Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 925: Chapter 169: The Avenger of the Fallen Nation and the Death of Sheng Men

A plain middle-aged man walked up to the second floor of the teahouse with his head lowered all the way, arriving at the private room where Bai Shuitang was located.

Bai Shuitang glanced at the silhouette behind the beaded curtain and casually waved his hand. Bai Zhan, understanding the signal, walked out directly.

As he was leaving, Bai Zhan glanced at this middle-aged man and found that his body was not fat, but his face was large, giving a fierce impression, and his gaze was very cold.

Bai Zhan didn’t linger, stepping down the stairs and leaving at once.

The middle-aged man then lifted the beaded curtain and entered the private room. He sat down opposite Bai Shuitang and accepted the tea Bai Shuitang had poured.

“That guy didn’t come over, but I’ve already received his mission report,” the middle-aged man said in a low voice, “At dawn, I sent someone over to check, and there were traces of an explosion at the scene. One car was indeed blown off the cliff. If she was in the car at that time, there was no chance of survival.”

Bai Shuitang listened quietly.

Suddenly, Bai Shuitang stood up and paced back and forth in the room, hands behind his back, pondering with his head lowered, “Why do you think he didn’t come after completing the mission?”

The middle-aged man replied, “There are several possibilities. Firstly, he might know that we would kill him to silence him, so he didn’t come. Secondly, he knows the target’s background and doesn’t dare to linger, so he simply skips the final payment and flees. Another possibility is that he’s dead.”

Bai Shuitang asked, “Which possibility do you think it is?”

The middle-aged man pondered for a moment, “It should be the second. After all, this guy was greedy enough to take this job; otherwise, he wouldn’t have accepted the commission.”

Bai Shuitang suddenly said, “Why not the third?”

The middle-aged man said, “If it’s the third, unless the Song Family is capable of predicting the future, it would be impossible for them to find and kill or capture him right after he succeeded.”

“Hmm… makes sense.” Bai Shuitang nodded and then said in a deep voice, “If he has escaped never to return, that’s fine. But I hope for nothing like that… Go find out if this guy has any attachments. Even if he’s an orphan, there are always things and people he can’t let go of.”

The middle-aged man nodded and then asked, “So, what do you plan to do about the Song Family?”

This time, Bai Shuitang looked at his watch, “It’s already this time, Old Master Song should be awakening. The Song Family probably already knows what happened, Uncle Wu won’t be able to keep it a secret.”

“That old fool Song Tianyou will probably fly into a rage. I heard his heart hasn’t been well these years, maybe it’ll really kill him off, making things easier,” the middle-aged man sneered.

Bai Shuitang shook his head and said, “Never underestimate anyone from the Song Family. Even without Song Tianyou, there’s still Song Haoran, who is truly terrifying. As long as Song Haoran is around, the Song Family won’t collapse, and Iris won’t disappear.”

When Bai Shuitang mentioned ‘Iris,’ the middle-aged man suddenly gripped his teacup tightly, causing the tea to shake violently due to the force.

Bai Shuitang turned to look at the middle-aged man and said calmly, “Bazel, if you can’t control your emotions, I won’t continue working with you.”

The middle-aged man, Bazel, slowly lifted his head, suddenly reaching out to grab his hair, pulling it all off—it turned out he was wearing a wig.

After removing the wig, Bazel’s scalp revealed ugly burn scars.

Bazel stared at Bai Shuitang, “One day, when you’ve gone through what I have.”

At this moment, Bai Shuitang pressed both hands on the table, leaning forward to meet Bazel’s gaze coldly, “Don’t tell me those irrelevant things. Don’t forget who first moved against my brother and sister-in-law… If it weren’t for your family’s stupidity in daring to blow up their car, your little country wouldn’t have been brought down by the Song Family! You reap what you sow!”

Bazel scoffed coldly, “That man was a national criminal, long since convicted! We handed him over willingly, yet the Song Family still wouldn’t let us go! I’ll never forget the day they invaded, slaughtering everyone in the imperial palace!”

Bai Shuitang scoffed, “The Song Family operates with an iron fist, especially under Song Tianyou. Ten years ago, he wasn’t the low-profile person he is now, but rather ruthless. The Song Family has always responded to deadly feuds with an eye for an eye, blood for blood. Your family killed Song Tianyou’s daughter and son-in-law, so of course, he would exterminate your family. It’s already merciful of Song Tianyou not to bury your entire country with you.”

Bazel also replied coldly, “You’re not a good person either.”

Bai Shuitang remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

He slowly sat down and said calmly, “Bazel, I don’t see you as an enemy, but as a partner. You want to destroy the Song Family, and I want their wealth; we each get what we need. I’m just reminding you, before we succeed, don’t let anger cloud your reasoning.”

Bazel raised his cup, drained it of tea, and remained silent.

This time, Bai Shuitang adjusted his clothes and stood up, “I should get to work soon. If there’s any news, I’ll notify you to take action.”

Bazel suddenly said, “In a couple of days, my people will all be here.”

Bai Shuitang frowned, “So soon? It’s much earlier than the planned schedule.”

Bazel responded, “They can’t wait any longer… These ten-plus years, their patience has worn out. If they aren’t satisfied soon, even I won’t be able to control them.”

“Hatred is not a good thing.” Bai Shuitang shook his head, “I’ll act when the time is right.”

“You’d better.” Bazel watched Bai Shuitang’s departing figure, his eyes filled with intense killing intent, “The Song Family’s wealth, with you? That’s my… nation’s wealth!”

…

In fact, from the teahouse to the Zhonghua Street Chamber of Commerce office, it was just a few hundred meters away, yet Bai Shuitang still left in his chauffeured car.

At this time, the performance inside the teahouse had also ended, with the next session in the afternoon. Luo Qiu glanced once more; Bazel had also left soon after, though not through the main entrance of the teahouse.

Luo Qiu thought for a moment—it was indeed as Song Ying had said, families like the Song Family that rose to power were concealments of deadly traps.

He shook his head and, after leaving the tea money on the table, also left.

At this time, Luo Qiu first went to the Zhonghua Street market to buy some groceries, then meandered to Yuna’s home, finding that Mr. Blind and Song Da had already departed.

Yuna was alone at home, her thoughts unknown.

Luo Qiu didn’t linger, and so he walked towards the Zhonghua Street Chamber of Commerce. He didn’t enter the Chamber of Commerce, merely heading to the alley behind it where the rear door was located.

When he first came to this place, Song Haoran had brought him here once. Luo Qiu was quite interested in the ‘Gate of Life’ specially set up by Old Master Song, but at that time, it had already been quietly sealed by Bai Shuitang.

Now the ‘Gate of Life’ was not sealed. Upon arriving, Luo Qiu saw a woman open the ‘Gate of Life,’ her expression bleak as she walked out.

Luo Qiu, unnoticed, walked to the woman’s side, just as a man in a suit, presumably an employee of the Chamber of Commerce, also emerged from the ‘Gate of Life.’

This man said coldly, “Go back and think it over. We can help with this, but now there are new rules. You know, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

The middle-aged woman pleaded, “I wouldn’t be here knocking on the ‘Gate of Life’ if I wasn’t out of options. Didn’t Old Master Song say that, no matter the difficulty, as long as they’re Chinese from Zhonghua Street, they can come?”

“That was before!” The suited man replied impatiently, “Yes, Old Master Song did say that. But think about it, what times are we in now? The Song Family has so many members, how much do you think it costs to sustain them? You who come knocking on the ‘Gate of Life,’ say a few words, and we have to provide manpower and resources. Who can bear that for long? Help is available, but pay according to the difficulty of your case! That’s the rule now!”

The woman lamented, “If I had enough money, would I need to come here and knock on the ‘Gate of Life’? I’ve reached a dead end! Brother, please, have some mercy…”

“No money?” The suited man chuckled lightly, “Don’t you have a house? If you just mortgage your house to us, your problem will be solved immediately!”

The middle-aged woman was instantly tense, “I can’t! That house represents a lifetime of hard work for my husband and me, it’s my daughter’s dowry!”

“Get lost, get lost, do as you please!” The man in a suit waved his hand and slammed the ‘Gate of Life’ shut forcefully… this ‘new’ door that had been renovated.

“What should I do now…” The middle-aged woman left the alley, worried and dejected.

After the middle-aged woman left, Luo Qiu stood before this ‘new’ door, reached out to touch it, and suddenly sighed, “Life and death reversed… it’s become a death door.”

Shaking his head, just as Luo Qiu was about to leave, he noticed a corner of the alley and walked over.

Placed in this corner was an old door panel. It was already covered in rust, with some places where the wood inlays had even begun to rot.

Luo Qiu squatted down, wiped the panel with his hand, covering it with dust. This door panel was the true ‘Gate of Life’, though it had been dismantled.

Luo Qiu tapped on the door panel lightly with his finger and listened quietly.

“Thankfully, it’s not completely dead yet.”

…

…

It had been a full ten hours.

At this time, a genuine chill could be felt throughout the Han Residence.

Song Tianyou sat at the head of the main hall of the Han Residence, holding a cane, his face covered in frost.

This old man, who had long become kind and benevolent, now looked like an Asura.

“Ten hours.” Song Tianyou suddenly struck his cane forcefully, “A whole ten hours have passed, Fifth Elder, and you’re only telling me about this now! Are you trying to rebel?”

Seeing Song Tianyou’s pale complexion and trembling lips, the butler, Uncle Wu, silently lowered his head.

Song Tianyou, too agitated, couldn’t help but start coughing. Song Haoran quickly stepped forward, patting his back, and said, “Dad, Uncle Wu is loyal.”

“Too loyal!” Song Tianyou snorted coldly, “Did you think by not telling me, you could hide this? But have you thought about what if they can’t be found? Fifth Elder! Do I look like someone who can’t take a blow, ready to drop dead at any moment?”

“I’m sorry, Master.” Uncle Wu continued lowering his head.

Now Song Tianyou slumped a bit, holding his forehead, spoke mournfully, “How can I face Little Ying’s mother, how can I face my elder brother… Fifth Elder, you’re being a fool!”

“I’m sorry, Master.” Uncle Wu bowed his head even lower.

“No trace of Little Ying and Luo Qiu was found at the scene, and even Gan Hong is missing. So it’s not necessarily anything serious.” Song Haoran calmly said, “We’ve already sent people to start the rescue, but there’s a dense fog below the cliff, making the search extremely difficult, and it’ll take some time.”

Song Tianyou took a deep breath, then heavily struck his cane again, “Investigate! Find out for me! A sports car doesn’t explode for no reason! Root out the mole for me; I want him to suffer through three to six holes! I want to use the family law myself!”

“Little Ying will be okay.” Song Haoran said seriously, “Since Mr. Blind already read Little Ying’s life, saying she would be wealthy all her life, luck will naturally be on her side. Dad, you should know this in your heart.”

“I hope so.” Song Tianyou sighed, then said, “Fifth Elder, stop bowing your head, stand up straight for me!”

Uncle Wu instantly stood up straight.

“Once Little Ying is found, I’ll settle accounts with you.” Song Tianyou said seriously at this moment, “Now, arrange for me to personally visit the site; I won’t stop until I see Luo Qiu and Song Ying brought back!”

“Master, I’ll handle it immediately!” Uncle Wu briskly walked out.

Song Haoran gently patted Song Tianyou’s shoulder twice, then said, “Don’t worry, I’ll also go down the mountain to look for them… you trust my intuition, don’t you?”

At this moment, Uncle Wu hurried back, “Master, Mr. Blind has returned!”

“Invite him over!” Song Tianyou immediately stood up.

…

…

In the dense fog, almost nothing could be seen.

Unable to distinguish between east, south, west, and north, and didn’t know what lay ahead.

Song Ying and Gan Hong walked especially slowly, tied with a vine around them at this moment, found by Gan Hong on the ground, tied to avoid sudden falls or getting separated.

But the fog seemed to grow thicker. Walking behind, Song Ying now only saw Gan Hong as a shadow.

“Those wild wolves shouldn’t be chasing us anymore.” Gan Hong stopped at this moment, “Miss Ying, you must be tired; let’s rest here for a while.”

With that, Gan Hong handed over the only bottle of mineral water she found after waking up.

Song Ying was indeed thirsty, subconsciously taking it, unscrewing the cap, then pouring it into her mouth—but she paused after only two gulps.

She also remembered there was only one bottle of water, but by now, she’d already drunk a third.

“I’ve had enough, you drink some too.” Song Ying handed the water back, “If you collapse from dehydration, it’ll be more trouble for me. You’re the one who needs to preserve your strength the most.”

Gan Hong hesitated for a moment but eventually took it back, taking a small sip to moisten her lips.

Despite the fog filled with moisture, it was summer, hot and humid, and both were drenched in sweat. It wouldn’t be long before dehydration would occur just from sweating.

At this time, the two found a large stone and sat down. Song Ying looked at the white mist ahead and shook her head; this situation really made one feel despair.

“Gan Hong, let’s talk about something… it’s too quiet here.” Song Ying suddenly said.

Gan Hong said, “Talk about what?”

Song Ying’s eyes rolled, then said, “Hmm… how about a story about a wild man? I heard my uncle talk about his adventures in the dense fog, chasing wild men.”

Gan Hong didn’t respond, so Song Ying said, “Then I’ll tell it… Once upon a time, deep in the mountains, there lived a wild man covered in long hair. This wild man was immensely strong, with a violent temperament…”

The sound of storytelling.

￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS: For some reason, my head hurts. I wanted to write more, but I really can’t take it… off to sleep.