He turned to glance at the "Sewage Flats" sign beside the steps, then headed straight down.
When he actually entered the Sewage Flats, his first impression was that it was filthy, chaotic, and foul-smelling!
A terrible stench hit him square in the nose.
Chen Lun frowned slightly and quickened his pace.
He passed quite a few single-story houses along the way, most of them in terrible disrepair.
Since the Lamplighters never came here to light the lamps, the residents hung makeshift lanterns outside their doors.
They looked like candles covered with fishbowls.
Their feeble light shone across the embankment walkway, facing the enormous, broad "sewage moat." Not far away, a sign flashed with colored lights, and he could just make out the words "Bird-and-Flower Tavern."
Before long, Chen Lun arrived at the tavern and pushed the front door open.
Bang!
Noise and a wave of heat washed over him.
Inside, the place was a riot of noise and activity.
It was the complete opposite of the deathly silence and chill outside, as though they were two different worlds.
A group of drunken patrons glanced at him, then ignored him and went back to enjoying their gambling and flirting with the serving maids.
"Hey, handsome. What would you like to play?"
The gaudily dressed proprietress approached and asked with a fawning smile.
A flicker of wariness crossed her eyes.
Although the dark-haired young man was dressed in rags, his looks and bearing were clearly out of place here. Combined with the chill emanating from him, it was enough to make anyone uneasy.
"Ma'am, this is the Iron Fist Gang's base, correct?"
Chen Lun spoke softly and politely.
The tavern's proprietress stood close to him, and the pungent smell of her cheap perfume made him want to sneeze.
"Sir...? Have you come to the wrong place?"
The proprietress denied it outright, forcing a faint smile.
She had a powerful feeling that this man was definitely here to cause trouble!
A constable from the police station? Or someone from another gang?
Chen Lun gave her a slight smile, pushed her aside, and walked straight inside.
Her reaction had already given him his answer.
"Sir? Sir! Where are you going?!"
The proprietress suddenly panicked. Feeling that she could not stop this man, she hurried back behind the counter.
She took an old-fashioned walkie-talkie from a drawer underneath, preparing to alert the Iron Fist Gang members in the inner courtyard.
Squeak, squeak!
Just then, several large black rats darted out and bit her hand.
"Ah! Damn it!"
Startled and in pain, the proprietress dropped the walkie-talkie.
The rats immediately lifted it like pallbearers carrying a coffin and made a swift getaway.
"??"
The proprietress froze.
"Rats... the rats stole my walkie-talkie?!"
Chen Lun roughly shoved aside the patrons and serving maids blocking his way, provoking a chorus of angry shouts and startled cries.
"You little bastard!"
A filthy drunk who looked as though he had not bathed in decades glared and reached for Chen Lun's collar, intending to teach him a lesson.
But the muzzle of a Flintlock pressed straight against his forehead.
"Sir? If you want to die, I can help you."
Chen Lun smiled.
"S-sorry!"
The drunk broke into a cold sweat. His outstretched hand retreated to his chest, and he backed away slowly with an ugly smile.
"Aah-!!"
A scream rang out.
The serving maids hid in fright at the sight. The other patrons scrambled to their feet and moved away amid a noisy clatter.
Chen Lun ignored them and continued farther inside.
Quite a few cautious patrons had already sensed that something was wrong and quietly slipped out of the tavern.
Chen Lun passed through the kitchen, taking a kitchen knife along the way.
Then he pushed open the door and stepped into the inner courtyard.
"Who's there?!"
A challenging shout rang out.
In the open courtyard, Iron Fist Gang members were striking wooden targets. They looked over at the sound of the door opening.
"Your good friend, Jack."
The two men in leather jackets exchanged a glance. One ran toward the building while the other approached him.
"Jack? Never heard of you."
His voice was cold.
"If you're in the wrong place, get the hell out!"
"Heh... I'm not in the wrong place."
Whoosh-
A cold gleam flashed.
The sharp kitchen knife sliced across the man's throat.
The man in the leather jacket made a few muffled sounds, then collapsed, clutching his neck.
Next, Chen Lun hurled the kitchen knife. It cut through the air with a shrill whistle and struck the other man in the back.
His running momentum sent him pitching forward several yards. He lay facedown on the ground, twitched, and fell silent.
Chen Lun strode forward.
Light spilled through the tavern windows behind him, stretching his shadow toward the building.
As he passed two large warehouses on either side, Chen Lun faintly heard clanging from inside and grew thoughtful.
But he had no time to investigate now, so he walked straight into the building.
Only seven or eight Iron Fist Gang members were scattered around the hall. Their boss, Gary, lounged on a sofa with his legs spread, reading some documents.
"Hey! Who the hell are you?!"
Seeing a stranger brazenly walk into their gang's territory, several Iron Fist Gang members playing cards sprang to their feet.
They stared warily at Chen Lun.
Gary also shifted his gaze from the documents in his hands to the stranger at the entrance, narrowing his eyes.
"Sir? What urgent business brings you to the Iron Fist Gang so late?"
"...Killing."
Chapter 40: From Now On, I Call the Shots Here (Please Keep Reading!)
"Kill him!"
At Gary's command, the Iron Fist Gang members around him immediately charged at Chen Lun.
The men in the inner courtyard hadn't made a sound. This man had probably already killed them.
He narrowed his eyes in thought.
Without concern, he took a cigar from a box, clipped it, and lit it.
"Only the big shots in the inner city dare speak to me like that...
Since you've come here to die, I'll grant your wish!"
Gary spoke unhurriedly, puffing smoke.
He had encountered people coming to his door for revenge before, but they had long since become one with the sewage in the drainage channels.
Bang, bang!
Two gunshots rang out.
The two Iron Fist Gang members at the front fell to the ground.
The other gang members recoiled in shock and stopped in their tracks.
"A repeating firearm?!"
Gary's fingers paused as he stared at the Flintlock in Chen Lun's hand.
"Are you an investigator from the Containment Bureau?"
He slowly rose to his feet, his expression grave.
Gary was no ordinary gang leader. He knew many prominent figures in the inner city.
They entrusted him with all manner of dirty work in the shadows, and in return, he gained their friendship and assistance.
Before you continue