Chapter 54: Ants, the Giant Insects That Flew In

Qu Nan’s expression darkened slightly.

Although the military had plenty of ammunition and soldiers, they didn’t command as much respect among the people as the Public Security Bureau did. It was also difficult for them to bypass the government and directly manage the survivors—unless they were willing to tear up the rules and impose military rule.

But Su City hadn’t made any such moves yet. His father, Qu Shangjin, the commander-in-chief of Jiang City, didn’t dare to be the first to stick his neck out either. That left them in a very passive, disadvantageous position.

Clearly, the main force defending everyone was their army, yet they held no real power. The people only recognized figures like the Xiao family. Once they reached Su City, if those people colluded with Su City to sideline them, and then made some political maneuvers, the more than 100,000-strong Jiang City army would be swallowed up bit by bit, and the Qu family would be left with nothing...

They had to win the support of the masses in Jiang City.

The first step was to remove the Xiao family, the biggest obstacle in their way.

But they couldn’t be too forceful about it. If they angered Xiao Jing, that country bumpkin, there’d be trouble for themselves too.

He glanced at Gu Xu, softened his tone, and was just about to speak when Boss Zhang came running in, flustered. Seeing the tense standoff, he hurriedly said, “Everyone, calm down! Calm down! Young Master Xiao, Young Master Qu, let’s talk this out—there’s no need for things to get like this!”

Qu Nan looked at him. “And you are?”

“Hello, Young Master Qu. I’m just the owner of an internet café in the new district. My surname’s Zhang. I used to be a junior detective under Director Xiao. Thanks to Young Master Xiao’s trust, I’m helping out with errands since we’re short on staff. I was the one who took Miss Bian’s statement.” Boss Zhang’s face was full of flattery.

Xiao Jing snorted coldly. “So, is the report out? Was it Bian Changxi who killed the man?”

He shot Boss Zhang a look. The arrest of Bian Changxi had been partly at Boss Zhang’s instigation, and partly because Xiao Jing was curious about how this cool, aloof beauty could have killed someone. Thirdly, he wanted to boost the police’s presence and show the people of the new district that the police were still in charge, capable, and just.

But now that Qu Nan was involved, the situation had changed. He absolutely couldn’t just let Qu Nan take her away so easily—otherwise, wouldn’t that be admitting he was afraid of him?

Boss Zhang felt helpless. The autopsy hadn’t been done by a professional coroner, but any experienced detective could tell how those people died. The report in his hand was handwritten. Faking it wouldn’t be hard, but could he really do that?

He wasn’t a country bumpkin like Xiao Jing. He understood perfectly well that in times like these, whoever held power had the final say. Whoever had the army was the local warlord.

Even if the Jiang City commander-in-chief didn’t look like much compared to Su City, when it came to the fragmented and faction-ridden police and security system, it was like comparing tanks to infantry. The only reason they were being so cautious was political. If that veneer was torn away, well...

Don’t be fooled by Qu Nan only having a few people with him. If anything happened to him here, evidence or not, his father would personally come and wipe everyone out!

So, no matter how reluctant he was to let Bian Changxi go, Boss Zhang could only say obediently, “According to the autopsy and scene reconstruction, although Tian Jiaxing did have a physical altercation with Miss Bian, he wasn’t killed by her. Miss Bian acted in self-defense. She’s free to go. Sorry for taking up your time, Miss Bian.”

The last sentence was directed at Bian Changxi.

Xiao Jing nearly exploded with anger.

Qu Nan smiled. “See? If you’d just said that earlier, this would be over. Captain Gu, let’s go.”

Gu Xu led Bian Changxi out. The sharp-looking man even brought over Bian Changxi’s bag, which Gu Xu took as usual. Qu Nan extended his hand in a gesture of courtesy. “Captain Gu, let me walk you out.”

Xiao Jing still wanted to block them, but Boss Zhang quickly pulled him back and shook his head. “Don’t, Young Master Xiao. Didn’t you see how polite Qu Nan was to Gu Xu? That guy must have some background. Even if you stop Qu Nan, Gu Xu might have some tricks up his sleeve too.”

Xiao Jing shook him off angrily. “Weren’t you the one who said Gu Xu’s group was capable? If we brought Bian Changxi in, they’d have to come begging us, and then we could win them over. Hmph, turns out they really are capable—too capable, in fact!”

Boss Zhang listened bitterly, both resenting and mocking Xiao Jing in his heart, and feeling deeply frustrated. He hadn’t realized Bian Changxi had such strong backing. Wouldn’t it be even harder to get her jade bracelet now?

But this only made him more certain that the thing really was a treasure, just as the boss had said.

Meanwhile, Gu Xu thanked Qu Nan. “Young Master Qu, thank you so much for today.”

Bian Changxi also expressed her gratitude.

Qu Nan quickly replied, “Please, don’t mention it. It’s my honor to help Captain Gu. Besides, with your abilities, I’m afraid my help was unnecessary.”

They stopped at the entrance. Several tricycles, led by two police officers and pushed by workers, were being brought in, loaded with supplies. Gu Xu and Bian Changxi’s eyes were immediately drawn to them. They exchanged glances, both sensing something was off.

Qu Nan noticed and, thinking he understood what they were wondering about, lowered his voice and began to complain, “Xiao Jing’s people have taken over every little thing at the station. He wants to control even the tiniest matters, waving his authority around. It’s only making people resent him. And how many people are there in the Jiang City Public Security Bureau? Not everyone under Chief Xiao listens to him. There are also the fire brigade, SWAT, city management, and so on—plenty of people want to do their part. I’m afraid things won’t stay peaceful in the new district for long.”

Gu Xu nodded in agreement. “If this conflict isn’t resolved, it’ll be a hidden danger on the way to Su City. If you need anything from me, just say the word.”

Qu Nan looked very moved.

“Hey, where did these bugs come from?”

“Damn, are these ants possessed or something?”

“Ow, it bit me! Somebody help!”

Suddenly, the tricycles came to a halt. Black, finger-sized creatures began pouring out of the cardboard boxes like a revolt, biting anyone they could reach. In the blink of an eye, several people around the carts had been bitten.

Because they were close by, the black bugs quickly scurried across the floor toward Bian Changxi and the others. A few even took to the air, flying straight at them.

Bian Changxi had been watching closely. She shouted, “Watch out!” and drew the knife from her back, slashing down the first one that flew at her.

A bug the size of a baby’s fist, looking like a cockroach, fell to the ground, still twitching. Black fluid oozed from its split abdomen, sizzling as it corroded the floor tiles.

Bian Changxi only had time for a quick glance before the rest of the cockroaches charged at her. She swung her knife but missed. Raising her arm to shield herself, she flicked her left hand, sending several vines whipping out to drive the bugs back.

The cockroaches buzzed around, joined by smaller black flies, all with blood-red eyes and covered in slime, swooping at the crowd and stirring up a foul wind.

“Young Master Qu, look out!” Qu Nan’s people reacted quickly, surrounding him protectively. One woman shot a jet of water, soaking several flies. A man sent out a few icicles, but missed. The rest simply shouted and swung their machetes and hammers, barely managing to keep the bugs at bay.

Two others raised their submachine guns and fired, the muzzle flashes finally burning a few of the flying insects.

Everything happened so fast that people barely had time to react. Most could only stand their ground and defend themselves, with little effect. The hall was still full of survivors, who were now screaming and fleeing in panic.

(End of excerpt.)"