Wuzi Zhang had clearly had a lot to drink. His words were slurred, and he swayed as he walked.
A heavily made-up prostitute followed at his side. She looked on the older side, her face plastered with a worldly, practiced smile.
"Master Zhang, is Xiao Taohong all you can think about? I'm still right here, you know. If you keep this up, I'll be very cross~"
As she spoke, she rubbed her chest against Wuzi Zhang's arm.
Though her looks were ordinary, Wuzi Zhang clearly enjoyed her brazen display. He roared with laughter, his hands roaming naughtily over her less-than-slender waist. He grinned mischievously. "Now, now. If it comes to it, you and Xiao Taohong can just serve me together tonight. I'll be a dragon entertaining two phoenixes..."
The prostitute covered her mouth and giggled. "Master, can you even handle that?"
"Hmph? You lookin' down on me? Fine, fine! Tonight, I'll show you what I'm made of! I guarantee you won't be able to get out of bed tomorrow!~"
"Oh, Master Zhang~"
The two flirted shamelessly, oblivious to everyone around them.
Qin Fang narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping the area... He was searching for the final two targets.
He found them quickly enough.
The three had arrived together, and sure enough, they were still together. Not far behind Wuzi Zhang, the other two targets were also staggering about, each with an arm around a prostitute. They were whispering things that made the women giggle inanely.
Having witnessed the prostitutes' instant change in demeanor at the entrance, Qin Fang couldn't help but wonder. 'How much of that laughter is genuine?'
'Not that it has anything to do with me.'
Finding all three targets, Qin Fang breathed an inward sigh of relief.
Finding the three targets inside Lan Gui Fang was supposed to be the hardest part of the mission. He never expected to be this lucky, spotting them right after he walked in.
At most, it was just past one in the morning, meaning he still had at least a few hours until dawn...
'That should be enough time.'
He remained hidden in the shadows, observing with cold eyes.
Soon, another prostitute approached Wuzi Zhang. The lantern light was dim, so Qin Fang couldn't make out her features, but judging by Wuzi Zhang's excited expression, it had to be the Xiao Taohong he was searching for. In the end, they all entered one of the rooms off the courtyard.
The other two targets laughed and teased Wuzi Zhang, who laughed and shot back a few crude remarks before they all retired to separate rooms.
Soon, indescribable sounds began to emanate from the rooms.
Qin Fang frowned, glancing around the courtyard. There were still quite a few people milling about.
'Bursting into those rooms is out of the question. I'd almost certainly be spotted.'
'So, what's the plan?'
Just as he was contemplating his next move, one of the doors suddenly opened.
Qin Fang froze. One of his targets was walking out of the room.
'So soon?'
As he watched in surprise, Qin Fang saw the target walk off alone, staggering toward the edge of the courtyard.
Over there was...
'The latrine?'
A glint appeared in Qin Fang's eyes.
'Should I do it now?'
'But if I strike now, the prostitute is still in his room. If he's gone too long, she might get suspicious.'
'If she goes looking for him, it could alert the other two.'
'But if I don't act now, it'll be even more difficult once he's back in the room...'
Qin Fang's gaze flickered for a moment as he stared at the target's retreating back.
Finally, he took a deep breath.
His mind was made up.
'Time to act.'
'Waiting around is not an option.'
'Since I can't do this without anyone noticing...'
'...I might as well make a scene.'
His decision made, Qin Fang quickly scanned his surroundings. There were plenty of people, but most of them, including the prostitutes, were drunk and preoccupied with their own flirtations.
Qin Fang deliberately hunched over, making himself seem smaller to minimize his presence, then stepped into the courtyard.
Instead of staying in the shadows, he deliberately walked right past the rooms, bold as brass... He was pretending to be a customer who had just left his room to use the latrine.
Sure enough, despite the number of people, and even though he sensed someone's eyes on him... they gave him no more than a passing glance before looking away.
Qin Fang kept his eyes fixed on the target, whose unsteady steps showed he was thoroughly drunk. It was easy for Qin Fang to follow him.
The man entered the latrine, and Qin Fang slipped in right behind him without a moment's hesitation.
A groggy Liu Sangun'er had just undone his trousers to relieve himself when he heard footsteps behind him. He frowned, annoyed. "Can't you see someone's in here?" he snapped. "Get out, get out! You can come in after I'm done."
As a member of the Iron Tiger Gang, Liu Sangun'er ran with Wang Long.
While Wang Long himself wasn't a major figure, his position as the older brother of the Gang Leader, Wang Hu, gave him special status. On their turf in South City, few people dared to cross them.
As one of Wang Long's trusted men, Liu Sangun'er was naturally used to throwing his weight around, riding on his boss's coattails.
As he spoke, he finished pulling down his trousers and began to relieve himself with a loud PSSSHHH.
The silence behind him made Liu Sangun'er suspicious, and he instinctively turned his head.
He didn't even have time to see what was happening before something struck his neck—hard.
SHLK!
A sharp object pierced his neck. Liu Sangun'er's eyes flew wide open. He could even feel the slick, sliding sensation as the blade sank into his flesh.
His body went rigid. The sound of his urination grew louder. Before he could even process what was happening and cry out, a hand clamped over his mouth. The next instant, the sharp object in his neck was viciously dragged sideways.
GUSH!
He heard a gushing sound from his own throat as warm liquid erupted, drenching his chin.
An overwhelming wave of weakness washed over him.
He felt someone catch his falling body. He tried to speak but could only manage a muffled "mmph." The thick, coppery taste of blood filled his mouth, and bloody foam bubbled past his lips.
His body convulsed, trembling uncontrollably. He had no strength left. He strained to keep his eyes open, desperate to see the person behind him.
Though the latrine was dark, he managed to see a face.
It was a handsome, yet exceptionally gaunt face. The man's expression was placid, but his eyes were chillingly cold.
And when he clearly saw the man's face, his eyes bulged in utter disbelief...
'It's him?'
He recognized Qin Fang.
But he couldn't get a single word out. His body twitched for a few more moments, then his vision went black, and he was gone.
The fourth target was eliminated.
Qin Fang let out a soft breath. He laid the corpse flat on the latrine floor and expertly searched it, finding about two silver taels in loose change and a few sundries. He pocketed the silver, rose, and walked out.
After a quick look around, he hunched his shoulders again and positioned himself near the rooms of the two remaining targets.
He waited patiently.
Before long, he saw someone else staggering toward the latrine.
He narrowed his eyes, dart in hand, and waited.
Only a moment later...
"AHHH!!!"
A bloodcurdling scream shattered the night. A figure scrambled out of the latrine, shouting and stammering as he ran.
"Murder!!!"
That sudden cry sent the entire Lan Gui Fang into an uproar.