Lead the Way

"So, you're the one looking for someone? Speak up, who are you looking for? I'll have you know, my search services don't come cheap!"

After Chen Qiang and his companion entered the main gate, the bartender vanished, replaced by another guide who led them into a room. Inside sat a figure shrouded in a trench coat. Upon seeing them enter, the figure sized them up before speaking.

"The entire crew of the Defu Slave Ship. Lead us to them, and these are yours."

Chen Qiang placed the box directly in front of the person, opened it, and turned it around, pushing it forward so the contents were clearly visible.

This man in black first stirred the jewelry with his hand to gauge the quantity before withdrawing it, satisfied, and nodding.

"Wait here, guests. In two minutes, someone will take you to where the Defu crew is located." With that, the man in black snapped the box shut, hugged it to his chest, and prepared to leave.

"I need to see the people first!"

Just as the man passed by, Chen Qiang slammed his hand onto the man's head, pinning him face-first into the floorboards. A cruel smile spread across his otherwise calm face as he spoke.

"Th-this is the rule! Our rule here is payment first, service later!"

Under Chen Qiang's pressure, the man's hood fell away, revealing a shifty-eyed face. The sudden assault had left him trembling and stuttering, though he clutched the box even tighter.

"If you want the money, you'll follow my rules!"

"Fine! I'll take you to them now!"

The shifty-eyed man in black stroked the box in his arms, then, as if reaching a difficult decision, nodded and spoke.

"Let's go! Lead the way!" Seeing the nod, Chen Qiang grabbed the man by the collar, hauled him to his feet, and released him.

"No problem! Follow me, guests!"

The man in black stood up without a word, nodded firmly, and began leading the way, respectfully opening the door for them.

"Help! Someone's causing trouble!"

The moment the door opened, the man in black bolted out, screaming at the top of his lungs as he ran.

"I knew it."

Clatter, clatter.

Chen Qiang had clearly anticipated this move. As the man sprinted away, the chains on Chen Qiang's body sprang into motion, shooting out to wrap around the man's waist. With a sharp tug, the man was yanked back at a speed far greater than his escape.

"Ah!"

As the man in black hit the floor, Chen Qiang stepped directly onto his arm. With a forceful stomp, the bones shattered, drawing a shrill, agonizing scream from the man.

"Who goes there? Don't you know where you are? Aren't you afraid of bringing the security team down on your heads?"

As Chen Qiang crushed the man's arm, more figures in black swarmed the area, quickly surrounding Chen Qiang and Lin.

Chen Qiang ignored the newcomers entirely, lifting his foot to stomp down on the man's other arm.

"Ah~~"

Another scream tore through the air, jolting the man—who had fainted from the sheer agony—back into consciousness.

"Heh! I'm not causing trouble; I'm just looking for someone! It's just that this guy doesn't understand the rules—he hasn't found the people yet, but he already dared to take my money!"

After stomping on the man again, Chen Qiang looked up with a wide smile at the surrounding men. He applied more pressure with his foot, and the man's screams grew even more wretched.

"Who exactly are you looking for?" Seeing Chen Qiang's demeanor, the man in the lead sized him up before stepping forward to ask.

"It seems you're the one in charge here. The crew of the Defu Slave Ship! Can you lead me to them? Find them, and all of this is yours!"

Chen Qiang looked at the leader. Seeing the other men lower their weapons, he lifted the box from the chest of the man beneath his foot and held it out.

"Fine! Follow me." The leader didn't even glance at the box; he simply stared at Chen Qiang for a long moment before nodding and gesturing for them to follow.

"Heh! Lin, grab the box. Let's go!"

Seeing the leader's gesture, Chen Qiang's smile widened. He brought his foot down one last time, snapping the neck of the man beneath him and ending his wicked life. Only then did he signal Lin to pick up the box and follow the leader.

The leader clearly felt a surge of irritation at Chen Qiang killing his subordinate right in front of him, but he kept his face hidden beneath his hood and said nothing, continuing to lead the way.

As an information broker, he was privy to all sorts of intelligence. He recognized Chen Qiang—the man who had participated in the Summit War and shone brilliantly during the conflict.

He knew that a man like this could kill them all with ease. Even if he was displeased, he dared not show it.

Furthermore, since his own man had broken the rules first, he had no ground to act.

Soon, led by the man in black, they traversed the city streets and arrived at its most bustling district: the slave market.

"This is it. We received word ten minutes ago that the Defu crew is buying slaves here. We haven't received any news of them leaving, which means they are still inside. Do you need me to take you in to find them?"

Upon arriving, the leader stopped and turned to ask, his voice low and grim.

"No need. I've already spotted them. As promised, this is yours."

Chen Qiang shook his head. He had already caught sight of the people who dared to capture him; they were standing in front of the largest building in the center of the market.

Since he had found his targets, Chen Qiang was a man of his word. He took the box from Lin, tossed it to the leader, and without another glance, led Lin toward the Defu crew.

"The Undying Chen Qiang... I wonder if you truly can't die. But even if you can't, Toby will make you wish you were dead."

The leader caught the box, watched them walk away, muttered to himself, and turned into a dim alleyway.