kung fu."

Zhou Xiao sat down, said nothing, and just quietly watched his movements.

Zheng Yaoxian's technique was quite clumsy: he didn't control the water well when scalding the cup, he was too hasty when rinsing the tea, he poured the water too high, and he filtered the tea too coarsely... The whole process was full of stumbles, but what was strange was that the tea soup was clear and bright, and the aroma was like the wind blowing through the pine forest, refreshing and invigorating. It was slightly sweet on the palate and had a long aftertaste.

After the tea was brewed, he pushed a small, warm cup towards us: "Try it, don't be put off."

"Good." Zhou Xiao picked up the teacup and took a sip, his tongue curling slightly as he savored it for a moment before nodding and saying, "Sixth Brother, although the tea is made roughly, the taste is excellent—fragrant yet not superficial, sweet yet not astringent, it's very satisfying to drink."

Zheng Yaoxian also took a sip, and gave a self-deprecating laugh: "I'm a complete novice. Alcohol suits my temperament better; when I'm drunk, my mind becomes clearer."

Zhou Xiao gently put down the cup, his gaze slightly lowered: "Sixth Brother has made an exception and brewed tea today...it must be something important?"

Abnormalities are signs; there's no smoke without fire.

Zheng Yaoxian slowly traced the rim of the cup with his fingertips, then suddenly stopped, looked up and stared directly at Zhou Xiao: "Finish your tea, Boss Dai wants to see you."

Was he summoned by Boss Dai himself?

Zhou Xiao's eyebrows twitched, and he blurted out, "Sixth Brother, do you know the reason?"

"You'll know when you get there." Zheng Yaoxian tilted his head back and drank the last mouthful of tea. The tea was scalding hot, but he didn't even frown.

He knew, but he didn't say it out loud.

Fifteen minutes later, the two stepped out of the office, got into the black car Zhao Jianzhi was waiting downstairs, and drove straight to the Dai Mansion as the wheels rolled over the bluestone road.

The journey was completely silent, with even the engine noise kept extremely low.

Half an hour later, the car came to a stop. Zhao Jianzhi stayed outside, while Zhou Xiao and Zheng Yaoxian stepped into the mansion side by side.

"Hahaha! Sixth Brother, Zhou Xiao, you're here?" Boss Dai greeted them with a hearty laugh, patting them on the shoulders. "Please, have a seat!"

"Thank you, Boss Dai."

After they were seated, Boss Dai's gaze swept intently over the two of them: "These past two months, you've worked incredibly hard, and your contributions are truly substantial. Especially you, Zhou Xiao—you pried open that mouth at the foot of Qingmu Mountain, and the intelligence you intercepted was bloodstained and invaluable. You've made another great contribution!"

Zhou Xiao lowered his eyes: "It's my duty."

"What a fine job!" Boss Dai laughed loudly, then turned to Zheng Yaoxian, "Sixth Brother, you have a sharp eye!"