Free Web NovelChapter 290: Chapter 126: Strange Insect Trap
After a few pleasantries, Zhou Zhong’s expression grew serious. He looked at everyone and said, "Enough small talk. Let’s discuss how to hunt down that killer. The Third Elder has already explained the plan to me, and the Lord County Magistrate is very supportive. He specifically had me bring the strange insect and the spice."
With that, he took an exquisite Purple Sandalwood Box from his robes and carefully placed it on the table.
All eyes were immediately drawn to it, and everyone subconsciously started breathing a little quieter.
Zhou Zhong gently opened the box. It was lined with a layer of soft cotton, in the center of which rested a small, gray insect about the size of a fingernail.
The creature was a dusty gray color, with an oval-shaped body. It looked utterly unremarkable, even a bit ugly—hardly worthy of being called a "strange insect."
Yang Jing was rather surprised. ’This is the strange insect that can track the unique scent?’
If Zhou Zhong hadn’t presented it with such care, no one would have given it a second glance if it had fallen on the ground.
As if sensing their doubt, Zhou Zhong produced an oil-paper packet from his robes. He opened it to reveal a pale yellow powder that gave off a very faint, fresh, herbal aroma.
"This is the unique scent spice."
He continued, "On the way here, the Third Elder and I discussed the matter. We feel that simply sprinkling the spice on clothing might not be effective; a careful killer might not come into contact with it. It would be better to put it directly in the water."
"In the water?" Li Tieyun repeated, taken aback.
"Exactly," Zhou Zhong said with a nod. "The weather is cold these days, so the gang members are drinking plenty of hot water. We’ll mix the spice into the water for everyone to drink. This way, the unique scent will be absorbed into their skin through sweat and enter their bloodstream. If they engage in close-quarters combat, the scent is guaranteed to transfer to their opponent. Furthermore, the spice is harmless, and ordinary people can’t smell it. Only this strange insect can perceive it. The only catch is that the scent only lingers in the body for about an hour before dissipating."
He paused, then added, "However, as long as the gang members continuously drink the spiced water, the scent will be constantly replenished, enough to last for two days. Within that time, if the killer strikes again, we should be able to track him with the insect. The key is that we must catch him within that one-hour window. If we fail, the scent will vanish, we’ll have alerted our enemy, and things will become much more difficult."
Yang Jing and Li Tieyun exchanged a glance and nodded lightly.
This method was indeed far more reliable than just sprinkling the spice on their clothes. fгeewebnovёl.com
"Excellent! We’ll do as Housekeeper Zhou suggests!" Li Tieyun decided on the spot. "I’ll give the order right now. Have the kitchens boil enough hot water, mix in the spice, and distribute it to all our men!"
A cold glint flashed in Li Tieyun’s eyes.
The River Gang had suffered devastating losses. They had lost a Vice Gang Leader and hundreds of members had been brutally murdered, shaking the foundations the gang had built over decades. If he could just catch the killer, he swore he would tear the man to pieces to avenge his fallen brothers.
He immediately summoned Ma Chaoyun and gave him detailed instructions for boiling the water, mixing in the spice, and distributing it throughout the entire stronghold.
Ma Chaoyun dared not delay and immediately led some men to the kitchens. Before long, plumes of smoke rose from the stronghold’s kitchen chimneys. Pot after pot of water was brought to a rolling boil. The pale yellow spice powder was sprinkled in and stirred until dissolved. Gang members then carried wooden buckets, distributing the water door-to-door.
The gang members didn’t know why there was a sudden order for everyone to drink hot water, but since they often drank it to ward off the cold anyway, they didn’t think much of it.
When they later heard it was a special restorative tonic prepared with ingredients sourced by the Gang Leader himself, they became even more enthusiastic. One by one, they held up their coarse porcelain bowls and drank with hearty gulps. GLUG, GLUG.
Yang Jing, the Jiang Family Third Elder, and Housekeeper Zhou also each took a bowl, sipping it lightly.
Li Tieyun had declared that as long as one was in the stronghold, there were no exceptions. Everyone had to drink the spiced water, leaving the killer absolutely no exploitable loophole.
The afternoon passed in surprising tranquility within the stronghold. No one else was harmed.
This calm, however, was punctuated by a different kind of commotion. Having drunk so much water, many gang members had a frequent, urgent need to urinate. Long lines formed outside the latrines. Some of the more impatient men simply found a corner behind a wall or a tree to relieve themselves on the spot, drawing roars of laughter from passersby and somewhat diluting the tense atmosphere.
Yang Jing, the Jiang Family Third Elder, and Li Tieyun did not let their guard down, however. They continued to patrol the stronghold.
Li Tieyun had also issued an order to temporarily abandon the outer courtyards, pulling all his men back to the central area of the stronghold. This concentrated their numbers, ensuring that if trouble started, reinforcements could arrive quickly.
The sun sank in the west, casting a golden afterglow over the eaves of the stronghold.
Li Tieyun walked alongside Yang Jing on their patrol route. Watching the passing gang members, whose expressions had relaxed slightly, he said in a low voice, "The killer has struck during the day before, though he never killed many. But today, there’s been nothing. I don’t know if he’s sensed something, or if our pulling back has made it harder for him to make a move." freewebnøvel.com
Yang Jing’s gaze swept over the heavily guarded walls and the concentrated crowds. "Let’s not be hasty," he said, taking a slow breath. "We’ll see what happens tonight. If he’s still here, he won’t give up on his revenge. He’ll find an opportunity eventually."
...
「In the dense forest outside the River Gang Stronghold.」
Li Hongyu hid behind an old tree, his brow tightly furrowed.
Through a gap in the foliage, he could see that the River Gang members had all withdrawn to the stronghold’s central area. The number of patrols had also multiplied. It would indeed be much more difficult to slip in and kill silently as he had before.
’Hmph. Do they really think pulling back will do them any good?’ A cold sneer touched Li Hongyu’s lips, and a flash of disdain crossed his eyes.
’As long as I want to make a move, I can always find an opening. But I’m too conspicuous a target during the day. It’s safer to wait for nightfall and act under the cover of darkness.’
