655: Chapter 644 655: Chapter 644 The blood character tattoos varied in type, the most basic being two characters, marking the most ordinary of members.
Yet, one level higher featured those two characters accompanied by a small dagger, about half the size of a pinky finger, tattooed beneath the word ‘Shura’.
Another kind of tattoo included both a small dagger and a battle-axe, each the size of a thumb, one inked beneath the character for ‘Shu’ and the other under ‘Ra’, reserved exclusively for the elite members of Shura Alliance, symbolizing the organization’s utmost power.
At an even higher level lay the likes of Black Flood Dragon, Jue Wu, Li Tang, Meng Ku, Zhao Yan, Wang Hu, Hua Manlou, and the captain of the five-man elite squad, Sima, a total of ten individuals.
Song Yun simply had ten platinum rings made, with each ring bearing a character from their respective names.
The aforementioned constituted just part of the cultural fabric of Shura Alliance’s headquarters, with numerous other organizational cultures not elaborated on here.
Shura Alliance’s operatives converged from all directions near the Sunan Province TV Station, where they each received a mass text message from headquarters.
The instructions were straightforward: if they saw anyone causing a commotion that either the authorities would not handle or could not manage, to simply take them away.
When necessary, violence could be employed to deter the uninformed public.
Nevertheless, this last instruction was somewhat superfluous; in Sunan Province, when Shura Alliance took action, the crimson “Shura” on one’s neck was the strongest deterrent!
“Boss, a total of 1,586 people showed up,” Wang Hu reported to Song Yun after checking his phone.
“Mhm, tell them to keep a close eye on the event.
After it’s over, reward each person with one thousand yuan for late-night snacks,” Song Yun ordered.
“Got it!” Wang Hu nodded in acknowledgement.
Song Yun glanced at the nearby city management officers and, after a moment of contemplation, picked up his phone.
“Director Li, how have you been?” Song Yun asked with a chuckle.
On the other end of the line, Director Li of the Sunan University Police Station was playing cards with several friends.
Suburban stations, being much quieter than those in the city, especially for station chiefs, typically didn’t have much to do.
After meals, they either drank or played cards—an activity that technically counted as cultural and athletic and thus generally attracted little comment.
Receiving the call from Song Yun, Director Li had been holding a good hand, but upon seeing it was Song Yun calling, he immediately tossed his cards down.
“Well, Mr.
Song, I’ve been quite well recently, and you?
I heard you’re planning to open a few more malls?
Congratulations, congratulations,” Director Li said with a laugh.
“Heh, Director Li, how many people can you muster right now?” Song Yun cut straight to the point.
“Over here?
Let me check,” Director Li paused, seemingly counting heads, then continued, “Around ten or so.”
“Good, bring your team here to the Province TV Station,” Song Yun commanded.
“Bring them all?” Director Li frowned, “But then I’ll have no one left here?”
“Just bring them over, there will definitely be a benefit,” Song Yun was too impatient to elaborate, “Decide how many to bring for yourself, I’m already here.”
Having said that, Song Yun didn’t wait for Director Li to respond and abruptly hung up.
“What’s this all about?” Holding the phone, Director Li’s face was full of confusion before he turned to an officer beside him and asked, “Isn’t the Province TV Station hosting a talent show tonight?”
“Yes,” the officer nodded, “I heard from a friend who is a city management captain that many of them were deployed to the scene, apparently all their leaders went too!”
Director Li pondered for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, “Get ready, all of you.
We’re heading to Sunan Province TV Station shortly.”
“To do what, watch the show?” one officer joked.
“Watch a damn good show, bring your eating utensils, come with me,” instructed Director Li as he stood up and left.
The officers exchanged glances, and after a short while, one said, “The boss has given the order, let’s go.”
Ten minutes later, a small police van departed from the Sunan University Police Station.
What Director Li didn’t realize was that this single decision would change his life forever.
Returning our attention to the Sunan Province TV Station, with everything in place and the time ticking to 8:30 PM, the countdown began—five, four, three, two, one—and the grand finale of the talent show commenced.
“Phew, finally, I’m exhausted,” Shen Yan sat beside Song Yun, on a chilly autumn night, wearing only a light jacket in his hands, sweat beads hanging on his forehead despite the cold.
“Haha, I never imagined you’d go legit,” Song Yun complimented, paying little interest to the onstage performances.
Frankly, Song Yun had little regard for actors.
As the saying goes, an actor’s affairs are known to all, but no one asks about a soldier’s grave in front of his monument; thus, Song Yun was even less intrigued, only attending this so-called talent show because his sister was participating and didn’t want to waste his evening on it.
“Of course, I’m incredibly talented; I was just too lazy to show it before,” Shen Yan said proudly.
“Tell me, which of these women are connected?” Song Yun inquired.
“The ones who really have influence over me are just a few, three of whom are backed by Da Vinci Company.
There are connections to my brother within Da Vinci’s ownership, so it’s been hard for me to say much.
But since I’m organizing this competition, they wouldn’t dare step out of line.
In the end, let the true talents prevail, and don’t blame me, Song Yun,” Shen Yan explained.
“Heh, what would I blame you for?” Song Yun laughed, “It’s just a talent show, winning or losing is secondary.
Besides, it does involve your brother’s connections.
If you pressed too hard, it wouldn’t be good for your brotherly unity.”
“As long as you don’t blame me.
Aside from those three, the rest are fairly equal.
Moreover, the competition format tonight is something I’ve thought hard about to ensure maximum fairness.
Of course, there’s still SMS voting, but it won’t weigh as heavily.
The final scores will take various factors into account, and the three judges I picked are fairly upright,” Shen Yan declared.
“That’s good, let’s watch the show,” replied Song Yun with a smile.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the inner field, the head of the City Management Bureau sat in his seat, flanked by one of his captains.
“What did you say?
Shura Alliance is here?” the man asked, frowning.
“Yes, many of our guys saw it just now—they have Shura’s blood characters tattooed on their necks.
They must be from Shura Alliance,” the captain replied.
“What is Song Yun up to?” The man seemed to realize something, and with a sigh, said to his subordinate, “Tell everyone to be careful with their actions tonight.
The crowd is generally quite excited, try to avoid any conflict with them.”