Earlier that night, Gu Zhenhua had been leading his troop through a nighttime survival exercise in the dense forest not far away.
During the training they suddenly heard Gunfire and Gu Zhenhua halted instantly to hear carefully when another shot echoed in the distance.
Without hesitation, he turned toward the militia personnel accompanying them and made a decision to look into the situation.
Training was immediately abandoned. Orders were issued without delay. Within minutes, the troop mobilized, dividing into three groups and boarding the available jeeps.
Now, as the convoy neared its destination, the distant echoes of gunfire had grown clearer and closer.
Gu Zhenhua's gaze remained fixed ahead, sharp and unyielding.
Although the matter did not strictly fall under military jurisdiction, the situation within the county was already precarious. The presence of a large, organized bandit group operating in the shadows left no room for complacency. In such times, even the smallest oversight could allow danger to spread unchecked.
This may have been, on the surface, merely a criminal gang but the use of firearms changed everything. Weapons of that nature were tightly controlled under the new order; their appearance here was not only unlawful, but deeply alarming.
As the outline of the factory ruins began to emerge faintly through the trees, he spoke again, "Slow down."
The militia officer immediately eased off the accelerator.
Gu Zhenhua's voice followed, calm but firm, "Do not take the jeep too close. We disembark here."
The vehicle rolled to a gradual stop at a safe distance, partially concealed by the dense cover of trees.
Gu Zhenhua pushed the jeep door open and stepped down onto the uneven ground. Behind him, the soldiers dismounted in silence.
Gu Zhenhua stood for a moment, his sharp gaze fixed on the distant silhouette of the factory.
His expression hardened, "From here we proceed on foot." he said in low tone. "The situation ahead is unclear. We do not know the extent of their armament. They are already using firearms, this is no ordinary disturbance."
The soldiers straightened subtly, their attention fully locked on him.
"We move in staggered formation," he continued. "First squad will take point and advance along the left tree line. Second squad will cover the right flank. Maintain distance, no clustering. Use the terrain. Stay within shadow."
His gaze swept across their faces, ensuring every word was understood.
"Observe before you act. We are not yet certain whether there are civilians inside, so you will exercise restraint. Identify your targets clearly before taking action."
Meanwhile, Heizi watched everything unfold with lowered eyes, his posture deliberately subdued as he stood among the guards. To an outsider, he appeared no different from the others. Yet beneath that quiet exterior, his mind remained sharp, observing every movement, every shift in tone.
They were positioned some distance away from Warehouse Three, concealed within the overgrown brush. From where they stood, only the vague outline of the warehouse could be seen.
The group had gathered tightly together. One of the senior brothers remained with them, while two others had already advanced closer to the warehouse to assess the situation. Around Heizi, the guards shifted uneasily. Their breaths were shallow, their grips on their crude weapons unsteady.
No one wanted to step forward. No one wanted to be the first to face gunfire.
Sensing their hesitation, the senior brother's expression darkened. His gaze swept across them like a blade.
"Useless lot," he muttered coldly, his voice low yet heavy with contempt. "You eat the master's grain, wear the master's clothes, yet when it is time to stand for him, your legs tremble like frightened dogs. What use are you?"
No one dared to respond.
His tone sharpened further, carrying the harsh cadence of command.
"Listen well, Master Kui feeds you not for leisure, but for loyalty. When danger comes, you should be the first to step forward. If you cannot even risk your lives for him, then why are you still breathing under his roof?"
The guards shuddered at his words. Heads lowered, shoulders stiffened, but the fear in their eyes did not fade.
Heizi, too, kept his gaze fixed on the ground, feigning shame. Yet inwardly, he scoffed. Two yuan a month… and they expect lives in return? The thought was almost laughable.
If he had not seen the hidden wealth in Warehouse Eight with his own eyes, he might have believed the gang truly struggled under the weight of strict regulations and difficult times. But now he knew better. This was not hardship but greed.
Seeing no one speak, the senior brother's patience wore thin. His voice dropped into something colder, more dangerous.
"Remember this," he said. "Tonight, you either live through it or you die in it. But no one retreats." His eyes narrowed. "If I see anyone turn their back and run…" He let the sentence hang, unfinished yet far more threatening for it. "Once this matter is settled, I will personally deal with you."
A chill ran through the group.
Heizi glanced subtly around. There were five guards here, including himself and not a single one of them wished to risk their life for this fight. They were hired hands, nothing more. Yet tonight, they were being treated as expendable shields.
Before the silence could stretch further, footsteps approached from behind. All heads turned. Another senior brother emerged from the darkness, his expression grim.
He stopped before them and spoke without preamble, "Second Brother has been shot. He's injured."
The words struck like a hammer. The senior brother with them clenched his fists, anger flashing across his face, "Where is Fifth Brother?" he demanded sharply. "Why hasn't he returned yet?"
The newcomer shook his head slightly, his tone steady but heavy.
"Do not worry, Fourth Brother. Fifth Brother should arrive shortly. Once he does…" His eyes flicked toward the distant warehouse, a dangerous glint surfacing. "We will make these intruders pay dearly."
As if summoned by his words, another footstep echoed through the darkness.
A figure approached and his face was grim, his aura colder than before. But what drew everyone's attention was not his expression, it was what he carried.
Three long, dark silhouettes rested on his back.
Military rifles? Heizi's breath hitched. His legs nearly gave out beneath him. This… was never part of the plan.
Fourth Brother noticed fifth brothers grim expressionsimmediately. His brows furrowed, "What happened?" he asked.
Fifth Brother's expression darkened further, his voice edged with restrained fury. "Warehouse Eight was also attacked earlier," he said. "Sixth Brother was guarding it, he is now severely injured and lies unconscious inside."
"What?" Both Fourth and Third Brother reacted at once, shock flashing across their faces.
"How could that be?" Third Brother demanded. "Who would even know about that place?"
Fifth Brother's gaze turned cold, "Who knows," he replied. "But the drums were disturbed, the arrangement was uneven. Someone moved them. And Sixth Brother was found collapsed beside them. I highly suspect the warehouse was looted."
A heavy silence followed. The implications were clear and dangerous. Fifth Brother continued, his tone tightening, "We must report this to Master Kui immediately. But before that…" He turned his head slowly toward Warehouse Three, his eyes burning with anger, "…we deal with these bastards first."
Without another word, he raised the rifles and handed one each to Fourth and Third Brother. The metal gleamed faintly under the dim light as they accepted them without hesitation.
The three men checked the weapons with practiced familiarity, their movements efficient, lethal, adjusting seafty catches and finally tested triggers.
Heizi's heart lurched violently in his chest.
For a fleeting moment, the instinct to flee overwhelmed him. The rifles in the hands of the three senior brothers had shattered whatever fragile confidence remained in the plan. This was no longer a calculated risk, it was a storm on the verge of breaking.
His feet nearly moved on their own. But then, as if anchored by something deeper, he stopped.
In the shadows ahead, he could almost picture the group of teenage boys, nervous yet determined, and his good friend Zhang Junyi standing among them, holding together a courage far too heavy for his age.
Heizi clenched his fists. His eyes reddened, and he forced himself to swallow the rising panic. No… he could not run. Not now.
He lowered his head, breathing slowly, desperately trying to think any way to warn them, to tell them to retreat before everything spiraled beyond saving.
Before he could act, the three senior brothers turned toward the guards. Their expressions were cold, their voices colder.
"You all remain here," one of them ordered flatly. "When you hear gunfire, understand that the battle has begun."
Another stepped forward, his tone sharp, commanding, "At that time, take a detour. Move behind Warehouse Three and assume positions from the rear. Your task is simple, withdraw the goods and retrieve the hostages. Do not delay."
The implication was clear, they were expendable support, nothing more.
The guards nodded quickly, relief flickering across their faces despite the tension. At least they would not be at the forefront of the confrontation.
The three senior brothers did not linger. With rifles in hand, they melted into the darkness, their figures swallowed by the night as they advanced toward the warehouse.
Heizi watched them go, his face draining of color.
Are we… losing?
In the courtyard, a different tension simmered. Master Kui sat upon the kang bed within his chamber, his posture rigid, one hand resting on his knee while the other drummed lightly against the wooden surface. From time to time, his sharp gaze flicked toward the window, searching the darkness for any sign from Warehouse Three.
Outside the chamber, the remaining senior brother paced restlessly near the gate, his vigilance heightened with every passing moment.
Unseen by either of them, Li Shuying observed everything. Within her system space, her consciousness extended outward, capturing every movement, every shift in the air. It was a discovery she had made only moments ago, that even while hidden within the space, she could watch the outside world.
And now, she used it to its fullest. She had already positioned herself near Master Kui's chamber, waiting for the right moment.
Her fingers tightened around the small tin bottle of sedative Heizi had given her. The pacing man outside the chamber continued his restless movement. Until, at last, fatigue crept into his limbs.
He yawned and leaned against the wall for support, his vigilance slipping for just a fraction of a second.
That was all she needed. Li Shuying's eyes narrowed. In the next instant, she stepped out of the system space.
To the man, it was as though she had appeared from thin air. His body stiffened, shock freezing his expression. His eyes widened, his mouth parting in stunned disbelief, no sound escaping yet, only confusion and instinct clashing within him.
But Li Shuying did not hesitate. In one swift motion, she uncapped the tin bottle and flung its contents toward his face.
The sharp scent of the sedative spread instantly. The man's training kicked in, his breath halted, his muscles tensed. But it was already too late. The fine mist had reached his mouth, seeped past his defenses.
His pupils contracted and body faltered. With a muffled grunt, he lunged forward, attempting to strike.
Li Shuying moved faster. Her leg lashed out in a precise, forceful kick, striking him squarely in the abdomen. The impact drove the air from his lungs, his body folding as his balance broke.
His vision blurred and he world tilted. As he staggered, on the brink of collapse, he forced his voice out, hoarse and strained, "Mas…ter...!"
The call echoed faintly into the chamber.
Inside, Master Kui's eyes snapped open. His brows drew together, suspicion flashing like cold steel across his gaze. Without hesitation, he swung his legs off the kang and rose in one fluid motion.
"Laoda," he called out, his tone steady yet edged with alertness, "what is it? Is there any news from Warehouse Three?"
Silence answered him. The stillness in the corridor pressed in, heavy and unnatural.
Master Kui's expression darkened. His right hand slipped instinctively into the wide sleeve of his robe, fingers curling around the concealed weapon hidden within, as he advanced toward the door with measured, cautious steps.
"Laoda," he called again, this time slower, probing, "are you there? Did you hear anything from your junior brothers?"
His voice was deliberately calm, almost casual, yet every muscle in his body was coiled, ready to strike.
He reached the door, took a brief paused. Then, with a sharp motion, he pulled it open.
What greeted him was Laoda lay sprawled on the ground, unmoving and the corridor beyond was empty.
For a brief instant, even Master Kui's composure cracked. His eyes widened, "Who did this?" he roared, his voice tearing through the silence like a blade. "You must have a death wish, seeking an audience with King Yama himself to dare act within my territory!"
His gaze swept the courtyard sharply, every shadow, every corner scrutinized with predatory intensity, "Come out!" he shouted again, his voice colder now, more dangerous. "Show yourself. I would very much like to see who possesses such courage."
Receiving no answer, he stepped out fully from the chamber. He moved toward Laoda's fallen body, crouching briefly to assess him, his jaw tightening at the realization that the man was not dead and only incapacitated.
He straightened slowly, eyes narrowing as he scanned the surroundings once more.
"Is this all the courage you have?" he sneered, his tone dripping with contempt. "Hiding in the shadows like a rat? Why don't you come out and face me?"
The night seemed to hold its breath and then a voice, calm and faintly amused, rose from behind him, "Did you call for me, Master Kui?"
The words fell like a whisper of death.
Master Kui's body reacted before his mind could catch up. He staggered back several steps, turning sharply, his sleeve snapping as he brought his arm up defensively.
----
Hello dear readers❤️
I know i still don't have many readers, because most of the notifications I get is people putting my book in collection, which is absolutely fine.
But to all my current readers and future readers, it's chapter 74 now, it's time you give the review to the book, tell my lackings and strengths and give ideas so i can improve.
Thank you