novelapdf 97. Hidden Line
97. Hidden Line
The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, but the martial arts arena of Seven Absolutes Manor was already filled with a tense atmosphere. After a careful assessment of the forces last night, Lin Mo knew that establishing an intelligence network was of paramount importance, especially to penetrate deep into the capital and plant his own eyes and ears in this dangerous place surrounded by wolves.
Fifty elite members stood in neat rows, carefully selected from various factions within the alliance and Lin Mo's original core group. These individuals shared common characteristics: agility, meticulousness, relatively clean backgrounds, and unwavering loyalty to the alliance and to Lin Mo. Among them were former scouts skilled in infiltration and espionage, retainers adept at disguise, and local gentry familiar with the various factions and powerful figures of the capital.
Lin Mo stood at the front of the line, his gaze slowly sweeping over each face. He didn't elaborate on the dangers of the mission; those who had chosen to stand here after last night's attack had already disregarded life and death.
"Gentlemen," Lin Mo's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, "Our journey to the capital is not for conquering cities and seizing territory, but to drive a nail into that dragon's den and tiger's lair, to open an eye for our alliance. Our enemy is hidden behind the high walls of the palace, holding power and able to mobilize thousands of troops at any time. Last night's attack was just the beginning."
He paused, then continued, "Your primary task is to remain hidden. Break into smaller groups, infiltrate the capital, and use any available identity as cover—trading merchant, porter, bartender, night watchman, or even a retainer or bodyguard in the household of a powerful figure. Forget your past identities and completely integrate into life in the capital."
"Secondly, it's about 'observation.' I don't expect you to immediately discover core secrets; that's unrealistic and too dangerous. The initial goal is to understand the basic structure of the capital, especially the possible activity areas and personnel movement patterns of the Imperial Guard and the Dark Flame Division, as well as the movements of the major princely residences and government offices. Pay attention to collecting rumors from the streets and anecdotes from officials; any clue may contain important information."
"Finally, it's about 'connectivity.' You are not fighting alone. After arriving in the capital, someone will meet you and provide initial accommodations and necessary funds. After that, you will need to rely on yourselves and, under careful circumstances, gradually establish our own contact points and information transmission channels. Remember, safety first. It's better to gain nothing than to be exposed."
After Lin Mo finished speaking, he nodded to Hong Jiu and Zhao Kun standing beside him. These two were his most capable assistants and would each be responsible for different aspects of the infiltration operation.
Hong Jiu stepped forward. He was burly and rugged, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp glint, revealing his inner strength. He was primarily responsible for grouping the personnel and arranging their routes. "As instructed by the Alliance Leader, the fifty people will be divided into ten groups of five, each with a designated group leader. Each group will have a different infiltration route, time, and disguised identity to minimize risk. Specific arrangements will be provided later by the group leaders who will receive their secret orders from me. Remember, from the moment you leave the manor, you must not contact each other unless absolutely necessary. Everything will be conducted through pre-arranged channels and codes."
Zhao Kun, on the other hand, was relatively thin and had a more somber demeanor. He was in charge of receiving and gathering intelligence. "Within the capital, we have already made initial arrangements. The manager of the 'Yuelai Inn' in the East Market and the owner of the 'Li's Silk Shop' in the West City are both trustworthy individuals. They will serve as your first-phase contact points. After that, how you develop your network and establish more stable strongholds will depend on your methods. All intelligence will be transmitted to Huishan Manor through encrypted channels, where I will handle the unified sorting and analysis."
With the arrangements finalized, Lin Mo said no more, simply stating in a deep voice, "Let's go!"
Fifty people clasped their hands in a salute, their eyes resolute. Then, led by their respective group leaders, they quietly left the training ground in batches, disappearing into the morning mist and heading towards the unknown and dangerous capital city.
Watching the last group disappear at the end of the mountain path, Lin Mo instructed Hong Jiu and Zhao Kun: "Hong Jiu, you are responsible for coordinating cover and supplies along the way to ensure their safe arrival at the outskirts of the capital. Zhao Kun, the intelligence center of the manor must be operational immediately to receive and process the first batch of information transmitted from the capital. At the same time, strengthen surveillance of suspicious personnel within our existing sphere of influence, especially along the canal route, to prevent further infiltration."
"Yes, Alliance Leader!" The two accepted the order and immediately turned to arrange the specific details.
Lin Mo returned to his study, which would become the core of the entire intelligence network. A huge, rough map of the capital was already hanging on the wall, with only some main streets and important buildings marked on it. Most areas were still blank, waiting for the infiltrators to fill in the details.
He stood before the map, his gaze deep and unfathomable. Sending out spies was only the first step; the real test lay in ensuring their survival and effective operation in the perilous capital. He recalled fragmented memories of intelligence work from his past life, as well as the vague notions of "secrecy" and "insight" conveyed by the spirit of the Taixu Ancient Sword. Gradually, a vague idea began to take shape in his mind.
"Perhaps we could try incorporating some basic concealment techniques, or techniques for blocking specific auras, into their training and operational guidelines..." Lin Mo mused. Against an opponent with specialized organizations like the Dark Flame Division and the Inner Guard, conventional infiltration methods might not be enough; something extraordinary was needed.
But that's all in the future. Right now, the seeds have been sown. Whether they can take root and sprout in the hard and complex soil of the capital remains to be seen and will depend on time and luck.
He summoned a trusted disciple and whispered, "Go and find all the books and travelogues in the library that describe the capital's customs, official system, folklore, and even architectural layout. Also, try to collect copies of the capital's official gazettes from recent years through passing merchant caravans, even if they are outdated."
He needed to learn as much as possible about the capital, even if it was just on paper, so that he could provide background support for his undercover agents in the capital and help them better understand and analyze the information they obtained.
After doing all this, Lin Mo finally breathed a sigh of relief, but the tension in his heart remained even tighter. This was a silent war, taking place in the shadows where the sunlight couldn't reach. The undercurrents in the capital were like pebbles thrown into a deep lake; how much ripples they would create, and whether they would sink without a trace, remained to be seen.
He walked to the window, gazing towards the capital, the center of the empire's power, and the place where a storm was brewing. His alliance, his revenge, his hope of rescuing his lover, and even the greater mysteries revealed by the Ancient Sword of the Void—the future would largely depend on whether these fifty men could make a breakthrough in this perilous place.
"I hope... everything goes smoothly," Lin Mo murmured to himself, his eyes filled with no hope, only a cold resolve. Whether things went well or not, he would continue down this path.