A sharp, splitting pain suddenly surged through Li Shuying's head.
Her vision blurred for a moment, and the wound on her arm, where the blade had grazed her earlier throbbed violently, as if awakened by the shock coursing through her body. But she did not stop.
Her steps faltered for only a fraction of a second before she forced herself forward again, teeth clenched, breath uneven. Each stride sent waves of pain through her limbs, yet she pushed on, driven by a single, desperate thought.
They must be safe.
All the way, her heart pounded with silent prayers, fragmented, urgent pleas that clung to the rhythm of her running.
Just then another burst of gunfire split the night. Her legs nearly gave out beneath her. A sob escaped her lips before she could stop it.
The composure she had maintained while facing Master Kui, the cold resolve, the ruthless clarity crumbled in an instant. In its place rose something far more fragile.
Fear... Raw and suffocating.
She had brought those boys them into this. She had led them here. If anything happened...
Her breath hitched sharply.
But just as she reached near the warehouse grounds a sudden force struck from behind.
Something heavy slammed against her head, "Ah...!"
The blow sent her staggering forward, her vision exploding into white light. She nearly collapsed, barely managing to stay on her feet as she clutched her head, a sharp cry escaping her lips.
Dazed, she turned and froze. The same man from Warehouse Eight whose head she hit with brick now stood behind her, gripping a thick bamboo staff in his hand. Blood had dried across his face, streaking his features into something grotesque and terrifying. His eyes burned with fury, his expression twisted with pain and hatred.
"You witch…" he snarled, his voice hoarse and venomous. "You like disappearing and reappearing in thin air, don't you?"
He took a step forward, raising the bamboo staff slightly, "Let's see what other tricks you have up your sleeves."
Li Shuying's eyes widened. Her mind raced, but the pain in her head was overwhelming, dulling her thoughts, slowing her reactions. The world felt distant, unsteady.
She needed to act, she then tried to use something from her space but before she could...
Another volley of gunfire erupted from the direction of Warehouse Three. The sound tore through the night like thunder.
Her heart clenched.
Not far from there, the battle had already begun.
Gu Zhenhua's troops had split into two sections, taking advantage of the terrain. Hidden among shadows and broken structures, they fired in controlled bursts, their movements disciplined and precise.
Return fire came just as fiercely. The crack of rifles echoed back and forth, sharp and relentless.
One of the soldiers crouched beside Gu Zhenhua frowned, speaking in a low, urgent tone, "Deputy Company Commander, the enemy's rifles are more advanced than ours. Judging by the direction of fire… there seem to be only three shooters on the opposite side."
Gu Zhenhua's gaze remained fixed ahead, steady and calculating, "Maintain fire," he said calmly. "Suppress their positions."
He paused for a brief moment before continuing, "I'll withdraw briefly, send word to the county public security. This matter is no longer a simple armed disturbance."
He handed his rifle to the soldier beside him, then moved swiftly through the shadows, his steps light despite the urgency.
Earlier, when he had first arrived, he had observed the situation carefully.
Three figures in the shadows.
A group of people held at gunpoint with one already injured. On the surface, it appeared straightforward. But something about it felt… wrong. It looked too controlled and deliberate.
So he had issued his orders, one unit to engage from concealment, applying pressure, while the other quietly circled around, attempting to secure the hostages and capture the shooters alive if possible.
Now, as he made his way toward the parked military jeeps, his intention was clear, dispatch a militia member to bring the public security officers immediately. This matter, involving firearms and gang, had crossed into their jurisdiction.
But just as he stepped beyond the shadow of the warehouse gate he stopped. His eyes narrowed slightly. Not far ahead, beneath the pale wash of moonlight two figures were locked in combat.
Their movements were fast, sharp, and relentless. Shadows clashed against shadows, their forms barely visible yet unmistakably engaged in a fierce struggle.
For a brief moment, Gu Zhenhua did not move, he simply watched.
The clash only grew fiercer with every passing breath. Li Shuying forced herself to stay upright, though her body screamed in protest. Pain pulsed through her skull where the bamboo staff had struck her, and the wound along her arm throbbed with every movement. Yet she gritted her teeth and pressed on, refusing to yield even a single step.
The cold gleam of a military knife flashed in her hand and she struck a swift, downward cut aimed at the man's shoulderz but he moved faster than before.
His body twisted with surprising agility, slipping past her blade as though he had already read her intent. His counter came immediately, a sweeping strike of the bamboo staff that forced her to retreat.
She barely avoided it. The staff smashed against the ground where she had stood, sending splinters of dust into the air.
The man did not give her a moment to breathe. He advanced relentlessly, his attacks sharp and continuous, each strike carrying both strength and precision. At the same time, he evaded her counters with unsettling ease, his movements far too refined for a mere guard.
Li Shuying's heart sank slightly, he was stronger now or perhaps she was weaker due to exhaustion and pain.
Her body, after all, was not the one she had trained for decades in her previous life. That endurance, that resilience did not fully belong to her yet, and tonight, she had already pushed herself too far.
Another burst of gunfire echoed in the distance and her heart jolted violently.
No…
Her urgency surged. She could not afford to be trapped here.
Forcing herself to calm down, she steadied her breathing despite the chaos around her. Her eyes sharpened, focusing entirely on the man before her.
He shifted his stance, lowering his center of gravity and his leg coiled slightly. Li Shuying recognized the technique instantly. Her muscles tightened as she prepared to counter. She angled her body, ready to intercept the incoming strike and retaliate the moment his foot reached her shoulder.
But at the last instant the man changed his stance. His leg halted mid-motion and before she could react, his hand shot forward like a snake. It seized her wrist. Her eyes widened in shock as a sharp twist followed.
"Ah...!" Pain exploded through her arm, raw and unbearable. Her fingers loosened involuntarily as her strength faltered, her vision blurring from the sudden agony.
She staggered. For a split second, her thoughts fractured. Space… I need to enter...
But she froze, he was holding her. If she disappeared now would he be dragged in with her? That unknown risk rooted her in place.
The man saw the hesitation. A cruel smirk spread across his bloodied face, his eyes gleaming with vicious satisfaction. "Caught now, aren't you?" he sneered. "A little fox that thought herself clever, what use are your tricks when you cannot even break free?"
He leaned closer, his voice dropping into something darker. "Tonight, I will break every bone in your body… then drag you back. Let Master see what kind of monster you are."
Before she could react he struck. Li Shuying's breath hitched as she tried to counter with her free hand, launching a desperate palm strike toward his chest.
But he was ready.
His other hand shot out and caught her arm mid-motion and pinned her. In one swift movement, he twisted her balance and slammed her down onto the ground. The impact knocked the air from her lungs.
Before she could recover a sharp blow landed at the side of her neck.
Everything spun and her body went weak, her strength draining instantly as darkness pressed in at the edges of her vision.
The knife slipped from her grasp.
He kicked it away and bent down, picking it up slowly.
The cold steel gleamed under the moonlight as he turned it in his hand, examining it with a mocking tilt of his head.
"This," he said, his voice dripping with malice, "is for tricking me… and smashing my head with that brick."
He stepped closer with the blade lowered toward her and Li Shuying, lying on the cold ground, felt the weight of danger close in once more.
For a fleeting moment, time seemed to slow. The blade glinted coldly under the pale moonlight, its sharp edge hovering above Li Shuying like the final verdict of fate. Lying on the hard ground, her body weak and unresponsive, she felt an unfamiliar chill creep into her bones.
So… this is how it ends? A bitter thought rose in her heart. Two lifetimes of struggle, suffering, revenge and yet, it would all come to this?
No.
Her fingers curled weakly against the dirt. She was unwilling. She had only just avenged her mother… only just pulled her brother back from the abyss. The road ahead, she had not even begun to walk it.
How could she die here? But her body betrayed her. She was trapped and helpless with nowhere to go. A faint tremor passed through her lips as a final thought surface, at least… let them everyone be safe, her parents, brothers, Zhang Junyi and his gang members. Let nothing happen to them.
The man raised the knife higher. His shadow loomed over her, blotting out the faint starlight and as the blade descended Li Shuying closed her eyes waiting for the end.
But it never came, I nstead a sharp, pained scream tore through the night. Li Shuying's eyes snapped open. The weight that had pinned her down was suddenly gone.
Before her, under the dim silver of the moon, a new figure had appeared, silent, swift, and decisive. He stood behind the attacker, gripping his wrist with iron force, the very hand that held the knife.
The man's face twisted in agony. "Who...who are you?!" he shouted, his voice trembling between rage and pain. "How dare you meddle in Hei Lang Gang's affairs? Let go of me or I'll deal with you just like I did with this girl!"
The newcomer did not answer immediately. But the air around him seemed to turn colder. His grip tightened.
The man's arm trembled violently, his fingers loosening despite himself. The knife slipped and before it could fall a sharp kick sent it skidding across the ground, far out of reach.
In the next instant, the man was forced down, face-first against the earth. A liberation boot pressed firmly against his back, locking him in place with terrifying efficiency.
Li Shuying pushed herself up weakly, her breath uneven, her eyes fixed on the scene before her. The man who had just overpowered her so completely was now utterly subdued. Her gaze shifted to the figure who had intervened, tall and steady. His outline was sharp against the moonlight, yet his features remained obscured. But something about him felt familiar.
Then he spoke, "Who are you both?" His voice was calm, firm, carrying the unmistakable authority of someone accustomed to command. "Why was he attacking you?"
Li Shuying's heart skipped and eyes widened, Gu Zhenhua…? For a brief second, confusion flashed across her face.
Why is he here?
But almost immediately, she realized he had not recognized her. Relief washed over her like a quiet tide.
Suppressing her emotions, she steadied herself and altered her voice, making it rougher, strained.
"These people… they belong to the Hei Lang Gang," she said, forcing urgency into her tone. "They are trafficking women. In Warehouse Three there are many women being held hostage. Everyone outside is involved. Even the southern man… he is there with his men as a client."
Gu Zhenhua's expression darkened and his grip tightened subconsciously. The man beneath him let out another strangled cry.
Yet his gaze returned to Li Shuying, sharp and probing, "And why was he trying to kill you?"
Li Shuying hesitated for only a heartbeat. Then spoke, "I… I have evidence against them," she said, lowering her head slightly, feigning fear.
Her hand moved behind her back. With a subtle motion, the ledger appeared in her grasp. She placed it on the ground before him, "This… this contains all their transactions," she said, her voice trembling as if on the verge of collapse. "If you don't believe me… you can check the warehouse yourself, Comrade."
Gu Zhenhua's eyes flickered to the ledger. But before he could speak further, footsteps approached. A soldier emerged from the shadows and halted sharply, delivering a crisp salute, "Deputy Company Commander Gu! Two have been captured. One was killed during the exchange of fire."
Li Shuying's heart lurched. She pushed herself to her feet immediately.
Gu Zhenhua glanced briefly at her movement but said nothing, turning instead to the soldier, "Report."
"After interrogation," the soldier continued, "we found that the three shooters were attacking their own people. They belong to the same gang."
A frown creased Li Shuying's brow, "Attacking… their own people?" she murmured. Confusion flashed through her mind, but she did not stay to resolve it.
There was only one thing that mattered now. Without another word she turned and ran toward Warehouse Three.
Gu Zhenhua's eyes sharpened instantly, "Stop her," he ordered. "She may be a victim or an accomplice."
"Yes, commander!" With that the soldier broke into a sprint.
But Li Shuying was faster.
Driven by desperation, she pushed her body beyond its limits, ignoring the pain, the dizziness, the exhaustion clawing at her limbs. Just as she was about to pass through the bushes and reach the warehouse a sudden force pulled her sideways. She stumbled, dragged into the darkness.
Instinct flared and she raised her guard instantly.
"Li Shuying... it's me!" The familiar whisper cut through the tension.
Her eyes widened, "…Zhang Junyi?"
A shadow shifted, and he nodded, "Come on," he urged urgently, pulling her along. "We have to leave. I don't know how that beast Gu Zhenhua showed up here, but this place is no longer safe."
His grip tightened slightly, "I've already sent the boys away. They should be in the county by now."
Li Shuying's eyes reddened and voice trembled slightly, "…Is everyone safe?"
Zhang Junyi nodded firmly, "They're all safe," he said. "Earlier, I heard engines nearby and thought the public security had arrived. So I withdrew according to plan. But when I checked, it was military jeeps."
His expression darkened, "I saw him. That silhouette, I would never forget it." He shook his head, "I don't know why he's here. But we should leave the rest to him."
Li Shuying exhaled slowly but suddenly remembered something, "Heizi, what about Heizi?"
"He's safe," Zhang Junyi replied quickly. "He's waiting near the county entrance. After sending the others away, I went back to look for you near Master Kui's courtyard. I ran into him searching for you as well, so I sent him ahead."
Only then did Li Shuying feel the tightness in her chest loosen, air rushed back into her lungs and her racing thoughts settled.
She glanced at Zhang Junyi and for the first time that night, a faint smile appeared on her lips. He's sharper than I thought.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the western suburb, the distant rumble of engines echoed once more.
They turned, in the distance, a public security jeep sped toward the old textile factory, followed by several officers on bicycles.
Zhang Junyi watched them go, his voice quieter now, "They're finally here… I just hope the trafficked women are safe. And that all those criminals are caught."
Li Shuying nodded, her gaze lingered on the fading lights, "Master Kui…" she said softly, "will never rise again. Nor will he ever harm anyone like this again."
Zhang Junyi frowned slightly, "You didn't kill him?"
Li Shuying's lips curved faintly a cold, knowing smile, "Worse than that."