122: Chapter 122 Battle

"Good." The man nodded, a hint of imperceptible softening in his tone. "Follow me."

Without another word, he turned and led Qin Yan inside the Detective Bureau.

They passed through several thick alloy doors.

Finally, the man brought Qin Yan to a not-too-large but well-equipped office.

"Sit." The man pointed to the chair opposite the desk, then sat down before the computer, his hands flying across the keyboard. "What's the task number and target?"

"Task number JP-114-123. Target individual, Zhang Tu."

The man entered the number into the internal system, and detailed information about Zhang Tu immediately popped up.

He skimmed through it quickly, then said to Qin Yan, "Hmm, Zhang Tu. Confirmed as a second-rank early-stage martial artist. His strength isn't overwhelming, but his disposition is brutal."

He looked at Qin Yan, his tone carrying a hint of delegation. "Since you're here, and your strength meets the requirements, then this Zhang Tu is yours to handle.

Consider it helping to share some of our burden."

"According to the latest intel from our perimeter surveillance personnel,

Zhang Tu has been frequenting the 'Sanwan Scrap Vehicle Processing Plant' and its surrounding areas on the edge of Yangpu District lately.

That area is situated on the urban-rural fringe, filled with abandoned factory buildings.

The population there is complex and highly transient, making it ideal for a fugitive like him to hide."

The man then transmitted detailed information about Zhang Tu's physical characteristics, behavioral habits, etc., to Qin Yan's smart bracelet.

Qin Yan looked at Zhang Tu's projection.

He was about 1.85 meters tall, with a robust build, a prominent scar on his left cheek, and dressed in dark blue work clothes.

"The information is very detailed. Thank you very much!"

The intelligence support provided by the Detective Bureau was far more professional and thorough than he had anticipated.

This undoubtedly greatly increased the mission's success rate and safety.

"No need for thanks. It's part of our job. I wish you success on your mission. Be careful.

In case of an emergency, you can request support via the mission channel, but response time cannot be guaranteed."

The man added this final reminder.

Qin Yan thanked him again, then promptly stood up and left the Detective Bureau branch building.

Standing on the bustling street, the sunlight was somewhat glaring.

Qin Yan took a deep breath of the city's clamorous air, his eyes turning sharp.

He opened his bracelet and reconfirmed the location and route to the "Sanwan Scrap Vehicle Processing Plant."

"Target locked... Moving out!"

About half an hour later, after transferring twice on public transport

and walking a considerable distance, Qin Yan finally reached the vicinity of his destination.

The scene before him formed a stark contrast to the bustling downtown of Modu.

The air was thick with a pungent, nauseating stench of decay.

As far as the eye could see were endless piles of household garbage and industrial waste.

Qin Yan took a deep breath and untied the cloth bag containing the long spear on his back.

Gripping it in his hand, his eyes grew sharp.

He began to carefully infiltrate this complex area, searching for traces of his target, Zhang Tu.

Starting from the eastern side, he slowly advanced forward, searching meticulously.

Time passed slowly in the silent, tense search.

One hour, two hours... The sun was high in the sky, casting Qin Yan's long shadow.

But he still hadn't found Zhang Tu's figure, causing a sense of anxiety and discouragement to grow in Qin Yan's heart.

"I'll stop the search here for today. Tomorrow, I'll adjust the strategy. Perhaps I can try ambush observation at a few possible entry and exit points."

Decision made, Qin Yan no longer lingered, silently withdrawing from this oppressive area.

In a nearby area with relatively more signs of life, he found a quick-service hotel that looked fairly clean and tidy.

He booked a temporary room.

Closing the door, shutting out the external noise and desolation, Qin Yan did not rest.

He took out the "ink trace" and began practicing his Spear Technique over and over again within the limited space of the room.

Qi and blood circulated slowly within his body. Accompanied by the low whistle of the spear cutting through the air, his mind gradually settled.

Dispelling the slight restlessness and disappointment of the day.

Cultivation was the best way to calm the mind and improve one's strength.

For the next three consecutive days, Qin Yan maintained the same routine: entering the Sanwan Recycling Station at the crack of dawn, searching different areas like the most patient hunter;

in the afternoon, returning to the hotel to focus on refining his Spear Technique and honing his qi and blood.

Although Zhang Tu's trace was still not found, his patience was not worn thin.

Instead, it grew even more steadfast through the daily search and cultivation.

On the fourth day, the sun hung high, nearing noon.

Just as he was considering whether to expand the search area or change his strategy,

clear sounds of clashing weapons and faint shouts suddenly came from not far ahead!

The wind carried intermittent words:

"...robbery... intolerable to heaven...

Though not clearly heard, words like "robbery" and "unforgivable crime"

instantly made Qin Yan think of Zhang Tu's heinous crimes!

"Is it Zhang Tu?"

Without further hesitation, Qin Yan immediately arched his body like a civet cat.

Silently, he quickly stalked towards the direction of the fighting sounds.

...

At that moment, a battle was in full swing on a relatively open patch of ground, likely a former vehicle dismantling area.

Four students wearing Modu Jiaotong University uniforms were "surrounding and attacking" two individuals.

But upon closer look, it seemed more like the two were suppressing the four students!

Not far away on the ground, a Jiaotong University student lay in a pool of blood.

A hideous wound on his chest was still gushing blood. His condition, life or death, was unclear, clearly a severe injury.

Of the two being "surrounded," one was exceptionally burly.

His face was covered in coarse, fierce-looking flesh, and a centipede-like scar on his left cheek added to his ferocity.

He wielded a terrifyingly large axe, the size of a door panel, swinging it with great force.

This was precisely Qin Yan's target, sought for several days—Zhang Tu!

Engaged in combat with Zhang Tu was a Jiaotong University student named Zhao Hao, who held a long spear. His handsome face was now covered in sweat and anxiety.

He was a renowned figure among the freshmen at Modu Jiaotong University.

His grade ranking consistently placed him in the top three, and his strength had reached the second-rank initial stage!

In terms of overall combat power alone, Zhao Hao, with his solid foundation and skilled martial techniques, should have been superior to Zhang Tu, who came from a wild background and relied solely on brute force.

However, Zhang Tu's fighting style was too ferocious.

He fought with complete disregard, adopting a desperate, life-for-life posture!

Every time that giant axe swung down, it carried a resolve for mutual destruction, terrifying Zhao Hao.

Unable to unleash even seventy percent of his strength, he could only defend passively, being pushed back step by step, with danger lurking at every turn.

On the other side of the battlefield, the situation was even more critical.