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By day Danan Street was a sleepy strip of road, home only to shophouses offering bargain-bin wares. But when night fell, as youths and families flocked to Danan Street, the city block transformed into the Danan Night Market.<\/p>\n
Brightly-lit carts packed the streets, selling dumplings, omelets, sausages, rice cakes, spring rolls, and other snacks. The shophouses locked up their daytime inventory, exchanging them for cold soups, jellies, sit-down meals, clothing, gray market electronics, more. Anything and everything a man could ever want, he could find it in Danan Night Market.<\/p>\n
The odor of fried oil assaulted Sun\u2019s nose. After the sewers it was a heavenly fragrance. Merchants shouted the night\u2019s promotions at the top of their voices, while customers yelled back their orders and counteroffers. A thousand lanterns and signs glared all around.<\/p>\n
Bracing himself, Sun swam through the ocean of people before him, exploiting the tiniest gaps he could find. The Night Market was infamous for its pickpockets, but everything he needed he stored in his interspatial storage, and in the unlikely event a thief stole his utility band he would discover only Sun could activate it.<\/p>\n
Sun was more concerned about an assassin. A hatchet man could sneak up on him and cut his throat before he could react. But he had no choice: Du Yang was present only at night.<\/p>\n
Sun jostled and weaved and snaked his way through the crowd, sometimes stopping at a stall to inspect its wares, taking every chance he could to check his back.<\/p>\n
Finally, he arrived at his destination: the Red Phoenix Total Health Club.<\/p>\n
Signs outside shouted the club\u2019s services. Meridian massages and acupuncture to revitalize yourself and clear\u00a0qi<\/em>\u00a0blockages. Chiropractic services to realign your joints. Customized herbal supplement therapy to suit your health goals. And for cultivators, a tailored regimen of elixirs, potions, and treatments to maximize your potential.<\/p>\n Before Sun left the station, Luo had delivered a half-hour lecture on Du Yang. As far as the police knew, the Red Phoenix was completely legitimate. The owner even paid taxes. Which meant it was a front.<\/p>\n A pair of goons in cheap suits guarded the door. Both of them wore utility bands. They bowed as he approached, and as Sun passed through the door one of them whispered into his band.<\/p>\n Activating his spirit sense, Sun scanned the reception room. It was an oasis of calm. Patrons dressed in soft robes lounged in plush sofas, drinking herbal teas and reading magazines. Soft music piped in from overhead speakers. A pretty young woman circulated throughout the room, tending to the customer\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n There was a reception desk to his left. At the far left corner, a staircase of fine black wood spiraled to the upper floor. Opposite the stairs, a middle-aged man stood behind a counter stocked with herbs and incense and tonics.<\/p>\n Everyone here looked like regular people, but their\u00a0qi<\/em>\u00a0told a different story. Their auras glowed in vivid hues. An abundance of life energy washed over Sun. He sensed many similar auras in the upper floors. Many of these people weren\u2019t cultivators, but they were all in the pink of health.<\/p>\n The woman manning the reception desk smiled at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWelcome! Do you have an appointment?\u201d<\/p>\n Sun produced his badge. \u201cI wish to see Mr Du Yang. The owner of this fine establishment\u2026 and Red Pole of the Danan Street branch of the Yong Hai Clan.\u201d<\/p>\n Her face grew pale.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026 I don\u2019t know who you\u2019re talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n The air shifted subtly. Someone had just stepped in behind Sun.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s that in the office on the fifth floor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a Defender. And I need to see him. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough,\u201d a voice boomed to his right.<\/p>\n A heavy hand reached for Sun. He pivoted away, neatly dodging the grab.<\/p>\n The two guards from outside had stepped in. Both of them looked at Sun in surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease don\u2019t touch me,\u201d Sun said mildly.<\/p>\n Heavy footsteps pounded down the stairs. Two more goons rushed towards Sun.<\/p>\n \u201cHonored guest, I must ask you to leave,\u201d the beefiest of the four said.<\/p>\n \u201cI will, after I speak to your boss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome with us. You are leaving now.\u201d<\/p>\n The four men closed on him.<\/p>\n Sun smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of you are four-nines, yes?\u201d Sun said. \u201cIf you touch me, I will personally haul you before the judge. Or the Ten Judges of the Underworld.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know who you\u2019re talking to?\u201d the youngest of the Clan foot soldiers blustered.<\/p>\n \u201cSmall vegetables. If you don\u2019t wish to be fried vegetables, take me to your Red Pole.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou dare\u2014!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDa ge<\/em>,\u201d the receptionist interrupted. \u201cMr Du said he wants to see our guest.\u201d<\/p>\n The heavyset one pursed his lips. \u201cDefender, come with us. But don\u2019t do anything stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n Sun put his badge away. The gangsters boxed him in and escorted him upstairs.<\/p>\n The top floor was Du\u2019s personal office. The floor was made of gleaming marble. Wall-length cabinets boasted trophies, medals, certificates, ceramic pottery, and books. Sofas and chairs surrounded a conference table in the middle of the room. A potted plant stood next to the window. Behind an imposing wooden work desk, dressed in a sharp gray suit and red tie, Du Yang awaited.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, gentlemen,\u201d Du said. \u201cPlease wait outside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t do anything stupid,\u201d the beefy gangster growled.<\/p>\n The foot soldiers left the room, leaving the two men alone.<\/p>\n \u201cDefender,\u201d Du said. \u201cWe don\u2019t normally entertain your kind here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven within the\u00a0jianghu<\/em>, there exist separate worlds.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed.\u201d Du gestured at a chair in front of him. \u201cPlease, sit. Would you like something to drink? We have an excellent selection of teas.\u201d<\/p>\n Sun sat. \u201cNo thanks. I won\u2019t take long.\u201d<\/p>\n Du poured himself a cup of steaming tea from an expensive-looking pot and eased into his chair.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat brings you here, Mr Sun?\u201d Du asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t recall giving my name.\u201d<\/p>\n Du smiled. \u201cYou didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a power play. Sun ignored it.<\/p>\n \u201cMr Du, I heard three of your men were hospitalized. You have my sympathies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a rough business.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed. But if you kidnap a Barrier Technician, many unpleasant things will happen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLast night, a pair of cultivators kidnapped a Barrier Technician. I was in hot pursuit. Your men tried to stop me. Explain their actions.\u201d<\/p>\n Du\u2019s nostrils flared.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t just walk in here and accuse me of a crime I didn\u2019t commit. Leave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t accuse you of anything. I merely asked you to explain your men\u2019s actions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLeave. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe sooner you tell me what you know, the sooner I\u2019ll leave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome back with a warrant.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not an arrest. Just an interview.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis interview is over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s over when I say it\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can have you removed.\u201d<\/p>\n Sun laughed. \u201cYou don\u2019t enough have men to touch me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI could call the police.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr Du, I\u2019m a Defender. Who do you think they\u2019ll side with?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWeren\u2019t you suspended?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t stop being a Defender.\u201d<\/p>\n Du glared at Sun. \u201cYour arrogance is unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n He was losing his cool. Excellent.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Sun said. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to like each other, but we do have to coexist. As it happens, I\u2019m not interested in your business. Only in the kidnappers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know nothing about the kidnappers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why were your men watching the sewer tunnel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do not involve myself with the daily affairs of my employees.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre your men idiots?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey were guarding a cache. In your line of work, you\u2019d know that the best way to protect a cache is to not draw attention to it. But they stepped out and challenged me anyway. That meant they\u2019re idiots, or someone ordered them to. And you don\u2019t become this successful by hiring fools.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have no knowledge of\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you afraid of?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe? Afraid?\u201d His face hardened. \u201cYou are treading on dangerous ground.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. The Yong Hai Clan is on dangerous ground because of you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExplain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRogue cultivators kidnapped a Barrier Technician. That makes it the business of the Defenders\u2019 Guild. Your men obstructed me while I was chasing the criminals, in a manner that suggested\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0ordered them to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cListen. You may have plenty of experience dealing with the police, but the Defenders are not the police. We are not bound by their regulations. You are our only lead. If you won\u2019t tell me what I want to know, I will personally burn down your domain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that a threat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Just a fact. I\u2019m here as a courtesy. If we can\u2019t reach an agreement, there will be bloodshed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot if I remove you first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are speaking to a Defender, Mr Du. Even if you succeed, you\u2019d make an enemy of the entire Guild. Is it worth waging a war you can\u2019t win for the sake of one girl?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Sun cut him off.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re obviously protecting someone. We both know you specialize in selling contraband through the Night Market. Not kidnapping. You\u2019re not protecting the Yong Hai Clan. No secret society under heaven would be stupid enough to mess with the Defenders. That means you\u2019re protecting someone\u00a0outside<\/em>\u00a0your clan. Someone you\u2019re deathly afraid of. Am I right?\u201d<\/p>\n Du said nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a yes, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Sun leaned forward. \u201cI\u2019m not interested in the business of your clan. Only in rescuing the girl. But if you stand in my way I will destroy you. Once again: is it worth going to war with us over an outsider who scares you?\u201d<\/p>\n Du stayed silent for a while. Sun waited. Du sipped his tea. Sun waited. Du tapped his fingers against the desk. Sun waited.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Beast King Sect,\u201d Du said, finally.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are they?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe most fearsome killers you\u2019ve never heard of.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell me more.\u201d<\/p>\n “They are contract killers. High-level cultivators as powerful as Defenders. They can make deaths look like beast attacks. My men personally witnessed them taming and controlling beasts with special\u00a0qi<\/em>\u00a0techniques.”<\/p>\n That explained the jiaolong in the sewer.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do they want with Barrier Technicians?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. Last month, their representative approached our Dragon Head. They wanted to hire guides familiar with the sewer system, and guards who could run interference for them. The Dragon Head referred them to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did they offer?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHigh-grade beast parts and rare medicinal ingredients.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike the ones in the cache I found.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid they tell you why they needed guides?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. They made it clear I was not to probe into their affairs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did you accept the deal?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur Dragon Head wanted to be on their good side. We don\u2019t need them giving preferential treatment to our rivals.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere can I find the Beast Kings?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy contacts told me an unknown group bought and renovated the derelict Xin Hong Industrial Building in the Old District two months ago. My men said they picked up and dropped off the Beast Kings within three blocks of Xin Hong.\u201d<\/p>\n Three blocks. If he had just left his post\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cHow many Beast Kings are there?\u201d Sun asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. But my men reported dealing with at least six separate individuals. And we have no knowledge of any beasts they may or may not have.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo they have weapons?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey didn\u2019t show any to us.\u201d<\/p>\n Sun stood. \u201cThank you for the information.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis conversation never happened.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n Sun turned to go.<\/p>\n \u201cWait,\u201d Du asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you planning to do with the Beast Kings?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens within the\u00a0jianghu<\/em>\u00a0stays in the\u00a0jianghu<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Previous chapters:\u00a01<\/a>,\u00a02<\/a>,\u00a03<\/a>,\u00a04<\/a>,\u00a05<\/a>,\u00a06<\/a>,\u00a07<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Cheah](\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/DQmNPjQAkaGvtrys87bjqAghP62AqHAB7edWEt44bH8yfwD\/Cheah%20Git%20San%20Red.jpg\")
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