Chapter Thirty-Two: Lawless Lands

Neon lights traced the alluring silhouette of a woman, hanging above the low, two-story building. The lights of the upper floors had been extinguished, creating an atmosphere befitting the night. Yet the people showed no sign of weariness; instead, they prowled restlessly like nocturnal beasts.

From the lower tiers came figures—poor, filthy, vicious, lazy, flamboyant, ugly, lowly, and treacherous—moving through the streets, or standing by the roadside, striking provocative poses.

Harsh noise spilled from the doors of the club, that sort of hoarse shouting whose appeal was elusive, no better than the club’s meager, impoverished music selection.

I sat in a small loft opposite the club, watching through the red-and-black window as these people passed by.

A man with a fat face and large ears, dressed sharply in a suit, cigarette in hand and thick powder smeared on his face, approached the club’s entrance. Four men, fierce in demeanor, followed him. The bodyguard at the door respectfully opened it for him and ushered him inside.

That was Tao Le, the boss of this level in the Blood Pact Gang.

I swallowed the Water of Amon, dropped down to the street, and followed behind him into the club. Fortunately, as soon as Tao Le entered, he headed for the restroom. His henchmen rudely cleared everyone out.

But they failed to see me. I remained inside, the stench overwhelming, the ventilation useless, worse even than rotting corpses.

Tao Le began to relieve himself, muttering obscenities. I waited for him to finish, then revealed myself behind him, pressing a dagger to his throat. He froze, wisely keeping silent.

“I have a few questions for you,” I said.

He sneered, “You’d better hurry. I have plans for tonight.”

“Did you kill Rita Mann?” I asked.

“You’ve got the wrong guy. I couldn't handle the Ranger. She’s tough,” he replied.

“Then who did?”

He retorted, “Why do you care so much? Who the hell are you?”

I noticed his attempt to draw a gun. I seized his wrist and sliced off his left thumb and index finger. He collapsed in agony into the filthy water, cursing, “You're dead! Your whole family is dead!”

I kicked him in the stomach; filth spewed from his mouth and his face turned ashen. He screamed aloud. The bodyguards outside smashed open the door, guns in hand, but before they could aim, I had already knocked all four to the ground and broken their hands in an instant.

Their cries turned to wailing. I knocked them unconscious, then asked, “Tao Le, do you remember anything now?”

He raised his pudgy hands, trembling, “I... kidnapped her brother to threaten her... captured her, but I only did it under duress. I’d never dare provoke the Ranger, nor go that far!”

“Who threatened you?” I pressed.

“A man, a man named Kolov. My job was only to lure Rita to him. Once Kolov captured her, I was out of it,” he answered desperately.

“First, I need to know where Rita Mann’s brother is now. Second, who is Kolov, and where is he?”

Tao Le spat blood. “The kid? He’s fine, I didn’t do anything to him. As for Kolov, he’s a lunatic—a monster. He’s already left Black Coffin.”

“Is Kolov an important figure in the Blood Pact Gang?” I asked.

Tao Le shook his head. “He’s a business partner of our boss. And he’s... cruel. I never dared defy him. He’s strange, inexplicably terrifying. Standing before him, I’d nearly wet myself. He killed my girls right in front of me, and I didn’t even dare utter a word. I... I’m a victim, too.”

---

“Hand over the kid!” I demanded.

“Of course, of course. But he’s not with me,” Tao Le replied.

I grabbed his throat and lifted him. With the Brilliant Hand and beginner’s Cherry Blossom, I could muster near Lamia’s strength in a flash. He almost suffocated. When I let him down, I said coldly, “I’ll kill you. Don’t think I won’t.”

He gasped, “That kid’s a hot potato. I couldn’t keep him. I handed him over... to the boss’s men.”

“And who are the boss’s men?” I pressed.

“I’m about to meet him now. He’s probably already here,” Tao Le said.

Suddenly, the restroom wall was smashed apart. Amid the dust, a tall, muscular figure lunged at me. I struck with Iron Lotus; his punch shattered my Mind Blade shield. I was amazed by his ferocity and backed away. He grabbed Tao Le’s collar and hoisted him up—the fat man was like a pig ready for slaughter in his grip.

His head was crowned with golden hair, spiked like a hedgehog, round sunglasses on his face, dressed in a pink T-shirt embroidered with black flowers. His brown skin carried a pale hue, his grin wild and vicious. He laughed, “You haven’t done your homework. You have no idea the person this pig’s meeting tonight is me.”

“Are you the boss of the Blood Pact Gang?” I asked.

“Not quite, but close enough,” he replied.

He hurled Tao Le at me. I dodged, and Tao Le smashed into the wall, reduced to a bloody mess. I was stunned by this man’s strength, even more so by his cruelty—why kill his own subordinate?

He said, “I came here to kill him. This fat pig caused too much trouble.”

“Do you know Kolov’s whereabouts?”

He removed his sunglasses. His beast-like eyes glowed red. “We’re looking for that bastard, too. He used our trust to cause us big trouble.”

I recognized him as one of the Bloods. Only thirty Bloods were said to reside in Black Coffin; he must be one of its nobility. I had stumbled into peril. With his power, discovering my identity would not be difficult.

“I’m going to find Kolov. What happens here is no longer my concern,” I said.

“You think you can just walk away after attacking my men?” he retorted.

“Your men? Didn’t you come to kill him yourself?” I countered.

“Until I kill him, he’s still my subordinate, under my protection. You hurt him, you insult me. And in Black Coffin, my honor is precious,” he replied.

I didn’t ask who he was, but he announced, “My name is Somo, adopted grandson of Maizong. Remember it well before you die.”

He lunged at me with speed beyond ordinary men, though not as fast as Bella. I used Iron Lotus again. His blow smashed through the opposite wall, sending me crashing into the women’s restroom. The women screamed and fled.

Somo shouted, “Who are you? How can you withstand my punch?”

Suddenly, I struck with Stone Fir; he was sent flying. I fled, blending into the bustling club crowd. Somo’s roar drowned out the noisy music. He pushed through the masses, chasing after me.

I had no desire to fight—this man was formidable, not easily dealt with. Even if I could kill him, I would surely offend Maizong. As I reached the street, I realized the Water of Amon had run out, and nine armed gang members surrounded me.

Somo leapt, clearing more than ten meters, landing before me. A wound marked his chest, inflicted by my Mind Blade, still unhealed. He gritted his teeth. “I’ll tear you to pieces and drain you dry.”

---

I glanced around. “I’m just a mortal, yet you don’t dare face me alone?”

He paused, then sneered, “Don’t dare?” He stretched, shook himself, and told his men, “All of you, stand aside. I’ll face him myself.”

I raised my Fishbone Spear to confront Somo. He was unconcerned, circling me, stepping slowly. “I think I’ve heard of you—a newcomer to the United Squad, causing quite a stir lately. Are you with Michael?”

If he knew my background, he might hesitate. Now there was no point in hiding it, especially since their secrets were far uglier.

I declared loudly, “I am Fishbone Longinus, friend of Marquis Michael, here investigating Major Rita’s case!”

Somo scoffed, “Friend? Michael is a fool! Humans are merely our slaves, how could you ever compare to us?”

He slit his wrist; blood dripped to the ground. Instantly, a giant, three-meter-long lizard, ablaze, appeared before him. I tensed, knowing this was no illusion.

Somo shouted, “I’m going to slaughter you! Michael can do nothing to stop me!”

The crowd erupted, shoving forward, climbing onto balconies, waving fists, clothes, bottles—a grand celebration.

I knew Mielse and Helsing were in the crowd and would not be in danger. Somo’s pride was evident; perhaps I could use it.

“If I win, hand over Rita Mann’s brother,” I said.

“You cannot win,” Somo replied.

“I’m certain to win, so you don’t dare accept,” I said.

Somo’s eyes blazed with fury. “Fine, but I’ll take your life!”

He lunged, punching at me. I blocked with the Fishbone Spear. Still airborne, he kicked; I ducked, wind roaring past my ear.

He attacked repeatedly, but failed each time. He was skilled in combat, but unlike me, he hadn’t clawed his way through life and death. Then the fire lizard attacked from behind, its heat searing my skin even without contact. It lunged, jaws snapping like a blazing brazier. I blocked with Iron Lotus, but Somo struck from behind, pain exploding in my back as I crashed into the crowd.

Somo laughed, making a throat-slitting gesture. I spat blood, stood up—fortunately, my spine was intact.

“How about it? Regret it now?” Somo taunted.

The fire lizard rushed at me; the crowd screamed and scattered. It leapt again, but I struck with Brilliant Hand, shattering the creature into pieces. Somo shrieked in shock, his expression uncertain.

He didn’t know the Brilliant Hand’s heavy strike could only be used once.

I stepped forward. “Want to try again? That fire lizard was tougher than you. You know you can’t take my punch.”

Somo retreated, shouting to his men, “What are you waiting for? Shoot him!”