Chapter 80: Rules of Qinggang

First Lu Xin explained the reasoning clearly to Mr. Xu and his daughter, confirming they had no objections. Only then did he step aside pull the satellite phone from his bag and dial. His voice changed when the call connected: “Hello Section Chief Chen?”

“It’s like this I took on a private commission regarding a girl affected by pollution…”

“It’s already resolved…”

“Yes not only is his daughter’s situation handled but his bodyguards and butler are too…”

“However I discovered this might be related to a pollution source currently hidden in Bengbu Port… It seems to be a painting covered with black cloth framed simply with wood… They didn’t want me investigating further even threatening me with a gun…”

“Right also I have a question. If I encounter a similar situation next time can I just ignore it?”

“I understand…”

…

Lu Xin hung up the phone walked back to Mr. Xu and said: “She said I shouldn’t get involved in your affairs she’ll handle it personally.”

…

…

Mr. Xu and his daughter watched everything unfold as if in a dream.

Even now they couldn’t comprehend how so many armed private soldiers had been dispatched so quickly. They had no idea if the twisted cruel figure they’d witnessed was even human anymore and certainly couldn’t understand how he casually revealed a secret only the two of them knew…

After finishing the call Lu Xin paid no mind to anything else. He turned sat down on the steps not far from Mr. Xu and his daughter.

He pulled a crumpled pack of cigarettes from his pocket and took one out.

The plastic lighter clicked twice but didn’t light. He looked up glancing nearby.

Fat Manager Liu was staring over here his face frozen in a stupor.

Meeting Lu Xin’s gaze he suddenly snapped back to reality gritted his teeth and jogged over.

He took out his own rather exquisite silver-cased old-school Zippo lighter. This time though he lacked the courage to light Lu Xin’s cigarette himself instead handing the lighter over from a slight distance.

Lu Xin accepted the lighter lit his cigarette himself then casually tucked the lighter into his pocket.

Fat Manager Liu didn’t notice this action. He was steeling himself biting his lip slightly as he ventured “Mr. Lone Soldier…”

When Lu Xin looked over Liu felt inexplicably guilty but still managed a smile “The other matters don’t concern me anymore. Can I leave now?”

“Of course.”

Lu Xin paused slightly then said “I didn’t violate the contract this time. So there shouldn’t be any problem with the payment right?”

Fat Manager Liu first looked at Lu Xin seriously confirming he wasn’t joking then resolutely nodded “What Mr. Lone Soldier said earlier makes sense. I’ve thought it over carefully and that’s indeed the case. So rest assured I will fulfill the remaining work. The payment will be delivered on time… Even if Mr. Xu can’t provide the subsequent payment I will pay you!”

Lu Xin finally relaxed nodded and said “Thank you.”

The fat manager was somewhat surprised by his politeness and the smooth exchange. He tentatively took a few steps back.

Seeing that Lu Xin showed no intention of shooting him in the back he finally relaxed and walked away quickly.

Before leaving he kindly gave the medical personnel a look signaling they could go tend to Xu Xiao Xiao’s wounds.

Despite this when the medical personnel approached they were extremely cautious like facing a formidable enemy hardly daring to breathe.

Feeling the wary gazes around him Lu Xin felt quite helpless.

He didn’t quite understand why these people were so afraid of him. He wasn’t an unreasonable person.

Honestly if everyone was as clear and polite as Manager Liu so many misunderstandings wouldn’t happen. Look at him straightforward about the commission straightforward about the payment. Everything was crystal clear one is one two is two. Most importantly he seemed like a decent person even offering his lighter when he saw mine wasn’t working.

He slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and looked over again.

He saw his sister looking extremely excited walking among the heaps of fallen people. She peered at this one examined that one sometimes listened for heartbeats or nudged them with her foot seeming unusually thrilled.

Thank goodness for Sister otherwise surrounded by so many armed people…

Thinking about what might have happened if his sister hadn’t been there Lu Xin couldn’t help but shiver: “That was really dangerous just now…”

…

…

Less than ten minutes later the sound of engines revving powerfully echoed up the mountain. Immediately several blinding beams of light pierced the villa area. Rows upon rows of soldiers rushed onto the scene. Seeing the bodies littering the ground especially their twisted strange shapes their expressions changed slightly but they uniformly remained silent.

They collected the scattered guns and weapons then secured the perimeter.

Following that medical personnel entered also silent and practiced. Regardless of whether the people on the ground were dead or alive they carried them all away.

Even the initial medical staff in white coats who had witnessed the gunfight but hadn’t dared approach were taken away.

Throughout the entire process no one approached Lu Xin or Mr. Xu and his daughter to communicate.

And unlike previous field missions this time no one came over to hand Lu Xin a thick blanket.

…

…

Chen Jing arrived about thirty minutes later.

Judging by the time she must have rushed over from another Satellite City or perhaps the Main City.

Lu Xin suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for this leader. Rushing around everywhere day after day how exhausting must this job be?

Although it seemed like every time she was called out it was because of something he had reported?

…

…

“Where is the painting?”

Mr. Xu abruptly looked up as the clicking sound of Chen Jing’s high heels echoed on the hard flagstones.

His face twisted with anger his trembling finger pointing at Lu Xin who sat nearby. His voice held an indescribable fury and grievance: “Colonel Chen I… I know your department holds great power but this time… this time your subordinate committed such a cruel act! You need to give me an explanation… You owe me an answer!”

“Mr. Xu…”

Chen Jing seemed to recognize him. She looked at him calmly and said “I’ve already confirmed his work process was flawless.”

“You…”

Mr. Xu’s voice wavered.

His daughter’s hand was just gone like that.

A whole field of dead bodies was just carried out and you’re saying there was no problem?

“If you feel his handling was inappropriate anywhere you can file a complaint.”

Chen Jing stated simply “Headquarters will make its own judgment.”

Mr. Xu was momentarily speechless. He felt so much had been handled wrongly but he didn’t know how to say it.

“Since his handling and response were fine then it’s time to talk about you!”

Chen Jing clearly had no intention of discussing the matter further with him. Seeing his silence she continued “I know you often hire private scavenger teams or armed groups for certain tasks and even use unofficial channels to transport goods into the Main City. But some actions cross the line. You are a respected individual so cut your losses now!”

“Come with me to retrieve that painting. Then accept the judgment you deserve.”

“Everyone who breaks the rules pays the price. That’s Qinggang’s bottom line. I trust you understand that?”