In a teahouse situated between Tianya Pavilion and Tianfu Building, Zhong Shuhui stood expressionlessly at the window, listening to the reports from her intelligence operatives.
“Young Master Feng was ambushed on Wangjiang Road.”
“Tianya Pavilion has been seized.”
“An Hu reports that Tian Lang and the others are surrounded on the twenty-fifth floor.”
“Ge Feng and Ge Ying are under attack by ancient martial artists. The rescue plan has failed.”
“Young Master Feng killed the attackers, left Wangjiang Road, and entered Binhe Road.”
“Young Master Feng was ambushed on Binhe Road.”
“Young Master Feng slew the ambushers and entered Tianfu Building.”
One piece of information after another arrived. Zhong Shuhui listened without changing her expression, her gaze fixed firmly on Tianfu Building.
“Commander Zhong, we must strike now. Young Master Feng has already entered Tianfu Building, and Tian Lang’s group is in critical danger. If we do not act now, when will we?” Behind Zhong Shuhui, Cang Ying spoke impatiently.
Zhong Shuhui said gravely, “Do you believe the time has come to strike?”
“Commander Zhong, if not now, then when? So many people have just entered Tianfu Building, including highly skilled ancient martial artists. What if Young Master Feng and the others cannot hold out?” Cang Ying said.
“Mun Jiajia, what do you think?” Zhong Shuhui asked the woman on the other side.
“It is not yet time.” Mun Jiajia replied.
“Mun Jiajia, you… are you hoping something happens to Young Master Feng?” Cang Ying stared coldly at Mun Jiajia. As someone who had originally belonged to Fu Yanxiong and now served as deputy commander of Hawk Eye, she was distrusted by all Black Hawk team members, including Cang Ying.
“Cang Ying, watch your tone.” Zhong Shuhui said coldly. She was fully aware of Mun Jiajia’s circumstances. At present, Mun Jiajia had no choice but to follow Li Feng. Moreover, Zhong Shuhui highly valued her abilities. It had been her own proposal to bring Mun Jiajia into Hawk Eye. Questioning Mun Jiajia was tantamount to questioning her.
Cang Ying’s expression shifted.
“Mun Jiajia, what is your reasoning?” Zhong Shuhui asked.
Mun Jiajia glanced at Cang Ying and Hawk Eye, then said expressionlessly, “It is simple. Blood Shadow has not appeared yet. Not only Blood Shadow, but Cai Die has not shown herself either. Cai Die is currently with Situ Qiang, and they have brought many men to the vicinity. They are hardly here just to watch the show.”
Initially, Li Feng had tasked Mun Jiajia with monitoring a person, none other than Cai Die. In the process of surveilling her, they discovered her connections with Situ Qiang. Thus, every move by Cai Die and Situ Qiang was now under their surveillance.
“Then we wait.” Zhong Shuhui said coldly.
Blood Shadow was the primary target this time. Until he appeared, they could not act. Moreover, there was Cai Die. Zhong Shuhui was extremely wary of assassins from Blood Sand. They had clashed several times, yet Blood Sand persistently schemed against Li Feng. This time, Zhong Shuhui had already resolved to take Cai Die’s life.
However, Zhong Shuhui had not expected Situ Qiang to be allied with Cai Die and plotting against Li Feng. No wonder Li Feng had little regard for cooperation with the Situ family. It seemed Li Feng was right. Partnering with the Situ family meant guarding against a knife in the back.
“But…”
Cang Ying wanted to say more, but Zhong Shuhui immediately interrupted him. “No buts. We must wait now. Cang Ying, you are not unaware of Young Master Feng’s plan. Can you bear the responsibility if you ruin it?”
When it came to urgency, no one felt it more than Zhong Shuhui. In her heart, Li Feng’s safety was paramount. Even if the plan failed, even if the entire Black Hawk team perished, even if she herself died, as long as Li Feng lived, it would be worth it.
Yet Zhong Shuhui also understood that Li Feng had meticulously arranged this plan. If they failed to eliminate Blood Shadow and all those targeting him in one strike, all their efforts during this period would have been in vain. Thus, she could only suppress her anxiety.
Cang Ying’s expression changed.
Indeed, he knew something of Li Feng’s plan. What if he disrupted it?
“By the way, regarding those attackers on Wangjiang Road, who do you think they were?” Zhong Shuhui suddenly asked.
“It could not be Cai Die or Situ Qiang. Their men have been under our surveillance the whole time.” Mun Jiajia said.
“Nor could it be Zhu Yuanyang or Fu Yanxiong. Young Master Feng said that in this plan, Fu Yanxiong is entirely on our side. With Fu Yanxiong monitoring Zhu Yuanyang, she could not possibly have acted against Young Master Feng on Wangjiang Road.” Cang Ying said.
Hearing Cang Ying mention Fu Yanxiong, Mun Jiajia’s eyes narrowed.
She knew of the conflict between Li Feng and Fu Yanxiong. Yet in such a major operation tonight, why was Fu Yanxiong not joining Zhu Yuanyang against Li Feng, but instead secretly helping Li Feng by monitoring her?
In fact, not only Mun Jiajia, but even Zhong Shuhui found it somewhat unbelievable. An alliance between Fu Yanxiong and Li Feng was like wolves and tigers joining forces. It should have been impossible. Yet this impossible thing had happened.
If Li Feng had not stated with absolute certainty that Fu Yanxiong could be trusted this time, she would never have believed it.
However, since Li Feng had said so, there must be a special reason. Thus, Zhong Shuhui chose to trust him.
“Among the eight top-tier families, Jin Songyang is currently in the First People’s Hospital. As for Ying Suyan, Young Master Feng also said the likelihood of her acting tonight is low.” Cang Ying continued.
“And Song Zhiyuan is even less likely. This time, Song Zhiyuan is our ally.” Zhong Shuhui said.
“Then among the eight top-tier families, only Ma Xiaoyong, Qin Feng, and Li Wu remain.” Mun Jiajia said.
“Ma Xiaoyong’s strength in Tianhai City is limited. Among those who appeared on Wangjiang Road were several eighth- and ninth-level post-natal ancient martial artists. Ma Xiaoyong should not have such powerful experts at his side.” Zhong Shuhui shook her head.
“That is merely our judgement. If Ma Xiaoyong truly wanted to target Young Master Feng, he could secretly mobilise forces. The same goes for Qin Feng. Regarding Qin Feng, Commander Zhong, I believe you understand him better than we do.” Mun Jiajia glanced at Zhong Shuhui.
“Qin Feng is also possible.” Zhong Shuhui’s gaze focused. Qin Feng had clashed with Li Feng numerous times, and fiercely at that. At this juncture, Qin Feng would hardly remain idle.
“As for Li Wu.” A chill flashed in Zhong Shuhui’s eyes. With others, she needed to speculate on motives, but not Li Wu. He required no reason to target Li Feng.
“So the ones who ambushed Young Master Feng on Wangjiang Road could be men from Ma Xiaoyong, Qin Feng, or Li Wu?” Mun Jiajia’s eyes flickered as she asked with some puzzlement. “Commander Zhong, do you not think we have overlooked something?”
“Overlooked? Overlooked what? Is there someone else?” Zhong Shuhui was startled. After thinking, she could not identify anyone else.
“Commander Zhong, what do you make of Tianhai City’s local forces?” Mun Jiajia asked.
“Local forces?” Zhong Shuhui’s gaze sharpened. She quickly realised, her expression changing as she said gravely, “You mean the four great families of Tianhai City?”
At this moment, Zhong Shuhui’s face altered.
The four great families had dominated Tianhai City for decades. Backed by powerful support, they acted without restraint in the city. Even the eight top-tier families were not taken seriously by them.
Moreover, the four great families were in irreconcilable conflict with Li Feng. It would be reasonable for them to target him.
Zhong Shuhui knew even better that previously, Li Feng and the Blood Kill Double Eagles had slain three ninth-level post-natal ancient martial artists from the four families, including Zhao Xiu. Additionally, at the Empire Hotel, Old Lu had killed another ninth-level post-natal expert from the Liu family. Altogether, four such experts from the four families had died at Li Feng’s hands.
The four families had tried to kill Li Feng at the Empire Hotel last time. If they acted now, it would be entirely plausible.
Furthermore, the four families’ influence in Tianhai City ran deep. No one knew how much power they truly concealed. If they intervened, today’s plan could face significant variables.
While thinking of the four families, Zhong Shuhui also recalled another force she had overlooked: the Emperor’s Pavilion.
According to what Li Feng had told her, the Emperor’s Pavilion had targeted him from the moment he arrived in Tianhai City. However, after the Black Stone Gang was destroyed, they seemed to vanish.
But had the Emperor’s Pavilion truly given up?
Even though Zhong Shuhui had never directly clashed with them, facing the mysterious Emperor’s Pavilion, she would not assume they had let matters rest.
Thus, the four great families of Tianhai City were possible, and the Emperor’s Pavilion was possible too.
“Exactly, the four great families of Tianhai City. Commander Zhong, do not underestimate them.” Mun Jiajia, unaware of how much Zhong Shuhui had pondered in that instant, said gravely after hearing her words.
“It seems before we act, we must clarify the situation with these forces. Otherwise, we will be the ones to suffer.” Zhong Shuhui’s expression grew solemn. She had thought everything was under their control, yet so many unstable factors remained.
“Commander Zhong, there is no need for excessive worry. On Wangjiang Road, Young Master Feng slew so many eighth- and ninth-level post-natal ancient martial artists. Whether it was the four families or other forces, such losses would wound them deeply. Even if they retain strength, dealing with them would not be impossible for us.” Mun Jiajia said gravely.
Zhong Shuhui nodded. Eighth- and ninth-level post-natal ancient martial artists were not easily cultivated. Even the Li family would feel the pain of losing so many at once.
At that moment, an intelligence operative entered the private room.
“Commander Zhong, Situ Qiang’s subordinates have mobilised. Their target is the front entrance of Tianfu Building. Zhu Yuanyang’s men have also moved. Their target is the rear entrance.”
Zhong Shuhui was momentarily stunned, then sneered. “Finally unable to hold back, are they? It seems we need to move as well.”
