After the battle, the port returned to a brief moment of peace, but everyone knew—this was merely the silence before the storm.
Standing atop an abandoned shipping container, Li Chuan overlooked the bloodstained ground below. In his earpiece, Shen Qiu's voice came through:
"The encrypted signal just now was confirmed to have come from Li Feng's private network. He already knows that the port operation has failed."
"Then what will he do next?" Cheng Mo asked while packing up his gear, his voice low and serious.
Shen Qiu's fingers tapped rapidly on the keyboard, data scrolling across the screen at high speed. His gaze locked onto a flashing signal source.
"Based on my analysis of Li Feng's previous actions, he won't send ordinary subordinates to deal with you anymore... He's likely to take action himself, or send his 'Executors.'"
Li Chuan's brows furrowed slightly as he pondered for a moment.
"Executors? You mean—"
Shen Qiu nodded, his tone growing heavier.
"That's right. Li Feng has an elite squad under his command. They are not ordinary mercenaries but professionally trained assassins. They operate in the shadows, skilled in sniping, infiltration, and psychological warfare. Whenever they move, their target is almost always eliminated."
Su Man leaned against the side, arms crossed.
"So… we're not just being watched. We've officially become a threat that must be eliminated?"
Shen Qiu sighed.
"From the moment you stepped into the port, that was already the case."
Cheng Mo smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Interesting. Let's see who the real hunters are."
Li Chuan did not let his guard down. Li Feng's response time was beyond ordinary—since he already knew about the failed ambush at the port, their next encounter would not be so easy.
He had to act first.
"Shen Qiu, any new leads on Li Feng's hideout?"
Shen Qiu quickly pulled up a file.
"Li Feng has more than one safe house, but his main base has always been a mystery. However, before the battle at the port, I intercepted signals from several of his men. One of them came from 'Skyline Tower.'"
"Skyline Tower?" Su Man frowned. "That's one of the most high-end business centers in the city, owned by Skyline Group."
Shen Qiu nodded.
"Correct. And the true owner of Skyline Group… is Li Feng."
Cheng Mo let out a cold scoff.
"So, he's most likely hiding in that building."
Li Chuan thought for a moment before speaking.
"If it's Li Feng, he wouldn't expose his location so easily. The fact that his signal was traced back to Skyline Tower means he's fully prepared."
Shen Qiu agreed.
"That's right. That tower doesn't just have top-tier security systems—it also has its own private armed force. Getting in won't be easy."
Su Man's eyes sharpened.
"Then what's the plan?"
Li Chuan's gaze was calm and steady.
"No matter how difficult it is, we have to get inside."
Just as they were about to devise a strategy, Shen Qiu's computer screen suddenly flashed with an alert—
"Unknown signal detected! A hacker is attempting to trace our location!"
Shen Qiu's expression changed instantly. His fingers flew across the keyboard as he tried to counter-track the intrusion. But the opponent's skills were formidable—within seconds, dozens of attacks and defenses had already exchanged. Each barrier Shen Qiu set up was broken in mere moments, and the enemy's hacking speed was accelerating.
"Damn it!" Shen Qiu gritted his teeth. "These guys are professionals!"
"Can you hold them off?" Li Chuan asked, his voice steady.
"I'll try my best…" Sweat beaded on Shen Qiu's forehead. "But they're not just regular hackers. They're the Executors' cyber support team—'Dark Web Phantoms.'"
"If they find our location?" Cheng Mo asked.
Shen Qiu's fingers halted for a split second. His face turned pale.
"That means… the Executors are already on their way."
The moment his words fell—
Bang!
A sniper bullet shattered the window, sending shards of glass flying!
"Sniper!" Su Man dropped to the ground instantly, rolling behind cover while pulling out her handgun.
Li Chuan quickly analyzed the bullet's trajectory, his eyes sharp and cold.
"Sniper position—southwest direction, rooftop."
Cheng Mo clenched his teeth.
"They've been watching us for a while."
Shen Qiu swiftly unplugged all network devices to prevent further information leaks. Meanwhile, outside on the street, several black SUVs sped towards them, tires screeching against the pavement.
"They're here." Li Chuan's voice was eerily calm.
Su Man checked her ammunition, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Finally, we get to see what the Executors are made of."
Cheng Mo licked his lips, fingers brushing over his combat knife.
"Hope they don't disappoint me."
The SUVs screeched to a halt. Doors swung open, and heavily armed operatives dressed in black tactical gear filed out. Their movements were precise, disciplined—completely unlike ordinary mercenaries.
They were Executors. True hunters.
Leading them was a man who removed his sunglasses, revealing a cold, emotionless face. His eyes scanned the building before curling his lips into a slight smirk.
"The targets are inside."
He raised his hand, giving a subtle signal.
Behind him, the Executors swiftly spread out, encircling the entire building.
The countdown had begun.
"This time… who is the real prey?"