Chapter 73: The Manhunt
Rampaging Recklessly was the current target of the Kangyang District Spirit Realm Walker squad's search operations, one of Black Wuchang's trusted confidants, and a Level 3 Hex Master.
While in the black business SUV on the way to the meeting, Li Dongze briefed him in a grave tone. "Based on the intel we extracted from the spirit of the Hex Master we killed previously, Rampaging Recklessly is a Level 3 Hex Master who has progressed about 90% through the level experience-wise. He is truly considered at the peak of the Transcendent tier."
Zhang Yuanqing gave a solemn nod.
Evil classes were stronger in combat than ordinary Lawful classes. If Rampaging Recklessly was already at 90% experience in Level 3, even a fellow Level 3 Nocturnal Specter with lower experience would probably get crushed in a fight against him.
Guan Ya smiled. "Don't worry, we've got the numbers."
She was right. There were a staggering number of Lawful Walkers. Evil-class Walkers might be individually powerful, but their total headcount couldn't hold a candle to that of the Lawful faction.
Before long, they arrived at their destination—a private clubhouse nestled in a quiet pocket of the bustling city. It was called the Green Vine Wellness Hall, specializing in beauty treatments, health therapy, and leisure. The interior was lovely, filled with lush green plants. Adorable pet cats and dogs wandered and played among the verdant foliage.
The décor was distinctly classical Chinese, with rattan chairs, round tables, wood carvings, ink-wash paintings, and more.
Zhang Yuanqing took in the pleasant scenery as he stepped inside the hall and walked along a flagstone path that meandered through the grass.
"This place is one of the Hundred Flowers Society's properties," remarked Guan Ya, who was walking beside him. "They normally use it as a squad base. The person in charge is Captain Green Vine."
Seeing the blank look on his face, she sighed and elaborated, "You know, the woman in the ink-wash qipao. Big chest, round butt?"
Zhang Yuanqing's eyes lit up with recognition. "Oh, her!"
Definitely a Scorpio! Guan Ya grumbled internally.
After a few minutes of walking, a sunroom spanning a good thirty square meters appeared ahead of them. At its center stood a round, rugged log table with over a dozen Spirit Realm Walkers seated around it.
Zhang Yuanqing followed the Squad Leader through the sunroom door and swept his gaze around the room. He spotted several familiar faces: White Dragon, the boss lady in her racing suit; Green Vine, the beautiful woman in her qipao; Big Muscle, the brawny man in skintight athletic wear; and Tang Guoqiang, the middle aged man still wearing his hardhat.
The rest were strangers.
Zhang Yuanqing stole another glance at Tang Guoqiang. That helmet has to be an item, right? What does it do, make his head hard as iron?
The construction company CEO had changed his clothes, but the helmet stubbornly remained on his head. He hadn't thought anything of it before, but now it seemed obvious. Anything a Spirit Realm Walker kept on them at all times was most likely an item.
White Dragon raised an eyebrow. "Well, well, our Nocturnal Specter has arrived. So, how's life under Li Dongze treating you? If it's not working out, you can always come over to your Big Sis. Good wine, good food every day, and pretty girls too."
Big Muscle laughed. "I say there's no future working under Li Dongze. Unless he's handing out girlfriends."
Every official Walker at the table turned to look at him, some with curiosity, some with intense scrutiny, some with warmth. Zhang Yuanqing suddenly found himself the center of attention.
The Sheling Tunnel incident had earned him a small measure of fame, but after clearing Jinshui Amusement Park, the ID Yuanshi Tianzun had leapt into the spotlight as the Songhai Branch's most talked-about rising star.
Li Dongze opened his mouth to speak, instinctively wanting to shield his subordinate from too much awkward attention, then thought better of it. The kid didn't need it.
Zhang Yuanqing put on a serious face. "Give it a few more months and Squad Leader Li might be working under me."
Everyone paused, then burst out laughing, turning to rib Li Dongze instead.
The squad leader led his two subordinates to their seats and cleared his throat. "Let's get down to business."
The Walkers around the table sobered up immediately.
As the host, Green Vine spoke first. "Our informants spotted Rampaging Recklessly at a villa community near Runmin Plaza in the early hours of this morning. However, we can't yet determine whether it's his personal hideout or the location of his accomplices."
"The Hundred Flowers Society's informants are stray animals, scattered throughout Songhai," Guan Ya leaned in and whispered to Zhang Yuanqing.
Stray animals? Oh, right. A Wood Demon at the Saint tier also has another title: Beast King. Zhang Yuanqing gave a small nod.
Tang Guoqiang frowned. "I know that community. It's full of wealthy residents. If we want to make an arrest, we'd have to evacuate the area first."
Big Muscle objected immediately. "No way. An evacuation would cause too big a commotion, and Rampaging Recklessly would surely flee. We need to strike like lightning and catch him completely off-guard."
He wasn't one for lengthy preparations. He just wanted to get things done.
Li Dongze considered this carefully. "An evacuation is indeed unwise, since it would tip him off. I have two proposals. First, we ask Centurion Fu to intervene and aim for a quick, decisive victory. Second, we use items to isolate the villa Rampaging Recklessly is occupying from the outside world. We seal him in and take him down."
A man with a grim demeanor frowned. "Centurion Fu is currently hunting Black Wuchang. He may not have the bandwidth to deal with this. We should finalize our own deployment and capture plan first. We can't just sit around hoping he'll come and help."
Zhang Yuanqing listened quietly. The official Walkers gathered there numbered fifteen in total—five captains and ten elite members—forming Kangyang District's dedicated task force for the Black Wuchang case.
A force like that should be more than enough to handle a single Level 3 Hex Master.
Zhang Yuanqing raised his hand. "I have a question."
Everyone looked at him.
"What if Rampaging Recklessly is like Ou Xiangrong, an Evil-class Walker being controlled by the Fallen Holy Grail? What do we do then?"
Ou Xiangrong had escaped his own capture precisely because the Fallen Holy Grail's power had manifested. The evil energy that should have killed him had instead become his trump card.
Big Muscle grinned. "Relax. We've prepared items specifically designed to counter evil energy."
Zhang Yuanqing nodded, reassured.
Green Vine, dressed in a moonlight-white qipao, gazed at Zhang Yuanqing with a gentle smile. "Do you have any other thoughts?"
First, unleash the Red Dancing Shoes. Then activate the Cat King Speaker to intimidate the target. After that, toss out Little Goofball to swap away the enemy's vision. Finally, summon the Ghost Bride. Run through that whole sequence, and the Level 3 Hex Master would be dead or crippled. As for me, the master, I'd just need to orchestrate everything from behind the scenes.
Zhang Yuanqing shook his head. "I'll follow the arrangements laid out by the captains."
Though he hadn't offered any concrete suggestions, the captains were quite pleased with his attitude.
Captain Green Vine spoke again. "First, we notify Centurion Fu and confirm whether we're going with the first or second plan. Regardless of which one, it's best to move at night. That way, we minimize damage and exposure. Also, we must consider the management staff at the villa community. We should try to replace them with our people—no, we can't replace all of them. We'll plant our people among them..."
***
The second floor of an immaculate villa.
Fu Qingyang, looking sharp in a crisp white suit with his hair tied in a handsome short ponytail, knocked on Ling Jun's door with a stern expression.
Ling Jun, whose fashion sense was the polar opposite of Fu Qingyang's, yawned and complained, "What is it? I was up all night playing cards with a girl I fancy. Can't you let me sleep a bit longer? Oh, don't worry, it's not one of the bunny girls at your villa. I don't eat where I sleep."
"The Steward of Fenghua District says they've found traces of Black Wuchang. They're setting up their deployment and have asked me to provide support." Fu Qingyang said, his expression remaining impassive. "You're coming too."
Ling Jun's eyes lit up. "They found Black Wuchang?"
He was instantly wide awake, and already shuffling toward the stairs in his slippers. Two or three steps later, he stopped abruptly.
Fu Qingyang expected him to say something like "let me change first," but instead Ling Jun said, "Wait, I've got a date with a girl tonight. I need to let her know I'm rescheduling."
Fu Qingyang's expression grew even more severe.
***
It was midnight. Three black business SUVs pulled into the villa community and parked in a secluded spot.
The doors swung open and the official Walkers of the task force filed out in disciplined silence.
Zhang Yuanqing gazed at the distant villa. Centurion Fu was tied up with other matters and could not make it, so this arrest operation fell entirely under the task force's responsibility.
A young man in a security guard uniform stepped out of the shadows and approached Green Vine, saying in a low voice, "Captain, Rampaging Recklessly is inside. I watched him go in with my own eyes."
Green Vine's lovely face was tense. She gently stroked the orange tabby cat in her arms and murmured, "You weren't detected?"
The young man shook his head. "I was wearing a mask. I only glanced at him once and didn't linger. The rest of the surveillance was handled by Little Q."
Little Q was his pet sparrow.
Green Vine nodded and opened her Inventory, pulling from the void a piece of dried wood, two fingers thick and half a foot long. In her field of vision, the item's information materialized.
【Name: Mysterious Garden】
【Type: Support】
【Function: Barrier, Seal】
【Description: A piece of wood brimming with boundless vitality. It sleeps most of the time, but when it touches soil, it awakens and transforms the area within a hundred meter radius into a garden. This garden is completely isolated from the outside world. One can enter but cannot leave. Duration: thirty minutes.】
【Note: The description already explains the cost quite clearly. What more can I say?】
Green Vine surveyed her companions and warned them, "We only have half an hour."
She briefly explained the item's cost, then produced a red cord and tied it around the orange tabby, stroking its head.
"Go!"
The cat leapt away with effortless grace, darting straight toward the villa standing silent in the darkness.
