Chapter 533: Trouble in Heichao City

Lu Xin first wanted to strangle Gecko.

Then he wished he could just disappear into a crack in the ground…

W-What the hell is going on here…?

It was a case of perfect planning marred by a single glaring mistake. How could he commit such a rookie error in an otherwise flawless infiltration mission…?

What the hell are you doing slacking off when it’s time to work?

But Gecko just grinned, and soon everyone else began to lose their composure. The typically anxious Red Serpent glanced at the others in the room and suddenly laughed before turning away. Near the window draped in curtains, the fabric trembled slightly. Yet, everyone in the room instinctively ignored the oddity, and no one bothered to look.

Meanwhile, Group Leader, who had followed them, wore an unmistakably surprised expression.

Having his daughter’s boyfriend on the Administration Hall’s wanted list was, in his eyes, a huge deal.

So why did these young ones seem so unfazed?

Han Bing also smiled and then said seriously, “Actually, Mr. Lone Soldier has done remarkably well—beyond what anyone could have imagined.”

“…”

Lu Xin’s face flushed, thinking Han Bing was mocking him.

To his surprise, Han Bing continued in a serious tone, “I’m being truthful. Mr. Lone Soldier—secret infiltration is an incredibly advanced specialized skill. We’ve all been through rigorous training to endure its hardships. For someone who’s never experienced such training to pull off an impeccably flawless, unprepared infiltration on the first try…”

She wrinkled her nose and, with a slight smile, added, “It really makes us professionals feel utterly insulted.”

Lu Xin couldn’t help but be surprised, feeling his mood lift instantly.

On the sidelines, Gecko listened with wide, astonished eyes, glancing between Han Bing and Lu Xin, wondering if he even belonged there.

“I really think this isn’t the time for covering for one another…”

Unable to hold back, he whispered, “Shouldn’t we be thinking about how to fix this mess?”

“Our Captain is now a wanted man…”

“And for three million no less…”

“…”

They slipped away quietly…

Just as Lu Xin and the others stared in disbelief at the television, distant streets erupted with blaring police sirens.

The sirens grew louder and closer, creeping steadily toward them.

The atmosphere in the room instantly tensed.

Soon, the corridor filled with commotion. In burst Yongzi and Qiangzi—armed, rugged figures—flanked by a few thugs. They shot a cold glance at Lu Xin, let out a dismissive laugh, and then addressed Group Leader:

“A few cleanup guys are coming down. They suspect this hotel is harboring a repeat offender and are here to inspect.”

“A repeat offender?”

Group Leader chuckled, “Of course there is. Isn’t that exactly what’s happening?”

Yongzi and Qiangzi immediately flicked the bolt on their guns and laughed, “Group Leader, what do we do?”

As they spoke, their gun barrels casually pointed in Lu Xin’s direction.

“Tsk, tsk…”

Observing the scene, Gecko shook his head, sighed, and strolled over casually.

His expression carried a touch of regret, as if he wished he could have enjoyed these thugs a little longer before things went south.

Han Bing exchanged a knowing glance with Red Serpent. Instantly, Red Serpent linked her arm with Group Leader’s and called out, “Dad.” Group Leader then shot Lu Xin an ambiguous look, his mood darkening, and pulled Red Serpent aside near the door to confer.

Han Bing then approached Lu Xin and Gecko by the window and said, “We can’t afford to burn bridges with Group Leader right now.”

Gecko paused a moment and murmured, “Though we must be cautious, do we really need to go this far?”

Han Bing smiled, “Haven’t you noticed the Administration Hall in Heichao City’s true intention?”

Both Gecko and Lu Xin were instantly taken aback.

Han Bing continued, “Their hidden surveillance captured Mr. Lone Soldier’s appearance. As long as their order hasn’t completely collapsed, tracking him down in this hotel won’t be difficult. The fact that the police arrived so quickly from outside confirms it. So why didn’t they mobilize the military first instead of broadcasting it on TV?”

“…”

Gecko hesitated and suggested, “Maybe they know our Captain’s strength; even if they sent the military, it wouldn’t help?”

“That…”

Han Bing gave Gecko a look of approval, “Well said…”

Suppressing a laugh, she added, “That’s one factor, but I think there’s an even more important possibility!”

“Remember that brawl during dinner earlier?”

“A young girl was being bullied, but that riotous mob treated it like a wild celebration.”

“Right and wrong blurred, black and white indistinguishable.”

“Even the girl’s little brother cheered it on. I figured that the people of Heichao City, plagued by insomnia, have become so mentally unstable that they’re easily irritable and prone to contamination.”

“They’re like gasoline drums—one spark and they’re all set ablaze!”

“That’s why I believe the Administration Hall in Heichao City is using this method to turn us into the enemy of the entire city.”

“Once that unconscious mob frenzy is triggered, every person in Heichao City will turn against us, with capturing our Captain as their sole aim. By then, no matter our courage, launching an investigation would be impossible.”

“You see…”

As she spoke, Han Bing lifted the curtain to reveal police cars arriving behind the hotel.

A wry smile on her face, she remarked, “So many police cars have been dispatched, yet the military is nowhere in sight. Isn’t that odd?”

“I think they’ve already made up their minds.”

“First, they don’t understand our abilities and fear that deploying the military will only bolster our firepower. Second, they’re prepared to sacrifice these police officers to paint us as ruthless thugs.”

“Once that happens, it’ll be easy for them to manipulate the situation and turn us into the enemy of all Heichao City.”

“Our only advantage right now is our concealment. But if they force us out, we’ll be compelled to step into the light.”

“…”

“Ah, geez…”

Both Lu Xin and Gecko wore strangely troubled expressions.

They hadn’t expected this at all, and now these two Ability Users felt increasingly clueless about Mental Pollution.

“Don’t underestimate me…”

Han Bing blushed at their looks and laughed softly, “After all, I was the runner-up in that special training class…”

Lu Xin paused and instinctively asked, “Who was first?”

Han Bing looked at Gecko and grinned, “It was Sister Linda, of course.”

Gecko: “!!”

Lu Xin and Gecko were left speechless, eventually giving up and asking, “Then what now?”

Han Bing laughed, “I’ve been ready for this situation from the start.”

She lifted her chin and said, “Look at Miss Red Serpent…”

“…”

“…”

At that moment, Red Serpent and Group Leader reached the door—one earnestly trying to persuade, the other shaking his head continuously.

Group Leader said, “Sweetheart, what exactly does your boyfriend do? If he’s not cutting it, why not drop him? You know, even though my empire is vast, I still need good relations with the Administration Hall. Betraying him could earn us a fortune in one fell swoop…”

Red Serpent’s eyes reddened as she asked, “Dad, have you ever had a boyfriend?”

Group Leader looked embarrassed, “I haven’t really tried, but since he’s a boyfriend, I can always find you a few more.”

Red Serpent retorted, “Dad, have you ever had a boyfriend?”

Group Leader helplessly coaxed, “Oh come on, it’s just a boyfriend—not like your husband…”

Red Serpent cried, “Dad, I’m only asking if you’ve ever had a boyfriend!”

Group Leader replied, “Boyfriends always come with a price. I learned how to betray friends when I was three—why can’t you learn?”

“…”

“…”

Their voices, neither too loud nor too soft, were just audible enough for Lu Xin and the others to hear.

Gecko shot Lu Xin a sympathetic look.

Lu Xin scratched his head. In this murky world of unethical relationships, he couldn’t help but feel a bit innocent.

“Don’t worry!”

Han Bing whispered with a smile, “The longer Red Serpent stays with her target, the deeper the bond becomes.”

“That bond can eventually reshape the target’s entire way of thinking.”

“This influence will gradually wane once Red Serpent parts ways—until, one day, it suddenly hits. And this time, since she’s never left Group Leader’s side, that effect has been compounded relentlessly.”

“So now, their father-daughter bond is simply unbreakable…”

“…”

Lu Xin listened with exasperation.

He never imagined that one day he’d find himself living off others…

The kicker was that he achieved it through a socially unacceptable means.

Meanwhile, the quarrel between the father and daughter next door had reached a boiling point.

Red Serpent bawled, stamping her feet, “If you want me to sell my boyfriend, it proves you’re cold and unreasonable. If you’re utterly heartless, how can I trust that you love and care for me?”

Group Leader, sweating profusely, retorted, “Sweetheart, honestly, you cheated on me and now say I don’t love you?”

“You don’t love me…”

Red Serpent’s voice rose, cutting him off as she stomped fiercely, “I’m severing our father-daughter relationship!”

“…”

“Oh dear…”

Group Leader’s heart ached as he surrendered, nearly on his knees, “Alright, alright, you tell me…”

“What must I do to satisfy you?”

“…”

Red Serpent’s face lit up triumphantly as she declared, “I don’t care—I love my boyfriend and won’t let anyone take him away.”

Group Leader’s expression betrayed inner conflict, as his lifelong principles clashed with his desire to meet his daughter’s ideal. In the end, with Red Serpent by his side, his resolve crumbled. His eyes twitched a few times before he gritted his teeth, turned, and shouted in a stern voice, “Yongzi! Qiangzi!”

The two armed henchmen immediately turned around, “Group Leader?”

Group Leader glared fiercely at Lu Xin and yelled, “You bastards—what do you mean by pointing at my son-in-law?”

Yongzi and Qiangzi, startled, quickly averted their guns.

“It’s just the Security Hall, just Tianhe Security after all…”

Group Leader pursed his lips, eyes bloodshot and fury barely contained, and roared, “If you think capturing my son-in-law is acceptable, then you’re picking a fight with me. Ha! Those punks downstairs aren’t sleeping—now that there’s work to do, disperse orders and let the Security Hall settle who really runs Satellite City Three!”

“Understood, Group Leader…”

After Group Leader’s outburst, Yongzi and Qiangzi, appearing excited, agreed loudly and exited.

Soon, shouts erupted from the corridor and even downstairs.

It seemed that receiving orders from the boss to confront the Security Hall was an exhilarating prospect for them…

“Your plan is…”

Witnessing the scene, Lu Xin and Gecko—despite their delayed reaction—began to anticipate what was coming next.

Han Bing pursed her lips and smiled, “That’s right—Administration Hall can incite an unconscious frenzy that turns us into the enemy of all Heichao City. So who says we can’t spark that same madness and turn them into outlaws?”

“Everyone should stir up an unthinking frenzy—then it all hinges on whether people revere the Administration Hall or the underworld more.”

“When the Administration Hall becomes everyone’s enemy, let’s see if those anomalies can keep hiding!”

“Once we catch them slipping up, then next…”