"I have a question for you, the answer of which will influence my decision. Did you report what I notified you to the Queen? Why?"

Li Yan’s question was simple, he bypassed contacting Yue Yao himself to avoid worrying her, and naturally did not want Xie Xuanji to report to her either.

Upon hearing this, Xie Xuanji immediately realized this was a dilemma. King’s intention was clear: whether or not there was a report, he could find out from Queen. But if kept a secret, Queen would eventually know anyway, and at that time, the outcome...

Xie Xuanji sighed secretly, estimating that King gave him this question to let him retreat tactfully. He answered truthfully, "I haven’t reported to Queen yet because I believe your personal contact means you temporarily don’t want Queen to know. I must meet your requirement. But Queen’s management is also authorized by you, I can’t violate the organization’s rules. Once I leave here, I will still report to Queen."

His answer made Li Yan a little surprised but quite satisfied.

This was a dilemma where one must choose loyalty to King or Queen. Since it was in King’s presence and during a request for his patronage, most would choose loyalty to him and answer in line with his wish. Xie Xuanji’s words, however, considered both sides. For King’s direct request, he unconditionally complied; for the system represented by Queen, he did not overlook it due to King.

Such an answer might displease King and affect his desired benefits, but still made such a decision and stated it directly. Such a person wouldn’t disregard principles for benefits, loyal without being blindly devoted to an individual, and loyal to the organization.

"As you wish."

"What?" Xie Xuanji doubted he heard wrong, shouldn’t King take this opportunity to refuse?

"Just do as you said, your answer is satisfactory, I’ll communicate with Queen." Li Yan said as he already stood up to leave.

Xie Xuanji couldn’t help but be overjoyed! Though the preliminary and finishing logistical work was much safer, with more assignment opportunities and potentially more income, he always longed to become a true assassin who could personally take missions! Just like providing girls beforehand, and cleaning rooms afterward, even with income, there wasn’t the danger of diseases, but being uninvolved in the actual middle task, it would be uncomfortable over time.

...

Li Yan circled to the side from the back row, while keeping an eye on the entire scene, with people watching movies and flirting, there was nothing suspicious. Just as he prepared to go back, he heard a phone ringing, an unfamiliar ringtone from his body.

The phone Sonia left behind!

Li Yan took the phone out into the hallway towards the restroom.

"King, since you have already discovered me, perhaps we can talk first."

"Talk about what? Discuss love and romance?" Li Yan slightly smirked; could there really be a discussion when the assassin was already beside him?

"To show my sincerity... I’ve already left my phone for you, and haven’t followed you anymore."

Li Yan said nothing; having been tracked by Sonia to the hotel room was both her skill showcase and his negligence due to Changhe Group, Ye Jiahong, Lin Fenni, the movie, and preparing for Xiao Di’s birthday, which resulted in security oversight.

"I can also tell you my identity, I’m not from ’Swordfish’ nor ’Gate’. I am—’Rose’! The ’Rose’ from Ukraine!"

Li Yan could not help but be slightly surprised; perhaps more than one assassin used the ’Rose’ code name, men and women could both use it. But among S-Class assassins, the one with the ’Rose’ code name referred to was indeed the ’Rose’ from Ukraine. But wasn’t the Ukrainian Rose already dead by his gun?

It seems the Ukrainian ’Rose’ wasn’t just one! No wonder Sonia wasn’t surprised when she heard, "Some time ago, I destroyed a ’Ukrainian Rose’."

The Ukrainian Rose, more than one!

(Thanks to the brothers for the reward on the 21st: Sai Clan’s Little Fish, Coastal Liang Zai, Li Fanshow, dintt, Book Friend from Taiwan, It’s Just Reading, dongmin8061, kgjo, Support You with Heart, zjun971210, Deep Love in the Celestial River, CP Pampas, しょぅけん, JK Liang) (To be continued, to know how things progress, please log in to www.qidian.com, more Chapters available, support the author, support genuine reading!)