The first day of the eighth month. Auspicious for: burials and sacrifices.
At four in the morning, just as the sky began to lighten, Xiao Cha led her twelve subordinates to the Wang Family's residence in the Izumo Concession.
The residence's front courtyard had already been arranged as a mourning hall. White cloth draped every surface, and even the servants wore plain white mourning clothes.
A middle-aged steward came out to receive Xiao Cha and her group. With a stony expression, he said flatly:
"Everything's taken care of. There's no need for your men. These are some tea expenses from my young master. You officers are free to do as you please."
The steward stuffed a few Ocean Dollars into Xiao Cha's hand, gave a perfunctory bow, and turned to leave.
Old Zhong grumbled under his breath, "What a piece of work! As if we wanted to come! Looking down on people with those dog eyes!"
Little did he know that the Wang Family's gesture suited Xiao Cha perfectly.
She casually handed the Ocean Dollars to Old Zhong and said solemnly:
"The courtesy the court extends to its officials must never be neglected, even if the other party doesn't need it. We can't let Chief Constable lose face!"
Old Zhong hastily flattered her. "Captain Luo, you really know how to see the big picture! Don't worry, we won't let you lose face either~"
The other subordinates chimed in as well.
Xiao Cha waved her hand and gave her orders. "Go. Scout the area."
Everyone acknowledged the order and dispersed.
It was scouting in broad daylight. After making a circuit, Xiao Cha knew the surrounding terrain like the back of her hand.
She even took advantage of the quiet early morning to climb a tree and survey the entire residence, committing its layout firmly to memory.
This police flower, who came from a family steeped in learning, now had at least eight hundred ways to pull off a crime!
This is a gift from heaven!
The operation had gotten off to an unusually smooth start. Without showing a thing, Xiao Cha returned to the main entrance of the mourning hall.
Her subordinates returned one after another, chatting among themselves.
"The Wang Family sure knows how to put on a show. I just heard some servants say they're burying a Spirit Child with the dead!"
"These days, anyone with a bit of power has Spirit Children, treasures, cultivation manuals, and the like buried with them."
Old Zhong kept an eye on their surroundings as he chatted. Suddenly, he warned her, "Captain Luo, Qin Chuan's coming!"
Qin Chuan approached in solemn black clothes, driving a carriage covered with thick black cloth.
Seeing Xiao Cha, he sneered. "Captain Luo, you'd better stand up straight. Even the Governor's going to send someone to pay their respects!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the haughty steward from earlier hurried out to greet him in person and ushered the carriage into the courtyard.
Old Zhong scoffed. "That heartless bastard! The carriage must be carrying the children they're going to bury as offerings."
Xiao Cha measured the wheel ruts with her foot and thought:
It's carrying something that weighs at least a thousand pounds. Not just children!
A wave of sorrow came over Xiao Cha without warning. She inexplicably felt like crying.
What's wrong with me...?
Meanwhile, Qin Chuan drove the carriage into the rear courtyard of the Wang residence.
The former study was covered in thick white cloth. Inside stood a luxurious, enormous coffin, beside which Wang Siqi kept watch.
Together, Qin Chuan and the steward dragged six children off the carriage. Their hands and feet were bound, and hoods covered their heads.
The two men looked stiff, their eyes full of fear, as if they were fleeing from something. They dragged the children away as fast as they could.
Wang Siqi stepped forward and bowed toward the carriage. "This junior pays his respects to the senior."
As soon as he finished speaking, a burly figure clad in iron armor suddenly leaped out of the carriage.
Its skin was a deathly gray, its mouth full of fangs, and two-inch-long black nails sprouted from its hands. It was unmistakably a monster like a corpse brought back to life.
Wang Siqi didn't seem particularly concerned. He merely glanced at it, then continued politely flattering the person in the carriage:
"Your [Ironclad Corpse] is truly fearsome, senior. This junior is impressed..."
Before he could finish, the Ironclad Corpse's features suddenly twisted. It made a hoarse, gurgling sound, repeating, "Tea, tea," as if it had gone out of control.
A refined, easygoing voice came from inside the carriage:
"My apologies for the spectacle. The Ironclad Corpse had a strong will in life, and still retains a wisp of Lingering Thought. Let's leave it be and attend to business first."
A heavy object rolled inside the carriage, as if something was about to come out.
At the same time, Wang Shouzhen pushed open the coffin lid and sat up inside. In a raspy voice, he reminded his son:
"Siqi, your name means 'see the worthy and strive to be their equal.' It's rare for a disciple of the [Jiu Shan Sect] to visit us today. You must seize the chance to ask him for guidance."
In the blink of an eye, it was eight in the morning.
A constant stream of mourners arrived. The area around the Wang residence was packed with old-fashioned cars, rickshaws, and sedan chairs.
Some people took the opportunity to network. With musicians playing funeral music, the scene grew rather noisy.
Lu Li's arrival attracted no attention whatsoever.
He was unusually dressed in a long gown, which lent him a scholarly air. He walked with a conspicuous limp, naturally because he had stuffed something under his clothes.
Lu Li also paid a hundred Ocean Dollars as a condolence offering, hoping for a handsome return.
Then he made his way over to Xiao Cha without arousing suspicion.
The patrol officers didn't dare interrupt and hurriedly moved away.
Xiao Cha said, "That outfit suits you... Did you bring the gun?"
Lu Li nodded. "It's strapped to my leg. How are we doing this?"
Xiao Cha's expression turned grave.
"A lot of important people are here to pay their respects today, and the Wang Family elders receiving guests in the mourning hall are all accomplished martial artists. Are you afraid?"
Lu Li chuckled. "If you're not afraid, neither am I."
"This is too good an opportunity to pass up. I'm not afraid!"
Xiao Cha opened her lovely eyes wide.
"You hear the funeral music? They'll be bringing out the suona soon. Once it starts playing, we make our move!"
With a professional handling the plan, Lu Li felt at ease. All he had to do now was wait.
But just then, something unexpected happened.
The crowd suddenly surged toward one spot. Xiao Cha rose onto her toes to see, and her expression changed.
"The Governor really did send someone. And it's Miss Jiang!"
A young woman in fine clothes had arrived to pay her respects, accompanied by a large retinue.
Her skin was as smooth as jade, and she was very beautiful, though still somewhat girlish—only fifteen or sixteen years old.
But her gaze was cold as ice, and her expression held the indifferent arrogance of someone looking down upon ants!
Xiao Cha whispered, "That's the Governor's daughter, Jiang Haiyan! She's only fifteen, but she's already reached the [Blood Changing] stage of Martial Arts. Her body can withstand our weapons!"
Lu Li asked, "What realm is Blood Changing? Can she ignore guns?"
Xiao Cha explained, "I'm at Organ Refining now. After that comes Marrow Washing, and below that is Blood Changing. At that stage, the bones are like steel. Ordinary bullets can only break the skin."
Lu Li gave a slight nod and thought, I'll have to get my hands on something more powerful to protect myself.
As the Governor's daughter's entourage drew closer, all the influential figures present gathered around to flatter her.
Even the Wang Family elders in the mourning hall came outside with beaming smiles to welcome her.
She became the center of attention, drawing every eye!
The musician raised his suona, took a deep breath, and prepared to play...
"Now!"
Xiao Cha said excitedly, "A gift from heaven! Let's go!"
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