Chapter 201 - 129: The Bai Family is Defeated, the Braid Army Appears

Chapter 201: Chapter 129: The Bai Family is Defeated, the Braid Army Appears

"Young Master."

Seeing him emerge, Zhao Laosuan immediately went up to him.

"I figured that once you recovered, you’d have to head back to the docks to oversee things.

The roads outside aren’t great for a car, and a rickshaw is faster. So I’ve been waiting here."

Lu Jing’an glanced at him and nodded. "Thoughtful."

Once more, Lu Jing’an settled into the rickshaw, and Zhao Laosuan took off at a run.

They were headed toward the docks, where the gunfire had yet to fully die down.

Although the battle wasn’t completely over, with the elimination of the grave threat that was Bai Ting,

the great stone pressing on Lu Jing’an’s heart had been mostly lifted.

The night wind brushed against his face, carrying the dissipating fog and the faint, fishy smell of the river water.

Lu Jing’an leaned back against the seat, his Spirit relaxing slightly.

"Old Shuan, you pull this rickshaw so steadily and quickly. Did you used to do this for a living?"

Lu Jing’an asked casually, his voice clear on the empty streets.

Zhao Laosuan’s steps were steady and his breathing even. Hearing the question, he answered:

"To answer, Chief, yes. In my younger days, I pulled a rickshaw at the docks in the Provincial City to make ends meet.

Later, the gangs in the Provincial City took too big a cut. They exploited you at every level.

I just couldn’t survive, so... so I drifted from place to place.

Ended up on the Canglan River, doing business that doesn’t require any capital."

There was a trace of almost imperceptible sorrow in Zhao Laosuan’s tone.

Lu Jing’an watched the blurry shadows of houses recede rapidly on both sides of the street and made a sound of acknowledgement.

"Once things have stabilized in Yin Mountain County, if there’s a chance, I’ll take you back to the Provincial City.

We’ll ’visit’ some of those old friends."

As Zhao Laosuan pulled the rickshaw, his back seemed to straighten a little. His voice was deep and firm. "Thank you, Chief!"

The dense fog was now much thinner than when Lu Jing’an had set off in pursuit of Bai Ting.

The moonlight could now pierce through, casting hazy shadows on the ground.

The receding of the fog was, in itself, a clear signal.

The struggle over at the Spirit Nest was also likely nearing its end.

The rickshaw soon reached the dock area.

Although the gunfire here was still intense, the battle cries of a charging assault had all but vanished.

In its place was the more rhythmic sound of trading fire and sporadic cannon blasts.

Zhao Laosuan stopped the rickshaw in front of a relatively intact two-story brick building.

It had been temporarily commandeered as a command post, and figures flickered in the windows.

The ringing of telephones and shouted orders could be heard intermittently.

Lu Jing’an got out, straightened the hem of his suit, and strode inside.

On the first floor, by a window, Lu Jing’an found his father, Lu Huaiqian, and his third uncle, Lu Huaisan, murmuring over a map.

Both were in Martial Attire, stained with gunpowder and dust.

Their faces showed fatigue, but their eyes were still sharp.

When they saw Lu Jing’an appear in a well-pressed suit, his face pale but his movements unimpeded,

Lu Huaisan’s eyes lit up with surprise, and Lu Huaiqian’s expression also relaxed.

"Jing’an! You... handled things on your end?"

Lu Huaisan asked impatiently in a low voice, his hand unconsciously tightening on the grip of the pistol at his waist.

Lu Jing’an walked over to them, his gaze sweeping over the River’s surface, which was cut by the beams of searchlights.

He nodded, his words concise. "It’s handled. Bai Ting is dead."

"Dead? He died in the city?"

Lu Huaiqian pressed, his eyes still full of disbelief.

They had thought Bai Ting would be at Muddy Dragon Beach right now, or at least among the Bai Family’s fleet.

Lu Jing’an briefly recounted the important parts of the chase, seeing through the disguise, and the final kill.

Although he spoke of it plainly, the danger involved

was like a raging tempest to Lu Huaiqian and Lu Huaisan.

After he finished, the two were speechless for a moment, a cold sweat breaking out on their backs.

"A close call... a truly close call!"

Lu Huaisan let out a long breath, still shaken by the lingering fear.

"That Mr. Xu... was actually Bai Ting himself!

That old fox was hiding right under our noses all this time!

If you hadn’t been so sharp and decisive, Jing’an, he probably would have wiped us all out in one fell swoop!"

He imagined the consequences if Lu Jing’an had been a step too late or had hesitated for even a moment, and his heart clenched in fear.

Lu Jing’an said, "I was just making a guess based on a few suspicions. It was a gamble. Luckily, I won."

"Thank god you took that gamble!"

Lu Huaisan exclaimed.

"Who would have thought that the ’insider’ sent by the Hu Family would be Bai Ting himself!

That grand deception was truly vicious!"

Lu Jing’an changed the subject, turning to look out the window.

"Father, what’s the situation at the docks now?"

Lu Huaiqian also composed himself and pointed toward the River’s surface.

"Before, the attacks from those driven demonic creatures underwater were extremely fierce.

We held them off with our fortifications and artillery, but our men took heavy casualties.

About half an hour ago, their assault suddenly weakened, and they began to retreat into deeper water.

I originally thought they were preparing for an even bigger assault, but now that I think about it... it must be because Bai Ting has been executed."

Lu Jing’an nodded. This matched his own guess.

With Bai Ting dead, these fiends under his control or influence naturally lost their leader.

"In that case, while they’re retreating, we should kill as many as possible to prevent future trouble.

Don’t spare the shells and gunpowder. Use everything,"

Lu Jing’an said calmly.

"We’re already on it," Lu Huaiqian nodded, then added,

"Jing’an, the situation at Muddy Dragon Beach... will probably be decided soon too.

If the Bai Family fleet is routed, they will likely flee downstream to this very spot."

A calculating glint flashed in Lu Jing’an’s eyes.

"Exactly.

Father, pass down the order. Have the men get ready.

When the Bai Family’s routed soldiers come down the river, we’ll give them a proper ’send-off.’

Don’t let any of the ships, cargo, or weapons they might leave behind get away.

The Hu Family..."

After a pause, Lu Jing’an continued:

"After this battle, the Hu Family probably won’t be so accommodating to our requests anymore.

We need to rely on ourselves to build up our own foundation."

Lu Huaiqian understood. He nodded gravely. "Understood. I’ll go make the arrangements right away."