A sharp gasp echoed through the warehouse. Many of the n sucked in a breath of cold air. To compare killing to eating bread... Just how twisted was this newcor? A complete and utter psycho?
And he was wearing a mask from the Arican Chainsaw Murder Association... This guy had to be a psycho killer who murdered indiscriminately and for fun, right?
"Talk is cheap. Let’s see what you’ve really got."
Brother Jiao had been in the criminal underworld for years and had seen it all. He’d encountered both Ascenders and Corrupters, so he wasn’t easily intimidated.
He clenched his fist, and the muscles in his right arm—thicker than an average man’s thigh—bulged instantly. He threw a heavy punch straight at Zhou Chen’s face, the air whistling as it flew.
Zhou Chen dodged, deflecting Brother Jiao’s wrist with his left hand. His right fist shot out like a cannonball, so fast it was just a blur. With a solid THUD, it connected squarely with Brother Jiao’s face.
Brother Jiao gritted his teeth against the pain and threw a left hook. But Zhou Chen repeated his maneuver, batting away the man’s wrist with his right hand and striking him in the face with a lightning-fast left fist.
A second ti.
Warm blood stread from Brother Jiao’s nose. He grunted in pain and stumbled back two steps. Imdiately, he gathered power in his core and raised his right leg, attempting a high roundhouse kick.
But the instant his leg ca up, Zhou Chen—as if he’d anticipated the move—kicked him squarely in the knee, brutally cutting the motion short.
Brother Jiao froze. In just three exchanges, he had been utterly dominated. He now understood the massive gap in their skill.
More than that, he saw a chilling, suffocating killing intent in that calm, cold gaze, and it made him break out in a cold sweat. His instincts scread at him: ’If I make another move—I’ll die!’
The entire warehouse fell silent. The lackeys were all dumbfounded. Having followed Brother Han for so long, they knew exactly how strong Brother Jiao was. He was built like an ox, was an experienced brawler, and could take on ten grown n by himself. With a Weapon in hand, he could handle even more.
And yet... he’d just been completely demolished?
Huang Mao saw this and was suddenly overco with relief. ’The boss is a genius!’ he thought.
Even Brother Jiao wasn’t a match for him. If they had gone up to "welco" the newcor, their fate would have been much, much worse.
Compared to being beaten half to death, permanently disabled, or just killed outright, the few slaps from Brother Jiao were nothing.
’Could it be... the boss is actually a genius playing the fool?’
CLAP. CLAP. CLAP. The sharp sound of applause ca from behind. The lackeys turned, rose to their feet in unison, and bowed deeply. "Brother Han!"
"Not bad. Skilled fighters who can beat Ah Jiao are a rare sight. Stick with , and I guarantee you’ll live well."
In person, Han Laohu wasn’t as brutish as his na, "Tiger," suggested. On the contrary, he was a refined, middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair. He wore a well-fitted suit vest and a solid Golden Ring on his finger. At first glance, you would think he was a businessman.
"When does the trade begin? Don’t keep waiting." Zhou Chen lowered his leg and stood still, his expression indifferent, as if he were just here to complete a task.
"Another half hour. You can sit and rest for a bit. I have a few things to go over in the anti."
Han Laohu cleared his throat and spoke gravely. "Our superior, ’Birdman,’ and his organization have clashed with ’Snow White’s’ faction multiple tis. They’re mortal enemies. But not long ago, a certain big shot stepped in to diate, wanting the two sides to shake hands and make peace.
This big shot is extrely influential, so we have to give him face. This trade is the first step toward a truce, and I expect you all not to screw it up.
Of course, that bitch Snow White’s people are likely up to no good. So be sharp. If they make a move first, kill every last one of them. The bla won’t fall on our heads. Understood?"
"Understood!" the lackeys shouted in unison.
·
·
Soon, the ti for the trade arrived.
The trade wasn’t happening inside the factory. "Snow White’s" people were afraid of being trapped like turtles in a jar, so after so negotiation, Han Laohu had his n set up a temporary shelter behind the factory to serve as the eting point.
"Hmph. Li Ergou. That bitch Snow White actually sent you?"
Han Laohu’s expression soured the mont he saw the lead Trader from the other side.
In the underworld of the Jinzhu Region, many people knew that Li Ergou was one of his sworn enemies. For "Snow White" to deliberately send this man to handle the trade was a clear provocation.
"Han, I suggest you watch your mouth," Li Ergou retorted. "If you’re the one who violates the agreent, ten lives won’t be enough to save you."
The man nad Li Ergou looked like he’d just eaten a plate of shit. Han Laohu was his enemy too, but because of the direct orders from on high, he didn’t dare let it escalate. Otherwise, he would’ve pulled his gun already.
Han Laohu said nothing more. With a cold expression, he urged his n to get on with the trade. His venomous gaze remained fixed on Li Ergou, as if picturing him dying by a thousand cuts.
Zhou Chen stood off to the side like a statue, his eyes sizing up the opposing group.
’Thirteen of them,’ Zhou Chen calculated. ’No Ascenders. Just career criminals who’ve been around the block. All carrying guns and grenades. It would take about thirty seconds to eliminate them. If I have to pretend I’m an ordinary person, it’ll take over two minutes...’
BOOM!
A sudden, violent explosion erupted from the factory. The ground shook violently as terrifying flas shot toward the heavens. Rolling waves of fire lit up the night sky in a dazzling display.
The explosions ca one after another, followed by the roar of gunfire from inside the factory. It sounded like the place was under attack.
SHING!
In an instant, everyone raised their Weapons and aid them at their rivals.
"Li Ergou, you’re courting death!" Han Laohu roared, unable to contain his fury. ’These bastards really set up an ambush!’
"Calm down! It wasn’t us!" Li Ergou explained hastily. "Snow White wouldn’t dare offend the big shot. Our plan would be to make *you* break the agreent unilaterally. Why would we be stupid enough to attack you during the trade? Get a grip!"
Hearing this, Han Laohu actually did calm down. His face grim, he thought for a mont and realized the man had a point.
To avoid offending the big shot, both sides had to grit their teeth and cooperate, no matter how much they loathed one another.
The best way to get out of the cooperation was to make the other party break the deal. That way, when the big shot ca looking for soone to bla, it wouldn’t be them.
Staging an ambush during the trade was, without a doubt, the stupidest possible move. No one could afford the consequences of angering the big shot.
So... who the hell was it?!
Suddenly, Han Laohu whipped his head around to stare at Zhou Chen, who was standing there looking dazed. "Was it you?"
"???"
Zhou Chen was stunned. ’What the hell does this have to do with ... Fuck, I’m the most likely suspect now!’
’Everyone here might be enemies, but at least they all know each other. They’re all holding back because of the big shot. Other than them, I’m the only outsider. The more I think about it, the more suspicious I look! There’s no way to clear my na!’
"It wasn’t ."
He spoke coldly. Inside, he was panicking, but on the surface, he was as calm as could be, explaining himself in a level voice. "What would be my motive? First, I don’t need money. Second, I don’t need the goods. And third, I couldn’t care less about your grudges. I’m just here to complete my task.
If you ask , instead of standing around pointing fingers, you should join forces and find out who’s daring enough to disrupt this.
If you’re supposed to be cooperating, isn’t this the perfect opportunity? What builds trust better than fighting side-by-side?"
Han Laohu and Li Ergou’s faces were as dark as storm clouds. The two of them, mortal enemies, cooperating? ’Impossible!’
However, they didn’t have much ti to think. Two hooded figures carrying long, cylindrical weapons burst out of the factory’s back door. They aid at the group under the shelter and pulled the triggers.
BANG—
Blazing flas shot from the back of the rocket launchers, as fleeting and brilliant as fireworks. Accompanied by a thunderous roar, two rockets scread toward them.
For a mont, everything went black for everyone there.
’Was this so kind of fucking special forces team?!’
Without a mont’s hesitation, the n scattered like flies, scrambling for cover.
Amid the chaos, soone scread at the top of their lungs:
"R—P—G!!!"
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