The night was thick like kopi O, the cold wind slipping through the narrow streets, carrying a sharp bite.
The black sedan moved like a ghost through the city's shadows, heading toward the safe house Li Chuan had set. Yet, Su Man's hands never left the steering wheel, her eyes sharp as she checked the rearview mirror.
"That silver-gray fella, still following us." Her voice was low.
Cheng Mo frowned slightly, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes. "Looks like they're not so easy to fool."
Li Chuan leaned back, his fingers tapping lightly on his leg, calm in a way that was unsettling. He didn't turn to look at the trailing car but instead spoke softly, "Shen Qiu, can you hack into their system?"
Shen Qiu immediately got to work. A few seconds later, his voice came through the earpiece: "Cannot. Their car not connected to any network. Looks like they're professionals."
"Professional?" Cheng Mo sneered. "Tracking us this fast—Li Feng's men?"
"Highly possible." Li Chuan's gaze narrowed. "But we can't rule out other forces."
"What do you mean?" Su Man asked.
"We've been too active lately. Not just Li Feng, but other enemies might also suspect we have something important." Li Chuan sighed lightly. "But no matter who they are, we can't let them follow us to the safe house."
"You want to shake them off?" Su Man raised a brow. "Or—"
Li Chuan's eyes turned cold. "No, we switch roles."
Su Man's lips curved slightly. She suddenly hit the gas, sending the black sedan darting through the maze of streets like a bullet. The silver-gray car followed, keeping a safe but steady distance—close enough not to lose them, but not reckless enough to be baited into a trap.
"Their driving is not bad." Cheng Mo observed the tailing car, a hint of challenge in his tone.
"Still not better than Su Man." Li Chuan remarked lightly.
As his words fell, Su Man suddenly yanked the wheel, drifting the car at an extreme angle, sliding into a pitch-black alleyway. The moment the car disappeared into the darkness, she killed the headlights.
The silver-gray car sped past, but within seconds, it slowly reversed, stopping at the alley entrance. They weren't giving up.
Inside the car, a man picked up a radio, his voice low: "Target vanished. Possible bait."
The other end of the transmission was silent for a few seconds before a command came through: "Get out. Search carefully. Watch for ambush."
The car doors opened. Four men in black tactical gear stepped out, each armed, moving cautiously into the alley.
But the moment they stepped into the darkness—
A blade flashed.
Like a ghost, Cheng Mo appeared from the shadows. His combat knife sliced cleanly across a man's throat. Blood sprayed, but the man didn't even get a chance to make a sound before he collapsed.
The other three reacted instantly, raising their weapons—
Bang! Bang!
Su Man fired twice. Her bullets struck one man's wrist and shoulder, forcing him to drop his gun. Cheng Mo seized the moment, closing in and slamming his knee into the man's stomach, knocking him out cold.
The last man stumbled back, trying to retreat—
But as he turned, a figure was already waiting at the alley's exit.
Li Chuan.
The man hesitated for half a second, then lifted his gun without thinking—
Bang!
A bullet tore through his leg. He grunted in pain and collapsed, his gun clattering onto the pavement.
Li Chuan stepped forward, looking down at him, his expression calm but dangerous. "Talk. Who sent you?"
The man clenched his jaw, cold sweat dripping down his temple. He already knew—he was no longer the hunter.
He was the prey.
"You… won't escape…" he gasped, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. A twisted smile formed on his lips.
Li Chuan's gaze darkened. Something felt off.
Su Man stepped closer, checking the man's body. Her face changed instantly. "Shit—he has a poison capsule!"
The moment the words left her lips, the man's body convulsed. Blackened blood seeped from his mouth. Within seconds, he stopped moving.
Silence fell over the alley, broken only by the wind, carrying the faint scent of blood.
Cheng Mo frowned at the body. "Damn. He was ready to die. These guys are serious."
Li Chuan knelt down, searching the man's jacket. After a moment, he pulled out a small, black chip.
"What's that?" Su Man asked.