Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 924: The Avenger of a Fallen Nation and the Gate of Death

A seemingly ordinary middle-aged man walked with his head down as he ascended to the second floor of the teahouse, stopping outside a private room where Bai Shuitang was located.

At this moment, Bai Shuitang glanced at the figure behind the beaded curtain and casually waved his hand. Bai Zhan, understanding the gesture, immediately exited the room.

As he left, Bai Zhan cast a glance at the middle-aged man, noticing that while his body wasn’t fat, his face was unusually large, filled with a grim and cold expression.

Bai Zhan quickly descended the stairs without lingering.

The middle-aged man then lifted the beaded curtain and entered the private room. He sat down across from Bai Shuitang and accepted the tea that Bai Shuitang had poured for him.

“That guy didn’t come, but I’ve already received a report that the task is completed,” the middle-aged man said in a low voice. “Early this morning, I had someone check the scene. There were clear signs of an explosion. One of the cars had indeed been blown off the cliff. If she was in that car, there’s no way she could have survived.”

Bai Shuitang listened quietly.

Suddenly, Bai Shuitang stood up, pacing back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, deep in thought. “Tell me, after completing the task, why didn’t he come back?”

The middle-aged man replied, “There are a few possibilities. First, he might have guessed that we’d eliminate him afterward, so he didn’t return. Second, he might know the background of the target and was too scared to stay, choosing to flee instead of collecting the remaining payment. The third possibility is that he’s dead.”

“What do you think?” Bai Shuitang asked.After a moment of consideration, the middle-aged man responded, “It’s probably the second. After all, the guy was greedy; otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken this job.”

Bai Shuitang suddenly asked, “Why not the third?”

“If it’s the third, unless the Song family has the ability to foresee the future, it would be impossible for them to find and kill or capture him immediately after he succeeded,” the man explained.

“Hmm... makes sense.” Bai Shuitang nodded and then said, “If he escapes and never comes back, that’s fine. But I don’t want to take any chances... Find out if he has any loved ones. Even if he’s an orphan, there must be something or someone he can’t let go of.”

The middle-aged man nodded. “So, what’s your plan for the Song family?”

Bai Shuitang glanced at his watch. “By now, Old Man Song should be awake. The Song family probably knows what happened. That old bastard Wu won’t be able to keep it quiet.”

“Song Tianyou is likely fuming. I heard his heart hasn’t been in great shape these past few years. Maybe this will be the final blow to finish him off—makes things easier for us,” the middle-aged man said with a cold smile.

Bai Shuitang shook his head. “Never underestimate anyone in the Song family. Even without Song Tianyou, there’s still Song Haoran. He’s the true terror of the Song family. As long as Song Haoran is around, the Song family won’t fall, and ‘Iris’ won’t disappear.”

At the mention of “Iris,” the middle-aged man’s hand tightened around his teacup, causing the liquid inside to shake.

Bai Shuitang turned and looked at the man, saying calmly, “Basil, if you can’t control your emotions, I won’t continue working with you.”

The middle-aged man, Basil, slowly raised his head. He suddenly reached up and tore off his hair—it was a wig. Underneath, his scalp was marked with ugly burn scars.

Basil glared at Bai Shuitang. “One day, you’ll experience what I went through.”

Bai Shuitang pressed his hands on the table, leaning in close to meet Basil’s gaze. Coldly, he said, “Spare me the dramatics. Don’t forget who struck first against my brother and sister-in-law... If it weren’t for your family’s stupidity, bombing their car, your small nation wouldn’t have been brought down by the Song family! You reap what you sow.”

Basil sneered. “That man was a criminal of the state, convicted long ago! We handed him over, but the Song family still wouldn’t let us go! I’ll never forget the day they stormed in and slaughtered everyone in the royal palace!”

Bai Shuitang scoffed. “The Song family is ruthless, especially under Song Tianyou. A decade ago, Song Tianyou wasn’t the patient man he is now. He was a brutal figure. When it comes to life-and-death enemies, the Song family always pays blood with blood. Your family killed his daughter and son-in-law, so naturally, he wiped you out. The fact that he didn’t bury your entire nation with you shows he had some mercy.”

Basil coldly replied, “You’re no better.”

Bai Shuitang didn’t argue.

He sat back down, calmly saying, “Basil, I don’t see you as an enemy but a partner. You want to destroy the Song family, and I want their wealth. We each take what we need. I’m just reminding you, don’t let your rage cloud your judgment before we succeed.”

Basil downed his tea in silence.

Bai Shuitang straightened his clothes and stood. “I’ve got work to do. I’ll let you know when there’s news.”

Basil suddenly said, “In a few days, my men will be in place.”

Bai Shuitang frowned. “That soon? It’s much earlier than planned.”

“They can’t wait any longer,” Basil said. “They’ve been holding back for over a decade. If I don’t deliver soon, I won’t be able to control them.”

“Hate is a dangerous thing,” Bai Shuitang shook his head. “I’ll act accordingly.”

“You’d better,” Basil muttered, watching Bai Shuitang leave with a gaze full of murderous intent. “The Song family’s fortune... with you? That’s the wealth of my kingdom’s revival!”

...

From the teahouse to the commerce office in Chinatown was only a few hundred meters, but Bai Shuitang still rode in his private car.

At the same time, the teahouse performance had concluded, with the next scheduled for the afternoon. Luo Qiu glanced around, noticing Basil had also left soon after, but not through the main door.

Luo Qiu thought for a moment. It seemed that as Song Ying had said, a family like the Songs, who rose to power, truly hid danger at every turn.

Shaking his head, he placed some money on the table for tea and left.

Afterward, Luo Qiu stopped by the market to buy some things before strolling to Yuna’s house. He noticed that Mr. Blind and Song Da had already left.

Yuna was sitting alone, lost in thought.

Without lingering, Luo Qiu headed to the commerce office in Chinatown. Instead of entering, he went to the alley behind it, where the "Gate of Life" was located.

At this moment, the man coldly said, "You should go back and think about it. We can help, but now there are new rules. You know there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world."

The middle-aged woman pleaded, "I came to knock on the 'Gate of Life' because I have no other choice, right? Didn't Master Song say before that no matter what difficulties we face, any Chinese person from Chinatown can come?"

"That was in the past!" The man in the suit replied impatiently. "Master Song did say that, but don't you think about what era it is now? The Song family is such a large household, raising so many people—think about how much that costs. You people who come to knock on the 'Gate of Life,' just saying a few words to us—whether it's manpower or resources—who can stand it over time? If you want help, then pay according to the difficulty of the matter! That's the rule now!"

The middle-aged woman sorrowfully said, "If I had enough money, would I still need to come here to knock on the 'Gate of Life'? Isn't this already a dead end? Big brother, please help me..."

"No money?" The man in the suit chuckled lightly. "Don't you still have a house? If you mortgage that house to us, we’ll take care of your matters right away!"

The middle-aged woman immediately became anxious. "That won’t do! This house is what my husband and I worked hard to earn for half our lives; it’s the dowry for my daughter!"

"Go away, do as you please!" The man in the suit waved his hand and slammed the 'Gate of Life' shut with force... that newly renovated 'new' door.

"What can I do now..." The middle-aged woman walked out of the alley, her heart heavy and lost.

After she left, Luo Qiu approached the 'new' door, reached out to touch it, and suddenly sighed, "The reversal of life and death... it has already become the Gate of Death."

Shaking his head, Luo Qiu was about to leave when he suddenly looked at the corner of the alley and walked over.

In that corner lay an old door panel. It was already rusty, and some wooden inlays had begun to rot.

Luo Qiu squatted down, brushed his hand over it, and was left with dust. This door panel was the real 'Gate of Life,' but it had been taken down.

Luo Qiu lightly tapped on the door panel with his fingers and listened intently.

"Fortunately, it hasn’t completely died yet."

---

Ten full hours had passed.

At this time, a real chill could be felt throughout the Cold Residence.

Sitting at the head of the main hall with a cane, Song Tianyou had a frost-laden expression on his face.

This once-kindly old man now resembled a hellish figure.

"Ten hours." Song Tianyou suddenly knocked forcefully with his cane. "It's been a full ten hours, and you’re only now telling me this, Old Wu! Are you trying to rebel?"

Seeing Song Tianyou’s pale complexion and trembling lips, the butler, Uncle Wu, lowered his head in silence.

Song Tianyou was too agitated, and couldn’t help but cough. Song Haoran quickly stepped forward, patting his back and saying, "Father, Uncle Wu is loyal."

"Loyalty to a fault!" Song Tianyou snorted coldly. "Do you think that if you keep this from me, you can deceive me? But have you considered what if we really can’t find them? Old Wu! Do I look like someone who can’t take a hit, someone who’s ready to be put in a coffin?"

"Master, I’m sorry." Uncle Wu kept his head lowered.

At this moment, Song Tianyou's demeanor softened. He leaned against his forehead and said sadly, "Song Ying and Luo Qiu... how can I face little Ying’s mother, how can I face my elder brother... Old Wu, you’ve become muddled!"

"I’m sorry, Master." Uncle Wu bowed his head even lower.

"We didn’t find any trace of Song Ying and Luo Qiu at the scene, and even Gan Hong is missing. So it’s not necessarily a bad thing," Song Haoran said calmly. "We’ve already called for rescue; it’s just that there’s thick fog below the cliff, making the search extremely difficult. It will take some time."

Song Tianyou took a deep breath and knocked his cane heavily again, "Investigate! Find out what happened! A sports car doesn’t explode for no reason! Get the mole out; I want him to suffer three to six tortures! I will personally administer the family law!"

"Song Ying will be fine," Song Haoran said in a low voice. "Since Mr. Blind has affirmed Song Ying’s fate, saying she will live a prosperous life, she will naturally be protected by fate. Father, you should have a clear understanding of Mr. Blind’s words."

"I hope so," Song Tianyou sighed, then said, "Old Wu, don’t keep your head down; stand up straight!"

Only then did Uncle Wu stand tall.

"After this matter is resolved, when Song Ying is found, I will settle accounts with you." Song Tianyou said solemnly. "Now go arrange it; I want to go to the scene personally and won’t leave until I see Luo Qiu and Song Ying return!"

"I'll handle it immediately, Master!" Uncle Wu quickly walked out.

At this moment, Song Haoran gently patted Song Tianyou’s shoulder twice and said, "Don’t worry; I’ll go down to look for them too... You should trust my intuition, right?"

Just then, Uncle Wu hurried back, "Master, Mr. Blind has returned!"

"Bring him over!" Song Tianyou stood up directly.

---

In the thick fog, almost nothing could be seen.

It was impossible to tell the directions or know what lay ahead.

Song Ying and Gan Hong were walking particularly slowly, with a vine tied around them, which Gan Hong had picked up from the ground to prevent them from falling or getting lost.

However, the fog seemed to be getting denser. At this moment, Song Ying could only see Gan Hong’s silhouette behind her.

"The wild wolves shouldn’t be able to catch up now," Gan Hong said as she stopped. "Miss Ying, you must be tired; let’s rest here for a moment."

With that, Gan Hong handed over the only bottle of mineral water she had found after waking up.

Song Ying was indeed thirsty; she instinctively accepted it, opened it, and took a couple of sips—only to stop after just two sips.

She remembered that there was only one bottle of water. However, she had already drunk a third of it.

"I’ve had enough; you should drink some too." Song Ying handed the water back. "If you get dehydrated and faint, it’ll be even more troublesome for me. You should prioritize your strength."

Gan Hong hesitated for a moment but ultimately accepted it, taking a small sip to moisten her lips.

Even though there was plenty of moisture in the fog, it was summer, and the area was hot and humid. Both of them had already sweated profusely, and it wouldn’t be long before they might become dehydrated just from sweating.

At this moment, they found a large rock and sat down. Looking at the endless white before her, Song Ying shook her head. In such a situation, it was really easy to feel despair.

"Gan Hong, let’s talk about something... it’s too quiet here," Song Ying suddenly said.

"What should we talk about?" Gan Hong asked.

Song Ying thought for a moment and said, "Well... how about telling a story about a wild man? I heard my uncle once say he had an adventure in the fog, chasing after a wild man."

Gan Hong didn’t respond, so Song Ying said, “Then I’ll tell it... A long, long time ago, deep in the mountains, there lived a wild man covered in long hair. This wild man possessed immense strength and had a violent temperament...”

The sound of the story continued.