Chapter 68: 67 Towards (Part 1)

In the dark alleyway.

Zhang Rongfang quickly turned his coat inside out, took off the mask and stowed it safely. Taking advantage of his silent body technique, he quickly blended into the shadows, heading back toward the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Click.

Suddenly, his steps halted, and he stopped in the shadows, listening carefully.

The faint click sounded again, but was several meters away.

Soon another sound echoed, this time from even farther away.

He pressed a hand against the wall, using the force to leap upwards, jumping over two meters high.

From this vantage point, Zhang Rongfang immediately saw a vague silhouette swiftly moving away on a distant rooftop.

’It seems that this Tan Yang at night, though appearing quiet, is actually quite lively.’

He shook his head internally. This Tan Yang City was indeed large, with many people bustling and thriving.

Correspondingly, there were also many incidents.

Tens of thousands squeezed together meant daily occurrences of unsavory matters were not few.

At this moment, he collected his thoughts and accelerated towards the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Before long, he neared the side door of the Bureau.

Zhang Rongfang stopped, took off the outer coat entirely, revealing another layer of ordinary clothes underneath.

He had no choice; at least ten spots on the jacket had the character “Sea” written on them, and it needed swift handling to avoid trouble.

Also, the mask, which Zhang Rongfang took out from his pocket, and placed along with the clothes, then stuffed it all into a water bucket prepared by the wall.

In the bucket, the paint on the clothes began to dissolve.

Zhang Rongfang rubbed vigorously, making sure the writing disappeared before pulling the clothes out and pouring the water down the drain.

He had used soluble paint precisely for convenience in erasing traces at times like this.

Soon, he took out a small fragrance box from his pocket, opened it, and applied some balm to his neck, collar, and chest.

He put away the fragrance box.

After completing these actions, he leisurely walked towards the main gate of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Entering, the Black Prison Army guards silently eyed him, sniffed, then quickly withdrew without suspicion.

The next morning, at nine o’clock.

The Ninth Squad was at its usual meeting and briefing time.

The members, intimidated by Lin Qixiao’s authority, arrived early and gathered on the first floor.

What puzzled everyone was that Lin Qixiao, usually the most proactive, was nowhere to be seen at this time.

Zhang Rongfang leaned against the long wooden bench, frowning, occasionally glancing at the second-floor staircase, appearing to wait for the captain to come down.

Typically, the captain’s briefing includes any impromptu tasks for the day.

Only after the briefing could everyone be free to move.

Yet, this time, Captain Lin Qixiao was nowhere to be found.

Watching as the water clock in the corner ticked past nine-thirty, still no sign of him.

The members started whispering among themselves.

Thud… thud… thud.

A sound of heavy boots echoed from the main entrance.

A sturdy officer strode in.

“Urgent report, who is the vice-captain of the Ninth Squad?”

Zhang Rongfang quickly stood up.

“I am!”

“By the command of the General Command, case notification, last night, Captain Lin Qixiao of the Ninth Squad was attacked, now severely injured and recuperating at home. All affairs of the Ninth Squad are to be temporarily handled by the vice-captain.

Previous military duties, all temporarily paused,” said the officer solemnly, handing over a document stamped with the official seal.

“Zhang Ying complies with the order!” Zhang Rongfang hurriedly stepped forward, receiving the document with both hands.

He looked bewildered, shocked, confused, and raised his head to look at the officer.

“May I ask, brother, our Captain Lin is usually highly skilled in martial arts and well-connected, so how could this suddenly happen….”

“I don’t know the details either, Vice-captain Zhang should ask the constabulary himself later.” The officer replied helplessly, “I’m just here to deliver the orders.”

“….Understood…” Zhang Rongfang nodded slightly.

As the news broke, not only him, but the entire ten-plus members of the Ninth Squad fell into complete silence.

Everyone showed an expression of utter disbelief.

Who was Lin Qixiao??

Among the many captains in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, he was one of the most troublesome figures.

In the entire Tan Yang, it was hard for anyone involved in either the lawful or unlawful paths to not know of the Lin family. Such a formidable person was actually ambushed and severely injured??

Since Lin Qixiao took over the Ninth Squad four years ago, such unbelievable… news was actually good news.

The group suppressed their emotions, not daring to make a sound.

But everyone lowered their heads simultaneously, appearing restrained, yet… perhaps everyone was secretly smiling with satisfaction internally.

Zhang Rongfang wordlessly pocketed the document.

Whether he could keep this acting position depended on whether someone with deep connections would come to compete for this job.

After the officer left.

Zhang Rongfang turned around, looking at the group of members staring expectantly at him.

“Dismissed. Until Captain Lin returns, gather once every evening as usual, for the rest, you’re free to move.”

“Yes!” The group responded one after another.

Zhang Rongfang didn’t care much for these unmotivated fellows. With Lin Qixiao out of the picture, it seemed he wouldn’t be returning.

After all, even in modern society, if limbs were broken, being able to recover to normal use through surgery was already remarkable.

But to say one could practice martial arts again after recovery…

At least Zhang Rongfang hadn’t heard of such a case.

After announcing the dismissal, Zhang Rongfang immediately went to see the Director of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

The Ninth Squad was originally managed by the General Command, but due to its special circumstances, Lin Qixiao was completely unmanageable, only Director Li Ran could keep him in check.

So it had always been directly managed.

Li Ran didn’t waste words, straightforwardly relaying Lin Qixiao’s current situation.

Fractures in all limbs, chest bones caved in, bones could be set right, but he would never practice martial arts again.

Then he told Zhang Rongfang to do a good job and wait for eventual promotion.

After all, Zhang Rongfang was someone he himself had placed there.

However, judging by Li Ran’s expression, he seemed quite regretful about Lin Qixiao’s severe injury.

Zhang Rongfang could actually understand it. With a subordinate like Lin Qixiao, who has a deep background and a fiery temper, it’s perfectly fitting to use them as a weapon.

“Speaking of which, manpower is tight nowadays. With you leading the Ninth Squad alone, it’s possible that you won’t get any temporary assistance. Can you manage?” Li Ran asked gently.

“What are you talking about, sir?” Zhang Rongfang replied seriously, “Now that Captain Lin is injured, the affairs of the Ninth Squad are significant. Even if I have to grit my teeth and push through, I will make it work!”

“Besides….” Zhang Rongfang looked as if he had more to say but hesitated.

“Besides what?” Li Ran asked with slight curiosity.

“Besides, I happened to have made a breakthrough in power recently, and I’m now at the third rank. I should be able to stabilize the situation Captain Lin left behind. Although I can’t compare to Captain Lin, keeping things as they are should be manageable.”

Zhang Rongfang said sincerely.

A breakthrough?

And at such a critical moment?

A glint of consideration appeared in Li Ran’s eyes.

“Not bad, not bad, third rank…. Zhang Ying, you’re only eighteen now, right?”

“Yes, sir.” Zhang Rongfang quickly responded.

“Please answer honestly, what is your real age?” Li Ran smiled, “Don’t say eighteen. Who would believe that?”

Zhang Rongfang forced a smile.

He’s been practicing martial arts for quite some time. He also understands that for ordinary people, reaching the first rank is the hardest, usually requiring at least ten years of foundational work.

Once you break through to the first rank, progress becomes much faster.

Typically, it’s one rank every three years.

Of course, this is a generalization.

Among countless martial artists, there are always those with extraordinary talent and physique. From the start, they have the equivalent physical qualities of an ordinary person’s first or second rank, making their martial training far more efficient.

This isn’t unfair. Even babies are born with varying weights, with some having double the size of others.

Especially adults.

Some have exceptionally great comprehension, thoroughly understanding martial arts and maximizing their training effects, progressing one year to equal several years for others.

Such individuals advance very quickly too.

But Zhang Rongfang knew he wasn’t one of these types.

Forcibly disguising comes with a risk of exposure eventually.

So.

“To be honest with you, sir, I truly am not eighteen….” Zhang Rongfang smiled awkwardly.

“You.” Li Ran shook his head, “Don’t think everyone else is a fool. The years you’ve been practicing martial arts and the bitter effort you’ve put in, those with rich experience can roughly judge these things.

Many aspects, many traces, are unrelated to talent or comprehension and can only be accumulated through hard practice. So…. honesty is essential.”

“You’re right, sir.” Zhang Rongfang nodded solemnly.

“Alright, since you’ve advanced to the third rank, the Ninth Squad has a chance to become official. However, because you haven’t been in the position for long, you’re still lacking merit. Therefore, complete the task assigned to you splendidly, and your position will be made official. However, this task carries some danger.

What do you say? Do you dare take it on!?”

Li Ran smiled at Zhang Rongfang.

“I dare!” Zhang Rongfang replied resolutely without hesitation.

After all, he had saved the other person’s only son, so he believed they wouldn’t assign him to a deadly mission.

“Very well.” Li Ran nodded and took a document from the desk, tossing it lightly.

The document spun through the air, landing precisely beside Zhang Rongfang, who caught it swiftly.

“A temporary base of Sea Dragon has been found on the outskirts of the city. Lead your team to eliminate it.”

“Yes!”

Zhang Rongfang understood immediately.

It seems that the Lin family, with Lin Qixiao, is finally starting to exert its power.

And as an ordinary third ranker, the fact that he is deployed suggests it’s not a particularly troublesome task.

The next morning, he gathered all team members and headed to the designated location on the outskirts.

*

*

*

Merak Palace, Zhengning Hall.

Lin Hong wore a white robe over a green base daoist robe, with a large Tai Chi Diagram embroidered on his back.

He was now over forty or fifty years old, with one son and one daughter at his knees.

His wife had passed away early, leaving him only his pair of children for company.

But now….

He held the duster, pursing his lips, and stared intensely at the simple wooden bed placed in the back hall of the main hall.

On the bed lay a patient wrapped entirely in bandages — his once lively and innocent daughter, Lin Qixiao.

He reached out his hand, trembling as he tried to touch his daughter’s broken arm.

“Dad…” Lin Qixiao’s pretty face had swollen eyes from crying.

Unable to move, even eating, drinking, excreting, all required care from others, and her original dignity had completely collapsed over these past two days.

“It’s the Sea Dragons!! They wanted to capture me!! They wanted to take me away for those vile things!!”

She didn’t mention that she had deliberately blocked the Sea Dragon’s people.

“Sea Dragon….” Lin Hong withdrew his hand, his expression slightly trembling.

If it were other powers, he might immediately dispatch experts to annihilate them without a second thought.

But Sea Dragon….

Behind them was enormous trouble….

He had heard of the Sea Dragon and knew they were capturing beautiful women everywhere to send to the Great Capital.

He also knew the leader of Sea Dragon, the Sea Dragon King, was merely a figurehead.

But now, with his beloved daughter wounded to this extent…

Sea Dragon was untouchable…. but capturing a few others for his daughter to vent was still possible.

From his expression, Lin Qixiao seemed to sense something.

“Dad, are you doing it again, like last time!? Just like when mom passed away!”

She looked at her father in disbelief, her eyes filled with shock.

“I am your daughter!!! Your most beloved Qixiao!!!?”

“Look at my hand, my leg!?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep