Jiang Han stood in the war room, his gaze fixed on the holographic map of Seladang City. The scars of the past week's battle were still fresh—not just on his body but in the very fabric of the city itself.
Three attacks. Three close calls. And though the Aegis Sentinel Corps had stopped them, Celeste Moreau had escaped unscathed.
Now, as the city returned to a fragile sense of normalcy, Jiang knew one thing for certain—this wasn't over.
And this time, he wasn't going to wait for the Architects to make the next move.
---
Colonel Yusof entered the room, his steps steady, his presence commanding as always. "You should be resting, Han."
Jiang didn't look away from the map. "Rest comes after we win."
Yusof exhaled, stepping beside him. "The Corps has been working non-stop for days. Morale is stretched thin."
Jiang nodded. "I know. That's why we need to take control of the situation. We've been on the defensive since my capture. That ends now."
Mikhail Darmawan strolled in, arms crossed. "I assume you have a plan?"
Jiang's eyes darkened. "We start by closing the leaks."
Sophia Liew and Adrian Yong arrived next, carrying updated intelligence reports.
Sophia tapped on her tablet, bringing up a list of names. "We've been tracking suspicious activity within government sectors and financial circles. Some of these people are feeding information to the Architects."
Adrian crossed his arms. "We have moles."
Mikhail's expression turned cold. "You mean we have traitors."
Jiang exhaled. "And we're going to root them out."
---
Sophia expanded the list on the holographic display. "We've narrowed it down to three potential informants: two within the Ministry of Defence, and one embedded in a major financial firm that processes contracts for security operations."
Jiang studied the names carefully.
Datuk Khalid Ismail – Senior official in the Ministry of Defence, responsible for classified defence infrastructure.
Roshan Krishnan – High-level analyst working under a private security think tank contracted by the government.
Eddie Wong – Corporate liaison at Triton Holdings, a firm that handles major defence and intelligence funding.
Adrian leaned on the table. "These aren't just low-level spies. If even one of them is working for the Architects, they have access to highly classified information."
Jiang's voice was firm. "Then we investigate all three."
Colonel Yusof nodded. "Agreed. But we need to be careful. We don't have solid proof yet."
Mikhail cracked his knuckles. "Then let's get some."
---
Jiang outlined the operation.
Adrian and Sophia would focus on Roshan Krishnan, digging into his financial records and movements.
Colonel Yusof and Mikhail would keep tabs on Datuk Khalid Ismail, monitoring his connections inside the Ministry.
Jiang himself would investigate Eddie Wong, suspecting that the money trail might lead directly to the Architects.
"We keep this quiet," Jiang warned. "If any of them catch wind of what we're doing, they'll disappear before we can confirm anything."
Yusof gave a rare smirk. "Understood."
---
Jiang's first lead took him to Triton Holdings, a glass-and-steel corporate tower in the heart of Seladang City's financial district.
Dressed in a sharp navy-blue suit, he stepped into the high-rise like any other executive. His injuries were still healing, but his posture remained strong.
Inside, he was met by Eddie Wong, a well-groomed man in his early forties, exuding an air of polished arrogance.
"Mr Jiang, what a surprise." Eddie smiled, extending a hand. "I didn't expect a personal visit from the Godly Beggar himself."
Jiang shook his hand, his grip just firm enough to remind Eddie who he was dealing with. "I prefer handling things face-to-face."
Eddie gestured toward his office. "Then let's talk."
---
The office was sleek, minimalist—exactly the kind of place Jiang expected from someone who hid his true power behind a corporate mask.
Eddie poured himself a glass of whiskey, then offered Jiang one.
Jiang ignored the drink. "Triton Holdings has been handling some sensitive financial operations lately."
Eddie chuckled. "We handle a lot of things."
Jiang leaned forward. "Including off-the-books transactions tied to security operations?"
Eddie's smile barely faltered. "That's quite an accusation."
Jiang exhaled, tapping his fingers on the polished desk. "The thing about money is that it always leaves a trail. Even when you try to hide it."
For the first time, Eddie's composure slipped. "You're grasping at shadows, Han."
Jiang smirked. "You see, I don't need to prove you're guilty. I just need to make your friends think you're a liability."
Eddie's expression hardened.
Jiang leaned back. "You have one chance to be useful. Tell me who's pulling the strings at Triton."
Eddie hesitated for just a second too long.
Jiang's voice turned sharp. "It's Celeste Moreau, isn't it?"
A flicker of fear crossed Eddie's face—barely noticeable, but Jiang caught it.
And that was all the confirmation he needed.
---
Back at Aegis Sentinel Corps headquarters, Jiang reconvened with the team.
Adrian and Sophia had tracked Roshan Krishnan's movements—and found several encrypted communications between him and an unidentified offshore account.
Colonel Yusof reported that Datuk Khalid Ismail had been meeting with unknown foreign operatives, possibly negotiating classified intel.
And now, Jiang had confirmed Eddie Wong's connection to Celeste Moreau.
The Architects had infiltrated every layer of power.
Jiang exhaled slowly. "We're not just dealing with remnants of the Apex Circle. This is bigger."
Sophia's voice was quiet but certain. "It's a shadow war."
Mikhail crossed his arms. "Then let's bring it into the light."
Jiang's eyes darkened. "No. We play them at their own game."
He turned to Colonel Yusof. "We don't just investigate them anymore."
"We turn them."
---
Far from the Corps' headquarters, in a secluded high-rise, Celeste Moreau read the latest report on Jiang Han's investigation.
She smirked, setting down her tablet.
"He's learning."
One of her operatives shifted uneasily. "Should we pull our assets?"
Celeste tilted her head. "No. We let him think he's winning."
She poured herself a glass of wine.
"Then, when he's comfortable, we take everything from him."
---
The war room was silent, but the air hummed with intensity. Jiang Han had laid out the facts—three men, three different levels of influence, all potentially working for the Architects.
The next move had to be calculated, precise.
"We don't go after them directly," Jiang said, his voice steady. "If we pressure them too soon, they'll retreat into the shadows."
Colonel Yusof nodded. "So what's the play?"
Jiang tapped on the table. "We make them turn on each other."
Sophia Liew raised an eyebrow. "You want to manipulate the moles?"
Jiang's smirk was razor-sharp. "We don't just expose them. We make them believe their loyalty is being questioned. That their handlers are setting them up."
Mikhail Darmawan chuckled. "Paranoia is a hell of a weapon."
Adrian Yong leaned back. "If we do this right, they'll start feeding us their own intel, just to stay ahead of their so-called allies."
Colonel Yusof crossed his arms. "And when they're weak enough?"
Jiang's eyes darkened.
"Then we bring them down."
Sophia smirked. "Now that's a plan I can work with."
Jiang exhaled, the weight of battle settling over him. The Architects had made their move.
Now, it was his turn.