183: Chapter 183 The Liu Family Sacrifices a Pawn to Save Themselves! Who is the Superior Player?
Early the next morning, within the Zhenhai City branch of the Demon Slaying Division, the atmosphere seemed to have undergone a subtle shift.
Zhou Heng had just finished breakfast with his teammates and was preparing to split up and act according to last night's plan,
when a sudden internal announcement threw their rhythm off.
The announcement's content was roughly as follows:
With the active reporting and assistance of Blood Diamond-ranked Demon Slayer Liu Tianhao, the Demon Slaying Division's Internal Oversight Department
has successfully cracked a case involving internal personnel colluding with external forces to smuggle contraband.
The implicated individual, Liu Ming (a distant collateral relative of the Liu Family), has confessed to his crimes.
The Division commends Liu Tianhao's act of upholding justice by sacrificing family ties and maintaining the Division's discipline.
Once the announcement was made, discussions buzzed throughout the branch.
"Liu Tianhao? Isn't he the leading figure of this generation of the Liu Family? He actually reported his own people?"
"Tsk tsk, what a beautiful move of sacrificing a pawn to save the rook!"
"It seems the Liu Family is scared? After losing four Transcendent-level death warriors, they're quickly cutting their losses?"
"It can't be that simple, right? This Liu Ming is just a minor collateral character, how much blame can he shoulder?
I think it's a case of beating the grass to startle the snake, telling the Division that the Liu Family is also 'cleaning house' internally, hinting that the death warriors' incident might also be 'individual actions'?"
Upon hearing this news, Zhou Heng and the other four gathered in Zhou Heng's room, looking at each other in confusion.
"They moved really fast," Lu Chenxin said with a frown. "The Liu Family is cutting off its tail to survive, trying to muddy the waters."
Ji Cang snorted coldly: "Throwing out an insignificant collateral relative to cover up the serious crime of attacking a Demon Slayer? Dream on!"
Chen Ye was concise: "Probe."
Bai Qianer said worriedly: "Brother Zhou Heng, they can sacrifice their own people so easily, their hearts are so cruel.
That Liu Tianhao is still a Blood Diamond-ranked Demon Slayer, with peak Hegemon Realm strength. For him to step forward personally... is he putting pressure on us?"
Zhou Heng stroked his chin, his expression not grave but instead revealing a hint of playful smile:
"Interesting, truly interesting. The Liu Family's reaction is fast, and ruthless enough. This Liu Tianhao... is quite a character."
He opened his Tactical Watch and called up Liu Tianhao's public information:
【Name: Liu Tianhao】
【Position: Deputy Captain of the 7th Action Team, Zhenhai City Demon Slaying Division】
【Demon Slayer Rank: Blood Diamond One-Star】
【Realm: Peak Hegemon Realm (suspected to be touching the threshold of the Monarch Realm)】
【Divine Seal: A+ Grade Sea-Splitting Blade Soul】
【Combat Record: Once independently slew a lower-tier Fifth-Order Sea King-class creature, with outstanding merit.】
"Blood Diamond One-Star, peak Hegemon Realm... and a deputy captain with real authority..." Zhou Heng clicked his tongue.
"He's indeed a tough opponent.
His move serves a dual purpose: showing 'loyalty' to the Division to clear the suspicion from the Liu Family's core power, and also flexing his muscles at us—look, our Liu Family has people inside the Demon Slaying Division too, and they hold high positions with great strength.
The matter of those four death warriors, it's best to let it end here, otherwise..."
"Otherwise what? Would he dare to move against us?" A flash of murderous intent appeared in Ji Cang's eyes.
"Of course not openly," Zhou Heng laughed.
"But there will definitely be no shortage of underhanded tricks.
Moreover, his move is indeed somewhat effective. At the very least, without any concrete evidence pointing to the Liu Family's core leadership,
the Division cannot, based on my 'suspicion', act against a Blood Diamond-ranked hero and his family. The rules don't allow it."
"Then what should we do? Should we just let it go?" Bai Qianer was somewhat unwilling.
"Let it go?" Zhou Heng raised an eyebrow, revealing a standard scheming smile.
"How is that possible? They want to settle things quietly, but I insist on making a big scene!
They sacrifice a pawn to save the rook, but I insist on striking straight at the headquarters! A reversal of offense and defense? That doesn't exist!
The initiative must always be in our own hands!"
He immediately operated his Tactical Watch, connecting to the mission system.
"Old Zhou, what are you doing?" Lu Chenxin asked.
"Accepting a mission!" Zhou Heng replied without looking up.
"Since the Division Chief authorized us to investigate the Liu Family and the Shadow Heart Clan, we'll investigate openly and aboveboard! Perfectly, I have an excellent excuse right here..."
Soon, he found an entry in the mission list:
【Investigation Mission: Tracking Signs of Shadow Heart Clan Activity】
【Rank: A-level (High Difficulty, involves Myriad Races infiltration)】
【Content: Recent signs indicate that the Shadow Heart Clan, ranked 97th on the Myriad Races Leaderboard, has been frequently active, suspected of having designs on Zhenhai City and the surrounding areas. Requires an elite team to conduct in-depth investigation, collect evidence of their activities, information on strongholds, and possible plots.】
【Requirements: Team members must possess strong reconnaissance, anti-infiltration, and combat capabilities. Recommended for Demon Slayers of Silver rank or above. Time limit: 7 days.】
【Rewards: 500 Merit Points, 10,000 Credits, additional awards for important intelligence.】
"This is the one!" Zhou Heng clicked to accept without hesitation.
【Ding! Donghuang Team One has accepted the A-level investigation mission 'Tracking Signs of Shadow Heart Clan Activity'. Time limit: 7 days.】
The notification sound for successful mission acceptance rang out.
"Captain, you're..." Ji Cang was somewhat puzzled. This mission's scope was too broad, like finding a needle in a haystack.
"Hehe, feign action in the east while attacking in the west," Zhou Heng laughed proudly.
"We've accepted a mission to investigate the Shadow Heart Clan, perfectly reasonable, no one can find fault. But the direction of our investigation...
we can 'coincidentally' discover that certain clues point to... hmm, for example, certain industries or personnel controlled by the Liu Family? That's very reasonable, right?"
The other four immediately understood Zhou Heng's intention.
This was to use the investigation of the Shadow Heart Clan as a pretext to openly investigate the Liu Family!
As long as it's handled properly, even if the Liu Family knows it's targeting them, they won't dare to obstruct openly, otherwise they'd be revealing their guilt!
"Brilliant! Truly brilliant!" Lu Chenxin couldn't help but praise.
"But... Brother Zhou Heng, the Liu Family has a lot of influence. If we investigate them directly, won't there be danger?" Bai Qianer was still somewhat worried.
"There will definitely be danger," Zhou Heng nodded, then waved his hand assertively.
"But who are we? Donghuang Team One! We even killed a peak Fourth-Order Poison Mother, why should we fear a local bully?
Besides, we now have Division Chief Yue's imperial sword of authority, what's there to fear! If they dare to have ulterior motives, I dare to poke a hole in the sky!"
He looked at his teammates, his eyes burning:
"Brothers, Qian'er, if the Liu Family wants to play, we'll play a big game with them!
For this mission, we not only need to find clues about the Shadow Heart Clan, but also follow the vine to get the melon, dig out this poisonous tree that is the Liu Family!
Let them know that provoking our Donghuang Team One comes at a price!"
"Do it!" Ji Cang was concise, his fighting spirit boiling.
"Agreed," Lu Chenxin nodded.
Chen Ye didn't speak, but his hand gripping his sword tightened.
"I... I have no problem either!" Bai Qianer mustered her courage.
"Good! Then it's settled!" Zhou Heng slapped his thigh.
"Let's go prepare now, we'll set off this afternoon! First stop... let's go to the place the Liu Family controls most tightly, with the most profit, and also the most likely to harbor filth—'Sea Wolf Dock'!"
Sea Wolf Dock is one of Zhenhai City's largest freight docks,
controlled by the Liu Family, with huge daily throughput, complex personnel, an ideal breeding ground for smuggling and information trading.
With the plan set, the five immediately split up to prepare the necessary equipment and intelligence.
Just as Zhou Heng and the others were rolling up their sleeves, ready for a big fight, in another part of the Demon Slaying Division Branch, inside a luxuriously decorated office.
A tall, cold-faced, middle-aged man with eyes as sharp as an eagle was looking at the just-updated mission information on his tactical screen.
The Blood Diamond insignia on his shoulder gleamed brightly. It was Liu Tianhao.
Looking at the information line "Donghuang Team One accepts A-level investigation mission: Tracking Signs of Shadow Heart Clan Activity," the corner of his mouth lifted in a cold arc.
"Donghuang Team One... Zhou Heng... So you still refuse to let it go?" he murmured to himself.
"Young people, having drive is good, but being too rigid leads to breaking. Since you insist on running into the gun's mouth, then don't blame me... for giving you a good lesson."
He picked up the communicator and dialed an encrypted number.
"Hello? Third Uncle? It's me, Tianhao. The fish has taken the bait... Yes, proceed according to the original plan...
Prepare a 'big gift' for them at 'Ghost Reef'... Remember, make it clean and neat, like an... accidental 'mission mishap'."
Putting down the communicator, a cold light flashed in Liu Tianhao's eyes.
"Zhou Heng... wind and thunder god of war? Heh... The waters of Zhenhai City run deep. Whether you can survive these seven days depends on your luck."
An invisible contest revolving around investigation and counter-investigation, conspiracy and breaking schemes, officially began the moment Donghuang Team One accepted the mission.
Zhou Heng, holding the "imperial sword," took the initiative to attack; while the Liu Family set a trap, waiting at their ease.
Both sides had their own agendas. The real game had just begun!