Chapter 69: Search
Chapter 69: Search
Cheng Zitong listened to Chen Chuan's words with great delight. "Exactly, so that's why you're a natural member of the Insight Sect!"
Chen Chuan smiled and continued to flip through the documents in his hand.
Cheng Zitong seemed a little thirsty at the moment, so he picked up the water on the desk and took a sip. He then pointed to the documents and said, "The client's request is to capture a Well Child. The reward is quite high, and no one is competing for it. Moreover, it doesn't seem too dangerous. Since we have time now, why don't you give it a try?"
Chen Chuan thought to himself, "It seems there's more than one of these, and I'm not even sure if it's the legendary creature. But I'll find out once I get there."
He was indeed very interested in this matter.
Although the task could only be carried out at night, it was necessary to check the location during the day. After all, the documents were from a few years ago, and it was hard to say if the information was still accurate. He needed to verify it himself.
Since the next day was a rest day, he decided to prepare the necessary items and make a specific plan in his dormitory. He also did some training before going to bed when the time was right.
The following day, he first went back to his aunt's house to borrow a sturdy watch from her. He took the bicycle that was stored there and went out to purchase some tools before riding towards the northern part of the city.
After cycling for about three quarters of an hour, he arrived at the old city in the north.
This area wasn't unfamiliar to him. His previous life's parents' house was located further north from here, and it was where he lost his previous life.
As he didn't know the exact reason for his previous life's death, he had avoided returning to that place to prevent unnecessary danger.
This area was filled with old houses, some dating back more than sixty years to the early years of the Great Harmony Republic. They were nearly a hundred years old, and this area used to be the old Yangzhi Town before the Great Expansion. Only after the expansion was the new Yangzhi City established as a logistics center.
The northwest of Yangzhi City, including the villages and towns to the north like Zhangshan, were under the control of the Iron Chain Gang. The Bloodstain Gang's territory was mostly concentrated in the bustling areas of the city. This northern area belonged to the middle ground, occupied by dozens of large and small gangs. The people here were more traditional and didn't fit in with the other districts.
Considering the situation in this area and the fact that he would be staying until night, he brought along the patrol bureau's shoulder bag. In this place, the identity of a Martial Vigor Trainee might not be as useful as being associated with the patrol bureau.
He followed the map and landmarks, comparing them with the corresponding ones on the documents. He smoothly found the well where the Well Child might have appeared the previous night. However, upon arrival, he discovered that it was already a dry well.
Since the Well Child only appeared in old wells with water, it was impossible for it to be here. Therefore, the previous night's appearance might have been in a nearby well. All locations needed to be shifted back, so he rode away from there to search for the next old well.
Not long after he left, three or four gang members emerged from a house. One of the underlings asked, "Brother Tian, is this kid from the patrol bureau?"
Brother Tian replied impatiently, "Can't you see the big shoulder bag on him?"
"But what if they're from the patrol bureau? Tonight's transaction..."
Brother Tian interrupted, "What else can we do? It's already arranged. We can't cancel it. We'll have to change the location. Go and inform them, and try to do it earlier to avoid any complications. Also, bring more brothers, just in case."
"Okay, Brother Tian."
Chen Chuan headed towards the next well, which was close to the previous one according to the map. Indeed, after traveling about three hundred meters to the east, he found another well with a larger wellhead.
This area was a large open space with signs of frequent washing. It was surrounded by residential buildings, and two narrow alleys led to it, probably used by many families. There was a windlass above the well, with a bucket attached, indicating that it was regularly used by the locals.
After observing the terrain and considering his options, he decided to give it a try tonight. If it didn't work out, he would have to figure out another plan tomorrow.
With his mind made up, he rode his bike away and found a nearby martial arts gym. He spent his time there, training and killing time.
By evening, the most troublesome aspect of this place was the various gangs. Most shops would close early, but the martial arts gym remained open, hosting underground arena matches that attracted both overt and covert gang members. This was enough to keep him occupied until the opportune moment.
Around 8:30 PM, he decided it was time to leave the gym. As he stepped outside, the bustling atmosphere of the gym faded away. The streets were quiet, with only the swaying branches of trees lining the road and the faint glow of streetlights. Pedestrians were scarce.
He adjusted his hat, retrieved his bike, and rode towards the well's location.
After five or six minutes, he approached the alley where the well was located. There was a solitary streetlight, and as he drew near, he noticed a man walking towards him from across the street.
The man appeared strong, wearing a mask and a baseball cap. His pace was swift, but upon seeing Chen Chuan, he seemed to notice the bag Chen carried. He hesitated, then adjusted his hat and hurriedly turned down another alley.
Chen Chuan could tell from his gait and build that the man had martial arts training, possibly a gang member. Unconcerned, Chen dismounted his bike and pushed it into the dimly lit alley, using a flashlight to guide his way.
As he ventured further, he slowed down, noticing a group of seven or eight burly men standing around the well. Each held a cigarette, and some carried clubs, daggers, or other weapons. One shone a flashlight directly at Chen, causing him to squint.
"Tian Ge, this is the kid from earlier!"
Tian Ge, annoyed, said, "Kid, I knew you were trouble from the moment I saw you today. I came here to avoid you, but you're relentless. I didn't want to fight, but your persistence is your own bad luck!"
Chen Chuan sighed and said, "It's hard to say who's unlucky."
Tian Ge roared, "Get him!"
Chen Chuan gently pushed his bike to the side, removed his hat, and tossed it into the basket. He strode forward, loosening up his shoulders and wrists as he walked.
A club swung towards him, but he sidestepped and supported his palm on the attacker's chest, sending him flying backwards and knocking down several others.
Chen Chuan stepped out of the alley, and as he did, a man with a dagger lunged at him. Chen spun, stomped on the man's shin, and with a crack, the man screamed and fell, clutching his broken leg.
Another gang member swung a stick, but Chen caught it and pressed down, breaking it over the man's chest. The man crumpled to the ground, his face contorted in pain, unable to make a sound.
The remaining gang members froze, hesitant to engage. It was clear that Chen was a skilled fighter, and they didn't want to get beaten up.
Seeing no one daring to move, Tian Ge was stuck. He gritted his teeth, raised his cleaver, and charged at Chen Chuan.
Before the cleaver could land, Chen Chuan struck, and the gang leader collapsed, unconscious.
The other gang members, seeing their leader felled with a single kick to the head, they panicked. They dropped their weapons and fled through the alleys, leaving their leader behind.
Chen Chuan ignored them; he had already wasted enough time.
He approached the well, grabbed the windlass, and started turning. But something felt off, as if the load was lighter than expected. He kept turning, and when the bucket emerged, he found several sealed plastic packages inside. He touched them, feeling rectangular boxes.
He pondered, realizing these were... drugs?
...
(Chapter End)
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