Chapter 234 The rain is coming
April 28th.
Spring is already here, and the sun shines gently on the stone streets of a remote town in Gaul.
It casts a faint golden glow on this small town sleeping in the tranquility of the years.
The town is far away from the hustle and bustle, surrounded by lush mountain forests and winding rivers. It seems like a peaceful picture left in a corner of the world.
Nick Horton, plainly dressed, fell into deep thought in a motel in a small town.
Since the 21st, he has left the bustling and bustling China and embarked on a tracking journey across the ocean because of a battle.
He uses the intricate network of connections he has accumulated over the years in the undercurrent of the criminal world to pursue clues like a hound.
Nick Horton knows very well that tracking a character like "Black Crow" is not easy. The other party is like a cunning fox, always able to leave minimal traces in the complex underground world.
However, years of immersion in the criminal world have given him a keen intuition, able to smell unusual smells in the smallest details.
He contacted old acquaintances who were active in the shadows one by one, from some frequently contacted intelligence dealers to marginalized smugglers, and even secret traders behind some seemingly serious businessmen. Every clue, no matter how trivial, was carefully recorded and pieced together into a complex picture.
Fortunately, this black crow is not difficult to find.
Otherwise, he would change the direction of the investigation and go to the lighthouse country where he was enjoying the crime, and investigate where the food he ate came from.
That would be even more troublesome.
Nick Holden wouldn't want to go back to the Lighthouse Country if he didn't have to. The level of wanted him there was ridiculously high.
In this way, I went through several sleepless nights and overcame many difficulties and obstacles.
Finally, at the end of April.
After many days of unremitting efforts, Nick Horton captured the traces of the mysterious broker known as "Black Crow" from the subtle information obtained from previous interrogations, as well as his various relationships overseas.
As a result, Nick Horton's figure appeared in this remote and remote Gallic town.
And from the information provided by a guy here, Nick Holden felt that he had basically figured out the location of the black crow.
At this moment, Nick Holden was sitting in a simple but clean room in the hotel.
Under the dim light, his figure looked particularly focused.
The hand-drawn map spread out in front of him is like a complex intertwined network. Every line and every point is a trap carefully laid out by him, aiming to capture the elusive "black crow" that follows him everywhere.
The map is marked with different colors of handwriting on rumors heard from local residents, information dug from obscure corners of newspapers, and details that may seem insignificant but may actually hide important clues.
His fingers slowly slid over the marks on the map. Every time he reached a place, his mind quickly replayed every scene and conversation related to it, trying to extract more information from it.
besides.
There is also some other information recorded on the map.
Including the recent well-known actions of the Shadow Blade Killer organization, the conflict situation in the Golden Triangle area...
Of course, not many details about this information were recorded.
Nick Horton is mainly investigating the intelligence of the middleman Black Crow.
His fingers tapped lightly on the table, and every touch was like a timer ringing in his heart, reminding him of the preciousness of time.
After thinking for a long time, the fog in Nick Horton's heart gradually dissipated.
A clear idea began to take shape.
Based on the sporadic but key clues provided by this small town, Nick Horton carefully drew a small circle with a red marker on the map that was already full of notes and lines.
To him, this inconspicuous mark was like the "X" on a treasure map, marking the end of his journey of exploration.
"It's... right here!"
He whispered, with a hint of imperceptible excitement in his voice.
Compared with those well-organized and secretive drug lords and killer organizations, the independent broker code-named "Black Crow" made Nick's tracking work more efficient due to its relatively small scale of operations and more direct transaction methods. A ray of light.
One of them seems to be hiding, but many of his actions don't have enough manpower to clean up traces like those of large organizations.
Therefore, the truth is still exposed.
Nick Holden squinted his eyes, his eyes so sharp that he seemed to be able to penetrate the distance and look directly at the marked location.
The excitement flashing in his eyes was a sign that his long-term tracking and analysis was about to be verified.
At this moment, all the fatigue and uncertainty seemed to be dispelled by this sudden confidence.
He basically determined the hiding place of the mysterious broker "Black Crow".
Nick felt that he had finally grasped the throat of fate and could give the opponent a decisive blow at any time.
However, this certainty also comes with caution.
Years of criminal career have taught him that every detail may hide a trap, and every act of confidence may lead to failure.
Therefore, Nick began to carefully plan every next move, considering every possible variable to ensure that this operation was foolproof.
Take a deep breath.
At this moment, Nick Horton, who had basically determined the location of Black Crow, called Bai Shi, who was still far away in China and had not yet set off.
……………………
Huaguo, Shucheng.
A city full of history.
Baishi was in an antique store filled with ancient atmosphere, and his fingertips gently passed over the antiques.
It may seem careless on the surface, but in fact it has gone through thousands of twists and turns in my heart.
At this time, a burst of rapid ringtones broke the tranquility of the antique store. The specially processed mobile phone showed that the caller's number came from a distant overseas country.
"I have almost confirmed the whereabouts of the Black Crow. When will you be able to join me and join us?"
Nick Horton asked directly and urgently.
An investigation is an investigation, and when the time comes the specific action will be safer if two people work together.
Shiraishi's face was stunned, and then he calmed down and responded calmly: "You continue to keep an eye on it, and be sure to prepare a detailed action plan. I will have to wait until May Day before I have time to deal with it."
His words revealed an unquestionable decision and also concealed a well-thought-out arrangement.
Shiraishi really doesn’t want to go abroad at all now.
There are many reasons.
The primary reason is that during the upcoming May Day holiday, he will have an important date with an old friend named Chen Yun.
Chen Yun's intervention at a critical moment, especially the mysterious jade sword, filled Bai Shi's heart with questions about the world.
Going out to play on May Day.
This was Jiang Anping's initiative and he made an appointment with a few of them.
Shiraishi was naturally invited.
He planned to talk to Chen Yun on May Day to clarify what he wanted to say and ask.
Including his thanks, his promise not to talk nonsense, and his curiosity about Chen Yun's world of sword immortals. In short, he had a lot to say, but now was not the time.
As for now, he has a lot on his plate.
But despite the complexity of daily chores, he still decided to seize this opportunity and have an in-depth communication with Chen Yun, regardless of whether the other party was willing to uncover the mystery.
Before that, he chose to remain silent to avoid causing trouble. This is Shiraishi's caution and respect for the unknown.
The second reason is: he has a lot to do before May Day.
Shiraishi has been really busy lately.
A series of complex affairs need to be dealt with urgently, and the core of these affairs all revolve around the same core issue-the safety of Shu City.
This problem seems to be a big one and not something Shiraishi should consider at all.
But if you think about it carefully, you will know.
The arrival of a killer will mean that there may be more than one killer in the future. The place where he retired may have lost its tranquility.
After dealing with the uninvited killer that day, Shiraishi did not relax his vigilance.
Instead, he became more aware of the fragility of a quiet life.
Although the emerald jade sword is a rare help, it is by no means a long-term solution.
Shiraishi has never been a guy who relied on others.
Otherwise, he would have died a long time ago in his criminal career that started in the orphanage.
Although Chen Yun is very mysterious and powerful.
But relying on nothing is better than relying on yourself.
So, after that, Shiraishi began intense and orderly actions.
These days, he seems to have returned to the state he was in when he planned a sophisticated theft, but this time the goal is no longer a priceless work of art, but the safety of himself and those around him.
In the morning, the sky just turned white.
Baishi began to shuttle through the streets and alleys of Shu City. On the surface, he was leisurely drinking tea and discussing Taoism with old friends in a teahouse, but in fact, he was exchanging information quietly.
He used the network of relationships he had carefully weaved over the years, from whispers in the streets to secret gatherings of businessmen and dignitaries, to avoid every corner that might reveal the truth.
In the afternoon, he would go to some antique shops in the south of the city, where he and several retired veterans met regularly.
On the surface, it is to appreciate antiques, but in fact, it is to observe every strange thing about Shu city through these eyes that once walked in the shadows.
The conversations between them often mean one thing but another. A look or a gesture is enough to convey important information.
When night falls, Shiraishi will return to his mansion deep in the ancient city, where there is a secret room hiding his other world.
He carefully studied every clue he collected and analyzed possible sources of threats to formulate a response plan. The map hanging on the wall is densely marked, and every point is a chess piece he has laid out, or an area that needs to be focused on.
In addition, he also secretly contacted several reliable contacts to provide him with technical support or direct assistance to ensure that there would no longer be the shadow of a killer in Shu City.
Under this series of operations, Shiraishi not only strengthened the security of his own residence, but also secretly protected the friends he made after he washed his hands of the golden basin.
He knows that true peace is not to live in seclusion, but to be able to hold up a protective umbrella for those around you when storms are about to come.
Although he can't be as terrifying and outrageous as Chen Yun in taking the enemy's head from thousands of miles away.
But through this series of layouts and efforts, Shiraishi strives to be foolproof and ensure that his past will not disturb the present and future he cherishes.
"As soon as possible."
Nick Horton's words were simple and direct, with no unnecessary questions.
It was only a few days until May 1st. It was common for them to prepare for a certain operation for months.
Moreover, he has 100% trust in his friends, and Shiraishi has always been reliable enough.
Besides, he alone is enough to take the lead in the current investigation.
Subsequently.
Nick half-jokingly mentioned the new rumors in the world.
Obviously he wanted to boast that the two brothers had defeated a master, and to slightly ease the tension between the two of them about to have a big action.
Baishi also had a clear mind, knowing that it was the killer he had fought with before.
Compare that to Nick Horton’s bragging.
Shiraishi had completely different thoughts.
That experience made him deeply reflect on his current state - his long-term retreat caused his reflexes and skills to deteriorate. Coupled with unprepared surprise attacks and impulsive decisions to protect others, he fell into a trap. An unprecedented predicament.
Fortunately, Chen Yun's timely appearance and extraordinary performance helped him avert the danger without causing actual harm.
But this also gave him a wake-up call!
After that, the two chatted for a while.
Then he hung up the phone.
And after hanging up the phone.
Shiraishi's thoughts did not stop.
He stood under the dim light of the antique store, playing with a jade pendant in his hand, with a complicated light shining in his eyes.
The top fifteen killers of the Shadow Blade organization, this news made him both surprised and a little uneasy.
He realized that if even such a master could fall into his own hands.
Then there may be more and stronger opponents coming after hearing the news and trying to complete the unfinished tasks.
Thinking of this, Shiraishi felt that he might need to speed up his movements.
Before May Day, in addition to preparing for the meeting with Chen Yun, he also had to activate the resources and back-ups he had accumulated over the years to make the best preparations for the possible storm.
Think so.
Baishi decisively called Sun Huiwen.
At this moment, Sun Huiwen and Jiang Anping were playing near a commercial street under his secret arrangement.
There.
Baishi arranged for several acquaintances to be secretly familiar with Sun Huiwen and Jiang Anping. These are the guys who will protect the two women after he goes abroad for revenge.
And the purpose of Chen Yun's call at this moment.
He wanted the two of them to quickly make plans with Chen Yun for the next May Day trip.
As for why he didn't contact Chen Yun.
In fact, it's because I'm busy and because I really don't dare to talk to Chen Yun easily now.
"What's wrong, big lightbulb?"
"Aren't you very busy recently? Why are you calling me?"
Sun Huiwen's clear voice came.
Hearing such a voice, Bai Shi smiled at first, and then said: "I'm busy, but didn't we agree to go out on May Day? You and Chen Yun will discuss the specific plans for going out, so that I can arrange and adjust my recent plans. journey."
(End of chapter)