Chapter 423 - 85: Breakthrough, Successful Exploration

That same day.

WHOOSH!!

A tram sped through the district, stirring up a gust of wind.

Scraps of paper by the side of the road swirled in the breeze.

The summer air was hot and dry, and figures dressed in light, cool clothing moved about endlessly.

Some people stopped quietly, their gazes fixed on the other side of the street.

At some point, the area had been cordoned off with yellow police tape. Figures in the black combat uniforms of the Superpower Bureau gestured with tactical hand signals before quickly rushing into the building.

It all happened in a matter of moments.

RAT-A-TAT-TAT!

BOOM!!

Gunshots rang out, immediately followed by an explosion.

A building erupted in a flash of fire, its windows shattering.

Several figures seized the opportunity to leap from the second and third-floor windows. They landed steadily on the concrete below, bending their knees to break into a run and escape.

"Fire!"

"Stop them!"

BANG! BANG!!

With a series of dull thuds, an Elite Level Superpower captain closed in for close combat. His fists struck like hammers, intercepting several members of the Rebels.

Amidst the CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! of bullets on shields, other Superpower Members with riot shields charged forward, weathering the Rebels’ gunfire.

The scene was shocking, but fortunately, the surrounding blocks had already been cordoned off and the crowds evacuated.

Watching the scene from afar.

"It’s happening again."

"The Superpower Bureau is really on the ball. They found another Rebel hideout."

"No kidding. But the Rebels have been causing a lot of trouble lately. I heard there was an explosion over on Sixth Street just yesterday. Have these people completely lost their minds...?"

"Don’t be scared. Didn’t you see the announcement from the City Lord’s Mansion? They told us to stay confident. The patrol teams and the City Guard Army are fully cooperating with the Superpower Bureau to start the final annihilation campaign... I guess this means a major battle is coming."

Many pedestrians were hiding in their homes, discussing the recent news among themselves.

No one paid any mind to their hushed chatter.

Gao Hu, in charge of the interception, stood guard at the alley entrance in a bulletproof vest. He had personally taken down several resisting Rebel thugs.

Amidst the sound of running footsteps, Wang Dali and the others on the arrest team moved quickly, sprinting with guns in hand until they were at his side.

"Captain, are you alright?"

"Just a scratch."

Catching his breath, Gao Hu brushed the dust from his clothes. Although a dagger slash on his arm was bleeding, the wound was minor and already starting to scab over.

"How are things on Chen Xiao’s end?"

"With Captain Yang there, nothing can go wrong."

Wang Dali smiled as more team members gathered around them. They raised their guns to scan the alley between the apartment buildings, dragging away the Rebel members on the ground and securing the scene.

Gao Hu nodded at his words and looked up at the third-floor window of the apartment building.

The flash from the explosion had come from there. The window was completely shattered and blackened.

A short while later.

The gunfire inside gradually died down, replaced by the dull thuds of fists and feet meeting flesh. It sounded like someone was sent flying into a wall, making the floor tremble slightly.

Finally.

"All clear."

Yang Heng, holding a Rebel member whose head was covered in blood, stuck out his hand and gave a thumbs-up.

Seeing this, Gao Hu broke into a grin and finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Where’s Chen Xiao?"

"He’s busy."

As they spoke, Chen Xiao, who was still inside, smiled and walked out onto the third-floor corridor of the apartment building.

The area was now completely secured. The ground was littered with bullet marks and blood. A dozen or so Rebels, some dead and some wounded, were quickly being taken away by the team members.

But he didn’t stop, instead walking all the way to a small room at the end of the corridor.

"You okay?"

Chen Xiao asked with a smile, looking at a young man being protected by two team members.

The man was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, and both of his arms were civilian-model bionic prosthetics.

"Yeah."

The young man shook his head, then pointed outside and asked curiously, "Those people..."

"They’ve all been taken care of."

Chen Xiao said with a smile, patting the young man’s shoulder.

"Speaking of which, we have you to thank for the tip this time."

"I’ll report to the team leader and have the reward transferred to your account. Make sure you accept it when it arrives."

Unexpectedly, the young man waved his hands dismissively upon hearing this.

"If it weren’t for Brother Lu back then, I never would have seen the error of my ways."

"I, Ah Liang, may not be some kind of hero, but I know how to be grateful. How could I accept a reward for this?"

He shook his head, looking a little stubborn.

Chen Xiao subconsciously glanced at the man’s neck. There used to be a Copper Pattern Gang tattoo there, but now it was completely gone, leaving only a reddish scar.

"You kid."

With a helpless smile, Chen Xiao gave him a light punch on the chest. "Just take it when I tell you to."

"Otherwise, you want to go tell the team leader yourself?"

"No, no, no."

Ah Liang’s expression changed slightly. He quickly waved his hands and had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Then, the two of them started chatting.

"So, are you getting used to your new life?"

Chen Xiao asked, sitting down beside him.

Ah Liang nodded and smiled relaxedly. "I’m sleeping better and my food tastes better."

"At least I don’t have to worry about getting beaten to death on some random street, or being hunted down by the gang’s enemies..."

His tone was filled with emotion. Whenever he thought about his past life in the gang and the indescribable peace he felt now, he couldn’t help but feel that fate worked in mysterious ways.

The change had come so quickly, as if Lady Luck herself had smiled upon him.

’If they had a choice, who would want to be in a gang?’

Even someone who grew up in an orphanage wants a stable life and a decent job with good pay.

"That’s good."

Chen Xiao nodded, and they chatted for a little while longer.

During their conversation, someone called out from the corridor. Hearing it, Chen Xiao prepared to wrap things up and leave with his team.

"Brother Xiao."

"Hm?" Hearing the call, he turned back to look.

The young man named Ah Liang scratched his head.

His thick-browed eyes were filled with gratitude. He said sincerely, "Thank you. All of you."

"And thank you, Brother Lu."