Chapter 93
Machine malfunction.
When he's bored and doesn't want to watch TV, he reads books and newspapers to broaden his knowledge.
Shi Lei's reading now isn't solely for learning from the Rex Lapis. Even after receiving his daily guaranteed Roleplay Value, he still chooses to pass the time by reading.
When it comes to interests, they definitely have to be something that suits your taste.
"Ring ring ring".
Hearing his phone ring, Shi Lei picked it up. Seeing it was Lin Yuxia's number, he pressed the answer button.
"Hello?"
"Mister Zhongli, I'm really sorry to call at this hour. I have a request for you, I wonder if you'd be interested?"
Shi Lei neither agreed nor refused:
"What kind of request? You can tell me the specific details of the task first, and then I'll see if I should accept it."
He now always has others pay for his meals; he never pays for himself and doesn't carry any money. For small expenses, he applies for a bill in Texas; for larger ones, he sends the bill back to his company. His need for money has become increasingly minimal.
If it's someone traveling alone for work, then I definitely won't accept the call. It depends on the specific situation.
"Here's the thing, Mister Zhongli. Today, a silver-haired infected person killed eight gang leaders in one morning. After looting the stronghold, she absconded with the money. This afternoon, my father sent Mudrock to injure this Female Lupo. However, the extent of her injuries is unknown, and she has escaped as well."
My dad hopes this matter won't be publicized too much and that it can be resolved privately. He can send someone to assist you with the investigation; the case will be closed once the infected person is apprehended.
Search and capture mission...
After a moment's thought, Shi Lei politely declined:
"Miss, although I would love to help you, this is not my area of expertise. Moreover, I am not familiar enough with the road conditions in the Lower City. If you ask me to lead a team to arrest someone, I don't even know where to go to make the arrest."
Having been to the Lower City many times and actually finding Lower City target there are two completely different things. The Lower City such a large area, and he still hasn't fully explored it on the map.
Acting as a bodyguard, escorting goods, and attacking known enemy strongholds are Shi Lei's forte. He's truly hopeless when it comes to capturing people; he's a complete novice.
Lin Yuxia knew his concerns and explained:
"I know. I can let you know once I find out the exact location of the Female Lupo. Texas and Exusiai have already agreed to participate in the search, and my dad has also spoken to the Emperor. Don't worry."
Exusiai signed up, probably because she was bored and wanted to join in the fun. Lin Yuxia didn't mention Croissant, likely because she was busy setting up her stall and declined.
They won't even take orders worth tens of thousands. Just how profitable is that stuff? I'll have to find out sometime.
As for Texas, she's a mob Eldest Daughter, after all; she might have some special methods. Taking on the manhunt is perfectly reasonable.
That Female Lupo was capable of killing so many gang leaders; her strength must be considerable. For the safety of my two colleagues, I should go check it out myself.
"Okay, I'll go during the day then."
The Lower City lacks the dazzling lights of the Upper City; many areas are completely dark. In this environment, if someone wants to hide, they won't be able to find them even if they try.
Just then, the sound of a car engine came from outside. It was already past seven o'clock, and someone was driving into the warehouse; they were probably looking for someone.
Shi Lei walked out while holding the phone in his hand.
"Okay, you don't need to worry about the compensation. Even if we don't find it, we will still pay the relevant compensation."
He walked to the warehouse door, saw Texas cars outside, and prepared to quickly end the call.
"Miss, Texas has already driven over to pick me up and should be heading to Lower City soon. If there's anything else, let's talk about it on chat."
Exusiai opened the back window and poked her head out; the halo above her head made the surrounding shadows nowhere to hide.
"Zhongli, get in the car!"
He turned around and locked the roller shutter, opened the car door, sat in the passenger seat, and joked with the two of them with a smile:
"What's wrong with you two today? Why are you so eager? It's already seven o'clock. Are you going to search the Lower City with flashlights?"
Texas remained indifferent, showing no interest in joking and offering no further explanation.
"It concerns lives, so I have to go and see."
Her initial reaction upon receiving the call was the same as Shi Lei's: she wanted to politely decline the commission. Arresting people in the Lower City was time-consuming and laborious, not an easy task.
However, Texas's attitude changed immediately after she learned that the other party was a Silver-haired Lupo Infected.
On the day she left Syracuse, she was...
The Silver-haired Lupo blocked his way. In the end, Lupo let him go, and he later arrived at Lungmen.
The physical characteristics of the infected person provided by Lin Yuxia matched perfectly in every aspect. Texas wanted to confirm the answer, so she accepted the commission.
After four months of being essentially rendered useless, she felt like she'd forgotten how to dodge. Since missions involving potential fighting required bringing Shi Lei along, she drove to pick him up.
Lappland Saluzzo, is that really you?
March 3, 7:32 pm
With the help of the adult store owner, Lappland climbed a ladder into the District 17.
Because the Upper City was hostile to infected individuals, and the black Originium on her leg was too conspicuous, the adult goods store owner accepted 100,000 Lungmen Dollars and then gave Lappland his brown coat and mask for free.
She and the other party
After leaving the passageway, they went their separate ways, and he walked on the streets of the city wearing a coat.
Texas drove past at high speed. The two men turned left and right, respectively.
147 I really want rivers of blood to flow.
Lappland, wearing a brown overcoat, walked the streets of Upper City Lungmen.
The Originium on her legs was covered by her clothes, and her hat concealed her signature silver hair and Lupos wolf ears. A white mask further obscured half her face. Unless one got too close for a close inspection, her identity was effectively concealed.
Lappland had done some dirty work in Syracuse before and knew how to hide her tracks. She didn't want to be caught and deported by the Lungmen Guard Department right after successfully smuggling herself in.
Texas, eager to get to Lower City, sped up to 30 mph. Cars flashed past on the street, completely unaware that they had missed their target.
Lappland, also unable to find the other, headed towards the city center in the general direction. She urgently needed to find a place to stay and recover from her injuries before making any further plans.
Lappland walked across two streets and found a real estate agency on the side of the road. The sign read 'Tail-less Cat Real Estate', so he carried his suitcase inside.
Only one salesperson was on duty inside the store; the rest of the Feline were having a meeting in the inner room. Since Penguin Logistics destroyed the Lower City stronghold at the end of last year, Cat Gang has begun to tighten its operations and has explicitly prohibited expansion.
However, Tail-less Cat Real Estate's monthly KPI performance assessment was not reduced as a result; if the target was not met, money would be deducted.
Since the beginning of spring, their performance has been declining day by day. Everyone is brainstorming inside, trying to figure out how to meet their monthly targets without expanding.
"Hello, welcome."
Upon noticing a customer lifting the curtain to enter the store, the salesperson immediately put down their phone and warmly approached to inquire:
"Tail-less Cat Real Estate is at your service. Are you renting or buying a property?"
Lappland looked around the shop and saw many sheets of paper on the wall displaying house information. He politely began to speak:
"I'm looking to rent an apartment. Is it possible to view the apartment now? I'm in a hurry and would prefer to sign the contract tonight."
Seeing the customer's strong desire to make a purchase, the salesperson was very pleased and further inquired about the customer's needs:
"No problem, you can go see any properties you like right now. You can move in as early as tonight. Do you have any requirements regarding the location of the rental?"
Lappland had no other requirements, if she really had to say, it was just this. "Could we pick a room across from Penguin Logistics? Size doesn't matter, as long as it's a place to stay."
Ah?
Upon hearing the words "Penguin Logistics," the salesperson's pupils dilated slightly. Business had been struggling lately, all because of this damned logistics company. Their plan to promote their services in commercial buildings had been halted by the boss.
"Guest, please wait here for a moment. I'll ask the manager about the rooms available at Penguin Logistics."
It was called an inquiry, but it was actually a report to the superior.
"Okay, sure."
Lappland answered decisively, maintaining sufficient elegance and politeness when not killing.
The salesperson smiled apologetically and went into the inner room. He then relayed the news to Feline, who was in a meeting inside.
"Manager, someone wants to rent the apartment opposite Penguin Logistics and hopes to sign the contract tonight. I don't know how to handle this. Could you come and receive them?"
The manager quickly realized the seriousness of the situation, tossed away his cigarette butt, and came out to greet them. If the other party is an enemy of Penguin Logistics, then they should cooperate. If they are a friend of Penguin Logistics, then they should report to the boss to see how to handle it.
They are very familiar with things like kidnapping.
When the manager arrived at the store, he saw that the customer was dressed very conservatively and couldn't tell whether he was male or female for a moment.
To determine whether someone is friend or foe, you can't just ask directly; you need to build rapport first.
"Hello, I'm the manager of this store. Are you looking for a long-term or short-term lease?"
"Short-term rental, for about three months."
"So what is your budget?"
"Anything is fine, I'm not short of money." Lappland held up her suitcase and shook it. "I prefer a location opposite Penguin Logistics, where I can see their offices."
Upon hearing this, the manager's face turned ugly:
"That's a bit of a problem for me. Penguin Logistics is on the eleventh floor, and the tallest residential buildings nearby are only seven stories high. Do you work at Penguin Logistics?"
Lappland immediately realized that the other party seemed to be trying to get information out of her, and coldly refused:
"That's none of your business. Are there any properties available there?"
The manager immediately understood when the customer was unwilling to disclose the information.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. These days, who would make such a bizarre request as to see an office area when renting a place? Maybe she's a professional assassin?
With this in mind, the manager smiled and began the introduction:
"Guest, you've rented a residential house, so the floors are definitely not as tall as those in commercial buildings. I'd like to recommend a property to you, located opposite Penguin Logistics. The third floor has the best view, making it convenient to enjoy the street scenery."
Seeing the customer's questioning look, Feline realized there was a problem with her explanation and said:
"Please don't misunderstand, I didn't mean anything by it. It's just that we have some dealings with Penguin Logistics, and we'd be happy to see them run into some trouble. You can come and see the property now, until you're satisfied."
Little did he know that the manager's words had already aroused Lappland's disgust and murderous intent.
She came to Lungmen to get close to Texas, hoping to turn the other person back to their former self.
This move constitutes a change.
It was not murder.
These Feline have connections with the companies they work for in Texas, meaning they have ties to Texas.
Ugh, I really want to kill them.
I wish there would be rivers of blood.
But right now, they urgently need to find a place to stay; they can't just wander the streets and risk being deported.
If I commit murder now and am wanted by the Lungmen Guard Department, I'll hardly ever see Texas again.
Lappland decided to temporarily store the heads of these Feline on their necks. He would retrieve them on a chosen day after his injuries had healed.
"Okay, let's go look at the houses now."
"No problem, please wait a moment."
The manager, beaming, went back inside to retrieve the spare key to the rental apartment. He then called two male Feline to accompany him.
"Guest, this way please."
March 3, 8:24 pm
At 8:30 PM, Texas arrived at the destroyed low-rise building based on the location sent by Lin Yuxia. She attempted to locate the Silver-haired Lupo by surveying the scene.
With Shi Lei's cultivation level, he could explore the memories of the stone from several days ago. He squatted down and stroked the ground with one hand, but failed to obtain the clues he sought.
Not all stones can store information for such a long time. Some can record for a few seconds, while others can record for a few minutes; the specific duration depends on the stone's hardness and material.
When the stone reaches its maximum recording time limit, new content will completely overwrite the existing content.