Chapter 46 The Survival Strategy of the Insignificant

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Shanghai, Tongren Road.

In a dimly lit basement, the local leader of the roadside dog gang—Crippled Boss—leaned heavily on his crutches, his face etched with worry.

He had initially hidden here to evade the hunter’s relentless pursuit, unwilling to face him head-on.

But just an hour ago, everything changed.

Crippled Boss had received news that the Bell Society’s operation in the apartment building had failed, and two members had been captured on site.

They had fallen into the hands of the Watchmen, and the chance of them staying silent was slim. In other words... if the Watchmen decided to investigate further, he would inevitably be implicated.

Ouch, that’s a toothache...

Frowning slightly, Crippled Boss picked up a cigar and took a deep drag before quietly addressing the refined middle-aged man beside him, “Master, I’m reluctant to leave. If our cooperation with the Bell Society is exposed and it goes before the Divine Arbitration Court, is there any chance to resist?”

“I don’t think so,” the Master pondered for a few seconds. “Harboring players who attempted to kill Watchmen and causing two major criminal incidents in the city... on these grounds alone, you’re certainly facing the death penalty.”

Stunned for a moment, Crippled Boss decisively stood up and said, “Then I’ll leave. Arrange it—tonight, I’ll head straight to the Xiangjiang area to lay low at the Bell Society.”

“The Watchmen have already captured members of the Bell Society. If you leave now... you must prepare accordingly,” the Master warned.

Blinking, Crippled Boss suddenly pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “Yes, I’ve failed. You need to help me... Alright, I won’t leave Tongren Road until someone comes to pick me up. Understood.”

After hanging up, he turned to the Master. “Forget it, no need to arrange anyone. The higher-ups want me to stay on Tongren Road for now; someone will come for me.”

“And what if the Watchmen...” the Master’s concern was evident.

Interrupting confidently, Crippled Boss said, “Time to show some edge. Inform our friends and make Tongren Road lively tonight... I’ll leave before dawn.”

“That should be no problem,” the Master smiled and nodded.

...

Shanghai, High-Speed Rail Station.

A man hurriedly wheeled his suitcase through the exit. His gaze was weary, his complexion pale and sickly, looking like someone down on his luck...

“Director Yan!” a tall middle-aged man opened the car door.

“Back to the office.” Yan Duoduo dropped his suitcase and stepped into the car.

Two minutes later, the car sped toward “Duoduo’s Pet Paradise.”

There are four standard rank levels among the Watchmen, corresponding to “Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, Yellow.” The Yellow rank corresponds to players in phases one and two. For example, Huang Wei, Gu Nian, and Xu Peng are all Yellow rank Watchmen, also called “Yellow Robes” because their official uniform is a classical yellow long robe, though they rarely wear it outside formal occasions.

The Mysterious rank corresponds to players in phases three and four, also known as “Mysterious Robes,” which have a distinct classical Chinese flavor.

Yan Duoduo and the middle-aged man who came to pick him up are both Mysterious rank Watchmen and serve as the principal and deputy Star Officers in Shanghai, responsible for the region’s operations.

“Director Yan, Huang Wei is already on his way to the Pet Paradise...” The deputy Star Officer, Chen Hannian, who was transferred with Yan Duoduo from headquarters, said. He is calm, observant, and cautious, though sometimes lacking decisiveness and overly protective of his subordinates.

Yan Duoduo, who has a cleanliness obsession, gently took a wet wipe from the car and carefully cleaned his long and pale hands, replying calmly, “Don’t mention Huang Wei. How did our operation in the apartment go today?”

Chen Hannian paused. “One seriously injured, situation not good. But I’ve requested backup from headquarters, which will help. Also... there are four lightly injured.”

“Mm.”

Yan Duoduo’s face showed no emotion. Changing the subject, he asked, “Did you keep an eye on what I told you?”

“The scout team has already gone to Tongren Road.”

“Good. Keep them under close watch. Wait for Qingfu’s update.” Yan Duoduo neatly folded the used wet wipe and tossed it into the trash bin.

At that, the two fell silent; only the sound of tires rolling over the road filled the car.

Chen Hannian glanced covertly at his young partner, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

This trip to Kyoto had been his chance to shine, but unexpected problems kept arising, nearly costing him his position.

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His chance to shine turned into losing face, and he was certain to be scolded by superiors. If it were anyone else, they’d be furious, or at least vent frustration privately. After all, very few in Shanghai could see him show personal emotions openly...

But since getting into the car, Yan Duoduo had not uttered a word, his expression so calm it unnerved Chen Hannian.

...

The car stopped at the entrance of Duoduo’s Pet Paradise. Director Yan and Chen Hannian crossed the lobby and went up to the second-floor office.

Upon entering, Chen Hannian saw Huang Wei sitting on the sofa, leisurely pouring tea.

He admired this Qingfu district leader. Once a slacker, now carefree and capricious. Huang Wei had privately allowed Ren Ye to act independently, causing uproar at headquarters and putting Shanghai’s leadership under immense pressure. Now the superior had returned, and Huang Wei hadn’t even greeted him properly, instead calmly sipping tea!

Clear but foolish, utterly lacking political insight...

“Old Huang,” Chen Hannian called out.

“Oh, Director Yan, Chief Chen.” Huang Wei immediately stood and approached with an ingratiating smile.

“The results were decent, but you need to explain the situation properly to Director Yan,” Chen Hannian kindly patted Huang Wei’s shoulder and gave him a knowing look.

Huang Wei’s broad frame stiffened, and he blurted, “Mainly thanks to the good leadership.”

“...!” Chen Hannian nearly spat blood at this, utterly shocked.

What leadership? The leadership that allowed you to let Ren Ye act solo? The leadership that almost got the main character’s father killed? That nearly destroyed the apartment building?!

“I meant your condition!” Chen Hannian sighed and left, slamming the door behind him.

Yan Duoduo gave Huang Wei a cold glance, slowly took off his suit jacket he’d worn for three days, and headed to the restroom.

Old Huang, oblivious, sat back down and sipped the fresh tea.

“Phew!”

Yan Duoduo paused inside the restroom for three or four seconds before exhaling deeply. “Go to the cabinet and bring me the change of clothes.”

“Okay!”

Old Huang hurried over, fetched the clothes from the cabinet, and handed them into the restroom.

“How about it, Officer Huang? Got time?” Yan Duoduo washed his hands and turned to him. “Let me report on the Kyoto business trip.”

“Heh heh...” Old Huang didn’t respond but smiled foolishly. “Thanks to you for standing up to headquarters’ pressure. Otherwise, my privately allowing Ren Ye to act solo... I’d be punished.”

“I’ll give you three minutes to convince me... not to punish you.” Yan Duoduo said this and began washing his face.

Huang Wei was straightforward, neither trembling nor shirking responsibility like others. “You don’t know how arrogant those roadside dogs were in the chess room. The cripple’s master almost stopped us from leaving and even wanted to fight. This concerns Ren Ye’s father’s safety; his anxiety is normal. If I were him, I’d be anxious too. The only ones not anxious are beasts, right?”

Yan Duoduo tensed, feeling this subordinate was insulting him.

Huang Wei continued, “But honestly, I only realized Ren Ye was going solo after he left the car. I wanted to pursue him, but then I thought... The Bell Society’s people causing trouble in Shanghai obviously have local support. Finding and capturing them quickly is nearly impossible. Also, this involves the success of the Qingliang Mansion Star Gate, and we only have four or five days left... I couldn’t delay. So, I let Ren Ye act solo to lure them out. But this proved very risky; next time, I won’t do it.”

“And the outcome?” Yan Duoduo asked, drying his face.

“The Ren Ye family is safe. We had one serious injury and four minor ones. I’m willing to take responsibility,” Huang Wei said seriously. “On the bandit side, besides Mr. He and that little dwarf, we killed three on site and captured two, who are being interrogated now. Oh, and at the scene, we found an envelope. I glanced inside—it contained vital information about the Qingliang Mansion Star Gate, very helpful to Ren Ye. This must have been bought at high cost by Bell Society members, but in the end, it helped us.”

Yan Duoduo’s eyes brightened as he looked at Huang Wei. “Has the information been verified? WhatI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.