'Bang~Bang~Bang~'
As the torrential rain poured down relentlessly on a shadowy New York alleyway, the deafening echoes of gunfire reverberated through the night.
In the cinematic setting of this dark and rain-soaked night, three gunshots pierced the silence, their sharp reports muffled by the downpour. Amidst the chaotic scene, a burly figure, barely discernible in the obscurity, berated a smaller companion beside him.
"Didn't I instruct you to aim for his leg? What in the world are you doing, shooting haphazardly? He's already injured, and if he dies, the client will hold us responsible. Our job is to capture him alive," barked the imposing figure, his face obscured by the shroud of darkness.
"Sorry, boss," the diminutive henchman responded, his voice laced with a sinister chuckle. "It's so damn dark out here, but I reckon one of my shots grazed his leg, heh heh."
"Keep your damn mouth shut!" the boss snapped, his frustration palpable. "Let's hope he's still breathing. We need to check on him." Together, they approached a figure struggling to crawl on the rain-soaked pavement, a scene right out of a suspenseful movie opening.
Amidst the pouring rain, warm crimson droplets from the wounded man's injuries intermingled with the nearby puddles, forming an eerie artificial pool of red in the dim light. Despite being shot, the determined figure continued to crawl forward, desperately seeking help.
As they closed in on the crawling man, the smaller henchman couldn't contain his frustration. "Damn it, Fuck boss! One of those bullets hit him in the lower back, right in the abdomen. This is bad, really bad," he cursed, delivering a cruel kick to the struggling man who was attempting to rise from the wet pavement.
'Baamm'
A resounding echoed through the alley as the man collided with a nearby garbage bin. The bulky boss chastised his subordinate sharply, "You imbecile! I've told you time and again, we must stick to the plan as instructed."
"Let's get out of here. He won't last much longer. The gunfire will draw attention, and someone has already reported it. The police will be here any minute," the boss declared, grabbing his henchman by the collar, ready to make their escape.
"Just a moment, boss," the henchman said, and 'Bang~'—another gunshot rang out, striking the injured man's shoulder. "Oops, I missed again," the henchman chuckled darkly. "Seems like you've got some incredible luck today. I keep missing your head."
The injured man, struggling to speak amidst his blood loss, managed to croak, "Why?"
The henchman stopped in his tracks upon hearing the voice. "Boss, he's saying something."
"Why?" the wounded man repeated, his voice weak and fading. "why? You have to ask that to your luck, you unlucky boy. Who told you to love the same girl as the young master of the Williams family, huh?" With those words, the buly boss revealed a secret that added another layer of intrigue to this horror scene in the dark, rain-soaked alleyway.
'cough~'
Amidst the painful struggle to maintain consciousness, The wounded man clung to the dwindling hope that remained. "Please, God," he whispered in his final moments. The man uttering this plea was none other than myself.
The agony I felt was excruciating, and yet, I couldn't help but ponder why fate had been so cruel to me. Despite growing up in an orphanage, devoid of love and care, I had tirelessly toiled through life. However, as I faced the brink of death, there was one regret that weighed heavily on my soul: I would never have the chance to kiss my beloved, Amelia.
'Jin,' she whispered to me with a hopeful smile, her words carrying a promise of a future we had dreamt of together. 'We will marry and build a life as one, and when we have a child, umm... If it's a boy, we'll name him Alex, and if it's a girl, we'll name her Aira,' she chuckled softly. Those were the last words I heard from her before we entered the mall, and even now, they echo in my mind, a reminder of our shared dreams.
In my mind's eye, her image remained crystal clear—her captivating deep blue eyes, cascading blonde locks, those tender, rose-petal lips, and that heartwarming smile that could melt even the coldest of hearts. I would undoubtedly miss her dearly, but in this moment, as the pain surged through me, I found it almost absurd that my last thoughts were consumed by worries about my university exam results which will publish tommorow.
"Alas," I gasped, the agony becoming unbearable as time inexorably slipped away. Breathing became a futile struggle, and my surroundings grew darker with each passing moment. With my final memory being the warmth shared with Amelia on that fateful night, I surrendered to the depths of slumber, forever unable to witness the light of a new day.
---
In the Lu family's residence in Star City, two figures stood by a lavish bed, their expressions filled with concern as they gazed at a young man who appeared to be no older than 20, lying motionless. At first glance, one might assume the young man was dead if they didn't check for a pulse.
The man who was carefully checking the boy's condition wore a stressed expression on his face. This man was Su Lian, a 4th-rank bronze alchemist and one of the most skilled alchemists in Star City. His worried look was evident, despite his expertise.
"Patriarch Lu," Su Lian addressed the man beside him, standing up from his seat and bowing slightly. The man he addressed was none other than Lu Len, the strongest individual in Star City and a cultivator at the 1st stage of core formation. "Young Master Lu Jin is fine. I've already examined him, and there doesn't seem to be any issue. I believe he may have simply exhausted himself while cultivating."
Lu Len nodded in relief, his expression easing. "Thank you, Alchemist Su. Please accept this small token of appreciation from my Lu family." He reached into his storage ring and retrieved a pouch, offering it to Su Lian. "I insist."
Su Lian accepted the pouch with gratitude, bowing again. "Then I shall graciously accept it."
"Guards, please escort Alchemist Su back to his home," Lu Len commanded, and his guards promptly left the room, leaving behind an atmosphere of silence as the patriarch left alone to contemplate the situation.
"Lu Jin, please forgive me," Lu Len whispered as he held his son's hand. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he continued, "After your mother passed away, I was unable to guide you properly. I have been a failure as a father."
As Lu Len emotionally held his son's hand, his heartache was evident in the tears that flowed from his eyes.
Just as this heartfelt moment between father and son unfolded, a maid knocked gently on the door. Lu Len turned towards the door, his voice tinged with impatience, "What happened?"
The maid bowed her head and spoke respectfully, "Lord Patriarch, the Grand Elder is calling for you."
Lu Len nodded, his emotions still raw but his responsibilities clear. "You go ahead. I am coming." With those words, he left the room, leaving Lu Jin alone with his thoughts and emotions.