Chapter Sixty-One: Speak or Die

Director Wu trembled all over, swallowed hard, and stammered, “Y-yes, yes, I’ll look into it right away!”

Gu Sha lifted his teacup, took a sip, and said nothing.

Without so much as a glance at the corpse, Director Wu and his companions hurriedly left the room.

It was only a few minutes—no more than five or six—before Director Wu rushed back into the office, breathless. “Sir, I’ve investigated. This chicken wasn’t from the community farm. Chief Wang bought it cheaply from a street vendor—an unlicensed product. Should… should we investigate further?”

Director Wu’s heart was pounding with anxiety. In truth, buying goods cheaply from the streets and selling them at inflated prices as legitimate products, pocketing the hefty difference, was a common, tacitly accepted practice in their marketplace. He himself had been involved in it.

As long as such things didn’t come to light, it was of no consequence. But if an investigation was launched, he’d be in serious trouble.

He might have tried to cover it up, but he didn’t dare. Not only had Gu Sha just beheaded Chief Wang right in front of him, but after leaving the office, he’d contacted the Barrier Management Center.

He couldn’t forget the reaction from the leader there when he mentioned that the investigator was Gu Sha—like he’d seen a ghost, ordering him to cooperate with Gu Sha in every possible way, no questions asked!

Finally, he learned from that leader just what kind of ruthless figure this young man Gu Sha was. Even Director Liu—the top official overseeing the Barrier Management Center—had been beaten to a pulp by him, and didn’t dare utter a word of complaint.

Staring at Gu Sha, Director Wu simply couldn’t fathom it. How could such a big shot have so much free time? Was a single chicken really worth his personal investigation?

Yet, to Wu’s astonishment, Gu Sha just waved his hand dismissively and said, “Why would I investigate you people? I said from the start, I only care about the source of this chicken.” He glanced at the corpse on the floor. “That idiot refused to cooperate. All he had to do was tell me where the chicken came from, but he insisted on babbling nonsense!”

With that, Gu Sha stood and headed for the door. “Take me to the vendor.”

Watching Gu Sha’s departing figure, Director Wu felt the relief of a man who’d narrowly escaped disaster. He’d truly thought his career was over. If the marketplace’s dirty little secrets were exposed, losing his official position would be the least of his worries; in these tense times, he might even be expelled from the Barrier as a warning to others.

He’d already braced himself for investigation, demotion, and banishment, praying only that his family wouldn’t be implicated. He’d prepared for the worst.

Yet, it turned out, the man wasn’t interested in any of it. He really did only want to find out where the chicken had come from!

Glancing at the headless corpse on the floor, Wu was at a loss for words. Chief Wang had died a truly pointless death.

...

In a squalid refugee shantytown.

Director Wu and Gu Sha led several City Guards through the crowded alleys. Compared to the upscale villa district where Gu Sha lived, this area was filthy, chaotic, and noisy—a veritable dumping ground. People pressed together in makeshift shelters, some with a dozen or more crammed into a single large room, while those with a bit of money rented tiny private cubicles.

“Sir,” Wu said cautiously, “Chief Wang bought the chicken from a man called Old Nine. He arrived at the Barrier half a month ago and has been living here in East District Twelve ever since. He’s got a bit of local clout—many people follow him, and he’s made connections, running small businesses here and there.”

Gu Sha nodded.

“He’s also got some family backing...” Wu hesitated, suddenly recalling that the man before him had dared to assault even the top brass of the Barrier and walked away untouched. Why would he fear a few local bullies or their protectors?

Soon, the group stopped at the corner of a narrow alley.

Dust swirled in the air as people bustled past, but at the sight of Gu Sha and his entourage, everyone quickly stepped aside.

It was mainly because several City Guards, including Ma Yue, trailed behind Gu Sha in uniform. Here, the City Guards’ reputation was enough to make children cry at night. In these troubled times, order could only be maintained through violence, so the Guards were feared and despised in equal measure.

Director Wu pointed to a large, closed-off tent in the center of the alley. “Old Nine runs a small casino here—he should be inside right now.”

Gu Sha strode over and kicked the door open with a crash.

Inside, those gambling, smoking, and drinking were startled into silence, all eyes turning toward the entrance.

Gu Sha took a sweeping look at the place. He had to admit, this Old Nine was quite the operator—to have set up such an organized establishment in these times. Inside the big tent were seven or eight gambling tables, a bar selling drinks, and even a few attractive women working as dealers. It was, in every aspect, a fully functioning casino.

At that moment, a group of shirtless thugs sprang up, brandishing clubs and ready to charge—obviously the casino’s muscle. But when they saw the City Guards behind Gu Sha, all their bravado evaporated, and the curses died on their lips.

What surprised Gu Sha was that the gamblers didn’t seem the least bit worried about being arrested. Not a flicker of panic crossed their faces.

There could be only one explanation: they were confident that Old Nine’s connections would see them through, and that nothing would happen to them as customers.

Gu Sha wasn’t interested in a gambling bust. He barked, “Who’s Old Nine?”

At that, a shapely woman with light makeup sashayed over, smiling sweetly. “Gentlemen, what’s the commotion about?” She recognized Wu. “Well, well, Director Wu, what wind blows you here today?”

Wu looked awkward. He did know this woman—in fact, he had ties to the casino itself. After all, opening a gambling den in a place like this required greasing plenty of palms. The casino trafficked in cigarettes and alcohol, which needed his approval to bring in, so he’d had a few meals with Old Nine’s crew.

This woman was Old Nine’s wife, so of course he knew her.

But today wasn’t a social visit. He put on a stern face. “Cut the small talk. Bring out Old Nine—I need a word with him.”

She grinned. “What bad luck, Director Wu. Old Nine just stepped out—he should be back soon. Why don’t you wait here for a while, and I’ll—”

With a metallic ring, Gu Sha drew his blade and, in a single stroke, decapitated the woman. His voice was cold. “I’ll ask one last time: where is Old Nine? Refuse to answer, and you all die!”

(End of chapter)