Deadly Trap

Chapter 99. The Calamity

A commotion ensued, followed by a crash and the sharp scraping of furniture. The next few words were barely audible, like saliva being pressed onto the table.

Outside the door, a dozen or so people on Fri-Night pressed themselves against the wall, holding their breath.

"So it's 'using the emperor to command the feudal lords'! Very well. I, Sheng, dare not accept the title of emperor, but Mr. Tang intends to wipe out the Sheng and Gu families in one fell swoop? You! Traitorous scoundrel!"

Clearly, Sheng Chunqiu was furious. He usually presented himself as a Confucian businessman, but now, spouting nonsense, he immediately launched into a vulgar and unorthodox tirade:
"Tang Quan! No matter what, you're nothing but a dog that can't even crawl onto the table! Don't think you can get away with messing with me easily! In Minzhou, and even if you leave Minzhou—!"

Following closely behind was a barrage of vulgar insults. Sheng Chunqiu made no attempt to restrain himself, using extremely crude and vulgar language, displaying a remarkable imagination, and naming and cursing every possible male and female ancestor of the Tang family.

Poor Sheng Chunqiu was truly helpless at this moment. Even though the Sheng family was incredibly wealthy and powerful outside, isolated in this small conference room, he could do nothing but curse to vent his anger.

Ignoring the shouts and curses, Gu Mufeng asked in a deep voice, "How many people are in the room?"

Quenxus tapped the in-ear communicator and replied:

"Sniper team report: ten men. Four are armed. Two are holding Sheng Chunqiu captive."

Gu Mufeng mentally calculated: This is not much different from what he expected.

Where is Tang Quan?

This time, before Quenxus could answer, the conference room door swung open. Sheng Chunqiu's cursing became twice as loud: this robust tycoon, who clearly took great care of himself, was now even more defiant and full of energy, especially given his severely wounded pride.

Before him, amidst waves of rude curses, calmly walked out of the conference room. He completely ignored them.

With swift steps and resolute eyes, Tang Quan seemed more eager to escape and head to a more special destination.

With a barely perceptible flick of his right hand, the black-clad guard retreated into the conference room behind Tang Quan, silently closing the door behind him. The click was particularly crisp, indicating the door was locked.

Where will Tang Quan go at this crucial moment?

“Quenxus,” Gu Mufeng gritted his teeth, “Xinglong Society’s movements.”

This lasted only a moment. The conference room door was extremely soundproof, and the corridor was almost silent. The crisp, steady echo of Tang Quan's leather shoes treading on the terrazzo gradually faded into the distance.

In Gu Mufeng's eyes, Tang Quan had already walked quite a distance, his figure growing smaller and smaller. Beside him, only Sheng Chunqiu remained, grumbling in vain through the door.

His patience was severely tested.

After exchanging information, Quenxus finally replied: "The reconnaissance team reports that activity was only detected near the warehouse on the first floor."

Gu Mufeng's gaze locked onto Tang Quan's retreating figure. He had to make a decision immediately.

"Change of plans."

His lips moved rapidly but barely touched; he gritted his teeth and whispered:

"Security team stays behind to support the special forces operation. Sniper team provides cover fire from outside the window. The special forces' original plan was to rush in and subdue the hostages. Scorch the area, be careful of a counterattack."

He turned slightly to the side, quickly using the white wall beside him as a reference, clearly pointing and calmly directing:

"Quenxus, you stay here and represent me. Keep Sheng Chunqiu calm. Use both threats and inducements to win his trust and make sure he doesn't leave the room."

"I will give instructions on when to release them."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tang Quan's figure had already reached the end of the corridor. He was about to turn the corner and disappear again…

For eleven years, we have been pursuing this goal, always ready for battle.

After hastily finishing his deployment, Gu Mufeng, disregarding everything else, turned around and gave chase.

"But Boss, you?"

Instinctively, Quenxus gritted his teeth and took a few steps, but couldn't bring himself to call out, "Beside you—?"

He quickly took long, silent strides and ran ahead, already quite a distance away. He didn't look back, only waving hastily in the air.

This opportunity was too good to miss. Gu Mufeng knew in his heart that Tang Quan was always cautious and cunning, and now he had once again firmly grasped the entire Minzhou underworld in his hands.

Now that Tang Quan has publicly broken ties with Sheng Chunqiu, he can easily extricate himself from the situation and leave the kidnapping and even murder to his professional assassins.

If that were truly the case, it would be virtually impossible for him to get close to Tang Quan again.

Gu Mufeng relentlessly pursued him. He walked briskly, carefully avoiding the Xinglong Society's numerous eyes and ears, while also making sure Tang Quan didn't leave his sight. They chased each other through several corridors, winding their way to the very back of the guesthouse.

This place is practically next to the inconspicuous little white door that leads to the basement.

Gu Mufeng was startled. He pressed himself against the wall, cautiously scanning his surroundings. Turning the corner of the corridor, he found himself facing a dead end.

To his left, a wide iron gate, tightly sealed, separated the guesthouse's private kitchen: it was locked.

To the right, two heavy roller shutter doors separate the cold storage from the warehouse, accessible only by swiping a card; access is strictly controlled.

Tang Quan, however, vanished into thin air.

wrong.

Gu Mufeng immediately turned around. A blade flashed and stabbed at him, aimed straight for his waist and abdomen; there was no time to draw his own sword and parry. At close range, only—

He quickly drew his gun.

"clang"!
Steel clashed brutally. In mid-air, as if in slow motion, it was flung into a high, black parabola. The pistol spun, struck the terrazzo floor, and skimmed a considerable distance along the ground.

Before his eyes, the cold glint of the dagger pressed against the carotid artery, the blade against his skin, cold and sharp, stinging; while Gu Mufeng had already drawn the Tang sword from his waist, his right hand thrusting out with a sharp edge, only half an inch away from Tang Quan's heart.

The blade extended along the side of his neck, its sharp edge fading away, and Tang Quan's smile vanished completely.

"Hmph. When I was playing with knives, you were still a nobody."

His voice was like the deep sea, Tang Quanxing's eyes were cold, and his face was ashen. He coughed slightly.

The blade flowed smoothly from his arm, effortlessly and seamlessly integrated. In an instant, Tang Quan's katana retracted and flicked, returning to its original position, even knocking the Tang sword from Gu Mufeng's hand.

The blade was exceptionally sharp, leaving only a thin, gaping gash on the back of Gu Mufeng's right hand. Moments later, blood gushed forth.

This knife technique.

Having already fully grasped the gap between them, Gu Mufeng gritted his teeth.

Like Fang Ran. Persistent.

Pressing firmly against Gu Mufeng's neck, the blade followed Tang Quan's steps, leisurely turning half a circle until the hilt was behind Gu Mufeng. Maintaining a distance of about half a zhang, Tang Quan never approached.

"If you are too attached, you will not hear the sound, you will not see clearly, you will not be able to let go, and you will not be able to break free."

"It's a pity that I can't go on a killing spree in the guesthouse and municipal grounds yet. To use the emperor to command the nobles. Don't you also claim to be 'something of importance' in Minzhou City?"

Behind Gu Mufeng, Tang Quan sneered.

"Send your toys home early. Take advantage of my inability to massacre the city now. As for you..."

As the lingering sound of the word "you" rose and fell, Tang Quan's knife tip suddenly slashed upwards in an extremely dangerous manner, almost piercing Gu Mufeng's chin.

Gu Mufeng had no choice but to stiffly raise his head.

"You and the president of Shanda, come to my place for a 'detailed' discussion."

Having said that, Tang Quan raised his head, and two roller shutters rose in front of him. Eight professional assassins strolled out from the warehouse by the corridor, each carrying a controlled weapon or a pistol at their waist. Two of them stepped forward, each grabbing one of Gu Mufeng's arms and roughly twisting his waist, about to handcuff his hands behind his back.

"carefulness."

Tang Quan carefully considered the nuances of the voice and offered his earnest advice:
"This kid is quite skilled. What a pity. Mr. Gu, I'm sorry to trouble you and President Sheng to keep each other company in the cold storage this whole way."

Tang Quan was at ease and spoke freely and unrestrainedly:

"If you want to blame someone, blame your uncle in the Sheng family for being useless. They only have this one cold chain logistics system, don't they?"

Feeling the cold metal of the handcuffs against his pounding pulse, it seemed all was beyond saving. Gu Mufeng's lips tightened. Things had come to this. It seemed he had no choice but to reveal his trump card—

Suddenly, he looked up sharply.

"boom!"

Blood splattered everywhere; it was the sound of gunfire.

>>>>>
Next chapter: Guns and Knives
　[Author's Note | Chapter Ninety-Nine]

　　The tripartite talks were proposed by Tang Quan, the date was proposed by Sheng Chunqiu, and the location, the City Hall Guest House, was naturally Gu Mufeng's idea.

　　Faced with Tang Quan's cunning and deep-seated wisdom, Gu Mufeng seemed to be too young, and even his usually proud swordsmanship was half an inch shorter!

　　Gu Mufeng is facing the greatest crisis of his life!
　　Let me know your thoughts in the comments section!

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　　(End of this chapter)