The evening in Shengjing had a different feel, though Mo Chuan couldn't quite pinpoint why. All he knew was that the grilled skewers in his hand were incredibly fragrant.
"Hey, kid, you're eating like you haven't had a meal in days! Leave some for me!" Zhang Henshui smacked Mo Chuan's hand away as he reached for the grilled lamb kidneys that Zhang had ordered, then added with a helpless sigh, "You still haven't answered my question. How exactly did you get in touch with Zhao Qingfeng, that old bachelor?"
"He was my parents' former regimental commander. Combined with the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade and the demon beast encounter the night before last, we managed to connect."
"Oh…" Zhang Henshui nodded and began, "Now, let me explain the deployment for this operation…"
"I know, I know. I'll enter through the main entrance. Your people will block the exits from the sides and the back. If you encounter that guy named 'Buddha,' capture him alive. For the rest, just leave them breathing."
Mo Chuan never expected that after hearing his request for help, Zhao Qingfeng would directly call his former superior, Zhang Henshui. He said it was a joint operation between the Qingzhou Public Security Bureau and the Jianzhou Public Security Bureau to clear out the criminal elements in Shengjing, Jianzhou. In reality, it was just letting Mo Chuan work for the Jianzhou Public Security Bureau and conveniently covering his tracks.
A worker! Never a slave!
"Alright… Oh, by the way, Director Chen said that after this operation, not only will you get another leave, but you'll also be officially hired. After all, you've already received two first-class merits. Once you're officially hired, you'll basically be at the captain level, with all the benefits. Plus, you can attend school normally because your work location will be where your school is."
"Great! Please thank Director Chen for me. Captain Zhang, I'll toast you."
Official employment? That sounded too good to be true.
"Captain Zhang, all targets have entered the designated locations. The deployment should be complete. The plan can commence."
"Okay, you all get into position."
Zhang Henshui popped the lamb kidney into his mouth, wiped the cumin from his lips, and said, "Let's go. Time for your show."
"Alright, I'll show you my new skills after reaching Tier Four."
"You're Tier Four?! When did that happen?"
…
The Grand Marshal Bathhouse, Main Hall.
The usual stream of visitors had vanished. Since "Buddha" was dealing with someone tonight, the establishment was closed. The empty hall was occupied by only five people.
Sitting on the sofa in the center was "Buddha," smoking a thick, high-quality cigar in one hand and slowly manipulating a pair of rounded lion-head thumb rings in the other. He frowned, looking towards the entrance.
Next to him sat Old Third, the tall one, and Second, the blond. Though the tall one said nothing, his clenched fists showed he was impatient to give Mo Chuan a few blows.
Finally, standing on either side were Zhao Huaqiang and the lanky, thin one. The former had a neck brace, clearly indicating he was not lightly injured.
"Daozi, Xiaoliang, don't be so tense. Even if the other party has influence, he's not from Jianzhou. A strong dragon can't suppress a local snake," Buddha said, spreading his hands. "Do like me, relax. The more relaxed you appear, the more you'll make the other party afraid of you."
"Buddha is right! We've even invited a Tier Six expert this time, so we don't need to fear the opponent!"
…
Outside the Bathhouse Entrance.
Mo Chuan looked at the still magnificent and brightly lit bathhouse and said into the walkie-talkie pinned to his chest, "Brother Zhang, cut the power."
"Got it."
*Bang!*
The entire building was plunged into darkness and silence.
Inside the hall, everyone except Buddha was clearly in a state of panic.
"Don't panic! Stay calm!" Buddha said. He then tossed his cigar, which transformed into a ball of flame that slowly ascended. The dim light illuminated the center of the hall, and his words temporarily calmed everyone's nerves.
But the peace was short-lived.
A gust of cold wind extinguished the newly ignited flame, and the hall returned to darkness.
"Xiaoliu, go to the power room and check," Buddha said, his face darkening as he cursed the unreliable circuitry at such a critical moment.
"Alright." The lanky, thin man turned and walked towards the side. However, as soon as he entered the darkness, he let out a bloodcurdling scream: "Ah!!!—"
Zhao Huaqiang and Brother Dao heard the scream and quickly went to check on Xiaoliu. In the faint light of their phones, they could see Xiaoliu sitting on the ground, so terrified that he had wet his pants.
"Xiaoliu, what's wrong?" Zhao Huaqiang asked, helping him up.
Xiaoliu pointed a trembling finger towards the end of the corridor leading to the power room and said, "I… I saw a woman I dealt with before… She… she told me to pay for my life…"
"Lao Si, go take a look." Brother Dao held Xiaoliu and gestured for Zhao Huaqiang to go. Zhao Huaqiang, confident in his bravery, took his phone, turned on the flashlight, and started walking in.
After a moment, Zhao Huaqiang picked up an inverted mop from a corner in the corridor and said with a laugh, "Liuzi, were you so drained by that broad that your eyes went bad? It's just a mop. What scared you like this…" As he spoke, he reached out to put the mop down.
"Ah!!—"
from the perspective of Brother Dao and Xiaoliu, Zhao Huaqiang was suddenly dragged into the corner of the corridor by something. His phone and the mop landed on the carpeted floor with a dull thud.
Brother Dao's hand went limp, and he dropped Xiaoliu. Xiaoliu, more directly, rolled his eyes and fainted.
"You guys hurry back!" Buddha commanded. Brother Dao, bracing himself, pulled the unconscious Xiaoliu up from the ground and dragged him back to the center of the hall.
"What happened?"
"It's ghosts! Xiaoliu said he saw something sinister, and when Lao Si went to check, he was dragged away by something. Xiaoliu has fainted and is unresponsive."
Buddha could barely make out Brother Dao's figure in the darkness, but as he was about to speak again, he suddenly noticed something. He pointed at Brother Dao and asked, "Daozi, what do you have in your hand?"
"It's Xiaoliu. I…"
Before Brother Dao could finish speaking, Buddha conjured another ball of flame. The few of them looked closely and realized it wasn't Xiaoliu at all, but a pair of mops tied together and two large buckets of disinfectant!
"This…" This time, Brother Dao was truly frightened. Although he didn't believe in karma, the bizarre scenes unfolding before him made him shiver.
He quickly threw down the "Xiaoliu" in his hand. Then, for safety, he summoned his own weapon. Just as he was about to say something, a dragging sound of iron chains echoed through the hall.
"Whose soul shall we capture?"
As this voice, like one from the depths of hell, sounded, a ghostly green iron chain appeared behind Brother Dao. Its hook pierced his shoulder and dragged him into the corridor.
"Crack."
Buddha's walnuts were crushed.