Xu Zhiwu also became animated. “If that’s truly the case, that’s wonderful.” With that, the two exchanged a glance, as if the second Golden Eye Silver Pearl had already been found. I had no idea what Xu Zhiwu was thinking; Niu Jiong was so obviously playing us for fools—didn’t he realize it? After some casual talk, noon arrived quickly.

Xu Zhiwu had originally intended to stay longer to probe Niu Jiong’s true intentions, but a life-or-death phone call ordered me back to Lhasa with all possible speed, lest I face prison and lawsuits. The call was from Old Li, and he sounded far from joking. I was greatly alarmed. I had requested leave from the hospital to be away; logically, nothing should have happened, let alone anything leading to jail time.

I tried to ask more, but Old Li wouldn't answer directly, only urging me repeatedly to return to Lhasa immediately. I instantly understood that he couldn't speak freely. This made the situation even graver; I dared not linger. I quickly grabbed Xu Zhiwu and bid farewell to Niu Jiong so we could head back.

Niu Jiong offered polite farewells, repeatedly stressing the matter of the Golden Eye Silver Pearl before finally letting us go. The entire journey back, I was restless, truly not knowing what awaited me upon return. Usually, for minor errors, the worst was a short stint in confinement; rarely did anyone joke about sending someone to prison. I racked my brain for what actions of mine could possibly warrant jail time, but Old Li wasn't the type to speak carelessly or make light of serious matters...

The more I thought, the more muddled I became. Seeing me consumed by worry and spiraling into dark thoughts, Xu Zhiwu tried to comfort me. “It’s fine, Xiao Luo. I still have some strong connections in the military.

If you truly run into something you can’t solve, just tell me, and as your older brother, I’ll certainly do everything in my power to help.” I managed a wry smile but didn't reply. Some issues could be smoothed over with connections and favors, but only if they were minor, without fundamental errors. The problem now was that I had no idea what I had done wrong to escalate to the point of facing prison food. Xu Zhiwu pushed the vehicle to its limit on the way to Lhasa, while I was extremely anxious.

Several times, I called people at the communications station to ask about the situation, including Xiao Zhou, but everyone spoke evasively, refusing to give a straight answer. When I called Old Li again, he was similarly vague. Their behavior only drove me madder, pushing me to the brink of collapse: Was the matter truly so severe? I, Luo, might not be a saint, but I’ve always been upright—never flirting around, never breaking the law...

Finally arriving back in Lhasa, I headed straight for the General Military Hospital to find Old Li. Old Li was sitting in the ward, staring blankly. The moment he saw me, he looked immensely relieved. “Thank heavens, you’re finally back.” I had no time for pleasantries and immediately demanded to know what was going on, asking why even Xiao Zhou and the others were beating around the bush on the phone.

Old Li glanced around cautiously to ensure no one was listening, then lowered his voice. “It’s the Japanese causing trouble.” “The Japanese?” I blinked. “What business do I have with Japan?” What Old Li said next made me want to jump off a building—no, before jumping, I’d have to tear Yamamoto and his gang to shreds to quell the rage in my heart. He said Yamamoto’s group had disappeared, and one of their members, injured by a zombie attack in a cave on Qiangba Mountain, had fled back to Japan.

Then, they waited and waited, but heard nothing from Yamamoto’s party. Their cell phones and telegraphs were utterly silent. After that, this injured man reported them as missing, claiming he had personally seen Yamamoto’s entire group with me, someone from that military region. The problem now was that I had emerged alive and well, while Yamamoto and the others were gone.

I was the most likely suspect, given that Yamamoto had tried to harm me repeatedly; I certainly had the reason and motive to eliminate him. Now, the Japanese were using diplomatic channels to contact senior figures in the military region, specifically demanding an explanation from me. Hearing this, blue veins bulged on my face, and my teeth ground together audibly. “Based on his single statement, they want to jail me?” “No, that’s not quite right,” Old Li said quickly, seeing my temper flare.

“The higher-ups need you to give an account. The main issue is that this has already escalated to the level of bilateral relations, so... Don't get upset yet. We need to discuss how to unify our story first.

Otherwise, I fear you’ll suffer a great loss.” It turned out the military region had already sent people to question Old Li. Old Li explained that he and I had gone searching for the missing Japanese, and in an underground cavern, we found Yamamoto. But there, we encountered a strong undercurrent, forcing us to look out for ourselves, so we had no idea where the Japanese went afterward. Old Li’s version wasn't wrong, as we had kept the fact that we entered the Shengtai Tomb secret from outsiders.

Everyone knew we encountered the Faceless, but they didn't know about the other complications. Even so, I remained deeply concerned. What if, in order to preserve diplomatic relations, a minor character like me was sacrificed? Such things had happened before.

As I fretted, Xu Zhiwu called. I had almost forgotten he existed in my gloom. “Xiao Luo, are you alright? Is there anything I can do to help?” His voice carried a note of concern over the phone.

I shook my head and sighed. “I’m fine, I’m fine...” Xu Zhiwu sensed something was off in my voice and quickly asked, “What’s really wrong? Your voice sounds different.” I couldn't speak carelessly about these matters, so I offered a weak laugh. “Nothing, really...

Why don’t you look around Lhasa more? You might make some unexpected discoveries... Uh... I’m sorry, I’ll take you sightseeing again when I have time...

I have some things to deal with right now... I’ll contact you another day... Okay... Goodbye.” After hanging up on Xu Zhiwu, I looked to Old Li for help, completely unsure of what to do next.

Xu Zhiwu had mentioned on the phone that he had a close buddy who was a very influential person in our military region, but... his performance with Niu Jiong didn't inspire much hope. He believed Niu Jiong’s pretty words instantly and engaged in serious haggling with him—to put it bluntly, I doubted his intelligence. Old Li looked helpless.

“Technician Luo, I’ve never handled a matter that rose to the level of international diplomacy. To be honest, I’m completely baffled too.” So was I, but... what good was being baffled? I still had to give an account.

If something happened to an international guest while in my custody, writing a self-criticism wouldn't solve that crime. Forget it. Lingering in the hospital with Old Li wouldn't yield any useful results. Whatever I had to do back at the military region, I would do.

I just needed to stick to the story that when I was swept out of the cave by the undercurrent, I still saw Yamamoto and Takeye alive. As for anything else, I wasn't a god; how could I know? Besides, him reporting them missing didn’t prove I had murdered and dismembered Yamamoto. He had no evidence either, did he?

Thinking this way, I felt slightly better, and my complexion improved a little. I discussed with Old Li and decided to return quickly to confess proactively to the organization. Old Li repeatedly warned me to memorize his version of events; if our testimonies didn't match, both of us would suffer. I naturally understood the stakes.

I repeated his exact words back to him, and only then did he let me leave with relief. Stepping out of the main gate of the General Military Hospital, I saw the gaudy, colorful storefronts lining the street. A sudden, inexplicable sorrow washed over me. These ordinary, somewhat vulgar signs of lively daily life felt impossibly distant, as if I were an alien from Mars—my life had no daily necessities; apart from a string of bizarre, dangerous incidents and the constant worry of job transfers, there was absolutely no scent of normal existence.

Perhaps this was why I was always unhappy—staying in the military, separated from secular life, missing out on the simple joys of ordinary people. I envied the old woman in a small shop by the roadside, loudly haggling with the proprietor over a single mao... Forget it. For me, that was an impossibility.

I stood there lost in thought for a while, sighed, and hailed a cab to return to the military district. The taxi driver, seeing my uniform, struck up a conversation filled with admiration and envy. He had no idea that I would rather be a common laborer like him, working hard daily for a living, moved to tears by tiny joys. But alas...

Forget it. I still had this unresolved issue; here I was indulging in melancholic sentimentality. The car had barely reached South Minzu Road when my phone rang—an unfamiliar number. I answered politely, and the voice on the other end immediately said, “Is this Luo Lian?

Stay exactly where you are in the hospital; do not go anywhere... You ask who I am? I am the Chief of Staff’s secretary... The Chief has ordered you to remain at the General Hospital.

We will have the relevant documents sent to you there. That is all.” Before I could even process it, the line went dead, crisp and efficient. “Go back... back to the General Hospital.” My first instinct was to tell the driver to turn around, then I called my company commander to ask what was happening.

He repeated the secretary’s instructions to me, emphasizing that I must hurry back to the hospital to wait, as the Chief had another important order for me. I had just finished with the company commander when Xu Zhiwu’s call came through again. The moment I answered, he shouted in my ear, “Xiao Luo, Xiao Luo, listen to me, stay put at the hospital, don’t go anywhere! I’m coming to find you right now.” How strange.

The military region’s top brass ordered me to stay in the hospital, and Xu Zhiwu was joining the excitement. But I was too worn out to question why; I’d be at the General Hospital anyway, so if he wanted to come, let him. Minutes later, I was back in Old Li’s ward. He showed no surprise at seeing me return, instead smiling broadly and pointing to an empty bed beside his own.

“I’ve already saved a bed for you. Just settle in comfortably.” “What in the world is going on?” I was completely bewildered, unable to fathom any explanation. Old Li feigned innocence. “I don’t know...

But perhaps someone saw how handsome you are and wants to recruit you as a son-in-law.” “Get lost!” I hadn't resolved my main problem yet, let alone having the mood for jokes. “Old Li, seriously, help me analyze this. Why the sudden shift from suggesting I go to jail to ordering me to stay put in the hospital?”