Chapter 92 Opportunistic
After the Ap delegation, led by Catwhisker, entered Gadon's territory, the owner showed considerable distrust.
They were thoroughly searched, and their cell phones, weapons, and other personal belongings were confiscated. This harsh treatment naturally sparked resentment. However, Cat Beard's kind words calmed the crowd down.
As a diplomatic ambassador, Catwhisker cooperated fully with the body search, readily opening his coat pockets to hand over his belongings, and greatly praised their meticulous work ethic. He took a small portion of the gifts originally intended for Gaddon to reward the group, leaving a good impression on Gaddon's men.
Therefore, they encountered no obstacles or entanglements and arrived at Gaddon's mansion smoothly. Unlike Ap, Gaddon lived in a village, which was more populous, prosperous, and had more convenient electronic communication.
However, the guards didn't seem to realize that they hadn't searched Cat Whiskers; they were probably too busy picking out gifts to notice this trivial matter.
Geddon was a young man, not yet 30, in the prime of his life. He was a native Inca, and held an extremely devout attitude towards nature spirits. After his father's death, he claimed to have been chosen by the sun god to assume a great responsibility. This claim might seem absurd to others, but Geddon's followers were very willing to support their leader and use it to bolster his reputation.
Gaddon had long harbored resentment towards Ap. This time, he took the initiative to provoke trouble, intending to seize the opportunity to have a real fight with Ap and suppress him to consolidate his own position.
Who would have thought that the old man would actually admit defeat on his own initiative?!
Young Geddon lacked such cunning; his understanding of power struggles was simple and brutal: might makes right! Only force could solve everything. As for schemes and plots, he considered them the shameless deeds of despicable people, and Geddon held them in utter contempt.
So when he saw that Ap's delegation had indeed presented him with a generous gift, Gaddon had no doubts and obediently crawled into the trap that Cat Whiskers had designed.
If at that moment, besides the joy of victory, Gaddon also felt a touch of regret: I never imagined Apoo was so weak! If I had known this would happen, I would have made my move sooner!
Catwhisker stepped forward, politely greeting Gaton and conveying Lord Ap's desire for peace, hoping the two sides could reconcile. This entire dialogue was polished by his secretary!
Geddon's men seized the opportunity to echo his praises, commending their leader's wisdom and prowess.
Geddon was pleased with the compliments and ordered a banquet to be prepared to properly entertain these guests who had come from afar.
Having successfully approached Gatorton, Catwhisker requested a private conversation. Since the food hadn't even started being served yet, Gatorton agreed. He expected Catwhisker to deliver some secret message from Ap, but instead, Catwhisker said, "Lord Gatorton, that woman is a CIA mole. She was sent to assassinate you!"
Gatorton was shocked and didn't react for a moment before asking, "How did you know?"
“I’m with Ap, so of course I know about these things. If you don’t believe me, you can check the news and search for Rena Mizunashi, the news anchor for Nichiri TV. She was in Japan a few months ago, then went to America, and now she’s here. Most people don’t have her kind of extensive ‘travel experience.’”
Gardon, still somewhat skeptical, actually went to investigate and found that Catwhisker's words were true. His trust in him increased considerably, and he asked, "You're one of Ap's men, why did you tell me this? Aren't you afraid of being punished when you get back?"
Catwhisker lowered his voice and said, "Lord Geddon, I knew this mission was fraught with danger, so I had no intention of going back! I'm sure you've heard that Ap killed one of my men."
"I think I heard someone died in Apu's area. But it was an accident, not the person you're talking about, right?"
“That person’s death was not accidental!” Cat Beard’s tone was somewhat agitated. “He was an envoy of Ap’s backer, and he was deliberately murdered.”
Gadon's eyes widened in disbelief. He was starting to lose track of what was going on: "Has Ap gone mad? Why would he do this?"
"Because that envoy was a man of high moral character who resolutely opposed Apu's despicable assassination plan. Apu was afraid that he would ruin things, so he cruelly killed him and claimed it was an accident. Originally, that man was supposed to come today, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I was sent instead. If I hadn't come, I would not have escaped my fate either."
"Apu is truly ruthless!" Gatorton expressed deep sympathy for Catwhisker. "So what do you plan to do next?"
“I have nowhere to retreat now. Ap is old and too suspicious. Even if I go back this time, I am afraid I will be in grave danger. So I beg Lord Gaton to take me in! A person like you is a leader I should follow.”
Geddon was still in shock and confusion, not fully recovered. He was somewhat frustrated; Ap hadn't truly submitted to him, but rather intended to take his life. But he was also grateful that someone like Catbeard, upright and honest, had promptly warned him of the other party's plot and was willing to pledge his loyalty.
“How could Ap have ties to the CIA?” Gatton couldn’t understand.
“Apu is a two-faced opportunist. You can tell from his killing of that envoy that he has a complex background. The fact that he dared to act means that he has a powerful backer who can pay for his actions,” Cat Beard analyzed logically.
In reality, this was all blatant lying. Ap only ever had one powerful backer: that gentleman. If Ap had other backers, he certainly wouldn't have been so cautious about even disposing of the body. But young Gadon had lost his ability to make sound judgments and accepted Catbeard's story without question.
"Cat Whiskers, what should I do now? What if I kill that woman?" Although young, Gatorton knew that offending the CIA had serious consequences, and he couldn't afford such a blow.
“Absolutely not! If you kill that woman in a moment of impulsiveness, Ap and the CIA will surely join forces against you, Lord Gadon.” Catbeard analyzed again, “Moreover, even in war, one should not kill envoys. If you kill the woman sent by the enemy, wouldn’t that make you seem petty? If word gets out, others might laugh at you for being cowardly and afraid of trouble.”
Gatorton frowned. He had always wanted to maintain a tall and imposing image, and naturally couldn't stand such rumors. So he asked Catwhisker for advice: "What do you think we should do?"
"It's actually easy! First, give that woman a private room and treat her to good food and drinks. If she asks to meet you alone, just say that it's against the rules here."
“I understand, she can’t get close to me, so she can’t assassinate me. But what should we do next? We can’t just keep dragging this on, can we?”
“Lord Gaton can lie and say that the man and woman can only meet alone after marriage. However, the wedding process is complicated, and the ceremony needs to be done step by step. Anyway, she's an outsider and doesn't understand these rules and regulations, so she's easy to fool. If she gets impatient, you can say that this shows the importance placed on the bride. That way, she will definitely stop making a fuss, because if she keeps pestering, it will only make her motives seem suspicious,” Catbeard advised Gaton. “On the other hand, we need to find a way to undermine the cooperation between Ap and the CIA.”
What should I do?
"Of course, we'll still use that woman! Lord Gaddon can send a few servants, ostensibly to serve her, but actually to use her to pass on intelligence to the CIA."
Hearing this, Gaton understood: "Hmm, I understand what you mean. You want to use the servants to leak some false information, to say bad things about Ap through that woman, and to sow discord?"
"That's right, exactly."
However, Gatorton frowned, seemingly not fond of the suggestion: "Catbeard, you know I despise cunning and treacherous people more than anything. I can't do something like this!"
"Lord Gadon, of course I know your character. But the situation is dire. Apoo and the CIA are working together to deal with you. If we don't do this, it will be difficult to get through this crisis! If you are worried that this matter may damage your reputation, then I will bear the blame myself!"
Gatorton was deeply moved. He held Catwhisker's hand tightly and said, "You must be the great savior sent by heaven to help me!"
And so, at Catwhisker's urging, Gaton accepted this plan, which was completely different from his personal style.
At the dinner, Gaton and the members of Ap’s delegation had a pleasant conversation, and Gaton said that since everyone had come all this way, they should stay for a few more days.
While the others hesitated, Cat Beard readily agreed and, feigning enthusiasm, discussed various matters related to where the next game should be held.
Meanwhile, Kiel was puzzled by the turn of events. Gator's grandfather had been a CIA target, and she had hoped to use this opportunity to extract information about Gator. But she never expected that the gang leader would propose marriage?!
Kiel had never met Scotland in the organization, so she had no idea of Catwhisker's true identity. But she instinctively sensed that this person was definitely not simple.
"I wonder how Bourbon is doing?"
Kiel sat at the table and sighed, pondering how to contact the CIA: Gadon had given her a cell phone that could communicate with the outside world. But it was highly likely under surveillance, so she had to find a way to bypass it.
Meanwhile, Catwhisker was also pondering how to re-establish contact with the little detective. Although Apoo doted on the little guy, just in case, he decided to use a more secure method: encrypted communication. His true intentions were hidden within a long, seemingly ordinary email.
Cat Whiskers sent the carefully crafted message and quickly received a reply that left him both amused and exasperated: "I want to eat milk candy."
"Why is this kid more concerned about Zero? I'm working hard too, you know?!"
Cat Whiskers shook his head and sighed, deciding not to pursue the matter for now.
He was a little tired, and after listening to his childhood friend's story of his strange journey home, he fell asleep.
"Zero, you must have slept very well tonight, right? Sweet dreams."
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