Fugitive Boss, Audacious Assassination

Chapter 24: Fugitive Leader, Daring Assassination

Chapter Twenty-Four: Fugitive Leader, Daring Assassination

"Do you think we have a chance of catching this Zhao Hubiao?" Lin Mo asked.

"That Tiger Gang has been operating in this area for decades. Countless smaller gangs have risen and fallen, yet they're still thriving. They must have some exceptional qualities."

Zhu Hao shook his head and advised, "We shouldn't get involved in this mess. After all, the Tiger Gang leader is a Martial Artist at the Second Level, Entry stage. If we confront him, both of us could be in danger."

It's good for young people to have a bit of pride, but Zhu Hao, having been around for so long, knew the gap between the First and Second Levels. Even if he could defeat several people at the First Stage Perfected.

Zhu Hao also knew that facing a Second Level Martial Artist would likely only last a dozen exchanges.

"That's true. Head Patrolman Li assigned us to this area, so he probably won't let us take unnecessary risks."

Zhao Hubiao scurried through the secret passage like a startled beast, the far more powerful Martial Artist behind him not far behind.

If he hadn't been so cautious his entire life, setting up secret passages connecting several residences, he would have likely been captured by now.

"Damn it, Hu Pangsan, that dog, was so careless!"

Zhao Hubiao circulated his Blood Essence to its limit. In the tunnel, barely tall enough to crawl through, he didn't care about his dignity and scrambled forward on all fours.

Relying on his familiarity with the tunnels, he quickly escaped the pursuer's range and arrived at a fork in the passage. He paused briefly.

He pondered inwardly, about to employ a "hiding in plain sight" tactic.

He chose the right-hand passage. Not far from the exit of this passage was the southern entrance to Acacia Street, where Zhu Hao and Lin Mo were staking out.

Water that hadn't dried from previous days dripped from the blue tile eaves, splashing into tiny droplets on the uneven flagstones.

Zhao Hubiao weaved through the crowd and finally turned into a small alley. Seeing two figures in the alley, he immediately became alert.

"What incredible luck! To run into him here?!"

Zhu Hao gasped, about to flee, but then gritted his teeth. "Lin Mo, this is a great opportunity to earn merit. Go quickly and notify Head Patrolman Li and the others. I'll hold him off here!"

In principle, he really wanted to run. But if the Li Family and the others found out, his and Lin Mo's treatment from the Li Family would likely drop significantly.

Similarly, if they could just hold this guy off until Head Patrolman Li and the others arrived, it would be a great achievement!

"How about I hold him off?" Lin Mo looked at the terrifying figure opposite him, his Blood Essence radiating like a tangible force. Without even thinking, he knew this was a formidable enemy.

"I can't face him head-on, but I can stall him. Hurry and go!" Zhu Hao urged, wanting Lin Mo to leave first.

He let out a low roar, swallowed air, and relying on the advantage of Entangling Ape Fist, he attacked first in the alley.

With a move called 'Long Bridge Reaches the Sea', his Blood Essence surged as he swung his right arm straight towards the center, his fist wind slicing through the curtain of dripping water from the eaves with fierce momentum.

"How dare you, two little mice, act so presumptuously in front of me!"

Zhao Hubiao could barely suppress his rage. He didn't block, letting the fist's force hit his chest with a dull thud. In return, he clawed like a tiger towards Zhu Hao's elbow joint.

This is bad, he wants to trade injuries to finish this quickly!

Zhu Hao's heart chilled. His long arm suddenly twitched, coiling back like a soft whip, but he was still grazed by the five fingers, leaving five bloody marks.

Just as he was about to create distance, Zhao Hubiao stomped his foot, kicking up the accumulated water. The water curtain, mixed with the Second Level Martial Artist's powerful Blood Essence, shot towards Zhu Hao's eyes with incredible speed.

Seizing the moment when his vision was obscured, Zhao Hubiao stomped again and charged forward, his five fingers closing into a grip aimed at Zhu Hao's neck.

Run!

I must run!

He had blindly believed he could hold this guy off earlier, but now he realized he couldn't even last two exchanges. He was terrified by this injury-for-injury tactic, his scalp tingling.

Stumbling, Zhu Hao used the narrowness of the alley to his advantage, pushing off the wall to retreat. However, Zhao Hubiao was faster, his five fingers tearing towards his neck.

Just the wind from his attack sent a chill through Zhu Hao's entire body. With no time to react, he crossed his arms to defend himself.

Zhao Hubiao seized the opportunity, gripping Zhu Hao's forearm with his fingers, and with a tear and pull, he nearly ripped Zhu Hao's entire right arm from its socket.

His entire right arm hung limply by his side, the throbbing pain spreading throughout his body leaving him numb. Zhu Hao couldn't help but let out a pained roar.

By the time he landed, his face was as pale as paper. He leaned against the wall, no longer having any desire to fight.

All he wanted now was to run, to survive!

As he turned, Zhao Hubiao swept a leg horizontally, a powerful blow that slammed him into the adjacent wall, sending up dust and scattering debris.

"It's over, I'm completely finished here..."

His nose and mouth were already covered in blood. Zhu Hao collapsed in the dented section of the wall, unable to get up. His vision of Zhao Hubiao was blurred.

"It's time to send you on your way..."

Zhao Hubiao's tiger-like eyes widened. Just as he was about to strike the finishing blow, a chill suddenly ran down his neck. A distorted, ape-like afterimage plummeted from the corner of the eaves.

Golden light flashed in Lin Mo's eyes. He raised his hand and unleashed the killing move of White Ape Eight Section Fist, 'Ape Monkey Plucks the Heart'. His fingers converged, and the tips of his fingers brushed across the back of Zhao Hubiao's neck.

Lin Mo knew Zhu Hao's strength. From the fierce fighting style from the beginning, he had determined that this person wouldn't last three moves against Zhao Hubiao.

Playing an injury-for-injury game with a desperate man, wasn't that suicidal?

If he had left, Zhu Hao would have had a high probability of dying in the alley. Not only would Zhao Hubiao have escaped, but the Li Family would also be displeased with his desertion.

Lin Mo leaped onto the rooftop the moment he exited the alley, using his Insightful Eye to keenly observe the fight between Zhao Hubiao and Zhu Hao.

This time, he seized the opportunity. Zhao Hubiao, caught off guard, had already attacked Zhu Hao and was too slow to change his move.

"Lin... Lin Mo?"

Through his blood-splattered vision, another killing blow struck. Zhu Hao mumbled to himself before passing out.

Lin Mo's fingertip grazed the back of Zhao Hubiao's neck. The fierce gust of wind was accompanied by a sharp bone-cracking sound. Before the opponent could turn, Lin Mo's knee strike smashed his lumbar spine into the wall, sending brick dust and blood flying.

Zhao Hubiao's vision went black, but he gritted his teeth and held on. Just as he tried to stand, Lin Mo gave him no chance to recover.

Under the Insightful Eye, his movements were clearly visible. Lin Mo balled his hand into a claw shape again, reaching for his face.

A tearing wail was heard as Lin Mo's hands ripped away a pair of bruised, purple 'blood grapes.'

Even so, Zhao Hubiao still had a breath of life left, his chest rising and falling slightly. He wasn't dead yet.

Lin Mo looked at the bulging object beside him and began to strategize.

"First, I'll take some spoils. Even if I can't capture Zhao Wu alive, crippling his dantian will still get me some Luck!"

He rummaged through Zhao Hubiao's clothes and pulled out a blue cloth bundle containing several silver notes and a pile of shiny silver ingots.

Suddenly, Lin Mo spotted a yellowed piece of paper. As he read its contents, his heart leaped.

"This is a breathing technique?!"