Chapter 257: Manifest

"It is important." But so was Shen Qui. "But we needed to stabilize this city first." She and the others got inside the car with Gu Cheng on the driver's seat.

"Miss Xi, this City had always been like this before I was even born. While my family doesn't live in the slums, most of my friends do. In fact, when my mother kicked me out for stabbing someone, a friend of mine offered his home to me. That home was located in the slums of Mr. Olfan's Territory. The poverty and crimes were too much even for me. I ended up leaving because I couldn't stomach it."

Gu Cheng immediately snorted when he heard Ma Ping's words. "Is there really something you couldn't stomach?"

"You haven't been there. You spent your time staying in libraries so you haven't seen the whole world outside! Hmph! One time, I saw an old woman who was stabbed because she refused to give the thugs the two cents that she found in the garbage. I was about to stop them when my friend stopped me and told me that involving myself would involve him and his whole family too."

Ma Ping let out a sigh while shaking his head. At that time, he really wanted to help but he was also concern about his friend's family. "In the end, I have to leave. I can't keep on watching stuff like that happened in front of me all the time." His words were followed by silence as the car slowed before finally stopping in front of a woman wearing a cap, a black guitar bag was hanging on the woman's shoulders. 

Junqi quickly entered the car and smiled at everyone.

"Junqi, your sniping skills are becoming better and better. One of these days, you will surely surpass me."

"You don't have sniping skills." Gu Cheng was quick to protect his woman from Ma Ping's teasing.

"And you don't have balls! What kind of man doesn't even know how to hit a target?" Ma Ping snorted in response.

However, Lyca continued ignoring the two. She looked out of the car before closing her eyes. Until now, she couldn't forget about that necklace that the man in pink was wearing. A part of her was telling her that this was all a coincidence while a part of her was telling her to do some research about that matter. Moreover, there was also the case of her grandfather's poisoning. Until now, the old man was still in a coma, his body was basically dead, only his brain is awake because of the current technology. That poison shouldn't be in this world. Or at least, no one in this world was able to concoct the same poison yet. However, humans evolve. No one really knows if someone would be able to make that poison by accident.

Lyca already tried to ask Yi'an to inquire and get a list of people who had the type of poison and venom that they use to concoct the poison for her grandfather. But they weren't able to track that person down.

"Where are we going next, Miss Xi? Are we going to kick some ass this time?" Ma Ping interrupted Lyca's stupor. She eyed him before nodding. "Yes. We're going to the base of the Tower of No Return." Ronan informed her that Q Tower or Tower of No Return is located in one of the most productive areas in Kong City.

This was located near the port and it was also where the ambush happened. Lyca soon shook the thoughts of the necklace and the poison as she thought about the current location of Shen Qui's territory. Kong City is north of Long City and south of Phor City— A city where is in the Navut Region. Of course, that was where the Capital City of Xu was located. Moreover, the Navut region is the biggest region of the five regions in this country. 

Meaning, Shen Qui's territory is strategically placed in the middle of two thriving cities. This was only one of the reasons why many people wanted this territory. The second reason is that it had a port and is only separated by a few miles from the rich Yayla City. 

Yayla City is not only known for its good land but also known for its minerals. Mining was basically the only thing that everyone does in this City. Moreover, this place is really rich in diamonds, gold, and other precious stones. Suffice to say, Shen Qui could always take advantage of the ports in his territory to create transportation access for these stones to the Shun Regions and other neighboring regions.

However, Shen Qui's authority is not yet established. Sure, he was ruling this territory. But that man was too soft. He killed the leader and its people but refuse to touch anyone who hasn't directly offended him. Because of this, people would still dare disrespect him in his own territory.

"Tower of No Return…." Ma Ping scratched his cheek. "How come I haven't heard of that place before?" He immediately looked at Gu Cheng and the latter shrugged in response.

"Sounds intimidating." Gu Cheng expressed his thoughts.

"It was previously known as Q Tower but I had to change the name," she said before turning her attention towards the streets. This part of Kong City is actually not as chaotic as the other parts. This was because Shen Qui refused to let a lot of drugs in the area. This was also the reason why the other lords don't like him. 

"Oh, by the way, I heard Ghost Rider just died," Junqi said, her gaze was already on Lyca. A part of her was wondering if it had something to do with her. "I heard his son is taking over."

"I don't think he had a son." The one who answered was known was Beatriz, she is a woman with a mohawk red hair and a lot of piercings. However, the woman's voice was the exact opposite of her hard appearance. Her voice was just too soft and enticing, sweet even. Lyca couldn't help but look at the woman.

Beatriz excelled in martial arts and short firearms. She was also an expert in map reading and tracking as she basically lived in the mountains of Ralia City before moving to Kong City. 

Next to her sat a man who was known as Oneword. Yes. Oneword. A nickname that everyone started calling him because of his tendency to only answer every question with one word. If a question required an explanation, the man won't simply answer and just maintain a stern expression. Aside from this, the man was also six foot seven tall. A giant compared to everyone's small frame.

However, Oneword is not someone that anyone could underestimate. This was because he was an assassin before he became friends with Cleo. Oneword and Cleo were also teammates before. In fact, Cleo was the one who recruited this man and gave him a permanent home. It was said that he was really good with knives and martial arts too. 

Of course, there was also Gu Cheng whose brains shouldn't be underestimated and Ma Ping who is really good with … distracting people, and Junqi who might not be as energetic as Ma Ping but very good at handling long firearms. This team of people was considered the top five of the whole team.

"He really had a son," Ma Ping answered and soon another round of banter started. Slowly, the team of six people arrived in the port where Shen Qui was ambushed. Lyca immediately got out of the black bulletproof SUV.

"Miss Xi, I am called Gas. I worked here with Boss Q. Please follow me to our base." A man who looked like he was in his forties immediately welcomed Lyca and directed her towards the inner part of the port.

Just like most ports, this place was full of container vans that were neatly stacked together. There was also a big crane and some container lifting jacks. As well as some huge trailer trucks. While this is Lyca's first time visiting this place, she was a bit familiar when it comes to shipping stuff as most of the ingredients in her poisons were internationally shipped. "May I see the manifest?" Lyca asked. Cargo manifest should have all the list of the cargo in this private port.

"Huh?"

"Didn't you hear Miss Xi? She said the Cargo Manifest!" Ma Ping immediately butted in when he noticed the man's sharp gaze towards Lyca.

"With all due respect Miss Xi but… do you understand what a manifest is?"

Lyca lifted an eyebrow as she looked at the man. "Yes."

"Then you should know that this is unnecessary. You are here to review the CCTV, yes? Why do you need the manifest?"

"Are you going to give me the manifest? Or not?" Lyca asked directly. Her words made the man speechless. He couldn't help but wonder if she just heard the words that he said.

The manifest would show all the cargo of their clients. Why would Lyca need such information when she was only here to check what happened with Boss Q and his men?