The North District is shrouded in mist all year round.
Only on rare sunny days can the mist be faintly dispelled, bringing specks of light to the entire district.
The damp air fills the nostrils.
The roaring sound of machinery echoes in the ears year-round.
The pedestrians passing by have gloomy expressions, tightly wrapping their coats around themselves.
Every ten minutes, an iron-built steam train passes through the streets. After a brief stop, it hastily proceeds to the next station.
Outside the North District.
Meng Lei glanced at the heavy mist-laden sky, "Is the North District of Linjiang City equivalent to the Seventh District of Kyoto? If a secretive organization is hiding in such a place, it would indeed be troublesome.
Captain Allen, where did you investigate the location?"
Allen, clad in a black trench coat, lit a cigarette, letting the ash fall gently from his nicotine-stained fingers:
"It’s at No. 264 Narcissus Street. According to information from our informant, they are supposed to conduct some kind of ritual tonight to communicate with an evil presence.
We should wait for General Pang’s interrogation results to see who is really behind Qijie.
Then we’ll sweep them all up in one fell swoop."
Besides the two of them.
Lin Shan and Chang Fu from the Armed Department were also assembled to collaborate on the work of the two big shots.
Baiyu also tagged along.
This was due to Baiyu’s own strong insistence.
After all, the second stage of the main mission in the academic space was to disrupt more than 30% of the Abyssal Ascetic Association’s arrangements. Now that he had a bigshot paving the way, he naturally wanted to gain some "experience."
And get rewards for training in the Ice Skin Jade Bone Skill.
Meng Lei gladly agreed to Baiyu’s proposal.
He could showcase the power of the Holy Light Church to Baiyu, further strengthening his confidence in joining the church in the future.
Qijie is probably just a person beguiled by the Evil God.
But this also indirectly proves that Baiyu is the one chosen by my Lord; otherwise, the Evil God wouldn’t waste an undercover agent in the upper levels of the Armed Department to eliminate a student."
A wise look flashed across Meng Lei’s large eyes and thick brows, "Behind this, there might be a divine confrontation, involving a clash between the True Divine and the Evil God."
I just coincidentally encountered this cursed Abyssal Ascetic Association multiple times, ending up targeted by them.
Talking about a divine confrontation, isn’t that a bit too grandiose?
It’s just a simple vendetta.
If I were someone from the Abyssal Ascetic Association, I too would find ways to get rid of such a thorn in my side.
Baiyu felt powerless to complain inside.
But even for such an absurd thing, Allen next to him seemed to nod thoughtfully, "The deities went silent on the continent for certain reasons, but their influence is still unparalleled, choosing agents to push their agendas, which is indeed very possible.
This also explains why Baiyu repeatedly encounters the Abyssal Ascetic Association’s secret activities.
Because behind it all, the gods are maneuvering.
It’s the two divine chess players of good and evil."
Whoa, whoa, stop overthinking it, damn it.
Baiyu suddenly noticed that Chang Fu and Lin Shan were looking at him differently.
In Lin Shan’s eyes... uh, was it curiosity?
Chang Fu’s expression was even stranger.
Such intense feelings made Baiyu quite uncomfortable.
"Enough chit-chat, Captain Allen, let’s go. The Holy Light Church always acts swiftly and decisively."
Meng Lei strode forward.
A group of five, without being too ostentatious, boarded the steam train together.
But even though the five were extremely low-key, they still appeared somewhat out of place on the train.
First, there was Meng Lei, a muscular man carrying a large machete on his back, looking fierce and menacing, which was peculiar.
Typically, only Martial Artists would carry weapons with them.
If someone hadn’t seen it with their own eyes and told Baiyu that this guy was from the Holy Light Church, Baiyu would surely give that person a few slaps.
This guy truly looks like an outlaw on the run.
Being a priest of the Holy Light Church is outrageously absurd.
Allen was even stranger.
The entire person was tucked in under the black trench coat, sullen, with eyes deeply socketed, resembling a vampire, which made people very uncomfortable.
These people in the church look more like criminals, one after another.
Then there was Baiyu and Lin Shan.
Their attire was considered relatively conventional.
However, Lin Shan was inherently a high-quality beauty, coupled with being a Tier Nine Martial Artist and Tier Eight Extraordinary, her Blood Qi was much more vibrant than ordinary people, with excellent skin, drawing significant attention.
Such a woman was rarely seen in the North District.
Because this was an industrial district, also a slum area.
There can’t be such a girl among factory workers.
Even if they look just as good, qualities like temperament can’t be faked.
The factor distinguishing average beauties from exceptional ones has never been looks.
Instead, it’s temperament, conversation, education received, life perspective and experience, wisdom, and so on...
The nearby Baiyu is excessively handsome.
Even some female passengers on the steam train couldn’t help but glance over.
The most normal-looking person among these five is surprisingly Chang Fu.
Only he looks like an ordinary person.
"Going makes too much noise.
I feel those from the Abyssal Ascetic Association might try to escape.
How about we split up? Lin Shan, Baiyu, and I will go to block the retreat path. Lord Meng Lei and Lord Allen, you two make a frontal assault, while we’ll intercept any stragglers on the flanks."
Meng Lei rubbed his cropped hair, "Captain Allen, what do you think?"
"Let’s do as Chang Fu suggests, I have no problem here. Given our strength, if we break in supported by my Simulation Realm, very few will manage to escape.
With Lin Shan and Chang Fu around, Baiyu’s safety can be ensured."
Allen glanced briefly at Chang Fu, his voice betraying no emotion.
Thus, the battle plan was established.
Meng Lei and Allen would break in frontally, while Baiyu, Lin Shan, and Chang Fu would assist from the flanks, catching any who slipped through.
It’s an aging mansion, large and impressive.
Even though North District is an industrial area.
There are still mansions, and there are still wealthy people.
Most of these people have factories in the North District, and to facilitate the management of their factory affairs, they purchased property here.
The bosses certainly don’t live in the factories.
The local gangs generally cooperate with these wealthy people.
They are responsible for the safety of the factories and the bosses, collecting a certain fee each month, which in layman’s terms is called protection money.
Of course, they also have other sources of income, such as mercenary fees.
The owner of the Water Lily Street cotton factory, Mr. Ian, paid the White Shark Gang a large mercenary fee to guard beside his villa, which is an extra income.
This boss from the Free Federation knows well how to utilize such vibrant social organizations of the East Prosperity Imperial.
Therefore, his cotton factory is very prosperous.
He has basically not encountered anyone causing trouble, and the White Shark Gang is more than willing to work with someone as straightforward as him.
The person responsible for Ian’s mercenary task tonight is Silly Strong of the White Shark Gang.
Very few in the gang know Silly Strong’s real name.
Everyone calls him Silly Strong, he used to follow the one-eyed Old Knife in the gang.
The one-eyed Old Knife died in a conflict between the White Shark Gang and another force.
As the boss in charge of Water Lily Street, he held two machetes and hacked from the gate of Water Lily Street to North District East Road. He hacked back and forth for three days and nights, the blood flowed like a river.
Yet at that time, he just kept slashing, without blinking an eye.
In the end, the one-eyed Old Knife died of exhaustion with one hundred and twenty-seven stab wounds.
With such a ruthless person, the White Shark Gang ultimately succeeded in taking over Water Lily Street.
To appease people’s hearts, the gang leader handed over the business of Water Lily Street to Silly Strong, who was brought up by the one-eyed Old Knife.
Outside 264 Water Lily Street, in front of a roadside barbecue stall.
Silly Strong was drinking a pint of beer, nostalgically boasting to a few subordinates about the past:
"If it weren’t for the boss, there wouldn’t be me, Silly Strong, today.
I still remember what he said back then...
If a gangster doesn’t use his brain, he’ll always be a gangster."
"Bro Strong, didn’t the boss blink for three days and nights, wouldn’t his eyes get dry?"
A curious young man beside him asked.
Silly Strong’s face stiffened, glaring at him viciously, "Is that the point of what I was saying? I said the boss kills without blinking, and you ask if his eyes were dry?
Use your brain, focus on the key points!
If you can’t even read the room, how can I trust you with the business on this street in the future!"
A few followers nodded repeatedly.
The steam train happened to stop at the station just over twenty meters from this barbecue stall.
Five people walked straight towards them.
Silly Strong sobered up instantly, looked over, and shivered all over.