Chapter 119: Chapter 96: Stacked Force Fist Breakthrough
WHOOSH!!
That evening, a tram rattled through the streets.
The buildings outside the window flew backward as the crowded car swayed slightly.
Having finished his shift and changed into a black sweatsuit, Lu Chao sat quietly by the window, his gaze lifting to the black screen hanging inside the car.
[Linghuan Evening News: This afternoon at five, the Superpower Bureau announced a major breakthrough in the disappearance case that has been quiet for days!]
[The culprits have been linked to the God-Worshiping Church and have been brought to justice. According to our frontline reporters, the Superpower Bureau organized a raid, successfully eliminating the criminals and rescuing nineteen of the missing individuals...]
As the screen lit up, a crisp, female AI voice echoed through the car, drawing the attention of many passengers.
The news footage cut between various scenes.
There were shots of the cargo ship where the missing people had been hidden, as well as fleets and minor gang members controlled by the God-Worshiping Church.
As for the rescued individuals, not much was revealed due to privacy concerns.
"They actually solved the case. The Superpower Bureau is pretty capable, huh?"
"What’s the use? They only rescued nineteen people. I remember the number of missing was over a hundred. If I’m not mistaken, the rest must have already been killed..."
"Easy for you to say. Why don’t we see you out there rescuing them?"
A buzz of discussion filled the car. Lu Chao, sitting quietly in his seat, couldn’t help but think back to the interrogation report he had seen at the Patrol Department that morning.
Based on the biological evidence left at the scene and the testimonies from the captured fleets and gang members, the hidden God-Worshiping Church had essentially been wiped out.
However, for some reason, Lu Chao felt like something was off. His eyes flickered with uncertainty.
’According to Captain Yang, that Leader Yan is a Martial Artist whose Life Energy has broken the one-hundred-point barrier.’
’With him personally leading the team, there shouldn’t have been any problems.’
He shook his head as the tram pulled into the station.
Lu Chao pushed aside his distracting thoughts and stepped off the tram onto the platform.
Although the early spring weather in March was pleasant, the temperature difference between day and night was significant.
The young men and women on the street were dressed for all seasons; some wore thin long-sleeved shirts, while others were bundled up in thick jackets.
Glancing around, Lu Chao noticed that the number of open-air stalls along North Street had grown, making the wide road feel somewhat congested.
The aroma of fried skewers and grilled sausages wafted from afar. The vendors’ carts were lit with neon signs, their lights mingling with the flashing pink glow from the nightclubs on either side, dazzling the eye.
Averting his gaze, Lu Chao walked into the Dreamfire Bar.
"The VIPs in Booth Three have requested a song!"
"And they’re buying a bottle of ’Dreamer’ for everyone here!"
WHOA!!
The familiar uproar from the main hall was audible even from the entrance.
Having been closed for a few days, the Dreamfire Bar was back in business. On stage, the DJ was hyping up the crowd as rhythmic music THUMPED, rattling eardrums.
Scantily clad women with graceful figures swayed under the multicolored lights, while the guests in the booths below cheered and raised their glasses.
"That’s a VIP for you!"
"Come on, let’s drink!"
"Drink! Drink! Drink!!"
The bar was packed, not an empty seat in the house, as patrons seeking fun and relaxation roared with excitement.
While such a noisy scene might be overwhelming for some, Lu Chao’s expression softened as he entered, and he nodded to himself.
The bar’s reopening meant that Brother Hao was fine, which was what truly put his mind at ease.
He immediately went to the bar, found a security guard, and explained his purpose for being there.
He had visited Brother Hao at the bar twice over the past month, and the man’s injuries had long since healed.
He was here today for one reason only: Zhou Qiang had contacted him during the day and asked him to come.
"Xiaochao, please wait a moment!"
The security guard nodded respectfully and spoke into his earpiece.
A moment later, Lu Chao saw Zhou Qiang walking down with a brown bag in his hand.
"Been waiting long?"
Zhou Qiang was still in a black suit, worn slightly open to reveal a red shirt underneath.
Lu Chao knew what he was referring to. His gaze fell to the bag in Zhou Qiang’s hand, which held a small box—this month’s sponsored resources.
"I’ve been busy with other things the last few days, so I didn’t get a chance to give this to you."
"Here." Zhou Qiang handed him the bag, explaining, "Brother Hao said you’ve probably been using a lot of the Bone-Strengthening and Qi-Replenishing Ointment recently and figured its effects might be diminishing. So, he had me switch it out for a Cyan Jade Crystal for you."
Lu Chao was taken aback for a moment, then accepted it with a smile.
A normal fighter would build up a tolerance to nutritional resources much faster than he did, but he hadn’t expected Brother Hao to be so thoughtful.
"Thanks, Brother Qiang. I appreciate you both going to the trouble."
"Heh, it’s nothing."
Zhou Qiang laughed and clapped him on the shoulder, and the two chatted for a bit.
During their conversation, Lu Chao asked about the recent incident, but Zhou Qiang just shook his head gently. "Stay out of it."
"Don’t pay any mind to the rumors flying around outside. Just focus on your work at the Patrol Department."
He clearly didn’t want to say more. Lu Chao felt a bit helpless. Just then, a commotion stirred at the bar’s entrance.
A fleet of black [Sharp Light] cars had pulled up to the entrance. Seven or eight burly men in suits surrounded a man and a woman as they walked in, causing the security guards at the door to bow their heads respectfully.
The man wore gold-rimmed glasses, a deep blue suit, and a red bow tie, looking both scholarly and gentlemanly.
The young woman on his arm was even more familiar to Lu Chao. She had a delicate, oval face with light makeup, wore a black lace dress with a short, black fleece jacket, and carried a white [Celestial Moon] handbag.
It was none other than Peng Zhao Hui and Song Yuhan.
