Chapter 207 - 205: Station Pickup, the Shenghai Thirteen Taibao

Chapter 207: Chapter 205: Station Pickup, the Shenghai Thirteen Taibao

The training hall was a wreck, its floor covered in rubble and wood splinters. Big Cat paid it no mind, obviously long accustomed to Fu Juemin’s practically "house-wrecking" style of training.

"What is it?"

Fu Juemin asked, his expression calm.

He disliked being disturbed while training. His subordinates all knew the rule, so if they came looking for him, it had to be for something important.

"It’s about the Madam..." Big Cat reported succinctly.

Fu Juemin blinked. Some days ago, Aunt Ding had mentioned that to deal with the conflict against Nan Xiangcheng’s faction, Wen Zhiqiu had invited several old friends from the Martial Arts world to Shenghai to provide assistance. They were all top-tier fighters. Aunt Ding had told him to go and meet them when the time came, and he had agreed.

Now, they were here.

"Since it’s a matter for Aunt Ding, it is indeed important."

Fu Juemin nodded. He instructed Big Cat to arrange for the training hall to be repaired, while he himself returned to his room to wash up and change.

By the time he emerged in a well-pressed dark suit, the cars were ready.

Fu Juemin swept his gaze over the accompanying guards and noticed Zhang Yi, also dressed in the uniform of a Qinglian Gang member, standing silently among the ranks.

Ever since the incident at the Xuanwu Platform, he had been following Fu Juemin. For a dignified Tongxuan Martial Champion to willingly serve as a common guard, attending to his master’s needs without a single complaint, actually made Fu Juemin respect him all the more.

Fu Juemin planned to send him to the Ghost Camp later, to be with Cao Tian, Xu Hengjiang, and the others.

At present in Shenghai, only the remnants of the Ghost Camp could be considered his true core forces.

Zhang Yi was highly skilled, but in this day and age, he still needed to learn how to handle a gun when the opportunity arose.

At the very least, he had to know how to dodge.

Besides, the Ghost Camp was in need of a Martial Dao expert who could command authority. Zhang Yi’s abilities were, just barely, up to the task.

"Did Aunt Ding go on ahead?"

Fu Juemin glanced around but didn’t see Aunt Ding, so he asked casually.

Big Cat answered, "The Madam called from the Mayor’s office. She said she and Mayor Wen still had things to discuss, so she wants you to go ahead, Young Master.

If she really can’t make it in time, you are to receive the guests on her behalf and escort them to the Hualin Hotel. Everything there has already been arranged."

Fu Juemin nodded, then, as was his custom, used [Yao Ling] to briefly probe the area around Ink Garden. A slight frown quickly creased his brow.

The "eyes" sent by Luo Zhengxiong were a constant presence. Over time, Fu Juemin had come to understand—the other party seemed to only want to "watch" him, with no intention of making a move for now.

In that case, he "magnanimously" let them watch.

Luo Zhengxiong needed time, but then again, so did he.

It was a matter of who would be ready first, and who would reveal an opening first.

However, what truly displeased Fu Juemin at this moment was the addition of many unfamiliar presences in the shadows around Ink Garden—the presences of people from the Martial Arts world. Like ghosts in the shadows, they were silently spying on the estate.

"Strange. In the dead of winter, the pesky flies and mosquitoes are only multiplying..."

Standing by the car, Fu Juemin took off his gloves and spoke in a flat tone to Big Cat, who was helping him out of his overcoat.

After word got out that Demon Elephant had killed Zhao Jigang, many people learned that Demon Elephant Ji Shaotong was hiding behind the Ding Family, so naturally, more spies had come to Ink Garden.

Big Cat thought for a moment, then said, "If you don’t like it, Young Master, I’ll have someone clear them out."

"Remember. Make it clean."

Fu Juemin’s expression was unchanged as he stooped to get into the car.

Big Cat nodded, quickly called a man over, and gave a few quiet instructions. The motorcade then started up and drove away from Ink Garden.

....

「Half an hour later. Shenghai North Railway Station.」

Several new black sedans were parked in a ring. Dozens of Qinglian Gang members in sharp, matching uniforms formed a silent human wall, forcibly carving out a conspicuous "vacuum" in the station plaza, which was otherwise packed with horse-drawn carriages, rickshaws, and a surging tide of people.

In the center of this empty space, a white, Western-style table and chairs had been set up. The table was laden with a dazzling variety of snacks from the station vendors, as well as a pot of steaming coffee.

Fu Juemin leaned back in a rattan chair, a pair of sunglasses from the Western World perched on his nose, listlessly surveying his surroundings.

Shenghai had two railway stations in total, one south and one north. The one before him was the North Railway Station, the first to be commissioned. It was built in a pure Viliduo style, with red brick outer walls, arched doors and windows, a tall clock tower, and a Western-style church.

Fu Juemin was directly facing the main waiting hall, flanked by the platform awnings and freight warehouses.

From here, you could hear the WHOO-WHOO of steam trains pulling into the station. Coal ash and steam filled the air, keeping the sky above the North Station a hazy gray for most of the year.

The plaza was a boiling cauldron of humanity: travelers bustled in and out with wicker trunks and leather bags; vendors hawked newspapers and cigarettes; porters, brokers, beggars, and thieves fought for their trade. The cacophony of shouts, train whistles, police whistles, crying, laughter, and curses swirled together, rushing at you from all sides.

After casually having one of his men give a few silver coins to dismiss a station Patrol Police officer who had tried to get friendly, Fu Juemin adjusted the Western World sunglasses on his nose and glanced at his watch.

"Why aren’t they here yet?"

’I’ve already had almost half a pot of coffee since I got here, and there’s still no sign of the men I sent in to meet them. It’s my own fault, too. I forgot to ask Aunt Ding what time they were actually arriving.’

"Soon."

As he was muttering to himself, a voice sounded from his side.

Fu Juemin turned his head. The sight of a familiar, elegant qipao made his face break into a smile. "Aunt Ding!

I was starting to think you really weren’t coming."

Madam Ding, a fox-fur cloak draped casually over her qipao, sat down beside him with a smile. She reached for the coffee pot, but Fu Juemin gently stayed her hand. He passed the pot to a nearby subordinate. "It’s cold. Have them brew a fresh pot."

Madam Ding didn’t insist. Instead, she picked a tea egg from a plate, tapped it gently on the corner of the table, and began to peel it meticulously.

A single glance from Big Cat was enough. The surrounding guards silently withdrew, leaving only Big Cat and Kitty to stand in attendance.

Amid the piercing shriek of a train whistle, Madam Ding kept her eyes lowered. While meticulously peeling the tea egg, she spoke to Fu Juemin in a low, calm voice. "Li Mingyi will arrive in Shenghai on New Year’s Eve.

Whether by water or by land, we don’t know yet."

Fu Juemin was startled for a moment, then raised an eyebrow. "He certainly knows how to pick his moments."

"On New Year’s Eve, everyone’s guard will be down, after all."

Madam Ding finished peeling the tea egg, but instead of eating it, she handed it to Fu Juemin.

Fu Juemin accepted it with a smile. He bit off half and asked, his words muffled, "Someone wants to kill him?"

Madam Ding nodded. "For now, just the loyalists of the old dynasty.

The die-hards of the old dynasty. They’re a bunch of madmen, obsessed with the idea of restoration. They won’t spare anyone who might obstruct their ’grand cause,’ given the chance."

She paused, her voice growing even softer. "Once Li Mingyi meets with Mr. Wen... I’m afraid Nan Xiangcheng and his people will want him dead, too."

"The Xin Republic’s people, how would they dare?"

Fu Juemin frowned.

He knew a bit about Li Mingyi’s past. The man enjoyed immense popular support outside of the government. When the Xin Republic’s Government first came to power, they had relied heavily on his name and influence.

Given their delicate relationship, anyone in the world could kill Li Mingyi, but the Xin Republic’s Government would never dare. It would be a betrayal of public trust they couldn’t justify.

"Times are different now."

Madam Ding stated succinctly, "The Xin Republic of today can barely ensure its own survival. How could they possibly care about righteousness and public justification?"

Fu Juemin ate the remaining half of the tea egg in his hand, looking thoughtful. He then changed the subject. "So, what exactly did Mr. Wen want to discuss with you, Aunt Ding?"

Madam Ding spoke slowly. "That shipment of gold and treasure escorted by the White Dragon was prepared for Li Mingyi by his overseas supporters.

Before he arrives, those parties will certainly make another attempt. It will likely happen within the next few days...

Mr. Wen wants us to prepare in advance. It would be best... if we can secure the gold."

Upon hearing this, Fu Juemin’s gaze sharpened. His eyes drifted involuntarily toward the distant, smoke-shrouded platforms.

At this moment, another train pulled into the station, its whistle blowing a long, deafening blast.

"So, Mr. Wen brought in these helpers from the Martial Arts world to protect Li Mingyi and that shipment of gold?

Oh, right. I kept forgetting to ask, Aunt Ding.

This group we’re here to pick up—what’s their story?"

Madam Ding was already peeling her second tea egg. Her movements were delicate and gentle, but her tone was as placid as ever as she spoke a name.

"Have you ever heard of the former Shenghai Thirteen Taibao?"