Chapter 53: Chapter 49: An Unexpected Enemy

[1:55 AM, 5 minutes past the commission deadline]

Su Mo had KK sit on the backseat of the motorcycle and glanced at his watch.

There were still 5 minutes left until 2 AM.

Since it was already down to the wire, a few minutes or seconds wouldn’t matter.

Su Mo started the motorcycle and had KK leave the district with him.

The Border District had no law enforcement, nor an official fire department. By the time Eagle Claw Association personnel received word and arrived leisurely for rescue, the entire villa would likely be burnt down to just the building frame.

Su Mo drove to a safe area, stopped the vehicle 30 seconds before the deadline, and connected a video call with McCarthy.

Su Mo displayed the box in the trunk and said urgently, “I’ve got the box.”

McCarthy remained expressionless, “You really know how to cut it close.”

Su Mo cheekily replied, “There’re still a few dozen seconds left, not over the time means not over the time.”

McCarthy said nothing, his gaze deep and unreadable.

Su Mo asked, “So is this good? Can I come back to report completion?”

McCarthy cryptically said, “Let’s see if you can leave alive.”

After saying that, he directly hung up the call.

Su Mo stood there dumbfounded.

Leave alive? What does that mean?

Su Mo felt something was wrong, hurriedly started the motorcycle toward the Rusted Wall to prevent complications.

Binhe Street was the necessary road from the Border to the Rusted Wall exit.

Su Mo’s motorcycle flew past the bridge near the Nightingale Bar.

Just then, KK suddenly grabbed Su Mo’s clothes, saying in terror, “Brother! Look at the Nightingale Bar!”

Su Mo glanced sideways, his eyes showing shock, and abruptly braked, coming to a stop and staring dazedly alongside KK in that direction.

“Boom—Boom—”

The night sky was pitch-black, two massive transport floating airships hovered above the Nightingale Bar, their hulking bodies like ancient beasts, azure plasma spewing from the engine nozzles, the roaring sound mercilessly tormenting people’s eardrums.

Spotlights at the bottom of the airships tore through the sky, dazzling beams crisscrossing like arcs dancing in the night, completely enveloping the Nightingale Bar.

Soldiers in black uniforms continuously descended along ropes, the spotlights clearly outlining each soldier’s silhouette, some raining down on the rooftop, others breaking through windows on the sides and rushing into the building.

These soldiers had the same insignia on their arms, a symbol of a crossing razor.

This was evidently one of Hegemony Company’s four elite forces, the Razor Rapid Response Team!

From the numbers, there were seventy to eighty Razor Soldiers parachuting into the Nightingale Bar!

This was an entire squadron!

This number was ten times greater than the task force chasing him and Nuobai previously!

“Bang—Bang Bang Bang—”

The intense gunfire constantly rang out in the Nightingale Bar, windows lit up by indoor firefights’ gunfire, occasionally accompanied by gut-wrenching screams from Eagle Claw Association members.

Panicked patrons continuously fled from the bar entrance, greeted by the encirclement of Razor Soldiers.

The Razor Soldiers aimed their rifles at these unarmed individuals, demanded they kneel down with their hands on their heads, anyone attempting to flee was promptly shot in the head, like the slaughter of pigs in a slaughterhouse.

Faced with Hegemony Company’s elite forces, the power of Eagle Claw Association was like dew under the blazing sun, evaporating in the blink of an eye.

Over a hundred thugs perished in the firefight, another dozen or so including Eagle Claw Association’s deputy surrendered their weapons and were detained outside.

A Razor Soldier walked out of the bar entrance, handing the silver-white box he carried to the squadron leader.

The squadron leader opened the box, then immediately smashed it on the ground.

He pointed a handgun at the Eagle Claw Association’s deputy’s head, seemingly interrogating something.

The deputy shouted and shook his head frantically.

“Bang!” His response was a bullet penetrating his head.

Meanwhile, the other Razor Soldiers simultaneously opened fire, executing the remaining two dozen Eagle Claw Association captives on the spot, leaving none alive.

This violent group that had entrenched Binhe Street for years was wiped out overnight by an even more terrifying force.

…

Witnessing the scene before them and seeing the fake box smashed to the ground, Su Mo and KK realized a terrifying truth.

KK trembled, saying, “They’re looking for your box…”

Su Mo never imagined the box in his motorcycle’s trunk, the box Audiana had ordered him to steal… was actually what Hegemony Company was searching for!

For this box, Hegemony Company even deployed an entire Razor Squadron!

If he had moved a bit slower tonight and collided with the Razor team during the theft, he would undoubtedly be among those corpses.

No wonder the action required secrecy, to leave no traces…

No wonder a six-hour time limit was imposed…

Audiana had long known Hegemony Company was searching for this box!

She also knew the Razor team would raid Eagle Claw Association at 2 AM!

Su Mo didn’t understand why she didn’t share such crucial intelligence earlier…

In the Mercenary Realm, any commission involving the three major corporations must inform the situation in advance, for mercenaries to assess the risks… That’s the rule!

What is Audiana up to?!

The gunfire at the Nightingale Bar attracted the attention of nearby residents.

People living in the Border District were accustomed to gunfire, as long as bullets didn’t strike them, they were happy to watch the commotion, and the few with twisted minds even enjoyed the sight of corpses.

At this moment, many drawn by the noise stood from afar, peering and whispering to each other.

The Razor squad leader, having found a fake box and gotten no answers from Eagle Claw Association’s deputy nor sight of Reuben, looked as if his face would drip water.

The squad leader coldly scanned the gathered crowd nearby.

That sharp sight swept over the crowd, landing on Su Mo and KK on the distant bridge.

Facing that knife-like gaze and realizing the real box they were seeking was in the motorcycle’s rear box, KK was so frightened he could barely breathe.

Just as KK subconsciously started to avert his gaze, Su Mo’s low voice came, “Don’t show fear, look him in the eye, don’t let him think there’s guilt in you.”

KK gritted his teeth, stopped dodging, and faced the squad leader alongside Su Mo.

The squad leader’s eyes lingered on their faces for a moment, then continued looking over others.

Once the leader’s attention was completely elsewhere, Su Mo smoothly started the engine, carrying KK away.

Reaching a safe location, Su Mo called McCarthy again, connecting and coldly interrogating, “What’s going on? Why is Hegemony Company also after this box? Why didn’t you inform me in advance?!”

McCarthy’s tone was very calm, as if he’d foreseen the current scenario. He said, “Bring that little mouse beside you, go through the Rusted Wall Entrance No. 9, we’ve arranged for you there. After entering the city, meet me at the intersection of Baisha Road and Changling Road.”

Before Su Mo could speak, McCarthy hung up the phone.

Su Mo tutted, could only suppress his temper for now, turned and said, “KK, leaving you alone in the Border District isn’t safe, I have someone who wants to meet you, come into the city with me.”

KK dazedly replied, “But, I don’t have citizen status.”

Su Mo: “No worries, they’ve made arrangements for you.”

Su Mo took KK to the Rusted Wall Entrance No. 9, identified himself, the guarding sentinels exchanged a knowing look, and without scanning the chip, called the control room to open the door.

The pair reached the appointed location, McCarthy and his people were already waiting there.

McCarthy’s car led in front, Su Mo’s motorcycle followed behind, passing through Anmi New District checkpoint to reach Audiana’s manor.

KK was arranged to wait in a guest room of the side building.

Su Mo was brought into the main hall.

Entering the room, he raised the suitcase and asked Audiana, “Can this thing be smashed?”

Audiana: “Yes.”

“Thunk!”

Su Mo threw the box to the ground: “For commissions involving the three major corporations, conditions must be explained in advance, that’s the rule! When did Lady Countess start ignoring the rules? What exactly is in here? You owe me an explanation.”

Audiana nonchalantly replied, “You’ll know what’s inside once you open it.”

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