Chapter Ninety-Four: Found

In the dead of night, daring to swagger around openly with a gun slung over one’s back meant only one thing: officialdom. Any sharp-eyed person could tell at a glance. This was not the old society anymore. For a true veteran of the underworld, which big-shot boss had not carefully studied the Criminal Law and the Public Security Administration Punishments Law issued by the state? If you did not read them, you could hardly even claim to be a man of the roads.

Chen Liang paid Qiao Qi no mind at all. He took his work pass from his pocket and flashed it. “I’m from the Security Section of Red Star Steel Rolling Mill.”

The moment Chen Liang finished speaking, Qiao Qi sprang up from his chair as if a needle had stabbed him in the backside, reaching out at once. “Comrade Security, hello, hello.”

Chen Liang had no intention of shaking his hand. Instead, he glanced at the group of underworld figures by the table, who had been frightened into meek submission by the words Security Section.

“Everyone out. I have something to ask Seventh Master Qiao.”

If it had been the security office of some other factory, it would not have been so terrifying to hear. But Red Star Steel Rolling Mill was different.

Though they were technically staff under the public security system, Chen Liang and his people were not bound by the police rules of procedure. Dealing with these old, slippery hardcases, they were exactly the right kind of people.

Chen Liang had already learned Qiao Laoqi’s background from his master. “Seventh Master Qiao, I’ll be frank. I need your help to investigate the whereabouts of a group of old foxes who recently came to the capital.”

“This... Comrade Security, you’ve got the wrong man, haven’t you? I’m a law-abiding citizen. How could I possibly have that kind of skill?” Qiao Laoqi said with a face full of smiles, but his words were a refusal.

“Ah. So Seventh Master Qiao is not giving me face?” Chen Liang let out a cold laugh, and at the same time a savage cruelty rose within him.

Xiao Hei seized the chance to kick Xiao Bai out of Chen Liang’s mind, and the dark version of Chen Liang officially came online.

As he lifted his head, a faint, elusive smile hung at the corner of his mouth. Looking at Qiao Qi before him, Chen Liang patted his shoulder. Thanks a lot. Without your help, it really would not have been easy for me to get some fresh air.

So I’ve decided to give you a proper lesson in return, to express my gratitude. Do not be touched by it, all right?

“Seventh Master Qiao, no need to stand. Come, sit down and let’s have a proper talk.”

Chen Liang pressed him down into the chair beside him. Just as his left hand was about to withdraw from the chair, as if by sleight of hand, he suddenly produced a pistol and shoved it into Qiao Qi’s hand.

Before Qiao Qi even had time to react, he felt a heavy, icy weight in his palm. A handgun with a flower-patterned barrel had been forcibly planted in his hand by Chen Liang.

Holding the hand that gripped Qiao Laoqi’s gun, Chen Liang fired straight at the chair beside him. With a sharp crack, he kicked Qiao Qi flying, while shouting, “You even dare snatch a gun? Hands on your head, all of you kneel down!”

As Chen Liang kicked Qiao Qi away, he also glanced outside the room. Seeing that the security personnel had likewise drawn their pistols and subdued the entire gang into kneeling with their hands on their heads, he finally turned back.

Ignoring the pistol that had fallen to the floor, he strode over to Qiao Qi and crouched down beside him. “Qiao Qi, Seventh Master Qiao? What, have you, some dog of a thing, been called ‘master’ a few times and forgotten what you really are?”

He grabbed Qiao Qi by the collar and hauled him back onto the chair. That kick of Chen Liang’s had carried real force, leaving him unable to move.

“You... this is slander. The government will not let you off,” Qiao Qi said weakly, collapsed in the chair.

“Hah. The government? Do you think it will believe me, a bright-red security officer, or you, a man who used to be a traitor?”

Chen Liang’s words made cold sweat stream down Qiao Qi’s face. His time as a collaborator was the biggest secret of his life, and now Chen Liang had exposed it in front of everyone. He was so frightened he nearly died on the spot.

“Comrade Security, I... I’m willing to cooperate. I’ll have people look into it for you right away. Please, show mercy and spare me this once.”

Chen Liang poured a cup of liquor and set it before Qiao Qi. “You see, we might once have had a chance to be friends, right? Pity you didn’t cherish it. I’ll give you one more chance now. Drink this cup, and I’ll let you off this time.”

Qiao Qi, struggling to his feet, picked up the cup and drained it in one gulp. “Comrade Security, don’t worry. I’ll definitely seize this chance.”

“San’er, Little San, come in here,” Chen Liang called.

Hearing the voice from outside, San’er was still kneeling with his hands on his head, trembling all over. He raised a hand. “Leader, someone’s calling me inside. Can I go in?”

Since the door to the room had not been closed, Chen Liang nodded, and San’er was let in. As soon as Qiao Qi saw him enter, he said at once, “San’er, go out on the street and ask around. See if any blind fools have come to the capital. Hurry, as fast as you can.”

At those words, San’er stealthily stole a glance at Chen Liang. The moment he saw those cold, ruthless, utterly inhuman eyes, he shuddered.

Damn it all, what kind of monster had crawled out of a crack in the stone? Just that look alone was enough to make even an old hand of the underworld tremble inside.

“Leader, I’ll head out and handle it right now. Is that all right?”

Chen Liang nodded and personally saw him to the door. “Remember this: don’t even think about running. Each and every one of you, I’ve got you marked.”

After the threats and intimidation, Chen Liang called the comrades from the Security Section over to sit and rest together. The old foxes of the underworld, still kneeling with their hands on their heads, were driven to the side by Chen Liang and made to stand facing the wall as punishment.

Perhaps Chen Liang’s threat had taken effect, because San’er returned in less than half an hour. Upon seeing Chen Liang, he hurried to report.

“Leader, a group of old foxes did come to the capital these past two days. But they didn’t stay inside the city. Instead, they went out to the countryside, to Dongsheng Commune not far from our Forty-Nine City.”

“You’re sure it’s Dongsheng Commune?” The moment Chen Liang heard it, he knew it was probably right. Don’t forget that earlier Chen Lao Yao had said they were dressed in rags, not like city people.

“I’m absolutely sure, Leader. I was afraid of making a mistake, so I asked two more people before I dared come back and tell you.”

Now that the location had been confirmed, Chen Liang could not sit still another second. He glanced at Qiao Qi, who had already recovered somewhat. “Seventh Master Qiao, I suppose we can call this fighting without knowing each other. I was out of line before. This time I owe you one. If anything comes up later, just say the word.”

With that, Chen Liang led his team home.

Since the matter involved a commune outside the city, only his uncle-master could handle it.

Because the waiting had been too dull, Xiao Hei returned the body to Xiao Bai, leaving behind a heap of mess.

But this mistake happened to work in their favor. When Xiao Hei had overturned the table earlier, that cold and merciless look had left an indelible impression on Qiao Qi, so once Xiao Bai stepped in to soothe him, Qiao Qi completely backed down.

Damn it all, Qiao Qi felt that Chen Liang was like a madman, changing personalities in an instant, as though he had a split mind. There was something seriously wrong with him.

It had to be said: the old hand of the underworld had a vicious eye. He could tell at a glance that Chen Liang had a problem.