While Zhao Tianyi was making his preparations, the men in black from the Wanlong Society were also going door-to-door conducting their so-called inspections.
Thump, thump, thump.
Open up, folks! We're from the Wanlong Society, here to spread some warmth and care.
We're really the good guys!
...
Zhou Juan'er's family and the surrounding villagers almost all received this warmth. In reality, it was just a hundred bucks handed to each household as a token of apology for the disturbance.
It wasn't exactly bribery; it was mainly an excuse to check if anyone had secretly called the police.
After confirming that no one had called the cops, they pretty much packed up and withdrew.
Once they were gone, the villagers, who had just been scared out of their wits, finally dared to whisper among themselves.
Are... are they gone?
They're gone. They all headed back toward Zhou Juan'er's place.
Oh my god, I was scared to death. That massive crowd of men in black looked like the mafia descending on our village. When they knocked on my door, my legs turned to jelly. I thought they were here to raid my house.
Exactly! And they even claimed to be a law-abiding business. Do you believe that? What kind of law-abiding business goes out with hundreds of thugs in black suits?
It was terrifying!
They just gave out money. Did you guys get any?
Yeah, a hundred bucks.
What is this about? Is it hush money?
It's definitely hush money. By taking this money, whatever we saw or heard tonight has to rot in our stomachs. Otherwise... heh. The villager speaking made a throat-slitting gesture.
Oh man, hearing you say that makes me even more scared!
Then can we even spend this money?
Spend it, why wouldn't we? If we don't spend it, they definitely won't feel at ease. Anyway, we have to take tonight's incident to our graves. Just pretend we never saw Zhao Biao come here.
Zhao Biao? Who is Zhao Biao? Never heard of him.
Damn, you guys catch on fast! It makes me feel a bit out of place.
Hey, what do you think will happen to Zhao Biao and his gang?
I don't know, and we wouldn't dare go over to look. They'll probably get a severe beating. That group of men in black looks way more formidable than Zhao Biao.
It's good to teach him a lesson. Let Zhao Biao know that there's always someone tougher out there, so he won't be so arrogant in the future.
...
While the villagers were still guessing how badly Zhao Biao would be beaten, little did they know that Zhao Biao's corpse was already turning stiff.
Because the village was in a somewhat remote location, and it was late at night, it would take at least half an hour for the police from the town and city to arrive.
Ma Da also took advantage of this gap to have someone deliver a flurry of punches to that bald lackey—the guy who had almost chopped off one of Zhou Juan'er's arms.
After being beaten up, not only did this guy not yield, but he actually burst into loud laughter.
What the hell are you laughing at!
Ma Da unleashed a wild flurry of punches onto the special vest worn by the guy. Wataa!
You got me chewed out by the Young Lady, and you're still laughing!
Wataa! Wataa!
...
Finally tired from beating him, Ma Da stopped. Are you still going to laugh?
The bald lackey instinctively prepared to keep laughing.
Furious, Ma Da looked behind him. Ji Yu, get over here!
The bald lackey's face instantly changed, and he hurriedly begged for mercy. I was wrong! I was wrong! I was wrong! I won't laugh anymore!
He had already taken a punch from that giant earlier. To be honest, if he hadn't blocked it with the machete in his hand, he probably would have gone to see his great-grandmother by now.
He had never seen such a terrifying person.
But it was too late to beg for mercy now.
Watching that fist, which was about the size of his own head, swing toward him, he felt as if he could see his great-grandmother waving at him from heaven, smiling and saying:
Come here, my sweet grandson. Great-grandma will take you to a good place.
Snapping back to reality, he immediately shouted, I have information! I have information! Don't hit me!
Hearing this, Ma Da immediately called for a halt. Ji Yu, stop!
Ji Yu's reaction was half a beat slow, and he couldn't quite brake his fist in time. However, he ultimately managed to forcefully change its direction, smashing it into the wall right next to the bald lackey.
Bang!
A hole was instantly smashed into the wall.
Cold sweat instantly poured down the forehead of the bald lackey, who was still wearing the strike-resistant vest.
Just a little bit more, and he would have been done for.
Ma Da said, Speak. What information?
He didn't actually think this guy could spit out anything valuable; it was most likely just nonsense spouted out of the fear of death.
But with the mindset of not wanting to miss out on anything, he still gave the other party a chance.
The bald lackey said, If I tell you, you have to let me go. I promise to keep my mouth shut about everything tonight.
Ma Da replied, You have no right to bargain with me. If you don't speak, my brother's next punch won't miss.
The bald lackey steeled his heart and stiffened his neck. Then just beat me to death. I'll die even if I tell you anyway.
Ma Da stared at him for a few seconds, carefully observing the expression on his face. Seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, he relented slightly. I'll give you one chance. As long as what you say is valuable, I can let you go.
The bald thug closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, he said, Early last year, the mastermind behind that massive fire in Pearl City was Zhao Weixiang. I was just the muscle, took a little money...
Ma Da: ???
Good heavens!
They had caught a big fish!
No wonder the other thugs had obediently released their hostages while this guy tried to resist. It turned out he had a major crime hanging over his head.
The bald thug explained the general situation, including which country Zhao Weixiang was currently living it up in. Zhao Weixiang hadn't hidden this fact, as the place he was staying had no extradition treaty.
As for how he knew Zhao Weixiang was there, it was because the man had recently contacted him via instant messaging, wanting to orchestrate another attack on Liu Yutong. Whether it succeeded or not, Zhao promised to arrange a way to smuggle him out of the country.
Now, he had spilled everything.
Of course, he didn't breathe a single word about the fact that he had blood on his own hands.
After finishing his confession, the bald thug looked at Ma Da. Is what I said valuable enough? You just said you would let me go, right? I promise I will never appear in Pearl City again, nor in Huai City. I will hide far, far away and never cross you again.
Ma Da suddenly laughed. When I, Ma Da, speak, my word is my bond. I said I would let you go, so I will let you go.
The bald thug's eyes lit up, instantly overcome with excitement. He could finally leave. If he didn't leave now, once the cops arrived on the scene, he would truly be finished.
Suddenly, Ma Da changed his tune. However, I am not letting you go right now. I will release you after we take you to a safe place.
The bald thug panicked. You are going back on your word!
Ma Da couldn't be bothered to waste breath on him. Take him away!
Immediately, two subordinates restrained him, shoved him directly into a car, and left the convoy ahead of time, driving toward Pearl City.
Ma Da indeed hadn't broken his promise to let him go. He was just going to release him into the hands of a certain eldest young lady.
A few minutes later, the sound of police sirens echoed from the village entrance.
Zhao Tianyi gave the collar of his suit one last adjustment and ordered his men to gather all the compiled videos and other evidence. Watching the approaching police cars, he uttered a single sentence:
They are here. My turn begins!
