I Have Infinite Skill Points-Chapter 624: Midnight Assassination

"With Night Hawk having suffered such heavy losses, what do you think he’ll do next?" In the hotel, Wang Lan asked Jiang Xinyu and the other two.

"Run? What else can he do? Now he’s like a dog that has lost its home. If he doesn’t run, he’s just waiting for death, right?"

"Not necessarily!" Wang Lan shook his head slightly and said indifferently. "Were these thirty thousand drug traffickers really a part of Night Hawk’s force?"

"How could they not be? Wait a minute..." Xu Xiangwen suddenly understood something.

"These thirty thousand drug traffickers had always been entrenched in the Aigel area. It was only because the government implemented a drug quarantine policy that they started to conflict and kill each other. But was their infighting really just them killing each other? I’m more inclined to believe that Night Hawk was manipulating things from behind the scenes. Moreover, Night Hawk’s own strength is also very formidable. Without such skills, could he have unified a disorganized group of drug traffickers in just half a year? So, Night Hawk is not a homeless dog. Those thirty thousand people were just a force Night Hawk picked up. This also shows Night Hawk is terrifying and possesses great personal strength. If he can consolidate drug traffickers, he can consolidate arms dealers and gangs as well."

"What you’re saying is... his next step will be to consolidate other forces?"

"That’s a possibility."

"TAP, TAP, TAP—" Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Xu Xiangwen activated his Heavenly Eye and took a look. "It’s Latin."

They opened the door and let Latin in, his expression solemn and frantic. Seeing Latin’s expression, Wang Lan knew something major must have happened.

"Mr. Fire Phoenix, there’s been an incident. Last night, Mr. Haqi was murdered in his home."

"What?" Wang Lan looked at Latin in surprise, but there wasn’t a trace of jest on Latin’s face.

"I underestimated Night Hawk, underestimated his audacity. I thought after this setback he would quietly lie low, but I never expected... truly never expected..." Wang Lan slowly shook his head. "Knowing that we are here, does he still dare to provoke us?"

"Mr. Fire Phoenix, please turn on the TV."

The TV was broadcasting a press conference, the main subject being Councilman Hosi, who had risen to prominence in recent days but rarely made public appearances. No one doubted that he could be the next president; in terms of popularity, no one could match him.

"I now personally declare war on Night Hawk. This despicable, shameless beast, this executioner! The eradication of the drug traffickers in the Aigel Mountain Range was facilitated by me; I was the one who sent Mr. Haqi to lead the team. If you have the guts, come at me! I’m waiting at home for you. If you’re not a coward, come find me! Don’t think for a second that such assassinations will make us submit. I swear, I will send you to the guillotine myself and personally chop off your head..."

"Councilman Hosi became extremely furious upon learning of Mr. Haqi’s death; he insisted on waging war against Night Hawk despite our attempts to stop him. He is a brave and wise warrior, but we are very worried about him..."

"You are worried Night Hawk might assassinate him?"

"Yes, Night Hawk is a lawless thug. Provoked by Councilman Hosi like that today, he will definitely act. We hope you can ensure Mr. Hosi’s safety."

"We can."

And soon enough, the news headlines pushed Councilman Hosi’s belligerent speech to the front page. Night Hawk’s assassination might have crossed the red lines of Baron’s government, as well as those of all the Baron citizens.

Besides Councilman Hosi, one candidate after another announced their declaration of war against evil forces, stating that they would never fear and never retreat. Some even adapted a saying from a Jade Country sage: "Even if they kill one of us, thousands and millions more will stand up."

For a moment, the entire nation was outraged, and Night Hawk’s feat of antagonizing the entire populace was indeed extraordinary.

That evening, Wang Lan and his team arrived at Councilman Hosi’s villa. Unexpectedly, Wang Lan had thought Councilman Hosi’s home would be a villa at most, but it turned out to be an entire manor, one so luxurious that it even surpassed the palaces of Vine Country in splendor.

Councilman Hosi, dressed in a tailcoat suit, stood at the entrance, personally welcoming his guests, thus demonstrating both the stature of a politician and the refinement of a wealthy man.

"The esteemed Councilman Hosi, these are the support squad sent by the International Security Council: the S-rank independent team Primeval. This is Primeval’s captain, Mr. Fire Phoenix, and the vice-captain, Ice Phoenix. With them are Observed Listen and Ying Long," Latin introduced them as Hosi shook hands with Wang Lan’s team.

"I’m very grateful for your help. My close comrade, Mr. Haqi, told me that had it not been for your help, we would have never succeeded in eradicating the drug traffickers. The Baron Senate will forever remember your assistance."

"Councilman Hosi is too kind."

"Everyone, please come inside," Hosi said. "I’ve prepared your rooms already. Do you have any additional requests? I’ve specially prepared a dinner for you."

"Nothing, just as long as we’re within the manor grounds. In the coming days, no matter where you go, you must not be more than a hundred meters away from us. Rest assured, within a hundred meters, nothing can hurt you."

"Thank you," said Hosi, his face breaking into a smile. He liked confident people because confidence often indicated strength.

"I initially only posted an A-level task; I didn’t expect an S-level team to be dispatched. That’s quite a surprise to me."

"That’s okay. We were planning on getting out and about anyway. The world is so big, and we haven’t seen it all yet, so when we saw your task, we simply took it on."

"I see. Baron Country has the most varied types of beaches in the world, a great place to relax and have fun; there’s bound to be one that suits you."

"Is Councilman Hosi’s family very wealthy?" Wang Lan asked casually, seated at the dining table and looking at the fine porcelain dishes laden with food. "This is porcelain produced in the Eastern Province of Jade Country five hundred years ago. To be preserved so well after five hundred years is remarkable..."

"My family started doing business seven hundred years ago. Five hundred years ago, my family was the wealthiest in Baron Country, owning seventy ports and nearly a thousand ocean-going merchant ships. Regrettably, we began to decline three hundred years ago, and by my generation, we have nothing left but this manor." Councilman Hosi picked up his wine glass, signaling to Wang Lan.

"Mr. Hosi is being modest. From what I know, you are the chairman of the Baron Country Merchants’ Union."

"That’s because they respect my family’s ancestors."

At this moment, Wang Lan noticed a little girl gazing steadily at him. He looked back at her, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Your eyes tell me you might have a question. Would you like to share it with me?"

"Jialing, don’t be impolite," Hosi gently chided.

"It’s alright, Mr. Hosi," Wang Lan replied.

"Uncle, why do you wear a mask? It’s a bit scary... Can’t you take it off?"

"Jialing, Uncle wears the mask to deter evil people. Also, Uncle’s identity is classified, meaning it cannot be revealed to others. Don’t be rude!" Hosi explained.

"It’s okay. It’s indeed not good that the mask frightened the child. Besides, our identities aren’t really worth keeping secret. Even if our enemies knew who we are, it poses no threat to us."

As he spoke, Wang Lan slowly took off his mask.

The moment the mask was removed, everyone at the long dinner table stopped what they were doing. Even several noble ladies looked at Wang Lan with suddenly different eyes.

So young... and so handsome!

Seeing Wang Lan take off his mask, Jiang Xinyu and the others also removed theirs. For others, masks might protect their identities and prevent assassination. But for Wang Lan... Forget it. Which of the Paradise Bird or Demon Clan spies wouldn’t wish for him to drop dead on the spot? If anyone could pose a threat to Wang Lan, they would have chopped him to pieces long ago. Why would they wait until now?

The group of four, all strikingly handsome or beautiful, appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen in the eyes of the Caucasians present. This sight made many of the attractive guests gulp in admiration.

"Who would’ve thought that the members of an elite S-rank independent squad are so young."

"The people in S-rank independent squads are all very young," Wang Lan said with a smile.

This wasn’t just a boast. Everyone in an S-rank independent squad was a global genius. And the reason they were geniuses was that they had achieved things that astonished adults while others were still playing with mud.

People in their twenties at the Star Sea Realm were very rare, even among the four great clans of Jade Country. But in the S-rank independent squads of the International Security Council, everyone was at that level.

The banquet ended in a pleasant atmosphere, and Wang Lan and his companions settled into the rooms meticulously arranged by Hosi.

Nothing happened that day, nor the next. On the third and fourth days, Wang Lan and the others continued their covert protection without disturbing Hosi’s work. The hundred-meter protection range made Hosi very comfortable; even a man wouldn’t want someone following him every minute of the day.

In those five days, Hosi received seven summons from the President of Baron Country. This alone showed that Hosi was indeed highly regarded by the President, and his becoming president was hardly in doubt.

The current President of Baron Country’s health wasn’t good; he had just had coronary bypass surgery six months ago.

On the sixth night, Wang Lan was sleeping groggily when he suddenly opened his eyes. As his figure vanished from the bed, Xu Xiangwen, Jiang Xinyu, and the others in their rooms also rose instantly. They took a second to dress and simultaneously opened their doors.

Four slender and agile figures appeared in the manor like ghosts of the night. They landed silently and moved like the wind. As if possessing Heavenly Eyes, they avoided all the manor’s security sensors and cameras, noiselessly making their way to the outside of Hosi’s room.

Then, like phantoms, they passed through the door and arrived at Hosi’s bedside. All four drew daggers and viciously stabbed down at Hosi and his wife on the bed.

"CLACK!"

A light sound, as a hand seized the descending dagger. This also startled Hosi and his wife from their sleep, and they woke abruptly. Simultaneously, Wang Lan and his team flickered into action.

The four female assassins were subdued before they could even react to what had happened.

"What? Who—" Hosi exclaimed, startled.

When Hosi and his wife turned on the lights and clearly saw the attire of Wang Lan’s team, they finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although they knew it was Wang Lan’s group, the team’s masks still gave off a chilling and eerie feeling.

"Are they the assassins Night Hawk sent to kill me? So it’s true! The assassins who murdered the former police chief were sent by Night Hawk!" Hosi’s voice was sharp as he demanded, "Speak! Where is that bastard Night Hawk?"

"No need for such trouble," Wang Lan said nonchalantly, then brought his palm down on the forehead of the assassin he held.

"SPLAT!"

Suddenly, the female assassin’s head exploded, blood and brain matter splattering everywhere.

"AAAH—" Hosi’s wife shrieked in terror, her eyes rolling back as she fainted.

"Paradise Bird!" Wang Lan’s expression changed instantly.