Chapter 41: Driving the Tiger, Swallowing the Wolf

Li Ping'an, like a stone, clung to the cold tiles, not daring to draw a breath. The roof wind whistled, chilling Li Ping'an's nose tip, yet it could not disperse the frantic pounding in his heart.

The few black silhouettes ahead were clearly not friendly. Their ambush vigor, the swift, muffled hand signals, and the occasional flash of a lean, muscular frame—all unmistakably indicated they were martial practitioners, possibly tougher than the two Li Ping'an dealt with in the alley that afternoon.

Were they also heading for the Deputy Director's outer residence? Enemy or ally? Another group looking to skim off the profits? Or… a covert Japanese plant?

Countless thoughts scrambled through Li Ping'an's mind, any of which could cost his life. His plan fell apart completely. Now, even a hasty escape would be a blessing, let alone trying to frame someone.

He slowly, slowly pulled his head back, slipping his body entirely into the shadow of the roof ridge, his heart pounding in his chest, making his ears buzz.

What to do? Retreat? Slip away while unnoticed? That's the safest option.

But… would I be content? After all the effort to get this far, planning for ages, only to have it ruined by an accident? Moreover, the appearance of this group is a massive variable; perhaps… also an opportunity?

A more daring and enticing idea slithered into his mind like a Poison Snake.

What if… something happened to these two unexpected guests? For instance, arrange a "coincidence" between the rooftop group and the Japanese Patrol Squad that might arrive later, or the guards possibly inside the residence?

When the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits. Or… stir the hungry wolves to bite each other?

The thought made his blood warm, but reason instantly doused it: Too risky! A moment's slip and he'd be playing with fire and burning himself.

He gritted his teeth, his mind racing through calculations. About three or four people on the roof, their skills unknown. The house below was a mystery, but surely had someone watching. How often the Patrol Squad passed nearby… he recalled from the route he had taken.

Got it!

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. Let the bold die of bravery, the timid die of hunger! Rather than cowardly retreat, better to stir the water himself! Turbulent water makes it easier to catch fish!

He moved cautiously, slipping away silently like a feather, distancing himself from that part of the roof. Once he was far enough to be sure he wouldn't be spotted, he surged forward, striking like a black flash toward a secluded corner he had passed earlier.

There lay a pile of broken furniture and rotten wood, discarded by nearby residents. He quickly rummaged out a cracked iron bucket and several pieces of rotten wood.

Then, he silently looped around, winding to the other side of the Deputy Director's outer residence, directly opposite the rooftop where the black‑clad group crouched, now downwind.

He held his breath, stuffing the rotten wood into the iron bucket, then pouring some kerosene from a hidden stash onto it. Next, he produced a fire‑folding device and gave it a sharp shake!

Whoosh! Orange‑red flames leapt up, igniting the bucket's contents. Li Ping'an summoned all his strength and hurled the smoking, burning bucket hard at the tightly shut main door of the outer residence!

Clang—! Crackle!

The iron bucket slammed onto the stone steps before the door, a huge commotion, its burning contents spilling out; the flames instantly ignited the dry straw and debris by the door, sending thick smoke billowing.

"The water's flowing!!!"

"Who's there?"

"Thieves!"

The courtyard erupted instantly! Shouts, cries, and chaotic footfalls burst out! Several guard‑like figures brandishing lanterns and sticks rushed out from the side gate!

On the opposite roof, those black figures were clearly stunned by the sudden turn of events! They scrambled down in a panic, evidently not expecting such a twist!

Opportunity!

Li Ping'an wanted exactly this split‑second chaos!

He bolted from his hiding spot like a leopard, not toward the courtyard but sprinting along the street shadows, racing wildly in the opposite direction! Simultaneously, a thought flashed in his mind!

The two corpses he had "tidied up," along with the turtle box and dagger, he hurled precisely toward two different directions!

One corpse, still clutching the dagger, he flung with force toward the alley mouth beneath the rooftop where the black‑clad group was. The other corpse and the turtle box he tossed toward a dark corner on the opposite side of the street!

Having done that, he didn't pause, pushing his speed to the limit, diving headfirst into an even denser, more chaotic maze of alleys, sprinting wildly!

Behind him, screams, curses, and even faint gunshots rang out! Clearly the house guards or the alerted Patrol Squad had discovered the corpses or clashed with the black‑clad group!

The whole block descended into utter chaos, like a pot of porridge!

Li Ping'an's heart hammered in his chest as if going berserk, about to burst out. He dared not pause, relying on his intimate knowledge of the terrain and his post‑training superhuman stamina, darting left and right through the maze‑like alleys, never hesitating at a turn, each leap as light as a cat's.

He could hear, from behind, the increasingly loud whistles and the roar of motorcycle engines; more troops were being roused, rushing toward the chaotic spot.

It worked! The chaos got him mixing things up!

But he dared not relax at all. Only after he was completely away from that area, certain no pursuers lingered behind, did he collapse against a filthy wall, panting, cold sweat already soaking his Night Cloak.

After catching his breath briefly, he dared not linger, rose again, and with a still‑fast but steady gait, circled toward the Siheyuan.

This time, he was even more cautious, avoiding every main road and any potential checkpoints, moving like a true phantom through Beiping's sleeping veins.

When he finally slipped back through the back window into his cold little room, the distant wail of a police siren still echoed faintly, as if providing a mournful soundtrack to the restless night.

He secured the window, slipped down the wall to the floor, his whole body still trembling slightly from the excessive tension and running.

The house was dead silent, save for his own heavy breathing.

Tonight's episode was completely off the rails, the danger doubled. Yet those two corpses were finally "sent" away by another method, and the result might have been even more explosive than the original plan!

Those mysterious black‑clad figures… where did they come from? What were they waiting for? Would they clash with the Japanese? Could they become an unexpected piece in the chessboard I unintentionally set, or… turn into an even bigger bomb?

Countless question marks swirled in his mind.

Anyway, the bait is out, the net is cast. Now we'll see what kind of catch this even murkier water yields.

He was so exhausted he closed his eyes, yet a cold, crooked smile tugged at his mouth.

Let it be chaotic; the more chaotic, the better. Only when the water is muddy enough does this little fish have a chance to snag a bigger one.

Only, he vaguely sensed that the third party emerging tonight might force this already tangled covert struggle onto an even more uncharted path.

The sky was brightening.