The power of many lies in unity, but the multitude also brings chaos.
To achieve progress, one must bear both its benefits and drawbacks.
The bounty guild's valuable assets have drawn the attention of various factions. If Zhao Lun and his group wish to prevent their guild from being divided by external forces, they must address their internal issues wisely.
Fortunately, they had already made sound arrangements to handle such matters. Now, the guild had acquired new equipment: Truth Serum.
A single dose of Truth Serum rendered even the toughest man, or the most seasoned agent, incapable of hiding any secrets before them.
A day's work was spent processing documents, and by nightfall, the goal was finally accomplished.
At the dinner table.
"Where will the company's year-end banquet be held this year?"
"At the company, or at the estate?"
Monica inquired about the annual year-end banquet the company always hosted.
The year-end banquet is a summative and celebratory event. Unlike the end-of-year parties in China, they typically hold theirs during the summer.
As a newcomer, Zhao Lun conformed to the local customs, holding a celebration during this period.
Although Monica and her team were responsible for organizing the event every year, they never forgot to offer suggestions to the boss beforehand.
"Since it's the company's year-end banquet, it should be held at the company, and as for the location, let it be at Diamond Star."
"Will you attend?"
"Me? The company is already running smoothly, and as long as the bonuses are properly distributed, it doesn't matter whether I attend. So, I won't be going. You all can handle the details yourselves."
Judging by appearance, people make assumptions, and by age, they do the same. Despite being the boss, Zhao Lun still looked youthful, a fact that undermined his authority.
"Lazy!" Maria scoffed.
Did Zhao Lun care? Of course not. The reason for his absence was simple—he didn't want to go.
"Heh," Zhao Lun chuckled awkwardly.
His absence was not an issue for them. In fact, they preferred not attending as well, learning from Zhao Lun's efficient work approach. If their subordinates could handle a task, there was no need for them to intervene. If a simpler solution could be found, they would maximize the team's strength to achieve it.
They delegated everything to their deputies, and when the time came, they would simply make a brief appearance and offer a few encouraging words.
The dinner concluded, and the recent work arrangements were finalized during this period. Everyone was free to pursue their own interests.
"Alright, are you free tonight?"
"What's the matter?"
"Let's do something meaningful."
"Are we playing the role of heroic justice and fighting crime?"
"Yes."
"You don't know, crime is never completely eradicated."
"It's in our little town."
"You've convinced me."
Crime always flourishes. Behind the quiet and peaceful facade of a small town, there are always some nefarious activities brewing. When these evils accumulate, they will face a crackdown by those in power, ensuring the town's tranquility.
It had been a long time since any cleanup had been done, so tonight, they were ready to eradicate the poison and give Zhao Lun and his group a harmonious environment for their holiday.
The night was deep, and the bustling town had fallen into complete silence. Aside from the streetlights, every home was dark.
On the town's edge, in an uninhabited area, lay an abandoned factory and a newly opened bar.
The neon lights flickered incessantly, and the loud music reverberated. A chaotic crowd danced wildly in the hall, their bodies swaying erratically, their faces twisted with tattoos or dyes. Under the flashing lights, they resembled ghosts, far from human.
In a corner, some individuals held straw-like objects, inhaling smoke from lit items, while others injected substances through syringes.
Their eyes were vacant, as if immersed in another world.
In another corner, a group of heavily tattooed individuals circled around a trembling man, his body covered in green stains. They held knives and began to brandish them over his body.
The green-haired man was terrified, his body shaking, pleading for mercy.
"No, don't kill me!"
"Please, I beg you!"
The pleas only served to excite the tattooed individuals. They bent down with enthusiasm, then began measuring the man's fingers with the knife.
The green-haired man struggled desperately, but the surrounding tattooed men held him down with force. No matter how hard he fought, he couldn't escape.
Slicing through the air, the sharp knife severed one of his fingers.
"Ah!"
The excruciating pain made the green-haired man scream out in agony.
The bar's noise drowned out his cries, the pain lost in the thunderous music, and his screams couldn't stir a ripple.
"Ah ha! Cool!"
"Hahaha!"
The tattooed men laughed manically, then wielded their knives to strike again.
The green-haired man trembled uncontrollably, losing control of his bowels, and finally passed out.
"****!"
"Dispose of him!"
The stench made them lose interest. One-eyed, a leader of sorts, stepped forward and coldly ordered a one-armed man.
"Understood, boss!"
The one-armed man, excited, dragged the unconscious green-haired man out of the bar.
"Ah!"
"Run! The cops are here!"
Suddenly, the loud music in the dance hall stopped, and a soprano voice echoed through the space, followed by frantic fleeing sounds.
"Boss! It's bad! The cops are here!"
The one-armed man's face changed upon hearing this, and he immediately dropped the green-haired man and rushed to report to the one-eyed leader.
The one-eyed leader, having heard the commotion, pushed a cabinet aside, revealing a row of weapons: pistols, rifles, submachine guns, grenades, even rocket launchers—an impressive arsenal.
The one-eyed leader grabbed two pistols, several magazines, a grenade, and a rifle, then waved his hand. The others began arming themselves, with some even picking up rocket launchers, ready for a fierce battle.
When the one-armed man entered, seeing everyone gear up, he grabbed a pistol, three magazines, and followed the one-eyed leader towards an undisclosed passage.
In the front hall, amidst the screams, several smoke grenades were thrown in from unknown locations.
"Cough, cough..."
The smoke quickly filled the room, and many people, unable to escape in time, were enveloped by it. Within a minute, no one could remain standing.
Three individuals entered, quickly binding the unconscious bodies. In under two minutes, they completed the task.
Zhao Lun, observing their swift and efficient movements, was deeply impressed.
"Your skills are quite practiced."
"Nothing special," Monica replied, opening her watch. A 3D model of the bar's layout appeared, showing secret passages leading outside.
"Here's a backdoor. These people will exit through it. Block the entrance."
The three immediately split up and headed in different directions to encircle the exits.
Less than half a minute later, gunfire erupted.
Bang, bang! The sound of rifles and handguns rang out in rapid succession, like a torrential downpour.
Boom! An explosion, likely a grenade, reverberated through the area.
Amidst the chaos, muffled sounds emerged. Every time one of these sounds occurred, the gunfire and grenade explosions grew less frequent. As time passed, the muffled sounds faded until the gunfire and explosions stopped, leaving only silence—every enemy had fallen.
"Woo woo——"
The disturbance was so great that it finally drew the police.
The sound of sirens wailed from a distance.
"The police are here!"
"We're leaving!"
The group, sensing the arrival of law enforcement, silently dropped a bag of items and slid into a car hidden in the shadows. Quietly, they circled around and headed toward the estate.
"..." (To be continued.)