Anti-Japanese War Auction (China)
The wind lost its way on the rooftop, and a heavy, rusty fog pressed down. Sticky drizzle trickled down the collar and cuffs, clinging to every inch of skin, making each step feel like being pulled by ropes.
Water droplets condensed on the pipe flowed silently. Gao Junxiao quickly emerged from the shadows, slammed his knee into the neck of his target, and almost simultaneously, the sound of wind breaking came from the right. Zhang Chong had already pressed his knife against another target.
Drip, a water droplet slides down to the ground, splashing into a small water bubble.
"Behave yourself! What's that in your hand?" Zhang Chong hissed.
The henchman's unfocused eyes focused on Zhang Chong's cold face, and it took him a long time to recover: "Anesthetic, just ordinary anesthetic."
"Who ordered it?" Zhang Chong's voice was even lower, carrying a chill that seeped into his bones.
"No, no, no one instructed us. We were just two petty thieves trying to steal the exhibits," Gao Junxiao interjected, glancing warily at his other accomplice.
Heh, quite loyal, but flirting and talking nonsense in front of others. Gao Junxiao didn't know whether to praise him or criticize him. He suddenly increased the pressure on his hand. Forget it, if you can't speak properly, then don't speak.
Suffocating, the henchman's lips trembled, his roars broken, unable to utter a complete sentence. Gao Junxiao glanced at the next room: "If you don't tell me, he's your role model. Whose butler is Butler Lin?"
The henchman glanced in alarm at his companion, whose eyes had rolled back, then looked away as if burned: "It's...it's...Zhang Zhang..."
When asked about the key points, the henchman fell silent.
"Explain yourself!" Zhang Chong showed no mercy, the blade slicing blood from his neck.
The henchman, in pain, closed his eyes and shouted, "Zhang Renjiu!"
Zhang Renjiu of the Green Gang! The leader of Rentan! Gao Junxiao felt as if a heavy hammer had struck his heart. This man's power in Shanghai was no less than that of Mr. Du. If he were to side with the Japanese, Shanghai would truly be engulfed in bloodshed.
"Clang! Clang!"
The sharp clang of metal striking metal suddenly reached his ears. Gao Junxiao's henchmen kicked the water pipe twice, and a final, crazed, and vicious smile erupted from their purplish faces.
"Oh no!" Gao Junxiao and Zhang Chong locked eyes. Gao Junxiao decisively snapped the neck of the scum he was holding. Based on his experience shopping in malls, the building was U-shaped and there should be another exit. He waved to Zhang Chong, signaling him to retreat to the other end. However, Zhang Chong was worried about the Japanese man and hurriedly carried Ozaki on his back and ran to the other end.
Whoosh!
The half-closed iron gate to the rooftop was slammed open with tremendous force, and a cacophony of footsteps, tinged with murderous intent, surged in from the rooftop entrance. Ten people—no, at least thirty.
"Search for me." A sharp-tongued person with a heavy Jiangnan accent spoke first.
"Butler Lin, two of our brothers are dead. Have we been exposed?"
*Slap!* A loud slap echoed across the rooftop. Butler Lin yelled, "Kill! There's a reward for killing him!"
The rain and mist were stirred up by the sudden impact, swirling around their feet. After turning past the needle tower pavilion, the two stopped in their tracks. There was at least a three-story drop ahead; jumping down would mean certain death or serious injury.
The cultists were clearly searching for them; the scraping of gun bolts and shouts grew closer, like an invisible noose, compressing their last remaining space to live.
“There’s only one exit, we can’t stop here!” Gao Junxiao spoke very quickly. “They’ll be searching us soon. I’ll distract them, you find a chance to escape behind the Japanese reporters’ backs.”
"Gao Junxiao!" Zhang Chong's voice was filled with inexplicable anger, but it quickly returned to its usual coldness. "We can't fight them head-on. They outnumber us, and by the time you run out of bullets, we'll all be dead."
"Go ahead and die, I'm not even married yet." Gao Junxiao feigned nonchalance, but he knew that a direct confrontation would lead to certain death. If Shan Hai had any sense, he should have sought Li Sheng's help.
"Get me a gun. As for the Japanese reporter, borrow his body for now." Zhang Chong's gaze fell on the steel frame. On one side were flashing neon lights, and on the other side was a pitch-black corner where you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. This must be what they mean by "the darkest place is under the brightest light."
Gao Junxiao immediately understood Zhang Chong's intention: a feint! They would expose the Japanese reporters briefly, then seize the opportunity to break out. He nodded vigorously: "Good! Create a disturbance, lure them deeper into the steel frame."
The fog-created barrier maze now served as protection. As the footsteps around them faded into the distance, Zhang Chong gently placed Ozaki down behind a thick steel pillar, covering him with some trash and debris, but deliberately leaving one leg exposed.
The massive steel frame howled in the wind. Damn it, the assassin suddenly stumbled and fell forward, but managed to regain his balance. He cursed and kicked at some debris, only to find a person emerging from behind it.
Before he could take a closer look, a shadow silently slipped out from behind the sign. Gao Junxiao twisted his wrist sharply, and the man went limp like a noodle. Zhang Chong quickly took the pistol and the bullets from the man's waist.
"They're here!"
Da da da—
Bullets flew like punctured beehives, scattering sparks on the ground. The two darted behind the decorative pavilion and met the enemy's attack together, Gao Junxiao on the left and Zhang Chong on the right, using the scattered metal billboards to block the enemy's view, forming a pincer formation as they fought and retreated.
The fog both protected them and obscured their vision, making it difficult for Gao Junxiao to discern whether the shadows within were people or water pipes. Continuing to fire blindly would quickly deplete their ammunition, so Zhang Chong and Gao Junxiao simultaneously changed magazines; their remaining opportunities were few.
Gao Junxiao looked around. There were only a few black garbage bags lying in the puddle at his feet. He opened them and found several empty cookie tins inside. The two quickly exchanged a glance and said nothing more, but they both understood that the "delaying tactic" was probably the best solution at the moment. Even if they couldn't wait for rescue, at least they could use up their ammunition.
Clang! The tin can was kicked out of its cover. Clang, clang, clang, clang, another round of attacks, and the perfectly good tin can was instantly riddled with holes.
While they were attacking the iron can, Gao Junxiao had already circled around to the assassin's rear. With lightning speed, he covered the assassin's mouth and took him away. He touched the spoils of war with delight. Good stuff, a silent charge!
He repeated this several times until Gao Junxiao heard an arrogant shout: "Haha, you idiot, out of bullets? Get out here!"
The clanging and banging... It sounded like hail was falling from the other end. Zhang Chong was suppressed by the firepower and it was difficult for him to even lift his head, let alone notice Gao Junxiao's desperate hand gestures to him.
At this critical moment, Gao Junxiao shouted at him, "Catch!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Chong flashed out half his body and grabbed the submachine gun and ammunition bar in mid-air. The two moved with the same tacit understanding as if they had rehearsed it a hundred times.
Almost the instant he grabbed the gun, Zhang Chong pulled the trigger, firing one shot after another. The thick stench of blood filled the rain and mist, and in the blink of an eye, three corpses lay on the ground.
Screams filled the air as the two continued to pull and press each other down, performing a passionate concerto amidst the smoke and fire.
Just as they were about to reach the exit, a group of assassins suddenly rushed up and attacked. Zhang Chong made a sharp 180-degree turn, tackled Gao Junxiao, and the two rolled into the narrow triangular space formed by several large plaques leaning against each other.
This place is relatively hidden, and we've temporarily escaped direct fire from the entrance. But the enemy came prepared, and we don't know how many reinforcements they have behind us.
From across the street came Lin's arrogant shout: "Come out if you dare! Aren't you so powerful? Come out!"
"Whoever comes out is a coward," Gao Junxiao muttered disdainfully.
At that moment, he heard heavier breathing. Zhang Chong was holding his shoulder, and the red bloodstains on his white shirt had soaked half of the sleeve.
It must have been the gunshot wound from where it had just left. Gao Junxiao hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief to bandage the wound. One wasn't enough, so he used another, which barely managed to wrap the wound on Zhang Chong's shoulder.
"Councilor Gao, Section Chief Zhang, it's you two. I was wondering who was so capable." Butler Lin, having somehow obtained more information, added, "I heard that Councilor Gao, your parents are downstairs, right? And Section Chief Zhang, all your CC brothers are downstairs too."
What the hell is he trying to do? Gao Junxiao frowned, and Zhang Chong beside him didn't look much better, appearing extremely pale due to blood loss and excruciating pain.
"I was originally thinking of adding some anesthetic to the ventilation ducts, but now I've changed my mind. Anesthetic alone won't taste right. How about adding something else, like opium?" Butler Lin's sinister voice was filled with excitement. "The latest stuff, extremely pure. Just one puff and you'll never forget it for the rest of your life."
"Damn it!" Zhang Chong cursed through gritted teeth, but they were in dire straits themselves. Gao Junxiao was so anxious that he felt like he was about to crush the gun handle. Putting down the gun meant certain death! If they didn't, their loved ones downstairs would fall into the deepest hell!
Either way, it's a dead end. If all else fails, I'll fight to the death. Even if I die, I'll drag this damned traitor down with me.
Just as Gao Junxiao made up his mind to fight to the death, *swoosh*—
A very faint yet exceptionally clear tearing sound came from the direction of the enemy.
"Who? Who scratched my clothes?" Butler Lin shouted, his voice filled with terror.
"Just cleaning house." The visitor's tone was as indifferent as if he were stating a trivial matter.
However, when Gao Junxiao heard this, his heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant hand. Little Flower Fox! He immediately poked his head out to peek. Hehe, they've finally arrived. It's a pity that everyone who came was wearing the same Guan Gong mask, so he couldn't see Qingcheng's pretty face.
"Open the mountain gate, reveal the seabed." Steward Lin asked the visitor to identify himself.
"Two incense sticks on the head, three horizontal wooden blocks under the feet."
"Oh my, Mr. Xia, your presence is truly an honor. I am at a loss for how to receive you. Why don't you go and offer Mr. Zhang a cup of tea? He has been waiting for you." Butler Lin's tone remained arrogant.
"Alright, we'll find him later. Hall Master Situ, let's first clean up the scum in the gang who colluded with the Japanese invaders." Qingcheng snapped her fingers.
A towering, burly man emerged from behind Qingcheng, ripped off his mask, and revealed Situ Mei's fierce appearance, completely unlike his name, and certainly not related to the word "beauty."
Butler Lin's smug expression froze instantly, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "Si...Situ Mei...you...you...does the...the Criminal Investigation Department have any evidence?"
Situ Mei seemed too lazy to reply. Bang bang, two shots rang out, and Butler Lin was already kneeling on the ground with two bloody holes in his knees.
Ah—Butler Lin's belated, agonizing scream pierced the thick fog. Leaderless, the thugs scattered in all directions like birds and beasts. Someone, no one knew who it was, dropped their gun with a clatter.
This triggered a chain reaction. The remaining men dropped their guns, knelt down, kowtowed repeatedly, tears streaming down their faces, and begged Mr. Xia to be lenient, saying they were just following orders.
Qingcheng slightly turned her head and nodded to the two other brothers from the Punishment Hall behind her. The two immediately stepped forward and dragged away the kneeling assassins who were begging for mercy as if they were garbage.
The whole process was terrifyingly fast. In the blink of an eye, all that remained on the rooftop were scattered guns, long trails of blood, the lingering smell of gunpowder, and a half-empty bag of anesthetic.
Half! Ah~~ Gao Junxiao felt as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water. The anesthetic had been poured on him, and his parents were still downstairs.
At this moment, Gao Junxiao had no time to reminisce; he only wanted to save people. He ran to the corridor outside the venue in one breath. Inside, there was a lot of noise, not from bidding, but from people shouting and cursing, demanding that someone come out and explain where the dragon-shaped jade pendant from the Marshal's Mansion came from.
His arm was grabbed, and a red Guan Gong mask suddenly appeared before his eyes, mixed with a familiar fragrance. Gao Junxiao's breath hitched, and the words caught in his throat. Qingcheng lifted the mask and spoke: "They want me. Your going will only increase casualties."
Gao Junxiao suppressed his emotions, which were on the verge of spiraling out of control, and pointed to the closed meeting room door: "I can't just stand by and watch."
"I have my own plans. You wait outside for me." Qingcheng looked confident.
"No way!" Gao Junxiao refused decisively, cautiously glancing around to make sure Zhang Chong hadn't followed before saying, "Aren't you giving me an age-old dilemma? Should I save my wife or my mother later?"
Hahaha, Qingcheng couldn't help but burst out laughing, pinching his cheek as she laughed, unable to stop herself.
No, is this the time to laugh? Gao Junxiao thought she might have some serious illness, so he deliberately asked, "Did I make you laugh so hard? I'm not kidding! Not only my mother, but also my father, Aunt Xia, and Li Shengquan are inside. I can't even free my hands."
“Then I’ll give you a new way to solve the problem. We’ll split the work. You’ll provide support outside. This will help me, and also help our friends and family inside.” As soon as Qingcheng finished speaking, a large group of brothers from the Punishment Hall rushed over.
Situ Mei, who was leading the search, jogged over and said anxiously, "Mr. Xia, we couldn't find the vessel for Number Seven. It shouldn't be on the rooftop."
"If it's not on the rooftop, and not in the boiler room, then it can only be in the meeting room," Kiyosumi murmured, turning to give orders to the other masked people.
Wait a minute, why does Situ Mei's voice sound so familiar? Gao Junxiao looked at the man suspiciously, then suddenly slapped him on the back of the head and scolded, "You brat, you changed clothes pretty quickly."
"Situ Mei" exclaimed, scratching her head, "Mr. Xia has everything ready, of course it'll be quick."
Gao Junxiao pulled Shan Hai, who was impersonating Situ Mei, aside and scolded him: "You are my soldier, why are you listening to her?"
"Don't you listen to her too?" Shan Hai said with a matter-of-fact expression, his face as tough as steel.
"Bullshit, when did I ever listen to her?" Gao Junxiao said in a firm tone, but he lowered his voice like a thief, afraid that others would hear him. "A man should make his own decisions and not let others control him."
Shan Hai forced a noncommittal smile: "Ah, yes, yes, you're right."
Having found a way to back down, Gao Junxiao quickly changed the subject, asking, "What else is number seven?"
"A biological weapon developed by the Japanese. If accidentally inhaled, it will cause difficulty breathing and suffocate to death within minutes." Zhang Chong appeared like a ghost, his voice hoarse from blood loss, but his eyes had regained their usual coldness.
So, it seems that the gecko that stole the painting last time died in the same way. Gao Junxiao looked at Qingcheng with worry. The insidious things the Japanese have researched are hard to guard against. You can't just stop breathing.
While pondering, Zhang Chong extended his hand to Qingcheng: "Thank you for your help, Mr. Xia. I also have information about Number Seven, and I would like to share it with you if you don't mind."
Qingcheng generously shook hands with him: "Section Chief Zhang is very righteous, but you don't want to arrest me after dealing with the traitors, do you?"
"I'm just asking you to cooperate with the investigation. Come to my office and have some old white tea from my hometown. It doesn't count as arresting you," Zhang Chong said with a smile, trying to justify himself.
"It's too much trouble for you to treat me. How about I pick an auspicious day and come to your place with a bang and drums to pick you up for dinner?" Kiyosumi teased, taking the initiative.
At this point, the questioning in the hall subsided, perhaps the anesthetic was taking effect, and one by one people began to feel unwell, their shouts turning into groans.
The situation in the meeting room took a sharp turn for the worse. The dull thuds of tables and chairs colliding, the shattering of porcelain, the painful groans, the hysterical cries, and all sorts of chaotic sounds assaulted the ears at once.
"Now I'm giving you an important task: help evacuate the crowd. They're all anti-Japanese social democrats inside, so don't let me down." After giving Gao Junxiao his request, Qingcheng put on the red-faced Guan Gong mask.
Once those words were spoken, Gao Junxiao had no reason to refuse, and a special sense of mission rose in his heart. What you can do, I can do too. I absolutely cannot let her look down on me.
"Everyone, get ready, open!" With Qingcheng's command, the corridor windows and three passage doors were opened simultaneously, and the influx of fresh air made those inside feel a sense of life.
Those who were still able to move rushed out. Gao Junxiao glanced at Qingcheng and was surprised to find that there was one more person among them. There were six when he brought Shanhai, and now there were still six people beside Shanhai, making a total of seven.
Before Gao Junxiao could remind her, Qingcheng and her Guan Gong team had already entered the venue against the flow of people. The surging crowd kept Gao Junxiao out, and his shouts were drowned out by the noise.
Gao Junxiao immediately grabbed Shan Hai and warned, "You keep an eye on her and don't let her do anything reckless. You're not allowed to do anything reckless either."
"Okay, okay, okay," Shan Hai assured him, eager to leave.
However, Gao Junxiao did not let go and finally reminded her: "Also, pay attention to your group. I just spotted a few people, but I'm not sure if they were brought by her."
A flash of surprise crossed Shan Hai's face, then he nodded solemnly and plunged into the surging crowd.
The huge venue was transformed into a massive vortex, with expensive crystal chandeliers swaying in the air, their lights flickering erratically.
Kiyosumi stood in the center of the whirlpool, her heart sinking to the bottom of the river. Where was her master? Where were her parents-in-law?
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