Chapter 177: The Push
Chapter 177: The Push
After more than ten minutes, an armed patrol vehicle drove into the Lakeside Park. After inspecting the scene, they confiscated all the firearms and equipment left behind and loaded the bodies onto a truck.
A patrol officer approached the captain and saluted, then reported, "Captain Qian, after investigation, all the deceased at the scene were armed thugs."
Captain Qian acknowledged with a sound, then calmly asked, "Have their identities been verified?"
"The preliminary identification shows that they are a group of mercenaries from out of town, led by So Pingtou, who has a criminal record. According to the records, the entire gang is here, not a single one is missing."
Captain Qian sighed, "The young generation is formidable, Captain Nian... Captain Nian's unit is indeed lucky." He then instructed, "Remember to leave a report for Captain Nian's unit after processing the evidence."
The patrol 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 armed patrol vehicle left the area, leaving behind only the lake and the reed marsh shrouded in darkness.
Meanwhile, Chen Chuan had returned to the training hall on Xiuyi Street. When he entered, the security guards didn't sense anything unusual and greeted him with a smile, surprised that he was back so early.
Upon reaching the upper floor, Chen Chuan placed the Snow Lady Sword on the sword rack and made a call to Gao Ming, but he didn't say anything. After a few rings, he hung up.
However, just a few minutes later, the phone rang, and when Chen Chuan picked it up, it was Nian Lifu 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 captain, Nian Lifu would be informed about the incident. He didn't intend to hide it.
"Yes, they were targeting me, Uncle. There might be some trouble, and I need some time to handle it."
Nian Lifu's voice became 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 Lifu hung up the phone, thought for a moment, and signed an official document. He then called out to the patrol officer on duty, "Get Xiao Wu here."
A moment later, a young and capable patrol officer entered the office and saluted, "Master."
Nian Lifu handed the document to Xiao Wu and instructed, "You'll lead a team from the bureau to Quanzhou District. The instructions are in the document, and the local bureau will cooperate with you."
"Yes, sir!"
Xiao Wu stepped forward, took the document, saluted again, and left the office, closing the door behind him.
On the other side, after receiving Chen Chuan's call, Gao Ming immediately rushed to the training hall to meet him.
Chen Chuan poured a cup of tea for Gao Ming and said, "I was attacked earlier, but I've taken care of them. The Patrol Bureau should be handling the scene by now."
Gao Ming asked for details and assured him, "There's no problem. In Yangzhi City, openly carrying firearms grants ordinary citizens the right to kill bandits. The Patrol Bureau arrived promptly, and they won't be able to pin anything on your brother with this."
Chen Chuan continued, "So, the next step is the second phase."
Gao Ming pushed up his glasses and said, "Yes, since these bandits couldn't handle your brother, their next move is either to try again, unsatisfied, or to send a more powerful force, believing that your brother won't be able to resist. They'll aim to finish him off before he can hide.
But this is also an opportunity for us because such skilled fighters don't operate without a background or connections. Whether captured or killed, it can lead to uncovering subsequent developments."
Chen Chuan added, "And after that, it's the third phase."
"Yes, the key lies in the third phase," Gao Ming said seriously. "If they do make that choice, your brother can take action and aim to resolve all the issues 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 to respond to various scenarios.
The Mutual Aid Society wanted to control the situation, and so did he, but he was trying to steer it in the direction he desired.
Just an hour later, news of the armed bandits' failed attack on Chen Chuan and their complete annihilation reached Shao Xiaobie. Upon hearing the news, he kicked over his desk and cursed the incompetence of the mercenary bandits.
He paced agitatedly in his office, grumbling incessantly.
He had taken full responsibility for this matter, boasting that he could handle it, but now he had messed up and even alerted their target.
After pacing for a while, he sat down and called the butler in charge of the operation. With a stern face, he said, "Can we send more people? I don't want those incompetents! I need someone who can get the job done!"
The butler, understanding his temper, patiently explained, "This group rarely fails, and their elimination could be due to an accident or the target's strength exceeding expectations. I've reviewed the target's file, and it's possible we underestimated him."
Shao Xiaobie was impatient and waved his hand, "Stop with the excuses! Find someone to handle this matter now!"
The butler said, "Sir, it's not easy. So Pingtou and his group have worked with us several times, and they are reliable. Others might take the money and not deliver. The Patrol Bureau is also tightening their investigations, so finding a replacement will take some time."
"Then offer a higher price. Won't someone accept it for a higher price?"
The butler explained, "News spreads fast in this circle. So Pingtou's failure will make others cautious, even if they accept a higher price. We might have to wait."
"Actually, there's something he's hesitant to say. These armed gangs are no pushovers. If you raise the price, they'll immediately realize you're desperate. Then they'll wait and see if you'll continue to increase it. They'll keep watching, so this isn't something that can be resolved quickly."
"How long does he have to wait?"
"From sending out the message to accepting the job, it'll take at least ten days to half a month."
"That's too late! I can't wait that long! School is about to start."
There was no way Shao Xiaobie could wait that long. Once school started, Chen Chuan would be living on campus. It was clear that the school management was backing him, otherwise, how could he have done those things? There was no way to take action within the school.
Moreover, once school started, Chen Chuan might apply for the Infinite Defense Certificate exam, and he might even take it together with Wei Jun. That would be embarrassing.
"If the young master is in a hurry," the butler said, "then we can only use locals."
"No, absolutely not! We can't use locals!"
Shao Xiaobie immediately refused. If they used locals, there was a high chance of implicating him. While others might get off scot-free, he might be exposed and suffer the consequences while others benefited. He wasn't that foolish.
Suddenly, he thought of something and slapped the table, then pointed with his finger, "Right, if they can't handle him, then go after his family first!"
The butler said, "Young Master, this student was raised by his uncle and aunt. His uncle, Nian Lifu, is the captain of the Patrol Bureau. All their family members live in the Patrol Bureau's residential area. Young Master, please be cautious."
"Damn it!"
Shao Xiaobie cursed again, realizing there was no hope.
The Patrol Bureau was highly vigilant, and due to its nature, all family members lived in the Patrol Bureau's residential area, protected by specialized armed personnel. Outsiders couldn't get in, and if something happened, the entire Patrol Bureau would riot, which he couldn't handle.
The butler said, "Young Master, using locals doesn't necessarily mean we have to get involved personally or take action. That way, you won't be implicated."
Shao Xiaobie straightened his body, "What do you mean?"
The butler said, "Besides this student's file and records, I had someone inquire about him. Recently, he had a conflict with the Bloodstain Gang. One of their five claws, Zhuo Bao, had his hand chopped off by this student. They are using this as a reason to sue him, and the matter hasn't been resolved yet. We can leak his whereabouts in the south of the city to Zhuo Bao."
Shao Xiaobie was a bit skeptical, "The Bloodstain Gang? Aren't they currently in conflict with the Iron Chain Gang? Do they have the time to deal with this? And will Zhuo Bao listen to you? Will he go just because you tell him to?"
The butler said, "Zhuo Bao is a madman with an extremely unstable mind. But his desire for revenge is strong, and he never forgets those who have harmed him, especially after losing a hand.
He's now fitted with a new implanted hand and is using the anti-mutation drug we provided. This time, we can add something to the drug he's taking and combine it with some psychological suggestions. He won't be able to hold back.
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. It won't involve us."
"Good idea."
Shao Xiaobie liked the idea of not having to exert himself and only needing to instigate others. Moreover, if the Bloodstain Gang got involved, the previous tasks could be blamed on them.
"Alright, I don't care how it's done. I just want to see results as soon as possible."
The butler respectfully nodded, "Young Master, I'll take my leave then."
"Go, go quickly."
The butler's arrangements were highly efficient. The next day, Zhuo Bao received some information about Chen Chuan and even received photos of Xiuyi Street, with a note indicating that Chen Chuan lived there.
He was extremely sensitive to the name Chen Chuan. He had lost an arm because of this person, becoming a laughingstock in the gang. They said he had been defeated by a first-year Wu Yi student, and he was going downhill, even considering giving his position to his subordinates.
Although he now had an implanted arm that looked stronger than his original one, the thorn remained in his heart.
After taking the new batch of anti-mutation drugs, he felt like a flame was burning inside his body. The name kept stimulating his nerves and challenging his reason.
With a bang, his implanted hand crushed a glass cup, causing his subordinates to look at him nervously.
Zhuo Bao lifted his head and realized he was sitting in a restaurant. He frowned, trying to remember when he had arrived and what he had been doing before. It didn't matter; he couldn't recall.
He stood up, his voice cold, "Let's go."
His subordinates stood up one after another. They had been called by Zhuo Bao for no apparent reason and had watched him drink cup after cup of alcohol. They knew their boss had become even more irritable since losing a hand, so they dared not ask questions and could only accompany him.
Zhuo Bao entered the car, followed by his burly head henchman, who got in and closed the door, "Boss, where to?"
Zhuo Bao rubbed his temples and said with a dark expression, "Number 17 Xiuyi Street. Tell the brothers to bring their guns."
The henchman's heart tightened. Bringing guns meant they were going into the city...
But he dared not disobey Zhuo Bao's orders. He had stayed by Zhuo Bao's side for so long because he did exactly as Zhuo Bao said, without any hesitation.
"Understood, boss. I'll tell the brothers to bring their guns."
...
(End of Chapter)
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