Chapter 94
More than two hours have passed since the suspect escaped. Shi Lei can only see some footage of infected people exploring; there is no information about the Silver-haired Lupo.
The three searched the area for a long time, not returning home until 11 p. m., planning to search again the next day.
148 Chasing the Wolf
March 4th, 7:55 AM
Texas was very concerned about capturing the silver-haired Female Lupo.
I woke up my neighbor Exusiai, early in the morning and drove over to the warehouse to pick up Shi Lei.
I feel like I'm becoming more and more reliant on his Jade Shield. Having Shi Lei by my side makes me feel incredibly secure. Even when faced with the most dangerous enemies or perilous situations, I don't panic at all.
Perhaps, it really is as Exusiai said. If you're worried that you'll become a useless person who can't dodge after Shi Lei leaves, then just try your best to keep him here.
Texas isn't like Sarkaz; she doesn't have a destructive urge that needs to be unleashed every now and then. This peaceful and ordinary life is exactly what she longs for.
After Texas arrived with Exusiai, she did not honk her horn to call out, but waited silently outside.
It wasn't until Shi Lei had finished breakfast and opened the roller shutter door to go to work that he realized his car was parked outside.
"Hey? Why are you here so early?"
As he spoke, he opened the car door and got into the passenger seat, politely asking, "Have you eaten?"
Before Texas could answer, Exusiai, the master of conversation, chimed in:
"We've all eaten, let's go."
Shi Lei was about to ask where they were going, he suddenly remembered the unfinished search for the Silver-haired Lupo yesterday.
Seeing Texas turn the steering wheel at the intersection toward Lower City, he blurted out:
"Aren't you going to the company to clock in first?"
Texas gazed ahead and calmly explained:
"No need, I've already informed the boss."
Exusiai her right hand resting on the edge of the leather chair, leaned over from the back seat to add:
"Checking in is just a formality. The boss knows about our commission and has already spoken to Isu beforehand. If it's not necessary, you don't have to go back to the company. Spend more time in the Lower City these few days and try to catch that Lupo as soon as possible to avoid further losses."
The halo above her head extended upwards, extremely dazzling. Shi Lei raised his hand to shield his eyes, exaggeratingly saying:
"Exusiai, step back a bit, your halo is blinding me."
"Sigh, there's nothing I can do about it."
Exusiai and complained:
"If I had the chance, I would really like to remove this halo. Every night it feels like I have a light bulb on my head, and I can't sleep well without an eye mask."
Shi Lei felt the lingering light in his eyes disappear, then opened them and offered a suggestion with a smile:
"Have you ever tried wrapping the aperture with light-absorbing material? That way you could sleep without an eye mask."
"Hey, great idea! I 'Isu ask Is right away if they have this material."
Twenty minutes later, Texas arrived at the checkpoint between the Upper City and Lower City. Sitting in the passenger seat, Shi Lei was practically exempt from inspection.
The officers from the Lungmen Guard Department greeted him politely and opened the gate to let him through.
Shi Lei noticed that the direction she was driving was different from the low building she had gone to the previous night, and guessed that she had found a new clue.
That's how it should be done, otherwise how can we investigate?
If he happens to be near the crime scene, he might be able to try his luck by reading the stone's memories. But if too much time has passed, there's no way. Without the King Kong, you can't take on the job of 'Lungmen Sherlock Holmes'.
A few minutes later, Texas arrived at a street in District 23. The street was less than three meters wide, making it difficult to drive in, so she decided to walk.
Lin Yuxia led her men to cordon off the scene early in the morning, assisting the three Messenger in capturing the Silver-haired Lupo as soon as possible.
Shi Lei peeked inside and saw nine corpses lying haphazardly. He covered his nose and stepped back, asking:
"What's going on?"
To facilitate the three Messenger' investigation, Lin Yuxia did not move the body, preserving the crime scene. Her identity had already been verified before their arrival.
"These nine people are members of the Gray Gang, which operates on the Lower City. It is said that their leader died yesterday morning on Chajin Street. In terms of time, they were killed earlier than the eight gang leaders who were killed later."
They traveled so far to get here, perhaps to avenge their fallen leader. Judging from the signs of the struggle at the scene, it seemed to have failed, resulting in their deaths.
Shi Lei did not express any opinion and voluntarily stepped aside.
Things like investigations should be handled by professionals like Texas and Exusiai. He can just observe and learn from the sidelines, focusing on everyone's safety.
After Texas surveyed the scene, she found no useful information. She took pictures of the nine people's faces with her phone and instructed:
"Let's take their photos and ask around the area. Since they died here, it means that Silver-haired Lupo was also here, and there might be witnesses."
Lin Yuxia grinned and echoed:
"That's what I was thinking too. I'll give the order right away."
She called her helpers and had those with cell phones take photos of the deceased. Then, using the crime scene as a center, she conducted a thorough search and questioning of the surrounding area.
However, many shops on this narrow street were closed. I asked the three shops that were still open, and they all said they had never seen them before.
Shi Lei noticed that there was an adult products store next to the service area, which, like the other shops, had its roller shutter door tightly closed.
The group knocked on doors from house to house to inquire, and after nearly an hour, they finally made a discovery.
A member of the gang reported that they had found a Doctor in a nearby underground clinic who had seen the Silver-haired Lupo.
He was thinking it was better to avoid trouble and originally didn't want to say anything.
However, they later learned that letting the Silver-haired Lupo escape might cause the deaths of more innocent people in the Lower City.
The Doctor, recalling the deaths of his relatives caused by the infected, then took the initiative to confess to Lin Yuxia and others:
"Let me make this clear beforehand: I have an irreconcilable hatred for the infected! When I saw her injured, I didn't treat her. But if I did nothing, I might get killed, so I sold her a bottle of painkillers and sent her away."
He didn't mention the Spectacled Feline. Doctor answered whatever questions these people pressed him for.
Upon learning that the other party had seen what Silver-haired Lupo looked like, Texas unusually requested that the area be cleared.
"Excuse me, everyone. Could I speak with this Doctor alone?"
Shi Lei pointed to himself, and seeing her nod, he didn't hesitate any longer and followed everyone out.
After confirming that there was no one else in the underground clinic, Texas borrowed paper and pen from the Doctor. Based on her past memories, she drew a picture of Lappland:
"Is the Silver-haired Lupo you saw her?"
The Doctor picked up the paper, examined it for a moment, and nodded, saying:
"Yes, it was her. She took painkillers and went to the bathroom, then rushed out. I don't know where she went."
"That's enough, thank you."
Texas's expression turned grave upon confirming that Lappland had arrived in Lungmen. She had Lower City, but to no avail. It was as if she had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.
Night falls.
Lappland had just moved into her new home, stood at the window on the third floor, staring intently at the entrance to the Penguin Logistics building.
She's been watching since morning, and her eyes are sore from looking, but the person she wants to see still hasn't shown up.
Strange, it's not the weekend today. Do Texas not have to work on weekdays?
149 Accidental Encounter (4K)
March 5, Year 1095.
Two full days have passed since Lappland disappeared in the Lower City.
Texas searched almost the entire District 23 yesterday, but still couldn't find any trace of her.
That underground clinic was the last place Lappland was seen. After that, she seemed to be deliberately hiding her whereabouts, greatly increasing the difficulty of the search.
In the chaotic Lower City, there are many infected individuals who lack strength and haven't joined any gangs. To conceal the black Originium exposed on their skin, they wear thick clothing whenever they go out, regardless of the sweltering heat or freezing cold.
Wearing hats, masks, and scarves, covering the whole body except for the eyes, is the standard practice.
Other people would immediately recognize them as infected. They would typically avoid them, not initiate conversation, and wouldn't care where they went.
In other words, even if you know that Lappland is hiding in this way, there is no way to track her down.
On March 5th, Texas drove Shi Lei and Exusiai straight to the Lower City early in the morning.
I searched all morning but still found nothing.
Seeing her enthusiasm, Shi Lei guessed that Texas and the Silver-haired Lupo were old acquaintances.
This is because he learned that the other party had gone on a killing spree in Lungmen and wanted to find her as soon as possible to get to the bottom of things, right?
The search has stalled, causing even the usually composed Texas to become anxious.
Shi Lei followed his two colleagues throughout the process, without having to ask any questions, giving him more time to think. Seeing the investigation reach a stalemate, he offered a direction.
Since Silver-haired Lupo went to the clinic after being injured
The fact that she bought painkillers indicates that her injuries are quite serious. She's probably been quietly recuperating somewhere recently.
The Doctor said they only sold one box, and based on the severity of the injury requiring medication, it was clear that this amount of medicine was insufficient.
If Silver-haired Lupo doesn't want to die, he'll definitely buy painkillers and blood-circulating medicine next.
Therefore, the next step in the investigation should be to locate all the clinics in the Lower City. Sending one person to each clinic to stake out the location would be much more reliable than searching for a needle in a haystack.
Everyone who heard this thought it made a lot of sense.
Special Operations Team consisting of Shi Lei and two others was then tasked with scouting clinics in District 23 and District 24. Clinics in other districts were left to be managed by people assigned by Lin Yuxia.
This large-scale personnel mobilization reached Mudrock's attention. Hearing that Lord Shi Lei was in the Lower City, she rushed to District 23 to meet him.
The day before, letting the Silver-haired Lupo escape made Mudrock feel extremely guilty. Even though Lin Gerei said it was nothing to worry about, she still felt that she was the one who caused the current situation.
To make amends, Mudrock and Rat King reported the incident and then left the group to find Shi Lei. They hoped to stay by their master's side and serve him faithfully, offering their help in crucial moments.
Because the armor was too heavy and would slow down the team's search, she took it off, leaving behind even the Redstone Golem, and came carrying only a large iron hammer.
Shi Lei agreed to Mudrock's request to accompany him, essentially becoming another guide for the Slums. Judging from her determined gaze, she would probably insist on coming along even if he refused.
Texas walked in front, not bothering to see if Mudrock had his arm around his shoulder. The most pressing matter was finding Lappland quickly to prevent her from committing further atrocities.
The four-person Special Operations Team searched through all the clinics in District 23. Around 2 PM, they arrived at a secluded clinic in District 24.
Texas was the first to enter the store and asked Feline, who was wearing a white coat:
"Doctor, has anyone come here to buy a large quantity of painkillers in the last three days?"
Since Lappland is intentionally hiding her whereabouts, asking about the silver hair and Lupo's characteristics will probably yield no results.
Upon hearing this, Feline looked at the four people who were entering the clinic with a strange expression. After a moment, he stood up and said:
"Wait a moment, I'll check."
After saying that, he walked to the medicine display case. After glancing back at the crowd a few times, he suddenly pressed a button.
In an instant, the medicine display case, along with the entire wall behind it, flipped over. Feline slipped into the Secret Passage and disappeared from the four people's sight.
There's something wrong with this person!
Texas was the closest and reacted the fastest. She used one hand to push herself over the counter and located the button based on where the Doctor's hand had been. But after pressing it, the wall didn't move; it seemed locked from the inside.
She drew her Bronze Sword and slashed a few times, leaving sword marks on the medicine display case but without damaging the wall.
Shi Lei witnessed this scene and took two steps forward:
"Texas, step back, let me handle this."
"No, sir," Mudrock said, brandishing his hammer, "Let me do it!"
Seeing her earnest words, Shi Lei didn't argue. He gentlemanly extended his right hand, indicating that she should do as she pleased.
Mudrock thanked him, walked to the counter, and placed the hammer on the ground. He then closed his eyes and moved his lips, as if in silent prayer.