Chapter 14: Preparing for Action
Outside the old commercial district in the west of the city, police cars arrived silently like ghosts, accompanied by armored personnel carriers resembling steel beasts. Soldiers clad in combat uniforms leapt down from the vehicles like tigers descending the mountain, led by a dashing young lieutenant.
The lieutenant, upon disembarking, dashed toward Tang Hu like an arrow released from a bow. For this operation, Tian Yun had authorized Tang Hu as the on-site commander, so as soon as the lieutenant reached him, he snapped to attention and gave a crisp military salute.
Since Li Mo and Zheng Tao could not be absolutely certain the assassins were inside—only that the likelihood was high—the accompanying officers were all local police from Puxian County.
“Lieutenant Hao,” Tang Hu responded promptly with a standard salute, matching the soldier’s formality.
“I’ll follow your lead for the next phase,” Lieutenant Hao said, while the soldiers behind him aligned themselves like towering pines.
At that moment, Li Mo and Zheng Tao emerged briskly from the old commercial district.
“Director Tang,” they called out in unison.
“What’s the situation inside?” Tang Hu asked eagerly.
“Qin Ming has located the tattoo parlor owner’s vehicle, but we haven’t approached rashly. That area is a residential zone within the old district; we must evacuate civilians safely before taking action,” Li Mo explained gravely.
“We also need to consider the possibility they might act desperately and take the tattoo artist hostage,” he added with a serious expression.
“Then arrange for the evacuation immediately, Lieutenant Hao,” Tang Hu ordered decisively.
Their gazes met; Lieutenant Hao acknowledged with a nod.
“Li Mo will brief you on the general situation there. Coordinate your tactical details. I’ll organize the evacuation now.”
“Troops will enter in five minutes; the operation will commence in ten.”
After speaking, Tang Hu turned to Li Mo and Lieutenant Hao, seeking confirmation.
“No problems,” they both affirmed.
Tang Hu then addressed Zheng Tao, “You’ll handle the evacuation assignments. Decide which areas need clearing and organize it.”
“You have five minutes to complete it.”
It wasn’t reluctance to issue orders personally, but only Li Mo and Zheng Tao had a clear grasp of the interior conditions.
“Understood!”
Zheng Tao glanced at his comrades nearby, then gestured, “Follow me, everyone!”
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Zheng Tao led the officers back into the old west commercial district. After glancing at Li Mo and Lieutenant Hao, who were already discussing tactics, Tang Hu followed.
With military forces involved, Tang Hu harbored no worries—there were only six assassins. A full company of soldiers was present; unless the enemy were supernaturally formidable, they would be neutralized without fail.
The only concern was minimizing casualties during the operation.
Quickly, Li Mo and Lieutenant Hao devised a battle plan based on the area’s layout.
“Alright, I’ll deploy the operation plan,” said Lieutenant Hao.
“We'll move in within three minutes!”
Lieutenant Hao approached the lined-up soldiers.
Li Mo took a deep breath, his eyes resolute.
In his previous life, after over a decade, he had barely uncovered any information on the assassin organization—and was hunted down shortly after. Reborn with foresight, he now seized the opportunity to encircle the earliest members of this deadly group.
Three minutes passed swiftly. During this time, Li Mo reviewed the plan meticulously, ensuring no errors before looking toward Lieutenant Hao.
The soldiers had divided into three squads.
“Lieutenant Hao, it’s time to move!” Li Mo called out.
“Roger!”
Lieutenant Hao nodded and signaled the troops behind him.
Together, Li Mo and Hao advanced into the old commercial district.
Halfway there, they saw lines of residents being guided out by police.
Many were reluctant to evacuate, especially the elderly, who wouldn’t leave without police persuasion.
Yet, upon noticing Lieutenant Hao and the soldiers, their discontent vanished instantly.
“What the hell, could there be terrorists inside?”
“Damn, they’ve mobilized the military!”
“They’re probably carrying real weapons, huh?”
All eyes fixated on the company of soldiers.
“No photos! No posting on social media!”
When someone in the crowd pulled out a phone to take pictures, Li Mo shouted sharply.
Police immediately turned their attention toward the crowd.
“Activate signal jammers—cut off communications in this area temporarily!”
Tang Hu, escorting the evacuated civilians with officers, heard Li Mo’s command and promptly informed his team to sever signals.
Everything had to be concealed from those six assassins.
Tang Hu’s order was unknown to Li Mo, who, together with Lieutenant Hao, swiftly reached the designated position.
“Squads, take your positions as planned!” Li Mo instructed.
Behind Lieutenant Hao, soldiers dispersed according to their assignments.
Their target was a three-story building, with the first floor underground—only two floors visible above ground.
In the basement, three of the six assassins lay on sofa beds. Beside them, a tattoo artist held a laser device, erasing their tattoos.
The other three had finished their tattoo removal and sat nearby.
The tattoo artist—the “Wu family kid” the elders had mentioned—was fully focused on removing tattoos from the three lying down, oblivious to the fact that two of the just-processed assassins were exchanging hand signals.
The last assassin was mixing powders from bottles taken from a box.
“Master, how much longer?” one reclining assassin asked.
“About five more minutes. If you want the area to look untouched, it’s delicate work. If your price wasn’t good, I wouldn’t bother. So don’t rush me,” the tattoo artist smiled.
“Alright.”
One assassin nodded. Hearing this, the two signaling assassins glanced at each other; one drew a dagger.
They had agreed that once the tattoo removal was complete, they would eliminate the artist.
Three minutes later, the tattoo behind the last assassin’s ear was nearly gone—less than a fifth remained—when suddenly, the basement’s rolling shutter was knocked.