Chapter 8: The North Suburb Casino – Undercurrents

The morning sun, a golden cascade, bathed the glass facades of Jiangcheng's towering office buildings, illuminating the bustling metropolis. Lin Feng stood alone in his penthouse office, his gaze sweeping across the urban panorama. The violent confrontation in the eastern suburbs the previous night had solidified the reality of the Shadow Syndicate, and it had deepened the chasm of hatred he felt for Lin Zhengxiong and Zhao Wanshan. He took a sip of his black coffee, the bitter liquid a stark contrast to the burning determination that coursed through him. Today's operation, a venture into the North Suburb's underground casino, would be his next strategic move in unraveling the syndicate's dark web.

Lin Xue'er sat quietly on the office sofa, cradling a steaming cup of tea, her voice laced with concern. "Brother, where did you go last night? You returned so late." The lingering tremors of the previous night's events still resonated in her tone. Lin Feng turned, offering her a reassuring smile. "Just dealt with some lurking vermin. Nothing to worry about." He placed his coffee cup down and moved to his desk, preparing for the day's tasks.

The bespectacled man, his assistant, approached with a report. "Master Feng, Lin Zhengxiong and Zhao Wanshan are terrified after last night's encounter. We've acquired seventy percent of Lin Corporation's shares, and Zhao Corporation's financial lifeline is completely severed. They won't last the day." Lin Feng nodded, his voice firm. "Good. Bring them to the northern suburbs. I want to question them personally about the Shadow Syndicate."

The assistant departed, and Lin Feng picked up his black overcoat, turning to Lin Xue'er. "Xue'er, stay here today. I have some business to attend to." "Brother, please be careful!" Lin Xue'er's worry intensified as she stood. Lin Feng patted her shoulder, offering a silent assurance, and left the office, heading towards the northern suburbs.

The northern outskirts of Jiangcheng were a desolate industrial wasteland, a patchwork of abandoned factories and overgrown fields, a forgotten corner of the city. A dimly lit building stood amidst the decay, the North Suburb's underground casino, a nexus for Jiangcheng's underworld. Lin Feng parked his car and stepped out, his eyes scanning the surroundings, sharp and vigilant.

Zhao Wanshan had revealed that the Shadow Syndicate's operatives were scheduled to arrive at the casino for a clandestine exchange. Lin Feng decided to take the initiative, to extract more information about the syndicate. At the casino's entrance, two guards, unimpressed by Lin Feng's unassuming attire, sneered. "Halt! This isn't a place for you. Get lost!" Lin Feng, wasting no time on idle chatter, moved with lightning speed, delivering two swift blows that rendered the guards unconscious. He pushed open the heavy iron door and entered.

Inside, the air was thick with cigarette smoke, the casino floor a cacophony of voices and clinking chips. Lin Feng's gaze cut through the crowd, focusing on a private VIP room, where hushed conversations echoed. He walked directly towards it, brushing aside the bouncer who attempted to block his path, sending him crashing through the flimsy wooden door.

Three men sat around a table in the VIP room, startled by Lin Feng's sudden intrusion. The bald, burly man at the head of the table, his face a mask of hardened features, held a deck of cards, his voice laced with menace. "Who the hell are you, breaking into my establishment?" Lin Feng's voice was cold and steady. "Where are the Shadow Syndicate's people?" His question hung in the air, chilling the room.

The burly man narrowed his eyes and gestured. "Get him!" Two hulking figures lunged forward, but Lin Feng's reflexes were too quick. With effortless precision, he incapacitated them, sending them crashing against the wall. The burly man retreated, his bravado fading. "Who are you?"

"Lin Feng." He advanced, his presence commanding. "Tell me, are the Shadow Syndicate's operatives coming today?" The man's bravado crumbled. "Yes! They said they'd be here this afternoon to pick up the goods… I'm just a messenger, please don't kill me!" He fell to his knees, his face drenched in sweat.

Lin Feng checked his watch, noting the time. "Wait." He sat down, pouring himself a drink, and waited. The man remained on the floor, trembling. At two o'clock, footsteps echoed from the casino's back entrance. Three figures, cloaked in black, entered, carrying a black case.

The lead figure scanned the VIP room, his voice a low growl. "The merchandise?" The kneeling man pointed towards Lin Feng, his voice trembling. "He's waiting for it!" The figure's eyes narrowed, and with a flick of his wrist, two throwing knives sliced through the air. Lin Feng dodged, the knives embedding themselves in the wall. He lunged forward, a powerful punch aimed at the lead figure.

The figure drew a dagger, attempting to block the attack, but Lin Feng's strength shattered the blade, sending him crashing into a table. The remaining figures attacked, one wielding a knife, the other a whip. Lin Feng, undeterred, seized the whip, pulling the wielder forward, and kicked him away. He disarmed the knife-wielding figure, twisting his wrist, the sound of breaking bones filling the room.

The lead figure rose, his face contorted in rage. "Lin Feng, you're skilled, but…" He was cut short by Lin Feng's palm strike, sending him crashing to the floor. Lin Feng retrieved the figure's phone, revealing an unsent message: "Lin Feng is at the North Suburb. Send reinforcements."

With a cold smile, Lin Feng crushed the phone. He turned to the kneeling man. "Where is the Shadow Syndicate's base?" The man shook his head, his eyes wide with terror. "I don't know! I'm just a contact!" Lin Feng, sensing his sincerity, said, "Leave." The man scrambled away. Lin Feng opened the black case, revealing documents and a bag of white powder.

He examined the documents, detailing the Shadow Syndicate's transactions, implicating Lin Zhengxiong and Zhao Wanshan. Lin Feng closed the case and left the casino. Back in his office, Lin Xue'er greeted him. "Are you alright?" Lin Feng nodded, handing the case to his assistant. "Analyze this, report back tomorrow." He stood at the window, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The Shadow Syndicate's presence was growing, and he was one step closer to uncovering the truth.