Chapter 119: Made in Daxia, Number One Worldwide
Upon hearing the warning, Zeng Shen noticed through the rearview mirror that three military-style six-seater police SUVs were approaching his vehicle, signaling him to stop with their sirens.
"Put on this disguise mask and alter your appearance slightly," Zeng Shen quickly handed a disguise mask to Lin Keke from his backpack space. Once she adjusted her appearance, he instructed her to find a place to park.
As the truck stopped, the three SUVs parked strategically around him—one in front, one behind, and one to the right.
From the right vehicle, a woman wearing a military white cape, thigh-high black leather boots, and exuding an aura of cold elegance with her blue eyes, stepped out. Accompanied by several female soldiers in white military skirts, she approached the passenger side and rapped on the tinted window with her gloved hand.
Zeng Shen frowned, lowered the window, and was greeted by the crisp voice of the woman.
"Mr. Zeng Shen, hello. I'm Tioya, the highest military authority from Los Angeles City across the state. May I have the honor of inviting you to dinner?"
"You must be mistaken, Officer," Zeng Shen replied in fluent English.
"Mr. Zeng, I'm not allied with Jack and his group," Tioya asserted.
"Ma'am, I don't understand what you're talking about; you've got the wrong person," Zeng Shen continued to deny.
"If it's a mistake, may I still invite you and this lovely lady to dinner?" Tioya persisted.
"Officer, we have other plans. Maybe another time," Lin Keke, disguised, shook her head.
"I don't like being refused," Tioya's eyes narrowed, her voice turning cold. "You are now under arrest for involvement in a major incident."
With that, she turned back to her vehicle. The female officers accompanying her drew their pistols, aiming them at Zeng Shen and Lin Keke, commanding them to exit the vehicle.
"This woman is shrewd. Since I won't admit it, she's going to use force," Zeng Shen thought. He was puzzled about how he was recognized and whether her claim of not being with Jack was true. Deciding to play along, he signaled Lin Keke to exit the vehicle with him, ready to escape if needed.
As they exited, two female officers approached to cuff them, but Tioya interjected, "No need to be rude to my guests."
"Yes, ma'am," the officers stepped back and gestured for Zeng Shen and Lin Keke to board Tioya's SUV.
Zeng Shen and Lin Keke entered the middle row of seats in the SUV, but Tioya directed Lin Keke to sit in the back row.
Looking to Zeng Shen for confirmation, Lin Keke complied, while Tioya seated herself next to Zeng Shen.
"Mr. Zeng Shen, you don't have any dietary restrictions, do you?"
"You have the wrong person," Zeng Shen repeated his denial.
Ignoring him, Tioya confidently smiled, "Drive to Golden Mountain Hotel."
"Yes, ma'am."
Instantly, the three vehicles sped toward the Golden Mountain Hotel in the northern part of Old Gold Mountain City.
Golden Mountain Hotel, located in the city's bustling center, is renowned for its Daxia cuisine.
Upon arrival, Tioya led Zeng Shen to a private room, while Lin Keke was taken to another room with the female officers.
"This restaurant is owned by Admiral Bayard's family," Tioya mentioned as she sat across from Zeng Shen, clapping her hands to signal the waitstaff to serve their meal. "Bayard is one of the top military officials in this state but is merely a puppet of the Skull Society. The police surrounding the east of the city, aside from my officers, are his."
Zeng Shen maintained his composure, feigning curiosity, "An admiral as a puppet? This organization must be more powerful than the two major political factions in your country."
"They control half of our country's framework. Aggressive factions advocating for expansion and suppressing Daxia are mostly Skull Society members."
"And you, which side are you on?" Zeng Shen inquired.
"I'm part of the defensive faction, opposed to the aggressive expansionists, also controlling half of our country's framework—the Brotherhood."
"So you're a puppet too?"
Unperturbed, Tioya smirked, "I appreciate your humor and directness, Mr. Zeng."
"You have the wrong person," Zeng Shen insisted.
"Mr. Zeng, your continued denial suggests either my leverage isn't enough, or you have confidence in leaving here safely," Tioya observed, studying the youth with a common eye color for the region, despite his disguise.
Zeng Shen smiled slightly as a young female manager and several waitresses wheeled in a cart laden with dishes.
Soon, over a dozen Daxia specialty dishes were arrayed on the rotating table before Zeng Shen, along with a bottle of expensive red wine.
"General Tioya, all dishes are served," the manager announced, preparing to leave.
Tioya, her eyes narrowing, asked, "Did you secretly inform Admiral Bayard?"
"General Tioya, I—" the manager stammered nervously.
Tioya interrupted coldly, "How long until he arrives?"
"About three minutes."
"Good, add another place setting," Tioya instructed before turning back to Zeng Shen. "You are the best disguise artist I've seen. From start to finish, you haven't shown a hint of tension—not typical for an ordinary person from this country or Daxia."
"That's because I'm not your Mr. Zeng, just someone with thick nerves," Zeng Shen chuckled.
"No matter how well disguised, unless professionally trained, one will slip up. Would you like to know where you did?"
Intrigued, Zeng Shen wondered how Tioya remained so confident in identifying him as Zeng Shen.
"Though I'm not this Mr. Zeng, I'm curious why you think I am."
"My officers checked your address and ID. All fake."
Zeng Shen recited his prepared cover story, "I'm a stowaway, crossed over from the neighboring wall."
Ignoring him, Tioya continued, "Second, your clothes and your companion's are made in Daxia."
Zeng Shen glanced at their clothing, noting the labels, realizing what had given him away.
Still, he refused to admit it, saying, "Made in Daxia, number one worldwide; it's normal to wear them."
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!