Shackles of Humanity

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The Three Factions

Night had completely fallen. Dim moonlight spilled onto the ground, lending the gunpowder smoke a hazy, dreamlike quality.

Large-scale gunfights within the city were a rarity in all of Longyang City. This was the outskirts, an area with many residents. The fierce firefight instantly drew attention, and many people could be seen craning their necks to peek in this direction from a distance.

Luo Kai had reached a critical point—he was out of bullets. The magazine capacity of his pocket pistol was small, and he had already used up the six rounds he carried. Without ammunition, he had no way to attack. He ducked into a ditch, silently pondering how to get his hands on a gun.

Only four of the ten gunmen in black remained. Unwilling to accept defeat, they each took cover, hiding cautiously. Before long, they began to stir again, slowly emerging and crawling toward the overpass.

Luo Kai took a deep breath, preparing to make his move again. Today’s battle had given him a rough idea of his own capabilities. He realized the most important thing in a life-or-death struggle was courage.

’These gunmen rely mainly on their firearms. If I can close the distance, it’ll be more dangerous, but I’ll also have a good chance to take out one or two before they can shoot. As long as I protect my vitals, like my heart and brain, a bullet elsewhere won’t kill me.’

The battle was about to erupt again. Just then, the distinctive roar of a steam car echoed from the distance. A steam-powered vehicle bearing the insignia of the Security Department was heading their way.

The gunmen in black exchanged glances. They couldn’t afford a conflict with the Security Department. With the mysterious sharpshooter still lurking somewhere and the probability of success now vanishingly slim, they slowly dispersed and went their separate ways.

Luo Kai breathed a sigh of relief. ’It’s always better to avoid unnecessary risks.’ He got up to rejoin Xiaozhuo on the overpass. They didn’t want an encounter with the Security Department either, so they hurried through the underpass and fled toward the outskirts.

They stopped in a dilapidated little shack. Uncle Fu looked at Luo Kai, unable to hold back his admiration. "Good kid! Thank you for today."

Luo Kai ignored him, turning to Xiaozhuo. "My mission is complete, Xiaozhuo. See you around."

Xiaozhuo quickly grabbed his sleeve and turned to Uncle Fu, her eyes pleading.

Uncle Fu stroked his beard and asked, a little awkwardly, "I haven’t had the chance to ask your name, young man."

Luo Kai didn’t have the heart to pull away from Xiaozhuo, so he stopped and replied coldly, "My name is Luo Kai."

"Ahem... Brother Luo, right now, factions all over Longyang Commandery City are looking for you. I’m afraid you’ll be surrounded the moment you set foot inside."

Luo Kai shook his head nonchalantly. "I’m not planning to enter the city. It’s a big world. I’ll find a place to lay low somewhere."

’Looks like this kid is still holding a grudge because I attacked him earlier.’ Uncle Fu forced a smile. "Young man, you don’t know who we are, do you? My employer is Zang Haisheng. Xiaozhuo is his daughter."

"I know. Xiaozhuo told me," Luo Kai said, growing impatient. He was from a civilized world, after all, and had a deep aversion to killing. He had killed so many people today. ’They say saving a life is the greatest of merits, but what if the price of saving one life is taking many more? Is that right or wrong?’

Uncle Fu glanced at Xiaozhuo. After she nodded, he asked, "Young man, surely you’ve heard of Zang Haisheng?"

Luo Kai suppressed the irritation welling in his chest and retorted, "Who’s that? Is he supposed to be famous?"

Uncle Fu chuckled. "I’m surprised there’s anyone in Longyang Commandery City who doesn’t know my employer. Zang Haisheng is the Chief Steward of Black Stone Heavy Industry and also the Vice President of the Longyang Commerce Association."

Luo Kai gave a faint nod. "Oh." He gently slipped his hand from Xiaozhuo’s grasp and turned to leave.

Uncle Fu was exasperated. ’Is this kid a complete blockhead? He just saved the young lady of Black Stone Heavy Industry! An incredible fortune is being handed to him on a silver platter, and he’s completely unfazed, just turning his back and walking away.’

"Big Brother, don’t go!" Xiaozhuo’s eyes reddened. She ran after him, grabbing Luo Kai’s sleeve and refusing to let go.

Uncle Fu hesitated, then said, "Those gunmen in black were the Black-clothed Guard from Jiuyuan Farm Stronghold. The Black-clothed Guard are notoriously vengeful. You killed so many of their men, Brother Luo. They will never let you go. They’ll hunt you to the ends of the earth!"

Uncle Fu continued, "Three factions were involved this time, and all of them are top powers in Longyang County. One of them is likely Xiaozhuo’s second uncle—my employer’s younger brother, Zang Haoming. The Second Master, as we call him, has been at odds with his brother in recent years. However, he has always doted on Xiaozhuo, so he probably isn’t the main instigator. But his son, Zang Guixu, is a sinister and ruthless man. He could be one of the masterminds behind the kidnapping.

Another faction is the Security Department, who are nothing but lackeys for the County Affairs Bureau. The Bureau has been secretly building its own power base, paying lip service to the Great Lord’s orders while covertly disobeying them. It’s suspected they’re leveraging their forces to become a power unto themselves. Black Stone Heavy Industry answers directly to the Great Lord, so we’ve always been a thorn in the Bureau’s side. It’s possible the City Lord of Longyang City himself orchestrated this.

The final group is the Jiuyuan Farm Stronghold. They’ve been aggressively expanding their territory in recent years, plundering and seizing whatever they can. This time, they’ve likely set their sights on Black Stone Heavy Industry’s munitions factory."

Luo Kai felt a headache coming on. He glanced at Xiaozhuo. ’Poor kid,’ he thought, ’she should be carefree at her age, not swept up in this kind of mess.’ He sighed. "So, what’s your plan? Is Xiaozhuo’s father not in Longyang City?"

Uncle Fu’s expression was grim as he nodded. "Mm. My employer is currently at the Lord’s Mansion inspecting the armaments division. He won’t be back anytime soon, which is why they dared to be so bold. For now, our only option is to find a safe place and wait for his return."

Since Jiuyuan Farm Stronghold was involved, Luo Kai no longer planned to stand idly by. Under the cover of darkness, the three of them set out once more. Xiaozhuo, still just a child, was utterly exhausted. However, she refused to let Uncle Fu carry her, clinging to Luo Kai instead.

Carrying the little girl’s delicate frame on his back, Luo Kai felt a bit strange. He hadn’t noticed it before when they were desperately escaping, but he was used to being alone. Suddenly having such a clingy little person in his life felt awkward.

The cities in this world didn’t have much of a nightlife. Compounded by the freezing cold, the streets were deserted. Following Uncle Fu through a series of twists and turns, they arrived at a teahouse. An attendant greeted them without a word and led them directly to the rear of the building. It was the teahouse’s storeroom, where several small private rooms had been partitioned off. They were furnished with thick carpets and sofas, perfectly suitable for sleeping.

"Brother Luo, you can stay here for the time being. I’ll have to trouble you to look after Xiaozhuo. It’s best if you don’t go out for a while. If you need anything, just ask the proprietor here."

Luo Kai nodded. He was covered in grime and desperately needed a bath, but exhaustion had completely overtaken his body and mind. The Qi and Blood Surge had consumed too much of his energy; all he wanted now was to sleep.

Uncle Fu gave Xiaozhuo one last, long look, and then departed.

Xiaozhuo had already fallen asleep on Luo Kai’s back. Even in deep slumber, her small hands remained clasped tightly around his neck.

Luo Kai carefully laid her down on the sofa and covered her with a nearby blanket. Then, he curled up on the carpet beside her and drifted off to sleep.

Beneath the dim light of a glowstone lamp, Xiaozhuo slowly opened her eyes. She looked down at Luo Kai, and a blush suddenly crept onto her pretty little face.