Chapter 2604 - 2668: Acting Separately
Kashmir, in a small county town, the blazing sun hung overhead—not, it should be said, like a furnace suspended in the air. The local temperature had already reached forty-five degrees, with the ground emanating steam, like the Mount of Flames. Even the locals felt the intense heat, and if one did not stand in the shade, they might be roasted in a short time, and if not roasted, they might face the danger of sunstroke.
But from the distance came a man, dressed in long sleeves and pants, tall and strong, wearing sunglasses and a headscarf, his specific features indistinct, with a long beard. Each step he took was powerful, carrying a backpack on his back, like a traveler.
Some dark-skinned Indians hiding in the shade stared at this traveler, their eyes showing greed because the other held a piece of meat, cooked and seasoned, exuding aroma, enticing their taste buds, making them restless, wanting to dash up and snatch it.
This place was an extremely impoverished area, not just the elderly, women, and children were underfed, even grown men were the same. Due to the restrictions of the caste system, the lower castes were even more deprived of food. Death seemed very close to them, someone seen today might be found dead by tomorrow.
This was too common in India, the Ganges was viewed as Holy Water and a sacred river, but in reality, it was very filthy, with countless corpses. Sometimes it even felt like bodies were strewn everywhere, deceased bodies just thrown into the river, rapidly decomposing in the high heat, becoming bloated cadavers, emitting a stench. This county town wasn’t much better, there was a river nearby as well, and the residents lived by the river. Whether defecating, burying the dead, or washing and cooking, it was all the same.
As he walked all the way, until the traveler finished the meat in his hand, the covetous eyes in the dark had never abated. Instead, they had already grown bolder, preparing to make a move, to snatch the traveler’s backpack. This person being able to eat such big chunks of meat must surely be wealthy, the followers in the dark thought.
The so-called county was essentially just dozens of shanties, not even a proper three-story building, and whatever may be two stories was very rundown. The traveler arrived at a shop with a ’hotel’ sign, he looked up for a moment before stepping inside, taking off his headscarf and sunglasses to reveal his true face—who else but Li Yifei. He had just arrived in this little place called Taji, a very small place, even with unclear markings on the map, and Li Yifei came here alone to investigate a case.
He split the Flying Hawk Squad into three teams. He formed one team himself, the other seven people split into two teams, one with four, the other with three, each pairing skills adequately, and everyone began their operation. The three-person team was responsible for guarding Fu Yingwei and others, as well as collecting evidence domestically, whereas the four-person team was dispatched to Korea, and Li Yifei came to Kashmir, a disputed area where India and Pakistan clashed fiercely. Here was far from the imagined paradise, and traveling was not advised. Throughout his journey, Li Yifei encountered five or six groups of robbers, some brazenly rushing up with a knife, openly robbing, others blocking the way, chanting, ’mana mana’, the local customs were indeed ’simple’.
Of course, Li Yifei wouldn’t let them rob him. Anyone with that thought, Li Yifei would not be polite. After checking in, the innkeeper jabbered a bunch, but Li Yifei merely quoted a number, which left the innkeeper stunned, observing Li Yifei’s expression, before fiercely nodding. Li Yifei gave a faint smile, pulled out the corresponding amount of money from his pocket, tossed it over, and spat out the words, ’two days’.
The innkeeper took the money, nodding cheerfully, saying, "We have the best conditions here, you will certainly have a pleasant stay."
"Hope so." Li Yifei tossed back a line and walked to the back. Though called an inn, it was in reality a two-story rundown building, with only about six or seven rooms in total. At this time, the whole place housed only Li Yifei as a guest. This place didn’t even have air conditioning, nor electricity. The conditions were indescribably backward.
Li Yifei entered the room, put down his backpack, and opened the travel bag. Inside primarily packed with food, not wanting to consume the local food in such a place, be it India or Pakistan, as the overall hygiene was extremely poor, especially in India, one could describe the sanitation conditions here as akin to an open toilet, extremely harsh, and Li Yifei certainly didn’t want to fill his stomach with E. Coli germs...
Thus, for this journey, he brought his own food supplies; otherwise, he might resort to catching something to eat.
There were, of course, some other items. Li Yifei picked up a map, carefully double-checking it and nodding again. The place he sought was indeed here, a spot unmarked on the map but discernible through geographical judgment.
According to Fu Yingwei’s disclosure and subsequent investigations, Li Yifei knew about his and Snow Falcon’s collaboration, using this place as a transit point after smuggling goods out of the border. It happened six months ago. Li Yifei hadn’t come expecting guaranteed outcomes, but he at least wanted to follow this lead.
Diving directly into the Flying Hawk Squad was too risky, an initial probe was necessary. The three split into three paths, and if there were new developments from Fu Yingwei’s side, everyone could disguise and trail, while the other teams continued their investigation.
Taking a bite of a meat chunk, Li Yifei chewed it up quickly, nodding satisfied, took a sip from his water bottle. Sitting cross-legged, the surroundings being unsuitable for sleep, meditating was the best option. He wasn’t afraid of the heat, but still felt uneasy, constantly watched by greedy and malicious eyes. It didn’t warrant taking action, yet abstaining only added stress.
By nightfall, Li Yifei opened his eyes, adjusting to an optimal state, a smile emerged on his face. He stood, slightly stretching, tidied up his backpack, opened the door, and stepped out. As soon as the innkeeper saw him, he hurried to Li Yifei’s side, nodding and bowing, asking if he needed food. Li Yifei shook his head, taking a few steps out, while the innkeeper’s muttering could still be heard, remarking about stingy guests, and the like...
Of course, Li Yifei didn’t care, wasn’t being snarky a part of the Indian nature?
The street naturally had no streetlights, as a place practically devoid of electricity, what use were streetlights?
Li Yifei moved forward with his backpack, his figure well hidden in darkness, yet he could sense groups of people residing in structures far from housing. These weren’t makeshift shelters, not even close; just poles supporting a cloth, some even more meager, yet several people lived inside.
This was merely the dire poverty and backwardness visible before him. Li Yifei picked up speed, moving so quickly it could be likened to flying, appearing dozens of meters away with just a blink, spanning hundreds of meters with the rise and fall of breath.
Moving at such speed could be called gliding, darting through the night swiftly. Soon, he covered twenty to thirty li. In the darkness, Li Yifei was like a Night Hawk, his eyes gleaming, nothing in the blackness could obscure his view. After scaling a small hill, Li Yifei slowed down because he spotted a lit area.
Amidst limitless darkness, this place had lights, and not just a few. Approaching closer, Li Yifei confirmed it wasn’t a military base, yet guards were present outside. He lightly nodded, realizing this was probably his destination.
His feet kept moving. With a forceful push, Li Yifei’s body soared over the wire fencing, landing inside the opposing force’s territory. This was a base, but not a military-owned one. From research, it belonged to a private organization, yet likely affiliated with the military; otherwise, the standard weaponry seen before him would constitute a breach. Seeing a tank parked nearby, Li Yifei made some judgments.
Not a modern tank, but sufficient against most armed forces. Li Yifei also noticed an armory. Although heavily guarded, entering posed no difficulty for him. Casually slipping in, he observed the weapons inside, enough to arm a five-hundred-strong force, and then some.
There were weapons from Huaxia as well as Russia’s renowned AKs, of varying specifications, and undoubtedly obscure origins. Especially the former; a thorough investigation could unearth a significant case, as Huaxia’s military-issued weaponry appearing in an armed military dispute zone in a neighboring country spelled trouble.
Li Yifei shook his head, circled to examine, then swiftly exited, glancing at the surrounding terrain, moving closer to the buildings. They seemed equipped for significant figures instead of ordinary ones, though lacking full protection.
Just as he reached the front, Li Yifei heard clear moaning sounds. His brows furrowed. These sounds came from nearby constructions, the woman’s suppressed cries soon halted. A woman scampered backward from the room, haphazard, clutching her robe, swiftly darting away once outside. A pot-bellied middle-aged man emerged from the door, clad in just underwear, watching her leave with satisfaction, swigging from a jug in one hand, laughing heartily, "That gal is so tight, hah, I like it!"
"Magis?" Suddenly a voice echoed. The middle-aged man’s motions froze, his body jolted, quickly turning towards the room. A man stood a few meters behind him, causing Magis’ face to turn ashen in shock. He instinctively wanted to flee, but already found himself gripped firmly by a large hand.