The town guard office was alive with activity—voices barking orders, the clang of iron gates slamming shut, and the scuffle of ruffians being thrown into cells. Captains moved swiftly, overseeing the chaos as they directed their men. The scent of sweat and tension filled the air, thick and heavy. Li Wei pushed his way through the bustling crowd, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
"Captain Zhang! Captain Wang Feng! Captain Li Ming!" he called out, his voice cutting through the din like a blade.
Captain Zhang was the first to reach him, his uniform rumpled from the day's exertion. "The ruffians have been dealt with, sir. Forced labor—west fields. But tensions are rising among them. They're not taking it well."
Li Wei's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Captain Wang Feng strode over, wiping sweat from his brow. "It's not just the ruffians. It not as safe in the streets anymore, Boss. The recent batch of immigration has fucked up the situation in town. People are afraid and fear's turning to anger. So, they are acting out. And there is the flower thief."
Captain Li Ming approached last, carrying a report under his arm. "Merchants are shutting down early. They don't want to risk staying open after dark, not with what's been happening. We're losing control of the night."
Li Wei's expression darkened. "The peace of this town is slipping away. We need order restored—now. If anyone makes noise in labor camp, I order immediate public execution. The Flower Thief must be found before panic consumes town dwellers. Also, we have to find someway to integrate the old population with the new. We ought to cut off some rotten par as well. Also, no prostitution allowed in this town. Let them run their business for few days, make them think we don't care, identify them and then put them in labor camp."
Inside the dim briefing room, Li Wei and Chen Wei studied the map laid out on the table, marking the spots where the Flower Thief had struck. The room was quiet, but the weight of the conversation that followed was anything but.
"The Flower Thief doesn't just steal lives—he destroys them," Chen said, his voice low. "Both girls were raped before he killed them. The Du daughter left us the only clue we have."
Li Wei's expression hardened. "Before she took her own life. What did she tell us?"
Chen glanced at the notes, his fingers tightening on the paper. "She was sure he was a foreigner. His accent, his clothing—it all felt out of place. He targeted beautiful women, and he's planned these attacks with precision. Both families were out of the house when it happened. He knows their routines. Since the style of doing things is same. It is best to assume the flower thief is a same person. "
Li Wei's mind raced. "But he's not a martial artist. His escape was sloppy. A trained fighter wouldn't leave a trail like he did."
Chen nodded, grim. "Right. His tracks led straight through the alley. No skill in climbing or speed in getting away."
Li Wei stood up, determination hardening in his chest. "Interrogate anyone who fits the description. Foreigners, travelers—someone has seen him. I want answers by dawn."
Chen nodded sharply. "We're already on it."
The captains gathered around once more, sweat still fresh from their earlier efforts. The urgency in their faces mirrored the growing tension in the town.
"We're on the verge of losing control. This is too abrupt. It feels as if a dark hand is behind the scenes causing chaos," Li Wei said, his tone firm but measured. "The town is chaotic and this Flower Thief has pushed the town to its limit. Each of you will oversee a different district. Patrols must be doubled, especially near the market and the residential areas. There can be no gaps in our defenses."
Captain Zhang, responsible for the town's outskirts, nodded. "I'll increase the watch near the gates. If he tries to escape, we'll know. Or If any foreigner tries to go out we need to mark them. "
Captain Wang Feng, handling the lower districts, added, "We'll crack down on any disturbances near the river. No one gets through without being questioned."
Captain Li Ming, always precise, took careful notes. "I'll ensure the wealthier sections are locked down. No one will go unnoticed."
Li Wei glanced between them, his gaze steady. "The next fews days are critical. Find this man before he strikes again."
As the captains dispersed, Master Tao, Zhao Jun, and the younger recruits prepared to take their positions in the town. Each one wore the town guard assistant badge, a symbol of their new authority. The night air was thick with tension, but they moved with purpose, each heading to their assigned patrol routes.
Master Tao took the northern district, where the homes of the workers lay. His eyes scanned the narrow streets, alert for any sign of movement.
Zhao Jun, sharp and calculating, patrolled the busy merchant quarter, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. He was watching for anything out of place, anyone who seemed nervous or in a hurry.
Meanwhile, Li Wei took the heart of the town—the main square. His presence alone seemed to calm the few remaining townsfolk still outside, but his thoughts were on the unseen threat lurking in the shadows.
In the mountains, Lin Zixuan stood alone, preparing for his next hunt. He grasped the black bead tightly in one hand, feeling its weight and the power it promised. With each animal he killed, the bead absorbed blood, fueling his strength and bringing him closer to his goal.
His thoughts were clear—he wanted to be stronger. He didn't watch to be inferior to that wretched Li Wei, and that would no longer be the case. Lin was determined to master his own fate and elevate himself beyond the constraints that had held him back.
As he set out into the forest, he focused on the path ahead, knowing that in three months he would achieve the second-rate warrior level. This strength would not only give him power but also a sense of control over his life that he had long desired.
As the night deepened, Li Wei and his companions kept watch over the town. Each friend patrolled their assigned district, vigilant, knowing that the town needed cleansing.
In the mountains, Lin Zixuan continued his path, his resolve growing with each passing day.
And in the shadows, the Flower Thief waited, watching, ready to claim his next victim.