Courtyard House: First, kill the hypocrites, leave none alive.

Last night, Master He was in a good mood. A new batch of human smugglers was expected to land at midnight, to be received by a small team under his command that specialized in "catching" them. Based on past experience, there was always something to be gained from this batch of "new goods." The young women could be sent to Southeast Asia or certain establishments locally, the men could be sent to illegal mines or blood banks, and even the least valuable ones could be used for land reclamation or "disposed of." In short, it was a sure-fire way to make money.

He specially summoned Ali, intending to enjoy the beauty while waiting for his men to bring back the "spoils of war," keeping a few that caught his eye and disposing of the rest.

But they waited until midnight.

From 1 a.m., when they were supposed to land, until 2 a.m., 3 a.m.... the dozen or so people sent out disappeared without a trace.

At first, Master He was just a little impatient and scolded his subordinates for their incompetence. But as time went on, his ominous premonition grew stronger.

Having spent half his life in the underworld, he knew all too well that "accidents" often meant loss of control, and loss of control meant danger.

Ali noticed his agitation and served him carefully, not daring to say a word.

Just before dawn, a trusted subordinate, pale-faced and trembling, stumbled up the stairs and brought the news that struck like a bolt from the blue.

"Master He...Master He! Something terrible has happened!" The subordinate stammered, "Ah Qiang and the others...they're all...all dead!"

"What?!" Master He suddenly sat up in bed, and Ali in his arms screamed in fright and rolled to the side.

"On...on a deserted beach in Tseung Kwan O...thirteen people...all...all shot! They died...died so horribly!" The subordinate's voice was choked with sobs, clearly terrified by the scene. "The scene...was covered in blood...and shell casings...I heard...the first person to find it said it looked like it had been mowed down by the army..."

army?

Crane's heart sank. He immediately thought of other possibilities—enemies? A powerful outsider? Or…the police? No, the police wouldn't act this way, much less choose that time and place.

"Did you see clearly who did it? How many people were involved?" Master He forced himself to calm down, his voice low and dangerous.

"No...no one saw it. He was already dead when he was found. I heard...a fisherman who came back from the sea at night said that he heard a lot of gunfire around dawn, like firecrackers, but louder...he didn't dare to go and see."

The gunfire was very dense...like firecrackers...

Crane Master's expression grew even more grim. This meant that the enemy's firepower was formidable and they were showing no restraint.

"Where's the body? Were there any clues left at the scene?" he pressed.

"The police...the police have already gone and set up a cordon. Our men dare not approach," the subordinate replied, trembling.

The police arrived... so quickly?

Master He's mind raced. Thirteen people had died, and in such a bloody manner, the police couldn't possibly ignore it. This meant that his "snake-hunting" squad was completely wiped out. Not only were the men gone, but it might also attract even harsher crackdowns and investigations from the police.

More importantly, it's about saving face!

Within He Xingsheng, Master He has always been known for his ruthless methods and strong control. Now, overnight, more than a dozen of his elite men have been slaughtered like chickens on the beach. If the news gets out, his prestige within the gang will definitely be damaged, and other rivals who covet his territory and business will probably start to make moves.

And what about... those human traffickers?

"What about that batch of 'goods'? Have they been caught?" Master He suddenly remembered that this was the cause of the whole thing.

The subordinate shook his head blankly: "No... I didn't see anything. There were only Ah Qiang's and the others' bodies at the scene. Those 'human snakes'... it seems... it seems they ran away."

Did they escape? Or... were they taken away by the people who killed Ah Qiang and his gang? Or perhaps there was a tough one among those human traffickers?

This thought made Crane's eyes even more sinister.

He waved his hand, telling the terrified subordinate to get out.

Only he and Ali, who was huddled in the corner of the bed and equally pale, remained in the room.

"Grandpa Crane..." Ali spoke cautiously, wanting to offer a few words of comfort.

"Shut up!" Crane roared, startling Ali into silence.

Frustrated, he grabbed a cigar from the bedside table, lit it, and took a few deep drags. Thick smoke rose into the dimly lit room, but it couldn't dispel the gloom and murderous intent in his heart.

Losing manpower, losing face, and potentially attracting pressure from both the police and rival gang members...

All of this was because of that damned group of "human spies," or rather, because of that (or those) mysterious figure who killed his men.

who is it?

Who on earth has such audacity, such ruthless methods, and such powerful firepower?

A powerful figure crossing the river? A professional assassin hired by another gang? Or... is there really someone extraordinary hidden among those "human traffickers"?

"Investigate!" Master He stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray, his voice icy and ruthless. "Find out the origins of those 'human traffickers'! Who sent them here! How many came ashore! What were their characteristics! Especially... were there any particularly skilled fighters, or anyone who looked unusual!"

He paused, a fierce glint in his eyes: "Also, spread the word, a bounty! Anyone who provides clues about the killer who took down Ah Qiang and his gang will be richly rewarded! I want to know which fool dares to mess with me!"

The order was quickly relayed through his trusted confidants.

Throughout Kowloon West, all sorts of people within Master Crane's sphere of influence began to stir. Some inquired about information, some passed on bounties, and some speculated and discussed... An undercurrent was quietly surging beneath the shadows of the underworld, even as the police were conducting a thorough investigation.

Grandpa He leaned back against the headboard and closed his eyes, but the fierceness between his brows remained undiminished.

Ali dared not make a sound, but carefully massaged his tense temples.

Outside the window, it was already bright daylight.

A new day dawns on Hong Kong Island, bathed in sunlight and adorned with neon lights.

But for some, the start of this day was filled with the lingering scent of blood and the oppressive atmosphere of an impending storm.

The police are in the open, while the underworld is in the shadows, both focusing their attention on the blood-stained wasteland and the mysterious and dangerous "newcomers" who may have already quietly infiltrated the depths of the city.

At the police station, Huang Zhicheng repeatedly pondered the details of the crime scene and the possible motives.

Inside the tenement building, Master He pondered how to save face, find the culprit, and prevent a possible next attack.

And what they were looking for—

Chen Feng was leading Xiao Yu, who had changed into clean clothes but still looked a little timid, along a noisy, narrow street in Sham Shui Po filled with various smells and sounds.

His steps were steady, and his gaze calmly swept over the rows of signs, the crowded vendors, and the hurried passersby on both sides, as if he were just an ordinary out-of-town worker who had just arrived and was looking for a place to settle down.

The grip of the Type 54 pistol at my waist was icy cold.

In my mind, the ten-cubic-meter space was fully stocked with supplies.

In his arms were the identity documents of "Chen Guodong" and "Chen Xiaoyun", as well as enough Hong Kong dollars to live on for a period of time.

The list of blood debts will be put aside for now.

Survival and concealment have become the only clear and immediate goals.

But neither Huang Zhicheng, nor Master He, nor even the bizarre city itself, have truly realized—

A lone wolf from the north, scarred yet with bared fangs, has silently infiltrated the deepest part of this eastern jungle with his only cub.

He doesn't need to adapt to the rules here.

Because he has only one rule:

live.

at all costs.

Those who block the way,

Not a single one can be left alive.

This vow, like the cold gun in his arms, was always ready to unleash a silent yet deadly roar when necessary.