30: Start taking action

After listening, Lin Mo tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop.

"Start from the periphery first."

"Have Liu Kui and White Sand Child in Qingyuan Town cut off all intersections with the Black Wolf Gang's smuggling routes outside the city, and seize their sources and customers."

"Engineer several accidents to ensure their goods are damaged or lost in transit."

"Simultaneously, spread rumors in the city that the Black Wolf Gang has offended a 'crossing dragon' from the north and that disaster is imminent. Focus the spread among their gamblers and brothel regulars."

"Have [Sixty-Three] (Forging) step up the modification of a batch of mechanical crossbows and special arrows to be distributed to the hidden guards in Qingyuan Town. We need a clean and efficient long-range strike capability."

"Five days from now during the Hour of the Rooster, while Di Xiong is on his way to the Third Concubine's residence, will be our first opportunity for a probe."

"The target isn't him; it's his eight guards. Use the crossbows for long-range sniping, then retreat immediately without leaving a trace."

"I want to see how a lone wolf reacts once its claws and teeth are broken."

"Yes!"

Day Eighty-Three.

Summoned [Eighty-Three], skill [Basic Toxicology].

Lin Mo dispatched them to Five's location to assist in researching potential Seals or toxicity on the rusted sword, and began targeted preparation of detoxifying and poison-prevention medicines.

The first class at Hidden Dragon Academy was taught by an Elder of the Marrow Cleansing Realm on 'Preliminary Condensation of Internal Qi into Astral Qi'. Lin Mo listened intently, cross-referencing it with what he had gained from the Aperture Condensation Method, reaping significant rewards.

After class, he visited the Trial Tower.

This was a nine-story stone tower, with each floor containing mechanical Puppets or Formation illusions. Defeating the guardians or meeting specific conditions would earn contribution points.

Lin Mo only cleared the first three floors to adapt to the application of his Muscle realm strength. He earned twenty-five contribution points and then stopped, avoiding excessive attention.

Day Eighty-Five.

News arrived from Qingyuan Town that two of the Black Wolf Gang's smuggling caravans were plundered by 'unknown mountain bandits' thirty miles outside the city, suffering heavy losses.

The Black Wolf Gang was furious and increased personnel to patrol the routes.

Within Qing Lan City, rumors about the Black Wolf Gang's impending downfall began to spread quietly in underground gambling dens and taverns.

Day Eighty-Seven, Hour of the Rooster.

Surrounded by eight elite guards, Di Xiong left the Wolf's Den headquarters on schedule in a carriage, heading toward the Third Concubine's residence in the west of the city.

As the convoy reached a relatively secluded stretch of street, six powerful crossbows modified by [Sixty-Three] fired simultaneously from the rooftops on both sides!

The shrill sound of crossbow bolts piercing the air instantly enveloped the guard detail.

"Enemy attack!" the guard captain shouted, drawing his blade to parry.

However, the bolts carried immense force, came from tricky angles, and were coated with paralytics.

Three guards fell instantly, and two were heavily wounded.

Di Xiong let out a roar, swinging his spiked mace to smash away two bolts aimed at the carriage, but the carriage was already damaged.

The attackers retreated after a single strike, vanishing behind the rooftops; the entire process took less than ten breaths.

Di Xiong's face was ashen. Checking the casualties, he found no markings on the arrows, and they were made of the most common crude iron on the market.

He roared orders for a city-wide search, but found nothing.

In the backyard of Hundred Herbs Hall, Lin Mo listened to Three's report.

"Successfully sniped three guards and heavily wounded two."

"Di Xiong was startled and has strengthened his personal security, but he hasn't suspected us yet. He thinks it's retaliation from rivals he recently offended while competing for business."

"Excellent," Lin Mo nodded. "In the next phase, turn the target toward his industries. Focus on the Thousand Gold Gambling House. Find evidence of their lending, debt coercion, and cheating, as well as... ledgers of collusion with government officials."

"Also, what new movements are there at the Hu residence in Yongning Ward and the back street of the City Lord's Manor?"

"There was a secret meeting at the Hu residence late last night. Participants included the Black Wolf Gang's second-in-command and a man who appeared to be a government Advisor."

"The contents of the meeting are unknown, but afterward, the Hu residence sent a sealed box to the back street of the City Lord's Manor."

Lin Mo's eyes turned slightly cold. The collusion between the Black Wolf Gang and the City Lord's Manor was growing deeper.

"Continue monitoring, but be absolutely careful. Near the City Lord's Manor, there may be experts at the Marrow Cleansing Realm or even higher."

"Yes!"

Day Eighty-Nine.

New discoveries were made in the research of the rusted sword.

Combining their findings with 'A Study of Ancient Rune Fragments', Death Warriors Five and Eighty-Three believed the 'seven stars of the mountain peak' pattern on the sword guard was very likely the 'emblem' or 'sealing rune' of an ancient Sect or Great Family.

The property of absorbing internal qi and heat partially matched the description of a certain 'Spirit-Sealing Meteoric Iron' in the records.

However, more clues were still needed on how to specifically trigger or release it.

Day Ninety.

The Hidden Dragon Academy's monthly minor competition.

Lin Mo participated for the first time, his opponent being a scion of a Great Family with a Minor Achievement in Tendon Transformation.

He controlled his strength, using only slightly superior internal qi control and subtle Martial Skills to win narrowly after thirty moves. He earned fifty contribution points and ranked in the middle tier—neither drawing undue attention nor failing to show sufficient potential.

Liu Qingli watched his match and said to him privately, "You didn't use your full strength. But knowing how to hide your edge is a good thing. Next month's grand competition will be the real test."

Lin Mo thanked her for the reminder.

Day Ninety-Three.

A 'worker' from Hundred Herbs Hall successfully made contact with an accountant at the Thousand Gold Gambling House. Through money and threats, they obtained copies of some secret ledgers.

Among them were records of regular 'tributes' paid to a certain Captain of the City Guard and a Vice-Inspector of the Patrol Inspection Department, as well as several bad debts involving deaths caused by coercion.

"The timing is about right." Lin Mo looked at the evidence in his hand. "It's time to cut off the Black Wolf Gang's claws."

He issued a coordinated directive: "Three days from now at the zi hour, perform simultaneous sabotage and evidence collection at the Thousand Gold Gambling House, Pier Warehouse No. 3, and the identified warehouses in the south of the city."

"Operational guidelines: Stealth, speed, create chaos, and avoid direct confrontation."

The directive was instantly transmitted through the System into the minds of all relevant Death Warriors.

Day Ninety-Six, zi hour.

Fires broke out and riots erupted simultaneously in three locations across Qing Lan City.

Inside the Thousand Gold Gambling House, several gambling tables collapsed mysteriously, money chests were stolen, the hidden secret accounting room was breached, and key ledgers vanished. At the same time, fires flared up in multiple spots.

At Pier Warehouse No. 3, two warehouses storing smuggled silk and spices caught fire. The guards were knocked unconscious, and the goods suffered heavy losses.

In the underground warehouse of the southern city slums, the entrance mechanism was destroyed. A batch of weapons and private salt prepared for transport inside was doused in lamp oil and ignited, causing explosions and a larger fire.

In the chaos, masked men shouted aloud.

"The Black Wolf Gang has committed countless evils; heavenly fire shall punish them!"

"Di Xiong colludes with the government to sell private salt and weapons; he deserves ten thousand deaths!"

The news spread like wildfire.

Di Xiong was flying into a rage, yet he could find no clear enemy.

Meanwhile, within the Patrol Inspection Department and the City Guard, some who had accepted bribes began to feel restless.

Day Ninety-Seven.

Summoned [Ninety-Seven], skill [Basic Interrogation].

Lin Mo sent them to Two's location to assist in analyzing the ledgers obtained from the gambling den and to prepare for potential future interrogations.

In the study of the City Lord's Manor.

A middle-aged scribe with a sinister expression reported to a figure sitting in the shadows: "Three key locations of the Black Wolf Gang were attacked simultaneously. The methods were professional, certainly not a common vendetta."

"Di Xiong can no longer control the situation; his subordinates are panicking. Over at the Patrol Inspection Department, Vice-Inspector Wang called in sick this morning."

The person in the shadows remained silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice: "Useless. They can't even withstand this bit of turbulence. Has that batch of goods been moved?"

"It was moved overnight through the backup secret passage to the Eagle's Nest."

"Sever all direct ties with Di Xiong. Let him fend for himself. Also, investigate what new faces have appeared in the city recently, especially... those who are close to the Martial Academy."

"Yes."

...