Chapter 56: The Oath of Poison

"Tell me, where is that kid?" In the dimly lit basement of the bar, Wu Qianyun, who had once been reduced to pleading for mercy, now wore a sinister grin as he brandished a sharp knife before Monkey.

"I don't know," Monkey muttered weakly, his body already having been "attended to." His fear surged as the cold blade came into view, and though he longed to retreat, two burly men gripped his arms tightly behind his back, forcing him to stay still. One of them yanked his hair violently, pulling his head back and causing his face to jut forward.

"Don't know?" Wu Qianyun sneered coldly. "You still dare to be stubborn?" Remembering the humiliation he had suffered, he immediately slashed down with the knife.

The blade grazed Monkey's cheek, and bright red blood splattered out. Already battered and bruised, his face was now an even more horrifying sight. Fortunately, Wu Qianyun had not struck deeply; the cut was shallow, but for Monkey, it felt as though death itself had brushed against him. The threat of his life felt real, and his body went limp in exhaustion. The two large men holding him sensed his weakening form and released their grip, letting him collapse to the ground.

"Monkey!" The other gang members, who had been kept at bay by a group of strong men, screamed in panic when they saw Monkey crumple. Their eyes filled with rage, burning with a desire to rip apart the man who had caused such suffering.

"Don't worry, he's not dead yet." Wu Qianyun stomped hard on Monkey's hand, and the latter let out a piercing scream. "Pathetic. A little blood, and you're already like this?" He couldn't help but recall the moment he was captured, when he had surrendered without even a drop of blood spilled.

"Let Monkey go!" The portly underling glared at Wu Qianyun, rage boiling in his eyes.

"You think I'll let him go just because you say so? You're the one who ratted us out, aren't you? Get him out here," one of the larger men roared, grabbing the portly underling and dragging him forward.

"Fatty, didn't expect this, did you? You used to be so tough," Wu Qianyun said with a cold smile, before suddenly, without warning, delivering a brutal kick to the fatty's abdomen.

The force of the blow made the fatty bend over like a shrimp, the intense pain rendering him nearly silent, his face contorted in agony.

"Didn't you think you could find that kid? Well, here's your chance. Call him here now, and maybe I'll let you off easy," Wu Qianyun sneered, enjoying the sight of the man writhing in pain.

"My elder brother's coming... cough... cough," the portly man gasped, struggling to speak through the crushing pain. "You're all doomed!"

"You're still mouthing off when you're in this state? Let's see what that kid can really do," Wu Qianyun chuckled, his confidence soaring. With a dozen men sent by his uncle, no matter how strong that kid was, he'd be nothing but a lamb for slaughter. With a sadistic gleam in his eyes, he imagined the kid begging for mercy before him, and perhaps even using him to lure a certain woman who had been ignoring him into his grasp.

—

At the East City Police Station, in the office of the station chief, the atmosphere was tense.

Now, the station was under Tie Wan's control. The official station chief had been temporarily suspended due to incompetence and was awaiting either a return to his rural home to farm or to be reassigned to cleaning toilets somewhere.

Tie Wan picked up the phone on her desk and dialed a number.

After a brief moment, the call connected.

"Who's this?" A stern voice answered, skipping even the customary greeting.

However, Tie Wan was not displeased. On the contrary, her tone was faintly frail. "It's me, Dad."

"Wan'er?" The tone softened immediately. "What's the matter?"

"Dad, do you remember the thing you warned me about a few days ago? The thing you told me to keep an eye on?"

"What about it? Has something happened?" His voice betrayed a hint of worry.

"No, it's not that. Someone's trying to target it."

"Have you found out who it is?" 

"Yes, Dad. But there are some complications with his identity," Tie Wan said carefully. 

"Hmph! No matter who they are, anyone who dares to target that thing deserves to die!" The voice on the other end was firm, resolute, carrying an unassailable conviction. "Who is it?" 

"Wu Heniang, the younger brother of the chairman of the Wu Group. He's probably hiding at his family's residence," Tie Wan replied, having thoroughly gone through the police archives. She had discovered that Wu Heniang had a half-brother, Wu Hejian, who had gone abroad for studies ten years ago and had not returned since. 

There was a brief silence on the line before the voice finally spoke again: "Is the information reliable?" 

"Yes!" In truth, Tie Wan was unsure why she felt so confident in someone like Wu Heniang, who had always seemed to take advantage of her. 

"Good. You can leave this matter to me. I'll have someone take over your duties. The thing should be arriving in two days. By the way, you haven't been home in a long while. Your mother is nearly out of her mind with worry. Don't forget to visit soon." 

"I know, Dad! But... I'm still a police officer. How can you just let me stand by idly like this?" 

"Tie Wan!" He cut her off sharply. "Do you know how dangerous that thing is? The people after it are no ordinary criminals. You officers can catch petty thieves or settle civil disputes, but when it comes to dealing with highly trained terrorists, you're of no use." 

"Dad!" Tie Wan protested, her voice filled with displeasure at his assessment. 

"I said no, and that's final!" The man on the other end was resolute. "This matter is settled. Also, don't send anyone to monitor them secretly. Those people are experts in counter-surveillance. If you stir things up, you'll only alert them." 

"I understand, Dad, you're such a nag! Since that's the case, I'll just go back to school and continue my teaching. That should be fine, right?" 

"In my opinion, you should return home. It would be good for you to keep your mother company. It's improper for a young woman to be out there fighting and killing all the time. Besides, those drug traffickers are just as dangerous." 

"Alright, Dad, enough already. I'm hanging up." Tie Wan could no longer tolerate her father's incessant instructions. What was the point of her life if everything was restricted this way? 

"Wait!" 

"What is it now, Dad?" 

"You're nearly 30. It's time for you to find a man and get married," he said, trying to continue, but before he could say more, a dial tone interrupted him. He let out a bitter laugh and set the phone down. 

Tie Wan sat there, still processing her father's last words. Find a man and marry? Easier said than done! She shook her head, leaning back in her chair and closing her eyes, only to suddenly see a shadow flash across her mind. Damn it, it was that bastard! The thought of him made her grit her teeth. She swore to herself, *One day, I will make him pay!*