Shao Qi looked at their anxious faces, hands in his pockets, and coldly intoned, "I'll count to three. Three, two..."

Ge Yong didn't dare to stay. He could tell that this maniac would actually kill. He had already killed Master Zhu's heir; killing a few low-rank henchmen like them would be nothing. So before the count reached three, Ge Yong led the city defense team away.

"Captain, would they really kill us?"

"Tsk! How big of a deal is killing these days? When everyone earns their keep through bloodshed, what's the difference between killing beasts and people? Oh, there's one difference: humans are easier to kill than mutants."

"But couldn't they have reported it and followed the proper procedures? Killing like this, without respect for the law... How are they different from murderers?"

"Report it? Did you ever think the Zhu family would face justice? Even if someone did accuse them, would it succeed? The Zhu family's influence in Yang City is so great, even the city lord fears them. Enough talk. Today, it's my fault for putting everyone in this situation. I'll treat everyone to dinner as an apology. Let's pretend we saw nothing and know nothing."

The hired thugs from the Zhu family also prepared to leave. No amount of money is worth one's life. Especially considering some of them were orphans. Considering the Zhu family's deeds, it's already commendable they didn't backstab them.

In the end, besides the Zhu family members, only a few mercenaries lured by generous rewards remained.

Those few believed their martial arts were formidable. There weren’t many guards in the mansion, perhaps it was all for show. In Yang City, who would dare to challenge the Zhu family?

"Enough! Let's begin. Those who don't want to leave, stay!" After Shao Qi's command, gun barrels emerged from the surrounding walls, and a white mist sprayed from the main gate's crossbeam. Without the mansion's inhabitants lifting a finger, the invaders outside were swiftly dealt with.

Qin Li Feng and Zhuo Hao emotionlessly stepped out, cleaning up the bodies outside. After washing the ground, it appeared as if no one had ever been there.

Zhou You, having watched the whole process, incredulously asked Shao Qi, "Your men seem very experienced in disposing of bodies?"

Miao Miao entered with a bucket of water and, dusting off her hands, said, "Of course. What's a few bodies here and there? After battles, cleanup is a must, and it's much more complicated than this."

Cheng Yu Ran, standing by the window, whispered to Long Gan after observing their cold efficiency, "Do you really believe that Shao Qi is just some chief engineer?"

"What else could it be?"

"How long has it been since we've heard from Marshal Shao?"

"You mean to suggest…" Long Gan was a bit shocked, but her deduction wasn't far-fetched. He had long suspected them, but his concerns differed from Cheng Yu Ran's. "If it really is him, then my coming here is truly fortuitous."

"Hmph, those who hide behind masks and aliases. Only you view them as deities. In reality, they're just... ordinary."

Long Gan glanced at him and said dryly, "Your words would carry more weight if you hid the smirk at the corner of your mouth."

Chapter 141: Misdirection

The killings at the Lychee Mansion spread through Yang City like wildfire. Someone even captured a blurry video from afar. From the footage, one can see that the group of invaders was killed easily, not by opponents, but by hidden traps and mechanisms.

"I never knew that such a mansion had so many hidden mechanisms, killing a group of people in an instant."

"Indeed, I've often ventured there in the past to gather inspiration. It's a miracle I survived those trips."

"No, no, no, you've got it wrong. The Lychee Mansion used to be harmless, but now, under its new owner, it houses a group of vicious criminals. These ruthless villains don't hesitate to kill, and astonishingly, no one seems to be doing anything about it."

"Haven't you heard? Even the city lord has chosen to ignore this issue, using cultivation as an excuse to isolate himself. General Zhu has also urged for peace, but such restraint only led to greater casualties."

"While Zhu Shikun might have deserved his fate and evokes no sympathy, his parents and those who accompanied him that day certainly didn't deserve theirs. With the city guards turning a blind eye, how could even the criminal investigation team also ignore it?"

Zhou Huajin has received countless calls, with some accusing him of raising a murderous maniac, while others urged him to act against his own kin before the situation spirals out of control, potentially putting him at risk as well.

Mrs. Zhou patted her chest, looking terrified, "Zhou You's audacity is beyond belief! How could someone so murderous be allowed to stay at the base? Little Chen will be starting school soon. How will he face his teachers and classmates?"

Zhou Yichen sat silently to the side, his face cold and visibly upset.

Zhou Huajin was startled too, but he couldn't believe Zhou You would commit such heinous acts. The boy had strong moral values growing up, was patriotic and compassionate. After joining the National Security Department, he would risk his life for the safety of the nation and help those in need. It's hard to imagine him killing indiscriminately.

"The situation is still unclear. There were many others living with him; who knows whose idea it was?"

"Isn’t that his mansion? If he's the owner, would his friends dare overstep their boundaries? With friends that vicious, perhaps it's better to part ways sooner than later, lest they bring calamity to the entire family."

Zhou Huajin was also anxious. Standing up, he said, "I'll go check things out. With all the rumors outside, we need to clear things up if he's not responsible."

As Zhou Huajin was leaving, Zhou Yichen quickly followed, "Dad, I'll go with you."

As they approached the Lychee Mansion by car, they noticed the entrance was blocked by a group of soldiers. By a quick count, there seemed to be hundreds gathered.

Before they could get close, their vehicle was stopped. Zhou Huajin got out and looked around, asking with surprise, "What's going on here?"

"Ah, Judge Zhou." Zhu Rongwei's deputy approached with authority, leaning on the car door. He glanced at Zhou Yichen, the young master in the passenger seat, and smiled, "Are you here to see Young Master Zhou?"