Chapter 533 - A dark and stormy nigh (1/2)

So everyone was just waiting for the Pyro Company to find the research laboratory’s entrance before making their move to seize the research data.

Although the criminal underworld was no match for the members of the Pyro Company in a one-on-one battle, everyone knew there would be a lot of people involved when the conflict broke out. Furthermore, the A-rank hitmen from the Anjing House would be participating in the battle as well. Once the situation turned chaotic, as long as they could get their hands on some of that research data, they could sell it for a sky-high price.

However, the mob bosses still remained hidden in the spa center. It was not like they enjoyed soaking in the hot bath and scrubbing their backs, but that most of them had been placed on the watchlists of the various consortiums. If they were to go outside and get recognized by people, the Zhou Consortium might just arrest them on the spot.

It was not only they who were lying low. Even Vanilla and the elderly sugar painter, the Pyro Company, and the Riders were also hiding their presence in the stronghold.

Only Ren Xiaosu could openly take a night run around East Lake like nothing was going on.

Fortress 178 had already destroyed all the information that would visually identify Ren Xiaosu, while the Qing Consortium was also helping him keep secret, so it didn’t matter if the people of the Central Plains had heard of his deeds. At the very least, they couldn’t recognize him even if they met him by chance.

Ren Xiaosu seemed like an ordinary student in Stronghold 73 wearing his blue sportswear that looked just like a school uniform.

Besides, to be honest, even the intelligence personnel of the various forces did not suspect anything when they saw Ren Xiaosu running around East Lake at night. That was because everyone felt that no one would dare wander around so casually in this tense period.

Furthermore, Ren Xiaosu looked really young, like someone in his teens. No matter how they looked at him, he just did not seem like a ruthless person.

Hence, Ren Xiaosu got neglected by the various forces as they treated him like an invisible person in Stronghold 73.

While Ren Xiaosu was taking his night run, a cleaner nearby spoke into his earpiece, “He’s likely a young resident of the stronghold, so we can eliminate him as a suspect. There’s no signs of weapons hidden on him.”

It was very easy for experts to tell if there were hidden weapons on someone, especially when a person was running. If they were hiding a dagger or a firearm on them, it would definitely not escape their eyes.

There were many intelligence personnel scattered around the perimeter of East Lake. Everyone was keeping a close eye on this place.

A voice laughed into the earpiece. “I really wish I could warn these people to not jog at the lake for a few days. It’s too dangerous here. But since we’re not good people anyway, there’s no need to reveal ourselves to help these stronghold residents.”

The cleaner watched Ren Xiaosu’s figure recede into the distance and said with a laugh, “Who cares if they live or die?”

The voice in the earpiece said, “I heard that a movie director will be coming to East Lake with a film crew to shoot a movie in a few days. I’ve never seen a film crew before.”

The cleaner smiled and said, “What’s the big deal about a film crew? What we’re doing here is even more exciting than in the movies.”

Although the cleaner did not try to persuade Ren Xiaosu to leave, another young man stopped him. This young man looked around 27 years old, and he said to Ren Xiaosu, “Please do not jog near East Lake for the next few days. It’s about to get very dangerous here.”

Ren Xiaosu said in panic, “Why? Is something going to happen?!”

The young man thought for a moment and said, “This place is no longer safe. A lot of criminals will be gathering here soon.”

“Oh, alright, I’d better get back then. Are you from the Public Order Division?” Ren Xiaosu asked.

“No.” The young man shook his head.

After talking to Ren Xiaosu, the young man went over to persuade the old ladies who were practicing their plaza dancing in the plaza next to East Lake.

But the moment the young man opened his mouth, the old ladies started pushing him around. They said, “Why should we listen to you?”

“That’s right, do you own this place?!”