Chapter 23: The Test of the Veteran

Lin Jie had originally thought that with Marcus as his reluctant "bodyguard," his first commissioned mission would begin in this somewhat awkward silence.However, when he finished organizing all his equipment early the next morning and prepared to head to the West India Docks, he discovered that I.A.R.C.'s "emphasis" on him—or rather, their "lack of trust"—far exceeded his imagination.

Barton's figure appeared once again at the hotel entrance.

And standing beside him was a stranger.

He was a white man who appeared to be around forty years old, not particularly tall but exceptionally sturdy.

His face was marked by the traces of hardship, with an old knife scar stretching from his brow bone to the corner of his mouth that added a fierce quality to his appearance.

His eyes were as calm as deep water, devoid of any emotion, only lifting slightly when he saw Lin Jie before showing no further reaction.

He wore extremely efficient khaki hunting attire, with an exceptionally long-barreled Colt Single Action Army revolver holstered at his waist—a weapon renowned at the time for its accuracy and power.

Most striking was the innate military aura about him.

Even standing casually, his spine remained ramrod straight, his entire being like a rifle ready to fire at any moment, brimming with restrained yet dangerous power.

"Mr. Lin, let me introduce you," Barton broke the silence with a smile. "This is Sergeant William Keane, a fifth-level investigator with the Association. He will serve as your mission partner and accompany you in completing this investigation of the West India Docks."

Partner?

Lin Jie's brow furrowed slightly.

He looked at Barton, his eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.

Yesterday, it had been clearly agreed that he would complete the mission independently, with Marcus only observing from a distance as a bodyguard without assisting in the investigation. Why had a partner suddenly appeared today?

Barton saw through his thoughts and explained impassively, "This is the latest decision from headquarters. They believe that considering your exceptional intelligence analysis capabilities and relatively... lacking practical experience, pairing you with an experienced combat personnel is a more reasonable arrangement."

"This will both ensure mission success rate and allow you to familiarize yourself more quickly with the basic workflow of being a hunter."

He then added, "Rest assured, according to the 'Freelance Hunter Agreement,' you remain the 'tactical lead' of this temporary team during the mission."

"Sergeant William's task is to provide you with combat support, execute your plans, and when necessary, correct some of your unrealistic 'rookie ideas.' He will not interfere with your core decision-making."

These words were impeccably phrased, emphasizing both Lin Jie's leading position and clarifying this new partner's dual identity as "instructor" and "enforcer."

Lin Jie knew this represented the Association's further "assessment" of his capabilities.

Having a battle-hardened veteran closely evaluate the quality of him as an "interpreter" was undoubtedly the most direct and effective method.

Lin Jie offered no further objections.

Until he truly proved himself with actual capability, any protest would be futile.

He turned and extended his hand toward the sergeant named William.

"Hello, I'm Lin Jie. I hope we cooperate well."

William's placid, well-like eyes lingered on Lin Jie for a moment.

He didn't shake Lin Jie's hand, speaking instead in an extremely concise tone: "Call me William. During the mission, stay close to me, don't wander off, don't make unnecessary noise. If danger arises, get down, then leave the rest to me."

After delivering these words that could be called "commands," he fell silent, as if he had completed all necessary communication for this trip.

The innate pride of a veteran and distrust toward a rookie were completely unconcealed.

Marcus, standing nearby, actually looked more relieved when he saw William appear, his previously constipated expression easing considerably.

He gleefully patted Lin Jie's shoulder with enough force to nearly make him stumble.

"Kid, you're in luck. Sergeant William is one of the best 'trackers' in our London branch."

"Back during the war against the Zulu in South Africa, he could track a combat squad alone across the grasslands for three days and three nights. With him around, your little life is pretty much secured."

A veteran of the Zulu War? Lin Jie felt a slight chill in his heart.

That was a colonial war notorious for its bloodiness and brutality. Anyone who survived such hell certainly wasn't someone to be trifled with.

This taciturn Sergeant William was likely far more dangerous than his rough, direct "bodyguard" Marcus.

And so, a truly peculiar temporary team of three was formally established.

A Chinese newcomer serving as the "tactical brain" but with mysterious practical combat abilities.

A British veteran serving as the "combat expert" but filled with suspicion toward the newcomer.

And a brawny guardian serving as the "final insurance" who only wanted to watch the excitement throughout.

They arrived at their destination—the West India Docks—by carriage, in complete silence.

Completely different from the bustle of central London, this was a massive steel forest composed of towering warehouses and crisscrossing railway tracks.

The air was filled with a special odor mixing seawater, coal smoke, and various spices, teas, and timbers shipped from distant colonies.

Even during daytime, the area felt somewhat empty and oppressive, the massive warehouses crouching like silent beasts along the banks of the Thames.

Their first stop was the office of the "United Spices and Textiles Company" mentioned in the commission.

There, a manager with a worried expression received them.

Lin Jie and the others didn't reveal their I.A.R.C. identities, instead posing as "private detectives" hired by the company's major shareholders specifically to investigate the theft case.

The manager led them to Warehouse Number Three where the incident had occurred.

It was a massive structure constructed from red brick and steel, several stories high and appearing extremely sturdy.

A large brass lock hung on the warehouse door, sealed with Scotland Yard's official tape.

"This is the place, gentlemen," the manager said, wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, his voice carrying a slight tremble. "Since the last night watchman Billy disappeared last week, no one has dared approach this place at night."

"When we took inventory during the day, we discovered that... some more items were missing from the warehouse. But this lock, and all the windows, show no signs of being forced open. Those items, it's like... like they grew legs and walked away on their own!"

Lin Jie didn't immediately enter the warehouse.

He began conducting a detailed external survey, circling the massive structure.

William followed behind him without a word, his calm eyes scrutinizing every detail of the surroundings like a hawk's.

Lin Jie noticed several small ventilation windows high up on the warehouse. Although they had iron bars, the gaps between the bars weren't completely impassable.

He also discovered that the warehouse's rear wall was adjacent to a drainage channel entrance leading to the docks' underground water system.

The entrance was blocked by an iron grate, but several iron bars at the bottom appeared to have been forcibly bent by some unknown object.

None of these observations escaped William's notice.

When Lin Jie's gaze lingered on the drainage channel entrance, William, who had been silent until now, spoke up for the first time.

"Scratches on the grate, very fresh. Not rust, left by some kind of metal or... hard claws." He crouched down, using his fingers to pick up some soil from the bottom of the grate and sniffing it. "Something in the soil, a mixed odor similar to machine oil and rot. Very faint, but definitely present."

Lin Jie looked at William in surprise.

He hadn't expected this veteran to possess not only rich combat experience but also such keen observational skills and tracking techniques.

His own basic analysis seemed utterly amateurish compared to such professional surveying.

William didn't seem to pay any mind to Lin Jie's surprise.

He stood up, dusted off his hands, and looked at Lin Jie as he said slowly, "Now, detective, you've seen what you wanted to see. Tell me, what's your plan?"

He placed Lin Jie in the position of "decision-maker" with this question.

This wasn't just a question—it was a test.

Lin Jie met his calm yet pressure-filled gaze and took a deep breath.

Every word he spoke next would determine whether this silent partner would become his most reliable support or a bystander questioning him throughout the entire mission.