Chapter 123: Striking First

Ignoring the united condemnation directed at him, Jiang Xincheng noticed an ordinary-looking young man among the accusers texting on his communication device.

“All normal. Everyone from Zhengxin Group has turned against that useless waste from the Flourishing Tang Empire.”

Deep within a distant, desolate mountain, Liu Ergou received the message. A brilliant smile flashed across his face. Gesturing downward with both hands, he addressed the gathered members of the West Street Pack of Wolves below. “The bastards from Zhengxin Group will be here any minute. Execute according to plan. Succeed in this job, and each brother gets a million Credit Points. Additional rewards based on your contribution – make sure the brothers have a great time! Move out!”

“Long live Wolf Master! Let’s go!”

“This time, we go big! Wipe out those Zhengxin scum! Hey, remember to keep that Vice GM of Zhengxin alive though. That woman is one of Liangnian City’s beauties. Capture her alive, and everyone gets to have fun tonight!”

…

Over a hundred wild wolves from Xihua Street roared their cries as they followed Liu Ergou deeper into the barren mountains.

An hour later, He Lin arrived at an unnamed, barren mountain, leading a large group of Zhengxin Group members. The sparse trees offered a relatively open view, with little undergrowth like dense grass – making an ambush difficult.

When He Lin and her group arrived, they found eighty or ninety people already waiting. These individuals, mostly wearing camouflage gear and fully armed with guns and blades, carried the tense air of facing a formidable enemy. They clearly valued this transaction highly. They were from the Jinguo Provincial Research Institute.

Leading them was a scholarly-looking man in his sixties. His name was Tan Wenfeng, the head of the Research Institute contingent for this deal. He Lin recognized him.

Seeing Tan Wenfeng eased He Lin’s tension slightly. She walked towards him with a smile. “Dr. Tan, you’re early.”

“The Institute urgently needs this Yuan Ning Shui. They pressed for haste, so I mustered my focus to conclude this deal quickly and get it back,” Tan Wenfeng replied with a smile. “You brought the Yuan Ning Shui? The full six catties?”

He Lin nodded. “Exactly six catties. Not a decimal less.”

As she spoke, she produced a silver case and placed it before Tan Wenfeng. “Dr. Tan, you may inspect it. We’ll await the transfer for the remaining half payment afterward.”

Tan Wenfeng nodded. He opened the case and commenced a meticulous inspection. Each bottle inside was uncorked. He employed sniffing, instruments, a magnifying glass… scrutinizing them repeatedly.

Yuan Ning Shui was precious. One catty cost a billion Credit Points – meaning one gram cost two million. Any flaw could spell immense losses for the Institute and harsh penalties for Tan Wenfeng.

Therefore, he dared not be the slightest bit careless. It took him over two hours to inspect all six bottles of Yuan Ning Shui one by one. By then, darkness had fallen, obscuring figures nearby.

No one grew impatient. The deal was monumental. Two hours of inspection were entirely justified; perhaps even twenty wouldn’t have been excessive. Transactions worth six billion Credit Points were rare even across the entire Chuandu Province.

Members from both sides stood silently, waiting patiently. Only when Professor Tan Wenfeng finally concluded his inspection did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

“Excellent. This Yuan Ning Shui is flawless, high-quality. Absolutely worth the six billion Credit Points,” Tan Wenfeng declared, carefully securing the silver case. He smiled at He Lin.

He Lin exhaled softly in relief, offering a bright smile in return. “Good news. Zhengxin Group has received the thirty billion deposit payment. Transfer the remaining thirty billion Credit Points now, Dr. Tan, and the deal completes.”

Upon hearing He Lin, an inexplicable glint flickered in Tan Wenfeng’s eyes. Holding the silver case, he began to step back slowly, his smile still in place. “Good. I shall transfer the thirty billion—”

His words were abruptly cut off. Jiang Xincheng, who had been shadowing He Lin as if invisible, abruptly stepped forward. His right hand swept down to his waist, unclipping the Wolf’s Gaze pistol. He raised it instantly and fired several shots.

Howl…howl… howl…

Faint wolf-like howls accompanied the shots as streaks of green light hissed through the dark. They struck the heads of several masked guards in green camo surrounding Tan Wenfeng.

Each shot found its mark. Jiang Xincheng wielded the Wolf’s Gaze with uncanny skill. Seven shots fired in rapid succession. Before Tan Wenfeng’s entourage could react, the bullets slammed home. Multiple bodies slumped to the ground, eyes wide open in death.

The sudden violence stunned everyone present. Tan Wenfeng’s eyes bulged, his gaze locked on Jiang Xincheng in disbelief.

He Lin’s eyes widened into near circles. Pointing a trembling finger at Jiang Xincheng, she choked out, “What… what are you doing?! You just murdered people from the Jinguo Provincial Research Institute!”

“They aren’t Research Institute people! They’re the West Street Pack of Wolves! Watch out!” Jiang Xincheng roared. He leaped sideways, the Wolf’s Gaze spitting green light once more.

“Are you blind? They are the Research Institute! I know Dr. Tan Wenfeng—” He Lin shouted back, her voice shrill. Her protest died mid-sentence. Opposite them, the people she’d claimed were the Research Institute suddenly drew handguns and weapons, opening fire on the Zhengxin Group employees.

“Ambush failed! Kill them all!”

“Screw it, what happened?! How did that Flourishing Tang trash know we are the Pack?!”

“Stop yelling! Move! Slaughter them all! Grab the Yuan Ning Shui and the six billion!”

…

The men, disguised as Research Institute staff, shed their camouflage entirely. Snarling, faces twisted with vicious intent, they unleashed their weapons against the Zhengxin Group employees. A volley of fire cut down dozens of Zhengxin Primordial Warriors instantly.

Luckily, thanks to Jiang Xincheng’s warning, the Zhengxin warriors had already braced themselves. Without that warning, that first, coordinated volley would have felled at least thirty more Zhengxin warriors.

The Pack abandoning their facade jolted He Lin and the others to action. They began firing back immediately. Both sides carried guns; both sides were formidable Primordial Warriors. Their speed and reflexes far outstripped ordinary people. A fierce, chaotic battle erupted instantly.

Amid the swirling melee, the most devastating force was undoubtedly Jiang Xincheng, the first to act. With each flash from the Wolf’s Gaze, green light lanced out. Each streak met its target with lethal impact. Enemies crumpled to the ground one after another. Not a single shot missed. The sheer killing efficiency was terrifying.

In mere moments, over ten Primordial Warriors fell to Jiang Xincheng’s hand. Among them were three or four at the Bone Tempering Late Stage, the rest in the Bone Tempering Mid and Early stages.

“Kill him! Kill that Flourishing Tang bastard!”

“Hit him with a bomb! Quick, put him down now, or we’re finished!”

“Damn it! Those bastards told us the Flourishing Tang guy was useless! How is he this strong?! No way a monster like this is trash!”

…