Chapter 28: Hidden Flower F20200222

That night, on the deep web of the island nation, a post in the bounty hunter section quickly went viral.

The so-called bounty hunters are the killers’ organization’s euphemistic self-designation in the island nation. There is a reason for this: the bounties posted on the deep web aren’t only for “ordinary people” like Xiao Kaitian, but also for drug lords and the most heinous criminals. In fact, such targets are even more common, and some missions are even issued by government organizations. Light and darkness coexist in the world; thus, they prefer to call themselves bounty hunters.

The information gaining popularity concerned the bounty F20200222. The poster vividly described the details of this mission.

---Bounty F20200222. What first drew my attention was the string of twos, which, along with the task itself, had a certain comedic air. Since I didn’t accept the mission, I can’t accurately judge the target’s information.

But from the IP tracing results, it’s very likely commissioned by people from HanTang. Judging from this, the target should also be a HanTang individual.

What’s intriguing is that the initial bounty placed for F20200222 was one hundred million yen—not particularly high. Analyzing the price, the target should be an ordinary person, perhaps with some status or special background.

The first to accept the mission was Red Carp. I imagine many have heard of Red Carp; by rights, there shouldn’t have been any problem. But oddly, less than forty-eight hours after accepting, Red Carp vanished entirely—even his profile in the bounty hunter records disappeared. What does this mean?

Either he’s dead or he fled.

Immediately, the price for F20200222 doubled, rising to two hundred million yen. At this point, Red Carp’s failure was certain. Next to accept was Six Leaves. It’s unclear which hunter Six Leaves sent, but according to my sources, Six Leaves’ Egret was robbed today and returned to Six Leaves in disgrace.

Egret is a D-level bounty hunter. From this, I deduce that Six Leaves sent Egret for the mission, only to be outmaneuvered.

If this is correct, then F20200222 is perhaps the most intelligence-misjudged mission in the bounty world.

The more I ponder, the more terrifying it seems! I have a hunch that F20200222 will become one of the most impossible missions of the year. Let this post stand as proof.---

The post went viral because of the competitive relationship among peers, and everyone took delight in it. Various comments quickly pushed the thread to the top.

---Sending hearts to Red Carp and Egret. Heart.jpg
---I saw this bounty a few days ago, thankfully didn’t foolishly accept.
---Red Carp is one thing, but Egret is Six Leaves’ backbone, and even he failed. This bounty isn’t worth the price at all.
---In my opinion, the target is probably protected by someone at martial artist level.
---The hunter got robbed by the prey—what a disgrace.
---Look at you assassins, always sneaking around, shameful! We martial artists always issue formal challenges and fight openly.
---Martial artist above, go back to your own section. Spare a thought for Red Carp and Egret.
---Calling this one of the year’s most impossible missions is a bit much.
---Six Leaves is still holding the bounty. Let’s see how they handle it next.

Red Carp, working overtime at his desk reviewing partnership proposals, turned green with envy. He might have canceled his bounty hunter license, but his deep web account remained. Seeing everyone “like and comfort” him, he felt an urge to smash his computer.

Egret, the other protagonist, closed his laptop with a cold face, packed his bag, and left with his puppet for distant lands. He wasn’t joking—Xiao Kaitian had said he would come to Six Leaves later, and staying there wasn’t waiting for death.

In a building in Higashikyo, the capital of the island nation, the sound of shattering porcelain echoed. On the thick carpet lay relics of the long Peach Mountain cultural heritage, now fragments thanks to the master’s fury. A middle-aged man wearing wide-rimmed glasses was roaring.

“Bring back all four guardians of Six Leaves!” He strode forward, loosened his suit collar, gulping air as if newly freed: “As for Egret, issue a pursuit order. If he dares to flee, kill him. And inform the people at Takao Mountain immediately, hope we can get their help.”

“Yes, yes!” His subordinate, sweating profusely, respectfully accepted the order.

“A mere useless scion of HanTang—I want to see just how arrogant he dares to be.” As he spoke, the middle-aged man gripped the armrest of the sofa tightly.

Xiao Kaitian had no idea about the gathering storm among the island nation’s various factions. He was in good spirits; the local environment was well-maintained, and after leisurely driving around, he returned to Ichimedou.

Sun Zhongyi’s business was mainly Chinese cuisine, and he also organized HanTang society activities in the Yokohama area. However, as society progressed, HanTang societies became less popular, especially under increasingly strict police surveillance. Compared to local organizations, Sun Zhongyi was at a disadvantage.

Xiao Kaitian keenly noticed this. Upon returning to Ichimedou, the first news he heard was that his sister, Jiang Churan, had already left for university. She was a graduate student at Meiji University, almost ready to graduate, her credits long completed. She decided, given Xiao Kaitian’s situation, to skip the graduation ceremony and apply to return to her homeland early.

“The young lady is truly devoted to the young master,” Uncle Zhong always said, tears in his eyes. “But as for the young master’s affairs, she said Miss Zhao would handle it first. She’s going back to prepare, but I don’t understand why.”

Xiao Kaitian nodded. Jiang Churan was rushing back to negotiate with Xiao Zhenglü ahead of him. He understood this affection and felt warmth in his heart. But Xiao Zhenglü was not someone to be dealt with in just a few words; he needed to be strong enough, or Jiang Churan might also be endangered.

Of course, he couldn’t say any of this aloud. His purpose in seeking out Sun Zhongyi was to ask for his men.

"Graduates from college or university, reliable people who can operate computers," Sun Zhongyi frowned upon hearing this request. He was a latecomer to the underworld; his men were fighters, not cultured types. He shook his head vigorously: “Young Master Xiao, this is a bit difficult.”

Xiao Kaitian frowned in turn. “Could you recruit from the international students? As long as they’re loyal and obedient, that’s enough.”

“Students are easy!” Sun Zhongyi smiled with relief, only fearing Xiao Kaitian would ask for "intellectual thugs," since his men were all brutes. “Loyal and reliable, I can provide. That’s no problem. I just don’t know what you need them for.”

“I have a transaction with the Ogiwara family,” Xiao Kaitian said, ignoring Sun Zhongyi’s astonishment. “We’re collaborating on a project. I want the core handled by our own people—what do you think?”

“Ogiwara family?” Sun Zhongyi’s expression froze immediately. Was it that Ogiwara family?