Chapter 177: Pushing Forward
Chapter 177: Pushing Forward
After more than ten minutes, several armed patrol vehicles arrived at the lakeside park. After inspecting the scene, they confiscated all the firearms and equipment left behind and loaded the bodies onto a trailer.
A patrol officer approached the team leader and saluted before reporting, "Captain Qian, after investigation, all the deceased at the scene were armed criminals."
Captain Qian acknowledged with a sound and calmly asked, "Have their identities been verified?"
"Preliminary identification shows that they are a group of mercenaries from out of town, led by Spike Head, who has a record of past crimes. We cross-referenced the records, and it seems their entire gang is accounted for, not a single one missing."
Captain Qian sighed, "A formidable bunch, General Ni's squad is truly lucky." He then instructed, "Remember to keep a record of the processed items and leave a copy for General Ni's squad."
The officer promptly acknowledged the order.
"Have you finished processing the scene? If so, we can call it a day."
"Yes, sir."
A few minutes later, the patrol vehicles departed, leaving behind only the lake and reed marsh enveloped in the night.
Meanwhile, Chen Chuan had returned to the training hall on Xiu Yi Street. When he entered, the security guard didn't sense anything unusual and greeted him with a smile, asking why he was back so early today.
Once upstairs, Chen Chuan placed the Xuejun Blade on the rack and made a call to Gao Ming, but he didn't say anything. After a few rings, he hung up.
Within a few minutes, the phone rang again. He answered, and it was Nian Fu Li's voice on the other end, "Little Chuan, were you attacked by armed militants?"
When Chen Chuan left the park earlier, he had called the Patrol Bureau, knowing that as the squad leader, Nian Fu Li would surely be informed. He had no intention of keeping it a secret.
"Yes, they were targeting me. Uncle, there might be some trouble ahead, and I'll need some time to handle it."
Nian Fu Li's voice turned solemn, "I understand, Little Chuan. Remember, you are a member of the Patrol Bureau."
Chen Chuan nodded, "I know, Uncle."
In the Patrol Bureau office, Nian Fu Li hung up the phone and thought for a moment. He signed a document and instructed the officer on duty outside, "Call Little Wu here."
A while later, a young and capable officer named Little Wu entered the office and saluted, "Master."
Nian Fu Li handed the document to Little Wu and instructed, "Take a team to the All-around District and follow the instructions in the document. The bureau will cooperate with your actions."
"Yes, sir!"
Little Wu stepped forward to take the document, saluted again, and then left the office, closing the door behind him.
At the training hall, Gao Ming rushed over after receiving Chen Chuan's call to meet with him.
Chen Chuan poured a cup of tea for Gao Ming and then said, "I was just attacked, but I've already dealt with it. The Patrol Bureau should have taken care of the scene by now."
Gao Ming asked for more details and replied, "No problem. In Yangzhi City, the right to kill armed criminals is automatically granted to ordinary citizens. The Patrol Bureau arrived at the scene promptly, so there's no way they can pin this on you."
Chen Chuan said, "Then it's time for the second step."
Gao Ming pushed up his glasses and said, "Yes, since these criminals couldn't handle you, they will either try again, or they will send more powerful forces, believing that you won't be able to resist. But this is also an opportunity for us, as such experts won't have no background or connections. Whether captured alive or killed, we can uncover subsequent matters."
Chen Chuan continued, "So, after that, it's time for the third step."
"Yes, the key lies in the third step." Gao Ming's eyes were serious, "If they do make that choice, you can take action and try to resolve all the problems at once."
Chen Chuan slowly nodded. Even if the situation differed from their predictions, it didn't matter. He and Gao Ming had prepared several contingency plans, each tailored to respond to different scenarios.
The Mutual Aid Society wanted to control the situation, and he also wanted to control it, steering it towards the direction he desired.
Within just an hour, the news of the armed militants' failed attack on Chen Chuan, resulting in their complete annihilation, reached Shao Xiaobie. Upon hearing the news, he kicked a chair in anger and cursed the incompetence of the mercenary gang.
He paced restlessly in the office, grumbling under his breath.
Earlier, he had taken full responsibility for this matter, confidently claiming he could handle it. But now, he had messed up and alerted their target.
After pacing for a while, he sat down and called the butler in charge of the task, his face grim. "Can you send more people? Not those incompetent ones! I need capable people!"
The butler understood his temper and patiently said, "Young Master, Spike Head's gang rarely fails. Their elimination this time could be an accident or an indication of the target's superior strength. I've reviewed the target's file, and it's possible we underestimated him."
Shao Xiaobie was getting impatient and waved his hand, "Stop talking about this and that. Find people for me! Get this matter resolved!"
The butler explained, "Young Master, this is a difficult task. Spike Head's gang has worked with us before and is trustworthy. Others might take the money and not deliver. Recently, the Patrol Bureau has been strict, so finding a replacement will take some time."
In truth, there were some things the butler couldn't say. In this circle, raising the price might not work as intended. These militants were not easy to deal with, and if you offer a higher price, they might realize your urgency and wait for you to offer even more.
"It's not something that can be resolved quickly. They'll likely wait and see how things play out."
"Damn it, how long do we have to wait?"
"From sending out the message to receiving an acceptance, it'll take at least ten to fifteen days."
"That's too late! I can't afford to wait that long. School is about to start."
Shao Xiaobie couldn't afford to wait that long. Once school begins, Chen Chuan would be living on campus. It was clear that the school administration was backing him, which was why he could get away with his actions. There was no way to take action against him within the school grounds.
Moreover, once school starts, Chen Chuan might apply for the defense certificate exam, possibly alongside Wei Jun. That would be an awkward situation.
"If the Young Master is in a hurry," the butler said, "we can only rely on locals."
"No, absolutely not! We can't use locals!" Shao Xiaobie immediately rejected the idea. Using locals might lead to him getting implicated. While others might get away unscathed, he could end up taking the fall for someone else's actions. He wasn't that foolish.
Suddenly, he had an idea and slapped the table. He extended his finger and said, "Right, if we can't deal with him directly, we'll go after his family!"
The butler cautioned, "Young Master, this student was raised by his uncle and aunt. His uncle, Nian Fu Li, is the captain of the Patrol Bureau, and their family lives in the bureau's residential area. Young Master, please be cautious."
"Damn it!" Shao Xiaobie cursed again, realizing the difficulty of the situation.
In the 16th and 19th books, there was a mistake-free version!
The Patrol Bureau was tightly knit, and due to its nature, all family members lived in the bureau's residential area, protected by specialized armed personnel. Outsiders couldn't get in, and even if they did, if a situation escalated, the entire bureau would likely riot, which he couldn't handle.
The butler added, "Young Master, when we use locals, it doesn't necessarily mean we have to be directly involved or take action ourselves. This way, it won't implicate you."
Shao Xiaobie straightened his body, "How so?"
"Apart from this student's files and records, I've also had someone inquire about him. Recently, he had a conflict with the Bloodstain Gang. One of their five leaders, Leopard Zhuo, had his hand cut off by this student, and he's been planning to take legal action. The matter isn't resolved yet. We can leak the student's whereabouts in the south of the city to Leopard Zhuo."
Shao Xiaobie was skeptical, "The Bloodstain Gang? Aren't they currently having issues with the Iron Chain Gang? Do they have the time to deal with this? And will Leopard Zhuo listen to you? Will he go just because you tell him to?"
"Leopard Zhuo is a madman, extremely unstable mentally, but he has a strong desire for revenge. He never forgets those who have harmed him, especially after losing a hand.
He's now fitted with a new prosthetic arm, and the anti-metamorphosis drug he's using is provided by us. This time, we can add something to his medication and combine it with psychological suggestions. He won't be able to resist.
With the Bloodstain Gang's manpower and arms, a surprise attack might succeed. Even if he fails, the Bloodstain Gang will lose face, and they won't let it go. But it won't be linked back to us."
"Great idea," Shao Xiaobie loved the idea of not having to exert himself and simply manipulating others to do the dirty work. Moreover, if the Bloodstain Gang gets involved, they could even take the blame for the previous incidents.
"Alright, let's do it. I don't care how it's done; I just want to see results quickly."
The butler nodded respectfully, "Young Master, then I'll take my leave."
"Go, go quickly."
The butler's actions were highly efficient. The next day, Leopard Zhuo received some information about Chen Chuan, along with photos of Xiu Yi Street, indicating that Chen Chuan lived there.
The name Chen Chuan triggered a strong reaction in Leopard Zhuo. He had lost an arm to this person, becoming a laughingstock in the gang. They mocked him for being bested by a first-year Wu Yi student, saying he was going backward in his career and should let his subordinates take his place.
Although Leopard Zhuo now had a new prosthetic arm that seemed even stronger than the original, this thorn remained embedded in his heart.
After taking the newly delivered anti-metamorphosis drug, he felt a surge of energy within, as if a current coursed through his nerves, challenging his rationality.
With a loud bang, his prosthetic hand shattered a glass cup, causing his subordinates to watch him nervously.
Leopard Zhuo lifted his brow, realizing he was sitting in a bar. He couldn't recall how he got there or what he had been doing; it didn't matter.
He stood up, his voice chilling, "Let's go."
His subordinates stood up, having been mysteriously summoned by Leopard Zhuo and witnessing him drink glass after glass. They knew their boss had become even more temperamental since losing his hand, so they dared not ask questions and could only accompany him.
Leopard Zhuo entered the car, followed by his burly leader who also got in and closed the door, "Boss, where to?"
Leopard Zhuo rubbed his temples, his expression cold, "Xiu Yi Street, number 17. Tell the brothers to arm themselves."
The leader's heart tightened; arming themselves meant bringing guns. And this was within the city...
But he dared not defy Leopard Zhuo's orders. His longevity in Leopard Zhuo's inner circle was due to his unwavering obedience; he did exactly as Leopard Zhuo instructed, without compromise.
"Understood, boss. I'll have the brothers arm themselves."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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