Chapter 204: Eliminating Traitors

Outside the Embroidered Spring Pavilion.

Several members of the traitor-elimination squad dressed in military uniforms were already fully prepared.

Luo Anping said in a deep voice, "Comrades, I believe you already know the importance of the target."

"Time is tight, everyone proceed with caution."

"Success is the only option; failure is not permitted."

"I will wait for your good news at the bookstore."

"Rest assured, as long as we can lure the person away, I can slice that traitor's dog head off with one blade," the middle-aged leader of the Red Ticket squad said coldly.

"Old Sun, I'm counting on you."

"Take care."

Luo Anping had wanted to urge them that safety comes first.

But on second thought, this was a suicide mission, heading straight into a dragon's den and tiger's lair.

If Yuan Peilin does not die.

More people will die.

Regardless, the traitor-elimination operation must be carried out tonight.

The group disguised themselves as rowdy soldiers and quickly blended into the Embroidered Spring Pavilion.

"Master, please come in."

"Girls, hurry up and greet them."

The procuress welcoming guests at the door shouted in a shrill voice.

Inside the room.

Xiao Guohua and his subordinate Jiang Zhi were smoking and drinking tea.

"Brother, my wife's health is poor, and she just became pregnant last month; I don't even know if the fetus will hold."

"After I'm gone, if you have some extra money, please spare a little for her to survive."

Jiang Zhi was peeling an apple with a sharp short blade, his tone as calm as if he were talking about someone else's business.

"Why say such things?" Xiao Guohua's brow twitched violently.

"This person is very important."

"If I kill him, whether it's Captain Li or the Station Chief, they will both have me killed."

"Especially the Station Chief."

"Because only dead men keep secrets forever."

Jiang Zhi smiled bitterly.

Xiao Guohua didn't speak; he stubbed out his cigarette and exhaled the remaining gray smoke from his mouth.

"Call the procuress here," he instructed Jiang Zhi.

Soon, the procuress Liu Cuihua wiggled her large buttocks over, smiling like a flower:

"Master, the Zhongtong people are here."

"The Dangtong Bureau," Xiao Guohua, who was always upright, reminded her.

"Yes, Director Sun from the Dangtong Bureau sent three people."

"Two men, one woman."

"The woman is already made up, waiting for the one in the room to call for her."

Liu Cuihua said fawningly.

"You are quite sensible," Xiao Guohua sneered at her.

"Of course."

"Who doesn't know that Station Chief Wu calls the shots in Jinhai?"

"Purging corruption, purging traitors—those are all handled by him."

"That Director Sun from the... Dangtong Bureau, besides raising young girls and getting beaten by his wife every day, what else can he do?"

"He finally managed to get a lucrative position in the Economic Inspection Group."

"But it got smashed by you people in Jinhai."

"I naturally know who is light and who is heavy, and who I should side with."

Liu Cuihua waved her handkerchief, her mouth dripping with honey.

"Does Captain Li know?"

Xiao Guohua was silent for a few seconds before asking.

He had thought it over: if the station didn't know about Sun Chuanzhi's layout, he could let Zhu Yan go in and kill "Yuan Peilin."

This would fulfill the Station Chief's mission.

It would also avoid sacrificing Jiang Zhi.

And he could shift the blame onto the people from the Dangtong Bureau.

It could be called killing two birds with one stone.

"Don't worry, besides you, I haven't even told Captain Li," Liu Cuihua smiled.

"Captain Li is not someone to be trifled with."

"If you dare to deceive him, watch out for a bullet,"

Xiao Guohua's face darkened as he threatened her.

"Master, someone gave a warning... I don't dare to talk nonsense."

"Besides, this person just arrived."

"I haven't had a chance to tell anyone else."

Liu Cuihua looked fearful when mentioning that person.

Xiao Guohua swirled his teacup, roughly knowing who she was talking about.

"Keep your mouth shut. This person is very important; you'll have trouble if you talk too much."

"Go."

Xiao Guohua waved for her to leave.

"Understood, thank you for the reminder, Master Xiao," Liu Cuihua said.

Liu Cuihua closed the door and left.

"Jiang Zhi, later you and I will go catch the Red Ticket."

"Leave Zhu Yan to Qi Physician."

"The person in the building tonight absolutely cannot live."

"It's best if Zhu Yan can eliminate him."

"If she can't, we'll find another way."

Xiao Guohua thought for a moment and decided.

"Section Chief Xiao, but the Station Chief..." Jiang Zhi said.

"Let's arrange it this way."

"However, you must find an excuse; it must be that Qi Physician wouldn't let us in."

"And as for me, because I couldn't get in, I didn't tell you about the assassination plan."

"When the Station Chief asks later, we must have a consistent story."

Xiao Guohua cautioned him carefully.

He had always been cautious and low-key, doing things without a single flaw; otherwise, Wu Jingzhong wouldn't have let him take over the Security Section.

"Understood, Section Chief Xiao," Jiang Zhi accepted the order.

The two of them came to the corridor together.

Qi Physician was playing around with a seductive prostitute in a corner.

"Captain Qi."

"Is everything still alright?"

Xiao Guohua walked over and asked in a deep voice.

"Cough, cough."

"Oh, it's Section Chief Xiao."

Qi Physician hurriedly pulled up his pants and gave an awkward laugh.

The prostitute stood up and was about to leave, but Qi Physician pulled her back, looking unsatisfied, signaling her not to go.

"Playing around while on a mission, that's not good," Xiao Guohua said expressionlessly.

"Old Xiao."

"Your duty is to protect the Station Chief, not to supervise law enforcement."

"Don't learn from Lu Qiaoshan, wanting to manage everything."

"There's no good outcome in that."

Qi Physician followed Li Ya, who was about to be promoted to Deputy Station Chief, so his tone was very tough.

"The Station Chief has ordered that to ensure the safety of Mr. Yuan, I must go in and confirm," Xiao Guohua said, moving toward "Yuan Peilin's" room.

"Hold it."

"Section Chief Xiao, Captain Li has given orders: no one is to enter this room except for me," Qi Physician said, stopping him.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Are you listening to Captain Li, or to the Station Chief?"

Xiao Guohua's brow furrowed, and he asked coldly.

"If it were any other time, naturally I would listen to the Station Chief."

"But as for this matter..."

"Even the Station Chief has to listen to Captain Li. Section Chief Xiao, you are a sensible man; don't make things difficult for me."

Qi Physician sneered.

"Then who takes the blame if something goes wrong?" Xiao Guohua asked with a frown.

"There are over thirty guns in this building, and you're talking to me about something going wrong?"

"Old Xiao."

"The net is cast, the fish is about to take the bait; it's not a good look for you to be hanging around here."

"Could it be that you also want a piece of the pie and are competing for the position of Deputy Station Chief?"

"Don't forget, you're only a small-fry Major."

"You have a wife and children now, don't push your luck; be careful, bullets don't have eyes."

Qi Physician said with a sarcastic, mocking tone.

"Fine!"

"Then I'll leave this place to Captain Qi."

"Jiang Zhi, let's go."

This was exactly the response Xiao Guohua wanted; he waved his hand and led Jiang Zhi downstairs.

"Baby, continue."

Qi Physician pulled the woman into a corner and pressed her down.

"You're good at this; I'll look for you again."

Half an hour later, he pushed the woman away, walked with a refreshed, swaggering gait, and circled through the back corridor into Guo Liang's room.

Guo Liang was hunched under the lamp, drinking tea and reading the newspaper.

"How is it? Is everything in the building alright?" he asked.

"With dozens of guns protecting you, even a truckload of white sugar wouldn't get this kind of security treatment; what the hell are you worried about?"

"Drinking so much tea, will you even be able to sleep?"

Qi Physician sat down, grabbed a handful of peanuts, and tossed them into his mouth to chew.

"The roast duck tonight was too greasy; drinking some tea is just right to cut the grease."

"It's getting late."

"Tell the madam to arrange someone prettier."

Guo Liang smiled and said.

"You're not cutting grease, you're just building up your energy to play with women."

"I'm right next door."

"Just shout if you need anything."

Qi Physician gestured to the two action team officers in the room and prepared to leave.

"Wait."

"Leave them here," Guo Liang ordered.

Right now, the Red Tickets were searching the whole world for him and Yuan Peilin.

Every day that passed.

The crisis increased by a notch.

Safety first; only by staying alive could he enjoy wealth, status, and women.

"Leave them here?"

"As long as it doesn't ruin the mood, do whatever you want," Qi Physician curled his lip in disdain.

"It won't ruin it, there's a mosquito net."

"I'll just tell the girl to keep her voice down," Guo Liang said with a dry laugh.

"Pah!"

Qi Physician felt that this man in black-rimmed glasses was simply a pervert, and he left with a look of contempt.

Soon, Zhu Yan was led inside.

She felt both nervous and happy.

Director Sun's connections were truly useful; with just a word from the madam, she had the opportunity to make contact with "Yuan Peilin."

The short blade at her waist was already hungry and impatient.

Before coming here, Zhu Yan had already killed over a dozen dogs and cats.

She believed this blade could just as easily pierce "Yuan Peilin's" neck, allowing her to perform a great feat and receive a promotion and reward.

However, as soon as she entered, she was stunned.

Standing before her was a young man wearing black-rimmed glasses.

He was completely different from the Yuan Peilin in the photograph.

What was even more depressing was.

There were two officers from the Confidentiality Bureau standing on either side of the bed.

Calling a prostitute, and bringing chaperones?

How was she supposed to carry out an assassination like this?

Zhu Yan's mind was instantly in chaos, and she felt completely overwhelmed.

"Truly beautiful."

Guo Liang lifted her chin and praised her with a click of his tongue.

Then, he circled around her once.

Seeing that she had a voluptuous and well-endowed figure, he was even more delighted.

"I haven't seen you before; are you new?" Guo Liang was not blinded by her beauty.

"No."

"I went back to my hometown for a while and just returned to the building today."

"The madam said you were a distinguished guest, so she sent me over."

Zhu Yan feigned a coy smile.

A flash of suspicion crossed Guo Liang's eyes.

He could see that this woman was very unnatural.

The women of the Embroidery Spring House were always flirtatious, yet this one seemed a bit nervous and reserved.

Something was wrong.

The fragrance on her body also seemed different from the other girls in the building.

"Search her."

Better safe than sorry; Guo Liang took a step back.

"My apologies."

The two action team members walked up expressionlessly, searched her, and found the short blade in a leather sheath tucked into her waist.

"Don't tell me you brought this to cut fruit."

"The Party Affairs Bureau, or the Red Tickets?"

Guo Liang took it and lightly traced it against Zhu Yan's cheek.

The icy blade made Zhu Yan's scalp tingle.

The burning passion she felt before coming here had now completely turned into fear, and her whole body began to tremble like chaff.

"Not talking?"

Guo Liang pressed the blade against her neck and gave a light swipe; a thin trace of blood seeped out.

"I, I was sent by Director Sun of the Party Affairs Bureau."

"The two fellows outside the door are my accomplices."

Zhu Yan's legs went weak, and she confessed in a panic.

"You, go notify Captain Qi to make the arrests," Guo Liang ordered, pointing at one of the officers.

That man immediately walked out.

"The Party Affairs Bureau?"

"Hmm, as long as it's not the Red Tickets, that's fine."

"It would be a pity to kill you."

"Since you're already here, if you don't want to die, you know what to do."

"Don't think about killing me again."

"I am a top-tier graduate of the Beiping Police Academy."

"In a one-on-one fight, ten of you like this wouldn't be my match.

"If you serve me comfortably, I can let you go.

"Otherwise, you know about the torture methods of the Secret Service Bureau."

Guo Liang held her hand, talking and laughing as he walked toward the bed.

"I, I know what to do." Zhu Yan entered the mosquito net like a puppet, unbuttoning her buttons one by one.

Soon, movement could be heard from inside the mosquito net.

The remaining action team member stood guard by the bed, his head buzzing.

Downstairs.

Jiang Zhi walked quickly to the side of Xiao Guohua, who was disguised as a drinker, and whispered:

"Director Xiao, something terrible has happened.

"There are Li Ya's men in the room upstairs; the female assassin sent by Sun Chuanzhi was caught in the act and confessed her two companions on the spot, and now she is keeping him company in bed.

"There is no hope of counting on her to make a move."

"Those guys in the Party Affairs Bureau are stupider than pigs!" Xiao Guohua frowned and cursed under his breath.

"No way, the one upstairs is too cunning.

"He even has two people guarding the bedside while he sleeps with a woman; I reckon the female assassin didn't expect this guy to be so shameless.

"What do we do now?" Jiang Zhi asked.

"Don't be anxious.

"If the Party Affairs Bureau is useless, don't we still have the Reds?

"The Anti-Traitor Squad still has some methods.

"Remember, once there is chaos, we will make a big scene and try to create an opportunity for them.

"Unless it is an absolute last resort, you must not make a move."

Xiao Guohua instructed very steadily.

Upstairs.

As soon as Qi Physician heard that a Party Affairs Bureau assassin had been caught, he couldn't be bothered to keep the girl company and immediately went to the inner room to call Li Ya to claim credit:

"Hello, Captain Li, we've caught a fish.

"Three assassins from the Party Affairs Bureau were taken down by me; as soon as they showed their heads, I smelled them and caught them red-handed.

"No, I caught them myself, the Security Section had nothing to do with it, you can rest assured.

"Alright, keep them under guard for now, don't let the news leak out.

"The two male assassins have already been caught, and the woman is currently being pulled into bed by Mr. Guo.

"Understood.

"I have a net spread out here; as long as they dare to come, we must catch them all in one go tonight.

"Yes, we will be ten thousand percent alert.

"Goodbye, Captain Li."

Qi Physician hung up the phone.

"Captain Qi, what did Captain Li say?" Mi Zhiguo, who was to the side, leaned over and asked.

"He told us to keep them under guard," Qi Physician said.

"But that woman..." Mi Zhiguo started to speak but stopped.

"Mr. Guo is a hot commodity.

"Let him be.

"Who knows, after tonight, that woman might have to go see the King of Hell."

Qi Physician gave a dry laugh and pointed at the few of them:

"Keep your dog eyes wide open; it might get lively in the second half of the night.

"If we catch the fish, we'll have mutton soup every day.

"If we don't catch them and something goes wrong, all of your heads will roll."

After speaking, he took his flashlight and went back to his room to rest.

Eleven o'clock at night.

Drinkers were coming and going in the lobby downstairs, and it was still noisy.

The madam, Liu Cuihua, sat by the counter, yawning repeatedly.

Getting on in years, she really couldn't stay up anymore.

"Hong'er, come over and watch the counter for me, I'm going to..."

Just as she intended to return to her room to rest, four soldiers in military uniforms carrying guns walked in, stumbling with their arms around each other's shoulders.

"Madam, are there any girls left?

"Give, give us a few pretty ones, and bring a few pots of good wine."

One of the soldiers reached out and pinched Liu Cuihua's face.

"Oh my, you military gentlemen, what's the rush?

"I'll arrange it for you right away.

"Girls, good wine and food, guests have arrived."

Liu Cuihua shouted out.

The group ate and drank, and suddenly one of them stood up and smashed his wine cup on the ground:

"What kind of bird wine is this? It's as bland as water.

"Madam, you're selling fake wine, aren't you?"

As he spoke, he flipped the table and started making a scene.

"You military gentlemen, the wine in my shop is second to none in all of Jinhaicheng, who doesn't know..."

Bang!

"Know your mother's head."

One of them picked up a wine jar and smashed it on Liu Cuihua's head.

Liu Cuihua let out an 'oh', her body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground.

"Master Qi, Master Qi, something happened."

The girls downstairs shouted up to the floor above.

"Damn it, daring not to provide good wine, I'll smash this bird shop of yours today." The other three soldier-thugs also started drunkenly smashing and hitting things.

"Master Qi, there's a commotion downstairs."

Mi Zhiguo hurried to the door to report.

"Causing trouble at this time, that's interesting."

Qi Physician had already heard the commotion; he pushed the door open with a cold laugh and walked out unhurriedly.

"They're wailing down there.

"Captain Qi, what happened?"

Guo Liang shouted from inside.

"Soldier-ghosts causing trouble, I'm watching them, go back to sleeping with your woman," Qi Physician yelled through the door.

"Damn it, it's affecting my sleep.

"Can't sleep anymore, just as well, my strength has recovered a bit, Yan'er, let's go again."

Guo Liang kissed the delicate beauty in his arms and rolled over to pin her down again.

"Captain Qi, could these soldier-ghosts be sent by the Reds?" Song Fei reminded him from the side.

"Do you even need to say that?

"Whether they are or not, they have to be.

"If they aren't, they pay money to redeem themselves.

"If they are, we happen to perform a meritorious service.

"You've been in the action team for so long, you don't even know this little rule?"

Qi Physician rolled his eyes, holding his pistol in his left hand and his flashlight in his right, and slowly went downstairs.

"What are you doing?"

Qi Physician asked.

"Yo, there's someone watching the place..."

A soldier-thug with fish-eye eyes was just about to take the gun off his shoulder when Qi Physician's pistol pressed directly against his chin:

"Son of a bitch, delivering goods to the door, are you?"

"Boss, don't, don't be impulsive, be careful of an accidental discharge," the man hurriedly raised his hands to beg for mercy.

"Drop your guns," Qi Physician ordered.

"Boss, look closely, we are from the garrison..." another man hurriedly explained.

"I don't care who you are.

"I am from the Secret Service Bureau's action team, and I now suspect you are Reds.

"Arrest these Reds for me!"

Qi Physician waved his hand, and a dozen action team members surrounded them.

"Chief, let's talk this over properly; we really are from the garrison."

"Without an order from Corps Commander Meng, you want to arrest me? Who do you think you are?"

A few soldier-thugs refused to accept this and started shoving.

Xiao Guohua's gaze swept across the room like a hawk's.

The Embroidery Spring Pavilion had three staircases.

One in the center, and one on each side.

These were the passages for patrons to reach the private rooms.

On the right, there was also a slightly narrower wooden staircase, a private passage for the girls to change their clothes.

At the moment, the crowd was in chaos.

It might just be a "luring the tiger away from the mountain" tactic by the Red Tickets.

The real assassin might be hiding among the patrons.

No, I have to create an opportunity for him.

Bang!

Xiao Guohua raised his gun and fired a shot into the air.

Everyone's attention was drawn over.

"Captain Qi, why be polite with them?"

"Whoever dares to cause trouble again, shoot them dead."

Xiao Guohua shouted sternly.

Taking advantage of the chaos, a lithe figure sprinted up the stairs in a few bounds.

The one going upstairs was none other than Old Sun from the Traitor-Elimination Squad.

Holding a short blade flashing with cold light, he crept to the door of Guo Liang.

Just as he was about to open the door, someone walked out from inside.

It was the staff member responsible for security.

Old Sun was quick-eyed and fast-handed; he stabbed the man in the heart with one strike, covered his mouth, and gently laid him on the ground.

Then he closed the door and walked inside.

There was movement on the bed.

Guo Liang was busy exerting himself; thinking of the dozens of elite staff members guarding him, plus the fact that Zhu Yan was so skilled, his usual vigilance was entirely focused on the woman.

In the depths of his indulgence, his mind was numb and empty.

How could he care about anything else?

He simply assumed the guard had gone out because he needed to relieve himself.

Old Sun walked to the side of the bed in the light and suddenly ripped open the mosquito net.

"Who is it?"

Guo Liang was shocked and terrified.

Before he could reach for his gun, he saw a flash of blade light; he suddenly felt a chill seep into his neck, the air seemed to freeze, and he could no longer speak.

A large gush of fresh blood sprayed out between the fingers.

Zhu Yan's face turned pale with fright; just as she was about to scream, Old Sun's blade did not falter, and he backhanded a strike that pierced her heart.

Slash.

He made a few more cuts, took off Guo Liang's head, and wrapped it up in a bundle.

Then he tore off a piece of white cloth, dipped his fingers in the blood, and wrote four large characters:

"The fate of a traitor."

This was an old habit of his from many years.

Every time he killed someone, he would leave a blood note.

This was to intimidate the arrogant spirit of all traitors and running dogs.

After writing the blood note, Old Sun sheathed his blade and walked out with light, hurried steps.

Just as he pushed open the door.

A pistol was pressed against his forehead, forcing him back into the room.

A man in his thirties with a flat-top haircut spat out a few words expressionlessly:

"I've been waiting for you for a long time!"

……

(End of chapter)