The musty, metallic scent of blood assaulted Chen Fan's nostrils as he descended the spiral staircase leading into the underground vault. The dim light from old bulbs was insufficient to dispel the gloom that enveloped the place. Chen Fan knew this was a living hell for many.
His Heavenly Eye Technique automatically activated. Every wall, every nook and cranny became clear in his vision. He saw makeshift cells where debtors were beaten and tortured. He saw a larger room, likely the casino, with flickering lights and the shouts of those losing their minds to gambling. And at the end of the corridor, he saw a heavily guarded room where the spiritual qi seemed more chaotic – that must be where Big Eagle was.
Lin Jun!
Chen Fan quickly pinpointed Lin Jun's location. The young man was tied to a chair in a small cell, his body covered in bruises, looking very weak. Beside him were two thugs standing guard.
He wasted no time. His steps were as light as a cat's, making no sound. Nearing the cell, Chen Fan channeled spiritual energy, a cold aura emanating from his hand. He flicked his wrist, and two small stones, enveloped in spiritual energy, shot straight towards the two thugs.
"THUD! THUD!"
The two thugs collapsed instantly, unable to utter a single sound. They only felt a powerful force strike the back of their necks, then everything plunged into darkness.
Chen Fan entered the room. Lin Jun looked up, his blurry eyes staring at him, thinking he was dreaming.
"Bro... Brother Chen Fan?" Lin Jun stammered, his voice weak.
"It's me. Don't be scared," Chen Fan said, quickly untying him. "They can't do anything to you anymore."
Lin Jun, now untied, trembled all over. Chen Fan used his spiritual energy to send a warm current into his body, helping him calm down somewhat.
"Stay here and wait. I'll deal with them," Chen Fan instructed. "Absolutely do not leave."
"Yes... yes, sir..." Lin Jun nodded frantically.
Chen Fan turned, his gaze sharp. He headed straight for the room at the end of the corridor. The closer he got, the louder the noise became.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside. It was a spacious room, ostentatiously decorated in a vulgar manner. In the center was a large poker table, surrounded by rough-looking men smoking and drinking. And sitting in the main chair, with an arrogant expression, was Big Eagle himself. He had a large scar on his cheekbone, and his squinting eyes held a ruthless glint.
Beside him were two tall, muscular bodyguards.
"Who's this kid? Wrong place?" Big Eagle sneered, his voice hoarse, looking at Chen Fan as if he were an ant.
"Are you Big Eagle?" Chen Fan asked indifferently, ignoring the taunts.
"That's right! Who are you? Looking for a death wish?" One bodyguard roared, preparing to charge.
Chen Fan said nothing more. He circulated the Heavenly Dao Decree, spiritual energy surging. He didn't need to hide anymore. An invisible oppressive aura emanated from his entire being, making everyone in the room feel suffocated.
Big Eagle and the other thugs were stunned. They had never seen such an aura from an ordinary person.
"You owe a blood debt to many," Chen Fan said, stepping forward. "Today, I'll reclaim it all."
The first bodyguard charged. Chen Fan didn't dodge, delivering a powerful horizontal kick straight to his knee. "CRACK!" The sound of bone breaking was clear. The bodyguard fell to the ground, clutching his knee and moaning pitifully.
The remaining bodyguard and the thugs began to panic, but still charged forward. Chen Fan showed no mercy. He moved like the wind; every punch, every kick carried powerful spiritual energy. They were no match for him. Some had broken arms, some shattered noses, others simply fell unconscious.
In an instant, the entire room became chaotic. Chen Fan stood amidst the scattered bodies, no one daring to approach him.
Big Eagle finally stood up, his face pale with fear. He pulled out a pistol, aiming it directly at Chen Fan.
"Who are you?! Who the hell are you?!" Big Eagle roared, his hand trembling.
"Ding! Detecting firearms! Does Host wish to use Heavenly Eye Technique to find a weak point?" The System's voice chimed.
"Find," Chen Fan silently commanded.
Immediately, the image of the pistol in Big Eagle's hand became clearer, and a red blinking dot appeared right on the safety latch.
Chen Fan subtly sneered. Too slow. He launched himself, swift as a flash, directly at Big Eagle. Before Big Eagle could pull the trigger, Chen Fan grabbed his wrist and twisted it backward.
"CRACK!"
The sound of a wrist bone snapping was brutally clear. The gun clattered to the ground. Big Eagle shrieked in agony.
Chen Fan grabbed him by the neck, lifting him off the ground. "Your underground vault, where you hide your illicit goods, and your list of debtors. Speak!"
Big Eagle trembled, his eyes filled with fear as he looked at Chen Fan. He had never encountered such a terrifying person.
"In... in the safe... under the floor... the last room..." Big Eagle stammered.
Chen Fan threw him down. He went straight to the last room, easily disabling the electronic lock of the safe with spiritual energy. Inside were piles of cash, gold, and a thick stack of documents: the list of debtors.
He also found several bags of drugs and illegal weapons.
"Ding! Main Quest: Eradicate Urban Evildoers completed!"
"Host receives 300 Experience Points, 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, one 'Initial-Grade Heavenly Eye Technique' skill!"
"Total Experience Points: 300/2000."
"Total Spirit Stones: 40 Low-Grade."
"Ding! Host receives 'Urban Useful Item': 1 Physical Enhancement Ticket!"
Chen Fan collected the documents and crucial evidence, placing them into his Cosmos Bag. He also didn't forget to take the huge amount of cash and gold. After all, this was illicit money; taking from robbers wasn't stealing.
Then, he made a phone call. "Hello? Police? I want to report a case. There's a large-scale loan shark and illegal gambling syndicate operating at Bar X, Area Y. The leader is Big Eagle. Evidence and the list of debtors are in the safe under the floor of the last room."
After speaking, he quickly left the bar. By now, police sirens were echoing in the distance.
Chen Fan returned to his Celestial Garden Lake apartment, feeling refreshed and relieved. He had completed the quest, rescued Lin Jun, and dismantled a criminal syndicate.
He looked at the Physical Enhancement Ticket in his hand. An urban useful item? Let's see what it does.