Chapter 133: Ling Tian's True Identity Brought into Question

"Mr. Ling, someone has come to visit the young master again, claiming to be his acquaintance." At that moment, Ling Kun's phone rang. It was the housekeeper calling to report that yet another visitor had arrived for Ling Tian.

"Show him in." Ling Kun had grown somewhat unfazed by now and couldn't even be bothered to ask further questions. He was beginning to harbor doubts about whether the Ling Tian standing before him was truly his own son. He distinctly remembered that his son used to have no particular talents, cared only for street racing, was too lazy to even chase girls, and loathed the very idea of going to school.

Yet, after a single car accident, his son had undergone a complete transformation. He had started going to school, learned how to pursue women, and grown remarkably capable. Not only was he formidable in combat, but he had also inexplicably mastered the art of medicine. Ling Kun deeply doubted whether this was even his son at all.

However, these were merely suspicions. After all, the young man's appearance had not changed in the slightest, and he was familiar with everything from his past, leaving no obvious flaws. What on earth was going on? Could it be the legendary soul transmigration? The thought sent a slight chill down Ling Tian's father's spine.

Yet that notion lasted only a fleeting moment. His son was so handsome, radiant, and affectionate toward him—how could he not be his own flesh and blood? Perhaps he had simply encountered some extraordinary stroke of fortune.

Ling Tian had no idea that so many people were already suspicious of him, that even his own father had begun to doubt him, all while he fondly imagined his cover was airtight.

Before long, a figure appeared in the study. There was only one person, yet his mere presence filled the room with a palpable sense of pressure. He was of average height and ordinary looks, but he radiated an intensely sharp and formidable aura.

Everyone present recognized this man, even though not everyone here was someone he would necessarily know.

Feng! It was actually Feng!

A jolt of shock ran through Ling Tian's heart. Why had this fellow come here? Suppressing the turmoil within, Ling Tian realized this was one of the people who stirred him most deeply since his rebirth. He never expected Feng to track him down. What on earth was his intention? Was he here to recruit him on behalf of the Dragon Directorate or the Ministry of State Security, or had he guessed his true identity? A wave of anxiety rippled through Ling Tian.

The others were equally astonished. This man—this man was actually the former second-in-command and now the absolute leader of the Dark Directorate! His name was Feng, a man as elusive as the wind, a figure before whom both the Dragon Directorate and the Ministry of State Security paled in comparison.

In this world, apart from the former Ling Tian, no one had ever managed to catch Feng's eye. Yet that former Ling Tian's fate remained unknown, though general consensus deemed him essentially dead.

After a brief moment of reflection, the operatives from the Ministry of State Security and the Dragon Directorate understood: the current head of the Dark Directorate had come in person specifically to recruit Ling Tian. This Ling Tian shared the exact same name as the former head of the Dark Directorate, wielded nearly identical cultivation techniques, yet seemed even more powerful than his predecessor, alongside miraculous medical skills. No wonder the Dark Directorate's leader had made the trip himself.

Could this Ling Tian have some connection to the two previously deceased figures bearing the same name? Although their appearances differed, all other data matched remarkably well. Realizing this, the agents from the Dragon Directorate and the Ministry of State Security instantly felt their hopes dashed.

From any perspective, Ling Tian was impossible to recruit to their side now. If he were to join anyone, it would undoubtedly be the Dark Directorate.

Ling Tian's father, Ling Kun, although he had never personally met the original Ling Tian, had heard plenty of rumors. Seeing Feng of the Dark Directorate arrive in person only heightened his shock. Could his son share some deep-seated connection with the former leader of the Dark Directorate?

Everyone watched Feng, waiting to see how this man would react. Unfortunately, they were destined to be disappointed; not a single expression flickered across Feng's face. He was a man who hid his emotions deeply.

"Hello, Mr. Ling, we meet again." Feng ignored the two operatives from the Ministry of State Security and the two from the Dragon Directorate. To someone of his status, these individuals were mere pawns, hardly deserving of a proactive greeting.

"Indeed, we meet again. We truly owe you our thanks for your help with the incident last time. Now that you've graced my home, I must play the proper host and treat you well." Ling Kun enthusiastically grasped Feng's hand, as they had interacted before.

At that moment, the representatives from the Dragon Directorate and the Ministry of State Security also stepped forward, addressing Feng with respectful deference: "Greetings, Commander Feng."

Although they belonged to different departments and maintained a competitive relationship among themselves, in terms of status, Commander Feng stood on equal footing with their own superiors. Since they all served the country, a respectful greeting was only proper.

"Ah, greetings to you all. You certainly move fast, don't you? Do you intend to compete with me for someone I've set my sights on? It's a pity, though, that your sincerity still falls short. If your superiors had come in person, perhaps you would have stood a chance," Feng said indifferently.

"Heh." The agents could only offer dry, awkward laughs, thinking to themselves: *If this Ling Tian has any relation to our former Commander Ling, then even our boss coming in person would be useless—you people are practically family.*

Now, the Dragon Directorate and Ministry of State Security could only pin their hopes on the current Ling Tian having no connection whatsoever to the late leader of the Dark Directorate, leaving them even the slimmest glimmer of a chance.

Ling Tian had remained silent throughout, simply waiting to see how Feng would react—whether he had come to offer recruitment or had deduced his true identity.

He did not wish to be recognized, yet if Feng failed to figure it out, a twinge of disappointment would follow. If a former sworn brother truly paid attention, shouldn't he suspect that he was the original Ling Tian? Ling Tian felt deeply conflicted.

What shocked him the most tonight wasn't the appearance of the Ministry of State Security or the Dragon Directorate at his doorstep, but Feng's personal visit.

"Mr. Ling, I have something to discuss privately with young master Ling. I wonder if that might be convenient?" Feng looked directly into Ling Kun's eyes, speaking with absolute sincerity.

"Very well, then we shall step outside for some refreshments. You two can chat at your leisure." Ling Kun proved uncommonly decisive this time. In truth, he had already guessed roughly what was going on. Seeing Feng's solemn expression, could his son really share some profound connection with the missing Commander Ling?

Neither the Dragon Directorate nor the Ministry of State Security raised any objections. They followed Ling Kun out of the study, leaving it entirely to Feng and Ling Tian.

Once outside, the agents from the two state agencies declined any food and immediately took their leave. They had to report this development to their superiors at once. It was bizarre—before Feng's arrival, they had never linked Ling Tian to the Dark Directorate's former chief, yet the very instant they saw Feng, everything clicked.

Within the spacious study, only Feng and Ling Tian remained.

Neither of them spoke. Feng attempted to read something in Ling Tian's eyes, but Ling Tian masked his emotions flawlessly, leaving Feng utterly unable to glean a thing.

Finally, Feng broke the silence, shedding his stoic facade as raw emotion surged into his eyes.

"Boss, I know it's you." Feng's voice trembled slightly, unable to contain the upheaval within his heart. Though the young man before him looked vastly younger, after so many years as sworn brothers, Feng was far too familiar with Ling Tian. It was the resonance of a soul.

Ling Tian's heart gave a violent tug, yet he forced himself to hold firm, replying with a calm expression, "You have the wrong person. This is my first time meeting you."

Rejection was agonizing. Yet, if he acknowledged his true identity, he would inevitably be dragged back into his former life—something he no longer desired. He only wanted the life he had now, living entirely as he pleased. As for Feng and the others, as long as they lived well and remained safe, that was enough.

"Ling Tian! Though your appearance has changed and your background is different, I know it's you. You are our boss—how can your heart bear not acknowledging us?" Feng's plea was entirely within Ling Tian's expectations, yet it struck deeper than he anticipated.

Indeed, if he truly wished to sever ties and avoid his old comrades, why would he have made his presence known? Why not simply stay away from the Dark Directorate entirely? Yet, when Feng had come to him in person, why did he still refuse to acknowledge him?

Hearing Feng's words, a dull ache blossomed in Ling Tian's chest. In the dead of night, he too missed his old friends and reminisced about the past; those memories were etched into his very bones, impossible to erase entirely.

Yet, to acknowledge them now meant plunging back into the old abyss, while the true culprits behind his death would forever remain unmasked. Ling Tian suspected there was a traitor within the Dark Directorate.

He had never suspected Feng, for Feng would never betray him—especially given the raw emotion on Feng's face right now, which proved he genuinely wished for him to be alive and well. Yet Ling Tian could not afford to acknowledge Feng just yet. At the very least, even if beaten to death, he could not admit to his rebirth. Strictly speaking, the only person who knew about his reincarnation was Li Youran; he intended to keep it a secret from everyone else.

With that realization, he hardened his heart, flashed a bright, carefree smile, and looked at Feng. "I just heard them address you as Commander Feng. May I ask who you might be? Anyone whom the Ministry of State Security and the Dragon Directorate address with such respect must be no ordinary person. Although I am not the person you are looking for, I wouldn't mind making your acquaintance."

Ling Tian's smile was so innocent and radiant that it momentarily gave Feng a strange illusion—perhaps this really was just an ordinary wealthy heir, and perhaps he had genuinely mistaken his man. But recalling the surveillance footage, the ruthless efficiency he had witnessed during his days tracking Ling Tian, the unique Yin-Yang manual, and the miraculous medical prowess, Feng was utterly certain: this was the man he was looking for. This was his boss, his brother.

"Boss, won't you drop the act? I am Feng, former deputy commander and now acting commander of the Dark Directorate. And you are the true leader of the Dark Directorate, the foremost expert in China—Ling Tian! The Dark Directorate truly needs you. Come back!"

By this point, Feng was speaking almost in a tone of entreaty, unable to comprehend why Ling Tian stubbornly denied his identity.

"The Dark Directorate? I've heard of it. It's an organization established in recent years that overshadowed the Dragon Directorate the moment it was founded. I've read up on them—the Dragon Directorate handles internal affairs while the Dark Directorate deals with external threats, though their jurisdictions often overlap. The Dragon Directorate has certainly lost a lot of its spotlight to you people. You're quite impressive!" Ling Tian continued to play dumb, resolving to feign ignorance to the bitter end—and even further beyond.

Feng was left utterly speechless. The Ling Tian before him differed drastically from his past life, having grown remarkably carefree and cynical. If not for the ruthless efficiency, the familiar methods, the peerless Yin-Yang manual, and the mystical medical arts he had witnessed, Feng might genuinely have believed he had the wrong person and allowed himself to be deceived.