Chapter 713: Major Incidents
Tang Xiu hurriedly left Zhang Xinyue's beauty parlor and came outside, and immediately asked after boarding the car, "Awu, tell me the specifics about the situation."
Awu did not start the car but handed over a pile of documents, saying, "The murderers' methods used in the four homicide cases happened in Shanghai last night were extremely cruel. A team of four from the state's Special Department who were involved in the incident were also killed. Based on the statistic, the total number of casualties and victims is 16, and the four murder scenes are in the north, south, west, and east of Shanghai."
"Was there any similar cases before?" asked Tang Xiu with a deep frown.
"Yeah, there have been three murder cases in the past two days." Mo Awu nodded. "One of them was a case with the beasts we already know, the Stygian Club's assassination agents, while the other two were similar to last night's case. I suspect that the real culprit of these six murder cases should be of the same group of people, but I still can't figure out their motives yet."
Tang Xiu pondered for a moment and then took out his mobile phone to call Li Xiaojie. What surprised him was that this man, who was a member of the national intelligence department, did not even know what happened. However, he told Tang Xiu another matter. Some members of the Special Combat Squad had secretly rushed to Shanghai.
"What is their purpose?" Tang Xiu touched his chin as a pondering light flashed in his eyes.
Mo Awu did not disturb Tang Xiu, and only asked after Tang Xiu took out a cigarette and lit it, "So, where are we going now, Boss?"
"To the Paradise Manor!" Said Tang Xiu. "I don't know whether these criminal cases are related to Shanjenna or not, but the situation in Shanghai is very obvious. Some undercurrent is currently happening here. There's no way that all these incidents are accidental. Thus, you will assign some people to stay hidden in the Paradise Manor to ensure Shanjenna's safety."
"Affirmative," replied Mo Awu.
Tang Xiu returned to the Paradise Manor and went to see Qin Shaoyang first to tell him about Zhang Xinya's decision. Afterward, he went to the foreign-styled building and saw that a heavy container truck was moving down the road. It had delivered the research equipment needed by Mo Yi.
"Shanjenna, you are not to leave this building without my permission, there's something happening out there now. Shanghai is currently very dangerous, and I don't want for any unexpected accidents to happen," said Tang Xiu straight to Shanjenna just after he arrived.
"What danger?" Shanjenna's face slightly changed; she thought it was the assassination agents sent by the Stygian Club to hunt her down again. It had to be noted that the Darksoul Scent was still on her, and if other assassination agents had come to Shanghai, they would definitely be able to track the smell and find her here.
"There have been major incidents and murders in Shanghai recently, and some people from China's Special Department were involved in the cases; even the military was said to have moved as well. I still can't figure out the motive, so I'll stay here for the time being. Also, I've already assigned my men to stay around the vicinity to protect your safety."
Shanjenna nodded with a solemn expression. What Tang Xiu said to her was like a shot of tranquilizer that suppressed her fear. After all, she knew that Tang Xiu and his men were incomparably formidable. If they could not protect her, then there would be no safe place anymore under the sky.
And yet, she was very curious about something. Who could be so bold as to commit such wanton killing in China? She knew some things of this country and naturally knew that they would definitely meet a bad end against the entire country. Suddenly, her body trembled as she recalled something and hurriedly said, "I know something that might be useful to you, Mr. Tang."
"What is it?" Asked Tang Xiu.
"When I fled all the way from Europe I had no fixed route at all, then I accidentally stumbled across a business deal after half a month in the run. I do not know the specific details about that deal, but I know that it was something related to a technological product that can be applied to weapons. When they talked about it, they said that they would come to Shanghai in the near future to carry on the transaction."
"Who is the other party?" Asked Tang Xiu immediately.
"I don't know." Shanjenna shook her head. "I did not pay attention at that time, I only remember that there was a caucasian man named Austin Cole. That's right, he said that he has quite a few strings in a certain state-owned enterprise company, and that he has full authority to carry on the transaction and is willing to bear the consequences if things go wrong."
Tang Xiu turned his head toward Mo Awu and said, "Investigate this state-owned enterprise as well as the details of this Austin Cole guy."
Mo Awu did not move, and after being silent for a while, he slowly said, "I think I know this SEO company, Boss. I also know this Austin Cole. This state-owned enterprise engages in a pharmaceutical industry and deals with drugs and medical equipment, but behind it is a very mysterious arms dealer company in Europe. Austin Cole is the third person in the rank of this SEO and controls half of its armed forces. I once interacted with him in the past. He's a ruthless fellow."
"So, he's an armed smuggler, but why did he come to China?" Tang Xiu frowned. "Could it be that he wants to do business here?"
"I don't know about that." Mo Awu shook head. "The members of this SEO company stay mostly in the dark, especially those three guys at the top. They are the epitome of a fox's slyness, the vigilance and cautiousness of a rat, as well as the ferociousness of a wolf. Very few people dare to provoke these guys in Europe."
"Send our men to carry on an investigation on this Austin Cole, whether he really came to Shanghai," said Tang Xiu. "I am not someone from the government, but these people came to Shanghai and wantonly killed people here. So I'll clean them up since I'm here."
"This matter is perhaps not as simple as it looks, Boss," said Mo Awu. "If this is really the work of that SEO company they must have quite a huge target, else they would not easily come to China and neither would they choose such a major city like Shanghai as their destination."
"Just do the investigation!" Said Tang Xiu. "We'll further discuss after we get some results."
"Understood!" Replied Mo Awu, striding out of the room.
Tang Xiu then glanced at Shanjenna and said with a smile, "I will give you a handsome gift if the people commiting murder in Shanghai are really from this SEO company like you said."
That piqued Shanjenna interest, as she asked curiously, "What handsome gift?"
"If I were to tell you now and the results of the investigation turned out to be different than what you said, you'll be disappointed," said Tang Xiu with a smile. "So I'll make you look forward to it while waiting for the investigation results. Anyways, work well with Professor Mo, my men will take care of the security issues."
"Got it!" Shanjenna shrugged her shoulders and nodded.
Tang Xiu did not stay there for long. After going to Ouyang Lulu's residence, he directly entered the room, his gaze sweeping over the gift boxes he received last night. He then walked over and opened the first gift box. He immediately started upon seeing a pair of white jade pendants inside, and what surprised him was that the white jades contained spiritual qi within.
"Eh, this is a magic tool?" After a moment's observation, the surprised expression on Tang Xiu's face turned more intense.
He immediately opened the second gift box. Inside was a manual of a fist style illustration, and the manual should be around for many years judging from its yellowed pages. After opening the third gift box, Tang Xiu's breath slightly stagnated as a well-preserved Millennium Ginseng was presented before him.
"This gift…" Tang Xiu recalled Ji Mu's attitude and gestures last night.
Though he was the owner of the Magnificent Tang Corporation as well as a member of Beijing's Tang Family, it was not enough to make Ji Mu spend so much money. One must know that this pair of white jade pendants could definitely be sold at a sky-high price to people who could appraise fine objects. On the other hand, this 2,000 years old wild ginseng was at least worth nine digits. Even the fist style illustration manual could be sold at a huge profit to people in the martial arts circle.
"What is his purpose?"
The thought filled Tang Xiu's mind as he slowly opened the fourth gift box, which was also the biggest one. When the item inside was presented before him, he still got startled despite having seen a lot of treasures before.
It was a zither made of white jade!
Its body was cast from white jade while the strings were from an aquatic dragon's tendons. The Fire Bead was embedded on the right side while the Water Bead was inlaid in the left. The body of the zither was pattern engraved and a surge of spiritual power circulated through the whole body, giving off a dazzling sense of aesthetic on its own.
"This is a priceless beauty."
Tang Xiu furrowed his brows, and the baffled expression on his face got even more intense.
After a long time, he dialed Ji Mu's cell number and straightly spoke after he accepted his call, "Ji Mu, I've seen your gifts. If you have time now, come to the Paradise Manor, there are some things we need to discuss clearly."
"Did you like the gifts I sent you, Brother Tang?" Ji Mu did not answer Tang Xiu but raised a question instead.
"All of them are great items, no one would dislike them," said Tang Xiu.
"Then my purpose has been accomplished, Brother Tang." Ji Mu smiled. "You are someone who can appreciate good items, and maybe you can use them well. Those articles will be wasted if I keep them, so they are yours since I already gifted them to you."
"Just come here and have a chat with me," said Tang Xiu. "You can request one thing from me as long as it's not too demanding."
Ji Mu was silent. His purpose was very simple. He just desired to follow Tang Xiu and directly learn those peerless abilities, but he did not know whether he should raise the issue now. It would be equal to a transaction if he were to do that, but all of his efforts to reach his goal would be completely for naught if the deal did not work out.
"Is there a problem?" Asked Tang Xiu.
"Just wait for me," said Ji Mu. "I need two hours to get there."
Tang Xiu hung up the phone and looked at the items in front of him, and then picked up the one-foot wide white jade zither. Back when he played in the opening ceremony at Shanghai University, he could definitely have played a more wonderful music if he had this white jade zither then.
Chapter 714: The Old Mouse of Shanghai
At the Ji Family's ancestral residence, Changxi City. Ji Mu was standing in front of his family ancestral shrine, watching as his grandmother the pinched rosary beads and knocked the back of the Mokugyo. His grandmother was a devout Buddhist, and ever since his grandfather passed away more than 20 years ago, she had been living in seclusion in the ancestral shrine. She rarely walked out of the house and was ignorant of all family affairs.
Ji Mu himself was rather rebellious since childhood, though he was not a bullish character in nature. He spent his youth being wild and arrogant, but the current him was relatively mature and stable. His grandmother was his closest person since he was a child, and he subconsciously came to this place after receiving the call from Tang Xiu.
He too realized the principle of truth, that one could only seek riches and honor within risks and dangers.
The scene he saw two days ago was equal to him breaking Tang Xiu's secret. Though he gifted many treasures and tried his best to befriend Tang Xiu in his endeavor to become an immortal who was able to mount the clouds and ride the mists, that was something that was as changeable as clouds and rains. Hence, the only way was to bet his life and fight for it.
"Grandma, I want to speak with you."
In the past, Ji Mu would never interrupt his grandma's meditation. But he had an appointment with Tang Xiu shortly, so this time was an exception.
Hu Shi's closed eyes opened and, as a ray of wisdom flashed through, she stopped knocking the Mokugyo and gently got up from the cushion. She then turned to look at her grandson outside and said, "What happened?"
Ji Mu blanked out for a second, and then immediately said with a bitter expression, "Grandma, I've decided to go forward to do something important, so I want to have some words with you before leaving. I can only calm down if I hear your voice."
"Is it very dangerous?" Asked Hu Shi slowly after being silent for a while.
Ji Mu nodded, but then shook his head and said, "The ancients said that one can't catch a tiger cub if one doesn't enter the tiger's den, while there are honor and riches amidst dangers. Hence, I'm going to take the risk for these riches and honor."
"The Ji Family has provided you with riches and honor, is it unable to fill your appetite?" Asked Hu Shi, frowning.
"It's a different kind altogether, grandma." Ji Mu shook his head. "Money can never buy the type of riches and honor I want, not even a mountain of gold and silver."
Hu Shi shot him a deep look and said, "Since a mountain of gold and silver are unable to buy it, there's no harm in you trying then. But think about it clearly, grandson. You're still a young man. Very young."
Ji Mu fell silent. He knew that he was still young, but he also thought that it was this very youth that ignited his ambition. It is said that the more we have, the more we are afraid of losing. He had yet to take over the Ji Family's business, as his father and uncles were still in their prime. He only had a status as a member of the Ji Family as well as the wealthy life it provided.
"Have you talked to your parents or your uncles about this?" Asked Hu Shi.
"I can't tell them about this." Ji Mu shook his head.
"Then, what do you need from Grandma?" Hu Shi sighed.
"There's no need, grandma," said Ji Mu with a smile. "I already did all I could. It's completely up to fate now. If he wishes for me to die I'm afraid no one can change my fate even if the Ji Family employs everything it has to change it. But don't worry, though! I've gifted him some treasures in advance, so the chance for me to come back alive is very big."
He? Treasures?
Hu Shi's wrinkled face turned slightly dull as she looked at her grandson's bright smile. She suddenly made up her mind and turned around to the desk where the ancestral memorial tablets were enshrined. From the leftmost drawer of the desk, she took out a rectangular wooden box, gently wiped the dust off it, and then returned to Ji Mu's front, saying, "Our Ji Family were nobles and members of the Imperial Court in the eras of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Though we have lost most of the family treasures during those difficult years, we still kept some good things until now. Take this wooden box and present it to him as a gift! If he has discerning eyes, your chance to come back alive will increase without saying anything about the thing inside this box."
Ji Mu's hands were a bit trembling. Though he did not know what treasure inside this wooden box was, for it to be placed in the ancestral hall explained that it was definitely something great. Yet, looking at his grandmother who was willing to give it away for his sake and the love she showed him, he was so moved that he wanted to cry.
"Off you go, grandson!" Hu Shi gently waved and sat back on the cushion.
****
Shanghai,.
Yu Shuqing sat with tilted legs on a bench at the northern end of the square while holding a hot milk tea he had just bought, chewing his last sausage. As the captain of the most mysterious Phantom Special Combat Squad in China, he had been through life and death situations for countless times. At the moment, however, he looked like a street guy who did some dirty business.
"Do you think that money loving guy will come here, Captain?"
On the flower bed next to Yu Shuqing, Mo Xiaonan was yawning and looking bored. Only the good-looking belle who occasionally passed by made him look a bit spirited.
"He will. His mind is full of greed over money, so he naturally won't miss the opportunity to make a fortune," said Yu Shuqing casually. "Don't look at that guy like he is just crooked, since he does have a lot of abilities. Else, how can he get information that those fellas in the intelligence agency can't find again and again?"
"He does have the ability, but his heart is way too black. His price got higher after last time, demanding 1 million this time. You know, I still feel pained even though the money is not mine," groaned Mo Xiaonan.
A smile outlined in Yu Shuqing's mouth as he sipped his milk tea and asked with a smile, "Between 1 million and lives, which one do you think is the most important?"
Ugh… Mo Xiaonan touched his nose looking embarrassed and no longer spoke.
Without much disturbance, a young man donned in a gaudy attire, a stick in this mouth, and a chin like an ape's appeared before Yu Shuqing and Mo Xiaonan like a thief. He sat down on the bench where Yu Shiqing was sitting and then took out a pack of crumpled cigarettes. He took out one, lit it, and then took a deep puff with a happy look on his face. Then, he laughed and said, "Okay, money money money. Gimme my money fast. My time is very precious, and every second wasted is equivalent to a dime slipping from my fingers."
"I know the rules, Mouse. A penny is equal to one item, but you should not rush to get the money without giving the goods, no?" said Yu Shuqing indifferently.
Mouse took out a dirty black book from his pocket and threw it to Yu Shuqing, saying, "I know you understand the rules, buddy. We have done business more than once or twice. You also know that this Mouse has a guaranteed credibility, so I'm not afraid that you'll take back your words. Anyways, the information you need is in the book, along with my account number."
Yu Shuqing nodded and gulped down the remaining milk tea. Then he got up and said, "Same old rules. 50% deposit transferred to your account within half an hour, while the remaining will be transferred after the information has been confirmed with no errors. Speaking about it, are you interested in serving the country? Like being a field personnel of the intelligence department?"
Mouse blinked and asked, "Is the pay good?"
Rolling his eyes at him, Yu Shuqing did not want to bother with this money grubber again and went straight away with Mo Xiaonan, whose expression was rather unsightly.
Mouse, however, did not rush to leave. He touched his chin while watching Yu Shuqing's and Mo Xiaonan's backs. A thought churned inside his mind after hearing the over-formal language used by Yu Shuqing a while ago. He could tell Yu Shuqing's identity… someone working for the country.
He should be a soldier, and also not your ordinary serviceman. Mouse bit the cigarette and languidly leaned on the bench, taking out a mobile phone and waiting for the text notification for the transferred money.
"Are you Mouse?"
Two figures appeared in front of him. The middle-aged man on the left had a fiery gaze with a chilling expression and talked with an imposing manner.
Mouse frowned and his eyeballs rotated fast. One of his hands was already stuffed in his pocket and gripped a knife. He slowly raised his head, looked at the two middle-aged men and asked, "May I know who you are, two amigos? Can I ask what you need from his Big Brother, eh?"
"Not bad. You are called Mouse, but you're as sly as a fox, eh? Like a top dog information broker should be, you're really an intelligence player in nature. Anyways, let me introduce myself. My name is Jin Shi, and I want to make a deal with you."
"Jin Shi?" Mouse squinted his eyes yet maintained extreme vigilance inside. He knew that the other party had already investigated him, so the disguise in his words was useless. He had interacted and had done deals with countless of people from all walks of life, but only some people that could make him dread, just like those two servicemen who left just a while ago.
However, this Jin Shi and his companion gave him a huge sense of threat. Nobody knew that all the fine hairs in the pores all over his body had turned erect, and he felt a chill on his neck.
"What deal?" Asked Mouse calmly.
"I need specific information about the many murders in Shanghai recently, and we also give you a chance to be incorporated in our ranks. Also, you only have two chances to refuse."
There was a strange expression on Mouse's face. Never did he think that the other party would offer him such a ridiculous transaction.
They want me to be incorporated into their ranks? I'm a powerful character who is famous as the Eyes of the Underground in Shanghai, a top dog who has ventured to every sewer beneath Shanghai, and yet, to my surprise, they treat just like they're gaining something on my loss?
After clearing his throat, Mouse let out a dry smile and said, "I still need to know who you are before refusing."
"You will need to use up your two chances, that I know," said Jin Shi. "We are from the Everlasting Feast Hall. Maybe you don't know much about us, but we are more powerful than you think."
The Everlasting Feast Hall? The topmost high-end restaurant in Shanghai?
Mouse let out a curse of contempt inwardly. Even if there is a very strong force behind the Everlasting Feast Hall, can it be compared with the entire country? Just now, I even refused the invitation from the country.
"I refuse," said Mouse with a clear and firm tone.
"Alright. You just wasted your first chance," said Jin Shi with a grin. "Now I will give you another chance. Choose between your life and death. Join us and live; refuse and die."
"You're just using coercion!" Mouse raised his voice. "What you are doing will only receive contempt from others. Also, this is just the same as forcing a donkey to dance, for there is no way in hell it will happen. Chances are you will get an unsatisfactory result yet feel good about it."
"Well, I heard you like money?" Said Jin Shi with a smile.