Base of Operations

Earth, Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard, is teeming with tourists.

Hu Shihao lowered his head and quickly walked through the crowd, feeling somewhat wistful and emotional.

Developing cultural tourism in a small inland county town—such an outrageous business actually succeeded!

In particular, they recently held a Hanfu culture festival, spending a lot of money to hire many popular online celebrities, which attracted a lot of tourists.

Even Hu Shihao's run-down hotel was completely full for the first time ever.

Even more bizarrely, the owner of Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard was a petty hoodlum who had achieved nothing in his middle age.

Today, Mr. Li is not only a mysterious Dafu with a mysterious background online, but also a highly influential and charitable figure in the local community, with connections to both the legitimate and criminal worlds.

One phone call and even the most powerful gangster in Stone Ridge County would have to come running.

It's truly a cruel twist of fate; you have to accept it.

Hu Shihao was dazzled by the various beauties in ancient style along the way, but knowing the consequences, he dared not be tempted and obediently headed towards the core area of Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard.

There's a fisherman ahead who's setting up his gear.

Hu Shihao dared not delay, immediately slowing his pace and putting on a fawning smile.

This fisherman is one of the mysterious shareholders behind the scenes of Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard!

Li Jiabao even set up a fishing tackle company for him, treating it with the same importance as Rejuvenation Valley Pharmaceutical!

The fisherman noticed someone approaching and glanced back at Hu Shihao- hao.

"Hiss!"

Hu Shihao gasped, feeling as if he were being stared at by a tiger or leopard, his heart pounding wildly.

The fisherman looked displeased; his eyes narrowed and brows furrowed, and a menacing aura emanated from him.

Even if you kill fish at RT-Mart for twenty years, you still can't raise fish with such a ferocious temperament!

If this guy really is a fisherman, Hu Shihao will eat ten pounds of it!

The angler was clearly not interested in Hu Shihao and turned his head back to continue fiddling with his fishing gear and bait.

Hu Shihao immediately lowered his head and quickly walked along the roadside.

In front of the waterside pavilion, a woman in ancient style was practicing sword dancing.

Hu Shihao recognized him.

She is none other than the Sword Immortal Junior Sister, an NPC from the Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard that was once a sensation online.

Hu Shihao breathed a sigh of relief, but when he looked up, he met the gaze of the Sword Immortal Junior Sister. Immediately, his hair stood on end, his whole body stiffened, and he stood frozen in place, not daring to move!

When I first met the fisherman, it felt like I was being watched by a wild beast.

Now, it feels more like a sword is pointed at my throat!

This seemingly harmless Sword Immortal Junior Sister has definitely witnessed bloodshed and killed many people!

Hu Shihao's ability to make a name for himself in Stone Ridge County, a place teeming with coal mines, was also due to his brushes with death.

But at this moment, not a single other thought could arise; only endless fear remained.

Could this Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard be a stronghold of some terrorist organization?!

Otherwise, how could there be so many fierce and menacing people?!

The Sword Immortal Junior Sister, looked away and walked into the waterside pavilion to meditate with her eyes closed.

Hu Shihao gradually regained control of his body and staggered away.

Further on, they didn't encounter any more frightening figures, and in the distance, they could already see their good brother Li Jiabao.

There was also an acquaintance nearby.

It was County Magistrate Duanmu!

I had painstakingly planned this all along, and I was just one step away from becoming County Magistrate Duanmu's front man!

otherwise...

Hu Shihao immediately perked up, his face beaming with a smile, and said, "Duanmu... Director!"

Duanmu Ren recognized Hu Shihao, but he made no attempt at pleasantries. He simply nodded in acknowledgment, stood up, and said to Li Jiabao, "You can handle this matter yourself."

"If it succeeds, great; if it doesn't, it's no big deal."

Living environment influences one's temperament; proper upbringing influences one's physical condition.

Li Jiabao remained calm, showing no sign of nervousness in front of such an important figure, and nodded, saying, "I understand."

Duanmu Ren said nothing more and got up to leave.

Hu Shihao was utterly shocked.

Hu Shihao's ability to rise from the bottom to become the head of the underworld in Stone Ridge County through deception and fraud, and his near-bankruptcy as a front man for Duanmu Ren, demonstrates his exceptional ability to read people and situations.

The way Director Duanmu treated Li Jiabao just now was completely unlike his condescending and bossy attitude towards Bai Youwei.

It even subtly conveyed a sense of respect.

Could it be that the rumors are true, and Li Jiabao isn't just a front man, but a real big shot with incredibly powerful connections?

Li Jiabao, unaware of Hu Shihao's complicated thoughts, said, "Shihao, please sit down."

Hu Shihao sat down carefully, inwardly sighing.

The once unassuming small supermarket owner now possesses a commanding presence that commands respect.

Li Jiabao pondered for a moment and then asked, "Has there been any big news in the county lately?!"

Hu Shihao was taken aback, somewhat confused.

The biggest news in the county lately, isn't it the Hanfu Culture Festival at Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard?!

Do I even need to ask myself that?!

Hu Shihao's mind raced, and he suddenly realized that the person asking about underworld news was actually asking about his identity.

After a moment's thought, Hu Shihao- hao said, "There is indeed some big news. However, it was suppressed for fear of affecting the Hanfu Culture Festival, and it hasn't spread yet."

"Oh?!" Li Jiabao asked with interest, "What big news?"

"An entire family wiped out!" Hu Shihao said in a low voice, "Zhao the Lame from Zhao Household Village in Mine No. 7 on the west side, his whole family was wiped out!"

"Zhao the Lame..." Li Jiabao had also roamed the streets and had heard of Zhao the Lame's name.

Zhao the Lame had served as a village head and managed a coal mine; he was a notorious local tyrant in Stone Ridge County.

His sons were no pushovers either, owning numerous businesses.

In Stone Ridge County, he was a formidable figure who could rival Hu Shihao.

"Speaking of which, Zhao the Lame and his family were used to being arrogant, but they never expected to run into such a ruthless person." While Hu Shihao was enthusiastic about this kind of underworld gossip, he also felt a little uneasy as he spoke, "You know, more than ten years ago, it was a really chaotic place."

"At that time, Zhao the Lame had just gained power and was trying to establish his authority. Because of a small conflict, he beat a couple from the same village to death, leaving only a minor child."

"That child can't stay in the village anymore, and nobody cares about him."

"No one knows where he went after that, or whether he's alive or dead."

"The child went back to the village to pay respects to his parents a while ago, just in time for Zhao the Lame's youngest son's wedding."

"When Zhao the Lame got drunk, he started bragging about what happened back then in public, and even went to the child's house to curse him."

"That young man was also very composed; he listened to Zhao the Lame cursing all day without uttering a sound."

"That night, they simply climbed over the wall and went in. They spared the bride's life, but sent the rest of the Zhao Household away!"

"Now, the local gangsters are terrified, afraid that someone will follow suit."

I also sent my wife and children away.

Li Jiabao sighed after hearing this and asked, "They still haven't caught them?!"

"No!" Hu Shihao shook his head, adding, "I heard that the young man was a reconnaissance soldier who just retired last year. He was planning to get married and start a family in Frontier Province."

"I guess he's going back to the village to say goodbye to his parents; he won't be coming back again."

"I didn't expect..."

"Alas, that Zhao the Lame has truly caused a great deal of harm; he reaps what he sows!"

"With a case this big, catching him is only a matter of time." Li Jiabao said thoughtfully, then asked, "Have you located where he's hiding yet?!"

"They're probably still in Stone Ridge, maybe hiding in some abandoned mine!" Hu Shihao joked casually, not sure himself. "Maybe they've already escaped back to the Frontier Province! Isn't that how it always goes on TV, seeing their fiancée or sweetheart before they die?"

"That makes sense." Li Jiabao nodded and said to Hu Shihao, "You have a wide network of connections and are well-informed. Go and find out more information, and let me know if you hear anything."

"This case is still being held back and hasn't been made public, and there's no reward for reporting it." The older one gets in the underworld, the more timid they become. Hu Shihao was unwilling to get involved in such matters, shaking his head repeatedly to dissuade him. "That's a murderer who's executed as soon as he's caught. Why would you mess with him..."

Li Jiabao interrupted before he could finish, saying, "Do as I say."

Hu Shihao was taken aback. He looked up at Li Jiabao, who had no expression on his face, and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

It matches!

Everything fits together!

A mysterious overseas background, medical technology falling from the sky, a fisherman exuding murderous intent and Sword Immortal Junior Sister —even Duanmu Ren is dragged into the mess.

Now they're even recruiting fugitives wanted for murdering entire families!

This Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard is clearly a terrorist organization's stronghold!

Hu Shihao felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, his mind went blank, and he even vaguely saw two planes break through the clouds and crash into the county's tallest mining hotel!