Free Web NovelChapter 283: Chapter 278: Making a Move
The southern cargo docks of Black Stone City’s Outer City.
The gloomy rain made the already filthy area even muddier.
The river was crowded with black-canopied boats and cargo ships of all sizes. The air was thick with the stench of fish and the sour funk of rotting, moldy wood.
Dozens of yards from the main dock area, on a shabby, unremarkable cargo ship.
Song Mirror and Zhao Tie were not wearing their conspicuous Profound Armor today. Instead, they had changed into coarse, short garments stained with grease and fish scales, with tattered straw hats perched on their heads. They looked for all the world like two low-class laborers who spent their lives making a living on the water.
The two were huddled on deck behind a tall pile of moldy ropes, using a tattered sail for cover. Their eyes periodically swept toward a stilt house a few hundred feet away, diagonally across from them.
"We’ve been on this stakeout for three days, Song, and haven’t gotten a single useful piece of information. You think the intel in that secret letter was even accurate?" Zhao Tie grumbled, keeping his voice down.
"It doesn’t matter if it’s accurate. This is the task the Commander gave us. We’ll watch this place until we die if we have to!" ’Even Song Mirror was starting to have his doubts, wondering if the Water Snake Gang was truly in league with the Black Lotus Sect.’
The two continued their watch. When the river wind blew past, they instinctively pulled their jackets tighter, perfectly mimicking the shivering of common laborers.
More than another hour passed.
Just when they were about to write the day off as a loss, Song Mirror’s pupils suddenly constricted, his eyes flashing with a sharp light!
"Don’t make a sound! Head down!"
Song Mirror shoved Zhao Tie’s head down behind the pile of ropes, leaving only the narrowest of gaps for him to peek through.
The tightly shut wooden door of the stilt house was stealthily pulled open a crack from within.
A tall man in a conical bamboo hat and straw rain cloak stepped out. He was extremely cautious, keeping the brim of his hat pulled low. He scanned his surroundings, and only after confirming the coast was clear did he hurry down the wooden walkway toward a black-canopied boat.
Just as the man turned to descend the steps, a gust of river wind lifted the corner of his bamboo hat for a split second!
Song Mirror’s heart began to hammer against his ribs like a war drum.
On the partially revealed face, tattooed on the left cheek, was an eerie black lotus!
"Song... Th-that’s..."
Zhao Tie, still pinned down, had also seen the man’s face through the gap. His voice trembled. "A black lotus! I remember now! That’s Yin Jiu, the high-ranking deacon from the Black Lotus Sect! He’s on the wanted posters!"
"That’s right! This is our big break!"
Song Mirror’s heart was also racing as he whispered, his voice trembling with excitement.
’Both he and Zhao Tie recognized the man. There was no mistaking him; it was a high-ranking deacon of the Black Lotus Sect.’
’He was coming and going from a Water Snake Gang stronghold. With this evidence, on top of all the intelligence he had previously gathered, he was ninety percent certain the Water Snake Gang was deeply entangled with the Black Lotus Sect.’
’He recalled seeing the Water Snake Gang enter the Inner City to deliver goods during one of his patrols. It was highly likely that Black Lotus Sect disciples were mixed in with the gang members making the delivery.’
’If they were smuggling people in with every shipment, that would explain how the Black Lotus Sect was getting into the Inner City.’
’But if their headcounts were always short on the return trip, how did they trick the guards?’
’Song Mirror still couldn’t quite puzzle it out, but it didn’t matter anymore. As long as he could confirm the Water Snake Gang was colluding with the Black Lotus Sect, that was enough to make a move!’
"Quick, back to report to the Commander!"
Song Mirror whispered. The two then slipped off the ship and hurried away.
...
"Commander, we have an urgent matter to report!"
In the front hall of the Su Mansion, Song Mirror and Zhao Tie greeted him with cupped-fist salutes, their faces flushed with excitement.
Seeing their expressions, Su Yu’s heart skipped a beat.
"Is it the Water Snake Gang?"
Song Mirror immediately nodded. "At the Water Snake Gang stronghold by the southern docks—we watched it for three days and finally saw Black Lotus Sect cultists coming and going!"
"What’s more, one of them was the high-ranking deacon, Yin Jiu, whose Cultivation has reached Refining Flesh Realm Perfection! That proves the stronghold is no ordinary base. There are probably more Black Lotus Sect cultists hiding inside!"
"Excellent!"
Su Yu couldn’t help but exclaim his praise. ’So the Water Snake Gang really is dirty. To think they’d dare collude with the Black Lotus Sect... I’ll pull them out, root and stem!’
"You two, go back and keep watch. And don’t get spotted!"
"Yes, Commander!"
After the two had left, Su Yu’s mind raced, formulating a plan. ’The stakes are high on this one. I have to be careful.’
’Especially Hong Lei. Once we move against the Water Snake Gang, he has to die. If he escapes, the consequences will be endless!’
As he mulled it over, he had his butler, Li Da, prepare a carriage and rushed toward the Public Security Bureau.
Moments later, Su Yu arrived at the Public Security Bureau. He whipped back the curtain, leaped from the carriage, and hurried inside.
In Commander Li’s office, Su Yu knocked and entered briskly.
"Younger Brother Su! Come, come, you have to try this Dragon Lake Spirit Tea I just got my hands on."
"Commander Li, let’s save the tea for later. We can drink it after we’ve secured this major credit!"
"Oh? Major credit?" Li Jingxuan’s expression changed in an instant, a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Major credit!" Su Yu didn’t beat around the bush. "My men have discovered a high-ranking Black Lotus Sect deacon at a secret Water Snake Gang stronghold in the south of the city!"
At these words, Li Jingxuan’s expression sobered instantly.
"Are you certain?"
"Positive! The Water Snake Gang is almost certainly colluding with the Black Lotus Sect. Taking them down will be a major credit for us!"
Seeing Su Yu’s firm conviction, Li Jingxuan was secretly overjoyed.
’Ah, Younger Brother Su, you really are my lucky charm! Mansion Master Pang has been breathing down our necks, and no one else has produced any results. I never thought you’d be the one to break the stalemate again!’
"Brother, come on. Let’s go see Mansion Master Pang together!"
...
「Public Security Bureau, Mansion Master’s Office.」 frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Li Jingxuan finished his report about the discovery of the Black Lotus Sect deacon.
"Mansion Master, shall we raid the Water Snake Gang stronghold and investigate? It’s only a suspicion for now, but a very strong one!" Li Jingxuan asked for instructions.
Pang Xuan didn’t hesitate for a second. His voice was grim. "Better to be wrong and strike, than to be right and let them slip away. If this is true, Li Jingxuan, I will personally ensure you receive top credit!"
"You are too generous, Mansion Master. But the credit for this belongs to Commander Su. He’s the one who uncovered all of this."
Pang Xuan looked at Su Yu with growing appreciation and clapped him firmly on the shoulder.
’He knew of Su Yu. The young man had a record of major achievements since joining the Public Security Bureau and was a genius in the Martial Arts. He’d had his eye on him for some time.’
"Su Yu, you will personally lead the team to investigate that stronghold. If the Water Snake Gang is truly in league with the Black Lotus Sect, I will personally request a commendation for you!"
"Thank you, Mansion Master! But once we move on the stronghold, the Water Snake Gang’s headquarters will surely be alerted. If their leader and the others escape, the consequences will be endless!"
Pang Xuan nodded, pondering. "No matter. I’ll have Commander Ye and Commander Li go to the Water Snake Gang’s main headquarters. You’ll move in separate teams. The moment you confirm the Water Snake Gang is dirty, notify them to strike at the same time!"
"Yes, Mansion Master! But what if the Water Snake Gang resists?" Su Yu asked, seeking final confirmation.
"Show no mercy!"
...
「The Southern Docks.」
Night was falling.
Su Yu, leading thirty Security Guards in Heavy Armor, silently surrounded the secret Water Snake Gang stronghold.
The thirty Heavy Armor Security Guards were clad in black plate, each carrying a heavy military crossbow on his back and a massive Horse-cutting Saber at his waist. They were the elite of the elite.
Not only was their equipment top-tier, but each man was a Martial Artist at the Skin Tempering Realm, possessing formidable combat strength.
A squad of Security Guards like this was essentially invincible in the Outer City of Black Stone City.
Forget ordinary Martial Artists; even someone at the Flesh Refining Realm would struggle to stand against them.
High above, Su Yu controlled Qingyuan, activating Eagle’s Eye to rapidly scan the entire stronghold and its perimeter.
After confirming there were no hidden ambushes or other surprises, he gave the cold command:
"Kill!"
