Chapter 160: The Crazy Woman is Back
"Younger Brother Zhou, do you know where the killer is? Can I come along?" At the mention of catching the killer, Zhang Long was instantly thrilled, forgetting all about his earlier shock.
"I know where he is, but you can't go." Zhou Fan had received the news on his way over. Xiaobu—the strongest member of the Assassination Squad, even a touch stronger than Viper—was in the neighboring province.
When Zhou Fan first established the Assassination Squad and chose Viper as its leader, Xiaobu had been very unhappy. But since it was Zhou Fan's decision, he hadn't dared to voice his complaints. Instead, the kid chose to leave halfway through, and when he did, he made off with a lot of good stuff.
At the time, Viper had sent men after him, hoping to bring Xiaobu back. But not only did they fail, the men who were sent were killed by Xiaobu instead.
The moment he saw the insignia Zhang Long had shown him, he knew the killer was Xiaobu. Only Xiaobu enjoyed leaving behind a signature mark after a kill. On one hand, it was to show off his power; on the other, it was a message to everyone else: if you want someone dead, he's the right man for the job.
"Why can't I go? I want to kill him with my own hands and avenge my brother!" Zhang Long protested. 'But Zhou Fan promised me!'
"I promise I'll bring him back to you. You just sit tight and wait here. I'm worried if you come, I'll end up having to protect you," Zhou Fan said, rolling his eyes. 'How can this guy be so dense?'
Back at the hotel, Zhou Fan was just about to wash up when Ying Yi approached him, a mysterious look on his face.
"I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?" Ying Yi asked, pulling Zhou Fan to sit down. He shot a wary glance at He Yi, who had been about to approach but was now stopped in his tracks.
"Neither. Say it or don't. Stop being so mysterious," Zhou Fan said with a dismissive glance at them, then made a move to get up and leave.
'Such children. How old are they, still playing these games?'
"Fine, forget it then. I was going to tell you some news about the Elder Witch, too," Ying Yi said. Seeing Zhou Fan's reaction, he didn't try to stop him, instead leaning back casually and pulling out a cigarette. Just as he was about to light it, a lighter was already at his lips.
"Bro, I might have been a little loud just now. Don't mind me!" Zhou Fan said with a sycophantic grin. Not far away, He Yi couldn't help but facepalm. 'Do these two have no shame?'
"Because of the botched mission to corner Blake's group, the Double Squad suffered heavy casualties. The two of us were stripped of our command. Now we have no rank, no subordinates," Ying Yi said unhappily, taking a drag from his cigarette and exhaling.
"Okay," Zhou Fan nodded. "So what's the bad news?"
"What do you mean, 'what's the bad news'? This *is* the fucking bad news!" Ying Yi exploded. If he thought he could win, he probably would have kicked Zhou Fan already. He Yi also walked over and slumped onto the opposite sofa, glaring at Zhou Fan with a deeply wronged expression. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought Zhou Fan had broken his heart.
"Are you two nuts? You got fired, what the hell does that have to do with me? Besides," Zhou Fan continued, "the head of the Third Squad is the Lingling Daoist. Right now, besides a few old-timers, the only one in your Third Squad who's worth a damn is that crazy woman, Dragon Fang. If they don't make you two leaders, who will they use? They'll have to reinstate you sooner or later, won't they?"
Seeing them like this, Zhou Fan couldn't help but start cursing them. He ended up insulting not only Tiger Teeth and Wolf Fang, but also the strongest and most mysterious member, Dragon Fang.
"You... Zhou Fan, you've gone too far! Our Third Squad is filled with talent; it's not just that crazy woman!" Ying Yi said, pointing an angry finger at Zhou Fan. Then, his bravado crumbled. "Though... as harsh as that sounds, you're probably right."
"I'm still not happy about it! Why the hell did they bench me? It was obviously your master who misread the situation. If he had brought a few other Elders along, would that Blake guy have been so damn cocky?"
He Yi muttered with a pout. The Lingling Daoist was Ying Yi's master, not his.
The main reason he was upset was that, after being dismissed, He Yi could no longer openly use the organization's resources for his training, which was seriously hindering his progress.
"Just tell me the news about the Elder Witch!" Zhou Fan cut in, seeing that the two were about to start arguing. He had to change the subject.
"We got a message from that crazy woman. Yesterday, in Hui Province, she encountered a mysterious person who rescued her target right from under her nose. She was defeated by this person in just three moves and, on top of that, was afflicted with their gu poison." Ying Yi took out his phone and showed Zhou Fan the message from headquarters detailing the report from Dragon Fang.
"Hui Province? That woman is back? Holy shit! I have to go to Hui Province for something, why is she back now? Isn't she just trying to stir up trouble?" Zhou Fan didn't hear another word Ying Yi said. He was speechless, on the verge of a breakdown. It seemed he had a major issue with this "crazy woman."
"We should be the ones freaking out, not you! That crazy woman beats us up every time we see her. Why are you acting like this?" Ying Yi asked, looking at Zhou Fan with confusion. "Don't tell me you two have some history?"