Chapter 125: A Strategy Within a Strategy

Kyoto, a world-famous bustling city, had an architectural style completely different from that of China.

Although there were high-rises, once the snow began to fall, the streets and alleys took on an entirely different appearance.

From the second-story window, a gentle breeze blew outside, but it carried little cold.

What relaxed the mind most were the snowflakes drifting through the air. As the world donned a silver cloak, it seemed to cleanse all filth in its path.

If Ji Li weren’t weighed down by so many responsibilities, he would have been experiencing the calmest moment of his life.

He gazed at the snowy scene, lost in thought, unwilling to speak—until Kondo Sei’s question pulled him back to reality.

“Not taking the mission? Won’t that get you killed?”

Cui Yanqing’s face showed exaggerated disbelief, unable to accept Ji Li’s words.

Kondo Sei still didn’t fully understand, feeling she couldn’t keep up with everyone else’s thinking.

Chi Rou, feeling better after a cup of hot tea, explained to Sei:

“We cannot disobey any orders from the hotel. Otherwise, the revived ghost fire within us will inevitably kill us without mercy…”

She looked at the shocked Sei and continued, “Originally, you weren’t supposed to come on this mission. But the previous newcomer failed to register their email in time and was punished to death. That’s why you entered the hotel at that moment.”

Sei’s arrival had been predestined, albeit in such a terrifying way.

Mei Sheng’s gaze never left Ji Li’s side profile, her black eyes unwavering.

Gradually, a glimmer of understanding appeared in her expression.

Ji Li’s plan was simple.

At first, he believed the Seventh Branch had reached Kyoto before the Fourth Branch and aimed to seize the initiative.

Now, knowing the Fourth Branch had arrived faster, continuing the previous approach would only result in repeated mistakes—and possibly falling into an ambush.

Their Seventh Branch had no advantage.

If there was anything they could exploit, it was the element of mystery.

The Seventh Branch had never reached two-star level, nor participated in a joint operation; this was their first time.

Ji Li could only leverage that sense of enigma. The longer they maintained it, the more hesitant the Fourth Branch would be to act rashly.

When Ji Li mentioned not taking the mission, he meant only delaying.

He wanted the Fourth Branch to take the task first, while he and his team secretly handled it later, keeping their movements unknown.

After all, the mission only specified waiting near Sunset Bridge. The exact location wasn’t defined.

The instructions would reach them by midnight through another method, with no restrictions.

“So stay farther away, even farther. The mission’s vague, so we can remain vague too.”

Ji Li lit another cigarette, eyes on the snow outside, speaking both to the others and to himself.

By now, Fang Shenyan had assessed the Fourth Branch’s general situation.

Ji Li knew the numbers: seven versus five, but the gap in Sin Artifacts was far greater.

Since the mission specified only one ghost, Ji Li’s current focus was how to redirect its attacks toward the Fourth Branch.

Knock… knock… knock…

As the room fell into tense silence, a dull knock echoed on the door.

Kondo Sei tensed and hurried to open it.

Fang Shenyan’s expressionless face appeared, shaking the snow off his umbrella as he stepped into the cramped room.

The wet soles of his shoes creaked against the wooden floor, making Sei wince slightly.

“Everyone’s here. Time to talk.”

Ji Li finally stood from the window and moved to the center of the room.

The seven staff members gathered, all listening intently to the latest intelligence Fang Shenyan brought.

He summarized the Fourth Branch’s situation and the bodies in the airplane cabin, withholding details about his own Sin Artifact.

He had no intention of revealing all his cards; only Ji Li needed to know the special abilities of the Ghost Eye.

Perhaps it would serve a remarkable purpose in future confrontations.

“So that means we still have a numerical advantage!” Chi Rou said happily, the only good news she’d heard in quite some time.

But Cui Yanqing immediately poured cold water on it. “Only five of us, yet we have no fewer than four Sin Artifacts. That already makes up the difference.”

Kondo Sei muttered something in Japanese to herself, talking quietly.

Gao Liangping stayed silent as usual.

Mei Sheng sat beside Ji Li, her gaze fixed out the window as if completely detached.

“There’s still plenty of time before the mission officially begins.

This deceased man, Takayama Seisho, is the first victim of this mission. He’s likely a key breakthrough.

We need to investigate him!”

Ji Li glanced at his watch and outlined the next step.

Cui Yanqing, however, looked unconvinced. “Boss, Teacher Fang didn’t hide the traces of his eavesdropping. With Xue Tinghai’s abilities, he would have noticed.

Tomiko already started investigating. Shouldn’t we wait until tomorrow and avoid drawing their attention?”

Ji Li gave Cui Yanqing a meaningful look. If this man weren’t so hypocritical, his abilities and intelligence could be invaluable… but he was not.

Ji Li didn’t elaborate, instead countering: “The Fourth Branch advocates cutting the grass to the roots. If we let them act first, all they’ll leave us with is dead bodies to cover up.

So we must act tonight.”

Mei Sheng, who had remained silent, frowned. “But going head-on now, we’re at a disadvantage.”

“Exactly. That’s why, before investigating Takayama Seisho, we must do one thing.”

“What thing?”

“Report Xue Tinghai and the others to the Japanese police so they dare not act recklessly tonight.

We can even have the police block Sunset Bridge at midnight the day after tomorrow, arresting all living members of the Fourth Branch.”

Hisssss…

Everyone shivered at Ji Li’s plan.

But thinking it through, it made sense.

Xue Tinghai’s group had been far too conspicuous at the airport, acting as if possessing Sin Artifacts made them untouchable.

Even though they were on a mission, this was still the real world.

The Japanese police might already be on their trail, but arresting a few unnamed foreigners would be no easy task.

If Ji Li made an anonymous call exposing Xue Tinghai’s personal information, the threat of law enforcement would restrain them, giving Ji Li the initiative.

The plan was ruthless; in an ideal scenario, it could even lead to the entire Fourth Branch being removed before the mission officially began.

That way, they would be forced to leave the mission site on schedule and be killed without recourse.

No Sin Artifact would matter.

Though the two branches hadn’t yet met or fought, the hidden battle had begun.

Ji Li understood it wouldn’t be so simple.

If Xue Tinghai could be neutralized so easily, he wouldn’t be a true opponent.

The point of this plan wasn’t to eliminate them, but to use the police as a constraint, preventing Xue Tinghai from getting Takayama Seisho’s clue first.

After all, Ji Li had no Sin Artifacts; he relied on these people to counter the ghosts.

Fang Shenyan, however, frowned, glancing into Ji Li’s deep eyes. He retracted his gaze meaningfully, saying nothing.