Chapter 100: Chapter 94 Tao Foundation
Sounds of objects being smashed and glass shattering echoed from the Chief’s office.
“That son of a bitch is crazy!”
Gu Zhenhui exclaimed furiously.
The secretary beside him trembled and dared not speak.
He had followed Gu Zhenhui for many years, yet this was the first time he had seen him lose his temper .
Always a master strategist, even when disadvantaged in the struggle with the Tiger Saber Gang, he had remained calmly confident, never frantic or flustered by temporary setbacks.
But this time, Gu Zhenhui had uncharacteristically lost his composure.
“Sir, please calm down.”
The secretary offered Gu Zhenhui a freshly poured cup of tea with a new cup.
“How are things over there now?”
Gu Zhenhui tried to compose himself as he asked.
“I just got news; there is a big crowd gathered at the Market Entrance right now, furious and blocking the road, not letting the Inspection Bureau take the corpses.”
The secretary spoke cautiously.
Gu Zhenhui rubbed his forehead, “Tell Wu Yihua to settle this matter quickly, don’t force it, be gentler, and avoid inciting public resentment.”
“Also, notify all departments to have an emergency meeting in half an hour, I want a city-wide search for the Green-faced Ghost!”
The secretary nodded, then turned and left.
Gu Zhenhui let out a heavy sigh, still unable to quell his anger.
His meticulously planned chess game was ruined by someone’s brute force approach; how could he not be furious?
The Court of Judicial Review held extreme importance; it was a battleground he and the Tiger Saber Gang were both striving to control. Suddenly losing two officials from his faction was a significant blow to his influence there. Fortunately, the gang had suffered more deaths, which slightly alleviated his distress.
But, being the Chief of Xing City, such an incident occurring under his rule, where seven Second Rank Subordinate Officials died, and so many scandals were exposed, could even jeopardize his career!
“Green, faced, Ghost!”
Gu Zhenhui growled the name through gritted teeth, eyes fiercely determined.
He thought he could manipulate his opponent on the chessboard at will, but now he realized this was not just a chess piece, but a knife.
A knife that could draw blood!
At the same time, in the Inspection Bureau’s prison, someone else was uttering that name.
Though it was a prison cell, it was fully furnished, complete with maidservants and a doctor on standby, hardly resembling a typical jail cell.
This was where Zhang Mingze was being held.
The Master, still bedridden, was having his legs massaged by a maidservant while a Tiger Saber Gang subordinate reported the morning’s events at the Market Entrance.
A missing opium den meant less monthly revenue for the Tiger Saber Gang, but that was a minor issue.
The death of those officials was what truly pained Zhang Mingze.
With several Main Judges gone, it would be harder to manipulate cases involving the gang in the future.
A missing Prison Chief meant it would be more difficult to secure releases for any gang members caught and jailed.
Overnight, the Tiger Saber Gang’s influence in the Court of Judicial Review was severely damaged!
More crucially, the gang’s prestige was impacted, causing officials aligned with them to waver.
Without the support from these officials, the Tiger Saber Gang would be like a toothless tiger, unable to stand against the Chief.
Thus, the death of these officials was more painful to Zhang Mingze than the loss of several martial masters.
The only upside was that he didn’t need to enact his series of planned countermeasures against Gu Zhenhui’s move, as the riots had easily discredited Gu Zhenhui’s planted Green-faced Ghost, allowing for his imminent release.
“This Green-faced Ghost must die!”
Zhang Mingze declared with a cold gaze.
After years of battling with Gu Zhenhui, both sides had refrained from completely slaughtering each other, knowing that if one side killed, the other could too, potentially leading to uncontrollable escalation and even outside intervention. Ultimately, no one would benefit from Xing City then, a scenario neither side wanted.
So now, with the Green-faced Ghost’s act of killing seven Subordinate Officials overnight, everyone understood that this individual belonged to no side and represented a dangerously sharp blade that could not be controlled.
“What’s the reaction from the Chief?”
Zhang Mingze inquired.
Subordinate: “He’s called for an emergency meeting of all departments.”
“Seems he’s preparing for a city-wide search.”
Zhang Mingze fell into deep thought.
The last joint operation by the three departments was just a basic search; many places weren’t thoroughly inspected.
But now, with the death of seven Subordinate Officials, Gu Zhenhui would undoubtedly demand an extensive city-wide search, the most thorough kind!
Both the Tiger Saber Gang and Gu Zhenhui equally wanted the Green-faced Ghost dead, so for once, their objectives aligned. This search would mark the first full-force joint effort between the city’s underground and legitimate authorities.
“In my life, I’ve encountered many interesting people, but a madman like the Green-faced Ghost is a first for me.”
Zhang Mingze remarked.
Just then, footsteps were heard as Inspector General Wu Yihua appeared outside the cell.
“Everyone else leave.”
Zhang Mingze commanded.
Soon, only he and Wu Yihua remained in the cell.
“Bedridden as I am, I ask for your understanding, Inspector General.”