Chapter 165: Sneak Attack

Chapter 165: Sneak Attack

Duke let out a shout.

Wielding his battle axe, he charged straight in.

The group inside, busy dividing the loot, was stunned at first but quickly reacted.

Each of them reached for the weapons beside them.

Bang~!

A dull thud echoed as the nearest person was knocked back, sent flying.

He crashed into the wall behind him, slowly sliding down.

Meanwhile, Duke continued swinging his battle axe, charging at the others.

His movements were wide and forceful, smashing all the furniture in his path, scattering silver coins across the floor.

By the door.

Bagdong swiftly killed the man who had opened it.

The rest of the group followed, entering the room.

Armed, they quickly joined the fight.

They clashed with the wanted criminals and their accomplices.

For a moment, the sounds of battle and weapons clashing filled the room.

Outside, the intense battle drew a crowd of onlookers.

Soon, the last enemy fell.

Duke grabbed a cloth and wiped the blood from his axe, saying, "Captain, all done, nice and easy."

Wu Heng glanced around the room; the layout was simple.

A few chairs, a wooden bed, and some basic living items.

This seemed to be a temporary hideout for the wanted criminals.

He casually pulled open two drawers, finding some moldy fruit cores that had been there for who knows how long.

Nothing useful.

Wu Heng said, "Duke, confirm the identities of the wanted criminals. Marta, collect all the silver coins, and we'll split them later."

"Got it, Captain!"

The two got to work.

Duke took the tablet handed to him and began verifying the identities of the wanted criminals, checking if anyone else was on the wanted list.

Marta started picking up the scattered silver coins.

These spoils were quite a haul.

Clink~!

Just then, the sound of footsteps and loud voices came from outside the door.

Looking out through the open door.

Wu Heng saw a large group of people wearing mismatched gear pushing through the crowd and blocking the house's entrance.

Their disorganized weapons and armor were typical of gang members.

Wu Heng glanced outside and asked, "Duke, have you confirmed their identities?"

"Confirmed. Only one of them is on the wanted list." Duke replied.

Wu Heng took the tablet back and said, "Leave the wanted criminal for now. Let's go see what these people want."

"Alright."

The people outside kept shouting for those inside to come out.

Duke ducked his head and stepped through the door, his tall, muscular frame clad in silver plate armor and wielding a battle axe.

The shouting immediately quieted, and the crowd took a cautious step back.

"What do you want?" Duke asked directly.

The gang members in front parted to the sides, making way.

A middle-aged man in leather armor with a goatee strode forward.

He glanced at the tall orc without fear and said, "This area is under the jurisdiction of the 'Scorpion Claw Gang.' You barged in here and killed people—are you looking to die?"

Gang-controlled territories were common in Rentam City.

As Wu Heng understood it, they were like outsourced security forces.

They handled basic law enforcement and collected taxes for the city hall.

They were essentially part of Rentam City's forces.

So they had some confidence.

Duke looked down at the man and said, "We're from the Guild. According to our intel, there was a wanted criminal here. We're conducting an arrest."

"The Guild? How can you prove that?"

Duke pulled out the Guild's insignia, showing it to the man, and said, "This has nothing to do with you. You can leave."

At that moment, another person approached.

He whispered something into the goateed man's ear.

The man glanced inside at the people picking up silver coins.

He then said, "You can take the wanted criminal, but everything inside belongs to the original owner of this place. You can't take anything."

"We won't touch anything in the room," Duke said.

"The silver coins are part of that too. You can't take them," the man added.

Duke immediately understood his meaning and retorted, "Why should we leave anything for you? You didn't do anything, and you still want to share the spoils."

He stepped forward, blocking the man's view inside.

"That's not how this works. The Guild can't just take what belongs to others," the man said, raising his hand as the gang members behind him stepped forward.

Duke's expression grew more serious, and he called back, "Captain, they want us to leave the silver coins and just take the wanted criminal."

Wu Heng, followed by several skeletons, walked out.

He looked at the man leading the group and said, "Guild operations to capture wanted criminals require the cooperation of all gangs and mercenary groups."

"We're cooperating, but now that your job is done, we're here to resume control."

"Who said we're done? How do you know there's only one wanted criminal here? Or are you fully aware of who's hiding in your territory?" Wu Heng asked, staring at him.

The man remained unfazed, folding his arms as he replied, "You can't just accuse me without proof. This…"

Whoosh~!

Before the man could finish.

A sharp whistling sound pierced the air.

A cold arrow shot out from the crowd, aiming straight for Wu Heng's chest.

Wu Heng's pupils shrank as a strong sense of danger surged within him. He tried to dodge, but his body couldn't keep up with his mind.

Just as the arrow was about to hit his chest.

Bagdong stepped in front of him.

He caught the incoming arrow with one hand and flung it aside.

It was Bagdong's skill, [Arrow Catch].

A second later, Wu Heng's body finally reacted.

Duke immediately rushed forward, grabbing Wu Heng by the waist and pulling him back into the building.

Bagdong and Barson moved forward.

They pinned the goateed gang leader to the ground, a sharp dagger pressed against his throat.

Clang~!

The surrounding gang members instantly drew their weapons, ready to charge.

The goateed man shouted, "Scorpion Claw Gang, stand down! This is a misunderstanding! Put your weapons away."

Killing a Guild captain.

Only a fool would do something that stupid.

Forget him—ask anyone from the Consortium or the city lord's mansion if they'd dare kill a Guild captain.

He had no idea where that arrow had come from.

But if a fight broke out, there'd be no way to explain it.

The gang members hesitated and didn't advance further.

The goateed man, pinned to the ground, spat out some dirt and shouted, "Captain, it wasn't my people who shot that arrow. You have to investigate this thoroughly!"

Inside the building, Wu Heng's expression was grim.

He patted himself down, checking for injuries, and only relaxed after confirming he was unharmed.

He had nearly died out there.

"Captain, let me go out and kill them!" Duke said angrily.

"Don't go outside. Be careful of more sneak attacks!"

Marta came over, crouching by the window, and glanced outside.

She then crouched down and picked up the bolt from the ground, examining it.

She said, "It's from a crossbow, likely a hand or light crossbow. They were prepared."

Wu Heng nodded, confirming they had prepared in advance.

Just then, the door opened.

The goateed gang leader, with a dagger pressed to his throat, was dragged inside.

Thrown to the ground, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and explained, "It wasn't my people. It has nothing to do with me."