Chapter Sixty-Two: Practicing with the Rifle

With the other party’s words, the initiative returned to Li Changqing. Li Changqing spoke in a low voice, “I do have some clues, but I’ll need some time to investigate. I should be able to find it within three days.” He wouldn’t foolishly reveal the location of the abandoned factory outright. In a situation where the balance of power was unequal, the only way to ensure his own safety was to maintain the value he could offer the other side.

“I want to know the factory’s whereabouts within three days,” Shen Qingdai said as she rose and walked toward the door. At the threshold, she turned and fixed her gaze on Li Changqing. “If I find out you’re lying to me, you’ll suffer a miserable death.”

After Shen Qingdai left, Li Changqing felt a headache coming on and slumped onto the sofa. “Was she here to investigate Huang Chao’s disappearance?” Picking up his phone, he told Kelly not to come to work for the time being.

Kelly received the call and couldn’t help but comment inwardly on Li Changqing’s lack of professionalism—what kind of detective agency boss closed shop every other day? Was he off somewhere on a date with Tang Xiaoyu?

After notifying Kelly, Li Changqing dialed Hu Xiong’s number. When Hu Xiong had come to question him earlier, Li Changqing assumed the matter was already settled and withheld some information. But now, it seemed he would have to cooperate with Bureau 36.

In an office, after hanging up the call with Li Changqing, Hu Xiong frowned and addressed Baichuan, who was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper. “Something’s happened with Li Changqing. Shen Qingdai went to see him.”

A flicker of murderous intent flashed in Baichuan’s eyes. “Is she out for revenge against Li Changqing?” Though his relationship with Li Changqing was ordinary, he deeply disliked being threatened.

“Li Changqing said on the phone she’s looking for Huang Chao’s whereabouts,” Hu Xiong said, rising and clasping his hands behind his back. Suddenly, the phone on the desk rang—it was the director of Bureau 36.

“Hello.”

“Director, it’s me. What? You already let him go?”

“Director, we only detained him for one night, haven’t even questioned him yet, this just—”

A stern voice came from the other end, “Between us, who’s the director? Who makes the decisions?”

“You’re the director…”

“You make the decisions.”

The call ended with a bang as Hu Xiong slammed his palm on the desk. “The director says the person we caught yesterday has been released, and we’re not to have any direct conflict with that Shen woman.”

“I’m going to see the director,” Baichuan said, getting up to head upstairs.

Hu Xiong quickly pulled Baichuan back. He knew Baichuan’s temperament—if he went up, there would likely be a heated argument with the director. “Forget it, forget it. The director must have his reasons for saying this,” Hu Xiong said, holding Baichuan back.

“So we’re just going to let this go? Not investigate anymore?” Baichuan’s face was expressionless, but it was clear he was deeply dissatisfied.

Hu Xiong pondered for a moment, then smiled slyly. “He didn’t say we couldn’t let someone else investigate.”

“Come on, let’s go see Li Changqing.”

In the detective agency, Li Changqing and Hu Xiong sat facing each other, both wearing bright smiles as they watched one another. Baichuan stood by the window, breathing the fresh air and gazing at the street outside without a word.

“Mr. Hu, this morning Shen Qingdai came after me, insisting I give her clues about Huang Chao,” Li Changqing said. “I managed to stall her for now…” He recounted the events in detail.

Hu Xiong listened quietly, occasionally interrupting to inquire about certain details.

“I see. That Shen Qingdai thinks you’re connected to Huang Chao’s disappearance, so she’s come to you, and you’re planning to lure her to the abandoned factory?” Hu Xiong stroked his chin. “You rascal, you really favor tricks and schemes, don’t you?”

Still, Hu Xiong found Li Changqing’s character agreeable.

Li Changqing was speechless. If he weren’t truly weak, who would willingly resort to trickery?

“Enough, let’s talk business,” Hu Xiong said, his expression growing serious. “Go ahead with this matter—I’ll protect you from the shadows.”

Li Changqing was suspicious. Was Hu Xiong trying to manipulate him again?

“I brought you two here because I want your help,” Li Changqing said.

Hu Xiong replied, “We can’t help. Actually, we met Shen Qingdai last night and detained someone from her entourage. The director ordered us to release them and forbade us from investigating Shen Qingdai further.”

Li Changqing was surprised. “Is that so? Who is Shen Qingdai, that Bureau 36 doesn’t dare investigate her?”

Hu Xiong reached for a cigarette, but seeing Baichuan still in the room, he put it down. “We haven’t figured it out ourselves.”

Hu Xiong was perplexed. What exactly was Shen Qingdai’s identity?

Yesterday, when they detained Uncle Yun, she had predicted that Bureau 36 wouldn’t keep him long. Sure enough, early this morning, the director personally called to order his release.

Could the director be colluding with these demons? That was absolutely impossible.

Li Changqing was unwilling to give up. “Is there any chance you two could act secretly?”

Hu Xiong and Baichuan exchanged glances and shook their heads.

Hu Xiong said, “When the director gives an order, it’s the rule. We absolutely can’t disobey.”

Li Changqing couldn’t help but complain inwardly—what were they here for, then? They didn’t understand Shen Qingdai’s situation, couldn’t help him, just came to cheer him on?

Fortunately, Baichuan spoke up, “For the next three days, I will teach you everything I can about survival skills and techniques. I hope you’ll make use of them.”

At least that was something.

Li Changqing agreed without hesitation. Baichuan said, “Let’s go to the gun club and get you started with firearms training.” He knew Li Changqing well and added, “I’ll pay.”

Three days was too short to teach spells or martial arts—not something one could master in so brief a time. Improving marksmanship was the quickest route. Though three days wouldn’t make him a sharpshooter, marksmanship is honed by firing countless rounds.

Tang Xiaoyu wanted to tag along and see for herself.

The four left the detective agency and arrived at a renowned gun club in Nanlin City. The place was quiet, with few patrons. Ordinary citizens had no habit of firearms training; those with some money simply kept a gun for self-defense.

For most people, a gun’s greatest value in a dangerous situation was as a deterrent.

Two years ago, gun clubs were very popular—wealthy youths loved the sport. Recently, rumor had it that horse racing was the new trend among them. The gun club had become much quieter, though their tastes changed frequently; they might return to guns at any time.

The owner, a muscular man in his thirties, looked like a retired soldier. He greeted them warmly. After asking which firearms they needed, he brought out a Bart P3 military pistol.

They settled the price, and after the owner explained the safety rules to Li Changqing, he entered the shooting range to begin his training.