Li Mu crouched in the narrow corridor on the second floor, a passageway constructed from iron frames that had fallen into disrepair over the years. With even the slightest weight pressing down, it occasionally emitted a low metallic scraping sound, as if it might collapse at any moment. He carefully lowered his body, distributing his weight against the wall, his hands steadying himself on either side to reduce the load on the walkway, striving to make not a single sound.
Below, coarse and raucous shouts mixed with cheers filled the air, accompanied by the clanging of metal and the chaotic chatter of the crowd, resembling a hellish cacophony of revelry. Occasionally, piercing roars erupted, followed by the dull thud of fists striking flesh and the blunt sounds of bodies colliding. Li Mu lowered his gaze, peering through the gaps in the iron railing to catch sight of the factory's first floor, which had been transformed into a makeshift arena. The dim lights flickered erratically within the old factory, casting eerie and chaotic shadows below, as if the entire space were soaked in distorted neon.
The crowd formed a tight circle, faces of all kinds pressed together; some eyes sparkled with excitement while others bore cruel smiles, shouting eagerly with anticipation and bloody thrill. Those standing at the front stared intently at the center of the ring, their faces alight with fervor as if witnessing an unusual ritual. In that small clearing stood two bare-chested men engaged in a fierce brawl, sweat and blood mingling on their skin, splattering everywhere with each punch thrown.
One man swung hard at his opponent's cheek; the other jerked his head away just in time, but not before his lip split open, blood trickling down to stain his chin. His body swayed slightly but quickly regained its balance. With a growl, he retaliated like a beast. Each collision of fists produced taut muscle sounds accompanied by dull thuds of skin meeting skin, akin to two wild animals fighting for survival. Li Mu observed all this with cold detachment; such bloody scenes were nothing new to him.
He remained crouched in the corridor, patiently watching the crowd's movements and listening for snippets of information hidden within their shouts and jeers, trying to capture valuable clues from this chaotic battle. His gaze swept once more over the two men attacking each other in the arena; his expression was icy and devoid of interest in this primal and violent confrontation.
Li Mu moved silently through the dim corridor with light and calm steps. Thoughts twisted like threads in his mind as he analyzed the members of Blood Blade Sect lurking within the factory. Known for their brutality, Blood Blade Sect members were often uncontrollable violent individuals—impulsive and fierce by nature. Their significant influence within Serpent Bite Gang stemmed from their overwhelming firepower and remarkable combat skills—Blood Blade Sect was considered the most threatening faction within Serpent Bite Gang, making even other branches wary of being dragged into their frenzied bloodshed.
However, Li Mu felt no fear towards these individuals. He coldly contemplated that although Blood Blade Sect was known for their aggression, they were mostly simple-minded brutes; against such people, skill and strategy were key to victory. His mission did not require direct confrontation with Blood Blade Sect members; it was a precise and covert infiltration aimed solely at confirming needed intelligence before making a swift exit.
Nonetheless, Li Mu knew he had to find an opportune entry point. He glanced around cautiously, his eyes sharp as they scanned every detail of this old corridor. The factory was dilapidated; dust and mold covered its walls while bulbs on the ceiling flickered weakly, barely providing any light. Even so, there was still a possibility that surveillance equipment was installed here since it was a hideout for Blood Blade Sect; even with low security awareness, some precautions would be taken. Li Mu quickly sketched out a layout of the factory in his mind while estimating where the monitoring room might be located.
He cautiously raised his head; silence enveloped him except for distant sounds echoing faintly. If he could locate the monitoring room first, he could confirm the structure of the entire venue and avoid unnecessary risks. Li Mu moved carefully along the wall, deliberately avoiding corroded iron frames and damaged flooring to minimize noise. He silently hoped that there was still some operational capacity left in this factory's surveillance system; even fragmented footage could provide him with invaluable intelligence.
Li Mu moved swiftly along the wall with silent steps until he reached a staircase at a corner. He peeked out slightly to ensure there were no ambushes nearby. Seeing that the corridor was empty and still quiet around him, he quickly turned back and smoothly disappeared into the shadows of the stairwell like a ghost in the night as he descended.
Upon reaching the second floor, he was immediately enveloped by a strong smell of tobacco mixed with sweat and faint gun oil. There were noticeably more people on this level than on the third floor; sounds of movement and conversation echoed around him continuously. Li Mu carefully concealed himself in shadows, his gaze cold as he swiftly scanned his surroundings. Workers and gang members were scattered throughout this floor; some leaned against rusted railings casually playing with firearms while their eyes burned intensely as they focused on the arena below—completely immersed in violent entertainment.
The fighting continued in the arena below; sounds of combat mixed with roars from above created an atmosphere that nearly shook the entire factory. Li Mu's gaze involuntarily swept over those gang members whose emotions seemed unusually heightened as if they awaited some climactic moment. When a dull thud echoed from below—a punch landing squarely—several members leaning against the railing erupted into excited cheers, raising their guns to fire several rounds into the ceiling. The flashes lit up briefly in that confined space while deafening gunfire rang out amidst swirling clouds of acrid smoke.
Li Mu looked down at the ceiling above him, riddled with bullet holes, and understood the situation. These numerous holes were not the result of aging or weather erosion from the outside, but rather caused by this group of violent members firing their guns in excitement. The large holes appeared especially glaring under the dim light, as if the factory had been wantonly destroyed, leaving behind scars that pierced through its structure. These holes intertwined with the factory's dilapidated structure, showcasing a chaotic and brutal beauty, symbolizing the lawlessness of this place.
Standing quietly in the shadows, Li Mu coldly observed the reckless revelry of these individuals, contemplating his next move. Although the members of the Blood Blade Sect were armed, they were completely unguarded against a real enemy. Their excitement had dulled their vigilance, and they were fully immersed in the bloody entertainment before them. This provided Li Mu with an excellent opportunity. He narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully observing the distribution of personnel on the second floor. Gradually, a plan began to form in his mind as he prepared to maneuver around this group and stealthily make his way to a more concealed area.
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