Don't You like Little Dogs? Now that I'm Taking Liberties, You're Suddenly Reluctant? - Chapter 19

The plan handed down from above was meticulous to the point of cruelty.

Every detail had been weighed repeatedly, and contingency plans were set for every possible accident. Pei Ye became the shadow guardian and director of “Lin Xu’s” return journey.

The real Lin Xu had died of illness during the purge four years ago. This current “Lin Xu” was an external operative found by the Adjutant someone with a clean background, a mastery of finance, and specialized training.

What Pei Ye needed to do was ensure that Lin Xu “naturally” entered Dark Snake’s line of sight, “coincidentally” helped Dark Snake solve a minor problem to enter Viper’s consideration, and finally “struggled” through Dark Snake’s intensive vetting process.

The process was filled with silent gambits and icy danger.

On a luxury cruise ship heading back to the city, “Lin Xu” “accidentally” caught a waiter attempting to steal secrets from a wealthy businessman connected to Dark Snake. Using his exquisite mental calculation skills, he provided a timely warning that averted the loss. Deep in the shadows, Pei Ye had already “handled” the waiter’s actual accomplices, ensuring the “accident” played out perfectly.

At the docks, Dark Snake’s men conducted “routine” inspections. “Lin Xu’s” display of panic masked by forced composure was flawless. Meanwhile, Pei Ye, disguised as a dockworker, used a seemingly accidental cargo spill to skillfully divert the inspectors’ attention away from certain precision instruments in Lin Xu’s luggage.

Every contact and every test felt like dancing on the edge of a blade. Pei Ye utilized every skill he had honed in the First Division: the phantom-like stealth of Ghost, the lethal timing of Viper, the adaptability of Wind Hawk, and the tactical oversight of Goshawk. He even employed techniques learned from Bloody Slaughter manufacturing absolute terror to briefly seize control of a situation.

All information was summarized daily and sent through encrypted channels to a unique terminal. Every time he pressed the send button, Pei Ye’s fingertips felt hot.

He knew that on the other end of that line was Jiang Si.

He imagined his Master’s expression while reading the reports. Was it indifference? Slight approval? Or… nothing at all? He exerted every effort to make each report impeccable logical, precise, and devoid of personal emotion. He waited and hoped for even a simple “Acknowledged” in response.

But the other end remained silent, like a stone dropped into the ocean. This silence was more agonizing for Pei Ye than any reprimand. Was it not good enough? Or did Master simply not care?

That changed the night “Lin Xu” successfully passed the final assessment and entered Dark Snake’s inner circle, gaining access to their accounts.

Pei Ye was perched in the ventilation duct of the building opposite Dark Snake’s headquarters, covered in dust and cold moisture, monitoring every movement in the target room. The mission was at its most critical stage; there was no room for error.

Suddenly, his private encrypted comms device vibrated almost imperceptibly. It wasn’t the mission channel. A text message from the terminal with the highest authority popped up abruptly:

【The humidity is too high. Watch for condensation in the pipes.】

Only that one sentence. No greeting, no signature.

Pei Ye’s heart stopped for an instant before hammering against his ribs at a frantic pace. The cold pipe wall suddenly felt scalding. He looked down immediately at the space beneath his hiding spot—a tiny bead of condensed water was hanging directly above the gear he had just placed, poised to fall.

If it dropped, the microscopic sound in the dead of night might be captured by the sensitive equipment in the building across the way. He moved the gear instantly and silently.

Once finished, he leaned back against the cold pipe. In the absolute darkness and silence, he gasped for air, his fingers gripping the comms device so hard his knuckles turned white.

He saw it. He has been watching all along. He even noticed a detail this insignificant.

An indescribable, burning torrent shattered the icy self-control Pei Ye had maintained. It wasn’t a formal commendation, but it felt like something greater. It was a gaze from on high—a gaze of absolute control—proving that he had never left his Master’s sight.

His Master had been watching him.

The mission was eventually completed successfully. “Lin Xu” had gained full trust, and a steady stream of vital intelligence began to flow back. Dark Snake’s financial lifeblood and evidence of their official collusion were systematically seized. The organization quickly moved to take control.

The day of return arrived quickly.

Pei Ye first went back to the First Division garrison to briefly report the mission results. There, he was informed by Cang Jun: Fourth Brother wanted to see him.

He stood before those familiar, cold office doors on the top floor and took a deep breath. Seven years and one month, he was finally standing here again. He still carried the dust of the mission and a faint, lingering scent of blood, though he had done his best to clean up.

The doors slid open silently.

The interior decor had hardly changed; it was still vast, cold, and spotless. The air was filled with the familiar, faint scent of tobacco and cedar, though it seemed crisper than in his memory.

Jiang Si stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling window, his back to the room, looking out at the grey city skyline. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his tall frame radiating an unmistakable aura of authority. A cigarette was held between his fingers, the smoke curling upward.

Pei Ye’s heart accelerated uncontrollably. He closed the door, walked forward, and stopped a few paces behind Jiang Si, bowing his head.

“Master.”

His voice was slightly tight, but he fought to keep it steady.

Jiang Si didn’t turn around. He simply took a drag of his cigarette and exhaled slowly. The grey smoke blurred the hard lines of his profile.

“The mission was handled well,” he spoke at last. His voice was deeper than it had been seven years ago, carrying a faint, imperceptible rasp, devoid of obvious emotion.

“It was due to Master’s proper direction,” Pei Ye replied softly. It was the truth.

Jiang Si finally turned around. Time seemed to have left few marks on his face, but his bottomless black eyes were even more calm and unpredictable—sharp enough to pierce through a person’s soul.

His gaze fell upon Pei Ye, scanning him slowly and thoroughly from head to toe, like an artisan assessing a weapon that had been away for a long time and had finally returned to his hand. Pei Ye stood tall, enduring that scrutinizing gaze. He could feel it like a physical weight, passing over his broader shoulders and steadier stance, finally settling on his face to capture every minute change in expression.

Between them lay a few paces of distance, yet the air felt frozen. The scent of tobacco mixed with the cold cedar swirled around Pei Ye’s nose, the scent he had dreamt of for countless nights.

“You’ve grown taller,” Jiang Si said flatly. It was hard to tell if it was a mere statement or an evaluation.

Pei Ye’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he gave a low “Mm.”

“You’ve gotten thinner, too.” Jiang Si’s gaze swept over his cheeks. “Is the food in the First Division not good?”

“…It’s very good,” Pei Ye answered instinctively, his heart shrinking at the almost domestic nature of the question coming from Jiang Si.

Jiang Si stubbed out his cigarette and walked to the liquor cabinet. He poured two glasses of whiskey, no ice. He handed one to Pei Ye.

Startled, Pei Ye stepped forward and accepted it with both hands. Their fingertips inevitably brushed; the cold contact nearly made him shiver. He smelled the rich aroma of the liquor mixed with the faint tobacco scent on Jiang Si’s skin.

Jiang Si picked up his own glass but didn’t drink. He just looked at Pei Ye. His eyes still lacked warmth, but they seemed less scrutinizing than before, holding a trace of something else.

“Second on the overall rankings,” Jiang Si swirled his glass, the amber liquid leaving streaks on the crystal. “Congratulations.”

Pei Ye gripped his glass tight. “It was Master’s cultivation.”

“You earned it yourself,” Jiang Si said plainly. “The blade has been sharpened well.”

Pei Ye looked up, his dark eyes meeting Jiang Si’s, a surge of suppressed emotion within them. “Master needed a sharp blade.”

Jiang Si met his gaze, seemingly seeing through the churning heat and loyalty beneath that icy exterior. After a moment, the corner of his mouth hooked up ever so slightly, a curve that hardly qualified as a smile, yet it made Pei Ye’s heart nearly leap from his chest.

“Indeed.”

Jiang Si took a sip of his drink and turned his gaze back to the window, his tone casual yet carrying an unquestionable finality. “Therefore, it’s time to put this blade in a more convenient place.”

Pei Ye held his breath.

“The Adjutant has more and more on his plate; he needs someone to share the load.” Jiang Si turned back, leaning against the liquor cabinet as he looked at Pei Ye. “As of tomorrow, you are temporarily transferred out of the First Division. Move back in. You will be my assistant, reporting directly to me.”

The order was given directly, suddenly and yet it felt entirely inevitable.

Pei Ye stood there, feeling a massive, overwhelming tide surge from the depths of his heart, crashing through his entire being. He used every bit of strength to maintain a facade of calm, but his pupils trembled, betraying the storm within.

He was back. Finally, he was back.

It wasn’t a temporary mission assignment. It was a real, long-term return to the side of the person he valued most. He looked at Jiang Si, and in those bottomless black eyes, he saw his own reflection clearly.

The eighteen-year-old Pei Ye, the “Night Raven” of the Top 3, had finally been fully taken back into his Master’s sight.

He lowered his head slowly and with extreme solemnity. His voice was exceptionally low and raspy due to his intense effort to suppress his feelings:

“Yes, Master.”

“My life, my loyalty, my everything it belongs to you forever.”

Finally, I can be of use to you again.