Lu Yuanhong was not merely involved in drug trafficking; he also operated a production factory. He couldn't help but gasp inwardly.
At that moment, a thin, dark man emerged from the white building. He seemed surprised as he greeted the man who had called out and Lu Yuanhong, bowing and saying, "Mr. Lu, Brother Cheng, why are you here so late?"
It turned out this man, whom Qin Tianyi had never seen before, was called Brother Cheng. It appeared that the person Lu Yuanhong intended to eliminate tonight was A Rong, who had come out to greet them and was likely the person in charge here.
Brother Cheng smiled and said, "Mr. Lu couldn't sleep, so he insisted I come here to take a look. You're still working overtime."
"Yes, yes, it's mainly safer to work at night, so no villagers will accidentally stumble into this cave," he said, respectfully gesturing, "Mr. Lu, don't just stand there. Come inside and have some tea."
Lu Yuanhong nodded with great authority and walked ahead, with Qin Tianyi and another bodyguard closely following him.
Upon entering the building, Qin Tianyi first saw an area similar to a laboratory, filled with various chemical experiment bottles and jars, and two researchers in white coats conducting chemical experiments.
As they walked further in, they saw several large barrels and some machines. At the back, people were weighing the finished products, and then others were engrossed in packaging. It was a complete, integrated operation, from research and development to production. The factory appeared to have been operational for quite some time.
In the packaging area, there was a space with seating for relaxing and drinking tea. Lu Yuanhong seemed very familiar with the place, settling into a large executive chair.
A Rong had someone bring tea. Qin Tianyi and the other bodyguard stood on either side of Lu Yuanhong, while Brother Cheng personally served him.
Lu Yuanhong took a slow sip of his tea and asked, "How has the recent output been? Have you produced all the goods Kun Sang requested?"
"Almost, they're nearly ready. We're just waiting for your word on when to ship," A Rong replied nervously.
"Oh, if they're almost ready, why are you still working overtime?" Lu Yuanhong placed his teacup down heavily. "Did you sell the excess goods without authorization?"
A Rong shuddered and quickly said, "No, how would I dare do such a thing! I follow all your instructions..."
"Very good, so you're that obedient," Lu Yuanhong said, clapping his hands with a smile.
Qin Tianyi instantly lunged forward and kicked A Rong in the chest. Before A Rong could react, he fell to the ground.
The other bodyguard also rushed over, and together with Qin Tianyi, they twisted his arms, forcing him to kneel at Lu Yuanhong's feet.
"Mr. Lu, what are you doing? I've always been loyal to you," A Rong said, sweating profusely from fear.
Lu Yuanhong, leaning forward in his chair, said with amusement, "Loyal? The police recently arrested two low-level thugs during a transaction. The goods they had came from here, didn't they? Do you think I would come here risking everything without any evidence?"
A Rong lowered his head, realizing his private sales had been discovered. Trembling with fear, he pleaded, "Mr. Lu, I'm sorry, I know I was wrong. I didn't mean to, really!"
Lu Yuanhong ignored his explanation and said to Brother Cheng, "Go tell everyone to stop and gather outside the factory."
"Alright," Brother Cheng replied and moved to carry out the order.
A Rong, pinned by Qin Tianyi and the other bodyguard, suddenly struggled violently, trying to beg Brother Cheng, "Brother Cheng, save me! We were brothers who went through thick and thin together!"
Brother Cheng cast him a helpless glance. In front of Lu Yuanhong, he dared not speak of brotherhood. He pointed at A Rong indignantly and accused him, "If you knew this day would come, why did you do it in the first place? You were too bold! I never told you to do anything treacherous like this! I even advised you before not to be so reckless, but you never listened to my words!"
"Brother Cheng, Brother Cheng! I beg you, ask Mr. Lu to spare me this time, just this once, and I'll never dare again!" A Rong continued to struggle and plead.
Brother Cheng glanced at Lu Yuanhong with a hint of wanting to intercede for A Rong, but Lu Yuanhong's expression was impassive, as if waiting for him to speak, or perhaps he would be considered A Rong's accomplice if he did.
Brother Cheng didn't look at A Rong again. Daring not to speak to Lu Yuanhong, he immediately went to the machines and instructed everyone to stop working and gather in the open space outside the factory.
Lu Yuanhong gestured to Qin Tianyi and the others, saying, "Take him out. I want everyone to see the consequences of betrayal."
Qin Tianyi and the others dragged A Rong out without hesitation. He then quickly scanned the entire factory again, trying to memorize its layout.
Outside, Lu Yuanhong had Qin Tianyi and the others tie A Rong up with rope, gag him, and began to ask if anyone else knew about A Rong's private sales.
Everyone said they didn't know, except for a young man in charge of packaging who said, "Mr. Lu, sometimes I saw Brother Rong secretly pocket a bag of goods. But he's the person in charge here, so I didn't dare to say anything, I was afraid..."
Before the young man could finish speaking, Lu Yuanhong suddenly pulled out a firearm he had tucked into his waist and shot him.
Lu Yuanhong's aim was precise. One shot to the head. The young man fell to the ground, twitched a few times, and then died.
This terrified everyone. A Rong, bound and lying on the ground, knew he was next to face the same death and struggled, crawling a few steps away.
Lu Yuanhong disdained to pay him any attention and said to everyone, "You need to be clear about who you're working for, who is giving you generous compensation. It's me! I am the only one you should fear!"
Everyone trembled and dared not speak, only nodding repeatedly.
Lu Yuanhong pointed at the young man he had just shot and said, "But he discovered this traitor and, out of fear of him, failed to report it to me. Therefore, he deserves to die."
After speaking, he signaled Brother Cheng to take out his own firearm and hand it to Qin Tianyi.
Qin Tianyi took the firearm from Brother Cheng with some bewilderment. Brother Cheng patted his arm and said, "Mr. Lu wants you to deal with A Rong. You do it."
He understood. He was being asked to kill someone.
His hand holding the weapon trembled slightly. He did not raise it and looked at Lu Yuanhong, saying, "Mr. Lu, shooting him like this is too easy for him. Why don't we throw him into the wilderness on the mountain and let him suffer and fend for himself?"
"Pick up the weapon in your hand and act," Lu Yuanhong said coldly, showing no interest in his suggestion.
Although Qin Tianyi desperately wanted to gain his trust, he had his own principles and could not let his hands be stained with blood, becoming like them. "I, but I, haven't killed anyone... I can't do it."
"You really are a coward," Lu Yuanhong said, signaling Brother Cheng to help him.