Chapter 22
"Cough, sir, should we let her go back?" Yang Shu asked Li Xiaocanjian softly, looking uneasy.
"For now, let her stay. If she could defeat you, she has the nerve to ask if she can leave. Can't you see that we need more people?"
"Quickly inform everyone about the mission we're going to carry out today and let's depart early."
"Uh, understood, sir."
Yang Shu turned around and addressed the people below with a serious tone.
"This time, we are pursuing a notorious flower thief who has been evading the Imperial Court's pursuit for many years."
"We received a secret tip-off that the flower thief is currently in the Wanhua Building, and our goal today is to capture him in one fell swoop."
"Don't underestimate this flower thief. He has managed to elude the Imperial Court's pursuit for so many years not only because of his cunning and treachery but also because of his formidable martial arts skills."
"Therefore, when we apprehend him later, follow the orders of the commanding officer and refrain from reckless actions."
"Yes," the crowd responded.
"Very well, let's depart."
Wanhua Building.
Arriving at the Wanhua Building, Gong Xiaohua finally realized that it was a brothel.
Since it was daytime, the Wanhua Building was closed for business.
In the backyard of the Wanhua Building, Yang Shu lightly knocked on the door twice.
After a while, the door opened, revealing a middle-aged woman.
The woman had a slightly plump figure and was dressed provocatively, her face covered in white powder.
As she spoke, the white powder on her face kept falling off. The person who came out was the madam of the Wanhua Building.
Behind the madam were several young women.
With their faces concealed by white powder, lips painted red, ample bosoms, and voluptuous figures wrapped in sheer veils, they exuded a seductive and enchanting charm, clearly the courtesans of the brothel.
Gong Xiaohua stood at the back row and couldn't help but satisfy her curiosity by tiptoeing to look ahead.
Plump and slender figures, alluring and charming, the ancients were indeed not deceiving me.
When the madam saw the visitors, she instinctively teased Yang Shu, saying, "Oh, officials, you finally arrived. If you hadn't come, this servant would have been afraid that the thief would escape."
After speaking, she didn't forget to wave the scented handkerchief in her hand toward Yang Shu's face.
The madam smiled, and the wrinkles on her face appeared slightly fierce under the embellishment of the white powder.
But Gong Xiaohua didn't think so.
On the contrary, she believed that if the thief broke through the first line of defense, he would choose this exit, which was closer to the residential area.
Because the alleys inside the residential area were crisscrossed, by quickly taking a few detours, he could easily shake off pursuers and successfully escape.
And now, where Gong Xiaohua and Sun Daqiang were guarding, on the other side of the alley wall, lay a densely populated residential area. It all depended on whether the thief was clever enough.
As it turned out, the reason why this thief had been able to elude capture for so many years was not only due to his skill but also his intelligence.
Sure enough, the thief not only broke through the first line of defense but also chose the path where Gong Xiaohua was stationed.
With one kick, he pushed the small door outward.
With a loud crash, the two door panels couldn't bear the force and burst out, sending splinters flying toward Gong Xiaohua and Sun Daqiang.
Caught off guard by the sudden danger, the two of them quickly stepped back and swung their large knives at the flying door panels. With a snap, the door panels broke into two sections and fell to the ground.
Meanwhile, taking advantage of that split second, the thief swiftly climbed over the wall on the other side.
Thinking he could escape once again, he proudly whistled behind him.
But just as he was about to climb over the wall, he suddenly found that his left foot couldn't move.
Looking down, he realized that his left foot was caught by a woman dressed in prison clothes, tall and somewhat attractive.
He tried to break free from the opponent's restraint with all his strength, but he found himself unable to escape, and his face changed dramatically.
Gong Xiaohua swiftly cut off the door board flying towards her and saw the thief about to climb over the wall.
Her right wrist swiftly turned, instantly concealing the large knife in her hand behind her back.
Taking a big step, she burst towards the wall, quickly grabbing the opponent's foot with her left hand and yanking him down from the wall.
The thief was pulled down to the ground, furious. With a large knife in his right hand, he fiercely swung it towards Gong Xiaohua's left hand.
Gong Xiaohua quickly released her left hand, and the knife in her right hand behind her back swiftly turned to the left, blocking the opponent's attack.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the thief hastily retreated, running to the main street within a few breaths and disappearing into the crowd.
Gong Xiaohua, seeing the situation, immediately followed the thief's trail.
All of this happened in an instant.
By the time Staff Officer Li and Sun Daqiang caught up and realized what had happened, they could only watch helplessly as two figures flashed before their eyes.
This girl, dragging such a heavy body, can still run so fast. She's extraordinary.
"Go after her."
After saying that, Staff Officer Li quickly chased after Gong Xiaohua's direction, with everyone closely following behind.