Chapter 547: Proactive Strike, Defeating Them One by One

Chapter 547 -368: Proactive Strike, Defeating Them One by One

In a security station in some district of the Federation Government, a few night shift officers were gathered, gambling at cards. With the doors and windows shut tight, they believed they were perfectly safe.

However, the windowpane was silently cut open, and several custom-made tear gas canisters were tossed inside. As the choking smoke spread, the men inside descended into chaos, screaming in panic. A moment later, the main door was kicked open, and Wu Liangchen charged in like a god of death. He struck with fists and feet, specifically targeting the leaders known for their wicked deeds.

Suddenly, throughout Zhongjing, everyone from the low-level soldiers of the Aegis Corporation to the night-patrol officers of the Federation Government was plunged into an unprecedented state of panic.

“Did you hear? Another three Aegis patrolmen were taken out in the South District last night, all with a single shot to the head!”

“Holy shit, for real? Was it Wu Liangchen again?”

“Who else could it be! Who the hell dares to patrol alone at night anymore? They’re all fucking cowering in their posts, too scared to move!”

“Shh! Keep your voice down! Walls have ears!”

Similar conversations were spreading in hushed tones among the various sentry posts and patrol teams.

Gone was their former arrogance and their attitude of treating ordinary citizens like dirt. In its place was a pervasive fear that had everyone looking over their shoulders, treading with extreme caution.

The more cowardly among them didn’t even dare wear eye-catching uniforms on night patrol, terrified of becoming Wu Liangchen’s next target. Others went so far as to call in sick or find ways to transfer to safer, rear-echelon posts like logistics.

And all of this, of course, was seen and noted by the ordinary people of Zhongjing.

“Hey, look at those lackeys on the street. Seem a lot more well-behaved these last two days, don’t they?” a worker drinking soy milk at a breakfast stall said to his friend, his voice low and a barely perceptible hint of glee playing on his lips.

“You can say that again. They used to walk around like they owned the streets, noses in the air. Now they’re all walking with their tails between their legs, meek as lambs,” the other worker sneered.

“It’s all thanks to that hero, Wu! I really hope he gets rid of all this scum for good!”

“Shh, keep it down! You want to get hauled in for questioning? Still… you’re not wrong!”

Outwardly, the people remained silent, not daring to speak openly. But the cloud of gloom that had hung over them was beginning to lift, and a glimmer of light, long absent, had returned to their eyes.

When Aegis Corporation search parties came to question them, they remained as meek and submissive as ever. The information they provided, however, was always conveniently wrong, or they just so happened to have seen nothing at all.

No one had organized it. No one had called them to action. It was simply a silent, unspoken agreement.

…

「Aegis Corporation Headquarters.」

The massive form of Butterfly, composed of countless intricate lines of light, still hovered before the luminous screen. The screen no longer displayed Shatterbone’s medical report, but rather the latest casualty statistics and regional security updates.

“According to the latest summary, we have lost thirty-seven outer patrol personnel in the past three days. As for the Federation Government, there have been twelve recorded attacks on their night patrols, resulting in over fifty casualties.” A technical supervisor stood to the side, his voice holding a barely perceptible tremor.

Butterfly’s compound eyes flashed with a cold light as its iridescent wings beat slowly.

“Worthless.”

The cold, synthesized voice echoed through the lab. Though devoid of any emotional inflection, it sent a chill down the spines of the surrounding technicians and the executives attending the meeting remotely.

“Lady Butterfly, this Wu Liangchen… he’s too cunning. He refuses to engage our elite squads head-on, instead picking off soft targets with lax defenses. Furthermore, his marksmanship and stealth skills are exceptional, his movements are erratic, and our surveillance network is struggling to provide any advance warning,” a manager explained, forcing himself to speak up.

“So, you’re just letting him run wild on our territory like a rat?” Butterfly’s voice suddenly grew sharper.

No one dared to speak.

After all, the people present were operational managers, not the high-and-mighty top executives of the Aegis Corporation.

Then, Butterfly said coolly, “But this isn’t so bad. After all, it proves he’s a spent force. He can only resort to these tactics to desperately cling to life, merely trying to distract us.”

She couldn’t have cared less about the low-level soldiers who had died. In her eyes, they were nothing more than easily replaceable consumables.