East of the airport, outside the previously hidden toilet of Green Bull.
Qigong and Eighth Brother hid amidst a pile of ruins.
"Seventh Brother, how long do we have to wait?"
The two were not blood brothers, but sworn brothers who were closer than family. They were renowned in Shangjing with the reputation of Guan and Zhang, always appearing together, even more in sync than the twins Li Chonglou and his group had encountered.
However, at this moment, this默契 (mòqì - tacit understanding) pair was deeply troubled.
Both were high-ranking members of the Yellow Leopard. This time, to secure a spot, they had bragged about themselves before departing. If they returned empty-handed today, they would be thoroughly disgraced.
Following Qigong's suggestion, they came to the safest place to hide, waiting until the situation outside was mostly resolved before making their move. With a little assistance then, they could gain favor with the police. Once they were out, the Shangjing Headquarters would have to intervene, giving them an excuse for their reluctant cooperation.
As for why not now, the reason was simple. Anyone with eyes could see that the out-of-control individuals were at their most frenzied. Whoever stepped forward now would be in the greatest danger. They had no intention of being fools.
"Let's wait a bit longer, another half hour. I estimate half an hour should be enough," Qigong pondered.
This time wasn't pulled out of thin air. In fact, at their level, few were simple individuals. Although Qigong didn't have Chen Pao's professional ability to analyze things into three distinct stages, he had his own observations and analyses.
From the initial appearance of abnormality to the subsequent clear loss of control, it had only been a matter of a few hours. Qigong guessed that this state wasn't permanent. Waiting another half hour, even if no one resolved the situation outside, those out-of-control individuals should have undergone some change.
Thus, the two lingered there for another half hour before emerging from the ruins.
"Let's go. We'll find the police first. Headquarters might have sent people too, we need to hurry."
The police and Headquarters were two different entities to them. With the police, there was a possibility of discussing cooperation. If they encountered Headquarters, it would be a game of cat and mouse.
However, shortly after they started walking, they saw a familiar figure running towards them.
"Seventh Brother, it's Da Fei from the Xi Gang!"
Clad in a cyan cloth and wearing a cyan mask, the man running towards them was one of the six who had protected the passengers earlier.
However, at this moment, his eyes were filled with anxiety.
"Da Fei, it's us!"
With their previous cooperation and their roles as temporary captains, Qigong was the first to greet the man in cyan.
However, as they got closer, they heard his surprised exclamation: "You two haven't been arrested yet either?"
Arrested? The two exchanged glances and suddenly sensed something was amiss. Qigong quickly stopped the man.
"Da Fei, what happened? What do you mean by arrested? Could it be that people from Headquarters have arrived?"
Seeing that he was being stopped, Da Fei's eyes clearly showed impatience. But seeing both brothers there, he figured he wouldn't get off lightly. Da Fei suppressed his emotions and quickly said,
"People from Headquarters haven't arrived yet, but there are a few scoundrels inside cooperating with the police and chasing us everywhere!"
The brothers' expressions froze. Eighth Brother's mouth agape, looking as if he couldn't believe it.
"Se-Seventh Brother, were we intercepted?"
"Damn it!"
Upon realizing the situation, Qigong was furious and instinctively grabbed Da Fei's collar.
"Are you telling the truth?"
Da Fei said angrily, "Qigong, don't think I'm afraid of you. Let go of me!"
Da Fei shoved Qigong's hand away. Qigong then realized he had lost his composure and apologized, "Sorry, I got agitated. But are you telling the truth? Have people really started cooperating with the police?"
Da Fei rolled his eyes, "Do I get paid if I lie to you?"
"But why are they chasing us too? Shouldn't they be arresting those out-of-control individuals?"
Qigong was utterly confused. This was something that hadn't even crossed his mind in his plan. With the out-of-control individuals causing destruction everywhere, cooperating with the police to arrest them was understandable. But they were all law-abiding, good citizens!
They had only accepted a mission to check the situation. Why should they be arrested too?
Da Fei chuckled, "Do you really think you're a good citizen? Although we haven't committed any crimes here, who can say their past is clean? Who hasn't taken a life or two?"
Eighth Brother retorted, "But wasn't it us who protected those passengers earlier? If not for us six, they would have all died. What would the police have to do with it!"
Qigong nodded repeatedly, "Exactly. Even if we don't get credit, we've at least put in the effort. What happened before is one thing, but based on this incident alone, they shouldn't have made a move against us!"
Both looked clearly indignant. Da Fei watched them and chuckled coldly, "If I hadn't seen Qing Rou being tied up by them with my own eyes, I would have thought the same as you."
"Qing Rou? That guy from Qingniao?"
Da Fei nodded, "Exactly."
This time, the two finally believed Da Fei's words. They had held onto a shred of hope earlier, thinking Da Fei might have misunderstood. But now, with a living example, they could only accept reality.
"Seventh Brother, let's run together too. If we don't leave now, we'll have even less chance to escape when Headquarters' people arrive."
"Sigh, that's all we can do. Returning empty-handed would at most earn us some ridicule, but if we're actually arrested, we'll truly have no face to stay in Shangjing."
Despite their words, they were still blocking Da Fei's path. The latter finally couldn't help but say coldly, "Can you move aside now? If you keep blocking me, we might as well all get taken down at once!"
The two were stunned again. "What do you mean? What 'taken down at once'?"
Just as the words fell, several figures suddenly emerged from around the corner behind Da Fei.
"So they're here. And there are two more. This is convenient."
The newcomers were Li Chonglou and his four companions. The one speaking was Ying Yan, walking at the very back.
However, in the sight of the trio, their focus was on the colossal figure.
Meat Mountain, no matter where he went, always drew everyone's immediate attention.
"Holy hell, is that Big Boss Meat Mountain?"
Eighth Brother exclaimed subconsciously. Qigong also couldn't help but question, "Didn't this person say he wouldn't join any factions? Why is he suddenly cooperating with the police, and..."
Qigong then shifted his attention to Li Chonglou and the others. As he finished speaking, he noticed that Da Fei had already fled.
"Damn it! Let's go!"
How unethical! Not even a heads-up when running away!
The two quickly turned and chased after Da Fei's retreating figure. Although the ruined toilet was behind them, there was a path on the left that led to the north.