Chapter 442 - 317: Access Card, the Truth is Revealed (Part 2)

Chapter 442: Chapter 317: Access Card, the Truth is Revealed (Part 2)

But the woman seemed completely unconcerned. She even deliberately thrust out her chest, flaunting the pale curve of her flesh.

After all, while she had been lying on the bed pretending to be unconscious, she had seen the previous scene unfold with perfect clarity.

Wu Liangchen’s decisive and ruthless methods had terrified her. To survive, her only choice was to endure the humiliation and use her feminine charms.

But Wu Liangchen didn’t even glance at her. He simply asked coolly, "How did you get on this ship, and what was your deal with Ma Yuhui?"

"Sir, please listen," the woman began, trembling. "I was a woman from a respectable family in Qing Province. Unfortunately, I caught the eye of that Xiong Tianzong. He bought me and brought me onto this ship, to be used for his release whenever he was at sea."

Wu Liangchen then understood the situation.

To alleviate the loneliness of the voyage, Xiong Tianzong had bought this woman as a sex toy. Once they docked, he cast her aside like a worn-out shoe.

And Ma Yuhui, without any qualms, had simply taken her for his own use.

Wu Liangchen couldn’t be less interested in this kind of sordid bullshit.

However, seeing the look of terror on her face and how her entire body was trembling, Wu Liangchen still offered a word of comfort.

"Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to kill you."

Vengeance has its target, and debt has its debtor. Wu Liangchen wasn’t about to take it out on an uninvolved woman.

"Thank you, Sir! Thank you, Sir!" The woman was ecstatic, kowtowing repeatedly.

Wu Liangchen frowned and waved a hand. "Get dressed first."

"Yes!"

While the woman was getting dressed, Wu Liangchen searched the entire captain’s quarters, but he didn’t find much of value.

But this didn’t surprise Wu Liangchen in the least.

Obviously, Xiong Tianzong wouldn’t have left anything valuable behind when he went ashore. He must have taken it all with him to squander.

By this time, the woman had finished dressing. She stood trembling before the bed, awaiting Wu Liangchen’s verdict.

"I’m not going to kill you, but you can’t leave just yet. There are plenty of cabins here. Pick one to stay in. After this is all over, you’ll be free to go," Wu Liangchen said.

Although it was unlikely the woman would report him if she went ashore, Wu Liangchen couldn’t let her go, just in case.

Hearing this, the woman nodded furiously. "Don’t worry, Sir. I can do anything. I promise I won’t be any trouble. And... I can also serve you."

She had a fawning expression on her face as she said the last part.

"That won’t be necessary," Wu Liangchen refused flatly. "Without my command, you are not to come near the captain’s quarters. Understand?"

He had no interest in stooping to the level of men like Xiong Tianzong and Ma Yuhui.

"Yes!" The woman shuddered and quickly replied.

"Go!"

After sending the woman away, Wu Liangchen went outside, found Song Ling’Er hiding in a corner, and led her to the bridge.

This was the very heart of the ship. Even the door was specially made, and only a select few, like the captain and first mate, could open it.

But having acquired the access card, Wu Liangchen was now the ship’s de facto captain, so he entered without any trouble.

Song Ling’Er stared curiously at the dense network of pipes and conduits inside the cabin.

Wu Liangchen, meanwhile, walked up to the control console and activated the access card in his hand.

"BEEP! Card confirmation in progress..."

"Confirmation complete. Card activated!"

With that cold, synthesized voice, the ship officially became Wu Liangchen’s private property.

"Activate defenses!" This was Wu Liangchen’s first command.

"Affirmative. Activating defenses."

Once his authority was activated, the cold, synthesized voice was replaced by a gentle female one.

Instantly, a loud RUMBLE echoed through the giant vessel. Numerous passageways were sealed off, and many weapon systems moved into ready positions.

Song Ling’Er watched all of this, her face a mask of astonishment.

She didn’t understand what was happening.

But the woman, who had just fled back to her cabin, felt a tremor run through her. She immediately bolted the door, trembling, praying that she would ultimately escape with her life.

Just as Wu Liangchen successfully gained full control of the merchant ship, over in the dock’s red-light district, Sun Lingchen had met with Chen Long.

"You mean to say the man who snuck into the bar and killed someone was a native from the Barbaric World outside?" Chen Long said, his face full of surprise.

"That’s right. It’s him!" Sun Lingchen’s expression was icy as he stared at the fleeting image of the man on the surveillance footage, but inside, he was thrilled.

’I’ve finally found a trace of you,’ he thought. ’Let’s see where you can run now.’

It was quite a coincidence. After Sun Lingchen led the Heaven’s Punishment Squad into the red-light district, he happened to run into the people investigating the murder at the Wine Pool and Meat Forest.

Sun Lingchen immediately realized this was likely connected to the person he was looking for, so he led his team to the club.

At the time, Chen Long had jumped in fright, thinking a rival had come seeking revenge. It was only after learning Sun Lingchen’s identity and the purpose of his visit that Chen Long could finally relax.

Although the relationship between the Tian family and the Sun family was not particularly harmonious, that was a matter for the higher-ups. For someone like Chen Long, this prominent direct heir of the Sun family was not a person he could afford to provoke.

Therefore, he entertained Sun Lingchen with great enthusiasm.

And after learning Wu Liangchen’s identity from Sun Lingchen, Chen Long was deeply shocked.

’Based on the methods Wu Liangchen displayed, he didn’t seem like a Martial Cultivator from some backwater place at all.’

Even now, Chen Long didn’t know how the man had escaped after the murder.

He’d reacted extremely quickly, immediately ordering all the bar’s exits sealed, but they hadn’t found so much as a single hair.

This left Chen Long completely mystified.

Sun Lingchen, however, didn’t notice Chen Long’s strange mood at all. He was completely immersed in the excitement of being on the verge of capturing Wu Liangchen.

He had specifically requested permission from his grandfather to lead this operation alone.

He wanted to prove to everyone that he wasn’t someone who could only get by on his family’s coattails.

The Sun family’s old master was very supportive of this idea, which was why he had spared no expense in assigning the Heaven’s Punishment Squad to him.

This only made the already proud Sun Lingchen even more insufferably arrogant.

’In his mind, as long as they found Wu Liangchen, the rest would be simple.’

’Even if this Wu Liangchen had some skill, he could never be a match for the Heaven’s Punishment Squad.’

Thinking of this, he asked impatiently, "Have you identified the murder victim yet?"

The memberships at the Wine Pool and Meat Forest were registered anonymously, as many patrons didn’t want to reveal their identities.

But this also created an obstacle in identifying the deceased.

The investigation became even more difficult, especially since Xiong Tianzong’s head had been blown apart by a single punch.

"Not yet, but it should be soon!" Chen Long said.

As he spoke, his gaze kept drifting to the silent warriors in the distance.

’So this is the Sun family’s famous Heaven’s Punishment Squad? They really are the real deal!’

Sun Lingchen was extremely dissatisfied. "How have you not found out yet? What are you people good for?"

Having been doted on by thousands since childhood, Sun Lingchen had a very pampered and arrogant temperament. He was incredibly rude, even when speaking to people who weren’t from his own family.

Chen Long’s expression darkened, but he quickly returned to normal and said with a smile, "Yes, yes, you’re right. We have been a bit negligent!"

As he spoke, he swallowed the words of warning he had been about to give Sun Lingchen.

’Damn it, a little brat like him is lecturing me? If it weren’t for your grandfather, who the fuck would even know who you are!’

Just then, someone rushed in from outside.

"Brother Long, we’ve identified him!"

"Oh? It’s..."

Before Chen Long could speak, Sun Lingchen had already shot to his feet and demanded sharply, "Who is it?"

The messenger froze, then glanced at Chen Long.

Chen Long grew even more annoyed, but he forced himself to remain calm and gave a slight nod.

"The man’s name is Xiong Tianzong. He’s the captain of a merchant ship!"

Sun Lingchen’s eyes lit up when he heard this. "That’s it! The person who sold us the information back then was named Xiong Tianzong."

"So, after killing Xiong Tianzong, the most likely place he’d go is..."

"The ship!" Chen Long realized this at the same moment and immediately finished the sentence.