Chapter 122: Assassination

Xiao Ye was instantly on high alert. This kind of glint was all too familiar to him.

It was the signature reflection of a sniper scope catching the sunlight. Xiao Ye reacted in a split second, shielding Tiger behind him, but it was ultimately a step too late. He saw a flash of fire erupt from the rooftop opposite them, and the sound of a bullet breaking the sound barrier whistled past his ear.

At the same time, Tiger’s body jolted violently as a bloom of blood erupted from his heart. A moment later, he slumped limply to the ground.

"Damn it! Who did this?" Red Dragon, having finally reacted, cursed at Tiger’s corpse.

Xiao Ye’s expression turned icy. He issued a command to Red Dragon and the others: "Find that person on the opposite roof!"

The team immediately sprang into action. Along with the squad stationed downstairs, everyone began moving toward the building, intending to capture the sniper. However, after a thorough search, they failed to find the culprit who had shot Tiger. With the local underworld elements already cleared out, Xiao Ye had no choice but to call his team back to clean up the scene.

"Lord Xiao, are you alright after that?" Red Dragon asked as he approached Xiao Ye once the scene was cleared.

Xiao Ye shook his head. That shot had clearly been intended for Tiger. Aside from a few tears in his clothes, he was unharmed. In this situation, the only ones who would have placed Tiger on a hit list were members of the underworld. It was highly likely that the sniper had acted to prevent Tiger from leaking secrets. The answer was obvious: Tiger’s superiors had ordered a purge the moment they learned he had been captured. Yet, Xiao Ye did not yet know who that person was.

"Investigate this person's background, including his direct superior, as well as all his assets in the underworld. I need a comprehensive report," Xiao Ye said coldly. From this moment on, a seed had been planted in his heart. He swore he would personally eradicate the people of the underworld.

The incident at the hotel drew attention from various parties in Jianghai City, but as a Prince of a different surname, Xiao Ye easily suppressed the situation, publicly labeling the event as a military exercise.

The crusade against the Jianghai underworld thus came to an end. However, every thug in the city had learned one undeniable fact: Xiao Ye was not to be trifled with.

...

Night gradually descended. A jeep pulled up slowly at a brightly lit company building in Jianghai City. A man dressed entirely in black stepped out, a golf bag slung over his shoulder. He walked straight through the lobby, took the elevator, and headed to the top floor. He walked directly into the chairman’s office.

"You're here." A woman sat at the desk, focused on her paperwork, not looking up.

"I’ve done what you asked. Can you let me go now?" The man took off his hood, revealing his face. It was Wang Gui, who had worked alongside Xiao Ye many times. And the woman before him was Scorpio, who had ties to multiple prominent families in the Jiangnan district.

Hearing this, Scorpio looked up and chuckled, a strange glint in her eyes. "My handsome friend, don't be so impatient. We've only been working together for a few days; I’m not ready to let you go yet!"

Wang Gui remained silent, his face cold as he let out a sharp scoff.

"Relax. You know we’re short on people right now. Besides, if you leave now, I can't guarantee what might happen!" Scorpio didn't seem bothered by Wang Gui’s expression. Her demeanor shifted instantly as she continued, "Are you threatening me?"

Wang Gui’s eyes narrowed at her words. A palpable, murderous aura began to coalesce around him.

"How could I dare? You’ve misunderstood me." Scorpio stood up, walked over to Wang Gui, and toyed with his chin. "Rest assured, as long as you stay here, I can guarantee your family remains safe. But you still have a few more things to do for me." She spoke in a voice filled with seductive intent.

Wang Gui, however, was in no mood to play along. He stood up abruptly. "I hope you keep your word. The next task will be the last time I help you!"

With that, he turned, shouldered his bag, and walked out of the office. Watching him leave, the expression on Scorpio’s face gradually solidified. She sat back down and reopened her computer screen. Cheng Jiangshan’s voice came through the speakers.

"You heard everything just now."

"Stupid, utterly stupid. How could you think of hiring such a low-level thug to be our contact in the underworld?" Cheng Jiangshan’s voice was filled with rage, nearly distorting the speakers.

"I wasn't aware of the situation with Tiger. According to my subordinates, Xiao Ye killed his underling, causing Tiger to lose control and take action on his own!"

"Foolish. Anyone who cannot control their emotions is useless. People like him deserve to die a hundred times over, and his underling along with him!" Cheng Jiangshan’s tone was frigid. He paused before continuing, "How is the aftermath being handled?"

"Don't worry, I’ve had someone handle it. It’s clean; no clues will be left behind." Scorpio nodded, appearing confident.

"Good. But I must remind you—someone like him is always a liability. Get rid of him as soon as possible!"

Upon hearing this, Scorpio’s face clouded with hesitation.

"What? Are you growing soft?" Cheng Jiangshan asked, observing her expression.

"No. It’s just that we are short-handed right now. We must wait until he has no further use before we take him out." Scorpio blinked, regaining her composure.

Cheng Jiangshan nodded on the screen, a mocking smile on his lips. "Very well. Do not let me know if you have other ideas, or I will personally clean up the mess!"

Without waiting for a reply, Cheng Jiangshan hung up the call.