Chapter 104
Shi Lei's money is all in my hands.
Texas didn't turn off the engine, and kept a proper distance once the convertible drove away. After following it for more than half an hour, they arrived at the Hatton Hotel in the Core City.
Seeing the convertible turn into the Underground Parking Lot, they realized that this was their destination.
Texas didn't follow, but instead turned her gaze to the hotel's main entrance. A huge red banner hung above it, bearing messages such as "Celebrating Miss Zhu's Birthday."
A prominent display stand was placed to the right of the hotel entrance, reminding visitors to go to the fourth floor for the birthday party.
Miss Zhu, Li Family Detective Agency.
After some quick coordination, Texas roughly guessed that Shi Lei might have accepted a bodyguard-related job.
Exusiai peeked out from inside the car and asked:
"How do we do it? Should we all go up together?"
"No rush. If we rush in, it might disrupt their original plan. Let's stay here for now and catch any escapees if something goes wrong inside."
Shi Lei lay in the back seat of the convertible as they arrived at the Underground Parking Lot of the Hatton Hotel. He had already changed into a white waiter's uniform. Led by Hong and the other man, they arrived at the kitchen passageway leading to the venue.
Waai Fu pointed outside with one finger and said:
"Mister Zhongli, we're going to pick up the Rat King now. Please stay here for a while. Actually, there's no need to rush to show yourself. We can wait for the Cat Gang leader to appear before making a move."
"Yes, I know, you guys go ahead."
He stood at the Passage Entrance, with no intention of going in.
As five o'clock approached, the number of guests gradually increased. They were mostly Feline race or Caster race.
That dead-fish-eyed Ursus was actually working as a waiter on site; it felt like he was everywhere.
Miss Zhu herself has said that she has no friends and wants to make more. The guests at the party, chatting and laughing, were almost all internal employees. They brought their families to freeload and show their support for Eldest Daughter's birthday celebration.
In the center of the stage is a band made up of dogs, chickens, cows, and horses, who are currently doing the final tuning.
As the clock struck five, the host, wearing round-framed glasses, walked onto the stage. Holding the microphone, he read his opening remarks and greeted the many guests:
"Welcome, dear guests, to this peaceful and joyous occasion as we gather to celebrate the birthday of our beloved Miss Zhu! Before the banquet begins, please allow me to introduce myself..."
Before he could finish speaking, the door next to the VIP seats opened.
Wearing a white tie and a white fur coat, the Rat King Lin Ge Rui entered the venue under the protection of Huai Hu and Hong.
This immediately attracted the attention of many people.
After entering, he looked around the main seat and found a place to sit. Behind him, Hong and Waai Fu stood on either side with stern expressions, like two guardian deities.
Most of the guests present did not know who this kind Old Man. But judging from his grand entrance, he must be some important figure.
The Rat King lifted his cheeks, revealing a friendly smile. He noticed a masked waiter standing at the Passage Entrance on the side of the stage and nodded in that direction.
Shi Lei nodded in response. At the same time, he placed transparent jade shields on all the guests present to prevent any unforeseen accidents.
At the same time.
The underground surveillance room of the Hatton Hotel has been completely taken over by the Cat Gang. The security guards were knocked unconscious, tied up, gagged with a black cloth, and thrown into a corner.
The leader of the Cat Gang wore a large black top hat and a black trench coat that covered his body completely.
He sat in a leather chair, tilting his head and holding his phone between his fingers. Through the broken monitor screen in front of him, he kept a close eye on the situation inside the birthday party venue.
"Okay, keep a close eye on him and don't provoke him. Call me immediately if there's anything unusual."
After giving his instructions, the leader of the Cat Gang hung up the phone.
Although Zhongli didn't accept the commission, he didn't come to the Hatton Hotel either; instead, he watched a movie in the cinema.
The leader of the Cat Gang had his scouts confirm the identity several times, and only after confirming it was him did he feel relieved. As long as he didn't come, things would be much easier from here on out.
"Knock knock".
"Come in."
With permission granted, the Intermediary Manager led Lappland into the monitoring room and said respectfully:
"Boss, this is the top assassin who killed nine gang leaders in one day in the Lower City the beginning of the month. She has another job now, to assassinate Texas. As soon as that person appears, please hand him over to her."
Oh?
The leader of the Cat Gang had heard about the heroic deeds of the silver-haired Female Lupo, some time ago. He thought she had disappeared and died, but he never expected her to appear here.
He scrutinized Lappland, confirming that all the characteristics matched, and his face lit up with joy:
"Great job! You'll be richly rewarded after this is done! And this assassin, if you can take care of Texas, how about I give you ten times the current reward?"
Anyway, they'll run away after killing the Rat King, so it doesn't matter how big the promises are.
Lappland smiled, and whether she took his words seriously or not, she echoed:
"Okay, then I'll thank you in advance, my patron."
Upon hearing this, the Cat Gang leader let out a wildly arrogant laugh. The greatest threat, Zhongli, hadn't arrived, and Texas's whereabouts were unknown. Even if she did come, top-tier assassins would handle her. As for the two bodyguards beside the Rat King, he didn't consider them a threat at all.
Can they fight? What good is being able to fight? Do they really think all those people under their command are just sitting around doing nothing?
With all the advantages of timing, location, and people, the leader of the Cat Gang has no idea how he should lose.
"Hahaha, this is truly a stroke of luck! Today, the Rat King will surely perish here!"
Just then, the second-in-command pushed the door open without knocking and entered. He grabbed Ah, who was bound like a cat in bandages, and slammed him onto the stage, saying:
"Master, I have not failed you. The apothecary you are looking for is right here."
After saying that, he tore off the tape from Ah's mouth.
The leader of the Cat Gang's gaze turned icy as he stared down at the child before him, letting out a cold snort:
"Ha, you're really hard to get a hold of."
The second-in-command grabbed Ah's head and threatened him:
"Our leader has always disapproved of the Rat King's long-term monopoly on the Vitality Potion business. If you can help us produce only this kind of potion, the benefits will be substantial."
As he spoke, he even took out Vitality Potion to demonstrate.
Ah Cai wouldn't cooperate with the drug manufacturing; he'd seize the opportunity and take a bite.
He bit the second-in-command's hand. After the man released his grip in pain, he quickly ran away, shouting for help.
"Help! Murder! Help!"
Before he could finish speaking, he was struck on the back of the head by Lappland and immediately fainted.
The Cat Gang leader used to research Vitality Potion to destroy the Rat King's economy. Now that they can directly eliminate Lin Gerei, why bother making that damn potion?
Besides, they'll run away after killing. There's a high chance they won't go back to their old ways. Having the recipes for Vitality Potion and enhancement potions now is really not very useful.
The Cat Gang leader made ample preparations for this day. He knew that after killing the Rat King, he would be wanted by the Lungmen Guard Department. So, two days ago, he began transferring the company's assets to Columbia.
As for whether his remaining men are dead or alive, what does that have to do with him?
"Gag him and dump him somewhere where no one is around."
"Ah?"
The second-in-command was completely bewildered, not understanding what the leader meant. They'd gone to so much trouble to capture the man, and now that they'd finally caught him, he didn't want him anymore?
"But he really has the ability to make medicine."
The leader of the Cat Gang frowned upon hearing this, somewhat impatiently:
"What? Are you teaching me how to do things?"
"This subordinate dares not, this subordinate dares not..."
The second-in-command smirked, then, with a wry smile, hoisted the unconscious Ah onto his shoulder and left the monitoring room. He decided to obey the gang leader's orders and find a secluded spot to dump him.
After his subordinates left, the leader of the Cat Gang continued to stare at the monitor screen, his grin gradually turning crooked.
Miss Zhu doesn't have many friends to begin with, and only one seat was arranged for her at this birthday party. If the Rat King really comes, he will definitely sit in the seat of honor.
So last night, he had people plant bombs under the stage and the main seat.
First, cripple the Rat King, then send out several cannon fodder Cat Gang members to finish him off. Use sheer numbers to close the gap in combat power between the Rat King and the bodyguards.
The advantage is in my hands; Lin Gerei, you are doomed!
Hatton Hotel, fourth floor, banquet venue.
After the Rat King was seated, the host picked up the microphone and began the next segment of the introduction:
"Next, please give a warm round of applause to welcome today's birthday girl— Miss Zhu!!!"
The guests at the scene, whether they knew her or not, all applauded, including the Rat King.
Miss Zhu, with her blue hair, arrived in front of the band wearing the same outfit she wore to the Lungmen Theater.
For someone with social anxiety, facing so many people for the first time was incredibly nerve-wracking. After a brief moment of mental preparation, she took the microphone from the host:
"Thank you all for coming to my birthday party. I hope you all have a great time. Now, please enjoy the program we have prepared."
Upon hearing this, the band started playing a tune, and before they even got to the line "it will explode if you look at it," it actually exploded.
"BOOM!"
At that moment, there was a sudden explosion, the sound of tables and chairs overturning, the sound of glass shattering, the sound of chandeliers falling, the sound of women screaming, and the sound of children crying all at once!
161 Full of flaws (3K)
The violent explosions that occurred on the stage and in the main seating area caught the guests off guard.
They were all protected by Shi Lei's Jade Shield, so they wouldn't be harmed. Moreover, the explosion point was far from the middle and back rows, so the power would decrease with each layer. Even without the shields, they wouldn't be in any danger.
However, the fear generated by the explosion caused the guests to generally lose their composure. Completely disregarding the birthday celebrant's safety, they frantically ran outside.
"Miss! Miss, where are you?"
Two black-clad bodyguards from the Feline race ran towards the stage through the billowing smoke and dust, only to find Miss Zhu standing unharmed. It was incredibly bizarre that she was so close to the explosion yet suffered no injury whatsoever.
Their gaze swept around, and they saw that the stage had been completely shattered. With the power of such an explosion, Miss Zhu should have died on the spot. Even if there were large objects blocking her view, she shouldn't have been completely unharmed.
And not only was Miss Zhu unharmed, but the four band members on stage were also unharmed. However, their instruments weren't so lucky; they were severely damaged in the explosion. Fearing further explosions, they fled the scene in a panic.
The Rat King's table was no exception. The bomb placed underneath unleashed a violent shockwave and heat wave, overturning the table and the food on it.
Lin Gerei stood unharmed in the smoke, knowing that Zhongli's shield had taken effect.
The fact that the Cat Gang had secretly planted a bomb was somewhat unexpected. But what surprised him even more was that his shield hadn't cracked despite being so close to the blast. This level of strength was enough to prove just how terrifying Zhongli's power was.
Keep in mind, this is a group shield!
No wonder his daughter started practicing the Glazed Shield technique after visiting him a few times; it's definitely more effective than his own Sand Shield.
"Da da da..."
Hearing hurried footsteps outside, the Rat King frowned slightly, knowing that the Cat Gang had arrived.
He was now standing unharmed in the smoke, which might frighten the other person. So he quickly lay down on the ground, closed his eyes, and pretended to be injured and unconscious.
We need to lure out the guy who's been hiding behind the scenes before we can actually make a move.
Ignoring the fleeing guests, the Cat Gang members kicked open the luxurious purple door leading to the venue.
"Bang!"
They rushed in, dressed in red shirts, black suits, and black top hats, with white gloves and weapons in hand.
Once the smoke cleared, the Cat Gang leader spotted the Rat King lying on the ground through the security camera. He was motionless, suggesting he was either dead or seriously injured.
"Hahahahaha..."
This made him burst into unrestrained laughter, and he led Lappland and the second-in-command out to intercept their escape route.
Back at the other end of the venue, the Cat Gang members quickly approached the smoke and dust, only to be blasted away by a punch.