"I guess so."
Zhang Feng recalled yesterday, "He wasn't physically well, and his focus was scattered."
Countering him was relatively easy."
Zhang Feng said it with ease.
And before making a move, Zhang Feng was absolutely confident he could strike back.
But the captain listened with apprehension, warning, "Next time don't risk sending messages, and definitely don't put yourself in danger!"
Trading lives with these guys?
It's not worth it!"
"I understand." Zhang Feng said he knew, but deep down he thought, if he didn't have thirty years of fighting experience and a calm mind.
Then it might have been a dead end from the start.
Even trying to trade lives wouldn't have worked.
Of course, there's still a small chance.
That would be to activate a grapple-related 'Fighting Memory' to break that dead end.
'Indeed, the previous two worlds were for me to learn.'
Zhang Feng shook his head inwardly,
'This is where the adventure truly begins, but also where better rewards start.'
Although Zhang Feng was thinking of the danger, his gaze held no worry.
Because thirty years of memories had silently changed Zhang Feng overall.
Zhang Feng also understood his change.
And much more profoundly.
'If I were to bring my thirty years of experience back to the first trial world now.
I wouldn't need any reinforcement; I might clear it.
The strong constitution of those monsters could actually be countered with skills.
It's just that back then, my fighting and weapon knowledge was too limited.'
Zhang Feng consolidated his experience, assessing his combat strength.
But soon the captain's words brought Zhang Feng back to reality.
"Based on the phone you submitted, and the last signal location of the 'King Snake brother' number.
Plus previous investigations, the bureau once suspected that the owner of 'Cai Ying Nightclub' might be King Snake."
The captain looked southeast,
"To verify the accuracy of the information.
Today we intercepted a dozen boxes of liquor from the nightclub at the border.
It's been confirmed, there's no poison, but some harmless smuggled goods were found.
If this King Snake is truly the nightclub owner.
Then he should be trying to earn extra cash recently.
Yet he doesn't dare use their drug trafficking routes for his own affairs, fearing retribution from his superiors if they found out.
So, he first tries to test the waters with these harmless smuggled goods."
The captain looked at Zhang Feng,
"Our bureau will continue checking several border lines in the coming days, taking a long-term combat stance.
If King Snake wants to earn extra money, it will be troublesome and he'll definitely try to figure something out."
The captain pointed to the data,
"This old fox has smuggling connections.
The bureau deduces that King Snake will most likely seek him out privately.
Anyway, whether it's a pear or a jujube, hit first and set up a scheme.
If the hit is accurate.
If King Snake truly seeks out the old fox.
And you're present at the scene, agree directly.
Get the initial merit, leave an impression on King Snake, and then delve deeper.
But the most important thing is to first confirm King Snake's identity.
Find out if he's truly the nightclub's owner.
King Snake, in their territory, since he can command your boss.
Then he should be the 'Army' commander, a significant identity.
We need to confirm his true identity."
"Alright." Zhang Feng kept it in mind.
"Be extremely careful." The captain cautioned again, then looked at his watch,
"Time's almost up; the old fox is probably arriving soon.
You should head to the entrance first, familiarize yourself with the nearby street situation, and wait for him."
"Mm." Zhang Feng nodded and headed to the entrance.
...
Outside the screening hall.
Eight thirty, peak time for foot traffic, with stalls and tourists seen everywhere.
"Fresh skewers..."
There's also a stall selling lamb skewers at the entrance.
The cumin aroma wafts nearby, enticing passersby.
"Thirty yuan worth, please."
Zhang Feng left the entrance and approached the stall.
Eating while observing, multitasking effectively.
Paid.
Then looked at the pedestrians coming and going.
About two minutes later.
The captain came out of the screening hall, glanced at Zhang Feng at the stall.
'I asked you to observe, yet you're busy eating?' The captain's eyebrow twitched slightly, inwardly admiring his junior's carefree nature.
Zhang Feng looked at him, without speaking.
The two exchanged glances for a few seconds, without any communication.
The captain blended in like a regular pedestrian, quickly disappearing into the crowd ahead.
A few minutes later.
Zhang Feng, while eating skewers, looked toward the street.
Whoosh—
A van stopped on the highway not far away.
The back door was half open.
'305, the license plate matches.'
Zhang Feng glanced, carrying the remaining five skewers, heading to the van.
"Lamb skewers? Smells great!"
Driver's seat.
The old fox turned towards Zhang Feng, offering a cigarette, grinning, "You're the guy Captain Hu mentioned? Running with Ah Liang, right?
I saw you a few times before, but we didn't talk.
Didn't expect you to be an informant too."
The old fox spoke casually, with a streetwise aura.
Because he didn't know Zhang Feng was undercover, instead thinking Zhang Feng was like him, a 'police informant.'
And Captain Hu was the captain Zhang Feng spoke with.
Ah Liang was Zhang Feng's boss.
"Yeah, I'm with Ah Liang." Zhang Feng took the cigarette, then offered the lamb skewer, "Just grilled."
"I can't eat that." The old fox shook his head, seeing Zhang Feng's doubt, then explained, "It's not the lamb skewer that's the problem, it's me.
My throat was inflamed yesterday, can't eat chili."
Saying this, he skillfully lit the cigarette, "Why aren't you with Ah Liang anymore? Now you're with me?"
"He found out my identity." Zhang Feng said while continuing to eat, "Then it was over, I sent him off."
"Damn! It's dangerous in our line!" The old fox lamented upon hearing about Ah Liang's death, "Damn, not only do we have to guard against superiors hacking us, but also against our underlings plotting a coup.
Also, we need to guard against the big shots from the government biubiu-ing us.
Just like last time I went to trade powder, accidentally bumped into an anti-drug official."
He was just about to shoot, and I was so scared that I immediately shouted Lord Hu's name!"
The old hand talked about these things vividly, "A real son of a dog is despised both inside and out!"
"That's right." Zhang Feng looked at his pocket, revealing the gun handle, "So what are we supposed to do now?"
"You're with me now." The old hand noticed Zhang Feng's gaze and generously took out the gun, "Can you handle it? Borrow it for a while?
Anyway, I have another one at home.
Just return it to me whenever you have one."
"I have one." Zhang Feng took out the boss's pistol, "Ah Liang the boss gave it to me, luckily I don't have to return it."
"Nice." The old hand nodded, then chuckled and said, "Let's go, I'll arrange a place for you to stay."
...
The new place was on the southwest side of the old city.
There was a cluster of old houses here.
Inside, there were all kinds of people.
Zhang Feng settled down here while the old hand left quickly.
He had his own place.
"If you need anything, just call me."
He left a phone number before leaving.
The following days.
Zhang Feng didn't contact him, but went out once to buy the herbs he needed for his practice.
Fortunately, this area had many mountains, and the medicine was abundant.
With lots of competition, they were cheap.
Zhang Feng hired a car and bought a month's worth in an afternoon.
He still had a thousand cash on him, enough to live.
In the unconscious waiting.
Twenty-five days later.
Afternoon.
In a fairly spacious rental room.
Zhang Feng slowly spread his energy, then stood up straight again.
During this time, the old hand hadn't contacted Zhang Feng.
King Snake also had no news.
But since resonating with the 'Sixteen Meridians' two days ago.
In just two days, Zhang Feng practiced using 'Overclocking' to increase his Constitution by more than 3 points, in a leapfrogging manner!
The amplification was exceptionally evident!
But now the explosive growth period had passed.
The effect was slowly diminishing.
Zhang Feng judged that at this progression speed, barring any unexpected developments.
Then at most within half a year, he could reach the terrifying '28 Constitution!'
Similar to the '30-year-old peak period' in the last adventure world!
And his flesh and skin would be a bit sturdier.
This speed of improvement was unexpected for Zhang Feng.
It must be considered that this lifetime was a 'midway career change,' without much Constitution point addition.
However.
Upon careful consideration.
Zhang Feng felt that without thirty years of martial experience, and the varied stage experiences of different constitutions.
Then relying just on Hard Qigong Memory would hardly achieve rapid improvement.
They were complementary and both were essential.
Hoo—
Zhang Feng thought for a moment and then resumed practice.
But before long.
Rat-tat—
A knocking sound.
"Fengzi!"
It's the old hand.
Zhang Feng slowly ceased his movements and opened the door.
"Oh? As soon as you opened the door, what's that smell running through the house?"
The old hand sniffed and looked around the house, "Why does it smell like medicine? Are you sick?"
"No." Zhang Feng pointed to the bathroom, "I have a medicinal basin, I soak in it while practicing."
"Weird." The old hand hadn't heard of anyone practicing while bathing, but quickly got to the point,
"King Snake brother contacted me through someone today."
As he spoke, he closed the door.
'King Snake brother?' Zhang Feng felt a stir inside, could Captain Hu's plan have succeeded?
Has King Snake taken the bait?
"What did he say?" Zhang Feng probed.
"He wants to invite you and me to meet and talk." The old hand's eyes were very solemn,
"Let me remind you.
Although they don't know yet that Ah Liang was killed by you, Ah Liang has been missing for almost a month.
Some people have started focusing on you.
After all, you were with Ah Liang before, so they're trying to ask you about certain things.
While I've explained things for you during this time, telling them that after Ah Liang disappeared, you came with me.
And said that you know nothing about Ah Liang's matter.
But who knows whether they really believe it.
That's why King Snake contacted me and specifically asked for you.
I really don't know now whether King Snake is looking for the 'smuggling matter' Captain Hu mentioned, or about your affair."
"Got it." Zhang Feng went to the bed to take out his pistol, "Since they're planning to ask me face-to-face, and it seems they don't quite trust me, better be prepared for anything."
"That's my thought too." The old hand took out his pistol from his waist, "Let's go, though we're an hour and a half early, we need to find a gun stashing place at the meeting point first."
...
At five-thirty in the afternoon.
The two arrived at the forest in the countryside ahead of time by an hour and a half.
After walking three hundred meters, they reached a clearing in the forest.
This was the designated location.
The old hand surveyed the vicinity a couple of times, only taking out the transparent tape from his pocket after seeing nobody around.
Rip—
He tore off several strips and stuck them on his arm.
Zhang Feng didn't understand but mimicked him, pretending to know what he's doing.
Once taped, the old hand went to the tree not far away, placed the gun at waist height, then peeled off the transparent tape from his arm and secured the gun in place.
"This spot is good; hide it here." The old hand instructed Zhang Feng to stash his too, "Though I've heard King Snake brother follows the rules, and insists on disarming during meetings.
He's even told us the meeting place in advance, seeming very straightforward.
But to avoid the other's numerical advantage, we better be cautious.
It's tricky for me since I don't have many people I trust here and can't hide everyone in advance, just bringing you and our guns."
"Makes sense." Zhang Feng followed suit, tearing off the tape on his arm then wrapping his gun.
"Later, we need to circle back." The old hand, after making sure everything was set, said to Zhang Feng: "Act as though we've just arrived here."
"Alright." Zhang Feng tried the gun retrieval action and slightly adjusted its height, "I've taped it, shall we go?"
"Let's go."
The two were about to return the way they came.
"Hey?"
Suddenly, two tough men holding guns walked over from a distance.
Each had two guns in hand, one strapped to their waist, and several strips of transparent tape stuck to their arms.
Their appearance made Zhang Feng and the old hand instinctively halt in guard.
One of the men glanced at the old hand, then suddenly said: "Oilhead brother, wasn't King Snake brother saying seven o'clock? Why are you here so early?"