Chapter 125

Jiang Xiaomu probed and asked.

Pei Dongyong's face changed, and they said in a low voice:

"Five Absolutes Sect? Mister Jiang, are you suspecting they did it?"

Jiang Xiaomu nodded and voiced his thoughts.

Pei Dongyong listened, brows furrowed, pondered a moment, then said:

"The Five Absolutes Sect is indeed notorious, but they act secretly and rarely operate in the Central Plains."

"If it really is them, then this matter is probably not simple."

"Sir Li, what do you think?"

Jiang Xiaomu turned his head to look at Li Wenqing.

Li Wenqing's face turned pale, obviously frightened by this news.

He said in a trembling voice.

"Five Absolutes Sect…… If it really is them, then how should we respond?"

Jiang Xiaomu pondered a moment, then said:

"The urgent priority is to first ascertain the purpose of the Five Absolutes Sect."

"Why would they exterminate Assistant Official Liu's entire household? Who exactly did Assistant Official Liu offend?"

"Constable Captain Pei, immediately send people to investigate Assistant Official Liu's social connections."

"See if he has recently offended anyone or exhibited any abnormal behavior."

Pei Dongyong obeyed and left.

Jiang Xiaomu again said to Li Wenqing:

"Sir Li, these days strengthen patrols in the city to prevent the Five Absolutes Sect from striking again."

Li Wenqing nodded repeatedly, but they felt uneasy.

Jiang Xiaomu wandered alone in the rear courtyard of the Liu residence, brows furrowed.

He always felt this matter was a bit odd.

"The Five Absolutes Sect, though ruthless, usually takes money to eliminate disasters for others."

"Why would they target Assistant Official Liu's household?"

"Assistant Official Liu is merely a merchant—what deep grudge could he have that would warrant the Five Absolutes Sect's action?"

"In the ruined temple on North Street, a damp, musty smell lingered, mixed with a faint scent of blood."

"Lao Lang licked their paw while greedily staring at the wooden box placed on the altar."

"Inside, gold bars were neatly stacked, emitting an enticing glow."

"He couldn't help but extend his steel claw; his fingertips almost touched the wooden box."

"Click!"

"A strangely shaped sickle arrived first, pressing down hard on his steel claw."

"Lao San, you're too impatient, aren't you?"

"Lao Er's voice was hoarse and grating, like the cry of a night owl."

"Wait until Lao Da returns, then we'll speak."

"Lao Lang abruptly retracted their steel claw, glared fiercely at Lao Er, eyes full of reluctance."

"He let out a heavy grunt, turned his head away, and no longer looked at the tempting wooden box."

"Lao Si and Lao Wu each wielded a heavy iron rod and a flexible chain, sitting aside in silence."

"They were equally greedy for the gold bars, but knowing Lao Da's rules, they dared not overstep without his permission."

"The atmosphere was oppressive and heavy, like the calm before a storm."

"Suddenly, a burst of footsteps shattered the silence."

"A black-clad man, holding a sword that flashed with cold light, slowly entered the ruined temple."

"Lao Da!"

"Lao Lang, Lao Er, Lao Si, and Lao Wu shouted in unison, their eyes gleaming with anticipation."

"Lao Da glanced over everyone, gaze finally landing on the wooden box."

"Can we divide the gold bars now?"

"Lao Lang asked eagerly, voice trembling."

"Lao Da did not answer, but walked to the altar and slowly opened the wooden box."

"The gold bars' glow grew even more dazzling, illuminating every corner of the ruined temple and the greedy faces of the five."

"This mission was accomplished well."

"Lao Da said calmly:"

"The Liu household—no chickens or dogs left."

"Lao Da is wise!"

"Lao Lang said obsequiously:"

"If it weren't for your strategic planning, Lao Da, we couldn't have completed the mission so smoothly."

"Lao Da coldly glanced at everyone, the gold bars' light reflecting on his sinister face, making his killing intent even more pronounced."

"This batch of gold is plenty, enough for the brothers to enjoy themselves for a while."

"He paused, then his tone suddenly turned cold."

"However, lately the wind is tight; the authorities are investigating strictly."

"All of you, behave yourselves—don't go wandering outside all day, drawing attention."

Lao Lang rubbed his hands, staring intently at the gold bars, saliva almost dripping.

"Boss, what about these gold bars..."

"Don't rush to exchange them for silver notes," Lao Da barked, cutting him off.

"Don't you know the principle of not flashing wealth? If the officials catch wind, we'll all be in deep trouble."

Lao Er, Lao Si, and Lao Wu nodded in agreement, only Lao Lang wore an unwilling expression, but daunted by Lao Da's authority, he dared not say more.

Lao Da paced a few steps, then suddenly stopped, narrowing his eyes at Lao Lang.

"There's one more thing..."

Lao Lang's heart jumped, a bad premonition surged up.

"Assistant Official Liu's two little daughters..."

Lao Da drew out his voice, his eyes sharp as a blade.

"You raped them, didn't you?"

"Boss, I'm innocent!"

Lao Lang's face turned deathly white instantly, he hurriedly denied.

"I... how could I do such a thing? I follow orders, I kill without blinking, but I never touch women!"

"Really?"

Lao Da snorted coldly, stepping closer step by step, the overwhelming pressure making Lao Lang barely able to breathe.

"I saw with my own eyes you dragging them into the woodshed, and you still want to deny it?"

Beads of sweat the size of beans appeared on Lao Lang's forehead; he knew he couldn't hide it.

Since Lao Da said that, there must be evidence.

He plopped onto his knees, trembling as he confessed:

"Boss... I was wrong! I was momentarily bewitched, I... I deserve to die!"

"Hmph, how could I bear to let you die!"

Killing intent flashed in Lao Da's eyes as he drew his long sword, a cold light flashing!

"Ah—"

Lao Lang let out a miserable scream, covering his left eye gushing blood as he rolled on the ground, the intense pain nearly making him faint.

"Lao Si," Lao Da ordered expressionlessly:

"Bandage him up."

Lao Si took out a cloth wrap and orderly staunched Lao Lang's bleeding and bandaged him.

In the underworld, treating wounds is the first lesson!

Lao Da said coldly:

"We are assassins, not street thugs."

"We can kill and set fires, but we must never defile someone's purity."

"Lao San, you broke the rules; this time I'll give you a lesson."

"Next time you offend, it won't be just losing an eye!"

Lao Lang was in agony, yet he dared not utter a sound, only able to silently endure this punishment.

Although Lao Da is ruthless, he also distinguishes rewards from punishments; having committed a grave error this time, merely preserving his life is already a great fortune.

Lao Da turned his gaze back to the wooden box, his tone softening somewhat.

"This mission was accomplished well, but it also exposed some problems."

"Lao San's rash behavior almost ruined the big plan."

"From now on, everyone should act more carefully, avoiding unnecessary complications."

Everyone hurriedly nodded in agreement.

"This batch of gold," Lao Da pondered for a moment.

"Hide it first, then divide it after the heat dies down."

"During this period, everyone must keep a low profile; without my order, no unauthorized actions."

"Boss is wise!"

The crowd replied in unison.

Lao Da nodded satisfied, turned and left the ruined temple.

Lao Er, Lao Si, and Lao Wu also went their separate ways, leaving only Lao Lang alone, covering his eyes, groaning in pain.