Chapter 260: Intelligence

Zhang Wenda followed Tan Yougen's finger to the paper covered in numbers. "This is the clue to the existence of 1999."

After learning about 1999, Zhang Wenda's worldview had been completely upended. He'd been right all along—no matter how bizarre the world was, it had to have its own internal logic.

He just never would have guessed the world was actually like this.

Tan Yougen continued his explanation. "It's been a full twenty-six years since the ideological shift began. Our efforts and persistence haven't been in vain. We can finally confirm that 1999 is real, not just some madman's hypothesis."

Zhang Wenda stared intently at the paper. He couldn't make any sense of the various, completely disconnected numbers, but remembering that some of this information had come through Tan Yougen, he immediately guessed, "What's recorded here? Is the existence of 1999 related to the Big Circle?"

"No, not the Big Circle, but the external forces behind them. You should know that the Big Circle was only able to expand so quickly because someone was helping them, right?" The one who spoke was not Tan Yougen, but Ouyang Shuangdian.

Zhang Wenda glanced sideways at her. "I know that. Keep talking."

"Intelligence from Haiyan and Blue Whale confirms that they know the exact location of 1999. In fact, we have a bold theory: the reason they're powerful enough to assist the Big Circle from overseas is that they are very likely drawing on the power of 1999."

"Then who are they?" Zhang Wenda's breathing grew heavy.

"Europe."

"Which country?"

Ouyang Shuangdian then gave an unexpected answer. "Not a country. It's a group of Lizard People entrenched within the Nazis, the Ottoman Empire, and even Rome."

At this, a trace of disgust entered her voice. "A very strange parasitic race. They're revolting."

"They are masters of disguise, able to change their appearance to infiltrate nations, where they parasitize and seize control. We don't even know for sure how many national leaders they've quietly replaced."

"What we know now is that this race is extremely greedy. They excel at disguise and manipulating public opinion, and they'll silently replace an entire leadership structure with their own kind over time."

"Our international department had some dealings with them in the past, but we never imagined they knew about the existence of 1999."

Zhang Wenda didn't ask any more questions, silently digesting the information.

After a moment, he looked up again. "So what's your plan? Declare all-out war on these Lizard People, or send someone undercover to gather intel?"

This time, neither Tan Yougen nor Ouyang Shuangdian spoke.

"Are you on Bureau 507's advisory board? Are you part of the Third Line's General Staff?" the old woman said, turning to him in annoyance. "Kid, is this any of your business?"

Hearing this, Zhang Wenda's anger flared. "Fuck, who the hell are you? Old lady, you're toothless, yet your mouth is still that foul?"

The old woman was stunned. It had been years since anyone had dared to curse her to her face like that. She never expected the kid in front of her to be so brazen.

Shaking with rage, she raised a trembling finger to point at him, but Tan Yougen stopped her, signaling that he would speak first.

"I've already answered your first question. Our deal is concluded. As for this next question, it's above your clearance level."

"Besides, you've seen for yourself—even if you know about 1999, what difference does it make? For you personally, it brings you nothing but more worries."

"I disagree. Even if this has nothing to do with me, at least I won't be living completely in the dark. Especially when it comes to your credibility."

"Frankly, if it were anyone else, I wouldn't have bothered explaining at all. You probably have no idea how much preferential treatment you're receiving."

As soon as Tan Yougen finished speaking, the heavy doors swung open. The message was clear: it was time to leave.

"You're a member of a combat unit. Your mission is to receive orders and carry them out. Nothing else concerns you. If every screw in a machine had a mind of its own, the machine wouldn't work."

But Zhang Wenda showed no intention of leaving. "What if one of the screws in the machine is rusted? Are you going to do something about it?"

'Since I'm done asking questions, it's time to ask for some perks. If I can get Old Tan to speak up for me, it'll be much easier when I have to deal with other people.'

'There was more of that redness inside him. It was always best to get things for free if you could.'

However, Tan Yougen's reply was unexpected. "We don't. We generally prefer to remove the rusted screw, throw it out, and replace it with a new one."

"Heh..." Zhang Wenda let out a low chuckle and turned as if to walk toward the door. But in the next instant, he vanished.

When Zhang Wenda reappeared, he was right beside Tan Yougen. As the older man stared in shock, Zhang Wenda clenched his fist and swung it with all his might at his silver head.

In an instant, three red laser beams crossed into a net, blocking Zhang Wenda's fist. Immediately after, a combat squad leaped out from the shadow of each of the three elders.

Zhang Wenda swiftly retreated through a hail of gunfire, reaching the office doorway. Reining in his emotions, he said, "Sorry, sorry. Something went wrong with my head while I was deployed. I just lost control for a second."

Only then did Tan Yougen feel a sting on his face. When he touched his cheek, he found an incredibly sharp cut. As the wound slowly gaped open, a voice spoke a single word from within: "Dumbass."

"Do you think it's a trivial matter to make your superior resent you? Aren't you afraid I'll make things difficult for you?" A trace of anger had crept into Tan Yougen's voice.

"Damn it, when have things *not* been difficult for me since I joined Bureau 507? Besides, I already told you, it wasn't on purpose! I can't control it right now. I've got a problem up here," Zhang Wenda said, pointing to his head. "You're a man of your stature. Are you really going to stoop to the level of a lunatic?"

After speaking, Zhang Wenda scanned everyone in the room one last time, then turned and walked out.

Facing Old Tan's secretary, who was glaring at him from the doorway, Zhang Wenda said brazenly, "Don't touch me. I'm crazy now. Do you know it's not a crime if I kill someone?"

Just then, Tan Yougen's voice came from behind him. "Do you know why everyone—enemies and allies alike—is willing to make deals with me? Because I always keep my word."

"Alright. If you say so, I'll believe you."

After Zhang Wenda had gone, the old woman, her face twisted with rage, snapped, "Who is that kid? How can he be so ill-mannered?"

"Old Zhang's grandson."

"Tsk, tsk. No wonder."