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The night in the Tenth District was filled with an unsettling silence. Pedestrians hurried along the streets, as if fearing that lingering even a second longer would invite disaster. Chen Rui turned a corner, passing by several dimly lit shops, and finally stopped at the entrance of a small tavern.
The tavern's dilapidated wooden door hung precariously, riddled with holes that seemed to have been shot through by bullets, exuding an air of danger. Chen Rui glanced around to ensure he wasn't being followed before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
The interior of the tavern was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of tobacco and cheap alcohol. A few worn-out tables and chairs were scattered haphazardly, while in one corner, several ragged individuals sat hunched over their drinks, looking weary. Behind the bar, an elderly man in his fifties lazily wiped a glass. Upon seeing Chen Rui enter, he lifted his gaze slightly to size him up.
Chen Rui walked straight to the bar and spoke flatly, "Where can I find the person I'm looking for?"
The old man squinted as if scrutinizing Chen Rui's appearance. After a moment, he shifted his gaze away, a hint of amusement creeping onto his lips. "New here, huh? Ever heard of the rules?"
Chen Rui remained silent, tossing a few crumpled bills onto the bar with a cold expression. The old man glanced at the money, his demeanor shifting to one of satisfaction as he turned and pointed to a table at the back of the tavern. "Go over there and find the man in the hat; he's who you need."
Nodding, Chen Rui made his way to that table. Seated there was a man wearing a duckbill cap, thin and gaunt with sunken eyes and several prominent scars on his face—he didn’t seem like someone easy to deal with. He held a glass in one hand while using the other to slightly shield his face from view.
"Are you the Information Broker here?" Chen Rui asked directly as he approached the table.
The Duckbill Hat Man looked up at him, a cold smirk forming on his lips. "Information? I've got everything you need; it just depends on what you're willing to pay."
Chen Rui calmly pulled out a chair and sat down. "I need to know about the power distribution in the Tenth District, especially regarding those in control."
"Newcomer?" The Duckbill Hat Man's tone dripped with disdain as he picked up on Chen Rui's demeanor. "You lot always think you're here to change things, but you have no idea how deep this place runs."
"The depth isn't my concern," Chen Rui replied coldly. "I just want to know who controls the rules here."
The Duckbill Hat Man paused for a moment before bursting into laughter, seemingly amused by Chen Rui's straightforwardness and indifference. He composed himself and whispered, "The one in control of the Tenth District is an individual known as Old Hand. No one has seen his true face, but his influence is everywhere; even government officials fear him."
"Old?" Chen Rui frowned, clearly dissatisfied with this name. "How powerful is he?"
"Heh," the Duckbill Hat Man took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "Old Hand's influence stretches throughout the Special Zone—from local thugs to black market traders and even underground gangs. He controls a group of special enforcers through material enhancement projects; these enforcers are not only skilled but possess strength and reflexes far beyond ordinary people."
Chen Rui felt a chill creep up his spine at this revelation. Material enhancement? He had heard rumors about such technology but hadn’t expected Old Hand to implement it within the Tenth District.
"What does he use these enforcers for?" Chen Rui pressed on.
"What does he use them for? Ha! To maintain order," the Duckbill Hat Man scoffed. "Anyone who dares to challenge Old Hand's authority in the Special Zone will be dealt with by these enforcers. For him, this is his territory; any resistance is futile."
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