Chapter 146: Encounter, Eliminating the Road Tyrants

(1/3)
A muscular, bald man with a fierce face and protruding flesh pointed his finger at the female driver in front of him. His rough and savage voice rang out like a thunderclap:
"Damn it, what rotten luck! You're ruining everything!"
His tone was filled with impatience and anger, as if the entire world owed him something.
The female driver looked haggard, her voice choked with tears as she pleaded helplessly:
"Mister, I really don't have the money. Let's go through the insurance! Put all the blame on me, is that alright?"
Her eyes were filled with fear and despair, resembling a helpless little lamb facing a fierce wolf.
However, the bald man showed no mercy. He delivered a fierce slap across the female driver's face and cursed loudly:
"Insurance, my fucking ass! It's already doing you a massive favor to make you pay twenty thousand! What? Are you trying to force me to get physical?"
The slap was loud and crisp. A clear handprint instantly appeared on the female driver's face, and her tears gushed out like a broken dam, evoking pity from anyone who saw her.
Nearby, several other burly men laughed without a care in the world. Their laughter was harsh and grating, filled with malice and mockery.
They watched as if enjoying a splendid performance, completely ignoring the female driver's pain and helplessness.
The joys and sorrows of human beings are never the same.
In this bustling metropolis, there are people quietly enduring endless suffering.
There were plenty of cars around, yet not a single person dared to step forward and intervene.
People either watched in silence or turned their heads away, choosing to remain silent and escape.
Perhaps there was a shred of sympathy in their hearts, but fear and helplessness outweighed it all.
Just then, Li Chao sat in the back row, his gaze like a torch. Watching the scene unfold before him, he furrowed his brows deeply, dissatisfaction and anger evident in his eyes.
He turned to Duan Tian and asked:
"Does the Dragon Team handle matters like this?"
Duan Tian shook his head, pulled out his phone to prepare to call the authorities, and wore a very serious expression.
However, Li Chao did not wait for the law enforcement team to arrive.
He sighed, looked at the surrounding traffic jam, and said with a resolute tone:
"With traffic this backed up, who knows when law enforcement will get here! I'll go check it out!"
His tone carried a sense of determination, as if making a crucial decision.
Duan Tian hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.
Li Chao opened the car door and stepped out with unyielding resolve.
His figure appeared exceptionally tall amidst the crowd, like a force of justice dispersing the surrounding darkness and evil.
The four men glanced at Li Chao, initially paying him no mind.
After all, anyone could tell he was just a passenger; what kind of waves could he possibly make?
Their eyes were filled with contempt and disdain.
When encountering such disputes, ordinary people usually hurried away before they could even think, terrified of being dragged into unnecessary trouble.
Yet Li Chao chose not to run away.
Instead of leaving, he carefully walked to the front and helped the female driver, who had been kicked to the ground, back to her feet.
This action of his was like a ray of winter sunlight, warming the female driver's injured heart and reigniting the dying flames of justice in the hearts of those watching.
Li Chao looked at the group with a steadfast gaze, his tone carrying an unquestionable power:
"A bunch of grown men bullying a woman. Don't you think that's a bit much?"
His eyes burned with raging fury and profound dissatisfaction, as if he wanted to pierce straight through these bullies.
The bald man squinted at Li Chao, a disdainful sneer hanging at the corner of his mouth.
He reached out and patted Li Chao's shoulder roughly, attempting to intimidate this "ignorant and fearless" young man:
"Little brother, got nothing better to do? Still daring to butt in? Want to play the hero saving the damsel? This has nothing to do with you, so don't go looking for trouble for yourself! Get lost right now, or I'll beat you up right along with her!"
Indeed, the bald man hadn't taken Li Chao seriously in the slightest.
In his view, Li Chao was merely a wet-behind-the-ears punk who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, completely incapable of posing any threat.
He knew well that in this city full of rules and constraints, people had long since had their edges smoothed away and become thoroughly docile.
When encountering trouble, they lacked even the courage to resist, let alone stand up and challenge evil forces.
However, Li Chao was not as weak and easily bullied as he imagined.
He was never one to meddle in other people's affairs for no reason, but this time, he simply could not stand by and watch.
Because he was a man of blood and mettle, a man with a sense of justice and responsibility.
He could not endure such acts of bullying the weak, nor could he tolerate evil forces running amok in broad daylight.
Glancing at the bald man, Li Chao shook his head firmly and said:
"You guys were in the wrong from the very beginning! All you know how to do is bully a woman? What kind of scum are you!"
His tone carried an unquestionable firmness and strength, as if he intended to completely crush the arrogant momentum of these bullies.
Hearing this, the men immediately blazed with fury!
The bald man even reached out, preparing to grab Li Chao tightly by the throat, shove him forcefully to the ground, and teach this "ungrateful" young man a harsh lesson.
But the next second, Li Chao's palm shot out like lightning, seizing the other man's wrist.
The speed was so astonishing that people could barely trace his movement, as if he had transcended the shackles of time and seized total control of everything.
Then, he twisted hard.
Crack!
The bone snapped instantly.
That crisp fracture sound echoed with crystal clarity across the noisy street, like the horn of justice proclaiming the end of evil forces.
Following closely, Li Chao delivered a swift kick to the bald man's body.
His body flew directly into the car he was driving like a torn sack of grain.
The car door caved in deeply, and the glass shattered into countless pieces with a loud crash, scattering glittering shards everywhere as if testifying to the cost of evil deeds.
The bald man collapsed onto the ground, his face covered in blood, forgetting even how to shriek in agony.
Part of it was dizziness from the heavy impact;
The other part was that no one expected this mild-looking young man to strike with such brutal ferocity and speed!
His eyes were filled with terror and incomprehension, as if asking silently:
"How is this possible?"
Seeing the bald man beaten down, a short-haired companion nearby stepped forward, pointing at Li Chao and yelling:
"You dare hit people?"
"Have you got a death wish?"
His voice trembled, clearly lacking true conviction.
The logic that only they were allowed to hit others while no one else could fight back seemed utterly absurd and laughable at this moment.
Li Chao glanced at him with a gaze so chilling it felt like plunging into an ice cellar.
Then, he strode forward, leaving his target no chance to dodge.
Li Chao grabbed him by the hair and slammed his head repeatedly against the body of the nearby car.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three dull and powerful impacts echoed, acting as a heavy blow against their malicious acts.

(2/3)
Moments later, this vocal companion was also knocked down, bleeding from the head and collapsing limply onto the ground like a pile of mud.
If this were a video game, the "Double Kill" sound effect would probably ring out right now, announcing that Li Chao had consecutively defeated two enemies.
Afterward, Li Chao turned his gaze toward the remaining two men.
These two towering figures who had acted so arrogantly moments ago were now visibly panicked.
One of them involuntarily shivered, his legs turning to jelly and barely able to support him.
Fear and doubt filled his mind:
"Are these special forces? Why are they so savage?"
The other fared slightly better, drawing a folding utility knife from his pocket and slashing it through the air a few times toward Li Chao.
With a single kick, Li Chao directly flopped the knife-wielding man to the ground, sending his weapon flying elsewhere.
Then, Li Chao stepped forward and brought his foot down heavily onto the man's arm.
Crack!
The sound of breaking bones and the man's piercing screams echoed simultaneously, the shrieks sharp enough to pierce eardrums and strike terror into anyone's heart.
Watching the four men thoroughly subdued by Li Chao single-handedly,
The last remaining man turned pale with fright, dropped abruptly to his knees, and began kowtowing repeatedly while begging for mercy.
His forehead banged loudly against the ground, terrified that being a second too late would result in broken bones, snapped tendons, and a bloody head.
A four-to-one showdown, and Li Chao won a complete victory. His silhouette appeared exceptionally tall against the setting sun.
The surrounding onlookers stared in dumbfounded silence, whispering among themselves.
The female driver dropped her jaw even wider, wearing a bewildered expression, her vacant look seemingly frozen in that exact moment.
She had never witnessed anyone so heroic and fearless, and her heart was filled with awe.
Looking at the pathetic states of these men, Li Chao felt genuinely exhilarated!
He understood deeply that sometimes gaining strength isn't about bullying others, but rather about being able to effortlessly resolve trouble when it finds you.
That sense of gratification coursed through his heart, firming his convictions even further.
Just as this was settled, the sirens of law enforcement wailed from a distance.
Moments later, several law enforcement officers in uniform strode over.
Clearly, a kind-hearted bystander had called the police, prompting them to swiftly arrive at the scene to handle the sudden incident.
Seeing the state of the scene, the captain of the law enforcement team furrowed his brows.
A simple traffic accident would have been easy to process, but turning it into this mess made things rather tricky.
His expression darkened, his gaze sweeping back and forth among the crowd as he tried to unearth the truth.
At this moment, the female driver felt somewhat panicked.
After all, the situation had escalated; regardless of who was right or wrong initially,
At least judging from the present moment, Li Chao, who had thrown the punches, was bound to face trouble.
Her hands wrung tightly together, and she looked at the law enforcement officers with profound worry, terrified they would misunderstand her.
Li Chao didn't care much and was even prepared to offer an explanation.
Given his current status and standing in Wannán City, trivial matters like this should be easily resolved.
The corners of his lips curved upward into a smug smile, thinking to himself:
"Hmph, let's see how easily I handle this."
However, before he could speak, the taxi door opened, and Duan Tian, who had been sitting inside for a long time, stepped out chewing a toothpick.
Then, the two of them strolled leisurely over to the law enforcement officers.
Duan Tian fished something out of his pocket and mysteriously flashed it to everyone.
Though the movement was subtle, Li Chao had sharp eyes and instantly caught the outline of the item—the Dragon Team identification token!
The moment the law enforcement captain laid eyes on that token, his entire body stiffened, and awe instantly filled his gaze.
Duan Tian leaned in close to the captain's ear and muttered a few words. And guess what?
The matter was resolved just like that.
As for the accident, naturally the bald man was entirely at fault; as for the minor detail of getting physical, it was simply glossed over.
The female driver stayed behind to handle the aftermath, while Li Chao and Duan Tian were respectfully seen off by the law enforcement team.
Watching their retreating figures, the female driver hurriedly bowed from the waist, repeatedly expressing her gratitude.
She knew crystal clear in her heart that these two passengers definitely possessed extraordinary backgrounds.
Gratitude and reverence intertwined in her eyes, a complex emotion indeed.
As night deepened and a cool breeze stirred, the female driver felt a cozy warmth inside her chest.
The kindness of strangers reminded her that warmth still existed in this world.
Sitting inside the law enforcement vehicle, Li Chao teased:
"Don't you think you're somewhat suspected of abusing your authority for personal gain?"
Hearing this, Duan Tian shook his head like a rattle-drum:
"Rules are dead! But people are alive! Besides, I didn't actively go looking for trouble!"
Duan Tian wore an innocent expression, acting as though the matter wasn't worth mentioning at all.
In truth, this was merely a minor dispute between ordinary citizens, and the Dragon Team indeed had no business intervening.
Yet Duan Tian wasn't someone to be trifled with either; he had his own way of handling things.
Moreover, had they strictly followed the rules, Duan Tian would have had to stop Li Chao the moment he struck ordinary people!
The law and human sentiment sometimes clashed.
Ultimately, though, it all came down to the choice one made.
At this moment, Duan Tian hadn't forgotten his mission. He rattled the token in his hand and asked:
"How about it? Carrying this thing when you go out saves a lot of hassle!"
Expectation filled Duan Tian's eyes.
Li Chao raised an eyebrow, feeling deeply wavering inside.
With the Dragon Team identity, troubles would indeed diminish greatly, but freedom would also come with additional shackles.
Just like earlier—had he truly been a Dragon Team member, he would have had to deliberate over regulations for ages before throwing a punch, a thought that alone gave him a headache.
Thus, Li Chao fell into deep hesitation...
If every decision in the future required second-guessing and looking over one's shoulder, what fun was left in life?
Seeing that Li Chao remained silent for a long time, Duan Tian stopped pressing the issue.
The law enforcement car smoothly parked outside the Royal爵 Nightclub, and the two stepped out after offering their thanks.
Suddenly, Li Chao slapped his forehead:
"Damn it, I forgot to pay that older sister her cab fare!"
Busy with everything else earlier, he had completely slipped his mind.
Duan Tian waved a hand dismissively:
"Don't sweat it. Once we get tonight's business sorted out, I'll check and wire the money over to her."
"However, let's get one thing straight first: we're going 50-50 on that cab fare!"
Duan Tian declared with a straight face.
Li Chao nearly rolled his eyes in disbelief:
"Big brother, are you really living that miserably? You need to split a small amount like that?"
He stared at Duan Tian with a mixture of shock and helplessness.
Duan Tian chuckled with a hint of slyness:
"If you think that's unfair, you can pay the whole thing yourself! Anyway, I know you aren't short on cash, kid!"
Li Chao smiled wryly:
"Fine, fine, put it on my tab!"
Then, recalling something else, he pointed at the Royal爵 Nightclub not far away and asked:
"Tell me, you aren't expecting me to foot the bill for the consumption inside too, are you?"
A hint of wariness crept into his eyes.
Duan Tian gave him a thumbs-up:

(3/3)
"Still as sharp as ever, little brother!"
He laughed sheepishly,
"With a wallet like mine, walking in there probably wouldn't even buy me a single glass of booze!"
Li Chao asked, exasperated yet amused:
"And what if I refuse to pay?"
He arched an eyebrow.
Duan Tian pointed toward a bench in the distance:
"Then we just sit over there and wait!"
He maintained a completely calm demeanor.
"..."
Li Chao was utterly speechless.
"Fine, you win!"
Bringing Duan Tian into the nightclub, it was barely past eight o'clock; the nightlife hadn't officially kicked into gear yet, and guests were sparse.
In the distance, neon lights flickered, vibrant colors intertwining to form a dreamlike world.
The music thudded heavily, its dynamic rhythm accelerating heartbeats.
On the stage, several scantily clad women with sizzling figures were performing a passionate dance, their waists swaying like nimble serpents.
From time to time, they struck alluring poses, drawing a continuous chorus of whistles and catcalls from the audience below.
The two found a corner booth to sit down, and Li Chao ordered some drinks, a fruit platter, and snacks.
Looking at the items on the table, he shook his head helplessly:
"Stuff like this wouldn't even cost three hundred bucks outside, yet it's over two grand in here!"
Complaints aside, enjoyment was still in order.
"Such a rip-off!"
Duan Tian chuckled:
"This is just pocket change! The real profit comes from those things!"
With that, he nodded toward the dancing women on stage, a deep significance lingering in his gaze.
Li Chao remarked:
"A veteran through and through, aren't you?"
"So, all your money goes into things like this?"
Li Chao's tone carried a hint of mockery.
Duan Tian withdrew his gaze from the dancers and retorted with a deadpan expression:
"Nonsense! Am I the kind of person who pursues low-brow thrills?"
His expression was so serious it seemed as though he had suffered a grave injustice.
Hiss!
Li Chao drew in a sharp breath.
Big brother, could you possibly be any more hypocritical?
Li Chao inwardly scoffed.
Of course, Li Chao knew Duan Tian hadn't brought him here for mere amusement.
After glancing around, he lowered his voice and asked:
"So, is your mission tonight a vice crackdown?"
Curiosity filled Li Chao's eyes.
Duan Tian's mouth twitched a few times as he replied speechlessly:
"Vice crackdown my foot!"
"I told you already, worldly affairs aren't our jurisdiction!"
"Besides, do you really think a trivial matter like that warrants the personal dispatch of a Dragon Team captain?"
Duan Tian kept his voice extremely low.
Oh!
Li Chao smiled faintly, then asked:
"Then what are we here for?"
His expression grew serious.
Duan Tian spat out the toothpick he had been chewing, carefully surveyed the surroundings, and lowered his voice further:
"Assisting in an arrest!"
"A gang of heinous, fugitive criminals fled to this vicinity. These bastards have dozens of human lives on their hands; they're extremely dangerous!"
"The ringleader is a cultivator."
"Not long ago, an undercover law enforcement officer uncovered a lead and reported their location to the Wannán City Law Enforcement Bureau!"
"The bureau organized a raid, but the suspects were too vicious. Law enforcement paid a heavy price, managing to take down only one of them while the rest escaped."
"However, the bureau promptly sealed off the surrounding roads, so they can't get away! Right now, they're hiding out right here."
"Tonight, law enforcement is making another move!"
Duan Tian's expression was grave, every word uttered with utmost caution.
"Because of the heavy lesson learned last time, the bureau contacted the Dragon Team in advance, hoping we could provide backup."
A trace of reflection over the previous operation tinged Duan Tian's voice.
Li Chao nodded in understanding.
His thoughts drifted back to the moment he was ambushed by the "Butcher" squad, back when he had no inkling of the Dragon Team's existence.
He popped a snack into his mouth and continued:
"So what do we do now?"
A trace of puzzlement lingered on his face.
Duan Tian leaned back against the sofa, answering in a calm and steady tone:
"Wait."
Huh?
Li Chao furrowed his brows, clearly baffled by the response:
"Do nothing at all?"
His frown deepened.
Duan Tian patiently explained:
"This matter is fundamentally a worldly trouble. By regulations, we are only here to assist. We can only step in if the situation spirals out of control."
His expression was severe, his gaze carrying an unquestionable firmness.
Though somewhat dissatisfied, Li Chao understood his current identity and role, leaving him no choice but to accept the arrangement with resignation.
He told himself to simply sit back and watch without stirring up trouble.
Yet, another thought suddenly struck him, prompting him to ask:
"By the way, what happened to the undercover operative who leaked the intel to the law enforcement bureau?"
His voice dropped low, carrying a hint of concern.
Duan Tian paused mid-reach for a snack, cast his gaze into the distance, and sighed softly:
"Killed by them the very same day. Word is he endured countless tortures before drawing his last breath. He was a good comrade, yet not even a memorial service could be held for him after his death."
His voice was laden with regret and sorrow.
Hearing this, a wave of melancholy welled up inside Li Chao.
Indeed, undercover work was inherently an extremely perilous assignment.
They altered their appearances, exhausting every method to get close to criminals and assist relevant departments in bringing them to justice.
Sometimes they succeeded, but more often than not, they perished along the way.
Even after their deaths, their families remained ignorant of the cause, forced to conceal their contributions and identities out of fear of criminal retaliation.
Li Chao's mood grew heavy, filled with deep respect and sympathy for those unsung, sacrificing undercover agents.