Chapter 158
Nowadays, more people are eating together, so going out to restaurants is no longer cost-effective.
Shi Lei doesn't care about money, but he does need to consider the spending habits of the Sarkaz.
After a series of steps including purchasing, processing, and cooking ingredients, the Texas and Sarkaz apprentices each cooked several dishes and served them.
Exusiai stopped eating after a short while. She stared at the food on her plate, finding no appetite. After eating a little, she put down her chopsticks.
"You guys eat, I don't have much of an appetite."
Shi Lei glanced at her sideways, making no attempt to lecture her. Exusiai will naturally find something to eat when she gets hungry; there's no need to worry about her starving.
"Buzz buzz buzz..."
Feeling the vibration at his waist, he pulled out his phone. The caller ID showed "Miss Beatrix":
"Hello."
"Mister Shi Lei, did I disturb your meal?"
"No, is there something you need from me?"
It seems that Miss Beatrix only contacts him when she posts a request; otherwise, she's very busy.
"A hostage situation has occurred in the Commercial Street, and the sniper is unable to take aim. After discussion, we would like you to help with the rescue."
Another Commercial Street...
Just a few months ago, Shi Lei had resolved a hostage situation with Texas in the Commercial Street.
It is indeed a case that has been replicated.
"Okay, I'll be right there."
Texas sat beside him, listening silently. Seeing him hang up, she quickly wiped her lips with a napkin and got up to get in her car.
"No need, Texas."
Shi Lei stopped her and explained:
"It's just a hostage situation, it'll be resolved quickly. You guys eat first, don't wait for me."
He is now at the Archon Realm, and it doesn't matter if he doesn't eat for several years. He doesn't need everyone to wait for him.
Dirk
Upon hearing this, Sass had no choice but to give up.
Having known each other for so long, she understood Shi Lei's personality well; he was very tactful in his actions. If he said no, he meant no; continuing to insist was pointless.
"Okay, come back soon."
"Um."
Shi Lei took off directly from the spot, flying high above the Commercial Street. As long as he flew high enough, the people on the ground would not be able to spot him with the naked eye.
After watching her host leave, Mudrock quickly put down her chopsticks as well. She remembered that she didn't have enough radishes, so she planned to go to the supermarket that evening to buy some discounted fruits and vegetables.
"V, please clean up the dishes after you finish eating. I'm going to the supermarket and will be back in a bit."
Mudrock spent about a week peeling radishes, and her knife skills were barely passable. She didn't waste the radish slices, reusing them by cutting them into strips. These, mixed with Yan's specialty "Old Mother's Chili Sauce," became a beloved local snack for the Sarkaz.
"Okay, boss."
Three minutes after Mudrock left, a red-haired Sarkaz carrying a greatsword walked towards the group from the alley entrance.
The Sarkaz mercenary, who was lying on the chair, instinctively looked at the stranger who had entered.
The next second, they sprang up from their chairs, instantly entering combat mode.
"Guards! Be on alert!"
The Sarkaz mercenaries have enjoyed a comfortable life for the past six months, but the instincts they have honed on the battlefield for decades have not died out.
Don't let Sarkaz's youthful beauty fool you. The more beautiful the rose, the more prickly it is.
A hot body and an alluring bust can both become deadly weapons.
At the sound of the alarm, the Sarkaz inside the warehouse emerged, brandishing daggers. They surrounded the red-haired Sarkaz, knowing no customer would come carrying a weapon.
Surtr scoffed, a look of utter disdain in his eyes:
"Get out of my way, you are no match for me."
Such mockery made the Sarkaz feel utterly humiliated and extremely angry.
"Tsk, don't be so arrogant. How do you know if someone is a match for you if you haven't even fought them?"
Shi Lei and Mudrock weren't there, Texas became the on-site commander. She told Lisa to hurry back to her room, and at the same time drew the Bronze Sword that Nian had given her:
"Step back, let me handle this!"
222 Mud Virtue One Heart (4K)
Upon hearing this, the Sarkaz mercenaries who had been surrounding Surtr quickly retreated. They positioned themselves on either side of Texas, like the two ends of a sharp arrow.
V secretly sized up the red-haired Sarkaz, feeling a sense of incongruity about him.
She clearly possessed an exceptionally powerful aura, yet her every move was like that of an amateur. It was as if a naive child was holding a knife—it was incredibly eerie.
The pose of his right hand on his hip and his left hand hanging naturally doesn't resemble a soldier at all; it's more like a model.
On Sarkaz's slender fingers, V saw no calluses from countless battles. His wide-open, vulnerable defensive stance only fueled V's suspicion that his opponent was deliberately creating openings.
Even though they were outnumbered, Surtr didn't hide his contemptuous gaze and scoffed dismissively:
Are you sure you want to be my opponents?
She always talks like that; it's very unfriendly.
For example, phrases like "Get out of my way" and "You are no match for me" sound arrogant, but these are the most tactful and polite ways Surtr would use. Normally, she would use Reine des Neiges to persuade people physically.
Texas frowned, ready for battle. Her right hand gripped the hilt of her sword at her left hip, poised to strike at any moment.
"You keep talking about rivals, are you here to cause trouble?"
Surtr couldn't sense that powerful aura near the warehouse, and he couldn't help but feel a little anxious.
"Tch, I'm not here to fight."
This impatient attitude was interpreted by Texas as an arrogant and condescending stance.
"Then what are you doing here?"
"Looking for someone."
"Who."
No comment.
Surtr had barely arrived at the warehouse, before she could even explain her purpose, when she was surrounded by Sarkaz men brandishing knives. She certainly wouldn't give these aggressive fellows a friendly look.
This uncooperative attitude convinced Texas that the other party wasn't there to discuss things properly. She stared intently at the red-haired Sarkaz and warned:
"La Signora, I don't care who you're looking for. You're not welcome here, please leave now!"
Surtr ignored Lupo's warnings. She traveled all the way from Ursus to Syracuse to gather information, and then from Syracuse to Lungmen.
Even if they didn't travel 2,000 kilometers, they must have covered at least 1,700 or 1,800 kilometers during that time.
After finally finding a target, why turn back just because of a woman you don't know?
Why should I?!
Surtr would never compromise, no matter what. She could not accept Texas's demands.
What if I say no?
Both sides are speaking very aggressively now, with a clear air of hostility, causing the situation to deteriorate rapidly. If this continues, it's only a matter of time before a conflict erupts.
This was the first time in six months that Texas was fighting without the Jade Shield, and he was somewhat unsure of himself.
She thought to herself, "Should I stall the red-haired Sarkaz first, and wait for Shi Lei?"
Should we make plans after we get back?
"Then I'll have to ask you to leave."
Having said that, Texas drew her Bronze Sword.
Its simple and ancient design clearly indicates that it is not an ordinary item, but it still pales in comparison to that two-handed greatsword.
Seeing Lupo reveal his weapon, Surtr was not to be outdone. She took the Reine des Neiges from her back, and with her left index and middle fingers together, she slashed forward along the blade.
In an instant, an incredibly surging torrent of flames erupted from the blade. The yellowish-red flames, comparable to magma, created a powerful visual impact on everyone present.
Seeing this, V finally realized the source of the disharmony and quickly reminded him:
"Watch out for her greatsword!"
Actually, everyone knew without him saying it. That greatsword was practically on fire; how could we not be careful?
Surtr stood proudly, gripping the thick hilt of his sword, still with that arrogant attitude:
"Lupo, don't make promises you can't keep. If you want me to leave, you'll have to see if you have the ability."
Texas's eyes sharpened, and she became serious:
"Alright, then I'll have to offend you!"
June 15th, 6:52 pm
Shi Lei over the Commercial Street and landed safely on the rooftop of the tallest building nearby.
The Lungmen Guard Department sniper lying prone there was startled when he heard footsteps behind him.
Because snipers need to aim from a distance, they often remain prone in one position for extended periods. When manpower is limited and there are no partners available, warning devices are placed near the rooftop. These are only removed and taken away when they leave.
He never expected that someone could sneak up behind him without him noticing.
Upon seeing the newcomer's face, the Lungmen Guard Department sniper was so surprised he could hardly speak.
Zhong, Zhongli?!
Shi Lei, unsure if the other person recognized him, raised his hands to indicate no ill intent and began to explain:
"Don't be nervous. I'm here to help from Superintendent Swire. She said there's a hostage situation here that she can't handle. Can you tell me some general information about the case and its progress?"
The sniper arrived at the edge of the rooftop and pointed downwards:
"Mister Zhongli, look over there. The crime scene is inside a jewelry store on the third floor of the building. Due to the obstruction, there aren't any suitable sniper positions nearby..."
It's the same store, the same dead corner.
Upon hearing this, Shi Lei thought to himself, "Couldn't the jewelry store have blocked off that corner with something? The suspect deliberately chose this spot; they were imitating a crime."
"A male suspect has taken a woman hostage; his identity is still being verified. We really can't target her from this location. You..."
The sniper turned around as he spoke, only to find that Zhongli was nowhere to be seen. He blinked, but saw no one. He looked around, but still saw no one. A strange expression crossed his face; he didn't know what to say.
Time was of the essence, Shi Lei naturally wouldn't linger on the rooftop for too long. After confirming his location, he flew directly to the top of the commercial building and descended the escalator to the third floor.
Police tape was put up outside the jewelry store, and four police officers were stationed there to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering.
Upon seeing Shi Lei arrive, they felt as if they had seen a savior. They respectfully made way for him and let him in.
The news that Zhongli had facilitated the opening of a factory by the Schwayer Group and helped the Slums district branch with its work spread rapidly within the Lungmen Guard Department during this period.
In addition, his actions a few months prior, during the crackdown on illegal organizations in Districts 19 through 21, directly or indirectly saved more than half of the police officers. This caused the name "Zhongli" to become incredibly famous within the police force.
There's a saying circulating within the Lungmen Guard Department: "As long as Zhongli takes action, there's nothing he can't solve."
"Don't come any closer!"
Upon seeing a stranger break in, the male suspect inside the house became highly tense and shouted a warning:
"Come any closer, and I'll kill her!"
The scene seemed so familiar, which made him feel a little sentimental.
If the male suspect wanted to do it, he would have slit his own throat cleanly and decisively long ago, and would never have waited until now.