Chapter 205: The Phone Call

Among the photos Li Mochen took out from the folder, most were of buildings taken from a distance, and some were close-up shots of people.

“The intelligence provided by the Nathan Sports Group is very detailed, offering many valuable targets. Among them is the Lehberd Chemical Plant, which they have confirmed is a place where the Blood Hand Gang processes drugs. They estimate a large amount of raw materials are stockpiled there, but the place is heavily guarded, with at least thirty magical professionals working there. Then there's the Fick River Bay Dock, used for smuggling people, drugs, weapons, and so on. The four ships docked there are all owned by the Antonio River Transport Company, making them valuable targets. At 34 Anfak Street, there is an unstable spatial rift through which they smuggle monster materials from hunting groups like the Ghost War Song to the Bright World, collecting commissions. The Bramor Warehouse—the Nathan Sports Group's intelligence department believes it is another of Antonio's treasuries. This is Abdul Muhammad, a Middle Easterner, general manager of the Craig Community Bank, and Antonio's financial steward. Kajaran, a senior cadre of the Blood Hand Gang, responsible for intelligence, is Antonio's right-hand man—”

“BOSS, the Blood Hand Gang has many targets worth striking, all of great value.”

Sampson Brute interrupted Li Mochen: “Before that, I want to know what effect you aim to achieve in the upcoming operations, and with what purpose?”

A look of appreciation appeared in Li Mochen's eyes: “Sampson, do you know why I became hostile to Antonio?”

“I do!”

Sampson nodded: “Hazel Wiltonstein, the cousin you plan to adopt. Antonio refuses to let her go, right? This girl should be very important to the Dragon Witch Cult. I'm afraid it will be very difficult to force them to release her, and Antonio probably can't make the decision either.”

“The Nathan Sports Group has confirmed that Hazel is still in this city. They speculate that she can't leave Atlanta for now, likely because they need to use some special environment or a location with special significance in this city. In mysticism, many rituals must be completed at specific locations, specific environments, and specific times. However, the Nathan Sports Group's intelligence personnel also estimate that our time is limited; they will likely complete everything within ten to twenty days.”

Li Mochen's tone was calm, but filled with killing intent: “So my goal is simple: find Hazel's location within ten days, then rescue her.”

Sampson frowned: “I noticed that among the intelligence provided by the Nathan Sports Group, there are at least eight suspicious locations, including two hospitals and the Fick River Bay Dock. With our strength, we could launch a direct assault at this time, but the outcome would likely be far from satisfactory.”

“So my current plan is to hit Antonio's living forces as hard as possible within these ten days and weaken his financial power.”

Li Mochen tapped on the photos: “And these targets provided by the Nathan Group are all his vital points.”

Sampson had already grasped Li Mochen's intention and extrapolated: “That is, to kill as many of their personnel as possible, without particularly caring whether these targets are destroyed? We could even attack where the enemy must rescue, using this method to ambush their relief forces, right?”

“That's the plan!”

The smile on Li Mochen's face grew thicker: “Then we also need to separate Antonio from the Blood Hand Gang as much as possible.”

This was achievable, he had already learned. The Blood Hand Gang was indeed one of the branches of the Mafia, but after Antonio, a believer in the Dragon Witch Cult, became its leader, they had drawn closer to the Dragon Witch Cult.

“That's a good method. There will never be a shortage of ambitious people within the Blood Hand Gang.”

Sampson also admired Li Mochen; though the latter was young, he possessed wisdom sufficient to contend with a figure like Antonio.

“But BOSS, how do you plan to do it? Focus on striking Antonio's forces to breed dissent among them?”

“That's one method, but I find it too slow.”

Li Mochen nodded: “Another method is to apply pressure continuously around the clock. I will have people harass all of the Blood Hand Gang's business premises nonstop—for example, throwing a grenade through their windows or shooting at the entrance of a nightclub. This doesn't need to be carried out by combat troops; I will hire mercenaries or even assassins through various channels. Sampson, the reason I'm informing you of this plan is that I hope your troops can cooperate a bit during this period.”

He had another idea he didn't mention: if the situation required it, after the forces around Antonio were continuously weakened, he might personally act to take Antonio's life.

“I understand.”

But there was a hint of doubt in Sampson Brute's eyes: “Yet I think this won't have much effect. If I were them, I would make good use of the police. I think the police department would also not want continuous violent incidents in their jurisdiction.”

He even thought that Li Mochen's actions would offend everyone from the top to the bottom of the East District Police Department, which would be more harm than good.

“You've forgotten, Sampson.”

Li Mochen laughed: “The Blood Hand Gang deals in illegal business. The police can indeed help them guard those shops, nightclubs, bars, and so on, but what about their business? If they have the guts to conduct smuggling and drug trafficking under the police's noses, then I have nothing to say. As for the police department, there's no need to worry too much—”

As he spoke, Li Mochen took two newspaper clippings from the folder.

Sampson looked and saw that one was the headline of today's Atlanta Weekly Post, and the enlarged font made his pupils contract slightly.

——Sources say that Cressy Jakes may have been involved in bid rigging for the city library project.

“Cressy Jakes? The Speaker of the Atlanta City Council?”

“Also an important member of the Dragon Witch Cult and the Blood Hand Gang's biggest supporter in the government.”

Li Mochen tapped on Cressy Jakes's photo: “Carl placed it on the first page of the folder.”

He naturally knew Carl's intention; this was undoubtedly the work of Dwight Payton. The man's attack was decisive, swift, and fierce.

Carl wanted to tell him that Dwight Payton and the Nathan Sports Group were supporting him unreservedly and not sitting idly by. This also demonstrated Dwight Payton's power in Atlanta.

“It seems you have a powerful ally.”

Sampson looked at the other clipping, also from the Atlanta Weekly Post, but its space was much smaller than the headline and seemed less important.

Senator Claire Attends Oak Street Community Charity Auction—

This had nothing to do with the Blood Hand Gang or the Nathan Group, but Sampson saw Dwight Payton's figure in the photo accompanying the report. He was in a corner clinking glasses with someone, chatting amiably.

Sampson instinctively felt that this matter was not simple. Otherwise, Carl would not have placed this clipping in the folder.

He recalled information about this person in his mind and soon felt a stir. That was Bernier Jenks, a senior city council member who chaired Atlanta's Budget Committee and Cressy Jakes's biggest rival within the party.

At that moment, a phone rang in the living room. Li Mochen, with a premonition, walked over and picked up the phone on the coffee table, then heard Antonio's voice.

“Kid, my Craig Community Bank—that was you, right?”