Chapter 166: Information Leak

In the blink of an eye, another day passed.

Jiang Cheng looked at the panel, where the Broken Jade Fist had already risen to a proficient level, and a smile spread across his face.

Now he truly counted as a Second-level Force Warrior.

Both his strength and his speed met the standard.

Nevertheless, he didn't want to go to the hall for a test.

The only reason was that he didn't want to expose his power.

After all, having joined the Dawn Society only a few days ago, he had already broken through from Level One to Level Two, a pace that was perhaps a bit too fast.

Moreover, he still kept a three‑part guard within his heart toward the Society.

But the upper echelons of the Society were not idle either.

They guessed someone might conceal their power, so they specially devised something called permission rights.

Having low power and receiving low‑bounty missions is a minor issue; the crux is that many valuable items—such as higher‑grade Secret Martial Arts and Secret Medicine—cannot be purchased without permission.

Within the Society, private trades among members are explicitly prohibited.

Even if someone wishes to hide their power, they must weigh whether it is worth it.

So Jiang Cheng thought of a countermeasure: partially revealing his power.

For example, after waiting a dozen days, once he reaches Level Three he will take the Level Two test, and after reaching Level Four he will take the Level Three test.

However, this plan has a prerequisite: he must be able to obtain the needed items from the Black Market.

"First, go buy some Secret Medicine."

Jiangchengzhan stood up and walked toward the door.

The few bottles of Black Jade Paste bought from Shi Yan were all used up, just enough to raise the Broken Jade Fist to a proficient level.

The Society has that Secret Medicine costing three thousand yuan a bottle; he'll buy that one.

It's far more expensive, but time is more precious than money.

As Jiang Cheng strode toward the mission hall, two police cars were parked below a unit building in Jinxiu Residential Area.

A crowd gathered downstairs, intermittently letting out exclamations.

"Is it real? Did Zhang Hong die at home?"

"No way. Her son is so formidable; who would dare to mess with her?"

"Yeah, yeah, I heard a rumor: someone offended her son, and while walking at night they were grabbed and never returned; the family's report to the Law Enforcement Bureau was useless."

The crowd spoke, their eyes full of dread.

"Maybe it's precisely because of that that someone came after her."

Someone glanced around and whispered, "I heard she's been dead for several days; the corpse has already rotted and stank, no wonder a strange odor lingers every day."

"How did she die?"

"I heard she was twisted at the neck, her head was about to fall off." While saying that, the person stuck out his tongue, rolled his eyes, looking like a hanging ghost.

The surrounding people jumped in fright, then began swearing and cursing.

From the smiles on their faces, it was clear they weren't very sorrowful about Zhang Hong's death; some even cheered inwardly.

The reason, of course.

Naturally, Zhang Hong was too cocky.

She bragged to everyone she met.

Once or twice is one thing, but doing it every day—who can stand it?

Only that I heard her son is a big‑shot, so no one dares to offend him, so they just went along.

"By the way, I also heard a piece of news," someone said mysteriously all of a sudden.

"What news?"

"I'm telling you, you must never say it came from me."

"Got it, we promise not to tell anyone else."

"Alright, alright, just say it quickly."

The crowd urged.

"I heard Zhang Hong is a human trafficker."

"What!"

A burst of exclamations rang out.

Just as the crowd was about to investigate, a brightly colored blue sedan sped toward them.

The person who called Zhang Hong a human trafficker immediately shut his mouth. The onlookers around also folded their smiles, shaking heads and sighing, looking very regretful.

The blue sedan stopped, and a sharply dressed man in a suit hurried out, appearing to be in his twenties, not yet thirty.

After alighting, he scanned the crowd with a glance and then sprinted upstairs.

The other two people in the car also quickly followed.

As soon as they reached the first floor, they smelled a foul stench, nearly vomiting, but thinking it was the boss's mother, they forced themselves to swallow.

The suited man moved like lightning to the third floor, where a meticulously made‑up woman was clutching the door, vomiting violently.

Seeing the suited man, she was about to speak, but he rushed in.

Inside the room were several others, all in uniforms and wearing masks.

One of them wore a white coat, apparently a forensic doctor, examining the corpse on the floor.

Hearing the commotion, several turned, and one asked, "Wan Yuliang, you're here?"

Wan Yuliang gave no reply, took a few steps forward, and upon seeing the corpse's face on the ground, was struck as if by lightning; had it not been for the two henchmen behind him who quickly steadied him, he might have collapsed onto the floor.

"How could this happen? How could it be like this?"

Tears fell from his eyes, his face filled with an expression of pain.

Half an hour earlier, he had been receiving important figures in the club when he suddenly got a call from the Captain, saying that the matter had been exposed and urging him to quickly call his mother to find out what was going on.

He dialed repeatedly, but no one answered.

He realized something might have happened, and hurriedly had his wife come over to check.

Then…

Gao Songbai let out a sigh.

Even he did not want to inform the other party of this news.

But this area is his responsibility.

"Yuliang…"

"Who did it? Who did it!"

Wan Yuliang suddenly erupted, his eyes blood-red, like a bloodthirsty beast.

Gao Songbai shook his head. "We only just arrived ourselves, about to examine the corpse; the specifics will have to wait until the investigation proceeds."

Wan Yuliang stared blankly.

His gaze fell upon the corpse.

"How did my mother die?"

"She was killed by having her neck twisted, the killer very experienced; furthermore, he took the money from two safes, indicating it was likely a burglary followed by murder to silence witnesses."

"Who? Who would dare such a thing?"

Wan Yuliang gritted his teeth.

Around here, who doesn't know his reputation?

To actually do this to his mother—has he gone crazy?

"Yuliang, shall we first find a quiet place to talk?"

"Okay."

Wan Yuliang realized something.

The two found a secluded spot; Gao Songbai took off his mask, pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took one out, and handed it over.

"Thanks."

Wan Yuliang took the cigarette and said thanks.

"Yuliang, do you still remember what I told you on the phone earlier?"

Wan Yuliang's face changed.

He certainly remembered.

Gao Songbai said that a person who had been missing for over a year suddenly returned home, hearing from those around that she had been deceived and imprisoned until now, and the one who deceived her was called Zhang Hong.

The latter hurriedly called him, wanting to clarify exactly what had happened.

He too was naturally shocked.

And so, the following events occurred.

(End of chapter)