<h4>Chapter 1179: Chapter 1186: Killing Intent in the Dark Night (2)</h4>


    Two days passed in the blink of an eye.


    Since the assault that day, Ling Chen had strengthened the security forces around the tunnel, with Beison’s team monitoring 24/7. Furthermore, Ling Chen had moved directly into the shopfront to prevent that woman fromunching another sneak attack.


    During these two days, Ling Chen sped up the excavation progress, reaching over forty meters deep. If all went smoothly, they’d likely discover Ling Gengqiu’s tomb in about a day. On this day, Ling Chen stood outside the tunnel, supervising his subordinates’ work. Watching bucketfuls of soil being hauled up, Ling Chen felt an excitement he couldn’t suppress.


    Knock! Knock! Knock!


    At this moment, a sudden knocking sounded from outside. Ling Chen turned to look at the rolling shutter door, sensing something was amiss. They had agreed beforehand that if there were knocks of three longs and three shorts, it meant their own people had arrived.


    "Beison, who’s out there?"


    Soon, Beison approached with a handheld monitor. Seeing the situation on screen, Ling Chen silently cursed! Outside the door was Xia Mutong, and besides her, there were more than ten police officers.


    How did she end up here? Ling Chen was a bit surprised; he hadn’t contacted Xia Mutong for a long time, she couldn’t possibly know where he was. Moreover, Xia Mutong seemed to be on a mission to catch a thief.


    Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!


    The knocking outside grew louder, and simultaneously, Xia Mutong’s voice came from outside: "Police, open the door!"


    "Mr. Ling, what should we do?" Beison asked, "Should we..."


    Before Beison could finish, Ling Chen waved his hand and said, "Don’t worry about it, I’ll handle the police outside. You continue with the n." After saying this, Ling Chen walked to the door and had someone lift the rolling shutter door. As the door rose to knee height, Ling Chen bent down and slipped outside, quickly lowering the door to block the police outside.


    At this moment, seeing Ling Chen emerge from inside, Xia Mutong looked very surprised, "What are you doing here?"


    Ling Chen asked with a bitter smile, "Officer Xia, I should be asking you how you knew my whereabouts. Also..." Ling Chen pointed to the policemen behind Xia Mutong and asked, confused, "What are you doing? Arresting criminals?"


    "We received a report saying that here..." Before she finished, Xia Mutong suddenly realized something and looked at Ling Chen warily, asking, "Don’t ask what I’m here for. Instead, let me ask you, what are you doing here, and why won’t you let us in?"


    "Officer Xia, I just rented this ce. Why can’t I be here? Besides, we’re not doing anything illegal, and if people see such a bigmotion, it’ll create a very bad impression. How will I run my business afterwards?"


    "Is it really like that?" Xia Mutong looked at Ling Chen half-believing, saying, "If that’s the case, why don’t you take me in for a look? If it’s truly as you say, I’ll immediately withdraw, won’t make things difficult for you."


    Ling Chen hesitated for a moment and then nodded, "Alright, youe in with me, others stay outside, lest they scare my brothers." After speaking, Ling Chen lightly knocked on the door. Soon, the rolling shutter door lifted, and Beison, d in work clothes, walked out from inside.


    "Boss, what’s up?"


    "It’s nothing, Officer Xia suspects we’re engaging in illegal activities, so I’m taking her in for a look."


    After entering the shopfront, Xia Mutong saw over ten youths in work attire, painting walls, others dismantling dpidated cabs, with wood nks, dust, and dirt all over the ground.


    Ling Chen walked beside Xia Mutong, smiling, "Officer Xia, as you can see, we’re renovating."


    "Then why did I receive a report saying illegal activities are happening here?"


    Ling Chen shrugged, helplessly saying, "You know my background, it’s definitely someone trying to displease me, targeting me deliberately. Hey! Did the person who reported say who they are?"


    "No."


    "There you go. They’re guilty, afraid you’ll pursue them, so they didn’t leave a name. Officer Xia, it’s rare for us to meet, why don’t we go to the tea shop across the street?"


    Xia Mutong red at Ling Chen, speaking with exasperation, "Do you think I’m like you? I’m currently at work, don’t have time to apany you. Alright, since there’s no issue here, I won’t disturb your work."


    Watching Xia Mutong turn to leave, Ling Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly called for the rolling shutter door to be lowered. Meanwhile, several youths cleared away the wooden boards on the ground, revealing a two-meter wide tunnel. Inside the tunnel, at least forty people were hidden. Fortunately, Ling Chen was prepared, avoiding exposure to Xia Mutong. Otherwise, he’d have to waste breath exining again.


    Regarding Xia Mutong’s arrival, Ling Chen didn’t feel much, instead, he felt a small anticipation. Xia Mutong’s sudden visit indicated that the assault’s culprit had acted. Well, he had waited so long, they finally showed up!


    As night fell, dozens of workers continued their excavation. Ling Chen nced at the time and said, "Beison, keep watch for me. I’m going out for a midnight snack, will be back soon."


    "No problem, boss."


    Leaving the shopfront, it was alreadyte night, the wide streets were deste, not a person in sight, asionally a taxi sped by.


    Ling Chen walked along the road to another street, seeing several barbecue stalls set up by the roadside, business was not booming, only two or three customers. Ling Chen walked up, ordered two handfuls of skewers, plus a bottle of beer, enjoying his drink.


    Apparently very hungry, soon, Ling Chen finished the skewers, wiped his mouth in satisfaction. After paying, Ling Chen bought more food, preparing to reward his brothers back home. It had been exhausting days of excavation, as the boss, he had to show some gratitude.


    Returning, it was past midnight, all the street lights by the roadside extinguished, roads were pitch ck, not even a hand could be seen.


    Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind came, swiftly reaching Ling Chen’s proximity. The adversary was exceedingly fast; in a sh, Ling Chen sensed danger approaching. Without thinking, Ling Chen pivoted swiftly, quickly retreating, a cold glint brushed past, just grazing his neck.


    What a close call! Ling Chen was startled, didn’t expect the opponent to be so skillful.


    When Ling Chen readied his defenses, prepared for another bout, the assant vanished, disappeared into the surrounding darkness. Ling Chen looked around, ears perked, carefully listening to the surroundings. Yet, while he heard the sound of leaves falling, he couldn’t hear the attacker’s footsteps.


    Impossible... no one can hide so well, unless they are a Heavenly List master. Clearly, the one who ambushed him was no Heavenly List master. Otherwise, nine lives wouldn’t be enough for him.