Madman!

Chapter 111: Walking Into the Trap

(A note regarding Shengsha: as mentioned previously, Shengsha is not a hitman organization—it is not an assassin group! Their primary business is kidnapping and ransoming wealthy Huayan merchants. This recent conflict was merely an opportunistic grasp that struck a hard nail.)

Their notoriety stems from being the most vicious and cruel of their kind. Chen Wujun returning the corpse was an act of extreme provocation; numerous people witnessed it, and the news has spread far and wide. If they do not reclaim their standing, they will be forced to offer discounts on all future ransoms.

Additionally, regarding the previous events: Shengsha still requires compensation from Fire Dragon. Fire Dragon's intelligence was inaccurate, leading to the death of their fourth leader. Fire Dragon must provide sufficient recompense.)

——————

Shark Jiu, Guan Laosan, Tall Guy, and Elephant were chatting idly in the conference room when the door was pushed open. Master Xin walked in with a grim expression.

"Master Xin!" Several of them stood up one after another.

Guan Laosan glanced at Shark Jiu, a look of anticipation for a good show flickering in his eyes.

Ji Xiang, who had climbed up to Master Xin's favor recently, had been shot dead by an ordinary police officer less than two months later over ten kilograms of Number 4.

Coincidentally, Wen Long had lost ten kilograms of stock the day before.

It was truly a convenient coincidence.One had to wonder if Master Xin's dark expression was related to this matter.

"Sit down, everyone! I called you here today to discuss something strictly important," Master Xin said in a deep voice after taking his seat.

"You all know that Hetu does not sell powder or medicine. For us to flourish as we do in this small Walled City, aside from your hard work, the most critical factor is the Magnetic Field Crystals. This is our most vital source of revenue."

"All the smuggled Magnetic Field Crystals in the entire East District 9 pass through our hands."

"Just so, we get a share every year!" Tall Guy immediately chimed in.

Hearing this, Chen Wujun immediately looked up and listened with intense focus.

He knew that Magnetic Field Crystals were Hetu's most important financial lifeline.

The money from the dance halls, gambling dens, and protection fees was mere pocket change compared to the crystals.

However, this was the first time he learned that the Four Heavenly Kings also received a cut of the profits.

"Exactly. There is a problem with this line, which means there is a problem with everyone's income. It is a matter of the highest priority," Master Xin nodded and continued.

"Master Xin, the line has been compromised?" Guan Laosan also showed a look of concern.

A henchman standing by the wall took out a stack of photos and threw them onto the table. The group passed them around.

Chen Wujun leaned in to take a look and saw several bloated, waterlogged corpses.

"A batch of our goods was hijacked. Developing value: one hundred million," Master Xin stated bluntly.

"The goods are a minor issue, but if this matter is not resolved, the first time will lead to a second."

"Which bastard ate a leopard's gall? Who dares to touch our goods?" Elephant twisted his neck, instantly producing a sound like grinding steel bars.

"It is not clear yet. We only know the incident occurred in West Embankment. That is not our territory, but this matter must be resolved."

West Embankment was a coastal port city southwest of North Port, a key point on the shipping route entering and exiting the region. The two cities were fifteen hundred kilometers apart.

"Therefore, I intend for Elephant and Shark Jiu to take some men over there to investigate clearly and bring the goods back."

"You two have the greatest strength and have experts under your command. Do either of you have any objections?"

"As for the Walled City, Tall Guy and Guan Laosan will keep an eye on things for you. If all goes smoothly, it won't take long to resolve, and nothing should happen here in the meantime."

"I am enough on my own... but if Master Xin says Shark Jiu should come along, I have no objections," Elephant grinned, his eyes gleaming with ferocity.

"I have no objections either," Shark Jiu shrugged, a hint of restlessness deep in her eyes.

'Master Xin, this old fox...'

Even knowing it was a trap, she had no way to refuse.

This was work for the company, for the benefit of everyone. If she refused or made excuses when asked to work for the company, what right would she have to take the money? What right would she have to be a Hall Master?

A Hall Master not only had to be a good fighter but also had to work for the company and bring profit to everyone.

Besides... this was also an opportunity to take out Master Xin.

She believed Master Xin wanted to eliminate her, so he would definitely appear over there.

"That area is the territory of the Luoyue People. I have already arranged for someone to meet you there. Additionally, once you arrive, you can contact the Xionglong Gang. They are of mixed Huayan and Luoyue descent. I have dealt with them before; we have some friendly relations," Master Xin instructed further.

"And then? Who do we investigate first when we get there? We're going in blind; we can't just beat everyone up," Elephant asked.

"Li Wenlong of the Northern River Sect. He is currently the biggest suspect. I am also having people investigate; once you arrive, there should be new information."

"You understand the general situation. Elephant and Shark Jiu, discuss among yourselves how to proceed." After finishing his speech, Master Xin led his people away.

Subsequently, Guan Laosan and Tall Guy also departed.

"What do you say?" Elephant turned his head to look at Shark Jiu.

"We go our separate ways. We'll meet in West Embankment in three days," Shark Jiu said.

"Good!" Elephant stood up and left.

Chen Wujun and Shark Jiu returned to Jindi Finance. Chen Wujun took one of Shark Jiu's cigarettes and lit it: "Senior Sister, this is a trap, isn't it?"

"We have to go even if we know it's a trap." Shark Jiu lit a cigarette as well, exhaling a cloud of smoke as she spoke:

"The company's interests are damaged. If I make excuses, what right do I have to hold this Hall Master position?"

"Moreover, this is also an opportunity to settle things in West Embankment."

Master Xin was using an open scheme; she had to go, trap or not.

"Is the one hundred million worth of Magnetic Field Crystals real or fake?" This was what Chen Wujun wanted to know.

That was one hundred million.

"There is a high probability it is real. Only, whether it was robbed by someone else or staged by Master Xin himself, that I do not know," Shark Jiu said leisurely.

"Is Elephant Master Xin's man?" Chen Wujun asked.

"It's possible!" Shark Jiu frowned slightly. She had previously assumed Tall Guy was Master Xin's man, while Elephant was too greedy and domineering for Master Xin to trust.

But Master Xin sending Elephant with her... that made it hard to say.

Shark Jiu felt there were two possibilities. Elephant might not be Master Xin's man, but Master Xin wanted her to think he was.

Once she arrived at West Embankment, she might fight Elephant first. If she killed Elephant, Master Xin could deal with her legitimately.

Whether Master Xin had leverage or not, if Elephant died, she would have to take the fall.

If she didn't make a move on him... and Elephant really was Master Xin's man... then she would not only have to face Master Xin and the people he arranged in West Embankment, but also Elephant...

After thinking for a long time, Shark Jiu let out a long breath.

Fortunately, she also had help.

"Go back and make arrangements. You're coming with me. We leave the morning after next," Shark Jiu said to Chen Wujun.

Leaving Shark Jiu's place, Chen Wujun pondered in his heart: did this have anything to do with the "Five Ghosts Carrying Wealth" ritual Uncle Chen had performed?

Is my windfall waiting over there?

...

In a house within the Walled City, Fire Dragon held the phone, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes full of murderous intent: "Are you bastards crazy?"

"You didn't kill the target, yet you ask me to add money! I added two million for you, and now you want ten million? Do you take me for a sucker? Screw your mother!"

"Fuck, how would I know what happened? You're questioning me? Your people getting killed means you're useless! You couldn't even handle one of Shark Jiu's subordinates. Shengsha... isn't the name supposed to be scary? Go eat shit!"

"Asking me for money? If you don't kill that kid, you better refund every cent of my deposit!"

"Fire Dragon, this constitutes a debt you owe us! If you don't pay up, don't blame us for coming to collect!" A gloomy, threatening voice came from the phone.

"Collect from your mother! If you have the guts, come to the Walled City and see if I can beat you to death!" Fire Dragon hung up the phone abruptly and kicked over the table beside him in a rage.

"Fuck. Their people got killed, and they ask me for compensation? do I look like a sucker to you?" Fire Dragon stared viciously at the henchman beside him.

Fire Dragon was about to explode with anger.

Shengsha's Number Four was killed by Shark Jiu's henchman, and then they asked him to add money.

Considering an important figure of theirs had died, he added two million. But not two days later, they claimed his information was incorrect, causing the death of Nguyen Van Son and a group of experts, and demanded he pay ten million in compensation.

They even freaking threatened him.

"Speak! Do I look like a sucker?"

"Boss certainly doesn't..." The henchman spoke carefully, but before his voice fell, Fire Dragon slapped him on the head.

"Those Shengsha bastards take me for a sucker!"

"Boss, those people from Shengsha are like sticky plasters. Once they latch on..." The henchman reminded him cautiously, but received another slap before he could finish.

"They aren't to be trifled with, so your Boss is easy to mess with?"

The henchman immediately kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, remaining silent while Fire Dragon continued to vent his rage in the room.

"Go, find me some girls!"

...

Chen Wujun returned home in the evening. During dinner, he said, "I have to go to Daluo with a friend in a few days."

"What are you going there for this time?" Chen Hanliang looked over immediately.

"A friend is opening a martial arts gym over there. The opening is in a few days, and he invited me to hang out for a bit," Chen Wujun said.

"Don't cause trouble over there. Do you have enough money? Do you need to prepare a red envelope?" Chen Hanliang asked.

"I should have enough. Once I'm there, I'll be staying with my friend," Chen Wujun smiled.

"It's not good to constantly eat and live off others. Take some more money just in case; it's convenient if something comes up. I'll give you six hundred bucks in a while. Remember not to spend it recklessly," Chen Hanliang said.

Now that the loan shark debts were paid off and the eldest son had stopped gambling, Chen Hanliang had become generous with his spending.

After dinner, Chen Wuhong pulled Chen Wujun back to the room.

"Number Two, you said you'd find me a job last time. How's that going?"

"We'll talk about it when I get back," Chen Wujun said.

He knew in his heart that this trip to West Embankment was fraught with risk.

Master Xin wanted to eliminate Shark Jiu there, and Shark Jiu also wanted to take out Master Xin.

If Master Xin died, Shark Jiu would become the Dragon Head. At the very least, a Hall Master position would open up. Who else could fill it but him?

At that time, he could arrange for his older brother to work in the machine room and put out the word; Chen Wuhong wouldn't have a chance to gamble even if he wanted to.

"Then when will you be back? Can I go out for a walk these days?" Chen Wuhong asked with a pitiful expression.

"If you aren't afraid of broken legs, go ahead," Chen Wujun said indifferently, then turned and left.

He hadn't actually arranged for anyone downstairs recently.

But Chen Wuhong was scared. Without Chen Wujun's word, he dared only to wander near the doorway at most, too afraid to even go downstairs properly.

Two days later, in the morning.

Chen Wujun got up from the bed while Ah Yue was still sleeping soundly like soft mud.

Chen Wujun opened the wardrobe, found a dark blue shirt and black trousers, and put them on. He then took a plastic bag from the closet and retrieved a revolver, stuffing it into his bag.

Along with a speedloader and thirty-six bullets.

He turned around and slapped Ah Yue on the buttocks; a red handprint instantly appeared on her fair skin.