C33 You Are a Heartless Person

"My name is Zhang Ze," he responded with honesty. Despite the enigmatic nature of the woman before him, Zhang Ze sensed no malice from her.

"You displayed both cunning and courage in your battle with the Devil Cave Monster. Most people would have deserted their allies and fled in such a scenario. I greatly admire that," the woman spoke with a measured tone.

"Still, I'd advise against returning to the Fallen District. It's all too easy to meet your end here, unless, of course, you rise to the stature of a Devil Domain Expert."

Zhang Ze blinked, processing her words. Clearly, Lu Kai's deception had not fooled her, yet she appeared unconcerned.

Their return trip was uneventful; they encountered no further Devil Cave Monsters. The Sunglasses Man parked the vehicle a few hundred meters from the northeast city wall, lit up a cigarette, and addressed Zhang Ze and Lu Kai, "Gentlemen, we've reached your destination. Please, exit the vehicle."

After exchanging glances, Zhang Ze and Lu Kai stepped out. The off-road vehicle promptly spun around and sped off into the depths of the Fallen District.

"Who are they?" Zhang Ze watched the receding vehicle and turned to Lu Kai.

"I'm not sure," Lu Kai admitted, shaking his head. "But they're undoubtedly Devil Domain Experts. No one else could dispatch a Devil Cave Monster with such ease."

He clapped Zhang Ze on the shoulder, adding, "Let's not dwell on it. We should make haste and get out of here—it's still dangerous."

Zhang Ze nodded in agreement, then paused, a sudden thought striking him. He glanced back at his backpack, now torn, and let out a wry chuckle. "Talk about bad luck—my backpack's ripped, and I've lost the box with the calligraphy painting."

Lu Kai exhaled a heavy sigh, his head shaking in resignation. "The painting's loss is inconsequential. What matters is we're still alive."

Together, they made their way back to Tianfeng City in silence. Noticing Lu Kai's serious injuries, Zhang Ze suggested a hospital visit, but Lu Kai firmly declined.

With no other choice, Zhang Ze had to take Lu Kai back to his home.

At that time, Lu Panpan was waiting at home. She was shocked to see Zhang Ze supporting a wounded Lu Kai as they entered. She rushed over to them, and upon seeing Lu Kai's chest soaked in blood, she burst into tears.

"Don't cry, I'm still alive. Go get Uncle Wang, quickly," Lu Kai told Lu Panpan weakly. After speaking, he lay motionless on the bed.

Zhang Ze took care of Lu Kai until Uncle Wang arrived with his medical kit. Once Lu Kai's condition stabilized, Zhang Ze bid farewell and left.

"What a perilous day," Zhang Ze mused on his way home, still shaken by the day's events.

If it hadn't been for the woman who appeared out of nowhere and drove off the Devil Cave Monster, he and Lu Kai might have perished in the Fallen District.

"It's a pity I lost that painting. It would have been a decent find," Zhang Ze lamented. He sighed and then noticed a familiar figure slipping into an alleyway.

"I think I know that person," he muttered to himself and hastened his pace to follow.

Despite the figure's disguise of a trench coat, a duckbill cap, and a mask, Zhang Ze recognized him from behind.

"That looks like Tieh Gaang!"

Zhang Ze was puzzled. They had lost track of Tieh Gaang outside the museum in the Fallen District, and everyone assumed he was dead. Yet, here he was, very much alive.

Zhang Ze's eyes narrowed as he spotted something protruding from under Tieh Gaang's coat. On closer inspection, he realized it was the case containing the ancient painting that had been lost!

Zhang Ze's frown deepened. Tieh Gaang's furtive attire and the glimpse of the painting case suggested he was up to no good, hiding something from the rest.

"I'll find out where he's headed."

Zhang Ze trailed Tieh Gaang discreetly, noting his high level of alertness. Tieh Gaang kept looking back every few steps, clearly paranoid about being followed.

Zhang Ze was a master of stealth, managing to trail Tieh Gaang without being detected all the way to a deserted construction site.

He found a well-concealed spot with an excellent vantage point. From there, he watched as Tieh Gaang paced the site, clearly agitated as he waited.

After some contemplation, Zhang Ze decided to record Tieh Gaang with his phone.

Roughly ten minutes later, a sleek black sedan rolled into the site. Tieh Gaang's face lit up with excitement at the sight.

"Boss Lee, I've secured the item you requested!"

Tieh Gaang didn't even wait for the car to come to a complete stop before he was at the window, eagerly addressing the occupant.

Once the vehicle was parked, two bodyguards emerged. One, with great deference, opened the rear door for a middle-aged man in a sharp suit to step out. The man immediately pulled out a white handkerchief and held it to his nose, looking at Tieh Gaang with distaste. "Keep your distance. You reek," he said bluntly.

Tieh Gaang nodded quickly and stepped back, then cheerfully said, "Boss Lee, I've got what you asked for. Please, have a look."

Boss Lee signaled to one of the bodyguards, who approached Tieh Gaang and took the box from him. The bodyguard carefully opened the box and, after scanning it with an unusual device, gave Boss Lee a confirming nod.

Pleased, Boss Lee gestured for the bodyguard to secure the item in the car.

Anxious, Tieh Gaang asked with a hopeful grin, "Boss Lee, everything's in order with the item? When will I get paid?"

"You'll get what's coming to you, don't worry. I must say, I admire your ruthlessness. To think you'd betray your own brothers for money," Boss Lee remarked coolly.

A sheepish look crossed Tieh Gaang's face as he chuckled, "Please, Boss Lee, you're teasing me."

Zhang Ze, having overheard their exchange, felt the pieces of the puzzle in his mind click into place.

The truth was, Tieh Gaang had laid a trap for Lu Kai and his companions, all to greedily pocket three million yuan for himself. Once Lu Kai and the rest met their end at the claws of the Devil Cave Monster, Tieh Gaang retrieved the calligraphy and paintings and traded them with Boss Lee for cash.

"He's an absolute scoundrel!" Zhang Ze exclaimed in anger, his fists balled in rage. The thought of Laoba and Madman's demise filled him with an overwhelming fury.

One of Boss Lee's bodyguards extended a golden Consumption Card to Tieh Gaang. Without hesitation, Tieh Gaang accepted it and, after a thorough check, confirmed the card held three million yuan. A laugh escaped him, unable to contain his glee.

"Thank you so much, Boss Lee!" Tieh Gaang repeatedly bowed, his voice brimming with excitement.

Boss Lee, without sparing Tieh Gaang a glance, turned and climbed into his vehicle. Moments later, the black sedan rolled away from the factory.

Inside the car, Boss Lee dialed a number. "Retrieve my money," he instructed over the phone. "And be discreet about it—leave no trace."