Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Inside the teahouse, the noise continued unabated. The laughter of patrons and the clinking of cups intertwined to create a cacophony that could not mask Lin Feng's inner anxiety. The appointed time slipped away quietly, yet the Contact Person had not appeared, as if swallowed by the sea. Each passing second felt like a heavier stone hanging over his heart.
Outside, dusk deepened, and the dim yellow light filtered in, casting a hazy glow over everyone and intensifying the oppressive atmosphere. Lin Feng's gaze swept across the hall, searching for any signs of abnormality among the seemingly ordinary tea drinkers, but he found nothing. He knew he could not afford to wait idly any longer; he had to take action. Otherwise, not only would the mission fail, but he might also find himself trapped in an irretrievable situation.
At that moment, the melody of "Mo Li Zhi" floated through the teahouse. The lilting tune was like a gentle breeze, softly brushing through this stifling space filled with danger, prompting many patrons to hum along. Lin Feng's heart stirred; his eyes brightened as a bold and brilliant idea quickly formed in his mind.
In this era, "Mo Li Zhi" was widely known; both common folk and high officials were familiar with it. The enemy would never suspect that this familiar melody could serve as a bridge for transmitting secrets. Lin Feng swiftly organized his thoughts, casually humming along while quietly observing his surroundings.
Seizing the opportunity when a waiter came by to refill water, Lin Feng seemingly nonchalantly extended his finger and lightly tapped on the table. He mimicked Morse code with varying lengths of taps, crafting a unique signal based on the lyrics of "Mo Li Zhi" currently playing.
"What a beautiful Mo Li Zhi, fragrant and lovely on every branch," he tapped three short knocks followed by two long ones to signify "I," hinting at his identity; when the lyrics mentioned "on every branch," he tapped seven short knocks in succession to imply "comrade," conveying crucial information. His tapping was subtle yet precise, perfectly synchronized with the rhythm of the song. To anyone else, it would merely sound like he was tapping along with the tune without raising any suspicion.
After completing one transmission, there was no obvious response in the hall. Lin Feng's heart tightened, but he did not lose hope; he remained composed and waited for the song to loop again. At that moment, from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of an elderly man sitting quietly with a tea bowl in hand. He seemed engrossed in a performance but his slightly trembling fingers betrayed his tension. Lin Feng felt a flicker of hope and kept an eye on him.
When "Mo Li Zhi" played again, Lin Feng increased his tapping intensity and repeated his signal while closely monitoring the old man's reaction. This time, the old man's tea bowl wobbled slightly, spilling a few drops before he steadied it again—yet it did not escape Lin Feng's notice. Then, slowly lowering his tea bowl, the old man discreetly tapped three times on the table with his pinky finger—a swift and concealed action that signaled an initial response from their organization!
Lin Feng's heart soared with joy but he dared not show it; instead, he continued humming softly as he approached the elderly man. When he reached the old man's table, he whispered: "The night is dark and windy; jasmine leaves its fragrance." This was part of their prearranged code phrase. The old man looked up slightly; their eyes met filled with relief and trust as he softly replied: "Stars are scattered; dawn will soon break."
With their signals aligned, just as Lin Feng was about to inquire about the Contact Person's situation, a sudden commotion erupted outside—the sound of hurried footsteps accompanied by stern shouts. Both men’s expressions changed instantly as they sensed danger approaching once more. The old man discreetly handed over a note while lowering his voice: "Agents are conducting surprise inspections; it's urgent. Follow this address quickly to find someone named Old Hu—he knows everything."
Lin Feng took the note swiftly and tucked it into his sleeve, nodding gratefully at the old man. Then he feigned calmness as he stood up, adjusted his clothing, and walked leisurely toward the teahouse door. Just as he reached it, several Agents burst in with fierce intensity; their leader’s sharp gaze scanned each patron like an eagle searching for prey.
Lin Feng's heart raced like thunder yet his face remained composed as he sidestepped past an Agent and stepped steadily into the twilight outside. At that moment, he understood that danger still lay ahead; however, with a lead in hand came hope. Following the directions on the note, he navigated through dimly lit winding alleys with caution in every step while remaining alert for any potential threats. The melody of "Mo Li Zhi" seemed to echo in his ears still, dispelling darkness and guiding him forward.
After turning several corners, a dilapidated courtyard came into view. Lin Feng confirmed it against the note before gently knocking on the door. It creaked open slowly to reveal a burly man standing behind it who eyed him warily: "Who are you looking for?"
Lin Feng replied softly: "I'm looking for Old Hu; it's dark and windy; jasmine leaves its fragrance."
The man paused briefly before breaking into a smile and stepping aside: "Come in; I've been waiting for you."
Inside, candlelight flickered amidst a heavy atmosphere. Old Hu sat at a table; after listening to Lin Feng recount everything that had transpired, his brow furrowed tightly: "The Contact Person has been captured; there’s a risk of information leakage. But we still have a chance—though Agents are cunning, there are deep-seated conflicts within their ranks. I’ve bribed an insider who might help us rescue the Contact Person tomorrow and retrieve our information. For tonight, rest here and gather your strength; we have a tough battle ahead."
Though Lin Feng was anxious beyond measure, he understood that waiting was all he could do at this moment. Lying on the simple bed while staring at the shabby ceiling boards brought forth countless thoughts in his mind. This day had played out like an intense movie in his head; he knew tomorrow's challenges would be even greater—but for his beliefs and for that dawn that was about to break, he must press forward bravely and confront darkness until the end.
Comment 0 Comment Count