Chapter 522: Shadows of the Underworld

Seeing Group Leader’s startled expression, Lu Xin and Han Bing quickly pressed for details.

It wasn’t until Group Leader explained that they finally understood.

It turned out that this Tianhe Community was actually a private housing area for employees of a security firm called Tianhe Security.

Although Tianhe Security is labeled as just a security company, it operates on both sides of the law with a notorious reputation.

Their influence easily surpassed that of Group Leader standing before them.

After all, Group Leader could at best pull down only half of Satellite City Three’s officials, while Tianhe had long forged ties with Main City’s elite. Many Administration Hall officials depend on Tianhe to safeguard their personal ventures.

With such significant clout, the benefits for their staff were naturally excellent.

In South City, vast residential areas under Tianhe’s banner are reserved exclusively for their long-serving employees and their families.

Moreover, the firm enforces strict rules. Although they handle Black Grass’s business—primarily escort and transport—they never allow their subordinates to tamper with it. Even Group Leader had grown accustomed to Tianhe’s methods, rarely expanding into South City.

So when he noticed abnormal movements linked to Black Grass and tied to Tianhe, he was understandably surprised.

After a brief pause, he put away his notebook and called over Gecko from outside to bring in a minor boss named Yin Mao.

“I supply the goods in South City…”

Noticing Group Leader’s concern, the minor boss hurriedly explained, “Group Leader, you don’t know—I used to handle all the business here. But Tianhe’s men never interfered, and sometimes they even forbade me from selling. That held my business back, but after relentless effort, I finally broke into their market. Things are booming now…”

“But rest assured, Group Leader, I won’t get complacent. I’ll keep pushing forward—always aiming higher…”

“…”

Lu Xin listened, unable to suppress a furrow of his brow.

Ever diligent in his work, he secretly wished to crush the ambitious dreams of this minor boss before him.

“Shut up.”

Group Leader, showing no patience for further chatter, scoffed, “Since you sell to Tianhe’s people, aren’t you constantly getting trouble?”

“Not at all…”

Yin Mao continued, “They’ve even gotten more courteous to me—back when they used to ignore me completely…”

“I feel that as long as I keep building my career in the city, they’ll never be able to match me…”

“…”

Han Bing noted every suspicious detail, her eyes twitching as she recorded them.

After a moment’s thought, she turned to Yin Mao and asked, “Have you heard why they’ve changed their approach?”

“No,” he replied.

Aware that she was a friend of the Miss, Yin Mao didn’t dare offend her and said honestly, “We’re businessmen; we don’t pry.”

Han Bing simply said, “…”

Then Yin Mao added, “I don’t know why they suddenly care about Black Grass, but over a month ago Tianhe stirred up another incident. They supposedly landed a huge project from Main City that demanded a lot of manpower and offered high prices. Even several of my underlings went along, and I managed to secure a hefty intermediary fee from them…”

Han Bing immediately asked, “What exactly did they do out there?”

Yin Mao replied, “I’m not sure. Rumor has it they just stood guard for the entire night, even sending a whole crew. They originally thought they’d engage in an all-out brawl, but in the end, they did nothing except stand watch—and then were sent back…”

Han Bing frowned, “They all came back alive?”

Yin Mao nodded, “Yes, and they made a tidy profit. Despite only one night out, they disbursed five hundred each.”

“A lot of debts got wiped clean. They splurged on bets and spent money like there was no tomorrow. I figured if they kept this up, they’d quickly go off the rails—so I later charged each one a two-hundred protection fee to keep their spending in check.”

“…”

Lu Xin listened intently, gradually piecing it all together.

These underworld forces in Heichao City had their own code of survival. Those doing business with Group Leader weren’t necessarily his loyal men—they were merely minor bosses. These bosses had a few trusted aides, while most were idle street thugs.

If Group Leader had any issues, he would instruct the minor bosses, who would then call on their trusted men. Before long, they could muster a formidable crowd capable of handling any task.

Yet on ordinary days, these peripheral thugs just fended for themselves.

That’s why, although they were considered Group Leader’s men, Tianhe Security would often summon them for tasks.

Of course, even thugs exploit. This Yin Mao clearly knew how to take advantage…

When someone earned a five-hundred labor fee, he would take a two-hundred cut for himself—and he spun it all so smoothly.

“…”

“…”

Han Bing’s composure faltered as the minor boss droned on. Taking a deep breath, she cut straight to the point:

“So, as soon as these guys returned, they got interested in Black Grass?”

Yin Mao replied, “No, they were already interested…”

Noticing Group Leader’s displeased look, he quickly added, “But it does seem they’re now even more intrigued—especially now that they have the money.”

At that, Han Bing’s mind began to formulate a plan. She let out a soft sigh.

Turning to Group Leader with a serious expression, she said, “I want to meet these people.”

Without waiting for Red Serpent’s interjection, Group Leader turned to Yin Mao and demanded, “Who all went?”

Yin Mao mumbled, “The ones I know are Sun Heizi, Changduan Leg, and Da Luhufu…”

Group Leader snorted, “They’re all a bunch of losers—get them here.”

“Get…”

Yin Mao’s face fell as he said, “It won’t be easy to call them. I haven’t seen them in days…”

Group Leader’s eyes narrowed, clearly on the verge of exploding.

Meanwhile, Han Bing shot a questioning glance at Lu Xin, silently seeking his input.

Then she reined in Group Leader and asked Yin Mao, “Do you know where he lives?”

“…”

“…”

Soon, Lu Xin, Han Bing, and the others climbed into a line of black sedans, surrounded by a cluster of fierce thugs.

These vehicles had been arranged by Group Leader’s men on his orders.

There were seven or eight vehicles in all—flashy high-end sedans that looked impressive but were all show. At the back were bread vans and trucks; the vans stuffed with over a dozen thugs armed with clubs and machetes, and the truck compartments packed like a bouquet of flowers.

On the street, even patrol officers wouldn’t dare stop them. A quick inquiry and they were told that the Miss was out on business and to scram.

Sitting in the black sedan, Lu Xin couldn’t help but marvel at the fact that he was now collaborating with the underworld.

“Uncle, let’s just go in a small group. We don’t need to create a big fuss.”

When they arrived at Sun Heizi’s building, Han Bing, exercising caution, informed Red Serpent’s Dad.

“Good thinking.”

Group Leader agreed—after all, they were only here to fetch someone, not to silence them permanently.

Following Han Bing’s advice, he could have waited downstairs but, overcome by paternal concern, he ended up joining them.

Thus, Han Bing, Lu Xin, Gecko, Red Serpent, Group Leader, and Yin Mao entered the decrepit low-rise building. They ascended the cement steps of a narrow, cramped corridor leading to Sun Heizi’s apartment on the eighth floor.

The corridor’s lights had long been out, and its impenetrable darkness filled everyone with unease.

At Apartment 802, Yin Mao pounded on the door with such force that the knock resonated, making everyone’s ears ring.

“Heizi, open up! Look who’s here!”

“Heizi, are you asleep?”

“Heizi, if you don’t open up, I’ll splash paint on you!”

“…”

After several knocks with no answer from Sun Heizi’s room, a faint clicking sound erupted from the adjacent door.

Everyone turned instinctively. Behind the open door, an old lady with wild, unkempt hair and a weathered face peered out silently. Her cold gaze swept over the group at Sun Heizi’s door.

This sudden sight clearly startled Han Bing, Red Serpent, and Group Leader.

Even Lu Xin tensed instinctively.

In the dead of night, in that dark corridor—with an old lady silently appraising everyone—the scene was deeply unsettling.

The eerie atmosphere was almost palpable.

Yin Mao shot the old lady a sidelong glance and cursed, “Scram! Mind your own business, old relic—do you want your place taken down?”

Startled, the old lady immediately retreated silently and shut her door tightly.

Everyone in the corridor instinctively regarded Yin Mao with a newfound sense of respect.

“No answer…”

Unfazed, Yin Mao knocked twice more, mumbled to himself, then shone his small flashlight around. He tugged out a thin iron wire, fiddled with the lock for a while, and with a twist and a click, the door swung open.

Gecko couldn’t help but exclaim, “Brother, that was impressive…”

A bit embarrassed, Yin Mao replied, “It’s a professional trick. Even though I’ve switched careers, I haven’t lost the old skills…”

“Alright, enough talk.”

Group Leader reprimanded in a low tone, “I smell something bloody.”

Lu Xin nodded, “Yes, and it’s fresh.”

With a sudden whoosh, everyone turned to look at him, their expressions tinged with unease.

Ignoring their stares, Lu Xin slowly stepped inside.

Observing the situation, Group Leader stayed back and quietly grabbed Red Serpent, signaling for her to stay close.

Lu Xin and Gecko, unbothered by his subtle maneuver, naturally took the lead.

They deliberately shielded Han Bing and even the guide, Yin Mao.

“…”

Inside, the room was unnervingly quiet and pitch-black—so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of you.

The stench of blood grew stronger in the darkness, assailing their nostrils.

“Heizi…”

Yin Mao called softly. When no one replied, he grew worried, “They haven’t been taken out, have they?”

Just then, Lu Xin abruptly stopped and grabbed Gecko.

As soon as they halted, the others also stopped. Han Bing, bumping into Lu Xin, instantly clutched his sleeve.

It was clear she was a bit nervous.

In the pitch-black, silent room, a strange, furtive sound began to emerge—eerie and sneaky.

Listening closely, it sent a shiver down their spines.

Lu Xin exhaled and whispered, “Go find the light switch.”

Hearing footsteps, Gecko immediately felt along the wall; after a few crackling sounds…

On the third click, Gecko found the switch, and suddenly, the lights flickered on.

Bright, dazzling light banished the darkness, illuminating the small room completely.

After a moment to adjust, Lu Xin and the others took in the room’s layout.

In the next moment, they saw Sun Heizi.

“…”

“…”

Before them stood a coffee table, behind which was a worn-out sofa.

A bearded man in his twenties, clad in ragged pajamas, sat on the sofa. In front of him lay a grimy stainless-steel tray holding chunks of congealed blood.

The bearded man stared blankly, paying no heed to the intruders.

He held a fruit knife in his hand, slowly slashing at his abdomen.

Carefully, he cut a piece of flesh and, using two fingers, slowly brought it to his mouth.

In that darkness, all they could hear was the sound of him chewing the meat.