Chen Dehai was considered a prominent figure in Zhonghai City. Years ago, he had arrived alone from the north and found work there. Through a fortuitous encounter, he caught the eye of a local underworld boss and gradually rose from a mere thug to become his right-hand man. Chen Dehai was ruthless and suspicious by nature, and within a few years, he had helped the boss expand his territory, establishing himself as a formidable force in the western district of Zhonghai.
Over a decade ago, Chen Dehai suddenly aligned himself with the most powerful faction in the western district, the Red Rose Society, led by Situ Mingze, who was also the father of Rose. By eliminating his former boss, Chen Dehai became one of the key elders under Situ Mingze's command.
Given that Chen Dehai already had control over the substantial power of the previous underworld boss, his successful takeover faced little resistance. Many had already recognized him as the new leader, willingly supporting him without question.
It could be said that without Chen Dehai, the Red Rose Society would have taken several more years to become the dominant force in the western district. Some even jokingly referred to him as the Wu Sangui of the Qing Dynasty, betraying his master to become a prince. However, nobody knew when he might turn against his new allies.
Despite the numerous rumors circulating outside, Chen Dehai was highly regarded within the Red Rose Society. After all, his strength and influence were among the top-ranking elders in the organization. Furthermore, those who lurked in the shadows were often the most wary. As a result, the relationship between Chen Dehai and Situ Mingze, the society's leader, was surprisingly harmonious.
After briefly reviewing the information on Chen Dehai, Yang Chen's initial impression could be summed up in two words: "ruthless strategist." He disregarded worldly ethics, moral principles, and even the rules of the underworld. Everything he did was aimed at gaining a stronger backing and ascending to higher positions, but he did so step by step.
Such a person, if not met with unexpected circumstances, could be one of the rare individuals in the criminal underworld to live a comfortable retirement. He understood betrayal, as he himself was a traitor, and knew how to prevent others from betraying him.
"Unfortunately, you gave birth to a foolish son," Yang Chen murmured softly. He closed his laptop and memorized all the map data provided by Rose.
The city center sparkled like a radiant neon, forming a striking contrast with the roads and highways of the suburban area on this night.
Half an hour later, Yang Chen parked his BMW outside a small park in the western suburbs of Zhonghai. The surrounding area was a slightly run-down residential district. Chen Dehai's private apartment was located by the river, about a kilometer away. Parking the car too close would be disadvantageous for concealment.
Yang Chen changed into a slightly tight black short-sleeved shirt and paired it with dark brown pants. As the cool night breeze blew, Yang Chen jumped around and performed a few peculiar body movements. His bones made cracking sounds as he moved, and after about two minutes, he stopped.
"Phew..." Taking a deep breath, Yang Chen looked up at the moon partially obscured by clouds, a faint smile of relief on his face. "Fortunately, my body hasn't rusted yet."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Chen's figure instantly disappeared from where he stood. When he reappeared, he was already on the rooftop of a three-story building several tens of meters away. His agile body moved like a nimble raccoon, leaping and running swiftly between the rooftops, heading towards a well-lit mansion by the riverside.
Within two minutes, Yang Chen was crouched halfway up a towering tree. Just thirty meters ahead stood the Chen Mansion, a massive five-story apartment occupying an area of over 800 square meters.
According to the information, Chen Dehai's wife had passed away from breast cancer shortly after giving birth to their son, Chen Feng. Therefore, despite the fortress-like appearance of the house, it was actually only occupied by the father and son. Of course, there were also a significant number of bodyguards and henchmen protecting them, occupying a large portion of the premises.
The higher one's position, the more concerned they were about their safety, and Chen Dehai was no exception.
With a cursory glance, Yang Chen noticed that there was only one main entrance to the Chen Mansion, where eight black-clad guards stood in a row. Occasionally, a few people resembling bodyguards would patrol the courtyard, but their numbers seemed limited. If one proceeded cautiously and stealthily, it wouldn't be difficult to enter the apartment building.
Yang Chen couldn't believe that such a large place would have only a few individuals guarding it. From the current situation, it seemed that the majority of the henchmen were stationed inside the apartment building, providing close protection for the Chen father and son.
Infiltrating the mansion was not difficult for Yang Chen. However, that wasn't the main concern for him. What he needed to figure out was the exact location of Chen Dehai within the large house and how to locate Chen Dehai and his son, Chen Feng. Therefore, Yang Chen thought it would be better to capture someone and interrogate them.
With that in mind, Yang Chen's figure once again left the branches of the tree. When he reappeared, he had arrived at the entrance of the Chen Mansion, wearing a harmless and amiable expression.
The eight guards were initially startled by Yang Chen's sudden appearance but immediately closed in on him.
"Halt! Who are you? Do you know where you are?" One of the leading men shouted in a stern voice.
Yang Chen didn't respond. When he got within five meters, he suddenly tapped the ground with the tip of his foot. His body shot forward like an arrow, launching himself towards the eight men with a burst of force.
The eight men didn't have time to react. Although they all carried pistols, they had no chance to draw them at such close range. One of them attempted to raise his hand and form a fist to defend himself, but he was met with a sudden strike from Yang Chen's fist, causing an intense, excruciating pain as if the bones in his palm were crushed.
From a distance, it would appear as if Yang Chen's body had defied gravity, soaring into the air with a 360-degree spin, like a black whirlwind. His fists and feet made contact with each of the eight men, touching their fists, palms, chests, and bellies, establishing intimate connections.
This scene unfolded in an instant, before the eight men could fully react, they were sprawled on the ground, writhing in pain. The intense pain from the struck body parts distorted their expressions, and uncontrollable howls of agony resounded.
The leading man realized that his palm bones were completely shattered. Knowing that he had encountered a formidable opponent, he dared not resist any further. He broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly reached for the button on his miniature intercom, attempting to notify everyone inside.
Unexpectedly, a foot clad in sports shoes suddenly kicked the leading man's cheek. The impact not only shattered the intercom earpiece but also caused his head to tilt, blood spurting from his eyes, ears, and mouth. His skull deformed with a deep depression, and the floor was stained with a pool of his life essence. He was clearly lifeless!
The other seven men had just gotten up and witnessed the gruesome scene. They gasped in fear, feeling a genuine sense of terror. The young man before them still maintained a faint smile on his face. If there were truly demons from hell, perhaps this was the kind of smile they would have!
The seven guards, who had intended to sound the alarm, now stared at Yang Chen, paralyzed with fear and unable to move.
Yang Chen was satisfied with the outcome. Killing a gangster was inconsequential to him, as he had more than enough blood on his hands to build a towering skyscraper.
"I'm in a hurry, so I won't waste time with you. I want to know where Chen Feng and Chen Dehai are right now. If you tell me, you can get lost. If you don't, I'll make sure you get lost," Yang Chen said in a relaxed tone. To him, it was as casual as asking someone for a lighter on the street to light a cigarette. However, to the seven men, his "getting lost" sounded like the summoning of the Grim Reaper.