Fang Zhang Ai and an Invitation

I didn't answer the child's question right away.

I glanced at Director. Cong that he understood, and brought the nurse outside.

I observe the little girl's expression carefully. But no matter how long I look, I can't still get a glimpse of her thoughts.

Her eyes didn't reveal anything but calmness, too calm not befitting her age.

If the people in the sect, especially the higher ups in Spy Department know about this, they will surely be surprised.

Fang Zhang Ai, a 7-star and an elder in the Spy Department, can't even read a child's thoughts?

Take note that people in the Spy Department is proficient when it comes to reading a person's thoughts through their body language, behavior and through their eyes. They can see what normal people can't see with just a small clue.

But Fang Zhang Ai, who is known as the 'Eye' of the sect for every mission she did and cases she handled in the past, she solved it all with ease. Not even the best detective of the government can do it.

Her records in the sect is perfect. No mission failed.

It's because her eyes can see through things more clearly, she can see the truth in the problems with just a single clue.

If she was not lazy and accept as many missions like normal spies in sect, she would be either 8-star or 9-star Spy now.

Now that she is already an elder, she became even lazier.

She only accepts mission once a month.

So it was really unexpected that she cannot gouge this little girl in front of her.

Even in the underworld, her name rang far and wide. She is one of the most wanted spy in the underworld. 

Her head worth is $ 84,745,000,000 exactly, almost a hundred billion dollars because her every mission involves very huge syndicates, powerful mafias and big drug lords. And they lost billions of dollars because Fang Zhang Ai always interfered in their business that's why they put that huge amount as her bounty.

A lot of assassin tried. But most of them perished in her hands.

Her bounty is still issued but there is no one who accept it.

Even an SS-Rank Assassins can barely  escape in her hands.

Most assassins who accepts the bounty are S-Rank and SS-Rank but they can only escape with severe and life threatening injuries.

Thus her strength is evident to all.

There are ten ranks of assassins. 

Wether in the underworld or in sect assassins.

E-Rank , D-Rank, C-Rank, B-Rank, A-Rank, AA-Rank, S-Rank, SS-Rank and SSS-Rank and SSS+Rank.

While the Spies and Secret Agents also has ten levels but there is a 'star' beside it.

1-Star,2-Star, 3-Star, 4-Star, 5-Star, 6-Star, 7-Star, 8-Star, 9-Star and 10-Star.

From the weakest to the strongest.

For you to raise your rank. You must accept missions and the points you can get it can help you upgrade your level. If the points is enough.

"Fang Zhang Ai dear."

***

'Fang Zhang Ai?'

I weakly nod and asked her the question that bugging my mind.

"Where is my mother?"

I glanced at her gentle eyes, probing my body.

In my past life. I practiced masking and manipulating my expression and my eyes.

The more they want to read me, the more calm my expression is.

Because expressing your real thoughts can bring trouble to yourself and can ruin your plans.

I even practiced it first than fighting as people in the Imperial Palace are can be considered masters when it comes to manipulating their expressions. So learning it is a must.

"She is in the room next to this one."

She answered with her very gentle and soft voice.

"How is she?"

I held my breath, afraid to hear my mom's situation but still awaiting her answer.

Memories that night resurfaced again in my mind.

Her pained expression.

Her fearful eyes.

This accident...

I don't want it to happen again.

I released the huge amount of air after hearing her answer.

"She's alright, she regained her consciousness two days ago,

You slept for about six days and your situation is not so optimistic. Your internal organs were severely damaged because of backlash from using too much inner force."

'As long as she's alright.' I thought.

Fang Zhang Ai informed me about anything. I know there was people watching outside our restaurant but I felt that they have no ill intent in their gaze. 

So I just ignore them but put up my guard, just in case.

However I didn't expect that those people outside are police forces who were responsible of capturing the leader of the thieves which they called Mr. Snake. 

And when I heard her mention 'inner force', I know for sure that I met a Martial Artist.

This seemingly harmless and beautiful woman is a Martial Artist, an expert at that.

People said that only your kind can smell and identify you.

I somewhat believe in this saying.

"What do you want from me?" I asked.

The police force can handle the crime but they send her.

It can see that her identity is even more important than the police force.

And I her being a police is impossible.

Because despite looking as such, the smell of blood in her is too thick while her aura is too strong.

Especially, when I search the police forces's bodies that time. Their body didn't have an inner force. They can be either normal police or the police force in this world didn't practice inner force.

But this woman...

Her inner force is massive and heavy, like a surging sea. If she were in my world, she could be an elder of a sect or other organizations.

'She can be a part of the government's special or secret force.'

This hospital is very influential but how the doctor earlier look at the woman carried fear and respect, he were very submissive. So it showed that he knew her identity.

And I can clearly see that this room I am occupying is not a normal one.

It is way more bigger and more elegant than normal rooms in a hospital, even if it is a huge hospital like First Hospital. It's even bigger than a normal building with complete appliances.

They need something from me.

I already have a suspicion but I still asked.

Her answer was simple.

"You killed four men."

Killing is a murder punishable by law, well at least here.

I killed four men but still they treated me and my mother in the hospital.

If a person killed someone, if he's in the right age which is eighteen, then he or she will be put into jail.

While the children will be put into a child center or institute with specialist to guide them mentally because they might be traumatized and they can also pursue their studies there. And when they reach the age of eighteen, they will be put in jail.

But they still brought me here. They can just let me die as I know my situation. If I don't have a spiritual force, then I may died and I might not wake up.

So why would they still treated a child murderer who was in the verge of death?

It can only be...

'An invitation.'

Or it can also be interpreted as a threat. 

Because if I refuse their invitation, they will put me in a child center, which else no different than being held captive as you can't go outside, you will just have to stay in the institute with the other children who committed a crime.

The one that they must talk about this things is the child's parent. I don't know why she is telling me this.

"Does my mother know?" 

I asked because I am afraid that when she'll know what a monster her child is. 

She...might abandon me. 

And I can't lose her. 

'I can't lose my mom.'

I don't want to be abandoned again.

I don't want to be alone again.

I don't want to lie to her.

I want to tell her my secrets. 

I want to tell her the truth.

But...

'Not now.'

I am not ready yet.

That night, I know she didn't saw anything as the man's flashlight died at that time. And it was so dark, normal people can't see in the dark.

'So I hope they didn't tell her yet.'

"No."

A sigh with relief escaped my mouth as I heard her response.

"If I accept the offer, would you send people to protect my mother?" I seriously asked.

The woman ponder for a bit before answering. Her eyes in deep thought.

She looked at me and her gentle eyes contained with an ever blinding brilliance and a small excitement.

"Yes."

This invitation...

I surely would accept.

This is what I need.

A force that will protect my mother as I am not with her all the time to protect her.

Accidents always happen. Like the last time, because of my miscalculation and lack in strength. 

Thus, this invitation benefits me greatly.

So my answer is...

A smile.

She understood it and she too, smiled faintly.