Spy Wars: Strong Agents Who Are Ruthless and Talk Little

Chapter 419 Losing Everything

The enemy had entered his sight. Su Ming quickly determined that the enemy was not fully aware of his presence, but was focused on finding traces of his entry into the passage.

Su Ming stood in the darkness, his eyes fixed on the door ahead, his heartbeat threatening to burst through his chest. He gently clenched the gun in his hand, his fingertips turning slightly white. Despite countless life-or-death experiences, he couldn't shake the oppressive feeling, as if the entire space was squeezing his breath. His mind kept replaying the previous scene—that moment behind the iron door, the sense of urgency and the inescapable fate—as if it reminded him that he was deeply trapped in a vortex, from which there was no turning back.

"How could this happen?" he asked himself quietly, his heart filled with endless doubts and anxiety. Recalling his initial choice to his current situation, it seemed as if everything had quietly changed under some unknown force.

Initially, when he stood before those tattered intelligence documents, his goal and direction were so clear. He spent countless nights alone in his cramped room analyzing the situation, devising plans, and trying to find a path to the truth. But when he truly entered the game, he found that everything had become so complex that even he often couldn't see the path ahead clearly.

Standing before that iron gate, he vividly remembered every decision he'd made. His mind was no longer entangled in past regrets, nor was he hesitant about tomorrow's choices. Instead, an indescribable urge propelled him forward, even to the point where he wondered—what was he pursuing? Was it to uncover the truth, or simply to survive? He couldn't quite put his finger on it.

But now, looking back, that impulse seemed so distant. Su Ming couldn't help but reflect: every choice he made seemed to betray his original rationality. Whenever he was in danger, whenever he felt the end of the world approaching, it was like he was being pushed into an uncontrollable vortex, unable to extricate himself. And every time he looked back, it was an agonizing struggle that made him feel like he couldn't breathe.

Su Ming's gaze gradually dimmed, and past events flashed through his mind like a movie—those companions who had fought side by side, the goal that had once soared in his heart, all seemed blurred by the passage of time. Countless adventures, countless trade-offs and choices had transformed him from a passionate young man into a calmer and more vigilant person, but at the same time, a lonelier and more exhausted person.

He remembered the conversation he had had with Zheng Yaoxian on that quiet afternoon. Zheng Yaoxian had stared out the window at the gray sky, silent for a long time before finally speaking: "Do you feel that our actions are increasingly deviating from our original intentions?" Su Ming didn't answer then, but simply looked into Zheng Yaoxian's eyes. He had a vague sense of foreboding, but he didn't show it. He simply nodded, thinking, "We've come too far. We can't stop."

However, looking back now, he didn't know whether this choice was right or wrong. Every road was shrouded in the fog of the unknown, and there seemed to be only endless darkness ahead, without any light.

"How did I end up like this?" Su Ming sighed softly, his eyes scanning the darkness ahead with a dazed look. He had never realized how overwhelmed he was, even the most basic judgment was beginning to blur. He remembered Zheng Yaoxian once saying, "When you can't see the road ahead clearly, don't walk blindly, because every step will determine your future." At the time, he had simply thought that the words were a bit overly cautious, but now, looking back, that advice seemed to remind him that every choice carries a huge risk.

This inner conflict and self-doubt made him somewhat lost, and he even considered stopping and finding a secluded place to temporarily relax his vigilance and regroup. However, he knew that stopping meant giving up, and would also mean completely losing his direction in this silent war.

"I can't stop. I can't let myself get weak." Su Ming took a deep breath and forced himself to regain his composure. He knew he had to pull himself together again and not be dragged down by the past. He had to find a new way out and keep moving forward, even if the road ahead was filled with unknowns and dangers.

He tightened his grip on his weapon, concentrated his mind, and prepared for any possible emergency. The enemy's footsteps seemed to recede, but he remained vigilant. Every second could determine his fate. For Su Ming, every choice now felt like a life-or-death stake; he could not afford any more mistakes.

At that moment, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps approaching. Su Ming instinctively held his breath and quickly retreated, hiding in a blind corner of the passage. His heartbeat suddenly accelerated, his nervousness almost uncontrollable. His eyes quickly scanned his surroundings, his mind racing with countermeasures—the enemy was already very close, and he had no idea how many of them there were.

The footsteps were getting closer. They were the steps of two people, and they seemed to be walking cautiously. Su Ming silently prayed that the two enemies had underestimated his concealment ability and continued to act according to their plan, rather than suddenly realizing his position.

The footsteps rang almost in his ears. Su Ming's nerves were on edge, his body pressed against the wall, and he held his breath. In those few seconds, he could feel every movement of the other person. He could hear their whispered conversation, their voices hushed, their tones tinged with a hint of unease.

"We've been searching for so long, how is it possible that we haven't found anything?" one of the voices said, a hint of anger and anxiety. "Could he really have disappeared into thin air?"

"No matter what, we can't let our guard down." Another voice responded seriously, "He's definitely nearby. Don't worry, we can split up and investigate."

"Okay, continue checking."

Su Ming's heart sank. The enemy's split actions put him in even greater danger. If they really separated, he would have to face two enemies, and one of them might get around to his rear.

He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. After a moment's thought, he decided to stay put for now, making the most of the cover of the environment and waiting for the enemy to be slightly careless, so he could find an opportunity to counterattack or escape.

Yet, even during this quiet wait, Su Ming's heart remained restless. Memories and thoughts woven into an inseparable web, deeply entrapping him. He suddenly realized that he was no longer the man who lived solely for his mission. Every decision and every adventure he took was a struggle against a deep-seated insecurity within him.

Su Ming could almost feel the rhythm of his heartbeat, hear his breathing echoing in the silent air. Footsteps drew closer, and a sense of oppression and anxiety seemed to tighten around his chest. He knew his predicament was dire. The enemy was moving in separate directions, and if discovered, he would face an uncertain fate. Yet, every second seemed precious, a fierce struggle, a relentless struggle against the torrent of time.

He gradually regained his breath, trying not to be consumed by the overwhelming unease. In the darkness, he felt every nerve in his body tense. The gun in his hand was already icy cold, but he could still feel the chilling force it radiated, as if it had become the only barrier between him and his enemy. He lowered his head slightly, gazing at his sweat-soaked hands, and suddenly, a sense of confusion he had never felt before came over him. Every choice seemed to take him further and further away from his original goal and ideal, and the source of all this was that unavoidable "iron gate."

"What the hell am I doing?" he muttered unconsciously. He'd made countless decisions before, stood on the brink of darkness countless times, but each time he'd managed to respond with calmness and determination. Yet, at this moment, he couldn't shake the deep confusion and doubt. The beliefs that had once guided him seemed to fade with the passage of time, even becoming hazy. Just like now, he stood at the end of this passage, unsure whether to continue forward or give up.

Yet, as the footsteps drew closer, Su Ming didn't hesitate. Instead, he calmly made his decision. Suddenly, he realized he had to break free from the doubts and fears plaguing his heart, no longer dwelling on past mistakes and choices. Instead, he needed to face the unknown with present wisdom and courage. Perhaps this was his only way to survive.

With the enemy within five steps, Su Ming adjusted his stance slightly, his mind rapidly formulating his next move. He no longer counted on a direct confrontation, but instead prepared to use his experience and surroundings to engage in a "confusing" struggle. He knew this fight was destined to be no easy task, and any reliance on luck could lead to his complete loss.

"They're too confident." Su Ming's mind raced, his thoughts suddenly clearing. He stared at the doorway, which was almost completely opposite the darkness he was in, and suddenly a plan emerged: confuse the enemy, exploit their complacency, and make them underestimate him.

He no longer waited for the enemy to arrive, but quickly retreated into the shadows to the side, observing their movements in the dim light of the corridor. The two enemies walked leisurely, even chatting casually. Everything seemed unusually calm, as if they were completely unaware of the danger in this area. Su Ming quickly determined that this confidence was precisely the enemy's greatest weakness.

"As long as they think there's nothing wrong here, I can easily trick them into making a wrong judgment." Su Ming calmly pondered this in his mind. As time ticked by, he finally came to a decision – to use deception.