Chapter 8: Murder
Chapter 8: Murder
Liu Song shook his head, "Who knows what happened? Perhaps it was an ambush, or maybe something else... From now on, we'll likely have to deal with the Crimson Gold Gang."
Chen Mu couldn't help but ponder upon hearing this.
To be honest, he wasn't particularly interested in gang conflicts. However, if the Crimson Gold Gang were to absorb the Black Serpent Gang, the entire area where he lived would be under the control of this new gang, and it was impossible to turn a blind eye to it.
The Black Serpent Gang had been relatively kind to him as a patrol officer. They never caused trouble at his door or demanded protection fees. But if it were the Crimson Gold Gang, their attitude was unknown. Still, with the strength he had gained and his position as a patrol officer, he wasn't overly fearful. He just didn't want to get entangled in any trouble.
"The world is changing, and that's how it is."
Chen Mu shook his head as he spoke.
If he weren't a patrol officer and lacked strength, this gang transition would directly affect his survival.
"Does Liu brother know anything about the Crimson Gold Gang?" Li Tie asked in a low voice, cautiously glancing around before whispering.
Liu Song shook his head, "I don't know much either. I only know that the Crimson Gold Gang doesn't have many members now, but they have many skilled individuals. It's said that there are two or three vice gang leaders who have cultivated 'Auras'. It's best not to inquire further."
Li Tie also understood the boundaries. Knowing too much could bring trouble, so it was enough to have a general idea. For now, it seemed that the Crimson Gold Gang's apparent strength was no less than that of the City Guard.
Of course, above the City Guard was the High Command. The Crimson Gold Gang was just one gang among the Nine Streets. Even if their strength surpassed the City Guard, they would, at most, maintain a mutual non-interference policy, giving each other face.
After chatting for a while and finishing the fennel beans, the group left the tavern and patrolled another round before returning to the City Guard to hand over their duty badges.
At that moment, there were also a few patrol officers returning to the City Guard for shift changes.
Just as Chen Mu and Liu Song were about to leave after greeting each other, a man wearing a blue patrol uniform walked over. Unlike the 'Gray Robe' worn by lower-ranking patrol officers like them, this blue uniform was clearly more exquisite, with higher-quality fabric and distinct embroidered patterns.
This was the uniform of the Senior Patrol Officer of the City Guard, and currently, there were only five such officers in the entire Nine Streets City Guard.
The man was named Qin Bei.
He was the direct superior of Chen Mu's patrol team.
"Senior Officer Qin," the many patrol officers in the room saluted respectfully as Qin Bei approached.
Qin Bei's gaze was solemn as he walked with a square step and a steady pace into the room. He then turned around and looked at the group of patrol officers, saying, "I have something to say, and I want everyone to inform each other."
As soon as he spoke, everyone fell silent.
"First, no one should interfere or get involved in the conflict between the Crimson Gold Gang and the Black Serpent Gang, whether there are casualties or not. It's none of your concern. Second, if you discover any unusual activities by the Crimson Gold Gang, you can report it to me or the Patrol Commander."
Qin Bei spoke in a deep voice.
Upon hearing this, many patrol officers in the room showed surprise, while some remained expressionless, as if they already knew.
For instance, Chen Mu and Liu Song weren't shocked because they had prior knowledge of the situation. However, with Qin Bei making this announcement, it meant that the Crimson Gold Gang was indeed going to gradually replace the Black Serpent Gang.
The first instruction of non-interference and non-involvement was equivalent to acknowledging the merger of the two gangs. The second instruction was an attitude towards the new gang, and the intention was not to have them monitor the gang but rather to send a message through them. It was to inform the Crimson Gold Gang that the City Guard would turn a blind eye to their activities, but they shouldn't go too far, or the City Guard would intervene.
"Yes," Liu Song and the others responded respectfully.
Seeing that everyone was responding respectfully, Qin Bei nodded and then relaxed his stern expression. He then called out to Ren Yan, who had just returned, with a smile, "Ren Yan, come here. I have something to discuss with you."
Ren Yan was flattered and walked over, following Qin Bei into the inner room. But in the eyes of the other patrol officers, he couldn't hide a hint of self-satisfaction.
Although they were all patrol officers, Senior Patrol Officer Qin Bei's attitude towards Ren Yan was clearly different from how he treated the others.
Seeing this, the other patrol officers couldn't help but feel envious, but they could only admire from afar. After all, Ren Yan's family connections with an Inner City Patron, which allowed him to learn martial arts at the Inner City Martial Arts Academy. Even if his talent and comprehension were average, after a few years of training, he would undoubtedly become a skilled martial artist, and his status would be vastly different. Perhaps he would even become a new Senior Patrol Officer, so it was normal for Qin Bei to treat him differently.
Some of the younger patrol officers who were previously close to Ren Yan hoped that once he mastered his martial arts and rose through the ranks, he would take good care of them and help change their destiny.
...
Chen Mu left the City Guard, still pondering over the Crimson Gold Gang.
Judging by Qin Bei's attitude, the Senior Patrol Officers might have already interacted with the Crimson Gold Gang. In any case, no matter what changes occurred, Chen Mu, a small patrol officer, decided to mind his own business and stay out of any entanglements.
By now, the sky was gradually darkening, and Chen Mu quickened his pace towards home.
As Chen Mu walked down a familiar alley, he suddenly wrinkled his nose, catching a faint scent of blood.
Recalling the recent clash between the Crimson Gold Gang and the Black Serpent Gang, he assumed it was the aftermath of their battle and didn't delve deeper. He quickened his pace, intending to swiftly pass through the alley.
Just as Chen Mu was about to exit the alley, a fleeting glint of cold light caught his peripheral vision.
Almost instinctively, Chen Mu drew his patrol saber and unleashed a slashing attack with Gale Swordsmanship, aiming a horizontal slash towards his right.
His skills, enhanced through the System's experience points, were not superficial. They were the result of rigorous training and practice. Even the newly acquired techniques included combat experiences, making his current vision and hearing sharper than before. He was especially sensitive to the aura of sharp weapons.
"Ah!"
The attack from the right was a bloodied cleaver, seemingly wielded with some level of blade technique. But Chen Mu's response was unexpectedly fierce and decisive, and his swordsmanship was far more proficient and profound than anticipated.
In a fleeting flash of cold light, their blades clashed briefly, and the opponent's chest and abdomen were instantly sliced open.
Chen Mu now noticed his opponent—a robust man in a coarse cloth robe. Surprisingly, Chen Mu recognized him as a Gang Leader from the Black Serpent Gang, but his appearance was dreadful. Not only did he have multiple wounds on his shoulders and arms, but his left eye was bleeding, seemingly poked blind.
"Mis...misunderstanding..."
The Black Serpent Gang Leader, enduring excruciating pain, managed a difficult reply.
His remaining single eye revealed a hint of shock. He never expected a small 'Gray Robe Patrol Officer' to suddenly display such blade technique. He felt that even in his prime, he might not have won against Chen Mu.
The Gang Leader, having been hunted by the Crimson Gold Gang and severely wounded, with one eye blinded, was already on the brink of death. In desperation, he wanted to take someone down with him. It didn't matter who it was; a patrol officer was even better, as it might cause trouble for the City Guard and create some hassle for the Crimson Gold Gang. However, he had kicked an iron plate.
"Misunderstanding?"
Chen Mu's gaze turned ice-cold.
If not for his highly skilled blade technique and quick reflexes, he might have lost his neck or even his head in that instant. The opponent was clearly aiming to take his life.
This was the closest Chen Mu had come to death since arriving in this world. If not for his System awakening, he would already be a corpse. Despite his usual calm and composure, his heart was filled with chill, and he narrowed his eyes, fixating on his opponent.
"Cough...I thought you were...from the Crimson Gold Gang..."
The Black Serpent Gang Leader coughed up blood, struggling to explain. But before he could finish, he abruptly raised his blade and viciously slashed at Chen Mu again.
Already severely wounded, and having just suffered a counter-attack from Chen Mu, he had almost no chance of survival. Even if the Crimson Gold Gang didn't find him, he would bleed to death in moments. Seeing Chen Mu, so young yet with skills rivaling his years of hard training, the Gang Leader's heart filled with envy and malice. He decided to take Chen Mu by surprise and drag him down as well.
"Hmm."
However, Chen Mu coldly hummed, already on guard. With a simple sidestep, he evaded the surprise attack and immediately countered with a diagonal thrust using the second move of Gale Swordsmanship, 'Helm Turn'.
The Black Serpent Gang Leader, already critically wounded, was at his last breath. This final attack exhausted his remaining strength, and he couldn't avoid it. A line of blood instantly appeared on his neck.
"Heh..."
The Black Serpent Gang Leader glared at Chen Mu with resentment, his eyes still holding a hint of venom. But soon, he collapsed, kicking his legs in agony before becoming motionless.
Looking at the corpse lying before him, Chen Mu's hand gripping the patrol saber trembled slightly.
In the years he had spent in this world, he had dealt with hundreds of corpses, some in the most gruesome states. He could say he had seen it all, but this was the first person he had personally killed, and they had no prior grudges.
But Chen Mu soon found solace.
Such was the way of the world—some would kill without reason, even over a mere glance... Without strength, he would be a corpse himself. Now, his would-be killer lay dead by his blade, and there was no logic to argue against it.
After quickly calming his mind, Chen Mu felt more composed than ever. After all, dealing with corpses was second nature to him. Instead of feeling flustered, he bent down and swiftly searched the body.
Soon, Chen Mu found five silver ingots and two gold leaves in the man's bosom. The silver was worth about fifty taels, and the gold leaves were estimated to be worth twenty to thirty taels each, totaling seventy to eighty taels altogether—a substantial sum he had never handled before.
"As expected of a 'first-hand' corpse, this is the first time in years."
After all, the man was a Gang Leader of the Black Serpent Gang, holding some status. The money he had accumulated over the years was likely hidden on his person as he planned to flee, but he had been chased by the Crimson Gold Gang, and now Chen Mu had reaped the benefits.
After thoroughly searching the body, Chen Mu looked around and, seeing no one, quickly disappeared into the streets.
(End of Chapter)
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