Chapter 15: Claiming Merit on Your Behalf

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Inside the basement, the sound of the rolling shutter echoed like a heavy hammer striking hard on the hearts of the seven men. They all instinctively turned toward the door. At the same time, the assassin who already held a dagger silently sheathed it like a ghost vanishing without a trace.

“What’s going on? Didn’t you say no one usually comes looking for you here?” One assassin’s face darkened ominously, as if it could drip water, glaring fiercely at the tattoo artist.

“I don’t know either,” the tattoo artist replied, his expression puzzled. His gaze was magnetically fixed on the door, yet the knocking outside showed no sign of stopping.

“Master Wu, are you there? I’m sent by Old Man Li from East Street. He said I could find you here.” Li Mo’s voice suddenly thundered out in the local dialect.

“Old Man Li?” The tattoo artist was momentarily stunned, then forced a grimace more painful than tears toward the door. “I have clients here. Could you come back this afternoon?”

“No, Master Wu, there are four of us and we’re in a hurry. Could you make an exception? We’re willing to pay extra!” Li Mo’s voice rang out again, like a life-or-death incantation.

Outside the shutter, beside Li Mo, Sergeant Hao stood like a statue flanked by two soldiers, one on each side, while Li Mo stood like a guardian facing the door.

Their perimeter was fortified like a net cast across heaven and earth, ensuring the assassins inside the basement couldn’t break out. Yet, due to the labyrinthine layout of the basement, the only way to confront the assassins was to enter head-on—a daunting and grueling siege.

Hearing the mention of extra payment, the tattoo artist hesitated.

He glanced at the six assassins. “Gentlemen, I’m almost done here. Can I…?”

“Finish what you’re doing with them first, then tend to him,” one assassin said coldly.

“Alright, thank you, thank you,” the tattoo artist said to the assassins, then turned toward the door. “Wait just a moment, I’ll be done soon and then I’ll open the door for you.”

Hearing this, Li Mo exchanged a glance with Sergeant Hao.

After about three or four minutes, the tattoo artist set down his tools and told the three assassins lying on the ground, “It’s done. These two can dress now; you’ll have to wait longer to avoid complications with the tattoo removal area.”

With that, the tattoo artist rose and walked toward the shutter, his mood noticeably buoyant. After all, these six assassins had paid extra for tattoo removal, choosing the most expensive method, demanding only faint traces remained.

Outside, four more clients were willing to pay extra.

Smiling broadly, the tattoo artist pulled open the shutter and froze upon seeing Li Mo, Sergeant Hao, and the two soldiers standing outside.

Without hesitation, Li Mo reached out, grabbed the tattoo artist, and dragged him out of the basement.

At that instant, the two soldiers flanking Sergeant Hao hurled stun grenades they had long prepared into the basement.

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Two seconds later, inside the basement, a blinding white flash accompanied by an ear-piercing noise burst forth.

“Move in!”

Before the noise subsided, Sergeant Hao shouted to the two soldiers, and the three charged in together.

Li Mo was a half-step behind but immediately followed.

Inside, six assassins blinded by the stun grenades—three clutched their eyes wailing in pain.

Two others, tears streaming down their faces, had already opened two boxes and were reaching inside.

The last assassin had pulled a long rifle from his box.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Li Mo raised his handgun and fired multiple shots at the assassin who had the rifle.

The two soldiers rushed toward the two still reaching into their boxes, delivering flying kicks.

From the moment Li Mo and his team entered the basement to the two assassins being kicked away, mere seconds passed.

Sergeant Hao’s gun was trained on the three wailing assassins clutching their eyes.

As the two assassins were struck, several more soldiers arrived.

These soldiers immediately raised their weapons, scanning the surroundings, lowering their guns only after seeing Sergeant Hao and Li Mo had the situation under control.

Li Mo immediately went to the downed assassin he had shot, kicking away the rifle to confirm the threat was neutralized.

Soon after, the five surviving assassins were escorted out by Sergeant Hao’s men, and Sergeant Hao approached Li Mo.

“You okay?”

Sergeant Hao examined Li Mo carefully. Li Mo’s decisive shots had eliminated the armed assassin, reducing the danger of the operation by ninety percent.

If that assassin had fired successfully, their casualties would have been significantly higher.

“I’m fine.”

Li Mo looked down at the assassin lying in a pool of blood, his gaze settling on the sniper rifle with a scope discarded nearby.

At that moment, Tang Hu and Zheng Tao arrived with other officers, entering the basement.

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“Director Tang, could you arrange for someone to verify as soon as possible whether this rifle is the one used to kill Wang Ze?” Li Mo asked Tang Hu.

“Sure!” Tang Hu agreed immediately.

Among those present, Tang Hu was the most excited. As the nominal leader and commander of this operation, the credit he would receive was considerable.

“Li Mo, you’re unharmed, right?”

Zheng Tao was the first to reach Li Mo’s side, scrutinizing him intently before relaxing.

Relieved, Zheng Tao’s heart swelled with joy. After all, the lead on this case was discovered by both him and Li Mo, meaning they would share the primary credit for this success.

“Let’s head out. The evidence team will take over here,” Tang Hu told Li Mo.

“Alright.”

Li Mo nodded, his mind racing to ensure no detail was overlooked before finally exhaling in relief.

Once outside with Tang Hu, Li Mo looked at the five captured assassins and asked, “Director Tang, have they all been searched?”

“Rest assured, they were subjected to the strictest checks. Sergeant Hao’s men even removed anything hidden in their teeth.”

“My men handle things thoroughly. They treated these spies as such; even theirI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.