freenovelworld Chapter 214 I am willing to take responsibility.
Chapter 214 I am willing to take responsibility.
Su Ming approached the boxes and gently flipped one. It was filled with yellowed documents and newspapers, covered in dust. It was obvious no one had touched them in a long time. Yet, despite their seemingly disorganized appearance, these documents seemed to hold a deeper meaning, as if hinting at something.
Su Ming searched for several minutes but still found nothing special. He grew increasingly anxious, but he knew he couldn't give up easily. Perhaps there were some clues hidden in these cartons and wooden boxes, but he hadn't found the key yet.
Old Zhang stood aside, his eyes fixed on Su Ming, his face expressionless, showing no emotion. Su Ming could feel Old Zhang's gaze, but he didn't look back, because he knew it was also a kind of silent pressure, forcing him to make the most calm judgment in the tense atmosphere.
Suddenly, Su Ming's fingers touched a strange object. It was a small wooden box wrapped in old newspapers, no bigger than the palm of his hand. With a shudder in his heart, he took the box out from the pile of papers.
Su Ming's fingers trembled slightly on the wooden box. The emblem before him seemed ancient and heavy, as if carrying an unspoken destiny. He stared at the intricate pattern, a surge of imbalance and doubt welling up within him. Was this the so-called "token"? Such a simple emblem, could it possibly hold such a complex mission? He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning slightly white from the strain, and the tangle of emotions within him grew ever more intense.
Old Zhang stood silently behind him, like an outsider, observing Su Ming's every reaction with a cold gaze. The only sounds in the room were the breathing of the two men. Su Ming could feel the cold silence in the air, silently weighing on his heart. The cold touch of the badge seeped into his palm, furthering his awareness of the complexity of this mission. Old Zhang had never explained the deeper meaning of the mission, and he, too, had never truly grasped the true purpose behind this trial.
A flicker of resentment and confusion crossed Su Ming's heart. He knew full well that he was merely a chess piece, while Lao Zhang was always the master. Their relationship was more like that of a master and disciple, bound together by fate, yet it always carried a certain undeniable distance. Lao Zhang never revealed his true intentions to him, and even the details of the mission were always ambiguous. Su Ming had tried to trust Lao Zhang, but each time he faced such a situation, he felt like he was being pushed into an unknown abyss, while Lao Zhang stood at the edge, watching with cold eyes.
He suppressed his doubts and asked in a low voice, "Is this the token? You let me risk my life just to get a badge like this?"
Old Zhang didn't answer immediately, seemingly waiting for Su Ming's further reaction. His gaze remained calm, as if he had already seen through everything. He spoke slowly, his voice low but carrying a hint of unquestionable authority: "A token is more than just a badge; it represents something more. You don't understand because you haven't come far enough."
Su Ming's frown deepened, the sense of imbalance welling up within him growing stronger. He'd risked his life in a desperate fight, only to receive an inexplicable answer. His master's indifference and distance only deepened his sense that this mission held countless unsolved mysteries. Every step seemed meticulously planned, yet he remained a passive executor, never taking the initiative.
"I don't understand?" Su Ming's voice was thick with suppressed anger. "You've always sent me on quests, yet you've never told me the truth. You sent me to retrieve this so-called token, but I don't even know its true value. Master, I'm not a fool. I know there's more to this than meets the eye, but why didn't you tell me?"
Old Zhang looked at him, his eyes still calm, but a subtle complexity flickered between his brows. He didn't immediately respond to Su Ming's question, but slowly walked to a corner of the basement, approaching a kerosene lamp. The dim light reflected on his face, a face that had weathered countless hardships, appearing even more profound, as if hiding countless secrets.
"You're still too young." Old Zhang finally spoke, his voice still steady. "Some things you'll understand when the time comes. For now, you just need to do what you should do."
Su Ming's fists clenched unconsciously, the feeling of imbalance growing stronger. He was no longer the clueless newcomer. He had experienced countless missions, each one a test of life and death, and at the end of each one, Lao Zhang always responded with such a cold attitude. This feeling of being ignored filled Su Ming with a sense of oppression and powerlessness. He longed for recognition, for understanding the true meaning of the mission, but each time, he received only vague and unclear answers.
"I'm not just an executor!" Su Ming suddenly raised his voice, his eyes filled with stubbornness and determination. "Master, I have completed all the tasks and proved my ability. I am no longer that ignorant apprentice! You can't make me do things blindly anymore. I have the right to know the truth!"
Old Zhang's eyes darkened slightly, as if touched by Su Ming's words. He walked back to Su Ming and spoke slowly, his tone unusually serious. "You've indeed proven your ability, but ability and understanding the essence of the mission are two different things. Spy warfare isn't simply about executing a mission. Behind every decision are countless hidden clues and connections. While you can complete the mission now, you're far from deep enough to truly understand it."
"Go deeper?" Su Ming sneered, the imbalance in his heart growing stronger. "You let me enter this world, but you refuse to let me understand its true face. If this continues, I will always be a pawn."
Old Zhang's gaze suddenly grew sharp. He was silent for a moment, seemingly contemplating how to respond to Su Ming's question. After a moment, he spoke with undeniable determination, "If you knew the truth now, you might die even faster. Spy warfare is a bottomless abyss. The more you know, the heavier the burden. And you don't have the composure or strength to handle it."
Su Ming's heart suddenly tightened. Lao Zhang's words were like a cold needle piercing his heart. His long-held confusion and imbalance were instantly pierced by Lao Zhang's words. He suddenly realized that he might have underestimated the complexity of everything before him. Even so, the resentment in his heart did not dissipate, but instead intensified.
"I'm willing to take on the responsibility." Su Ming's voice was low, but filled with immense determination. He looked directly into Lao Zhang's eyes, refusing to back down. "No matter how dangerous this road may be, I'm willing to go on. You've taught me for so many years, not to avoid danger, but to embrace it."