BPIFC -Volume 1 – Chapter 13 Scheming

These few “heartwarming” words, however, completely offended the hunchback outside.

He snorted coldly and said,

“So, Director Sun, what exactly do you mean by this? Looking down on my gift? Then give it back.”

As he spoke, the hunchback actually reached into the van, trying to grab the sandalwood box from Che Qianzi’s hand.

Before he could touch it, Che Qianzi slapped the back of his hand away. Then he grabbed a wrench from the back seat and started shouting as he tried to get out of the van and fight him.

“You hunchback! Trying to rob me in broad daylight? Believe it or not, I’ll hammer that crooked back of yours straight! I don’t care whose pearl this used to be—it’s mine now! Touch it again if you dare!”

Fortunately, Sun Desheng reacted quickly and wrapped his arms around Che Qianzi.

Then he shouted to the stunned hunchback:

“What are you standing there for? Run! Run now!

Not to brag, but when my little brother here goes crazy, he doesn’t even spare Director Wu!”

The hunchback didn’t believe this young Taoist would dare attack Wu Rendi. Still, seeing people in the Ghost Market looking this way, he didn’t want his identity exposed.

With no choice, he turned and left the van angrily.

Before leaving, he threw out one final sentence:

“This matter has gotten too big, Director Sun. You’d better prepare yourself.”

Returning to the market, he once again became the humble wonton-stall owner. Wearing a pitiful expression, he pointed toward Sun Desheng and Che Qianzi while talking to the others.

Judging by his gestures, he seemed to be telling everyone that the young tax officer had eaten two bowls of wontons but only paid for one, and when he came to collect the rest of the money, the man refused to admit it.

Sun Desheng paid no attention to whatever story the hunchback was telling.

Smiling, he calmed Che Qianzi down.

“Brother, do me a favor and let this one go.

Besides, killing that hunchback wouldn’t accomplish anything. He’s just the front man for the people behind the Ghost Market.

There are plenty more like him.

Relax. When we get back to Yanjing, come visit my house. I’ll give you another pearl so you can have a matching pair.

You can play with them when you’re bored.”

Thanks to the Night Pearl, most of Che Qianzi’s anger faded.

After putting the pearl away, he asked:

“Fine. Just tell me what you want me to do.

Aren’t you looking for some Guangyuan Underworld Mirror or whatever?

Is that thing in the hunchback’s hands?

I’ll knock him out later, and you can search his place.”

“Don’t be so violent all the time,” Sun Desheng replied with a grin.

“I’m a civilized person.

And besides, that treasure isn’t in his possession. He doesn’t have that kind of authority.

No rush. First, let’s stir up the Ghost Market a little more.

There’s still plenty of time before sunrise.”

Before Sun Desheng could continue, a BMW sedan suddenly pulled up beside the van.

The driver’s window rolled down, revealing a pockmarked man in his forties.

“Dasheng!

I was just coming over to help you gather information, but it looks like you got here first.

Changed uniforms again?

Last time we met, I remember you were pretending to be Customs.

Your reach really is incredible.”

The man laughed and tossed a cigar through the window into Sun Desheng’s hand.

Then he continued:

“After your phone call two nights ago, I asked around.

I haven’t heard anything about a new face selling paintings or calligraphy in the Ghost Market.”

This pockmarked man was Nie Laosan—the very person Sun Desheng had mentioned to Yang Xiao.

They had met years ago when Sun Desheng was working undercover in a narcotics investigation.

Nie Laosan was originally from Jiuhe. Over the years he’d returned home and built quite a reputation, with connections on both the legal and illegal sides of society.

Sun Desheng laughed and handed the cigar to Che Qianzi.

Then he opened the van door and said:

“Third Brother, come sit with us.

Not to brag, but it’s been years since we last met.

Once this mess is over, breakfast is on me.”

“Breakfast can wait. I’m the local host here—it should be my treat.”

Nie Laosan made no move to approach.

After a pause, he continued:

“Here’s the thing.

I have some business inside the Ghost Market too.

Don’t worry—it’s not drugs or weapons. I wouldn’t dare touch those.

Just a few crates of smuggled goods I bought cheap.

I can’t exactly afford to let them rot in storage.”

Sun Desheng chuckled.

“Understood.

Go tell them I approved it.

Have your people move the goods out immediately.”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony.

Once daylight comes, let’s go have Cantonese dim sum.

Consider it a welcome banquet.”

With that, Nie Laosan drove to the Ghost Market entrance and spoke to the enforcement officers stationed there.

Moments later, Sun Desheng’s walkie-talkie crackled:

“Captain Sun, there’s a man named Nie Huafeng here. He says you authorized him to move some cargo.”

Sun Desheng grinned.

“Nie Huafeng? Nie Fenghua? Never heard of him.

Detain him.

From now until sunrise, nobody leaves this place.

People can come in, but nobody goes out.

If anyone causes trouble, stop them immediately.

And remember—don’t be afraid of making this situation bigger.”

Nie Laosan never expected Sun Desheng to betray him so casually.

He immediately erupted into curses.

Some officers moved to stop him, but Sun Desheng spoke into the radio again:

“Let him curse.

Didn’t I just say not to worry about making a scene?

The bigger the commotion, the better.

Let’s see who can’t afford the consequences.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but once amplified through the radio, the noisy Ghost Market instantly fell silent.

Che Qianzi glanced at the crowd and then looked at Sun Desheng.

“I get it now.

The ones afraid of things getting out of hand aren’t you—it’s the people behind the Ghost Market, right?

That’s why all their transactions are conducted secretly, and everyone rushes to leave before sunrise.”

Sun Desheng smiled.

Checking his watch, he said:

“Exactly.

That’s why I’m not in a hurry.

If this matter isn’t resolved before daylight, the people in trouble won’t be me.”

Che Qianzi didn’t particularly care.

He had already acquired a Night Pearl that could probably support him for the rest of his life.

As for the IOU and contract Sun Desheng had tricked him into signing in the hospital, he wasn’t worried about those either.

He had never been a man obsessed with honoring contracts.

If necessary, he’d just tie up the fat man, beat him up, and rewrite the documents himself.

About fifteen minutes later, after receiving permission, the hunchbacked wonton vendor returned to the van.

This time, all of his arrogance was gone.

Lowering his head, he said:

“Director Sun, I’m here with an offer.

One thousand taels of gold and fifty years of lifespan.

In exchange, you order the people from the Bureau to withdraw.”

Sun Desheng smiled.

“One thousand taels?

I’ll pay ten thousand.

As for taking fifty years off my lifespan—go ahead if you’re capable.

I want whatever it is you’re selling in the Ghost Market.

Not to brag, but you can name your price.

Money, gold—anything.

I won’t bargain.

If you want to trade for another treasure instead, say so.

There aren’t many things in this world that I can’t get my hands on.”

“No.”

The hunchback, Camel, shook his head without hesitation.

“Director Sun, your reputation is too famous.

There’s not a single ‘person’ in this circle who hasn’t heard of you.

If you buy it, then everyone will know.

If those items could safely see the light of day, our boss wouldn’t need to sell them through the Ghost Market in the first place.”

Sun Desheng didn’t become angry.

Instead, he turned toward Che Qianzi, smiled, and winked.

Although impulsive, Che Qianzi wasn’t stupid.

He immediately understood.

“Then how about me?

I’m not famous.

I’ll buy everything.

Whatever you’re selling, I’ll take the whole lot.”

The hunchback hadn’t expected Che Qianzi to jump into the negotiation.

He still hadn’t investigated the young man’s background and didn’t dare answer recklessly.

Just as he hesitated, the temperature around them suddenly dropped.

A layer of frost instantly formed across the van’s windows.

Then the frost slowly shaped itself into a human face.

The icy face stared directly at Sun Desheng and spoke:

“Sun Desheng… you’ve gone too far this time.

You’re playing with fire.”