Under Pawa's "insistence," Tao Ju had no room to refuse. He was dragged, stumbling, to the Wanhua Hotel, where he met Pawa's subordinates, who had lost their leader and had no idea what to do.
After offering them a few reassuring words and obtaining a car, Pawa really did become the driver. He drove Tao Ju around the main building of the Wanhua Hotel, where what seemed to be shards of glass still lingered, then headed into the night.
Tao Ju remained extremely tense the entire way. Fortunately, those dazed soldiers had not yet received the latest news, nor had any orders come down. They simply watched him leave, showing no reaction to the unfamiliar face at his side.
By comparison, Tao Ju was more worried about the surveillance cameras at the Wanhua Hotel.
A massive manhunt across East 824 District—and even throughout Wu Executive's sphere of influence—would likely begin at daybreak. By then, data across the entire city and district would be interconnected. Perhaps Pawa, who had fought his way out of East 725 District, truly possessed extraordinary abilities, but Tao Ju himself would probably end up with another charge added to his name...
Well, it did not seem to make much difference anyway?
Tao Ju's mouth twitched as he looked at the darkened outlines of the streets ahead. The car sped over roads still dotted with puddles, kicking up huge sprays of water to one side. Sounds were especially clear at night. It gave him the illusion that he was still on that speedboat chasing the Steel Jade, that he still had a chance to correct his attitude and mind his words and actions.
But that dreamlike sensation was quickly shredded apart by the whistled tune Pawa struck up beside him.
Tao Ju took a deep breath and