Chapter 7 Deep Night

The night was already late. Dim lights shone from the rows of green streetlights lining the road, and other vehicles occasionally sped past on the highway.

The Qingyi Bureau’s car drove slowly toward the city center. Everyone in the car was silent, having been so for a long time.

Gazing out the window, Kang Dinghuang pondered for a long while before finally sighing and saying slowly, “Ah… if that’s the case, things will be troublesome.”

Hearing this, Lü Zhen waved his hand and said, “I don’t see it the same way.”

Kang Dinghuang turned to look at him. “How so?”

“Snap!”

Lü Zhen lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, “Personally, I think that once Tan Hengqiang leans towards unifying Dragon City, things will actually become simpler.”

Kang Dinghuang frowned, considering the meaning of these words.

Lü Zhen lowered the car window and flicked some ash outside. “Alright, don’t think about it too much for now. We’ll talk about it later.”

Kang Dinghuang nodded silently, his face grave, and said nothing more.

Soon, the car entered the city. Even at night, District One was still brightly lit, the entire city exuding an air of prosperity.

Lü Zhen tossed the cigarette butt out of the car and turned his gaze to the young man in the passenger seat. He asked, “Xiao Han, have you found that line to the San Guang Society?”

The young man shook his head with some difficulty. “Brother, it’s really hard to find. It’s strange. Zheng Guang’s group, all those who survived, were captured by Su Tianyu. Those who died, their bodies were also accounted for. Everyone’s there, except for Jiang Jianjun, the guy we turned. He’s just gone, like he vanished into thin air.”

As he spoke, the young man called Xiao Han became a little annoyed. “That kid’s just a small-time hoodlum, his whereabouts are unpredictable, and we can’t figure out his connections! We’ve gone to so much trouble, but we haven’t even found a hair on his head!”

Lü Zhen was very calm. After hearing this, he reached out and patted the young man’s shoulder. “I know it’s not easy for you, but we have to find this kid! Only by getting rid of him can everyone be at ease. Cast a wider net, check his family relations, study his usual interests and hobbies, see where he’s been. Maybe there will be some clues.”

“I understand.” The young man nodded. “If I find him, I’ll skin him alive myself!”

This young man, named Lü Han, was Lü Zhen’s cousin. He also worked in the intelligence system and was considered one of Kang Dinghuang’s subordinates.

This was also why Kang Dinghuang and Lü Zhen were close. Not only were they connected at work, but they were also friends in private.

After the instructions were given, the three of them fell silent again, no longer speaking.

…

The next day at noon, District One, the Victoria Hotel on Third Avenue.

This hotel had been in business for many years. Although it couldn't compare to the five-star hotels, it was not small in scale and had everything one could need.

Inside, there was everything from casinos and shopping malls to bars and KTVs. The entire hotel was like a ring-shaped little kingdom, encompassing all these facilities, allowing guests to enjoy all the services without leaving.

At this moment, a business car stopped in front of the hotel.

"Clang!"

The car door opened, and Dai Quan and Zheng Guang walked out together. Two other companions followed, walking behind them.

The driver stayed in the car, keeping watch and responsible for providing support.

People were coming and going in front of the hotel, many fashionably dressed guests entering and exiting. Some scruffy vagrants sat on both sides of the road, begging passers-by for money.

After glancing at the hotel entrance, Dai Quan reached out and put his arm around Zheng Guang's waist, guiding him forward.

Zheng Guang was speechless, saying in a low voice, "Do you have to do this? I told you, I won't run!"

Dai Quan laughed. "Hehe, that's just my personality, naturally cautious."

Zheng Guang felt very uncomfortable. For a moment, he felt that Dai Quan might really want to...

Dai Quan urged from the side, "Stop talking nonsense, let's go!"

Zheng Guang was helpless, enduring this discomfort as he was embraced by Dai Quan into the hotel lobby. The gazes of the surrounding passers-by were very normal, as if they were used to it.

A staff member from a certain welfare organization, holding a sign, walked up to them with a smile and asked, "Gentlemen, would you like to adopt a child? We have complete procedures here..."

"Get lost!" Zheng Guang frowned and cursed.

Dai Quan reminded him in a low voice, "Don't cause trouble."

Zheng Guang suppressed his anger, put on a mask, and his sharp eyes searched through the crowd.

Soon, he nudged Dai Quan with his elbow, pointed to the bar counter in front of them, and said in a low voice, "The woman inside is the one."

Dai Quan looked up and saw a woman with fair skin and a slightly plump figure standing inside the bar. Her lower body was covered in black stockings, wrapping her stout thighs. Looking at her face, she had to be at least forty years old.

Dai Quan stared for a while, then slapped Zheng Guang on the head and couldn't help but curse, "You call this a young girl?"

…

At the same time, in District One's Huafu, the employee cafeteria.

As the most famous government organization, even the cafeteria was very upscale. The entire hall was decorated like a western restaurant, with tables covered in red tablecloths placed on exquisite carpets, exuding an air of wealth and freedom.

All kinds of Western-style delicacies were placed around, and you could take whatever you wanted with a plate.

Kang Dinghuang and Lü Zhen, both wearing clean suits, took their meals and sat at the same table.

Lü Zhen's plate was filled with various kinds of meat, while Kang Dinghuang's was much more balanced, with a small amount of meat, vegetables, and a glass of yogurt to aid digestion.

Looking at the dishes on the other's plate, Lü Zhen teased, "Eating grass again?"

Kang Dinghuang touched his belly and said with a wry smile, "I'm getting old, it's better to eat healthier."

"You're just worrying too much, aging faster," Lü Zhen teased, cutting a large piece of steak and chewing it.

Kang Dinghuang smiled, not refuting, and ate the salad on his plate.

After a while, Lü Zhen put down his fork and asked, "Do you remember what I told you yesterday?"

Kang Dinghuang nodded lightly.

Lü Zhen paused, then continued, "Tan Hengqiang has already made his stance clear. I actually think this makes things simpler."

Kang Dinghuang also put down his cutlery, interlaced his fingers, and looked at him. "How so?"

Lü Zhen didn't rush to answer, but picked up his glass, took a sip of cola, and then said, "If Dragon City is unified, it will inevitably be led by Tan Hengqiang, he is the absolute core. If he is determined, we cannot change the situation..."

As he spoke, he lowered his voice, leaned closer to Kang Dinghuang, and slowly said, "Since we can't change it, then let's kill the core!"