Chapter 157 Threat

The dark river stirred silently as Lin Qi wiped the sweat from his brow and carefully placed the last crate of prized goods into the ship’s hold. After meticulously inspecting the arrangement of these invaluable treasures to ensure they wouldn’t suffer damage from the vessel’s motion, Lin Qi and Long Cheng leapt off the boat, waving with smiles as they watched it drift away.

Aunt Lily stood grim-faced at the stern, her expression sorrowful as she gazed at Lin Qi. Seasick and reluctant to endure another round trip, she was attended cautiously by Uncle Bal, who feared that his own sister might suddenly lose control and lash out at him.

Lin Qi looked helplessly at Aunt Lily’s dejected figure—this was truly unavoidable. Having pulled off such a monumental heist, the capital was certain to be under martial law by morning. The omnipresent Copper Hats would undoubtedly tear through the city searching every inch. If so many members of the Black Tiger clan remained within the city, as unfamiliar faces who had surfaced abruptly, they would surely bear the heaviest suspicion.

The only option was to send Aunt Lily and the others away first, returning to the capital only after the storm had passed. Moreover, with two formidable experts of heavenly rank escorting the ship, Lin Qi could rest assured. The cargo’s value was immense; entrusting it to ordinary sailors alone was unthinkable.

Though these sailors were clan affiliates, wealth has a way of stirring greed. Without Bal and Aunt Lily guarding the goods, who could guarantee that the sailors wouldn’t succumb to temptation and betray the family? This was no matter of mere thousands or tens of thousands of gold coins. Even just the four vases dating back to the Dark Era were enough to drive all but the most impeccable noble bloodlines on the continent to madness—let alone common sailors.

Thus, Lin Qi watched apologetically as seasick Aunt Lily sailed away. He clasped his hands over his chest, silently praying to the kind gods to ease her bouts of seasickness, for the old sailors insisted that with enough vomiting, one would eventually grow accustomed.

Once the ship vanished into the pitch-black river, Lin Qi and Long Cheng hoisted the metal chest—now containing all the tracking divine seals—and the gold bars, retracing their path. Along the way, they tossed the gold bars branded with dozens of tracking seals into the streets, letting whichever lucky soul could pick them up have them.

Of course, the Church might come knocking on their door, but what of it? What could the Church do to these common folk?

Finally, they dropped the metal chest in front of a guard post of the Imperial Capital’s garrison and disappeared cheerfully into the shadows.

Despite the long hours of effort, Lin Qi’s team had moved swiftly, completing the entire heist of Number One Shenghui Street in just over four hours. With time still early, Lin Qi, disguised as a Westerner, led Long Cheng into the cripple’s tavern.

Long Cheng had no idea where Lin Qi was taking him. Upon entering, the thick, foul air nearly made him faint. He cast a glance at Lin Qi, who paid him no mind, muttering softly, “Bear with it. There may be something here that piques your interest.”

Lin Qi still had his sights set on Jiang Yong and his Eastern companions—especially Jiang Yong’s hand, which was worth a fortune! Previously, Lin Qi lacked the strength to confront Jiang Yong and his group, but in a few days, Bal and Aunt Lily would return to the capital, and with Long Cheng as a powerful enforcer, Lin Qi had to consider plundering the wealth on Jiang Yong’s person. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be himself.

Seeing Long Cheng’s face flushed purple from holding his breath, Lin Qi chuckled as he approached the counter, plopping down on a greasy high stool. He snapped his fingers at the three serving girls behind the counter with a smile. “Hey dear Aunt Ellie, bring us two glasses of your finest, no water added. Oh, and where’s Uncle Cripple?”

Long Cheng forced down his revulsion and sat beside Lin Qi. This was a place he had never been in his life—far from the upscale hotels he favored. The dingy tavern, the filthy air, the shabby decor, and the coarse, foul-smelling patrons were worlds away from his preferences.

Frowning, Long Cheng resolved that after one drink, he would leave this wretched place immediately. After all, according to his agreement with Lin Qi, the large bundle slung over his shoulder was already stuffed with priceless jewels, enough to sustain him lavishly whether in the West or upon his return East.

Having settled accounts with Lin Qi, why linger with him? Long Cheng favored luxurious hotels, exquisite beauties, and fine wines. He would never drink in such a lowly dive.

Especially with those women desperately batting their eyelashes at him—he nearly threw up.

Lowering his gaze to the glass in his hand, Long Cheng counted silently. He wondered if staying even a minute longer might compel him to suddenly rise and slaughter everyone here.

At that moment, like a ghost, the cripple emerged silently from behind the counter, his face flushed as he lowered his voice with a smile. “Ah, Lin Qi, you’re here! Still remember my little tavern, do you? Tsk, tsk… have you brought a new friend?”

Long Cheng didn’t spare the old, ugly man a glance—he had no interest. He felt the heavy weight of the bundle on his back and began to savor memories of the charming maids at the luxury hotel he had stayed at days before.

Lin Qi noticed Long Cheng’s distraction and lowered his voice with a smile. “Oh, dear Uncle Cripple, I’m here to ask you about something.”

Without a sound, Lin Qi slid a one-hundred gold coin note across the counter.

The cripple looked surprised, snatching up the note and chuckling lowly. “Well, well, young master Lin Qi is quite generous. What do you want to know?”

Lin Qi’s voice dropped. “Those Easterners—what about that guy called Jiang Yong? You know, they’re quite wealthy!”

The cripple’s smile stiffened. He furrowed his brow, displeased, sighing as he said, “They’re my guests, Lin Qi. How can you think of making a move against them? They are my guests!”

Long Cheng slowly lifted his head, narrowing his eyes at the cripple. His purple-tinted gaze, a result of the colored crystal fragments he bore, radiated a terrifying aura that made the cripple tremble all over.

Lin Qi grinned at the cripple, gently nudging Long Cheng. “Oh, I’m just asking out of curiosity, you know. I don’t have the strength to deal with them.”

His smile was benign, but Long Cheng’s hand had already silently slipped into the thick wood of the counter.

The cripple’s expression grew even darker. (To be continued)