I raised my hand to knock on the door, and Kimura Shin's voice came from inside, saying, "Who is it?" I replied, "It's me, Wilson."
As I exchanged words with Kimura Shin through the door, I glanced at Fang Tian. His expression resembled that of a clumsy detective about to burst into a thief's den, both nervous and comical.
Kimura Shin said, "Please come in."
I turned the doorknob and pushed open the door. Inside, Kimura Shin was sitting at the desk, going through some documents. I said, "Mr. Kimura, I've brought a friend to see you." Kimura Shin looked up and said, "Oh, is that so?"
He had only said two words when I sensed Fang Tian stepping forward behind me and rudely pushing me aside. I looked at him and saw his face turning as blue as ink, staring at Kimura Shin.
Kimura Shin, on the other hand, stared back at him, equally stunned.
The way they looked at each other made me feel that something was seriously wrong. It's not common for people who have just met to gaze at each other like that.
I couldn't help but say, "What's going on with you two?"
But before I could finish my sentence, Fang Tian had already started speaking to Kimura Shin in a string of words I couldn't understand. At that moment, I was truly shocked!
Fang Tian was speaking Saturnian, so could he be from Saturn too? It was extremely astonishing. However, Kimura Shin's face didn't turn blue like Fang Tian's did, and it was evident that they were not the same.
So, what exactly was Kimura Shin?
I was filled with confusion and glanced between Kimura Shin and Fang Tian. Fang Tian kept on loudly berating Kimura Shin in words I couldn't comprehend.
However, from Fang Tian's expression, I could tell he was mercilessly berating Kimura Shin with intense words.
I didn't know the truth of the matter, but I feared that if Fang Tian continued to berate Kimura Shin in this manner, it could lead to serious trouble.
Therefore, I stepped forward to try to calm Fang Tian down and prevent him from treating Kimura Shin this way.
However, as soon as I took a step forward, I noticed something was wrong with Kimura Shin. He seemed to be swaying, as if he was about to fall, and finally slumped down in his chair. Then, his face suddenly changed color.
In an instant, I felt like something was tapping on my forehead several times.
It was a very strange sensation. My forehead didn't hurt or itch; in fact, I couldn't feel anything at all. Yet, it felt like something was trying to enter my brain, similar to when Fang Tian and I faced off in Hokkaido amidst the heavy snow, and he tried to invade my mind with his strong brainwaves. It was almost the same.
Fang Tian immediately turned towards me and looked at me.
And just like that, the sensation disappeared. Fang Tian turned back to the window, sighed, and said, "He's gone! He's gone! I must deal with him first, I must deal with him first!"
Fang Tian repeated each sentence twice, showing just how nervous he was.
I sighed. Fang Tian must be going crazy. I never thought that even advanced beings from Saturn could go crazy. There were only three people in the room—him, me, and Kimura Shin—and now all three were here, yet he kept yelling "he's gone." Who had left?
I was about to reprimand him when I glanced at Kimura Shin and was shocked to see that his face had turned blue and he seemed to have died. I quickly approached him and checked for his breath. He was indeed lifeless, and his body had turned cold.
I turned back to Fang Tian, and I could see there was something strange going on that I didn't know about. I looked at him sharply, but Fang Tian looked extremely despondent.
He spread out his hands towards Kimura Shin and said, "He's already dead." I couldn't help but get angry and shouted, "You devil, by what right did you kill him? How dare you randomly kill someone on Earth?"
As I yelled, I moved closer to him.
Fang Tian kept retreating until he was backed against the wall, and only then did he say, "He's already dead, he's already dead!"
I reached out and grabbed his shirt, almost lifting him off the ground, and said, "If he's dead, then who was talking to you just now?"
Fang Tian's face turned terrifyingly blue, and he said, "It wasn't him, it was..." Under the word "was," he repeated the phrase I had heard many times, consisting of five syllables: "hòu ké yī dú jiān." What on earth was that? Perhaps only Fang Tian knew. I asked again, "What is that?"
Fang Tian said, "That... is nothing."
I grew angrier and said, "What are you up to? Let me tell you, if you don't explain properly, I will make you pay for your crimes!"
Fang Tian's face turned as if it had been splashed with blue ink!
He almost choked out, "You... can't blame me. The Earth's language can't express what 'hòu ké yī dú jiān' really means."
Seeing his expression, I knew he wasn't pretending to be crazy. Moreover, he seemed to have suffered a great blow himself. I stared at him for half a minute and said, "You have to explain it to me in detail."
He nodded and said, "Here?"
I glanced at the already dead Kimura Shin and felt it wasn't appropriate to stay in this factory any longer because as soon as someone discovered Kimura Shin's death, both Fang Tian and I would be in trouble.
What was happening before my eyes felt like a dream, almost making me doubt it was real. If Fang Tian and I fell into the hands of the Japanese police, the charge of murdering Kimura Shin would be difficult to escape.
I stepped back to the door and peeked out. There was no one in the corridor. I gestured to Fang Tian, and both of us pulled up our coat collars and headed to the elevator.
As we reached the elevator door, we saw a female clerk coming out with a stack of documents, heading towards Kimura Shin's office. She gave Fang Tian and me a strange look, as if we were strangers, and Fang Tian's face was oddly blue.
I knew things were not good. I quickly pulled Fang Tian into the elevator. As the elevator descended, both of us heard the woman scream.
Fang Tian's face turned even bluer. I tried to reassure him, saying, "Don't worry, we can get away in time."
Fang Tian sighed but remained silent. The damn elevator seemed particularly slow. Finally, when we reached the ground floor, we couldn't rush out and had to walk quickly to avoid suspicion. Luckily, we made it out of the factory gates, and the motorcycle was still there.
We both got on the motorcycle. I ignited the engine, and we rushed out. After crossing a few streets, we could already hear the sirens of police cars heading towards the factory.
I breathed a sigh of relief. For now, all we could do was escape temporarily. As for the staff in the communication room and the female clerk who might have recognized us, we had no room to worry about that anymore!
The motorcycle continued forward. There was still a terrifying tone in Fang Tian's voice as he asked, "Where are we going?"
I replied, "What do you think?" Fang Tian sighed and said, "Dr. Sakaki, how did Dr. Sakaki die? Was there any sign of injury on him?"
I answered, "Yes, Dr. Sakaki was killed by a murderer."
Fang Tian muttered, "Oh," and said, "That has nothing to do with 'hòu ké yī dú jiān'." I stared at him intently and asked, "What does that sentence mean?"
Fang Tian said, "Can we find a quieter place to talk in detail?"
I thought for a moment and said, "Dr. Sakaki is dead, his daughter is missing, and his house is empty. Let's go to his house."
Fang Tian hesitated for a moment before sighing and agreeing.
I turned the motorcycle towards Dr. Sakaki's house and drove straight there. In less than half an hour, we arrived at his doorstep. I remembered the last time I came here when Dr. Sakaki asked for my help regarding his daughter and Fang Tian's situation.
However, before I could intervene, everything took a turn for the worse. Dr. Sakaki was killed, and his daughter disappeared. I had failed him while he was alive, and now I was determined to find his daughter. As I stood at the entrance of Dr. Sakaki's residence, I got off the motorcycle, silently making up my mind.
The garden gate was locked, and there were police seals, indicating that the police had already inspected the premises.
I peeked into the garden, but it was pitch black, and there didn't seem to be any officers stationed there.
I jumped over the fence and pulled Fang Tian in. Instead of heading towards the main house, we went to the small stone house where I stayed as a "gardener." To avoid drawing attention, I unlocked the door, and both of us entered without turning on the lights.
It was pitch black inside the stone house. I found a chair for Fang Tian to sit on and sat on the edge of the bed myself. I sighed and said, "You can talk now."
But Fang Tian remained silent. I urged him again, but he still didn't speak. In the darkness, I couldn't see what he was doing, but I could faintly hear him sobbing.
I said sternly, "I don't know why you're crying, but on Earth, no matter what happens, a man should not cry." Fang Tian remained silent for a while before saying, "It was here that Kazuko kissed me."
I was taken aback and said, "You don't have to be sad. I believe whoever abducted Kazuko must have had a purpose, and they won't harm her too much."
In fact, I had no certainty whether Kazuko's abductors would harm her, but in the current situation, I had to reassure Fang Tian in this way.
Fang Tian sighed and said, "Wilson, in the eyes of Earthlings, people from other planets must be scientific marvels, possessing immense power and infinite capabilities. But in reality, I am much weaker than you."
I hurriedly said, "You don't have to say these things anymore. Just tell me what that sentence means."
Fang Tian and I were conversing in pure Chinese Mandarin. Just as I finished that sentence, suddenly, from
the darkest corner of the room, came a stiff Mandarin accent, saying, "It's been so many days since we last met. What does that mean?"
As soon as I heard that sentence, I knew it was Mr. Nelson speaking, so I wasn't surprised.
But as soon as Fang Tian heard a third voice in the room, he jumped up and tried to escape. I quickly bent down, grabbed his hand, and said, "Don't go, he's one of us."
Before I finished my sentence, the light flickered on.
Mr. Nelson was standing in front of me, smiling. While I held onto Fang Tian, preventing him from struggling, I asked, "Where have you been after you left the hospital?"
Mr. Nelson stretched his arms and said, "Moving around. I've been moving around all this time! And this, I presume, is the famous space scientist Mr. Haven Fang."
Fang Tian reluctantly nodded, but he looked at me, and I could feel him continuously asking me in his mind, Who is he? Who is he?
I didn't say anything, but in my mind, I answered him: "He is my best friend, a senior officer of the international police. Even so, I will never reveal your secret to him."
Fang Tian's face suddenly softened.
Who knows, I never spoke, but Fang Tian obviously already knew my thoughts. It can be seen that Saturnians not only have much stronger brainwaves than Earthlings but can also intercept Earthlings' brainwaves. Without speaking, they can understand the thoughts of Earthlings!
I smiled at Mr. Nelson and said, "You must have been quite active, but what are the results?"
Mr. Nelson chuckled, "You asking me like this, you must have made significant progress in the past few days?" I replied, "Yes, I'm sorry, there are many things I cannot tell you."
Mr. Nelson spread his hands in a regretful gesture and said, "I can tell you everything without reservation. I already know who took the box from us."
I said, "I already know too." As I spoke, I felt a great admiration for Mr. Nelson.
I had no idea how he found out, but the Seven Gentlemen Party operated with such precision that he could detect it in such a short time. He smiled at me and said, "Seven." I continued, "Gentlemen." Mr. Nelson patted my shoulder with his large hand and said, "The stolen item has been recovered."
I could hardly believe it, just staring at the ground with a skeptical look. Fang Tian had already heard me mention that the metallic box had been in my and Mr. Nelson's hands. Anxiously, he asked, "Where is it? Where is it?"
Mr. Nelson said, "It's well guarded. There's probably no one else who can steal it again."
Fang Tian hesitated, his expression very anxious. Trying to gauge Mr. Nelson's tone, I asked, "So how do you plan to handle this box?"
Mr. Nelson's attitude suddenly became very stern. He said, "This is an item of the international police. Why are you getting involved?" When I heard Mr. Nelson's tone, stern to this extent, I couldn't help but be stunned. But I immediately understood what he meant.
I turned around, made a face at Mr. Nelson, then turned to Fang Tian, shrugged, and gestured helplessly.
I guessed Mr. Nelson's intention. He was dissatisfied that Fang Tian was hiding something from him, so he deliberately provoked him like this. I also felt that if Mr. Nelson didn't know the whole truth about everything, there would be many obstacles in the future.
So, I also applied "pressure" on Fang Tian.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Fang Tian said, "This... this is necessary... it should be returned to me."
Mr. Nelson's tone became even more severe, saying, "Mr. Fang, you collaborate with the enemies of the international police, the Seven Gentlemen Party. We can overlook it due to your scientific achievements, but if you insist on taking something from the international police, then..."
He stopped there, indicating that there was no room for negotiation.
Fang Tian became more anxious, looking to me for help. I sighed and said, "Fang Tian, let me be honest with you. Nelson is my best friend. If you want to keep a secret from him, it's the most disadvantageous thing. You see, what you want cannot be obtained now."
Fang Tian pleaded, "Can't you find a way?"
I said, "If it's in the hands of the Seven Gentlemen Party, I can naturally retrieve it. But in the hands of the international police, how do you suggest I get it back?"
Fang Tian, in a state of panic, said, "What do you mean?"
I said decisively, "Tell him everything."
Fang Tian exclaimed, "No!"
I said, "I promised to help you, but if you don't listen to me, what can I do?"
Fang Tian was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. It was extremely unusual for him to laugh like this at such a time, but I was inexplicably puzzled by why he was laughing.
Mr. Nelson and I exchanged glances. I signaled him not to speak and that I would continue to pressure Fang Tian. After thinking for a moment, I said, "Fang Tian, this is the only way."
Fang Tian stopped laughing and said, "No! No! You think he's absolutely reliable, and telling him the secret is not a big deal. He will think someone else is reliable, and in the end, my secret won't be a secret anymore."
Fang Tian's words were not without reason, and for a moment, I couldn't find a way to answer him.
Fang Tian laughed again, saying, "You guys are putting me in a difficult situation, which won't benefit anyone."
I heard a reason in Fang Tian's words and quickly asked, "Why?"
Fang Tian pointed to Mr. Nelson and said, "If this person hadn't appeared just now, I would have explained to you that humanity on Earth is facing an unprecedented crisis. You don't know, except for me, no one knows about this crisis, and no one knows how to deal with it!"
In my mind, I quickly thought. What Fang Tian just said must be related to that strange sentence.
What on earth is it? Was Fang Tian bluffing? It doesn't seem like it. For a moment, I was at a loss for words.
Fang Tian continued, "I will encounter some losses, as you know. Even if I can never return home in my life, it's not a big deal. But you guys, haha, Kimura Shin will become your example!"
He mentioned Kimura Shin, which surprised me even more.
Kimura Shin died so mysteriously, and Fang Tian's attitude towards Kimura Shin was so fantastical. All of this could not help but shock me, making me believe that Fang Tian must be pointing to something!
I took a step forward, patted Fang Tian's shoulder, and said, "Don't worry, I'll find a way for you."
Fang Tian said, "If you help me, I'll help you, help you all." I nodded, turned around, and said, "Mr. Nelson, can you trust me with everything?"
Originally, I was collaborating with Mr. Nelson to exert "pressure" on Fang Tian, but suddenly, I changed my attitude. Mr. Nelson was such a clever person. He immediately sensed that there was something behind my change and winked at me. It was obvious that he was asking me: Is it necessary?
I nodded, nodding heavily to express the firmness of my opinion. Mr. Nelson said, "How can I trust you?"
I replied, "You don't need to inquire about anything, but you must agree to what I ask you to do."
Mr. Nelson sighed and said, "This is a very demanding request. Why are you doing this? Haven't we been working together for many years?"
I also smiled bitterly and said, "I have to do this because I have already promised to help someone who needs it more than you."
Mr. Nelson paced back and forth, remaining silent.
Fang Tian stood by, anxiously rubbing his hands. Mr. Nelson considered for about ten minutes before lifting his head and saying, "Okay!"
With that "okay," Fang Tian and I both breathed a sigh of relief.
Mr. Nelson's attitude immediately became active again, saying, "So, what do you want me to do first?"
I said, "It's simple. Hand over the metallic box to us. Fang Tian wants the contents of the box, and the box should be welded back to its original state. I need to explain to a certain embassy."
Mr. Nelson said, "Okay, follow me."
As he spoke, he strode outside. Fang Tian and I followed behind him. Fang Tian nodded at me, his expression showing extreme trust and gratitude.
We left the small house, and Mr. Nelson whistled. Immediately, seven or eight people emerged from the darkness.
I couldn't help but feel ashamed. These seven or eight people had obviously been lying in wait. When Fang Tian and I came in just now, I thought there was no one!
We followed Mr. Nelson to the door, where a car had already arrived. As I stepped onto the car, I asked, "Have you found anything about Dr. Sasaki's death and his daughter's disappearance?"
Mr. Nelson's brow furrowed suddenly. "A little."
I quickly asked, "What aspect did you investigate?"
Mr. Nelson glanced around and said, "We'll talk once we're in the car."
Mr. Nelson wasn't someone who easily panicked. His nervousness indicated there must be a reason. I remained silent until we got into the car. Then Mr. Nelson said, "I suspect the Moon God Society."
I exclaimed, "I suspect that too."
Mr. Nelson quickly turned to me, asking, "Why do you think so?" I recounted my encounter outside, being taken to the Moon God Society headquarters, and daring to escape.
Mr. Nelson sighed and said, "If we are to confront the Moon God Society, Wesley, our strength is simply too thin." I said, "What about the Japanese police?"
Mr. Nelson sighed again. "The Moon God Society's control over the Japanese police is more effective than the Japanese government's!"
This was something I had anticipated long ago. Could the Moon God Society act so recklessly by chance? I glanced at Fang Tian and said, "But Jizi must be saved." Mr. Nelson said, "Of course! Of course!"
As he spoke, he fell into thought.
The car drove quietly on the road and soon stopped in front of an ordinary bungalow.
Mr. Nelson pointed to the house and said, "This is another station of the international police. There is a complete cellar system under the house, manned by very loyal personnel, who will not be bought by the Seven Gentlemen Party." With that, we entered. Mr. Nelson led me straight to the cellar. As soon as we entered, Fang Tian and I were stunned. There were at least six people in the cellar, but all were dead, all of them Mr. Nelson's subordinates! Who did this? The Seven Gentlemen Party?
Mr. Nelson initially thought of the Seven Gentlemen Party because he had recovered the box from them. However, after hearing me speak, he immediately thought of his own intuition, which was incorrect.
He paused and said, "No, Meixida and I parted ways amicably. He promised to leave this matter to me, and he left Japan."
I nodded and said, "I'm not familiar with Meixida, but I think since he promised to leave Japan, he wouldn't have done this." Mr. Nelson muttered to himself, "Then who?"
Fang Tian finally interjected, "What about the metallic box? Is it still there?"
Mr. Nelson pointed to the door and said, "All the people are dead, so how could the box still be there?" Fang Tian held his head in his hands and sat down dejectedly on a sofa that had been overturned.
I patted Mr. Nelson's shoulder and said, "Old friend, don't be disheartened. Let's search for clues. I believe that such a large-scale operation cannot be carried out by ordinary people."
Mr. Nelson paced back and forth for a few steps and said, "Of course, the dead have been dragged into the cellar, and those injured have been taken away. I don't think there will be any clues left, but we can guess who did this!"
I looked up and said, "Are you suggesting the embassy of a certain country?"
Mr. Nelson shook his head. Suddenly, his gaze fell on a lighter among a pile of broken glass. In that moment, I also saw the lighter.
There was the emblem of the Moon God Society on the lighter!
Mr. Nelson smiled bitterly and said, "I guessed it!"
Originally, I had already guessed it. It was highly likely that it was the work of the Moon God Society's thugs. Now, there was no doubt!
My voice was very low as I said, "The Moon God Society."
Mr. Nelson's voice was equally low. He repeated those three words, "The Moon God Society!"
Both of us, like Fang Tian, sat down dejectedly on the overturned chairs. If it were the Seven Gentlemen Party, things would be much simpler, because although the Seven Gentlemen Party's seven leaders were extremely clever and had many followers, compared to the Moon God Society's hundreds of thousands of believers, they were like ants confronting a giant.
Moreover, the Moon God Society's influence in Japan was not only in the lower levels but also in the upper levels. The Moon God Society was like a devil with a thousand hands and hundred claws. To oppose this devil, the Japanese police were powerless!
The three of us sat dumbfounded for a while. Fang Tian was the first to speak, his voice filled with confusion, "The Moon God Society, they took the metallic box, but what's the use?"
I sighed and replied, "Perhaps they knew that the box contained the 'extraterrestrial object' passed down from the Inoue family, so they decided to take it." Suddenly, Nelson stood up and said, "The existence of the Moon God Society is accepted by the Japanese people, and we have no right to interfere. But this box must be retrieved."
I nodded and added, "And we have to do it within six days, or else I won't be able to explain to a certain embassy."
Nelson paced back and forth, pondering, "Should we split up or go together?"
I glanced at Fang Tian and noticed a peculiar expression on his face. I knew that things would be much easier if I were with Nelson.
But being with Nelson meant parting ways with Fang Tian, as he forbade me from revealing his secrets to anyone, and I feared I might slip up if he were with us. Moreover, judging by Fang Tian's expression, he seemed confident about retrieving the box. So I said, "It's better if we split up."
Mr. Nelson glanced at me and asked, "Are you going with Mr. Fang?" I nodded, "Yes." Mr. Nelson strode out, saying, "I wish you success first."
I could tell he was a bit displeased, but there was no other way. As soon as Mr. Nelson left, Fang Tian jumped up and said, "Wesley, let's go quickly!"
I was surprised, "Where are we going?"
Fang Tian replied, "To find that box." I immediately asked, "Do you know where the box is?"
Fang Tian replied, "I don't know the details, but I have a vague idea." I sighed and said, "Things are not simple. Don't make everything so mysterious." Fang Tian insisted, "I'm not being mysterious. The feelings and knowledge I have are something you earthlings don't possess. How can I explain?"
I understood Fang Tian's point because he was from Saturn. Despite looking identical to humans on Earth, he belonged to a completely different species. Due to the strong brainwaves of Saturnians, they possessed strong precognitive abilities.
After a moment's thought, I said, "Alright, then where do you think the box is?" Fang Tian replied, "In my perception, the box seems to be nearby."
I was taken aback and asked, "Nearby, as in right here?" Fang Tian confirmed, "Yes." He headed out while I followed. Outside, it was quiet and dark, and Nelson was nowhere to be seen.
The fight that occurred in the house must have involved silenced pistols because no neighbors were awakened, and every house remained dark.
As we stepped outside, Fang Tian stood still, scanning the surroundings silently. After a while, I grew impatient and asked, "Where exactly is it?"
Fang Tian's expression grew even more anxious than mine. He replied, "I only know it's nearby, but I don't know where exactly." I asked, "How close? Can you narrow it down?"
Fang Tian pondered for a moment and said, "Within an area of about 30,000 square meters." After hearing this, I couldn't help but smile bitterly.
30,000 square meters wasn't a large area, but in a densely populated residential area, how many houses were within that range?
I didn't mean to belittle Fang Tian, but I had to say, "Fang Tian, even though you're an extraterrestrial, you're not being very helpful."
Fang Tian's face turned blue. "You're right, I'm even less helpful than you!" I took a deep breath and said, "But you know the box is nearby. We can inform Mr. Nelson, and maybe he can help. You wait here; I'll make a phone call."
As I headed towards a nearby public phone booth, I heard the sound of a car approaching. I stopped in my tracks and saw a black sedan speeding past me. I noticed that all the windows of the car were covered with curtains.
Seeing the curtains, I sensed something was wrong. In an instant, the car veered onto the pedestrian road, heading straight towards Fang Tian. I shouted, "Fang Tian, watch out!" because the car was heading towards him as if possessed.
Fang Tian leaped aside just as the driver, undoubtedly skilled, swerved the car. There was a screeching sound as the car's front end pinned Fang Tian against the wall, and three people immediately jumped out of the car.
Kidnapping! Even a fool could see it was a kidnapping!
I rushed forward, but after a few steps, I heard bullets whizzing past me. I immediately dropped to the ground as Fang Tian despairingly cried out, "Wesley!"
As I crawled forward, bullets flew towards me, forcing me to take cover behind a mailbox.
The people who leaped out of the car moved swiftly. Just as I hid behind the mailbox, I heard the car doors slamming shut, and the car sped away.
Ignoring everything, I leaped out, witnessing Fang Tian being kidnapped right before my eyes was unbearable. I sprinted forward, rolling on the ground, bullets creating holes in the asphalt behind me.
I couldn't catch up with the car, but I could at least slow it down. As I rolled on the ground, I aimed two caltrops at the car's tires.
There was a hissing sound as the car jolted, at least two tires had gone flat.