182: Chapter 182 The Director's Authorization: The Game Has Begun!
Night grew deeper, the lanterns within Zhenhai City's inner city still burned brightly, but the clamor gradually subsided.
Zhou Heng and his four companions left the bustling Fenglei Tavern and returned to the lodgings arranged for them by the Demon Slaying Division Branch.
Only upon entering this relatively private and secure space did the tension from the brief yet fierce battle in the tavern's back alley truly begin to ease.
"Heng-ge, what exactly happened back there?" Lu Chenxin asked immediately after closing the door.
Although they had cooperated seamlessly and hadn't questioned him on the spot, their hearts were filled with doubts.
Ji Cang, Chen Ye, and Bai Qianer also looked towards Zhou Heng.
Zhou Heng plopped down on the sofa, crossing his legs,
a roguish smile returning to his face: "Nothing major. Just a few clueless small-time thugs who thought this handsome guy was an easy target for a kidnapping and ransom."
"Small-time thugs?" Ji Cang frowned. "Anyone who can dispatch four Transcendent Realm death warriors is no small-time thug."
"And their target was clear. They came specifically for you," Chen Ye added, his tone icy.
Bai Qianer said worriedly, "Brother Zhou Heng, is it because we killed that Poison Mother before and offended the Shadow Heart Clan? Are they seeking revenge?"
Zhou Heng shot Bai Qianer an approving glance. "Qian'er, very clever. You guessed half of it."
He paused, deciding to reveal some information while concealing the most critical source.
"Those four were well-trained, coordinated seamlessly. Clearly death warriors cultivated by a major family.
Before I finished them off, I 'asked' them a little. They were tight-lipped, but... I have my ways of extracting some information.
Judging from their energy attributes and some subtle characteristics, it's highly likely they were... from Zhenhai City's Liu Family."
"The Liu Family?" Lu Chenxin's expression changed slightly.
"That Liu Family that controls nearly thirty percent of the city's maritime shipping and mineral resources? Why would they target you?"
"Yeah, I'm wondering the same thing," Zhou Heng shrugged, looking innocent.
"I'm just a newcomer, harmless, irresistibly handsome little newbie. How did I manage to provoke a local snake? Could it be because I'm too outstanding, stealing the spotlight from their family's genius?"
Everyone: "..." Harmless? Who was it that instantly killed four Transcendent Realm death warriors just now?
"The Liu Family's influence is not small, deeply entrenched in Zhenhai City," Ji Cang said gravely.
"They dare to attack an official member of the Demon Slaying Division, a Silver-ranked Demon Slayer no less. They have quite the nerve. There must be backing behind this."
"Correct," Zhou Heng nodded, his eyes sharpening.
"Moreover, I suspect their backing might be related to the Shadow Heart Clan."
"What?!" Bai Qianer gasped. "The Liu Family... they dare collude with the Ten Thousand Races?"
This was the grave crime of race betrayal!
Once proven, the entire Liu Family would face utter ruin!
"It's just suspicion for now, no solid evidence," Zhou Heng waved his hand.
"However, better to believe it possible than ignore it. These bastards dared to scheme against me, so they shouldn't blame me for being ruthless."
He took out the special communicator Director Yue Chenyuan had given him and quickly drafted and sent an encrypted message.
The message briefly detailed the attack by Liu Family death warriors at Fenglei Tavern,
and mentioned his suspicion, based on his own abilities, that the Liu Family might be involved with the Shadow Heart Clan.
Not long after sending the message, the communicator vibrated, receiving a reply.
Zhou Heng glanced at it, a smirk curling his lips. He showed the communicator screen to his teammates.
The reply consisted of only a few short sentences:
"Acknowledged. Regarding the Liu Family matter, the Demon Slaying Division's internal Supervision Department already has a file, but lacks key evidence. Bound by rules, we cannot act directly.
Since you are already involved and have made discoveries, you are hereby specially authorized to: act at your discretion, investigate covertly.
If you encounter life-threatening danger or obtain conclusive evidence pointing to race betrayal, you may... act first, report later!
I will bear all consequences. Yue Chenyuan."
"Act first, report later!" Lu Chenxin drew a sharp breath. This was immense authority and trust!
It meant Zhou Heng could, under specific circumstances, bypass normal procedures,
and directly take extreme measures against Liu Family members, with the Director covering for him!
"The Director... such boldness!" Admiration flashed in Ji Cang's eyes.
Chen Ye didn't speak, but his gaze also grew more solemn.
Bai Qianer's small face paled, both happy for Zhou Heng receiving such trust and worried about the dangers he would face.
"See that?" Zhou Heng put away the communicator, grinning.
"We now have the imperial sword of authority! The Liu Family? A local snake?
Before this 'godfall spear' of mine, specialized in skewering evil demons and heretics, even a dragon must coil, even a tiger must crouch!"
He stood up, stretching his limbs, excitement gleaming in his eyes:
"Since the Director has given us such great authority, we must make good use of it.
The Liu Family wants to play dirty? Then we'll play a big game with them!"
"Heng-ge, what's your plan?" Lu Chenxin asked.
"First, the enemy is in the open, we are in the dark," Zhou Heng analyzed.
"The Liu Family surely thinks their death warriors failed, but they don't know the specifics of how.
They might suspect me, but they definitely won't imagine I've already identified them and received the Director's direct authorization.
That's our advantage."
"Second, information asymmetry." Zhou Heng pointed at his own eyes.
"I can perceive some things they've hidden. This is beyond their expectations. We'll use this to find evidence of their collusion with the Shadow Heart Clan."
"Finally, lure the snake out of its hole." Zhou Heng revealed a mischievous smile.
"They want to deal with me? Then I'll create opportunities for them. However, this time, the roles of hunter and prey should be swapped."
He looked at his four teammates. "Brothers, Qian'er, things might get a bit thrilling next. We'll have to put on a few acts, hook a few big fish."
"How?" Ji Cang was concise.
"Simple." Zhou Heng snapped his fingers.
"Starting tomorrow, we split up.
As for me, I'll continue being high-profile, taking missions as usual, going shopping as usual,
putting on an 'I'm invincible, whoever messes with me is unlucky' arrogant front to draw fire."
"Old Ji, Chen Xin, you two, one with heavy killing intent, one with Sword Heart Clarity, are suited for covertly investigating the Liu Family's businesses and personnel movements, especially the shady ones."
"Ye Zi, you're cold-natured, low-key, good for surveillance and infiltration. Focus on monitoring the movements of the Liu Family's core figures."
"Qian'er, your illusion arts are most useful. You can disguise yourself as different identities, infiltrate some Liu Family-controlled venues to gather intel, or support our operations."
Zhou Heng's arrangements were orderly, clearly having a plan already in mind.
"Remember, safety first!" Zhou Heng solemnly cautioned.
"If you notice anything wrong, retreat immediately and contact the others.
We're a team. Don't try to be a hero alone.
Our goal is to dig up evidence, topple the Liu Family, not to go to our deaths."
"Understood!" The four responded in unison, fighting spirit blazing in their eyes.
Following Zhou Heng was always thrilling and dangerous, but it was also filled with opportunities and challenges, allowing them to accomplish great deeds!
"Alright, get some good rest tonight." Zhou Heng stretched lazily. "Recharge. Starting tomorrow, we'll have a good game with this local snake!"
Everyone returned to their rooms to rest.
Zhou Heng lay on the bed but didn't fall asleep immediately.
Fragmented information retrieved from the death warriors' memory fragments replayed in his mind: "Third Master Liu," "Shadow Heart Clan," "Dinghai Pearl fragment," "Ghost Reef," "trap"...
"Third Master Liu... must be an important figure in the Liu Family. Dinghai Pearl fragment... sounds like a good thing. Ghost Reef... is a trap..."
Zhou Heng's mind raced. "Does the Liu Family want to use this trap to deal with me?
Or to deal with someone else? Or, is this originally a Shadow Heart Clan conspiracy, with the Liu Family just being the executors?"
"Regardless, this 'Ghost Reef' and 'Dinghai Pearl fragment' might be a breakthrough..."
A bold plan gradually took shape in his mind.
Since the other side had set a trap, he might as well turn their scheme to his advantage,
and see what kind of demons and monsters were hiding beneath it!
"Think you can trap me? Watch me dig your trap into your own grave!"
The night was deep. The undercurrents within Zhenhai City, stirred by Zhou Heng's intervention as a variable, began to churn faster.
A covert war revolving around the Liu Family, the Shadow Heart Clan, and the mysterious "Dinghai Pearl fragment" quietly commenced.
And Zhou Heng had already placed his first piece on the board.