CHAPTER 323: CHAPTER 306 UNEXPECTED SITUATION

I thought I could find some clues about the whereabouts of the Lotus, but unexpectedly, I encountered the iron box again. I’ve never heard of the name Fourth Master, but from the recent conversation, it’s not hard to foresee that this Fourth Master is stockpiling large quantities of arms. Is he using them himself or acting as an arms dealer? Those imported antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are regular medical drugs. If he’s just an arms dealer, where are these drugs being sent?

Many questions were swirling in my mind, but my intuition told Xiao Lin that this Fourth Master was not simply an arms dealer. From the drugs in that metal box, there must be a more extensive team behind him, one that a small player like Moth can’t possibly understand.

These contraband drugs that haven’t yet hit the market must be retrieved, or the consequences would be unimaginable.

Lao Ma and his men rushed to the tunnel entrance, facing a group dressed in the same local clothing, each masked tightly with black headscarves, concealing their gender and age. They held AF47s, like hunters guarding their burrow, waiting for the rabbit to emerge and trap them all.

A premeditated and planned organization, but lacking in combat power. Xiao Lin hid behind a sewage pipe behind Lao Ma, only five steps away from them. He could see them clearly.

"Charge out!" Lao Ma shouted to the people in front, his fat body nimbly weaving through the hail of bullets, showing no trace of a fat man’s usual clumsiness and sluggishness.

A bullet shot from the side, and Lao Ma lifted up the box. The bullet refracted off the surface, leaving no scars on the box, but the impact terrified Lao Ma into crouching on the ground.

"Get up quickly!" Jun Zhe pulled up Lao Ma amidst the others’ counterattack, slipping out of the tunnel entrance, with Xiao Lin following.

Several off-road vehicles and a small jeep cargo sat at the door. It was a locally modified military vehicle, originally a military jeep, repurposed into civilian cargo, having performance several times better than ordinary trucks and astonishing speed.

Lao Ma jumped into the passenger seat with Jun Zhe, the car engine roared to life instantly. Xiao Lin didn’t have time to think, grasped a railing, leveraging the car’s turning inertia to climb up, hiding under the canopy. Bullets fired past him, nicking his ear and face, narrowly missing his head. Lying inside the car, Xiao Lin exhaled. Despite participating in many battles, he’d never been in one so chaotic, like children’s play, causing concern. Those in front were likely suffering heavier casualties, as Moth was a professional.

The car bumped along, surrounded by some wobbly bamboo baskets falling onto him, spreading a fishy smell. Xiao Lin once thought he got on the wrong car, but when his fingers incidentally touched something cold and hard, he climbed from the baskets, uncovering well-packaged kraft paper bags beneath the fish, weighing them in his hands. Ah, it was indeed firearms, and not a small number.

"Lao Ma!" Jun Zhe maneuvered the steering wheel, his face losing its rustic look, and his steady tone sounding more like a crime boss.

"Young Master Jun Zhe!" Sweat covered Lao Ma’s forehead, yet he dared not wipe it with his scarf. "This time... this time was purely accidental..."

"You don’t need to explain to me!" The icy words passed through a young voice into Lao Ma’s ears, like a sharp knife stabbing the heart, unbearable.

If he weren’t in the car and not seated then, Lao Ma would surely kneel and beg for forgiveness.

"Your negligence has caused unnecessary casualties, and the opponent is a person on the Huaxia Dragon Soul’s wanted list. This will cause us many troubles."

The truck gradually drove out of the city center, a few police cars passed by, heading to the casino. In this case, he, as a murder suspect, was leisurely. The police wouldn’t have more time to deal with minor cases, and the concert nearby must end due to this fight, becoming a point of public controversy. Those supportive of Chopin in the media would heavily report and promote, prompting the government to investigate this matter thoroughly, saving him a lot of trouble.

"What? A wanted criminal of the Dragon Soul?" The fat man’s shout caught Xiao Lin’s attention as he quietly approached the driver’s cabin.

"The subordinate doesn’t know."

"Hehe, really don’t know or pretending not to?" Jun Zhe coldly chuckled indifferently. "Fatty Lao Ma is known for being cautious and meticulous, like a small Zhuge Liang, always considering thoroughly. With the Dragon Soul’s Military Advisor being like-minded, if you don’t know, who does?"

Ignoring the fat man’s reaction, the car began ascending the mountain.

"The Huaxia family appeared in the Middle East, his bodyguard caused trouble, and the bearded man would certainly kill. This is profitable for us, helping Huaxia equals helping ourselves. This outlook needs clarification; associating with such people brings no benefits. The domestic market is vast, not necessarily requiring your protection, Lao Ma." Jun Zhe said calmly.

Lao Ma wasn’t a fool, everyone could understand such words. Appeasing the bearded man gave face to Huaxia, making future matters easy to discuss.

Moth had a deeper connection with the bearded man than Lao Ma; who to help depended on himself. The meaning was clear: if you don’t act, wait to fend for yourself. If he really returned home, affairs behind him would be exposed. Sending a scapegoat out could win government trust, and staging a prison brawl scene could easily get Lao Ma eliminated discreetly.

"Young Master Jun Zhe, rest assured, I will handle this matter properly." In an instant, Lao Ma made a decision. It was quite an easy choice; the path was already set, it was just whether to follow and deal with the results or not.

"Hmm, you’re a smart person, consider this your chance to redeem yourself, keeping your conscience at ease."

"But, as for the master..."

"The master naturally has his calculations. We, doing legitimate business, don’t need to get too involved with these small-time thugs." One dismissive statement cleared him. Lao Ma grinned, contemplating this matter.

In some sense, Lao Ma was an independent line. He didn’t entangle with any side, just an intermediary, only managing acquisitions and sales, uninvolved in the interests between gangs. But once in such a circle, extricating oneself wasn’t easy.

Even claiming to see and hear nothing, others wouldn’t let it go. Moth wouldn’t, and neither would the Fourth Master behind him, as well as his employer.

After a huge jolt, the car stopped. Xiao Lin slipped out from the back, rolling into the bushes. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian.com to vote for your recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)