...

Although Zheng Tai couldn’t understand Lu Ding’s hidden meaning at the time, his intelligence, much like his wickedness, was half-baked—not truly bad, but not truly stupid either.

Zheng Feng was silent for a long time. His hands trembling, he choked out with emotion, “The father in my heart would choose to become a martyr who risks his own life!”

Zheng Tai reached out and thumped his son’s chest.

“In essence, I may not be the father you have in your heart, but I will do my best to become the father in your heart.”

“Let’s go, Xiaofeng. We won’t waste any more of the Grand Guardian’s time. The mission comes first—let’s move out!”

Zheng Feng followed his father in a daze as they left the Mouth of the Evil Prison’s 749 Bureau.

Lu Ding followed close behind with his people.

They went straight to the Rotten Ship Dock at the Mouth of the Evil Prison.

In short, it was an abandoned dock.

Back when Lu Ding was still a patrol investigator in the Baofan Area of the Third Circle’s Yunhai, there was also a Rotten Ship Dock there.

A familiar name. A similar scene.

It brought him back to the past.

This really was where his dreams had begun.

Ahead, in the abandoned warehouse at the dilapidated dock.

Zheng Tai, who had just arrived with his son, saw dozens of black figures emerge from the darkness.

Leading them was a cold-faced youth less than one meter thirty tall, wrapped in chains with a sickle hanging from each end of the chains.

He had a cocky attitude, a short stature, and was in his twenties, with a cultivation of God Ascension, Ninth Restriction—just another case of only growing in realm and age, but not in height or weight.

He spoke first, “Bureau Chief Zheng, you’re a bit out of line.”

“I told you to come alone, so why did you bring two people?”

Zheng Tai chuckled, “Can’t I even bring my son? I’ve put my whole family’s life on the line here, and you’re still nitpicking me?!”

“Your son?”

Tong Fei pulled out his phone—despite his small size, he used a ProMax that was almost as big as his face.

He studied Zheng Feng beside him, then compared it on his phone.

“Yeah, that’s your son. Looks like Bureau Chief Zheng is being sincere.”

With that, he quickly flashed in front of Zheng Feng, tugged at his skin to check if it was a disguise, and did a thorough inspection before finally relaxing.

Zheng Tai said irritably, “It’s not like your Child Association wasn’t pushing too hard!”

“This is my sincerity—I need to see yours too!”

“I’ve even brought my son. This time, I’m burning the boats!”

Tong Fei looked at him. “So??”

Zheng Tai was going to become a martyr tonight. He hadn’t left anything for his son and wife.

Since he was going to die anyway.

He might as well take the enemy’s money—why not take it for himself? He’d leave it for his son and wife, and he’d answer for his actions with his life.

Zheng Tai said immediately, “Make the call now. I want more money, and rare natural treasures. Have your people bring them to the Pine Forest Plains. When the time comes, I’ll take you there—one hand for the goods, the other for the people.”

Tong Fei didn’t refuse, but as he dialed, he shot Zheng Tai a look full of undisguised contempt.

A traitor who would demand more on the spot.

Anyone with any integrity would look down on such a fake version of Zheng Tai.

Zheng Feng silently lowered his head.

Shame!

He had never done anything like this.

But he wasn’t foolish enough to speak up, because this was an operation. His father wasn’t just his father right now—he was his superior in the mission.

It wasn’t his place to say anything.

After hanging up the phone, Tong Fei raised two fingers. “Fine, I’ll add it for you—double.”

Zheng Tai finally let out a forced smile.

Tong Fei’s voice rang out again, “When do we leave?”

He didn’t want to stay in this Mouth of the Evil Prison a second longer. It made him feel uncomfortable all over.

He had underestimated the situation.

He had to retreat this time to avoid becoming the next Divine Sword Sect or the next Tianjin Zhai.

But when he came back next time, he’d bring enough people and fight Lu Ding openly and head-on!

Zheng Tai threw down the standard 749 Bureau investigator uniforms he had brought.

“Put these on, and we’ll go.”

Tong Fei waved his hand, distributing them to the other Child Association members. As for himself, he swallowed his anger and asked, “Do you have anything smaller?”

Hahahahaha—they were way too big. He’d look like he was wearing a trench coat or a dress, and it would drag on the ground.

But Zheng Tai was a professional Bureau Chief, so he held back his laughter and shook his head. “No.”

Tong Fei was helpless, but he wasn’t stupid.

It was better to wear nothing than a trench coat. He’d just stick with his own clothes; at least he’d look normal.

Once everyone was fully dressed, Zheng Tai led them out of the Mouth of the Evil Prison.

After they were all gone.

Lu Ding and Zhan Tingzhou exchanged a glance.

They both burst out laughing. “Hahahahahahaha...”

Lu Ding raised his hand, gesturing to about waist height, and pressed it down. “This tall, hahahahaha...”

Zhan Tingzhou, shaking with laughter, said, “When the fighting starts, I’m afraid he’ll have to jump up just to hit your knee.”

Lu Ding followed unhurriedly, curiously asking, “The people from the Child Association... well... hmm...”

Zhan Tingzhou replied, “It’s called the Child Association, right? Being too tall wouldn’t fit the ‘child’ theme.”

“I’m a local, so I know a bit more. That’s just the characteristic of the cultivation technique passed down through one of their lineages.”

“Anyway, among these Child Association people, the tall ones might be strong, but the short ones—the shorter and younger-looking they are, the stronger they are.”

“I’ve heard that the Child Association’s leader is about this big, loves wearing red clothes, and is incredibly powerful. They say he can separate his soul from his body, ignore defenses, and attack with both his physical form and soul independently.”

Zhan Tingzhou gestured with his hands, indicating about half a meter.

Lu Ding visualized it.

Then blurted out without thinking, “Doesn’t that make him look like a hot water bottle? Just missing a handle.”

Zhan Tingzhou: “Huh?????”

The two of them burst into laughter again. “Hahahahahahaha...”

But laughing aside.

As Lu Ding thought more about Zhan Tingzhou’s description, the more the Child Association leader’s image seemed like an infant soul.

Up ahead.

With Zheng Tai, the 749 Bureau Chief, leading the way, Tong Fei and his group passed straight out of the Mouth of the Evil Prison without any trouble. They encountered quite a few checkpoints and patrols along the way.

But Zheng Tai dismissed them all.

Until they stepped into the northern Pine Forest Plains—this was also territory controlled by the Songyuan Valley faction.

Tong Fei looked at the dense pine forest before him, took a deep breath of the oxygen-rich air, and said with enjoyment, “The taste of freedom...”

“Thank you, Bureau Chief Zheng.”

Zheng Tai’s expression shifted noticeably. “You’re welcome. Where’s your contact person?”

The moment the words fell.

The sound of a zither rose. Wind swept through the forest, and pine leaves rustled.

A figure in green robes sat atop a zither platform, gliding through the air.

With a delicate appearance and decent demeanor, she was even shorter than Tong Fei.

Tong Fei and the others bowed in unison, addressing her respectfully. “Elder Qin.”

The figure on the zither in the air nodded slightly, and when she spoke, it was a sultry, authoritative voice that was completely at odds with her appearance. “Mm.”

Her gaze fell on Zheng Tai.

Qin Se spoke, “Bureau Chief Zheng, this cooperation has been pleasant. Afterward, I hope you can provide us with intelligence on Lu Ding’s movements in the western region.”

Zheng Tai extended his hand. “First, give me what’s due for this time.”

Qin Se casually tossed a bag containing rare natural treasures. It flew steadily into Zheng Tai’s hand.

And at that very moment.

The wind howled across heaven and earth. Thunder and lightning flashed in the sky.

Figures appeared one after another, and Lu Ding strode through the air.

As the lightning flickered on and off, Lu Ding approached from afar.

He had deliberately waited until now. How could he not see through Zheng Tai’s little scheme? But since Zheng Tai had made up his mind, Lu Ding decided to let him become a martyr, let him earn something for his wife and child.

And use his death not only to wipe out these Child Association people but also to deal with the Pine Forest Plains’ Songyuan Valley!

Since he was already here!

One of our bureau chiefs died on your turf—you’re all guilty!

“Why go through all that trouble? From now on, if I need anything, I’ll just write a letter and burn it for you. You can hand the goods directly to me—no need for middlemen taking a cut.”

...

I wasn’t feeling well today and kept getting stuck, so the update came a bit late. Sorry, dear readers. I’ll make up for it with extra chapters tomorrow.