Solving Middle Age Crisis by Intelligence System-Chapter 541 - 356: The Secret of the Vatican

At eight o’clock in the afternoon, Ah Jiao and Xiao Wu arrived at Bird City almost at the same time, and Old Hei, who was picking them up, brought them back together.

Qi Yun glanced briefly at the test report Ah Jiao brought back. The data on it was almost the same as the one provided by Hua Weiguo, except it had the stamp of the Department of Ecological Environment at the bottom.

With this report, he could go and negotiate with those enterprises.

"Thank you for your hard work. You should go back and rest, and take Xiao Wu with you. Get to know each other a bit better."

Qi Yun put down the document and turned to the slightly apprehensive Xiao Wu. "Being here is just like being at home. If you have any issues, feel free to talk to me or anyone else here."

Xiao Wu’s personality was somewhat similar to Chen Wei’s, both being quiet and reserved. Additionally, he hadn’t yet moved past the grief of Old Tong’s passing, so he spoke even less, simply nodding silently before leaving with Ah Jiao.

After the two left, Qi Yun took a deep breath, still concerned about those two artifacts, but neither Guo An nor Brother Hui had received any news about Yamamoto Ichiro, and seemingly had no other leads.

He lit a cigarette, thought for a few seconds, and then dialed De Gaulle’s number, intending to leverage his resources in Japan to track down Yamamoto Ichiro.

This guy had mentioned during his previous visit to Huaxia that he personally had business in Japan, and it seemed to be quite substantial.

However, it was managed by professional managers on the surface, so very few people knew about this.

Although they were currently ’plastic allies,’ they were allies nonetheless, so lending a helping hand to each other isn’t unreasonable, is it?

"Mr. De Gaulle, I need your help..." Qi Yun jumped straight to the point as soon as the call connected.

Sure enough, De Gaulle didn’t decline and readily agreed after hearing him out: "No problem. I have some people in Osaka and Tokyo. I’ll have them investigate immediately."

After discussing business, Qi Yun asked about the previous deal: "The information I gave you last time about your cousin, have you verified it?"

De Gaulle fell silent for a few seconds before responding: "Yes, I just received the test results an hour ago. He is indeed not a member of the Gwen Clan."

Qi Yun sensed that the other party didn’t sound very pleased, which puzzled him.

Doesn’t this essentially mean they hold an ace over his cousin?

Once the news spreads, his cousin would lose the qualification for succession, making the position of the decision-maker within reach.

Why is this guy still unhappy?

But he refrained from asking more questions and merely inquired about when he might fulfill his promise: "Regarding the two conditions I mentioned last time?"

"Since I promised, I will honor it as agreed," De Gaulle answered directly. "Once I’ve gained control of ASML’s shares, I will transfer them to you unconditionally."

"Additionally, if you plan to deal with the Boot Clan, I can use my influence to assist you. However, this is just my personal influence. Until I formally assume the position as Family Head, I don’t have the authority to utilize the family’s deeper resources."

Qi Yun noted that the other party didn’t seem to be evasive, thus he nodded with satisfaction: "Alright, I can wait for you."

The two then communicated about the latest developments regarding the map clue.

"You know the uniqueness of St. Peter’s Basilica, my people can’t freely search like they can elsewhere, so they are currently negotiating with several cardinals."

"Based on my judgment, the clues are likely hidden in the Vatican Secret Archives beneath the basilica, where nobody can enter without the Pope’s permission."

"The Vatican Secret Archives?"

Qi Yun found the name somewhat familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before. After recalling for a moment, he remembered its introduction.

The Vatican Secret Archives can be considered the most mysterious place in Vatican City. Its predecessor was an archive established in Saint Lawrence-in-Lucina, dating as far back as the 4th century AD.

Initially, its purpose was simply to store some papal documents, but as the Vatican expanded, many valuable files had also been included in the archive.

In the early 17th century, Pope Paul V officially established it as the Catholic Church’s secret archive.

Reportedly, the length of the shelves holding the documents inside now reaches 80 kilometers!

The various documents involved range from medieval papal directives to major events in modern countries, and even numerous records about ancient civilization relics.

It is said that some of the relic lists found during the Crusades are also hidden inside.

There are even evidences of UFO sightings, research materials from America’s Area 51, alien-related stuff, essentially everything you can think of.

Countless people have wanted to enter this Vatican Secret Archives to explore, but the church’s management is stringent. To gain access, papal approval is mandatory.

However....

"Isn’t this Vatican Secret Archives not actually under St. Peter’s Basilica?" Qi Yun voiced his doubts.

De Gaulle chuckled, and when he addressed this question, his tone carried a hint of pride: "That is merely what the church tells the public. The real Vatican Secret Archives, in fact, lies underground of St. Peter’s Basilica. That is where the Vatican stores its most confidential documents."

"The secret is known only to successive popes and cardinals, and...families like ours that are even older than the Roman Church."

Qi Yun smacked his lips, surprised to learn of such a revelation.

"Do you have a way to persuade the Pope to let you in?"

"Today’s church is no longer what it was back in the day, but a group of profit-driven mortals. I believe they would personally welcome me in if enough is offered as compensation." De Gaulle’s voice carried undisguised mockery.

As soon as the call between the two ended, small factions began emerging throughout places like Osaka and Tokyo in Japan, joining the quest to track down Yamamoto Ichiro.

The actual controllers behind these small factions were, in fact, De Gaulle.

As dawn approached, Qi Yun, who had been waiting for news, finally received a call from Ge Dabao.

As expected, it was Guo An’s Q Security Department that first found clues.

"The person has been found! The last location where Yamamoto Ichiro was seen was outside a villa in the Kamigyo District of Capital City. The villa owner has a rather special status; they are members of the Hatoyama Clan in Japan."

"The Hatoyama Clan?"

"Yes, this clan holds significant influence in Japan, and has even produced a prime minister among its members," Ge Dabao explained.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun’s expression unintentionally hardened. Yamamoto Ichiro not only could not be reached but had run off to the territory of the Hatoyama Clan, clearly hiding out.

Why is he hiding? The answer seemed obvious.

Qi Yun despised betrayal more than anything in life, and anyone daring to do so must pay the price...