Japan, Nagoya. This was the hometown and ancestral land of the Matsui family.
In central Nagoya, there was the Matsui Building. In the suburbs of Nagoya, there was also the Matsui Manor.
The Matsui family had developed in Japan for centuries. Of course, that Class A war criminal from eighty years ago was one of the more prominent and valuable members of the Matsui family.
Over these many years, the Matsui family was involved in real estate, finance, and industry. Although not as top-tier as families like Sony or Panasonic, in the Nagoya area, they were second to none. In all of Japan, they were a family worth mentioning. Among shareholders of overseas Japanese schools, they were also a heavy hitter. Far stronger than that Ito Tansi or the previously executed Matsuda Kenji.
This was also the biggest target Lu Zheng and Lin Wan had faced so far. To eliminate evil completely, without leaving loose ends, they were prepared to spend more time. It was giving full face to the Matsui family.
“Actually, even if done without flaws, there might still be people linking this to the Nandu incident.” Lin Wan said.
“Let them link it. The world never lacks conspiracy theories. But without evidence, the most numerous moderates will not get involved.”
Lu Zheng said, “As for the upper levels that truly decide the course of events, evidence or not makes no difference.”
Lin Wan nodded. “When a nation acts, it all relies on strength. Especially the Anglos. They can turn evidence into none. Over these years, have such things been few?”
Lu Zheng sneered. “Back when the Beacon Country had the world’s top national power, the filter beauty mirror unbroken, they did still care about reputation. So everyone thought they were truly a democratic beacon tower, reasoning things out.”
Lin Wan curled her lip. “So, as a batch of people die inexplicably, the rest recognise their own status. Content to be dogs.”
“Being fond of being dogs is fine too.” Lu Zheng said flatly. “In any case, the Beacon Country will eventually withdraw from the Asian sphere. Then give them a new master. They can continue being dogs.”
“But before changing masters, they must be beaten painfully first.” Lin Wan said.
Lu Zheng nodded. “Stubborn tumours must be cleared. Otherwise, using them later will not be smooth. The nation has its own considerations. We ordinary folk must use ordinary ways to vent our anger.”
The two chatted as they walked. Finally, they reached the Matsui Building in central Nagoya.
This was a modern skyscraper over sixty storeys tall. At the top, the Matsui Group sign hung, shining brightly in the sunlight.
“The current head of the Matsui family is called Matsui Satoshi. He serves as chairman of the Matsui Group. Matsui Daishi is his son, chairman of its wholly owned subsidiary, Matsui Cultural Media Group.” Lin Wan said. “And this Matsui Satoshi is the nephew of Matsui Shigekuni. Within the entire Matsui family, clansmen within five degrees of kinship to Matsui Shigekuni number about eighty or ninety.”
“And…”
Lin Wan’s expression was half smile, half not. “Coincidentally, today is New Year’s Day. Important figures of the Matsui family who can get away will all return to the manor outside the city for an ancestral worship event. From what I know, about fifty or sixty people.”
“And the remaining twenty or thirty?”
“They are in the Beacon Country, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Cannot get away.”
Lu Zheng’s eyes flashed. “Once the important ones in the country are dead, they should all come back together for the mourning.”
Lin Wan frowned. “Two consecutive group incidents. Will it not be too obvious?”
Lu Zheng shrugged. “The second time does not have to give them a quick end.”
…
The sky was a bit dim. A convoy of luxury cars drove out one after another from the underground garage of the Matsui Building. They followed the main road, turned onto the highway out of the city, heading towards the Matsui Manor in the suburbs.
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan hid their forms, rose into the air, and followed the convoy all the way.
“Matsui Satoshi is over eighty. He is in that Rolls-Royce in the middle. With his favourite great-grandson, Matsui Shimao.”
“His sons, Matsui Daishi and Matsui Genji, are in the other two Toyotas.”
Lin Wan compared the portraits and data to the people in the cars one by one.
“Those in the Matsui family doing business just held a meeting in the Matsui Building. The others in politics, education, and arts arrived early at the Matsui Manor.”
Lin Wan continued. “After gathering at the Matsui Manor, they will first have dinner together. Then tonight, they will go to the Matsui Shrine behind the manor to worship ancestors.”
Lu Zheng could not help asking. “How do you know this so clearly?”
Lin Wan shrugged. “Because the Matsui Group is involved in several transnational lawsuits. Some basic data is in the Interpol database. What I said is their fixed annual routine.”
Lu Zheng nodded. Do not think these are just “basic data.” For ordinary people to learn them is not easy at all. Interpol may have weak combat power and varied motives, but its database itself is valuable.
…
The two followed the convoy and soon reached the Matsui Manor.
Seeing the convoy approach, a group of men and women in suits, looking proper but dog-like, all came out to greet. They helped an over-eighty but still spry old man out of the Rolls-Royce.
Next, these people held a family banquet in the manor’s largest reception hall. Amidst toasts and exchanges, what angered Lu Zheng and Lin Wan the most was…
They not only talked about the glorious deeds of their ancestors, excited and proud, but also mentioned recent events. They were as happy as winning a big prize, thrilled.
“Hahaha, I like it!”
“It should be this way. This is our gift to them. Otherwise, they have no right at all.”
“Heh heh heh!”
Lin Wan listened with gritted silver teeth. She itched to appear and gun them all down.
Lu Zheng was calm instead. He looked at this group like they were dead men.
After all, no one quarrels with the dead. That would be irresponsible to oneself.
Lu Zheng reached out and held Lin Wan’s hand. “Do not be angry. In a bit, when they go up the mountain, you can strike too. Vent some anger.”
…
The meal went past ten. The manor’s servants came to clear. The Matsui family clustered around Matsui Satoshi and came to the Matsui Shrine built on the small hill behind the manor.
…
Though just a small hill, a minor shrine for a family ancestor, because the Matsui family had money and power, it was built luxuriously and grandly. Incense burned daily without end.
When the Matsui family entered the shrine led by staff, the annual worship ceremony began.
Only, they did not know two more people had followed them in. Showing fangs.
“Let us begin…”
