The night fell like a huge piece of black silk, weighing heavily on the city. Only a few scattered streetlights cast a dim glow, like vigilant eyes in the darkness. Jiang Zhi and Shen Qingchen stood in the shadows of a secluded alley. The air around them seemed to freeze, and their breathing was particularly clear in the silence.
"Are you ready?" Shen Qingchen asked in a low voice, his eyes revealing determination, but also a subtle nervousness. Jiang Zhi nodded slightly, tightening her coat around her body, trying to resist the cold night air, while also encouraging herself. They all knew that this contact with the key figure was the most critical and dangerous step in their investigation of the mysterious organization.
This key figure is the ray of hope they finally find amidst the thick fog. After a long period of tracking and piecing together clues, they discover that this person has inextricable ties to the mysterious organization and may even possess its core secrets. However, this person is extremely mysterious and his whereabouts are elusive. Meeting him and obtaining information is like walking a tightrope; the slightest mistake could lead to a plunge into the abyss.
Following their carefully planned route, they first arrived near an abandoned factory. Once a symbol of the city's industrial prosperity, now only ruins and rusted machinery remained, resembling a vast ghost town in the night. The pungent smell of rust and decay permeated the air, and with every step, the creaking of gravel and debris beneath their feet sounded like a warning from this derelict place.
According to intelligence, a key figure would meet them in a hidden corner of the factory. Jiang Zhi and Shen Qingchen carefully moved between the dilapidated buildings, their eyes scanning their surroundings vigilantly. Suddenly, a rat scurried past their feet, and Jiang Zhi couldn't help but let out a soft cry of surprise. Shen Qingchen immediately covered her mouth with her hand and pulled her behind a dilapidated machine. They held their breath, their hearts pounding in their chests. After a long moment, they confirmed that there was no unusual movement before continuing forward.
Finally, they arrived at a small warehouse deep within the factory. The warehouse's doors were tightly shut, and the surrounding area was filled with dilapidated wooden boxes and discarded parts. Shen Qingchen gestured for Jiang Zhi to hide nearby while he tiptoed closer to the door, listening intently. The warehouse was completely silent, with no sound emanating from it, which only heightened his vigilance.
He knocked gently on the door, following the agreed-upon code and striking a specific rhythm. The knocks echoed in the silent night, each one like a knock on their hearts. After a moment's wait, slow, heavy footsteps were heard from the other side. Then, the door slowly opened a crack, and a deep voice rang out: "Who is it?"
Shen Qingchen lowered his voice and answered the signal, and the door finally opened. A tall, stern-faced man appeared before them. His eyes were as sharp as a hawk, flashing coldly in the darkness as he looked Shen Qingchen and Jiang Zhi up and down. "Are you the ones who want to see me?" His tone was full of suspicion.
Jiang Zhi mustered up the courage to step forward and said, "We have no ill intentions. We simply want to discuss matters with you regarding that mysterious organization. We know you have close ties with them, and we need your help." The key figure sneered, "Why do you think I would help you? You have no idea what you're provoking."
Shen Qingchen looked at him and said sincerely: "We know this is dangerous, but we have no way out. Our relatives and friends have been harmed by this organization, and we must uncover their true colors. Moreover, we also know that you and they are not completely the same people, and you must have your own difficulties."
The key figure was silent for a moment, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. He stepped aside to let them into the warehouse, then closed the door. The warehouse was filled with a stale atmosphere, illuminated only by a single, dim light flickering on the ceiling, casting dappled shadows.
"What do you want to know?" the key figure asked expressionlessly, sitting on a wooden box. Jiang Zhi took a deep breath and began to inquire, "What exactly is this mysterious organization? What is their purpose?" The key figure looked at her and slowly said, "This organization has existed longer than you think. Their influence spans all fields, and they have members in politics, business, and the military. Their goal... is to control everything, and to achieve this goal, they will stop at nothing."
"So how do they operate? Do they have any core bases or contact methods?" Shen Qingchen asked immediately. The key figure shook his head: "They are very cautious. Their core bases are constantly changing, and their contact methods are extremely secretive. I only know that they have a high-level leadership core, and the members are all in single-line communication. Few people know the full picture."
"Then how did you get in touch with them?" Jiang Zhi pressed. A trace of pain flashed in the key figure's eyes. "I... I was once a pawn used by them. They threatened me with my family's lives to make me do things for them. I did many things that went against my conscience, but I always wanted to find a way to get rid of them."
Shen Qingchen and Jiang Zhi exchanged a glance, each revealing sympathy. "Do you have any clues that could help us find their key evidence?" Shen Qingchen asked. The key figure pondered for a moment, then pulled out a small notebook and handed it to them. "This is some information I wrote down while working for them. It's not very comprehensive, but it might be helpful to you. It contains information about their transaction locations and related personnel."
Jiang Zhi took the notebook and opened it. It was densely covered with strange symbols and addresses. "What do these symbols mean?" she asked. The key figure explained, "This is an internal encryption method. I've only cracked part of it. You need to find a professional to decipher it."
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