Free Web NovelChapter 358: Chapter 309: Unexpected Change_2
As his voice faded, a curtain slowly descended from behind Nalan Shuo, followed by the projection of a large photo. The moment Yang Xiao saw the photo, his mind went blank with a buzz. The image was of the hall inside the Yanhe Tian Villa, where tables and chairs had been overturned, dozens of bodies were intertwined, and blood freely flowed across the floor—a gruesomely bloody scene.
Even with Yang Xiao’s mental fortitude, his face turned pale in an instant; he didn’t understand the purpose of Nalan Shuo’s sudden meeting.
"Two days ago, in the early morning, Yanhe Tian, the Pavilion Master of Yan Mountain Pavilion, a subordinate gang of the Ye City Apostles Union, and his family were massacred. According to the headcount, including the Pavilion Master Yanhe Tian’s family of nine, a total of 87 people were killed. Yanhe Tian is missing. That evening, Yanhe Tian and his friends and family were holding a celebration party in their private villa halfway up the mountain."
"This was a premeditated attack. We found hallucinogens in the air conditioning and ventilation systems, which indicates that the attackers had inside help."
"The core attackers were two individuals, both Apostles. From the spent cartridges found on the ground, we’ve determined that four mini submachine guns with specially made high-powered bullets were used. These weapons and ammunition are hot commodities on the international black market and very difficult to obtain domestically. The attackers have substantial backing."
"According to the technical department’s on-site investigation, Yanhe Tian had used the Power of Resentful Eyes to resist the attackers but was overpowered and killed, with his body taken away."
"Moreover, we’ve received information that there was a Venerable Level person from the Yu Yuan Sect at the villa that evening, someone quite familiar with Yanhe Tian. The technical department surmised that the two attackers had a fierce battle with Yanhe Tian and this Venerable Level Yu Yuan Sect individual. After killing the two, they casually left with the bodies."
Upon hearing this, the female director’s expression turned ugly, her voice low and hoarse, "I know this Yanhe Tian; he had a conflict with our Rongcheng Patrol Division. His character is despicable but his strength is not weak. Even though he’s not up to the level of a Venerable Level Heretic Cultivator, he’s still stronger than the vast majority of our Patrol Division captains, a nearly Venerable Level individual. Moreover, there was a genuine Venerable Level Heretic Cultivator. Yet they were both killed by the two attackers who then coolly took the bodies away. The strength of these two is quite evident."
"Indeed, these two are extremely dangerous, and according to our investigation, this group of attackers is currently in our Rongcheng."
The moment Nalan Shuo said this, Yang Xiao’s heartbeat immediately quickened. He first suspected that Nalan Shuo was trying to use others to eliminate him. Could it be that he knew about his secret investigation?
But that didn’t make sense either. If Nalan Shuo wanted to kill him, he wouldn’t be so foolish as to announce his crimes in public. Otherwise, if Yang Xiao bit back before dying and revealed everything he knew, it wouldn’t be easy for Nalan Shuo either.
There was also something else Yang Xiao didn’t understand: initially, he and Tong Han had only killed about thirty people, so how did that tally up to the 87 deaths reported? freёwebnovel.com
"Director Nalan, where are these two now?" another director with a goatee inquired.
"Bright Moon Pavilion Hotel," Nalan Shuo declared emphatically, "That is the gathering place of these people. These two are merely assassins. The real mastermind is also inside the hotel."
"Bright Moon Pavilion Hotel?" someone exclaimed in shock, "Could it be that this matter is related to the business guilds, and they are behind it?"
"I don’t know, but these people are merciless in their methods, wanton killers, posing a great threat to society. The provincial office has issued an order for our four public offices to take joint action. I will command the operation on the ground. Tonight at 8 o’clock, we will raid the Bright Moon Pavilion Hotel under the guise of a fire safety inspection. Teams that enter should minimize impact, but if they encounter resistance, they are authorized to kill on sight."
"What if there are people from our Rongcheng local business guild inside?" Wu Zhe hesitated for a moment before asking.
"As long as they don’t resist, they’ll be detained first. If there is resistance, no matter who it is, they will all be killed," Nalan Shuo looked at Wu Zhe, "Is that clear?"
Wu Zhe stood up straight, "Clear!"
"Gentlemen, because this matter is top secret, you are not allowed to leave at will; your movement is limited to within the conference room and the corridor on the right side of the third floor, and you must not make or receive phone calls. At exactly 7 o’clock, we will gather our troops and depart on time." Nalan Shuo paused before leaving the meeting room, turned his head towards Yang Xiao with an expressionless face, "Captain Yang, come to the office with me, the Provincial Office Investigation Squad is looking for you."
"The Provincial Office Investigation Squad..." Yang Xiao’s feelings were extremely complicated at the moment, suspecting that Nalan Shuo had revealed his secret investigation to the authorities. Nonetheless, it was a significant achievement, and now the Provincial Office Investigation Squad was coming to verify the situation with him.
To be fair, Yang Xiao didn’t want to betray either Mo Daidai or Tong Han. Although these people were ruthless in their methods, they had been decent to him—keeping their word and delivering all promised benefits. He couldn’t stoop to betraying them.
Yang Xiao followed Nalan Shuo into the office with a cold face. As soon as the door closed, Nalan Shuo took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, drew one and put it in his mouth, and pushed the pack towards Yang Xiao. Yang Xiao barely resisted slapping the pack away, "Nalan Shuo, you want to involve me in injustice!"
Taking back the pack of cigarettes and taking a deep drag, Nalan Shuo slowly exhaled, his gaze becoming complex, "It’s not about me. This is an order from the provincial office. You’ve made too big a fuss; truly vicious. I saw the crime scene photos—87 lives taken, not a single survivor. Everyone in the villa, down to the two guard dogs—exterminated."
"It wasn’t us. We only charged in and took out the people in the hall. Yanhe Tian and the Staff Killing Elder from Yu Yuan Sect were our kills, but we had nothing to do with what happened outside the hall." Yang Xiao said in a low voice, and he was telling the truth.
Nalan Shuo appeared thoughtful, "It seems that your friend made preparations in advance and found others to clean up. There were two cars full of dead bodies at the north gate of the villa. Through our investigation, we found they were from Yu Yuan Sect. They didn’t even have time to react before they were killed, including one captain."
"That’s not my problem, but I can’t betray them. I won’t participate in tonight’s operation!" Yang Xiao growled at Nalan Shuo in a low voice.
Nalan Shuo shook his head, "No, you must participate. I want you to lead the charge and be the first one in."
"Are you insane?" Yang Xiao was immensely disappointed in Nalan Shuo, "You want me to step on their blood to get promoted and get rich!"
"Huff—" Nalan Shuo exhaled and pulled out a cell phone from his pocket—it was Yang Xiao’s phone, "Call that friend of yours."
Yang Xiao froze for a moment, not moving.
Nalan Shuo stuffed the phone into Yang Xiao’s hand, "Call him, tell him our plan of action, let him hurry and evacuate."
"Don’t use your phone. Find the number and use the landline in my office," Nalan Shuo indicated to his own office desk, appearing relaxed. Yang Xiao suddenly realized that the director’s smoking posture was pretty cool too.
"Catching him is an order, but more importantly, it’s to show the Rongcheng Patrol Division’s stance, to send a warning to those in the business association. Whether we catch him or not is a matter of capability and chance. We also don’t want to completely fall out with the association. With this call, leaving aside other things, your friend now owes you a favor."
After exhaling another puff of smoke, Nalan Shuo reminded Yang Xiao as he dialed, "Remember, let him leave some behind; we also need to show results."
Yang Xiao quickly relayed the information to the bodyguard who had been in contact with him. He never doubted Mo Daidai’s capabilities; with this information, he would surely handle the situation smoothly, ensuring everyone had a way out.
After hanging up the phone, Yang Xiao sincerely apologized to Nalan Shuo, "I’m sorry, Director. I misunderstood you earlier. You’re doing all this for me."
"There’s one more thing. Since the leak didn’t come from you, how did the provincial office know what happened at Yanhe Tian Villa and pinpoint the mastermind in Rongcheng so accurately?" Yang Xiao didn’t understand.
"Our Patrol Division isn’t just idling around, you haven’t yet seen its truly terrifying side," Nalan Shuo looked at Yang Xiao and said earnestly, "Yang Xiao, as you know, our division has the right to nominate vice division level captains. Currently, in the entire Rongcheng Patrol Division, Qu Muzhi is the only vice division level captain. You’re not inferior to him. You made your mark last time by killing Granny Hong. Previously you bravely fought against several Heretic Cultivators and single-handedly exposed a mole in the Green Phoenix Office. Your transition from acting captain to official captain is a done deal. Tonight, leading the raid on Bright Moon Pavilion, you’ll be at the forefront. I’ve already prepared your promotion report, and Captain Yang Lao from the province investigative team is very impressed by you. Young man, your future is limitless."
"Director, how... how can I ever thank you?" Yang Xiao was momentarily overwhelmed with gratitude.
Nalan Shuo pressed his cigarette butt out and smiled meaningfully, "Just remember to tell the truth in front of me from now on, and stay away from messy places."
