Empire of Shadows

Outside the North Train Station in Golden Port, in a very inconspicuous roadside restaurant, Lukar sat, having changed into a set of casual clothes.

He was also wearing a pair of sunglasses today. Even people who knew him would be unlikely to recognize him at a glance without looking closely.

Moreover, the North Train Station was between the Xilin District and the Valley District, far from the Port District where he often appeared. There were almost no acquaintances here.

He sat in a small restaurant selling “rotten beef rice.” This was a small restaurant specializing in “rotten beef rice.” They would buy back those beef scraps and then cook them until they were completely tender.

A casual pick with chopsticks would completely break it down into fine fibers.

Then they would add potatoes, some tomatoes, and a small amount of wheat kernels. When someone ordered, they would take a bowl, fill it with a large bowl of rice, and then pour a large ladle of beef, potatoes, and other things on top, along with the corresponding thick sauce.

Of course, if you didn’t want rice, they also provided bread here, but the bread would not be drenched in sauce. You would have to dip the bread in the sauce yourself to eat.

The restaurant’s business was good. For many people who had been on the train for a long time and were eager to satisfy their appetite, the cheap price and good taste here could sweep away the fatigue of their journey.

There was still a while before the train arrived. Lukar had come relatively early. He took a seat, ordered a bowl of beef rice, and then started reading the newspaper.

Today’s front-page headline was the picture of Chief Charlie resigning to take responsibility. At the press conference, he bowed in apology to the reporters and stated that he had already submitted his resignation letter.Regardless of whether City Hall approved it, he would resign from his job.

And the reason for all this was related to Booker and Sam’s suicide.

Booker and Sam chose to commit suicide during their detention, taking advantage of a lapse in the police’s management. This made the investigation into the Red High Heels difficult to continue.

Because many details were only known to the two of them, such as the public’s questioning of whether there was a higher-level protective umbrella behind Sam and Booker, and whether there was a higher-level mastermind.

All of this could not be investigated further due to the suicide of the two individuals!

As the person responsible for these two “accidents,” Chief Charlie had an inescapable responsibility. Although many people believed that he actually didn’t need to take the blame for the mistakes of his officers, he believed that no matter whose problem it was.

As long as it happened in the city police department, it was his responsibility and fault as the police chief. He had to give the public an explanation!

Lukar heard that some people even went to the police station entrance to persuade Chief Charlie not to resign. His expression was also a bit strange at this moment because he knew very well that Chief Charlie was clearly not the type of person who would resign to take responsibility for his subordinates’ mistakes.

If he… let his subordinates take the blame themselves, and then took care of the person who made the mistake to a certain extent, he would believe it.

Chief Charlie had always projected the image of an easy-going superior, but for him to take responsibility himself, especially when he only had a year and a half left until retirement, he thought it was unlikely.

“Politics again,” he muttered, but he also had to admire these people who played politics.

Now people’s attention was focused on Chief Charlie’s resignation, which downplayed the situation where two important criminal suspects and witnesses had inexplicably committed suicide in the police station.

This also made Lukar, who was very familiar with the police system, feel a sense of unease because now, he was clearly not standing with the locals.

For him to let go now… he couldn’t do it. In fact, sometimes he himself also wondered if it was worth doing this.

This was a thought without a conclusion. Every time he thought about it until he fell asleep, he could not get any result.

Just as he was starting to let his mind wander, the sound of a steam whistle from the station brought his attention back from the newspaper to the station.

The North Station was not a big station. Because it was far from the port, only some travelers from the north or people looking for opportunities would get off here.

And some other people and a large amount of goods basically went directly to the South Station.

So the North Station was not big. He could even see the steam released by the station slowly rising!

A few minutes later, a young man came out of the train station. Every day, many people came to Golden Port from other places. It seemed that in the eyes of many outsiders, as long as they came to Golden Port, they could find a job.

The realization of various Federation dreams made many people who knew nothing about this world truly believe that this was the end of the dream they were chasing!

The young man carried a shoulder bag. He soon saw the restaurant on the side of the road and quickly walked over.

Lukar observed for a moment. It was indeed this young man. He called out, “Beno?”

Beno subconsciously looked in Lukar’s direction, walked over with a smile, and sat down.

“You must be Lukar, right?”

“My brother mentioned you to me. For the next period of time, I’ll be under your arrangement.”

Lukar ordered a bowl of rotten meat rice for him. He looked starved and ate in big mouthfuls.

The thick, savory beef broth coated the rice grains. Even without meat, the feeling of stuffing it into your mouth was satisfying, not to mention there were also many beef fibers.

This was not the place to talk. When he was almost finished eating, Lukar paid the bill, and then they got into the car together.

The car drove slowly on the road, with no destination.

“Do you know what your job is next?” he asked.

Beno nodded in reply, “I know. You need me to go undercover in an Empire immigrant gang, find evidence of their crimes, and also help you pass some messages.”

Lukar nodded, “Yes. Do you know this is very dangerous?”

Beno looked somewhat indifferent, it’s unknown whether he was big-hearted or he really wasn’t afraid of this, “I grew up on the streets since I was a child. I’m not bragging, I might be more familiar with these people and these things than you.”

Lukar looked at him a few more times, “The Lance Family is not an ordinary criminal group. They are ruthless. You just arrived and don’t know, they just killed maybe seventy or eighty people, maybe even more.”

“But until now, we’ve only found one body, and it was deliberately left at the scene…”

Beno couldn’t help but whistle, “Sounds like this isn’t the style of Golden Port, more like the style of some industrial areas.”

“They kill people and throw them into the furnace, no one can find them.”

Lukar continued, “My point is, what you have to do is deal with these people. If you accidentally expose yourself, you will be in great danger.”

“Their methods of dealing with traitors are very explosive. You should have heard about it…”

Beno immediately said what Lukar wanted to say, “They executed a traitor and hung him on a streetlight at the entrance of your bureau. I’ve heard about it.”

The car was about to enter the Valley District. There were fewer people here. He found a spot by a park and stopped, but did not get out of the car.

“So you are in great danger, life-threatening danger. You are my friend’s cousin. If you feel worried, I can find someone else.”

Beno shook his head and said, “I am very satisfied with this job. I heard that as long as I handle them, you can make me an official agent?”

Lukar nodded in confirmation, “There is friction between big shots behind this matter. As long as you can handle the Lance Family, I guarantee that agent is just the basic, senior agent is not without a chance.”

Beno had no more questions. This was the reason he was risking danger to join this plan.

He had also been on the streets in his hometown for a while. With the beginning of Prohibition, he immediately realized that a great era had arrived.

Between criminal groups and law enforcers, he was more inclined towards law enforcers because it was easier and safer for law enforcers to make money.

So he found his cousin, who had already become a senior agent, to talk about this matter. It’s just that their local area didn’t have such complex social relationships as Golden Port, and the Bureau of Hazardous Materials was very difficult to get into.

If it weren’t for Lukar needing an undercover agent, perhaps he would have already started considering how to gain a higher position in a gang!

This was an opportunity. He firmly believed this.

“Then how should I start work?” Beno got into the mode quickly.

Lukar also didn’t continue to mention those dangerous things to him and also began to get into the mode, “Lance and his men have just dealt with the invading Viper Gang and have reunified the Empire District. Next, he will definitely recruit more men to cope with the potentially more chaotic situation.”

“So as long as you are willing to join them, there is a high probability that they will take you in.”

“This is your identity…”

Lukar opened the glove box of the passenger side, took out a file from it, and handed it to Beno, “I asked someone to get a set of documents from the Empire side. Your name is still Beno. Your family was separated from you in the war.”

“You got on a ship that was recruiting sailors. You worked for that ship owner for three months, he didn’t give you a single cent, and then threw you on the docks. Now you need a meal to eat!”

Beno quickly finished reading the information. The file contained information about his “family,” as well as some corresponding items.

He returned the file to Lukar, “When do I start work?”

Lukar looked at his attire, “After you change your clothes.”

He had already prepared some old, worn clothes that illegal immigrants had worn. Two hours later, a ragged Beno appeared at the docks.

After watching him blend into the crowd, Lukar went to a phone booth on the side of the road. He dialed a number.

“I have a piece of news I want to tell you.”

“The Bureau of Hazardous Materials has arranged for an undercover agent who has already infiltrated your gang…”

After speaking, he hung up the phone and quickly left. He had previously asked others to find some undercover agents, and several had already successfully entered the Lance Family.

There was a long way to go from the bottom to the middle and high levels, and to ensure that Beno could reach at least the middle level more safely, there had to be some people first to create a false sense of security for Lance.

He knew what those young men who were laughing and joking and not taking the undercover agent seriously would face when this call went out, but these were all hurdles that had to be overcome on the road to justice!

Without the baptism of blood and gunfire, how could the police badge shine?

For a greater victory, a small sacrifice is worth it.

When Lukar returned to the Bureau of Hazardous Materials, he happened to see Ponda driving out.

The two cars paused for a moment as they crossed at the entrance. Lukar was a little curious because it was obviously not time to get off work in the afternoon, and Ponda was not wearing a uniform.

He teased, “You’re not going out on a date, are you?”

Ponda’s smile was very forced, “Some private matters, I’ll be back soon.”

Lukar realized that Ponda might be having relationship problems. Recently, everyone knew that Ponda had a girlfriend, and it seemed they were doing very well.

How to put this kind of thing?

As a single man, Lukar was a little envious, but only a little. He nodded slightly, “Good luck, give us a call if anything happens!”

“Thanks!” Ponda was very grateful. The people here made him feel like he was at home.

In fact, he was indeed very anxious right now because Lisa had suddenly said she wanted to break up with him. How could he, who had just started to enjoy the life of a couple and was having fun, bear it?

And Lisa was also very beautiful and very loyal. He was extremely satisfied with Lisa. He didn’t want to lose this girl.

At the thought of Lisa leaving him, Ponda felt a heart-rending pain!

On the way, his brain could hardly think. If he hadn’t reacted quickly, he might have had several car accidents. In the end, he managed to get back to the house he was currently living in in time.

He happened to see Lisa walking out from inside with a suitcase. He directly pushed open the car door and rushed over, grabbing the suitcase in Lisa’s hand, “Why on earth are you leaving?”

Lisa had called him and told him she was leaving and might never come back. She was grateful for the best time Ponda had given her and would always remember this first man who had walked into her life in her heart.

This scared Ponda!

Lisa kept crying. Ponda held her hand and pulled her back into the room, “Honey, we are one. If you have any trouble, why aren’t you willing to share it with me?”

“Maybe I can solve your trouble. You know, I’m an agent of the Bureau of Hazardous Materials. I have my own network and connections. People in this city, more or less, have to give me some face.”

He explained for a long time, but Lisa was still crying, crying until Ponda was a little annoyed, “Stop crying!”

“Tell me, why on earth are you leaving me?”

“Is it because I’m not good enough to you?”

“Or is it because someone has come between our relationship?”

“Even a death row inmate, before going to the gallows, the judge will read out his crimes. You can’t just hang me without telling me anything!”

Lisa wiped her tears, “I need a sum of money. My mother is in the hospital. She needs surgery, a large sum of money!”

Ponda immediately breathed a sigh of relief. He held Lisa’s hand, “It’s just a sum of money. I have savings.”

“First, tell me, how much money does your mother’s illness need?”

“$50,000!”

Ponda’s expression froze at once, “Fifty… thousand?”

Lisa stood up as she spoke, “I should go. I don’t want to be a burden to you, Ponda. I love you, but I don’t want us to live in pain with guilt because of my mother’s illness!”

Ponda grabbed her, a little anxious, “Even if you leave me, where can you get this money?”

Lisa stammered out her idea, “I heard… some places are willing to introduce jobs to girls like me who need money. Their… income is very high.”

Ponda’s whole face turned red at once!

Lisa was actually going to do flesh trade?

He was so angry he laughed!

“You think you can make money doing this?” His voice unknowingly became much louder, but thinking of his girlfriend’s beautiful face, graceful figure, not inferior to the girls in those high-end places.

I heard they get dozens of dollars at a time, and even hundreds when they meet a rich man. So thinking about it this way, it’s not without a chance.

He suddenly slapped himself. How could he think of this at this time?

Lisa suddenly burst into tears, “But with so much money, your salary and my salary, when will we ever save up enough?”

“My mother brought me into this world. I can’t watch her die little by little when she needs me and do nothing.”

“Let me go. I will always remember you, Ponda, please!”

“Forget me!”

Ponda’s heart was in a mess, but he knew that if he let go, this might become the biggest regret of his life.

He held Lisa’s hand tightly, determined not to let go.

“No, I won’t let you go. I believe we can definitely find a way to solve this problem. Stay, let’s face it together!”

Lisa cried and threw herself into Ponda’s arms, kissing him randomly on the face. She seemed to be venting her emotions…

After a storm, Ponda felt even more guilty.

Lisa’s mother was sick and in the hospital, and he was still getting it up here. But this also made him feel that he should take on his responsibility.

Actually, he had a way to get money. Some time ago, someone had contacted him, hoping to make friends with him.

He had refused at that time, feeling it was unnecessary.

The income of the Bureau of Hazardous Materials was quite high. Although he was just an ordinary agent, with various benefits, he had about a hundred dollars, which was enough for him.

Even if he got married, this money was enough for a family’s expenses.

But now, he caressed the girl sleeping beside him. He decided to do something.

He walked to the study, found that business card from a drawer, and dialed the number on it. Not long after, the call was connected, but no one spoke.

The sound of breathing coming from the receiver let him know that there was someone on the other end now.

He was silent for a moment and was the first to speak, “Someone told me that if I want to talk to you guys, I should call this number.”

There was a quick response from the other end of the receiver, “That’s right, Agent Ponda. My boss really likes to make friends. In fact, some of your colleagues have already become our friends, but my boss says, you can never have too many friends.”

“Are you free tonight?”

“You can come over and have a chat with us!”

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