Chapter 149: Countermeasure

The city guards in the alley questioned a few passersbywho had returned homeand the bosses of the shops that were still open. They then went elsewhere; clearly, they didnt find anything.

At this moment, the commotion at the city gates remained huge. It hadnt subsided.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Someone knocked on Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyaos door.

Who is it? Jiang Baimian turned around and asked, not panicking at all.

Me. Long Yuehongs voice came from outside.

Only then did Shang Jianyao walk over and open the door.

He and Jiang Baimian could sense two people outside the door, but they couldnt confirm their identities. All they could do was ask. This was because their attention had been completely focused on the alley, preventing them from grasping if the person who knocked had come from the opposite room.

After Long Yuehong entered the room, he fearfully asked, Will they come here to investigate?

He was still relatively careful. After Bai Chen entered the room and closed the wooden door, he controlled his volume and asked the question.

Jiang Baimian replied confidently, It will really be unbelievable if the people of Weed City can lock onto us like this.

This calmed Long Yuehong down significantly.

Jiang Baimian looked at Bai Chenwhose eyes were slightly red and swollen but overall in good shapeand added with a smile, Its fine even if we are discovered. Dont we already have a plan for retreat? However, we have to bring Auntie Nan and the others along and get them to open shop elsewhere.

Their plan was: Rush into the courtyard before any hostiles did and drive straight to the end of East Street.

There was a city gate that was perennially closed. Relatively few city guards were stationed there.

When the time came, they could use the Death rocket launcher to blast open the city gate forcefully and drive away into the night.

In the Ashlands, this was not a rare occurrence. Many Ruin Hunters followed the rule of might is reason. If forced into a corner, they could do anything. At worst, they wouldnt come to Weed City in the future and would pay attention to any missions that had a warrant for them.

If one were stronger, they could also cull the Ruin Hunters that had taken on missions to capture them.

For teams like Jiang Baimian and the otherswho came from elsewhere and had a large faction backing themthey could be a little more unbridled considering how they didnt have any relatives or friends locally.

What has your Weed Citys rules got to do with us?

Of course, the premise for all of this was that one had sufficient strength. Otherwise, one would be killed on the spot before they could cause trouble.

Long Yuehong felt increasingly at ease when he thought of the contingency plan.

At this moment, Jiang Baimian changed the topic. However, theres something wrong with Little White. Eugene was attacked less than an hour after he met you, so its inevitable that people will suspect you.

The dead bodyguard had been on the dance floor, not the two people that had protected Eugene inside the underground market.

Upon hearing this, Shang Jianyao clenched his right fist and slapped his left palm with a vexed and regretful expression.

What are you thinking about? Jiang Baimian asked.

After controlling Eugene, I shouldve driven the car back and killed those bodyguards. Shang Jianyaos tone indicated that he was still not careful enough.

As long as they were dead, there would be no witnesses. Then, nobody would connect Bai Chen to the matter.

Jiang Baimian was speechless.

After a few seconds, she rubbed her temples and sighed. That will cause too many uncertainties to arise in the matter. The longer the delay, the harder it will be for us to leave the scene undetected. Besides, those bodyguards arent weak. Even if you have Awakened abilities, you might not be able to kill them all. You might even put yourself in danger.

If one or two of them escape, you might be exposed.

At this moment, the commotion in the city gate area gradually subsided.

Jiang Baimian then asked Bai Chen, Does Eugene have many enemies?

Yes. There are many who have conflicting interests with him and the motivation to kill him, answered Bai Chen calmly. Even if its limited to Weed City, there are many such people and factions.

Jiang Baimian nodded slightly. Thats good.

She then asked about something else. How many people are in Eugenes slave-hunting team? Hows their firepower?

Upon hearing this question, Shang Jianyaos eyes suddenly lit up.

Bai Chen thought for a moment and said, First Citys slave hunters are divided into two types. The first type is related to the army and can be considered a semi-formal organization. The second type works through corrections. They form their own team after obtaining a slave permit. Eugenes slave hunters are the latter.

But even so, he has 50 to 60 people, many cars, machine guns, and cannons that can destroy an ordinary wilderness nomad settlement Bai Chen fell silent for a moment before adding, Eugene is a trusted aide of an Elder in First Citys Senate. His team might have controlled weapons.

No wonder Jiang Baimian said in relief. No wonder Eugenes slave hunters dared to attack Weed City.

Of course, this was only her personal guess. She couldnt be sure; after all, she hadnt seen the situation at the city gate with her own eyes.

After slowly exhaling, Jiang Baimian frowned and said, What Im hesitating about now is whether I should let Little White go into the streets in the next two days. If we let her move about, someone will definitely get her to help with the investigation.

Even if shes less suspicious and was never seen at the scene, there will still be such a process. Besides, this isnt the companys internal department. The investigators will definitely ask about everything and use all kinds of means. They might even get Little White to bring them around this building. That will be relatively troublesome. We might be exposed if we arent careful.

But if we dont, wont her sudden disappearance be even more suspicious?

Bai Chen thought for a moment and frankly said, I dont know which one to choose either.

Its fine; let me think about it. Ill give you an answer tomorrow morning. Jiang Baimian first consoled Bai Chen before looking around and smiling. If I cant figure it out, lets discuss it together.

Just as she said that, the lights in the room were switched off.

The few street lamps in the alley were swallowed by the darkness.

It was time for the daily lights-out again.

Upon seeing that the commotion outside had calmed down, Jiang Baimian made Long Yuehong and Bai Chen return to their rooms to sleep and stop worrying about this matter.

When only she and Shang Jianyao were left in the pitch-black room, Shang Jianyao suddenly said, I have a solution.

What is it? Jiang Baimian raised her guard.

Shang Jianyao calmly said, Take advantage of the night to sneak out of the city and wipe out Eugenes slave camp. As long as they are gone, the matter will be resolved.

Without the victims associates, Weed City would probably just be perfunctory with the investigations.

Good idea. Jiang Baimian clapped, perfectly emulating Shang Jianyao. She then said, The only problem now is: how can the two of us take down an entire camps armed personnel?

Shang Jianyao seemed to have thought of a plan and opened his mouth. First, I pretend to have a clue and talk to the guards at the camp entrance. I will then become friends with them.

After that, Ill get them to bring me to the camps current in-charge. Ill then seize the opportunity and become friends with the person-in-charge.

After doing this, using the excuse of having found a clue and preparing for action, Ill get the person-in-charge to gather all the members at the place where they store the ammunition.

Finally, well each throw a grenade in to prevent any accidents.

If you dont think its enough with just the two of us and that its too dangerous considering a 1:30 ratio, you can get Bai Chen and Long Yuehong to provide support. A 1:15 ratio is within reasonable limits.

Reasonable my ass! Jiang Baimian cursed in exasperation and amusement. Do you think youre Master Jingfasteel all over, unafraid of bullets?

After cursing, Jiang Baimian frankly said, Actually, this plan is really feasible. Although its very crazy, it seems like it can achieve its goal. The only problem is that the timing isnt right.

She said seriously, If Eugenes slave hunters cant enter the city, and the person-in-charge has a certain amount of experience, he will definitely have all his subordinates armed for the night. Considering the many enemies and hostile factions they have, they will shoot anyone who dares approach the camp.

Even if he didnt give such an order, there will definitely be a sentry every few steps. On the way to meet the person-in-charge, you will encounter many slave hunters. Are you sure they wont have a short exchange with your new friend and cause Inference Clowning to fail?

Upon seeing Shang Jianyaos faint disappointment, Jiang Baimian smiled. Sleep in peace. Ive already thought of a solution.

What is it? Shang Jianyao asked.

Jiang Baimian laughed. Ill tell you in the morning in case you cant sleep.

The next morning, it was still very dark at around 6 a.m.

Shang Jianyao had already sat up and was waiting for Jiang Baimian to wake up and tell him what the solution was.

After a while, Jiang Baimian climbed down from the top bunk and excitedly said to him, Ive thought of a solution!

Shang Jianyao looked at her and asked with a frown, Didnt you figure it out last night?

Jiang Baimian was stunned until she recalled what she had said before Shang Jianyao slept. She then laughed dryly. As a team leader, maintaining morale is always the first choice. Besides, didnt I already think of it? There are always more solutions than difficulties!

She put on a posture of ask me what idea Ive come up with.

Shang Jianyao fell silent for a few seconds before asking, Did you not sleep the entire night?

Thats not important. Jiang Baimians expression almost collapsed. She barely managed to maintain her tall, lofty figure.

Shang Jianyao then returned to the topic at hand. Whats the solution?

Jiang Baimians smile gradually widened. Get Little White to cooperate with the investigation. However, we can make some preparations in advance and let the investigation proceed under expected situations, allowing the results to be under our control.

Upon seeing the puzzled Shang Jianyao, Jiang Baimian smiled and added, Its true that Little White never attacked Eugene. This is something that can be verified.

As long as you use Inference Clowning in advance to make her stop believing that we are companions and that she has never participated in the subsequent execution or even thought about it, she can pass any investigation, including any possible Awakened means.

We will then wait until the investigation is over and remove the influence. At this point, Jiang Baimian smiled like a fox that snuck off with a chick. We can also time it so that the investigators are familiar with us. For example, Oudick, who is suspected to be capable of influencing dreams.

Arent you experienced in keeping people lucid in a dream?