"The Holy Descendants Family..."
Song Heping chewed over the name, "Weren't they... ousted in the last power shake-up?"
"Precisely because they were ousted!"
Avanti's voice suddenly rose, full of barely contained frustration, "Those nobles who fancy themselves as the Prophet's Descendants! They are unwilling to lose control over the Revolutionary Guard and intelligence systems, unwilling to watch the 'Strong Power Faction' and 'Wealth Faction' carve up the benefits that were once within their easy reach! Once you've tasted power, losing it is the greatest torture!"
He suddenly slammed his fist into the metal gun rack beside him, making a loud clang that echoed in the spacious shooting range for a long time.
"So, they chose the most despicable method—colluding with the enemy! Becoming CIA moles! The 'Poison Needle' plan could penetrate so deeply, operate under our noses for so long, accurately obtain your entry route... Without their level of internal support, it would have been impossible!"
Avanti's chest heaved violently.
Song Heping could see that he was very angry.
"Zahedi wrote clearly in the letter. He was recruited and lured by the Holy Descendants Family with their residual power within the Guard, promised great benefits and high positions in the future. They painted him a beautiful blueprint of overturning the current order with CIA support, of the Holy Descendants Family regaining power, and reaching some kind of 'reconciliation' with the West... How ironic! A group of people who rose to prominence with the label of 'anti-American fighters' turned to embrace the 'Great Satan' they spoke of so quickly to regain power! Zahedi... this fool! He thought he was a player, but he was merely a pawn to be sacrificed at any time in someone else's power game!"
Song Heping listened quietly, feeling the deep-seated sadness and helplessness in Avanti's words.
The truth is often uglier than imagined.
"Is the evidence conclusive?" Song Heping asked.
"Some data on the hard drive, after being decrypted, pointed directly at several key figures in the Holy Descendants Family's core circle, including their direct contact channels within the CIA. Zahedi's letters provided more detailed motivation analysis, and the logical chain is complete. But..."
Avanti's voice sank, full of bitterness and resignation, "It's not enough. Or rather, not enough for a public trial against them."
"Because their surname is 'Holy Descendants'?"
Song Heping's tone carried a hint of sarcasm.
"Yes."
Avanti admitted frankly, his voice heavy.
"Their surname, their bloodline, possess unimaginable religious appeal and public support in this country. They are one of the symbols of this theocratic system. Publicly accusing them of treason would be like tearing apart the very foundation on which this country exists! It would trigger unpredictable unrest, and even... civil war. The Strong Power Faction and Wealth Faction would take the opportunity to strike, the Eagle Claw Faction would stand by or even fan the flames, while the supporters of the Holy Descendants Family, those fanatical followers... They wouldn't believe the evidence, they would only see it as political persecution! A conspiracy by other families to eliminate dissidents!"
He wearily rubbed his brow, "The highest levels... are furious, but even more terrified of the consequences of revealing the truth. The final decision is to... handle it quietly. The named 'moles' will disappear silently. As for the Holy Descendants Family... untouched for now. They will be closely monitored, their power further hollowed out, all their overseas assets secretly frozen... but on the surface, they remain the esteemed 'Holy Descendants.' We can only wait, wait for a more opportune moment, or... wait for them to make a fatal mistake themselves."
Song Heping silently took out a piece of gum, unwrapped it, and tossed it into his mouth.
He understood Avanti's predicament.
In a country like Persia, shaking a symbolic family requires not just evidence, but timing and absolute power capable of withstanding the storm.
Avanti, clearly, did not have the latter yet.
He was merely a general wielding an elite force, not a player controlling the entire board.
"I understand, General."
Song Heping glanced at the empty target in the distance.
"You have your battlefield, your rules, your constraints. This outcome, though frustrating, is within reason."
Avanti looked at Song Heping, his eyes complex. "Song, Zahedi's death, the clues point to the Holy Descendants Family, but this doesn't mean the threat against you has been eliminated. The CIA took a big hit, their spy network is damaged, but the core remains, especially the line with the Holy Descendants Family hasn't been cut. They won't let you go. Staying in Persia, you're not safe. The Guard... isn't monolithic either."
He hinted, clearly deeply doubting internal loyalty as well.
Song Heping, however, laughed, "General, you think I came to Persia this time, just for asylum? For recuperation?"
Avanti's eyes narrowed, "Hmm?"
"I came to strike back."
Song Heping's voice wasn't loud, but every word was as solid as iron.
"The CIA orchestrated this ambush; this blood debt must be repaid with blood. Do they think they are safe hiding behind the scenes? They've been relentlessly hunting me, even using political ploys to pressure other countries; if I don't retaliate, it would be too disrespectful to the CIA. I want them to know that if they touch our people, our interests, they will pay a hundredfold price!"
"Strike back?"
Avanti furrowed his brows, his tone tinged with sarcasm, "How do you plan to do it? Single-handedly storm the CIA headquarters?"
"Of course not."
Song Heping's eyes gleamed with the light of a Hunter, "Direct confrontation with the intelligence Empire is foolish. I aim to go someplace, someplace that matters to the Americans too, yet is beyond their reach, where they might end up hurting themselves."