Chapter 90: 90. Inside Ghost

Outside the inn lay a chaotic world; inside, the corridors were already deserted.

Qing Chen was walking toward the outside, carrying a Glock 34.

In fact, what Ye Wan said was quite right; Qing Chen was cautious, but he never lacked boldness.

Just like after his journey through time to prison number 18, he never pleaded with anyone to let him off, even in the black box or when facing water torture.

With sheer boldness, he forged his own path with an attitude that thrived on the brink of death.

This was the fundamental reason why Uncle Li Dong valued him.

Compared to the talent of Super Memory, Uncle Li Dong was always more concerned about one’s character.

Perhaps it was because there was never anyone waiting for him, or maybe it was because he never dwelled on the past, Qing Chen had always been on a path of relentless progress, without ever looking back or regretting.

At that moment, Wang Yun ran out from one of the rooms.

When she saw Qing Chen, her eyes filled with surprise in the corridor, but she wasn’t familiar with Qing Chen, so she didn’t recognize him.

Qing Chen looked coldly at her, noting that her clothing was neat, without a hint of being ravished; her makeup was still pristine.

“You…” Wang Yun was startled upon seeing the masked Qing Chen.

The next moment, Qing Chen raised his hand and fired four shots, two missed, but the last two hit the girl precisely in her left and right legs.

Then without a moment’s pause, he continued forward.

Qing Chen suddenly realized he had a talent for using firearms.

Most people need a lot of ammunition to “feed” their feel for a gun.

The feel for a gun is getting used to the recoil, the familiar speed of the bullet leaving the barrel, the familiar process of correcting the bullet trajectory, the familiar reaction of one’s arm muscles when firing a shot.

But all this, Qing Chen needed just a few shots to firmly grasp and retain in his memory.

So his first two shots at Wang Yun strayed, but the next two shots were precisely corrected for the trajectory.

Wang Yun wailed in pain behind him.

Yet Qing Chen’s heart did not waver.

Many things connected in that moment.

On September 30th, of the four who typically went to school together, only Wang Yun arrived at school alone and early, having made arrangements with Nan Gengchen.

That entire day, during breaks, Liu Dezhu, Hu Xiaoniu, Zhang Tianzhen, and Bai Waner gathered in the corridor, but Wang Yun did not leave the classroom. Instead, she spent the whole day sullenly at her desk.

So when Qing Chen perceived that an insider had informed the criminals of their schedule, which they might have even altered at the last minute to coordinate with tonight’s operation, he asked Liu Dezhu: who had suggested changing the schedule.

At that time, Liu Dezhu answered: Bai Waner.

But unconsciously, Qing Chen thought that didn’t make sense.

Because in his memory, Wang Yun was the most suspicious one.

Bai Waner was not the answer he was looking for.

Now it seemed clear that something must have happened on the night the criminals visited Jiang Xue’s home, leading to her change of demeanor the next day and a distancing in the relationships among the four of them.

Finally, when the criminals illogically took Wang Yun away and then suddenly Nan Gengchen, Qing Chen had already confirmed his suspicions.

The criminals couldn’t be so foolish as to lose their heads to lust in such a critical situation.

They certainly intended to take Wang Yun away to exchange information at a suitable location.

However, after taking Wang Yun, they immediately took Nan Gengchen as well.

Qing Chen believed this was no coincidence.

So, when he encountered Wang Yun in the corridor, he chose to shoot without hesitation.

This might have been the coldest aspect of Qing Chen, yet it was also the most fiery.

For some reason, when he thought of the bodies littering that courtyard, he felt this girl should not be allowed to leave unscathed.

Qing Chen wasn’t seeking revenge for anyone. After all, he had no deep relationship with those two Kunlun members, nor with the innkeeper.

It was just that he thought, someone had to pay the price for this incident.

…

Laojun Mountain, a tourist area hidden within the mountains, would be devoid of pedestrians after 1 AM even on its busiest days.

The restaurants on the street would also close, leaving only the streetlights still lit.

However, the commotion at the Cloud Inn was too great, disturbing all the inns and bed and breakfasts on that street.

The students ran out in a frantic escape, while the criminals, having changed their clothes, followed unhurriedly behind them.

They were left with four people—Liu Dezhu, Zhang Tianzhen, Hu Xiaoniu, Bai Waner—dragging them along, their hands bound and covered with clothes.

On the road, Hu Xiaoniu calmly said, “You won’t be able to escape with the four of us in tow, because things have gone beyond your plan. There’s only one road leading up and down the mountain, and Kunlun might have already set up roadblocks.”

The leader of the criminals didn’t interrupt him but listened with interest instead.

Hu Xiaoniu continued, “Release the four of us, and you can head straight into the mountains. The expanse of Funiu Mountain is vast, even immortals wouldn’t be able to catch you. But if you take us with you, we’ll only hold you back. Leave me an account number, you’re only after money, I promise to transfer the money to you after I get back.”

The leader chuckled, “I do appreciate your concern for us. But you’re worrying too much.”

After speaking, he gestured to an accomplice to open a plastic bag full of more than a dozen ready-made Molotov cocktails.

The next moment, the leader pulled out a lighter, lit a cigarette for himself, and then ignited the cloth wick of a Molotov cocktail.

“Number Six, throw it,” he said calmly to the other criminals.

A criminal swung his arm and threw the Molotov cocktail straight into another roadside bed and breakfast.

Suddenly, fierce flames burst into life in an instant.

The criminals walked on, tossing as they went, watching as a whole row of guesthouses caught fire.

Countless tourists were jolted awake from their sleep, rushing out onto the streets half-dressed.

But this was not enough.

The leading criminal turned back to Liu Dezhu with a smile, “To be honest, I’d really like to take you with us, but I’m also afraid of you returning to the Inner World. If you were to tell everything to Uncle Li Dong, and if he’s really willing to go to great lengths to find us, that would be frightening. So, let’s say goodbye here. With you dead, these tourists will start running around in panic.”

The leader said to someone behind him, “Lao Qi, take off the silencer, empty a magazine, and let these lovely tourists run even more cheerfully!”

But no one responded.

The leader turned sharply, only to see that Lao Qi, who was supposed to be guarding Bai Waner, was already lying in a pool of blood in the mist not far away.

Blood gushed from his lower back, all his blood spurting out from the ruptured wound in his spleen.

No one knew when Lao Qi had died, nor did they know who had dealt the deadly blow!

It was as if hidden within that mist lurked a hunter, and they had turned from hunters into the prey.

The criminal’s face turned cold as he removed the silencer and pulled the trigger at Liu Dezhu.

But at that very moment, faced with a life-and-death decision, Liu Dezhu suddenly burst forth with immense courage.

He bent over, pushing the criminal beside him away, and quickly ran into the night, dodging as he fled.

His speed was incredibly fast, his explosive power immense!

The physical conditioning from the Genetic Potion saved his life. The criminal leader seemed to have not expected this constantly cowering man to suddenly muster the courage to resist.

At the same time, a gunshot sounded from somewhere, hitting the criminal who had been holding Liu Dezhu in the thigh.

Before the wounded criminal could fall to the ground, the hidden hunter fired again, piercing his skull with a bullet.

The criminal leader’s expression darkened as he started shooting wildly into the crowd of tourists without any further hesitation.

The crisp gunshots woke all the tourists who, upon seeing the victims on the ground, began to flee chaotically!

The leader and another criminal, taking Hu Xiaoniu and Zhang Tianzhen with them, quickly made their way toward the parking lot amidst the crowd.

Too many unexpected events had occurred that night.

What was supposed to be a meticulous plan had fallen apart due to unforeseen complications.

Out of eight criminals, only two remained.

They had to leave quickly.

…

Thank you to student Yishi for becoming a new ally of this book. Boss, you are generous; may the boss strike it rich!

Are there any other bosses who wish to receive my blessings?