Romance of Dragons and Snakes

Chapter 130: National Arhat!

“Is that not the same difference between the Military Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics? The both of them are intelligence agencies, but the two of them combined creates a contradiction. Fighting for credit, the two will keep each other in check without making one another any more powerful. But what might commissar Yang be getting at with his words?”

Hearing commissar Yang’s zany explanation, Wang Chao immediately thought back to an older society. His mouth moved, but no words came out.

Commissar Yang gave Wang Chao a look before speaking, “No matter what we do, we can’t seem to get the mouth of the American spy open. However, the two monks we have successfully pieced together. They were tricked and really aren’t working with the American spy networks. Furthermore, this seems to be a covert spy war, so it cannot be discussed openly and must maintain a low profile.”

“Do whatever you want then, I have no opinions. Follow whatever the organization wants.”

Wang Chao’s facial expression had been of the utmost calm, but in his heart he had muttered to himself, “From what he’s saying, it seems that he’s prepared to turn a mountain into a molehill? Is he not prepared to make things difficult with Yong Bao, or is he afraid of causing trouble with the Shaolin Temple? It seems that there’s some snags with the organization. I better not get involved so as to avoid lighting myself on fire.”

“No.” The commissar shook his head. “The organization wishes to inquire with you how to deal with the warrior monk Yong Bao. After all, he sold out his own country for profit and is an accomplice for the spy of an outsider.”

Wang Chao’s eyebrows narrowed together, “Commissar Yang, whatever it is if you want, then open the window and let the wind in. Don’t beat around the bush.”

“Fine then!” The commissar sighed. “The Shaolin Temple has many intertwined connections and an equally strong networking net. Our plan is to deal with this matter quietly and hand over Yong Bao for the Ministry of State Security to deal with.”

“The crime Yong Bao committed isn’t a minor one. To speak as a whole, he has gone with the foreigners and threatened our national security. If we are to deal with them, then we would have him eat lead and execute him by firing squad. Even if we didn’t execute him, then at the very least, he would be locked up in prison for life without parole or political asylum. After that, the organization would have to investigate the entire Shaolin Temple.”

Commissar began to think of imaginary charges against Yong Bao before changing the subject, “But Yong Bao is a warrior monk of the Shaolin Temple. As an elder, he has very deep connections. If we act as such, then there’ll be an internal contradiction.”

Wang Chao nodded his head in understanding.

“The Ministry of State Security has figures from the Shaolin Temple. If we hand him over to them, wouldn’t the judgement be lighter. After all, this is a private judgement, not a public one. As long as everyone comes to an agreement, that’ll be fine. But, what does this have to do with me? Hasn’t the organization met a decision?”

Wang Chao knew that there was some sort of secret in here. Otherwise commissar Yang would have followed his own plans without explaining anything.

“The situation is like so.”

Commissar Yang took out a cigarette from his pocket and gave two puffs after lighting it up. “There is some friction between the Ministry of State Security and us, Just this year, our two departments have teamed up for several missions. But because of conflicting interests between our members, some damage happened. And in the most recent comprehensive competition of strength, our members were injured as a result. Despite our conflicting views being quite small, it isn’t something that can disappear with a single breath.”

“This time, we’ve already notified the Shaolin Temple and they responded almost instantaneously. They wish for us to drop Yong Bao off at the doors of the Ministry of State Security for an investigation. Our only complaint is, while we are fine with handing him over, we don’t wish for him to be handed over with little to no punishment. We wish to kill of their influence! We want them to fight for it until their faces are gray with grime and all face has been lost!”

“Then this influence is for me to kill off?” Wang Chao was quite curious now.

“Yes, after all, Yong Bao has caused no small trouble for you! Without any justifications, he had tried to abduct you. With our anger, we wish to investigate the Shaolin Temple thoroughly through Yong Bao!” The commissar began to laugh before exhaling several clouds of smoke.

“Wait until tomorrow, you’ll play the part of the bad cop. Make it hard for them on purpose and then propose a competition. Then knock them down a peg! With this much, my leaders and I will fully support you with all our determination.”

“So it’s like that. For the sake of this contradiction, you wish for me to be the bad cop.”

Wang Chao had finally understood what commissar Yang was getting at. “Feels like I am to carry out a mission against the Ministry of State Security. They wish for me to win back the face they lost from the comprehensive competition of strength given the chance.”

“Not to say I am trying to convince you, but you are an important leader in our department! We must work for a collective win!” Commissar Yang spoke up in a hurry before sighing. “Actually, the other department is quite arrogant in general. So this time, since you are the master of martial arts, it would be a good time for you to step forth.”

“That matters not. Curbing their power, that is something I can do. Indeed, Yong Bao and Yong He have both caused me a tremendous amount of trouble. If they were to so easily walk free, then how would our reputation not fall?”

Wang Chao nodded.

“You shouldn’t drop your guard!” Lin Yanan suddenly spoke up from the side.

“What? Is the person coming tomorrow an expert?’

“I don’t understand a fight between martial artists. Lin Yanan, you explain to lieutenant commander Wang.” Commissar Yang nodded to Lin Yanan.

“The person the Ministry of State Security has invited is a first-rate professional and one of the best. Duan Guochao is a 26 year old that has trained at Mt. Taishi since young and learned the way of Shaolin from the monks. Later on, he went to the northern school of Shaolin in Fujian to learn. By the time he was 22 years old, he had already many accomplishments with his martial arts, and he had learned both the northern and southern fists of Shaolin. He is the number one disciple of Shaolin, and his level of skill is far beyond that of Yong Bao or Yong He. Originally, the abbott had wanted him to remain in Mt. Taishi to keep up the front by teaching martial arts, but the country had received him instead. Sent on many missions for our nation, he has never lost, not even once. Just last year, his secret mission was to exchange fists with the Japanese expert of Kendo, Iga Eiyu, resulting in a tie. According to our analysis, he is no less than Chen Aiyang in skill.” Lin Yanan stressed.

“There’s such a genius like that?” Wang Chao spoke with amazement at Duan Guochao’s history.

“There are many geniuses. Within our country of 1.3 billion, how could there not be any geniuses?” Commissar Yang spoke before allowing Lin Yanan to continue explaining.

“That other Japanese youth, Ye Xuan, was a genius of martial arts as well. Unfortunately, he was killed by you. If he lived for several more years, then the situation would have been quite different. After all, he was 19 when you killed him.” Lin Yanan smiled at Wang Chao before saying, “It’d be best if you didn’t underestimate this Duan Guochao. As an elite member of the Ministry of State Security, do you think he isn’t of a high quality level? Duan Guochao is called the strongest of his generation within the Ministry of State Security.”

“Indeed, if our country took notice of him, then he is an amazing person. Otherwise, our country would be incompetent.”

In his heart, Wang Chao thought, “No wonder Chen Bin said it was easy to practice as a Yamen It seems that there are many hidden talents within the Yamen. Iga Eiyu is the younger brother of Iga Minamoto, the strongest practitioner in Japan. His brother will most definitely be just as strong. However, it’s no wonder I have never heard of Duan Guochao in the Jianghu. He was already a hidden character within the government. It seems in this world with all these crouching tigers and hidden dragons, even with a perfected level of martial arts, I cannot let down my guard.”

“Whether it is amongst the people or the government, there are experts hidden all throughout. It is best to remain hidden. The moment Ye Xuan stepped out onto the world, he was killed by me. Unfortunately, I have no choice but to make myself known.” Wang Chao sighed with sorrow.

The both of them lent their strength for their country, but while Duan Guochao was unknown in the Jianghu, Wang Chao’s name was like a thunderclap. There was a black and white contrast between the two, a scenario that had caused Wang Chao to be filled with regrets.

Becoming known wasn’t necessarily a good thing, and not being known wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“Duan Guochao isn’t a figure that is known within the Southeast Asia world of martial arts, but within our community, his nickname is quite famous. Even America, the European Union, Japan, Russia, and the spies of any other country will have heard of him. It isn’t as low as your own name in the Jianghu. If you don’t believe me, then you can mention his nickname to the American spy, I guarantee that she’ll know once mentioned.” Lin Yanan spoke. “Your reputation is within the world of martial arts, but his reputation is within the circle of special agents–two different worlds.”

Wang Chao nodded his head, “Different trades, but worlds apart. That much I understand. What is his nickname?”

Lin Yanan mouth moved to say two words: “National Arhat.”

“National Arhat? A bold and powerful codename. An arhat was one who suppressed their inner demons in Buddhism and walked further down the path of Enlightenment. Duan Guochao’s career is of a man who came from the Shaolin Temple. The higher his martial arts has gone, the more he has contributed to our country. But these two words of ‘National Arhat’, how powerful….”

When he heard his codename, Wang Chao really did think of an expert from the Shaolin Temple who was also the elite member of the Ministry of State Security. Most importantly, his opponent wasn’t even 30 years old yet, meaning he was still considered a youth. Being so accomplished at such an age was quite curious to Wang Chao.

“Good! Then wait for him to come and we’ll see just what skill the National Arhat has.”

“Good!” Commissar Yang slapped the table, “Our department is a newly found organization, so everything is up to you. The power that our organization has put into you, you absolutely cannot lose it. This time, you must curb their power!”

With that, he stood up and spoke out suddenly, “Ah, that American spy wants to see you. Go and take a trip, see if you can fish anything out from her.”