Chapter 620: Hei Lang Mercenaries!

Lin Yuan bent down, his toe tip grinding over Lei Chen Zhou's shattered knee.

Excruciating pain made Lei Chen Zhou's whole body spasm.

"The Thunder Tiger Sect operates in Hangcheng and Jiangnan Province; do they have any other strongholds or external support?"

Lin Yuan's voice was flat as he slowly questioned.

Lin Yuan's fingertips had already pinched a silver needle, aiming at Lei Chen Zhou's deadly spot between the eyebrows.

The shadow of death loomed close, and Lei Chen Zhou collapsed completely.

Lei Chen Zhou wailed begging for mercy: "Yes! There are three strongholds! They're small— the abandoned grain depot on the outskirts of Hangcheng, Warehouse No. 3 in the Su City logistics park, and the B-area cargo container at the Ning Province dock— only storing supplies and for contact, with no guards…"

Lin Yuan's fingertip paused, then pressed the silver needle further down: "Who arranged your escape route? Who's backing you behind the scenes?"

Lei Chen Zhou originally didn't want to confess…

But Lin Yuan's silver needle plunged straight into his acupoint.

"Ugh!" Lei Chen Zhou instantly screamed in agony—a pain worse than death!

Under Lin Yuan's ruthless interrogation, Lei Chen Zhou broke down completely, revealing all of the Thunder Tiger Sect's hidden backers!

"It's the Qian Shi Group! All the routes and smuggling boats are arranged by them!"

Lei Chen Zhou panted, daring not to hide anything: "Also… also the Gan Province Public Security Bureau Chief, LiJiuzhe! He's our biggest protector, helping us suppress many cases; we pay him billions in protection fees each year, wired quarterly to his secret account!"

"LiJiuzhe." Lin Yuan silently muttered the name, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

This LiJiuzhe is actually the Thunder Tiger Sect's protector??

This outcome was something Lin Yuan never expected!

That's the Public Security Bureau Chief of a provincial capital!

No wonder?

No wonder the Thunder Tiger Sect can run rampant in Chang City!

Turns out, they have a Public Security Bureau Chief as their backer!

Lin Yuan's eyes were sharp as a hawk's, repeatedly scrutinizing the other's expression.

He was checking whether Lei Chen Zhou was lying.

After confirming Lei Chen Zhou's gaze showed no evasion, no lying.

Only then did Lin Yuan slowly retract the silver needle.

Lei Chen Zhou thought he could survive, just about to sigh in relief…

But Lin Yuan suddenly leaned forward, gripping his throat with one hand.

"You… what are you doing? I've already confessed!"

Lei Chen Zhou struggled desperately…

But his acupoint was sealed, he was gravely injured, and utterly unable to resist.

"You've confessed; I can leave you a whole corpse. Let you suffer less— you've done endless evil; on the road to the underworld, go in peace." Lin Yuan's voice was ice‑cold…

Lin Yuan exerted force with his fingertip— only a crisp "crack!" was heard.

Lei Chen Zhou's neck was snapped off!

Lei Chen Zhou, the Young Master of the evil martial sect, stared wide‑eyed and instantly lost consciousness.

Lin Yuan let go, dragging Lei Chen Zhou's corpse out of the basement like trash.

Facing Lei Chen Zhou, this jianghu scoundrel, Lin Yuan struck without mercy.

Lei Chen Zhou had harmed countless people in his daily life, and the lives in his hands were too many to count.

So Lin Yuan killing him was actually removing a menace from society.

Lin Yuan dragged the corpse all the way to the riverside behind the bar's back door.

He raised his hand and threw the corpse into the icy river…

Watching the corpse be swept away by the current, drifting farther and farther.

Lin Yuan staged Lei Chen Zhou's death as a drowning during escape…

Afterward, Lin Yuan turned and cleared away the drag marks.

Lin Yuan returned to the bar, pulled out his phone, and called Mu Lingxue again.

Lin Yuan said calmly: "The interrogation is over. Lei Chen Zhou confessed— the Qian Shi Group arranged their escape, and the Gan Province, Chang City Public Security Bureau Chief, LiJiuzhe, is their protector, collecting billions in protection fees each year."

Swish~!

On the other end of the line, Mu Lingxue was busy wrapping up work at the shipyard; hearing the three words "LiJiuzhe," she froze instantly.

After a long while, Mu Lingxue finally exclaimed in disbelief: "What? LiJiuzhe? How could he be a protector?"

"He's given all the details clearly— you can check his secret account and cash flow." Lin Yuan said lightly, "I threw Lei Chen Zhou's corpse into the river behind the bar's back door; have someone come pick up the body and just rule it a drowning."

On the call, Mu Lingxue suppressed her shock, her voice deep: "I understand; I'll send people right away. I'll report this LiJiuzhe matter immediately— he must not be let off the hook."

Lin Yuan acknowledged, hung up, and turned back toward the bar…

He set about thoroughly cleaning the interrogation traces in the basement, making sure no loopholes remained.

……

The next day.

Mu Lingxue uncovered Lei Chen Zhou's secret account flow… and, together with other key evidence, immediately reported it to the Discipline Inspection Commission and higher authorities.

She reported that Bureau Chief LiJiuzhe had colluded with the Thunder Tiger Sect to her superiors.

The evidence was solid.

The police swiftly formed a joint investigation team and rushed overnight to Gan Province to investigate LiJiuzhe.

In just half a day, Gan Province Public Security Bureau Chief LiJiuzhe was found guilty of serious violations and of acting as a protector for criminal forces; he was officially announced as having fallen from power.

But just as the investigation team was about to take custody of LiJiuzhe, they discovered he had already vanished…

LiJiuzhe's residence was empty, with no one inside.

His phone was turned off, and the vehicles and assets under his name had also been transferred in advance……

LiJiuzhe, as if he had evaporated from the human world.

The police immediately launched a citywide dragnet and manhunt, yet they never found any trace of LiJiuzhe……

Finally, the police could only issue a nationwide wanted notice, offering a reward for the capture of this former public security chief who fled to evade justice.

……

At the same time, Hangcheng police issued a bulletin about the annihilation of Lei Hu Sect.

The police, in vague wording, characterized it as an internal gang fire fight, reminding citizens there was no need to panic.

This bulletin…… to ordinary people was just a routine anti-crime news.

But it stirred up a huge wave in the martial arts world of Jianghu.

Lin Yuan was completely unaware of this.

He wiping out Lei Hu Sect was merely eliminating hidden dangers, removing harm for himself and those around him.

But Lin Yuan didn't realize…… this action of his unintentionally stirred up a hornet's nest.

Lei Hu Sect, though not a top-tier ancient martial arts sect, had deep roots in the Jiangnan region.

Now, Lei Hu Sect was wiped out overnight……

Such ruthless and decisive tactics left all martial arts sects shocked.

In just two days, many disciples from various martial arts sects across the country…… successively infiltrated Hangcheng.

Some were entrusted by their sects…… to investigate the truth.

Others were simply curious…… who possessed such heaven-shaking combat power, capable of wiping out the entire Lei Hu Sect?

They covertly visited the abandoned shipyard, investigated Lei Hu Sect's former strongholds, and even secretly probed police internal information……

But Lin Yuan had already cleaned up the scene spotless……

Mu Lingxue also tightly sealed off the information……

Everyone searched high and low, yet could never find the true reason behind Lei Hu Sect's annihilation……

But the martial arts masters also discovered a clue in the abandoned shipyard.

They examined the remaining battle traces at the scene and could finally determine.

The person who wiped out Lei Hu Sect is absolutely a martial arts master!

Moreover, according to the remaining traces, the opponent very likely acted alone, wiping out the entire Lei Hu Sect!

In the martial arts world, as this news spread, the entire Jianghu trembled even more!

Yet all this, Lin Yuan still remained unaware……

The winds in the martial arts world grew tense, undercurrents surged……

Although the police announced that Lei Hu Sect destroyed itself through internal slaughter.

But the martial arts masters obviously did not think so.

Everyone could guess that Lei Hu Sect was wiped out by an enemy!

Moreover, the enemy capable of wiping out Lei Hu Sect employed absolutely ruthless means!

……

And in the martial arts world, the mysterious organization known for ruthlessness and secrecy, the Blood Shadow Pavilion, was also greatly shaken by the annihilation of Lei Hu Sect.

Inside the Blood Shadow Pavilion…… after secret deliberations, the high-ranking members have decided: dispatch elite disciples to reside in the Jiangnan region, covertly investigate and scout, must find that mysterious master capable of wiping out Lei Hu Sect overnight.

"This kind of combat power, either be recruited into the Pavilion for my use, or I will directly strike and seize their martial arts supreme techniques." The Blood Shadow Pavilion Lord spoke with an icy tone, eyes full of greed and determination, "Being able to easily overthrow Lei Hu Sect, their martial arts strength is absolutely heaven-defying; this kind of ancient artifact technique, no matter what, must be obtained."

Afterward, several black-clad, mysteriously auraed Blood Shadow Pavilion disciples covertly entered Hangcheng…… blending into the bustling market.

……

And in recent days.

Inside the Qian Shi Group, people were already panicking.

Qian Renhao and his father…… after learning the news of Lei Chen Zhou's murder and Lei Hu Sect's annihilation……

Qian Renhao and his father were unable to rest day or night.

Qian Renhao and his father deeply understood…… Lin Yuan would certainly not let them off easily.

These days, the Qian family father and son were constantly surrounded by large numbers of security personnel.

The Qian family residence and company had layers of defenses inside and out.

The Qian family even spared no expense, hiring top-tier mercenary teams from overseas.

The Qian father and son's sole purpose was…… to preemptively assassinate Lin Yuan, to eliminate future troubles.

Late at night, inside the Qian family villa.

Qian Shoude spent the night unable to sleep, standing on his villa's balcony, gazing at the armed security guards below with live ammunition.

The Chairman of the Qian Shi Group, his face still grim: "That Lin Yuan's skills are uncanny; ordinary security can't stop him. I haven't been able to sleep these past few nights; the mercenaries must arrive ASAP. We must kill Lin Yuan, otherwise, sleepless nights will bring long dreams……"

Beside him, his son Qian Renhao clenched his fists and said: "Dad, I've already urged them, the mercenary team…… they say they'll arrive tomorrow at dawn, all battle-hardened tough guys, plus weapons experts and snipers; they'll definitely be able to handle Lin Yuan!"

Upon hearing his son's report, Qian Shoude then nodded.

……

The next dawn at six o'clock, the sky just began to show a fish-belly white.

On the runway of Hangcheng International Airport, an international flight slowly landed.

After the cabin door opened, ten foreign men in camouflage uniforms walked down the aircraft one by one.

These ten foreigners…… tall and sturdy, their bodies exuded a chilling killing intent utterly unlike ordinary people.

Ten people got off the plane, each step steady and strong, eyes sharp as they scanned the surroundings.

Outside the airport parking lot, Qian Renhao had already brought several black luxury cars and a large entourage waiting.

Qian Renhao's motorcade was imposing, his subordinates lined up on both sides with solemn expressions.

When he saw those ten foreign men walk out of the terminal...

Qian Renhao immediately stepped forward to greet them.

"Hei Lang Mercenary Group, welcome, you who have come from afar!" Qian Renhao put on a respectful smile, his tone carrying a deliberate attempt to please.

The ten foreign men merely gave a slight nod, their expressions cold, without any extra pleasantries.

The oppressive aura emanating from the ten men made Qian Renhao's nearby subordinates instinctively tense up.

Among the ten, the leader was taller than the others, a ferocious scar running from his brow to his jaw, his eyes gloomy and wolf-like.

This leader was none other than the chief of the Hei Lang Mercenary Group, code-named "Hei Lang".

Hei Lang stepped forward, looking down at Qian Renhao from above.

Hei Lang spoke in somewhat stiff but clear Chinese: "Young Master Qian, normally we Hei Lang Mercenaries wouldn't take on such trash within Yanxia. As you locals say, why use a cattle knife to kill a chicken?"

Hei Lang paused, his tone openly arrogant: "We only accept jobs to assassinate politicians and top-tier figures worldwide. But this time, since the Qian Shi Group has offered a reward sufficient to move us, we'll make an exception and help you resolve your trouble."

Qian Renhao quickly bowed respectfully, lowering his posture: "Thank you, Hei Lang team leader, for lending your aid; the Qian Shi Group will remember this favor."

"Who's the target? Give me the information." Hei Lang, unwilling to waste words, reached out directly for the data.

Qian Renhao immediately pulled out a photo of Lin Yuan from his pocket and handed it over with both hands.

Qian Renhao respectfully added: "The target is Lin Yuan; he knows Yanxia martial arts, his skills are somewhat uncanny, so please, team leader, be careful."

Hei Lang took the photo, glanced at it briefly, then tossed it back to Qian Renhao.

Hei Lang curled his lip in a disdainful sneer: "Just a worthless Yanxia nobody, merely an East Asian sick man—why would you fear him so? Moreover, the file shows he's alone, with no background."

Hei Lang said coldly and mockingly: "Rest assured, leave it to us. Within 24 hours I will dump his corpse intact before you, putting this matter to rest completely."

Qian Renhao was overjoyed, nodding eagerly: "Then thank you, Hei Lang team leader! I've already arranged lodging and vehicles for you all; let's head back to rest, and I'll organize Lin Yuan's whereabouts for you."

Hei Lang gave a slight nod, then led his men toward the luxury cars...