Second District.
Bingquan Street.
At the end of the street, a mansion covering hundreds of square meters bustled with noise and excitement. Numerous torches scattered throughout the compound, and under the sweeping heat waves, the swirling snowflakes melted soundlessly before they could touch the ground.
Normally uninhabited, this place resembled an abandoned wasteland. But only a select few knew that the master behind this grand mansion—large enough to buy half of Hanshuang Street in the Third District—was named Ma Zhong.
At this moment, the mansion had shed its former desolation. Melodious music played continuously, mingling with women's coquettish whispers and men's boisterous laughter, creating an illusion of paradise.
"Brother Ma's mansion is truly impressive... Such a waste to leave it deserted all year round."
Qian Fan, wearing the black-and-red uniform of a law enforcer, sat in the front row, squinting at the scantily clad women dancing on stage as he couldn't help but sigh.
"What's there to waste? Brother Ma's mansion in the Third District is even bigger," another enforcer beside him chimed in, clinking his wine cup with Qian Fan's before draining the fine liquor.
"So enviable... When will I ever afford a mansion like this?"
"Now that Han Meng is dead, no one can disrupt our business. In a few years, each of us brothers will have one!"
"Hahaha, let's toast again!"
"By the way, hasn't Brother Ma arrived yet?"
"He's on his way. He said we should start enjoying ourselves first."
Qian Fan nodded. Before he could speak further, Gudao approached with a dancer on each arm, grinning widely.
"Come, let's toast Boss Qian! We had our misunderstandings before, so please look out for our business in the future..."
"Boss Gu is too modest. This is Brother Ma's treat—I'm just tagging along," Qian Fan smiled. "But in business, we must truly cooperate in good faith for mutual benefit..."
"Well said! Mutual benefit!"
The nineteen residents of Bingquan Street present all stood to clink cups with Qian Fan. Some dealt in firearms, some in drugs, some in flesh trade... Yet at this moment, their smiles looked so gentle and harmless. An unsuspecting intruder might have mistaken it for a gathering of business tycoons.
"Boss Qian, how was that batch of goods the other day?" Gudao suddenly lowered his voice with a smirk. "The heart and those organs—good quality, right?"
"Not bad," Qian Fan nodded slightly. "The buyer was satisfied."
"Not many buyers can afford to purchase all organs in one go... Did that batch go to Aurora City?"
At the mention of "Aurora City," Qian Fan's eyes narrowed. "Boss Gu, in this line of work, it's best not to pry into matters that don't concern you... Beware of trouble."
"Hahaha, my mistake. I'll punish myself with a drink!"
Gudao emptied his cup in one gulp, then stared at the charming, plump dancers on stage. His hand resting on a woman's shoulder slowly slid downward, prompting coquettish protests as he fondled carelessly.
"Honestly, it's always the same acts every time... No variety?"
"What else do you want to see?"
"I heard in Aurora City, they have singing, skits, magic shows, operas... Why do we only get dancing here?"
"As you said, that's Aurora City... In a place like the Third District, where can we find such variety? Be glad we have dancers and musicians."
"...So boring."
A drunken flush colored Gudao's cheeks. He pushed away the two women in his arms and strode to the center of the stage, disrupting the dancers' formation. The performers stared at each other in bewilderment.
Below the stage, the musicians playing drums and bamboo flutes suddenly fell silent.
Below the stage, the musicians playing rhythmic drumbeats and bamboo flutes also fell silent at once.
"Don't stop. Keep dancing..."
Gudao pressed his body lightly against one of the dancers from behind, his hands slithering over her body like snakes. Finally, he grabbed her wrists and manipulated her steps like a marionette, writhing awkwardly on stage.
The dancer's face paled with fright, but dare not resist, allowing Gudao to twist her body at will. The other dancers glanced at Qian Fan below, pretended nothing happened, and continued dancing in unison...
The drumbeats resumed, and the bamboo flutes played melodiously.
"Hahaha, Gudao, your dancing is too ugly!"
"Better let me do it!"
"Nah, I think he's doing fine. Keep going, keep going! Hahaha..."
"Who knew you had a talent for dancing? Give us a pole dance!"
"..."
The crowd on Bingquan Street burst into laughter, as if finding a great source of amusement, pushing the lively atmosphere to a new climax.
Just then, a figure pushed open the mansion gate amid the heavy snow and walked slowly in.
"What? Has Brother Ma finally arrived?"
Everyone turned to look at the front yard, but froze in place simultaneously.
It was not Ma Zhong. It was a young man in a bright red opera robe, silently treading the stone path in the yard. The swirling snow dusted his temples white.
In the pale world, that splash of vermilion was so dazzling and scorching.
When most people in the room saw his face, their expressions changed, as if recalling something, their eyes filled with venom and malice.
At the same time, Qian Fan was slightly taken aback. He exchanged a glance with the enforcer beside him and rose from his seat.
"Brother Chen Ling, why are you here?" A warm smile spread across his face. "What bad timing—right after you left, the Second and Third Districts lifted restrictions. We wanted to throw a celebration. I was just saying we should have kept you here this morning... Come, since you're here, sit down and have a drink with us."
Chen Ling did not respond. He calmly walked through the snowy courtyard, his muddy soles stepping into the room, leaving deep imprints.
"No need," he said coldly. "I'm here to retrieve something..."
"Retrieve something? Did you leave something behind?"
Under everyone's gaze, Chen Ling walked through the banquet and stepped onto the stage... His eyes remained fixed on Gudao the entire time.
"Yo, who did I think it was? It's Officer Chen the Great..." Gudao sneered drunkenly, releasing the dancer in his grasp and shoving her aside. "What, dressed like this—gonna put on a show for us?"
Now that Han Meng was dead and Ma Zhong ruled the Third District unchallenged, Gudao and the others didn't believe Chen Ling dared to court death... Now, both the Second and Third Districts were theirs!
"Hahaha! Come on, make him perform!"
"Dressed like that, he must be here to sing opera. Which act will it be?"
"..."
In their fearless intoxication, the crowd raised their wine cups, their gazes toward Chen Ling in red filled with mockery.
Qian Fan's frown deepened—he vaguely sensed something was wrong.
"Chen Ling, just tell me what you lost... I'll help you find it."
"I lost a heart."
Chen Ling stared straight into Gudao's face,
"...And my brother's life."
The next instant, a palm pierced straight through Gudao's chest!!