Chapter 17: Lin Mo Strikes Swiftly

After following the signal for a while, Lin Mo couldn’t help asking, “May I ask who we’re following, Ms. Shen?”

He hadn’t expected an answer, but she gave him one. “My brother, Shen Mingxuan. You met him last night. We were careless; he followed us and knows we’re acting.”

“Doesn’t that mean we’ve been found out?”

“It’s fine. I paid him to keep quiet.”

Lin Mo was relieved. He didn’t particularly care whether they were found out, but he cared about his bonus. “Then why are we following him?”

“I suspect he’s spending the money on something he doesn’t want seen. I bought his car, so I can track it. Follow the signal. I want to see where he goes.”

“I see.”

“Drive. Don’t ask what you shouldn’t.”

“Yes, Ms. Shen.” A driver and bodyguard had already asked too much. Still, he was surprised she’d explained so much. Zhihan wondered the same thing as she watched him from the back seat. Why had she explained herself?

Five minutes later, Mingxuan’s car entered Bailu Manor in the west of the city. Zhihan’s unease grew.

“Bailu Manor?”

“I’ve heard there’s an underground casino there,” Lin Mo said. “Your brother probably…”

“Gambling.” She understood why his money had been disappearing so quickly.

“What do we do?” Lin Mo knew a special pass was required to enter, and the guards wouldn’t admit them without one. An underground casino would have enforcers too. Surely she didn’t intend to force their way in.

“Lin Mo. You’re good at fighting. How confident are you if we go in by force?”

He stared. She really meant to do it?

“I was only asking. If you can’t, we’ll wait outside for him.”

“I can!” The words burst out. Yanyan had mocked his ability the night before; he couldn’t bear to be underestimated again.

“Why such a strong reaction?” Zhihan asked.

“Nothing. Trust me, Ms. Shen. I can do it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t force yourself.”

“I can. I promise!”

She nearly smiled but held it back. “If you succeed, I’ll give you a bonus at the end of the month.”

“Thank you!” His eyes lit up. What he needed most was money, and his boss was generous.

“Drive.”

About fifteen minutes later, they stopped at the entrance. Two heavy gates were shut, with two black-clad guards outside. Bulges at their waists suggested weapons. A stone sign read: PRIVATE PROPERTY. NO ENTRY.

Zhihan nodded, and Lin Mo lowered the window. “Could you open the gate? We’re looking for someone and won’t stay.” He preferred to ask politely before forcing the issue.

One guard approached, sized him up, and looked at Zhihan in the back. “Your pass?”

“We don’t have one.”

The guard’s tone changed. “No pass, no entry. Those are the rules. Leave.”

“I’m Shen Zhihan, CEO of Shen Group. I’m looking for my brother, Shen Mingxuan. Please make an exception.”

The guard looked her over and sneered. “I don’t care who you are. No one gets in without a pass. Rules are rules. Go!”

Her face darkened. A prominent Beicheng CEO wasn’t accustomed to being spoken to this way by a gate guard. She gave Lin Mo a discreet look.

“Don’t worry, Ms. Shen.” He understood. “You won’t let us in? Then I’ll have to make my own way.”

He got out and rolled his neck. The guard put a hand on the electric baton at his waist. “Don’t start trouble, kid. This isn’t a place where you can do as you please!”

“Trouble? I’m not that kind of man.”

He blurred forward. Before the guard could react, Lin Mo caught his wrist, lifted him, and slammed him to the ground. Pain shot through the man’s back and he cried out.

The second guard reached for his radio, but Lin Mo stepped in, twisted it from his hand, and said, “We’re all friends here. Save yourself the trouble and lie down.”

He gave the man a light push. The guard staggered backward and landed hard, seeing stars.

The first guard struggled up, grimacing. “Who are you? How dare you make trouble at Bailu Manor!”

Clutching his lower back, the guard shouted, “Do you know whose territory this is? Offend our boss and you’ll pay for it!”

“Really?” Lin Mo shrugged. “I’d like to see what he can do to me.”

Hurried footsteps sounded behind the gate. It opened, and seven or eight muscular men in black shirts rushed out, rubber batons in hand. A large bald man led them, gripping a baton thicker than his arm.

“Who the hell has the nerve to cause trouble at Bailu Manor?” He scanned the scene, then grinned at Lin Mo, revealing yellow teeth. “Just you? You’ve got guts, coming here alone. Tired of living?”

“Why don’t you try me and find out?” Lin Mo rolled his wrist, relaxed. Since awakening his Divine Emperor bloodline, he had no fear of a fight.

Watching from the car, Shen Zhihan felt a flicker of concern. “Lin Mo, if you can’t handle it, say so now.”

“Cocky bastard!” The bald man spat and waved his men forward. “Cripple him!”

They swarmed Lin Mo, swinging their batons. “Come together,” he said calmly. “One at a time would waste mine.”

He moved through them like a fish through water. After a rapid series of blows, the men lay scattered on the ground, groaning. Lin Mo kicked the bald leader in the chest, sending him more than two meters backward. The man’s head struck the gate with a dull thud, and he lost consciousness.

The fight had taken little more than ten seconds. Lin Mo dusted his hands and grinned at Zhihan. “Well, Ms. Shen? Told you I could do it.”

“Not bad.” Her eyes brightened. At the Golden Phoenix Hotel she’d seen him defeat Chen Hai’s unarmed bodyguards, but these were vicious men with weapons. He had dispatched them just as cleanly. The hint of a smile vanished as she resumed her cool expression. “I’ll add twenty thousand to your bonus this month.”

“Thank you, Ms. Shen!” Another twenty thousand. She was generous indeed.

He crouched beside the bald man and patted his face. “Wake up.”

“D-don’t hit me…” The man opened his eyes and trembled at the sight of Lin Mo’s smile.

“I won’t. Did a young man in a red Audi come in? His name is Shen Mingxuan. You should know him.”

“I… I don’t know.”

Still smiling, Lin Mo pressed the spot on his chest where he’d kicked him. “Think carefully.”

The man’s face went white. “Second floor! A private room on the second floor! He comes here often to gamble and always uses that room.”

“Lead the way.” Lin Mo stood and looked back at Zhihan. “All settled, Ms. Shen.”

She got out and joined him. Holding the man by the collar, Lin Mo made him lead them inside.

On the surface, Bailu Manor was a lavish private club. Beyond the lobby and a concealed door, stairs led underground. After descending two levels, they were met by a roar of voices: the underground casino.

“If a fight breaks out, stay clear,” Lin Mo warned.

Zhihan nodded. Looking at him, she felt an unexpected sense of security.

The hall was dim and smoky, with dozens of gambling tables and all manner of equipment. Men and women crowded around them, the air thick with money and desire. Their guide led them across the hall to a private room in a corner.

“This… this is it.” He pointed at the door, barely daring to breathe.

Zhihan nodded, and Lin Mo kicked the door open.

Smoke filled the room. Chips and stacks of cash covered a green table. Shen Mingxuan sat there, tie crooked, staring so intently at his cards that he didn’t react to the door.

“Straight flush! I have a straight flush!” He slammed his cards down, leaped up, and reached for the chips. “After all those unlucky days, my luck’s finally turning!”

Then he saw the two figures at the entrance. His delight froze and gave way to panic. “S-Sis? What are you doing here?”

Three other players stared. One stood warily and reached toward his waist.

Zhihan swept her gaze over them and fixed it on Mingxuan’s pale face. “Get out here.”

His knees nearly gave way. “I… I was just playing for fun. That’s all…”

“For fun? Five million in a week?”

He opened his mouth but couldn’t find an answer. He edged backward and looked to the other players for help. Recognizing the CEO of Shen Group, they lowered their heads and pretended not to see.

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Zhihan said coldly.

“Look out!” Sensing something, Lin Mo seized her wrist and pulled her toward him.

Caught off guard, Zhihan fell against his chest. She was about to demand an explanation when a throwing knife flashed through the space she’d just occupied and buried itself in the wall.

A rough voice came from behind them. “Miss Shen, you honor me with a visit without warning, hurt my men, and force your way onto my property. Do you hold me, Yang Biao, in such contempt?”

…