Extraordinary Realm from Persuasion System

”An overt plot???”

When Kang suddenly voiced a sentence completely unrelated to their conversation, Charles and Old Zam were both stunned. ”What?”

One was a retired veteran, all brawn; the other, engrossed daily in research, had his mind solely on science. Devious scheming wasn’t exactly their forte. Thus, when they abruptly heard Kang say this, for a moment, they couldn’t quite wrap their heads around what was happening.

Kang understood his two colleagues’ situation, so he didn’t bother with roundabout explanations and said directly, ”Yes, an overt plot. While it may seem like Zhang Beixing is just scoffing at those Black Ghosts, that’s not the reality. He’s using these Black Ghosts to draw the attention of the Ancient Roman authorities. That way, neither we, nor those gangsters and Black Ghosts, can brazenly oppose Zhang Beixing or openly move against him!”

”This... Is that really the situation? The Great Xia people are truly cunning! So, what do we do now? Are we just going to watch him and do nothing?”

Kang nodded. ”It appears to be the case for now.”

”But we don’t need to worry too much, even though he isn’t playing by the rules, has disrupted our plans, and exceeded our expectations.”

”But let’s not forget, Zhang Beixing has come to Ancient Rome this time to rescue those three Martial Artists.”

”As long as we have those three Martial Artists in our grasp, it’s only a matter of time before he comes looking for them.”

”And once he makes a move, it’ll be futile even if he’s currently being watched by three parties. We can still act against him because he’ll be the one who broke the rules first.”

”Right now, we just need to observe and wait for the right moment.”

Hearing Kang’s analysis, Old Zam and Charles understood the situation and didn’t say anything further. After all, the matter was just as Kang had said: they only needed to wait for Zhang Beixing to come to them. If that was the case, why waste so much effort?

During the time Kang, Old Zam, and Charles were talking, Zhang Beixing and his companions collected their luggage at the airport. Then, under the protection of the Great Xia embassy, the Rome police, and Interpol, they left the airport.

On the way, Zhang Beixing’s classmates were very excited, snapping photos constantly and sending them to friends and family to show off.

Seeing them like this, Zhang Beixing smiled faintly and didn’t say much. He only inconspicuously moved to the back of the group, looked at Interpol Officer Zhou Zhenghua, and asked, ”Officer Zhou, I heard you’re currently investigating the disappearance of our country’s three Martial Artists within Roman territory. Do you have any leads or clues yet?”

Hearing Zhang Beixing’s words, Zhou Zhenghua’s brows furrowed slightly as he asked warily, ”Yes, we are indeed investigating that matter. What are you planning to do?”

”Don’t be so tense. I’m just curious about this matter. Do you smoke?” Zhang Beixing said with a chuckle, casually pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offering one.

Seeing this, Zhou Zhenghua initially wanted to refuse. But in the end, for reasons unknown, he swallowed his words. He took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit it.

Seeing Zhou Zhenghua do this, Zhang Beixing also took out a cigarette and put it between his lips. Zhou Zhenghua then moved the flame to light Zhang Beixing’s cigarette.

Both men then puffed away, neither in any hurry to speak, merely gradually slowing their pace until, after a moment, they had put some distance between themselves and the people ahead.

Suddenly, Zhou Zhenghua said, ”Mr. Zhang, it’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but it would be inappropriate to discuss it with you.”

”This is an Interpol case. You’re neither a member of Interpol nor an official from Great Xia. Telling you would be breaking protocol.”

”We can handle this matter. There’s no need for you to get involved.”

”Oh, is that so?” Zhang Beixing raised an eyebrow, turned to look at Zhou Zhenghua, an inexplicable smile on his face.

He didn’t believe a single word of it. If Zhou Zhenghua truly hadn’t wanted to discuss the matter, he would have politely declined the cigarette. But Zhou Zhenghua hadn’t. He had accepted the cigarette, slowed his pace, and spoken these words. Even a child could see what he was implying.

But glancing at the intermittently flashing red light of the law enforcement recorder on Zhou Zhenghua’s chest, Zhang Beixing still didn’t expose the charade.

He simply sighed. ”That’s really a pity. An incident like this is taken very seriously by the Asian Martial Arts Association. I had hoped that on this trip, I could represent the Association and work with you, Officer Zhou, to crack this case and rescue our three missing Great Xia Martial Artists. It seems that won’t be possible now.”

”Yes, it’s truly regrettable! Please understand my position,” Zhou Zhenghua replied, sighing in agreement with Zhang Beixing’s words.

But the next second, his tone shifted. ”Speaking of which, Mr. Zhang, that tweet you posted after getting off the plane was incredibly bold. I reckon it will enrage many of the local black people, a lot of whom have gang backgrounds. You’ll need to be extra cautious, especially with the Brotherhood, Heat, and Gladiator gangs—they’re not to be trifled with in Rome!”