93: Each harboring their own thoughts, secretly vying for power.

At the Zhang Manor, the mourning hall had been dismantled, but the air still lingered with the scent of incense, candles, and death.

Inside the study, the Boss of Hooligans leaned back in a master chair, looking weary.

But deep within his eyes burned a venomous, snake-like coldness.

His son's funeral was over. Now, it was time to settle the score properly.

His trusted subordinate Ma San stood respectfully with his hands hanging down, his voice extremely low: "Master, we have been investigating the Young Master's case for five days. I have a few leads to report to you."

"Speak," the Boss of Hooligans' voice was raspy, like sandpaper rubbing together.

"The first lead," Ma San said slowly, "Hundreds of eyes in the casino watched it happen. The killer was a japanese gambler named Takebe Shijin."

"After winning a large sum, the Young Master wanted to win it back, so he used... he used that Zitan Dice Cup."

As a result, the opponent exposed the cheating on the spot. A dispute broke out, and that devil directly drew his gun... killing him instantly with one shot.

The witnesses and physical evidence all match."

The Boss of Hooligans let out a cold snort from his nostrils, laced with endless sarcasm: "A japanese person? Hmph! Reasonable and logical?

Ma San, do you think those japanese people who just finalized a collaboration with me would immediately turn around and kill my son over gambling money?

And in my own territory, no less? Are they stupid?

The most logical explanation is exactly the biggest load of bullshit—it’s just a diversion."

"Master is wise," Ma San lowered his head even further. "I thought the same, which is why I investigated the second lead: revenge killing.

The Young Master... made many enemies over the years.

There aren't many who dare to do this and have the ability to frame the japanese.

After the Axe Gang was disbanded by us back then, there was a remnant named Zhou Xin, the 'Thousand Changes Star Lord,' who was skilled in Disguise and has never been caught.

Your subordinate is fully investigating his whereabouts. We will act as soon as we have a lead."

"Zhou Xin?" The Boss of Hooligans narrowed his eyes, tapping his finger on the armrest. "That Axe Gang brat, his hatred for me is real.

But their MO is assassination—they focus on being clean, swift, and leaving no trace.

Spending so much effort to set up a scheme to win money, expose the cheating publicly, and then shoot someone... and even deliberately choosing a japanese identity?

It doesn't seem like their style. Too circuitous, too much trouble. They don't have that kind of brainpower."

The Boss of Hooligans directly dismissed this direction.

Ma San didn't argue. He changed the subject and got to the point: "The third lead is the most secretive and the one whose timeline connects everything.

The incident originated from the Black Market Auction recently."

"Auction?" A sharp glint suddenly flashed in the Boss of Hooligans' cloudy eyes: "Go on!"

"Your subordinate investigated, and before the Young Master's incident, he was constantly looking into one person."

Ma San's voice was steady as he slowly recounted: "That night at the auction, someone wearing a Clown Mask.

This person repeatedly snatched goods the Young Master had his eye on, causing friction and making the Young Master lose face."

"Clown Mask..." the Boss of Hooligans repeated softly.

"It's more than that," Ma San continued. "On the very day the Young Master was killed.

The Young Master's subordinates responsible for surveillance—Scarface A Si, Scabby Head, and their crew—were wiped out in an Abandoned Warehouse in Pudong.

The method was clean and swift; they were all shot dead."

The Boss of Hooligans leaned slightly forward.

"Immediately afterward, the Dragon, Tiger, and Leopard Brothers, whom the Young Master sent to track down the warehouse killer..." Ma San paused. "One hour before the Young Master's incident.

They were also killed on a secluded road on the edge of the French Concession.

Based on the method, we are basically certain it was done by the same person."

As he spoke, Ma San clearly linked the timeline of these events.

"Conflict at the auction, the Young Master makes an enemy of the Clown;

Scarface A Si and others are wiped out, the Clown retaliates against the surveillance;

The Dragon, Tiger, and Leopard are killed while tracking the murderer, the Clown strikes again;

Finally, the Young Master is murdered in the casino.

Look at this sequence... it's too coherent, and each time is more ruthless than the last."

He concluded: "Your subordinate deduces that the mysterious person wearing the Clown Mask is the source of this entire series of events.

He was targeted by the Young Master because of the auction incident, held a grudge, first killed the informants, and then eliminated the pursuers.

Finally... he directly made a killing move on the Young Master.

The japanese act at the casino was merely his carefully designed plan for escape and framing others."

The study was deathly silent.

The Boss of Hooligans leaned back against the chair, closing his eyes in deep thought.

His fingers unconsciously tapped on the armrest, making a monotonous and chilling "tap... tap..." sound.

Ma San held his breath, not daring to interrupt.

After a long time, the Boss of Hooligans suddenly opened his eyes, the malice in his gaze almost solidifying into substance.

His voice was as cold as the Winds of the Nine Netherworlds: "San'er, drag this hiding rat out for me."

After a slight pause, he continued: "Also, put pressure on the japanese side to secure more benefits.

Zhang Fayao ostensibly died at the hands of a devil, so they must give me an explanation."

At the same time, in the Tokkō Section Chief's office in Hongkou District.

Odadan Saburo was reporting to Momota Shizuka:

"Section Chief, we have checked all registered japanese personnel files in Shanghai, and there is no person named 'Takebe Shijin'.

Furthermore, the name itself is highly suspicious. The Chinese pronunciation of 'Takebe Shijin' sounds exactly like 'I am not human'.

This is clearly someone deliberately mocking us."

Momota Shizuka picked up the report, his gaze sweeping over the few lines of critical conclusions, showing no surprise on his face.

He put down the report, his finger gently tapping on the smooth desktop.

"The name is fake, the intention is humiliation. These facts are true."

Momota's voice was calm but brooked no argument, "But Odadan-kun, for us, this is merely context, not evidence.

Based on nothing, we take this report to the Boss of Hooligans and tell him:

'Your son was killed by a fake devil whose name sounds like 'I am not human,' but we can't find this person'?

Do you think that old fox, the Boss of Hooligans, will believe it? Will he accept it?"

Odadan Saburo straightened his back even further: "Section Chief, I understand this won't convince him.

But this is the only clue pointing in that direction right now."

"It's not a direction, it's mockery!" Momota Shizuka's voice rose slightly. "The higher-ups have issued a death order.

We must give the Boss of Hooligans a clear and unambiguous explanation—one he cannot refute and must accept.

Otherwise, this fire will burn us."

"Yes, Section Chief!" Oda immediately responded, "I suggest we start the investigation from scratch!

Starting from every corner of the casino, every witness, and every suspicious person entering and leaving on the night Zhang Fayao was killed,

We will reorganize the search and not let go of any clues!"

"Starting from scratch..." Momota murmured, his fingers stopping their tapping. "We are severely short-handed right now. Reorganizing the search..."

Odadan Saburo saw Momota's predicament and stepped forward to offer a suggestion: "Section Chief,

We should urgently recall the squad that was temporarily seconded to the Xin Foreign Firm, responsible for monitoring the Futures Market.

This squad can be dedicated to the in-depth investigation of the Zhang Fayao case."

Momota Shizuka's gaze sharply scrutinized Oda, weighing the pros and cons.

Drawing personnel would affect deployments in other areas, but the priority of the Zhang Fayao case was now raised to an unprecedented level.

The pressure from the superiors and his prediction of the situation spiraling out of control outweighed other concerns.

"Very well." Momota finally nodded, making his decision. "This case is handed over to you.

I only want one result: find the real killer and make that damned Boss of Hooligans shut up."

"Hai! I guarantee the mission will be completed!"