On their way back down, the elevator Detective Mǎ says, “Is something wrong, you’ve been frowning since we left?”

“It’s nothing except that there is something rather unnerving about her,” Detective Guō commented. “I think it’s her eyes.”

“I think it’s the shade of blue that’s rather distorting like the eye of a storm,” Detective Mǎ muttered back.

“Yes, that must be it,” Detective Guō distantly said, before they hastily ran towards their vehicle and forgot the entire incident as a new incident was reported. And this one was important as it had to deal with their Chief’s son. And without further ado, the two detectives sped off to deal with the crisis.

*

In another part of the city, the dark hooded man appears in front of a salt-peppered haired man with a neatly trimmed beard and strong handsome features. The hooded man softly hisses, “Sir, it seems too much of a strange coincidence that after the transfer of that foreign woman to the company, we’ve been experiencing setbacks. Not only did that foreign woman find one of the last accounts, but afterward, our man on the company board, Gāo Jin is involved in a scandal and just so happens to commit suicide,” The hooded man grunted.

“Enough, Zhū,” The salt-peppered haired man flatly replied causing the hooded murderer to freeze at the tone.

“Zhū had it not been for your clumsy mistake in killing that office worker, none of this would have ever happened. We both know you could have easily avoided detection, but yet you still choose to play with that insignificant nobody and gained the attention of unwanted parties,” the salt-peppered haired man harshly reprimanded his henchmen.

Leaning back in his seat, the salt-peppered haired man says, “No, we cannot allow for more scrutiny to fall upon us.”

“But what about that foreign woman?” Zhū protested out loud.

“What about her?” The salt-peppered man snapped. “That woman is merely a talented accountant and that is all. She has already been screened several times and there is nothing to take note of. Besides, we’ve already finished our task. There will not be no more of our involvement to be tracked.

Zhū frowns and says, “Yes, sir. But I still say, that woman poses a danger to us. I mean it can’t be a coincidence the incident of her arrival coincided with the terrifying presence of that unknown cultivator.”

“How, there is no proof substantiating such a claim? Besides she is a westerner and no sect of high standing would ever admit a westerner into their sect,” The salt-peppered haired man roared in reply.

Zhū remains quiet and sullen as he mutters under his breath, “It’s instinct. There’s just something strange about her.”

“You merely dislike her, because she found the trail of your so-called best accountant and that is an embarrassment to you, Zhū. But remember, she is merely a mortal woman of no consequence. I warn you, don’t get involved with her nor much less harm her,” the salt-peppered haired man sternly warned his henchmen.

“Yes, Milord,” Zhū replied unhappily.

“I mean it, Zhū, we cannot afford to have a scandal at this point in time,” the salt-peppered haired man sternly stated.

Zhū doesn’t reply and instead pointedly changes the subject by saying, “And what about the mongrel surrounding the Lord’s daughter, shall I take care of him?”

The salt-peppered haired man’s eyes become icy with rage. “No, my future son-in-law has already agreed to take care of the problem. And given the circumstances, for now, I will step aside and allow him to regain his pride. After all, no man can tolerate another man touching his woman,” the salt-peppered haired man growled.

Zhū’s eyes perk with interest at the comment. “Really? In that case, may I be given leave to enjoy myself?” Zhū shadily asked.

“I know what you mean by that, Zhū. Do not make me warn you and repeat myself again. I do not tolerate my patience being tested thusly so,” the salt-peppered man coldly answered.

Zhū pales at the reply that holds a hint of unbearable pressure and the bloodthirst in the air. Suddenly the intense pressure disappears, but Zhū is left with his heart pounding in his chest and a bead of sweat on his forehead. “It will be as Milord commands,” Zhū truthfully replied, before vanishing into thin air.

The salt-peppered haired man narrows his eyes as he rises to his feet and stares at the night city lights. Soon, things would come to bear fruit and then they would be the ones with the most power in the city. Smiling coldly, the salt-peppered haired man retreats from his office to a subtler occasion to enjoy himself in the red-light district. After all, he is a man among men and men have their needs that need to be taken care of.