Lian Ming's meeting with Mayor

Ren Yue suddenly asked, "What do you think about this situation?"

"It's a bit strange that three of your merchant caravans were looted," Long Chen stated.

Noticing the confused look on Ren Yue's face, Long Chen clarified, "All of the trade caravans follow the same path. As a result, all merchants in a region are conscious of the dangers and risks associated with a route. To prevent a local gang from looting them, they assign sufficient guards and even employ some cunning tactics."

Ren Yue didn't seem convinced by his words and retorted, "Maybe the local gangs investigated the caravans and took action only when they were confident of winning."

Long Chen smiled upon hearing these words. He responded calmly, "That's indeed a possibility. However, we must not forget that this was the first time these merchants sent their caravans in a while. How could the local gangs possess any detailed information about these guards?"

"There are only three possibilities regarding this matter. The first is that the merchant Sir Mo chose was incompetent. But I doubt he will choose someone inept for such a crucial task."

"Secondly, the merchant became greedy and embezzled your resources for personal use while leaving his caravan with weak guards. However, I doubt that Sir Mo will choose such a greedy merchant. I have a feeling that he chose the merchants who had a good relationship with your father."

Ren Yue nodded her head as she thought the same.

Long Chen's gaze turned serious as he added, "Thirdly, there is a secret group in this territory that is going around looting the merchant caravans. I even suspect that they are collaborating with merchants in this territory. It would make sense for them to act against an unfamiliar merchant caravan. Furthermore, since the merchants that Sir Mo haven't been trading for the past few years, it's normal for them to be unaware of this secret group."

Ren Yue still frowned as she thought Long Chen was making a wild guess. She inquired, "How do we know this kind of organization exists? And how do we handle this situation?"

Long Chen revealed a smile upon hearing this query, "I do have a solution."

'As for the existence of this organization, it definitely exists. But its existence won't be revealed until a few years later.'

"What is it?" Ren Yue was slightly surprised. She didn't think he would have a solution already.

"Choose another merchant from that area and sponsor him. I will join his caravan as a guard. I can inspect the entire path to find traces of this secret group. If this secret group actually attacks the caravan, it will be even better. I can find their base, and we can slowly plan to loot all the treasures in that place," Long Chen said excitedly.

"No. This is too dangerous. They might kill you immediately to conceal this incident. Moreover, I don't have any funds to sponsor someone. If those other four investments have any returns, only then can I put this plan in motion," Ren Yue spoke with a distressed sigh.

"…You don't need to be worried about funds. I will provide them," Long Chen spoke.

Seeing that Ren Yue was about to retort, Long Chen quickly added, "I naturally understand the risks of this mission. However, without taking any risks, there will be no progress!"

Ren Yue clenched her fists a bit angrily and yelled, "But why must you be the one who takes this risk for me?! Why can't it be me or someone else?! Do you look down on us?!"

Long Chen was startled to hear Ren Yue's angry tone. However, he soon realized that she probably felt guilty thinking he was taking so many risks for her. But it was only natural since Ren Yue didn't know his ambition.

"I apologize, Miss Ren. I truly didn't mean that. It's just that I find it comfortable when I work alone. As you know, my illusionary skills are limited. I can barely conceal myself from the senses of an expert." Long Chen spoke.

Ren Yue understood that he always meant well and spoke gloomily, "I won't let you take this risk!"

Long Chen sighed internally. He knew that it would be challenging to convince Ren Yue to change her mind. Perhaps only Grandpa Mo could accomplish it.

However, Grandpa Mo would also agree with Ren Yue and wouldn't allow Long Chen to take such a huge risk.

"…Very well. Then let's change our strategy and go on the offensive," Long Chen spoke calmly.

"Eh?" Ren Yue was startled to hear these words. She was curious about his new idea.

"The risk is considerably lower than my previous idea, and you will also acquire resources for your faction," Long Chen said.

"What is this strategy?" Ren Yue couldn't restrain her curiosity any longer.

In response, Long Chen started narrating his clever plan.

~~

Meanwhile, in another part of Suqui Town, Mayor Wan Tao was having a meeting with Lian Ming.

As a Law Enforcement Officer, Lian Ming played a crucial role in capturing some dangerous escapees and putting them back in their cells.

Furthermore, she declared a statement that calmed down the public and stopped the riots in Suqui Town. The Mayor had nearly lost his life due to those riots.

Therefore, Mayor Wan Tao was very grateful to Lian Ming.

Lian Ming's current meeting with Mayor Wan Tao seems to be one of the rare times when she didn't feel his perverted gaze.

Typically, Mayor Wan Tao would ogle her body as if he wanted to eat her whole. Today, though, he stared at her with sincere gratitude.

She knew that this incident wouldn't completely change his personality. He was bound to return to his old ways after a few days.

"…Mayor Wan, I believe you owe me an explanation," Lian Ming spoke.

"Regarding what?" Wan Tao showed a puzzled look.

Lian Ming frowned slightly as she spoke, "Why did you assist the JRA into releasing all those prisoners? Don't try to deny it."

"Others might not know, but I was the previous warden of Suqui Prison. I know there is a master array that controls the bindings of all the prisoners in the prison. You removed me from my position and assigned a loyal subordinate as a warden to gain control of the master array."

"And yesterday, you released the bindings of all the prisoners," Lian Ming spat out while glaring at Wan Tao.

Wan Tao didn't seem dejected or distressed upon seeing her glare. He seemed amused as he responded, "That's correct. Only through the master array could I have released all the prisoners in one go. Are you planning to reveal this information? I think not. You do not want to see riots occurring in your dear town."

His thinking was absolutely correct.

Upon seeing how even ordinary citizens had joined these riots, Lian Ming certainly didn't want to speak anything against the Mayor anytime soon.

However, not punishing the Mayor for his act of terror seemed even worse. His decision affected hundreds or even thousands of people. Many lost their lives, loves ones, income, and valuable time.

Suddenly, Lian Ming slammed the Mayor's desk strongly. The entire desk shattered as Lian Ming glared at the Mayor.

She then spoke furiously, "I can still make you pay for this!"

However, before Lian Ming could move forwards, multiple silhouettes entered the Mayor's office through various windows.

Most of them were 3 Star Warriors, while two were 2 Star Warriors.

All of them held a thin sword and pointed it towards Lian Ming. Even Lian Ming's expression turned serious as she saw this line-up.

She didn't think that the Mayor's personal guards would be so quick to react.

"I took precautions since what occurred recently and recruited more guards. I hope that Mrs. Lian calms down and listens to me," Wan Tao spoke calmly. There was a hint of oppressiveness in his tone.

"…You think they can protect you from me?" Lian Ming spoke with a hint of ridicule.

Wan Tao didn't possess cultivation, but he knew that his guards truly couldn't protect him if Lian Ming was determined to protect him.

"No. But staying on the weaker end has never been my style. Even if you manage to harm me or kill me, you won't have any impressive ending afterwards. I am pretty sure you will suffer many injuries. The losses won't cover the gains," Wan Tao spoke.

He then added with a smile, "Furthermore, you are a wise woman who understands that the advantage of my continued existence outweighs the price of my death. Isn't that why you even saved me from public outrage and didn't take action until now?"

Lian Ming was truly speechless. Wan Tao had perfectly grasped her mentality.

"As for your earlier question, I released those prisoners because the JRA possessed the evidence of some of my personal secrets. I need to ensure that those secrets never come to light so I obeyed their orders. I never imagined that they would choose this moment to cut me off," Wan Tao spoke coldly as he talked about the JRA.

Lian Ming didn't ask about those personal secrets. She knew that he would never be foolish enough to mention them to her.

She stared at Wan Tao's personal guards and spoke coldly, "Would you back off? I won't attack him."