Chapter 94: Traces

“It’s no ordinary feat,” Sha Yanghua said gravely. “Dodging bullets while taking out Blackie? That’s not something a mid-level practitioner can pull off. He’s a true master.”

He paused before continuing, “As for martial prowess within Jinghai City, only one force comes close, Chen’s Martial Arts Hall. I’ve met the current headmaster, Chen Tianxing. His strength is maybe mid-stage Bright Force at best. He could take Blackie down, sure, but not before Blackie got away.”

“And his father, Chen Jinsong?”

“Jinsong might be capable of killing Blackie outright,” Sha said, shaking his head, “but the description doesn’t match. Which brings us to one possibility.”

Fang Haoyan narrowed his eyes. “You think he’s the Dragon Sword deserter?”

“Exactly,” Sha Yanghua confirmed with a nod.

Fang’s voice dropped, low and sharp. “Can you take him?”

Sha Yanghua didn’t hesitate. His tone was cool, certain. “He might give me a fight. But that’s all it’ll be. He’s not my equal.”

“In that case, I can rest easy.” A predatory smile curled on Fang Haoyan’s lips—cold, sharp, like a snake sizing up its prey. “Zhichen, I want our people to dig into this guy’s past. I’ll make sure he regrets ever crossing us.”

“Understood, Boss. You can count on me,” Yuan Zhichen nodded. “I’ll begin the investigation right away.”

He paused, then added, “By the way, now that Blackie and Wang Lin are both gone, do we need to assign someone else to follow up on that line of inquiry?”

Fang Haoyan’s eyes narrowed, irritation flaring. “Didn’t we already confirm the target’s in the Yongnan District? We’ve narrowed it down. Why throw more bodies at it?”

Yuan Zhichen offered a rueful smile. “True, Boss. We have the area locked down. But there’s a complication—a policewoman.”

“A policewoman?”

“Yeah. Captain of the Criminal Investigation Department, Yongnan District branch. Word is she’s been sniffing around our operations—discreet, but persistent. Apparently, she’s not just capable… she’s also quite the looker. Her name’s Su Mengjia.”

“Then seize an opportunity to eliminate her. What’s the point of keeping such a troublemaker around?” Fang Haoyan said with a murderous glint in his eyes.

“But, Boss, this Su Mengjia is the captain of the police department’s criminal investigation unit, and she reportedly has some substantial background. If we act rashly, it could stir up quite a storm.”

“Don’t worry about the aftermath,” Fang Haoyan retorted. “That international organization has been relentlessly pressuring me. They’re in a rush. If we’re out of options, let’s just finish her off.”

“Understood, Boss. I’ll organize for someone to do it immediately.”

Fang Haoyan nodded, then retrieved a photograph from his pocket. It depicted a strapping young man, aged around seventeen or eighteen, with an honest face. Alongside him was a charming, pure, and pretty girl of about fifteen or sixteen, her long hair cascading over her shoulders.

If Lin Xiao were to see this photo, he’d be taken aback. Because this was the photograph taken by the mercenaries who attacked Yuan Yong, carried away post his sacrifice. The pair depicted was none other than his brother, Yuan Yong, and Yuan Yong’s sister, Yuan Yu.

“I wonder what the international organization wants with this little girl. She’s certainly adorable, if…” Fang Haoyan let the sentence hang, a lascivious grin curling his lips.

“Boss, the international organization specified that she must be delivered alive and unscathed, or else they won’t remit payment,” Yuan Zhichen cautioned.

“I understand, don’t worry. This is related to the resources Old Sha needs to break through. I won’t make a mess of things,” Fang Haoyan reassured.

Sha Yanghua, standing at the side, looked genuinely grateful. “Thank you, Boss.”

***

Lin Xiao was unaware that the murderer of his brother-in-arms had already left a trace.

After leaving Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, he visited Yuan Yu’s mother at the hospital, spending some time chatting with her. Around five or six o’clock, Lin Xiao returned to Yuan Yu’s residence. Just then, Yuan Yu rang him, saying she had an extra class and would be back later than usual.

Feeling too lazy to bother with anything at home, Lin Xiao changed into a new set of clothes–a black shirt, jeans, and well-worn white sneakers–and headed out. His appearance was both fit and clean.

After grabbing a quick bite, Lin Xiao got behind the wheel of the Rolls-Royce and headed toward Panlong Mountain.

About an hour later, Lin Xiao arrived at his destination.

Located in the suburbs of Jinghai City, Panlong Mountain was approximately twenty kilometers away from the main urban area. The mountain wasn’t particularly tall, but it was steep and known for its winding roads that, when viewed from above, resembled a coiled dragon.

By day, Panlong Mountain was a well-known scenic spot in Jinghai City, famous for its beautiful scenery, lush vegetation, fresh air, and its refreshing, cool climate.

It was a favorite leisure spot for many residents of Jinghai City, who often spent their holidays exploring its green slopes.

But at night, the mountain transformed into a different beast, dangerous and intimidating.

Due to the rugged terrain and winding roads, car accidents were a frequent occurrence at night. This led many to avoid the mountain after dark, rendering it eerily quiet. However, this very attribute gradually turned Panlong Mountain into a renowned spot for racing, hosting many underground car races.

And tonight, another such underground race was about to begin.

The registration site was set in front of a manor at the foot of the mountain, adjacent to the wide street. It spanned a few hundred square meters, with surrounding walls painted black, seamlessly blending into the night.

Lin Xiao parked his Rolls-Royce on the side of the highway in front of the manor.

Despite the lively surroundings, it was not yet time for the race. Lin Xiao parked his car in an inconspicuous corner, rolled up the windows, locked the doors, and settled down in the driver’s seat to rest.

He was here purely for the prize money and had no intention of mingling with these underground racers. Once the race was over and he had collected the prize money, he planned to leave immediately, severing his ties with the underground racing community.

Dozens of various types of vehicles had already filled the courtyard, and more were arriving.

This collection included rarely seen, high-end luxury cars such as Lamborghinis, Land Rovers, Bentleys, and the like. There were also some modified cars, their exteriors so customized that their original brands were unrecognizable.

The area surrounding the parked vehicles was abuzz with activity. Dozens of people milled about, but they generally gathered in small clusters of three to five, forming distinctly separate groups.

The most populous group was huddled around a Lamborghini. More than a dozen individuals flocked to a young man in his twenties, their faces reflecting admiration and deference.

This young man was tall and handsome, dressed in internationally renowned designer clothing. His demeanor was unflappable, not even a hint of a smile crossing his face amidst the continuous praise. To the discerning eye, a palpable mix of disdain and self-satisfaction lurked beneath his steady gaze. But to the casual observer, it went unnoticed.

“Young Master Le, do you plan on joining the race tonight?” one person asked.

The young man nodded in a composed manner, replying lightly, “Given the crowd tonight, I might as well enjoy myself.”

His indifference made the event seem like an inconsequential affair. Yet his statement was met with a wave of flattery.

“It’s rare for Young Master Le to grace the track with his presence. Given your skills, Young Master Le, victory is practically guaranteed.”

“Isn’t it obvious? With Young Master Le’s skills, the real question isn’t about who will take first place, but rather how far ahead Young Master Le will be.”

“Exactly, Young Master Le’s skills might even see him lapping the second-place driver. You know there’s a God of Racing at Akina Mountain in the racing world? Maybe Young Master Le should be named the God of Racing at Panlong Mountain.”

“That’s right. In the future, Young Master Le will be the Panlong Mountain Racing God. In front of him, all others pale in comparison.”

While the young man savored the flattery internally, his outward expression remained a masterful picture of inscrutability.