Upon hearing Ning Zhiheng's words, Dai Daguang remained silent for a long time before finally uttering a few words: "What does Commander Ning mean?"

Ning Zhiheng smiled slightly and said, "I can give your wife and children some money and then escort them to a location you specify, guaranteeing that no one will know their whereabouts. What do you think?"

"Thank you, Commander Ning! Thank you, Commander Ning!" Dai Daguang's eyes lit up with hope. "As long as you, Commander Ning, have shown me such great kindness, I, Dai Daguang, will be your servant in my next life, repaying your kindness with my life!"

Ning Zhiheng's face immediately darkened, and he said viciously, "Dai Daguang, is this how you try to fob me off? Do you think I'm a three-year-old? You're a money-grubbing bastard!"

Dai Daguang was well aware of Ning Zhiheng's intentions, but the backup plan he had prepared was for his wife and children in case of emergency.

But if they don't confess now, I'm afraid that the mother and son won't even live to see the day they need the money. They'll be devoured by their enemies and the wolves who covet their wealth, leaving not even bones behind!

After much deliberation, he finally spoke up, saying, "Commander Ning, as long as you can guarantee the safety of my wife and children, I am willing to give you a huge sum of money that I have hidden. It will definitely satisfy you!"

Hearing this, Ning Zhiheng's expression softened, and he asked, "Where is this money?"

“No. 12, Heye Lane, Youshang Street, Beicheng,” Dai Daguang uttered with difficulty, “My lame cousin lives there and helps me look after the house!”

"Where exactly is it hidden?" Ning Zhiheng pressed.

"The second room from the very back has a big lock on it, and the key is inside the clothes I was wearing when I was brought in."

"There are two large safes in the room! Inside are some valuables I've accumulated over the years; they're all yours," Dai Daguang replied. "You must keep your word!"

"The combination to the safe?" Ning Zhiheng didn't answer his question, but asked directly.

Dai Daguang reluctantly revealed two strings of code. He had no way of guaranteeing whether Ning Zhiheng would really send his wife and children away, but he had no choice but to pray that this Commander Ning would keep his word, as this was the only way for him and his mother to survive!

Ning Zhiheng wrote down the password, then asked, "Where do you want to send your wife and children?"

“Jiangsu, my wife’s hometown!” Dai Daguang said, then gave a specific address. Ning Zhiheng picked up a pen and paper from the table and wrote it down.

After everything was arranged, Ning Zhiheng said unhurriedly, "Do you know who begged me to spare the lives of your wife and children?"

Dai Daguang shook his head blankly.

"It's Zuo Gang. His life is still in my hands, yet he pleaded for you. I didn't agree, but he then pleaded for your wife and children. You're not mistaken about this person... I hope I'm not mistaken either!"

Upon hearing Ning Zhiheng's words, Dai Daguang's eyes flashed with guilt. He never expected that it would be Zuo Gang, whom he had previously abandoned, who would risk his life to plead for him!

His lips trembled a few times before he finally uttered, "He was a kind man, I'm sorry to him!"

Ning Zhiheng turned and left, leaving behind a desperate and dejected Dai Daguang, who kept muttering to himself!

Ning Zhiheng saw that the matter was completed and Dai Daguang's hidden wealth had been obtained. However, this wealth could not be made public and could only be retrieved by himself. It must not be a small amount!

As for the real estate under Dai Daguang's name, it was to be sealed by the Military Intelligence Investigation Department, and Ning Zhiheng had no access to these properties.

This is different from dealing with Wang Bapi. Wang Bapi was just an insignificant nobody, and his arrest was entirely Ning Zhiheng's personal act. There was no case filed at all. Just mentioning the Military Intelligence Investigation Department was enough to deter anyone from interfering. It's not worth going against Ning Zhiheng for such a nobody!

However, Dai Daguang is to be classified as a key figure in a major Japanese spy case, and all his assets must be seized through normal channels.

Therefore, the cash and valuables in Dai Daguang's home and the trading company were Ning Zhiheng's only apparent benefits. However, a large sum of this money had to be handed over to the section chief and Deputy Section Chief Huang—this was protection money for their protectors, a common practice in the officialdom of the Republic of China. But this was, after all, a practice, and couldn't be openly discussed. Otherwise, if the higher-ups really investigated, it could be a fatal blow!

Ning Zhiheng was not a greedy person, but given the corrupt and dark background of the officialdom in the Republic of China, he could not remain untainted. Besides, he would use the money where it was needed, mainly to give to the underground party organization as operating funds.

At the same time, he also has his own bottom line: he will only take ill-gotten gains and will not lay a hand on good people.

Ning Zhiheng left the detention center and went straight back to the office of the Military Intelligence Investigation Department. Before he even entered the office, Wei Liangbi called him to his room.

Shao Wenguang and Shi Hong were also present in Wei Liangbi's office. These two men had always been Wei Liangbi's new confidants and would inform him of any news as soon as possible.

Seeing the grim expressions on the faces of the three men, Ning Zhiheng knew there must be bad news, so he asked, "What happened? What's wrong?"

Wei Liangbi pointed at Shao Wenguang, who then said, "An accident occurred during the arrest of Tian Liqun today. Major Guo Xueyi died on the spot, and our key target, Tian Liqun, was also shot and killed!"

"What! How could this happen? Guo Xueyi and Kang Shundong had more than ten action team members under their command, and it still turned out like this? An important target died, and a major was martyred. This is no small matter!" Ning Zhiheng was immediately shocked by the news.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!