In a mansion on the eastern outskirts of the imperial capital, several Western faces sat around a round table, their expressions solemn.
"What in the world is going on? How could Liu Kuohai have been captured?"
"Although this kid is our undercover spokesperson in the East, his behavior over the years has been outrageous, and he has long been out of our control."
"No, we absolutely cannot let the Easterners get any intelligence from him; we must take this guy out."
"But he holds too many of our secrets; some are known only by him. We might have to find a way to rescue him first."
"This annoying guy, he only causes us trouble!"
...
The imperial capital seemed like a city without memory, or rather, everyone was so busy with their lives that they had no time to concern themselves with those messy affairs.
