207: Chapter 207 Unable to Escape, a Shadow

Chapter 207: Hard to Fly Away, Shadow

Creak, creak.

Under the trampling of footsteps, the old, decaying iron stairs let out bursts of harsh protests.

A group of people successively appeared at the very top of the garbage disposal workshop.

Every single one of them had a fierce look on their faces, their eyes revealing ruthlessness and arrogance.

Holding weapons like clubs and machetes in their hands, they made a clanging sound all the way, sending chills down people's spines.

However, Ma Donghe stubbornly stiffened his neck without the slightest fear, glaring angrily at the group of thugs in front of him.

As if he was the one holding the advantage, and they were merely a group of buffoons.

Afterwards, another series of heavy footsteps sounded.

The crowd quickly made way, and a burly, flesh-faced giant walked up.

A ferocious scar extended from the corner of his eye all the way to the corner of his mouth, looking exceptionally terrifying under the light.

Resembling a winding blood centipede, it recounted the cruel slaughters of his past experiences.

He strode forward, every step taken calmly and powerfully, as if walking on his own territory.

Seeing this person, the muscles on Ma Donghe's face suddenly twitched slightly, a look of disbelief flashing across his eyes first.

In a split second, the veins on his neck bulged, and he roared uncontrollably with rage:

"Bastard, it really is you, this puppy, who betrayed me!"

Ma Donghe leaned forward, attempting to break free from the shackles with brute force, wanting to stand up and confront the traitor face-to-face.

Yet he was tightly bound by thick ropes, and even though the chair creaked and swayed, he remained completely unable to move.

Moreover, this struggle caused his multiple bullet-pierced wounds to burst open even more severely, with blood gushing out like a waterfall.

But even so, Ma Donghe still didn't give up, his movements becoming even more violent.

"Don't get excited, be careful not to fall."

The burly man wore a cruel smile and said unhurriedly.

There was not the slightest guilt in his eyes, but instead a hint of mockery, as if he were appreciating an interesting plaything.

Afterwards, at his signal, two people quickly stepped forward and reached out to hold Ma Donghe down firmly.

The muscles on Ma Donghe's cheeks bulged, his gaze piercing straight at the other party without backing down.

He wished he could swallow this scum alive with his gaze to vent the fury in his heart.

Never did he expect that the mastermind behind this black-eating-black incident was actually a friend of many years, the former leader of the Three Wolves Gang — Tyrannosaurus.

Back then, it was precisely this guy who actively helped vouch and introduced those unknown out-of-town buyers to him.

Ma Donghe had considered himself careful enough, yet in the end, he fell into the hands of someone he trusted.

"Why did you do this?!"

"Tyrannosaurus, you bastard! I poured my heart and soul out to you, yet for this bit of money, you actually did something worse than a pig or a dog!"

Ma Donghe questioned repeatedly in great anger.

But Tyrannosaurus wore a look of disdain, the corners of his mouth curving into a mocking smile:

"Don't be naive, Donghe. In this world of the survival of the fittest, only interests are eternal. You are too pedantic and don't know how to adapt."

"You…"

Ma Donghe was choked up and speechless, able only to stare at him fixedly with eyes filled with fury.

After a long while, the whole person was like a deflated ball, dejectedly pleading with his enemy:

"If you want to swallow my goods, just take them; there's no need to hurt those brothers of mine, let them go."

At this moment, his originally straight spine was slightly bent, and the anger in his eyes was replaced by helplessness.

Tyrannosaurus shook his head, still wearing that detestable smug expression on his face:

"Donghe, do you still not understand by now? I have no grudge against you; everything is just for interests, and you are merely a chess piece of mine working for the organization."

"Organization? What organization? Does it have anything to do with me?"

Ma Donghe wore a look of astonishment.

Tyrannosaurus curved the corners of his mouth upwards and said leisurely:

"The true rulers behind the Red Tiger Gang possess power and ambition that ordinary people like you can hardly imagine."

"Ah, so you are a spy for the Red Tiger Gang!"

Ma Donghe suddenly understood, a trace of shock flashing through his eyes.

Tyrannosaurus looked at him as if looking at a fool, and couldn't help sneering:

"That's why I always say your brain has grown muscles. I was adopted by the leader of the Three Wolves Gang since I was a child, how could I be a spy?"

"Now I work for the big figures behind the Red Tiger Gang, while you are merely an insignificant scapegoat in this game."

After a pause, seemingly wanting to show off in front of his old friend Ma Donghe, Tyrannosaurus actually took the initiative to reveal his own secret:

"Speaking of which, the Noah Organization contacted me several years ago, but back then, out of consideration for family ties, I hesitated for a long time, and as a result, they ultimately chose Chen Chen."

"Hmph, that fellow was originally just a third-rate punk. Relying on the manpower and material support provided by the organization, he managed to make a splash in the underworld."

Tyrannosaurus let out a cold snort, raised his hand to touch the ferocious scar on his face, a trace of ruthlessness and unwillingness flashing in his eyes.

"And now, through a twist of fate, I have become a stray dog."

"Had I known earlier, rather than letting the old man die at someone else's hands, I might as well have sent him on his way myself…"

Speaking of this, Tyrannosaurus's voice carried self-mockery, as if he had fallen into memories.

Seeing the chaotic scene when the Three Wolves Gang was defeated once again, his former brothers fled everywhere, and their territory was encroached upon by other forces.

Yet he, who had full expectations of being heavily employed in the Dongcheng Association, was ruthlessly abandoned and given only an idle position, like an abandoned child thrown into the cold palace.

"Fortunately, the Noah Organization appreciates me very much. After making contact again, they promised to support me in rebuilding the Three Wolves Gang and conquering the entire underworld forces of Dongdu."

He suddenly raised his head again, a fanatical flame igniting in his eyes.

"Since that punk Chen Chen can do it, I can do it just as well, and I will do it even better!"

Tyrannosaurus clenched his fists, his face beaming with a determined expression, as if he had already seen the scene of himself standing at the Peak of power.

Ma Donghe looked at the once-familiar person before him, yet always felt somewhat estranged.

At this moment, Tyrannosaurus had been blinded by desire and ambition, totally different from the loyal and righteous man in his memory.

"You're telling me all this—surely you're not just reminiscing…"

Ma Donghe frowned tightly, his eyes full of vigilance.

"You still have a bit of brain after all."

Tyrannosaurus said in an arrogant tone:

"Daring to make an enemy of the Noah Organization is destined to be a dead end. Now, obediently tell me the whereabouts of that murderer who operates under the banner of the Three Wolves Gang, and I can intercede to spare your life and the lives of your brothers."

Ma Donghe's heart skipped a beat, and anger surged up again, causing him to instantly curse:

"You think I'm as shameless as you and would betray my brothers? In your dreams!"

Tyrannosaurus was stunned upon hearing this:

"So that murderer is your brother? Isn't he your superior?"

"Uh…"

Ma Donghe realized he had spoken out of turn, immediately clamped his mouth shut, and put on a stubborn, impermeable expression.

Tyrannosaurus wore a sneer and waved his big hand.

A fierce-looking man behind him immediately stepped forward.

He clenched his fists, put all his strength into it, and delivered a fierce punch straight at Ma Donghe's cheek.

With this punch, Ma Donghe only felt his head go buzz, a sharp pain rippling across his face as he was struck to the side by the immense force.

Before he could recover his senses, another punch smashed straight onto the bridge of his nose.

The excruciating pain caused his vision to go dark, and tears involuntarily gushed from his eyes.

"What, is acting like a righteous and loyal big brother very majestic? No matter how much you cover for him, that fake assassin won't come to save you."

Tyrannosaurus crossed his arms, looking down at him from above, and mocked.

Ma Donghe let out a spit and spat a mouthful of saliva mixed with blood towards Tyrannosaurus.

At this moment, the corners of his mouth were also torn, and fresh blood overflowed, yet he stubbornly clenched his teeth and didn't utter a single half-sound.

Tyrannosaurus's expression sank, his eyes becoming even more ferocious:

"Keep teaching him a good lesson for me until he is willing to open his mouth!"

Amidst the continuous beatings, the chair Ma Donghe sat on shook violently, moving backward little by little under the influence of the impact force.

And right behind the chair was that bottomless, huge pit.

Resembling a giant beast opening its bloody mouth, waiting for someone above to accidentally lose their footing and fall into it.

Just as the back legs of the chair were already suspended at the edge of the pit, trembling and on the verge of falling.

Suddenly, another burst of rapid footsteps sounded, as if many people were running up along the iron stairs.

Tyrannosaurus noticed the commotion and immediately raised his hand to stop his subordinates who were about to throw more punches.

In the blink of an eye, a group of people wearing black combat uniforms filed in. Their postures were agile, and their movements exuded well-trained neatness.

Without exception, everyone looked on.

Everyone held a firearm, the pitch-black gun barrels flashing with a cold luster under the dim light, sending chills through people's hearts.

One of them, with a rugged build and a stern gaze, stepped forward and asked with a full aura:

"Who is Brother Tyrannosaurus?"

Seeing this, the look of vigilance on Tyrannosaurus's face instantly turned into a slightly flattering smile.

He straightened his collar, took two steps forward, bent slightly, and replied:

"I am. You guys must be the reinforcements sent by the organization, right?"

"I am the pursuer team captain under Lord Shadow, and I've come now to coordinate with you in guarding the hostage."

The newcomer interrupted him concisely, his eyes falling like a falcon upon the tightly bound Ma Donghe.

After speaking, he swept his stern gaze across everyone and commanded unceremoniously:

"Next, everyone must perk up. The target may sneak in here at any time."

"Lord Shadow said that as long as this mission is successfully completed, our squad will assist you in continuing to expand your influence in Dongdu in the future…"

Upon hearing this, Tyrannosaurus's smile became even brighter, as if he had already seen the scene of himself summoning wind and rain in Dongdu's underworld.

He hurriedly nodded and said, "That's only natural. With all of you helping, this great matter is bound to succeed!"

However, this group of people wearing black combat uniforms and resembling special forces did not engage in much small talk or social interaction with them.

After the captain gave a gesture, about thirty team members quickly dispersed and began deploying methodically.

Their movements were skilled, neat, and agile.

Some set up lookout points at windows, mounting high-power binoculars, while others installed warning devices at passage entrances, calibrating infrared detectors, inductive alarms, and so on.

Still others shuttled through various parts of the workshop, checking for potential safety hazards and setting up firepower points.

Seeing this, Tyrannosaurus did not dare to neglect either, hastily instructing his subordinates to take action:

"Did you all hear that? Don't just stand there, cooperate properly with me. If anything goes wrong, none of you will have any good fruit to eat!"

The subordinates hurriedly acknowledged and dispersed, getting busy according to the task instructions given earlier.

For a time, the entire garbage disposal workshop was filled with a tense and busy atmosphere.

Creak, creak.

A harsh sound broke the brief bustling commotion.

Everyone looked towards the source of the sound and saw high above their heads, rusty wire ropes turning laboriously driven by pulleys, as a half-section drawbridge slowly lowered.

The drawbridge looked dilapidated, with crude wooden boards and holes in some places.

The iron frame was also rusted, shaking off layers of rust debris during the descent.

After swaying down like this, the drawbridge stopped above the well pit, extending straight toward the central circular position.

Resembling a decaying arm reaching into the abyss, it exuded a creepy aura.

It was also like a springboard for high diving, except what awaited below was not clear pool water, but countless garbage and darkness.

Next, Ma Donghe, together with his chair, was carefully carried by two burly men onto the drawbridge, sitting with his back facing the edge of the severed section.

Aside from the narrow passage connected to the front of the drawbridge, there was no footing anywhere around.

Below was a huge well pit penetrating deep into the ground, about tens of meters high.

Pitch-black, emitting bursts of chill and stench, it was like a giant mouth devouring everything.

Being in such a desperate situation, Ma Donghe's predicament could truly be described as "completely isolated and without help."

Seeing this in their eyes, everyone couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Under these circumstances, unless someone grew wings and flew over from the air, there would be hope of a successful rescue.

Moreover, there were still so many people and guns guarding around.

"Hehe, I'd like to see how that legendary serial killer is going to save people?"

Tyrannosaurus crossed his arms, standing at the edge of the well pit, wearing a smug and cruel smile on his face as he appreciated the brilliant idea he had come up with.

...

Somewhere in the garbage treatment plant, in a dimly lit monitoring room.

After the temporary power was connected, several rows of recently installed closed-circuit television screens flashed with a cold light like sleepless eyes, presenting the guard posts in every corner of the factory building one by one.

Among them was the bustling scene of everyone around the well pit located at the highest point of the workshop.

A tall and burly man stood quietly in front of the monitoring screen, wearing a hood and concealing the greater half of his face in the shadows.

Visually estimated to be over 1.9 meters tall, he resembled a towering iron tower, exuding an inexplicable sense of oppression all over his body.

Sitting on the swivel chair beside him was a dark-skinned, thin-figured middle-aged man.

The two formed a very sharp contrast in body shape, and judging from their appearance features, neither looked like Xiaguo people.

"Shadow, why not let the people from the Red Tiger Gang help?"

The Hooded Man broke the silence first, his voice slightly hoarse, as if it had been frosted, echoing in the quiet monitoring room.

The man called "Shadow" turned his head slightly, a trace of disdain flashing through his fierce gaze, and said coldly:

"If that bunch of trash steps forward, they will definitely be recognized. This fish is very vigilant; last time, using the acquisition of antiques as bait failed to attract him over personally, so this time we need to be more cautious. The bait shouldn't reveal the hook, otherwise it will scare the fish away."

After a pause, he let out a soft snort and continued:

"Besides, the Red Tiger Gang has been making plenty of petty moves recently; it's time to discipline them. If they don't obey, we can at most cultivate another force to replace them. In this world, there is never a shortage of people wanting to attach themselves to us."

The Hooded Man frowned slightly, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes:

"The target was able to kill two hundred people in a single night and also solve the berserk test subject. His strength is definitely not simple."

Yet Shadow's expression remained unchanged as he said confidently:

"As long as it's not an Advanced investigator of the Special Investigation Team or a Genius from a top-tier clan, there is nothing to fear. Anyone who dares to harm the interests of the Noah Organization must pay a price in blood!"

His voice was like the ice wind of a cold night, exuding a cruel killing intent.

The two watched the screen as time passed bit by bit, the night growing thicker and thicker.

Darkness spread like a tide, swallowing the entire city.

On the monitoring screens, every corner of the factory building appeared increasingly gloomy under the shroud of night.

Occasionally, the figures of patrolling personnel flashed across the screen, breaking the momentary silence.

Shadow and the Hooded Man stayed quietly in the monitoring room, their eyes constantly locking tightly onto the screen, waiting for that mysterious target to appear.

A tense and oppressive atmosphere permeated the air, resembling the calm before a storm.

Suddenly, an anomaly appeared on the monitoring screen.

A figure flashed by like a ghost, and immediately afterwards, one of the monitoring screens instantly turned into a snowy screen.

"Here it comes!"

Shadow and the Hooded Man said in low voices almost simultaneously, their gazes instantly becoming incomparably sharp.