The flames from the abandoned warehouse lit up the night sky, thick smoke rising, carrying the sharp scent of burnt metal and plastic. Li Chuan stood at a vantage point, gripping the black metal box tightly, his eyes narrowing slightly in deep thought.
Su Man walked up beside him, glancing at the burning warehouse in the distance before speaking in a low voice. "What's next? Li Feng run already, but at least we get this box."
Li Chuan nodded slowly, lowering his gaze to the black box in his hands. The surface was smooth, with no markings, seemingly ordinary, but in his grip, it felt strangely heavy. He tapped it with his knuckles—the sound was dull and dense, indicating hidden compartments inside.
Shen Qiu approached from behind, his expression serious. "That trench coat guy, he is 'Night Falcon's' people. They very rare will just leave after a failed deal."
Su Man frowned slightly. "You mean, they will come back?"
Shen Qiu nodded. "I know 'Night Falcon' style. Their intel won't fall into outsiders' hands so easy. Maybe now they just temporary retreat, waiting for a chance to snatch back the black box."
Li Chuan thought for a moment before speaking, "If they want this thing so bad, we cannot open here. We must move."
He lifted his head, looking toward the far distance. The city lights flickered brightly under the night sky, but this abandoned industrial zone felt frozen in time—silent, dangerous, isolated from the world.
The group moved quickly. Li Chuan wrapped the black box in a specially designed protective bag and carried it carefully on his back. They weaved through the alleyways, avoiding the main roads to keep a low profile.
"The car is two kilometers away at a hidden point," Su Man said in a hushed voice. "We need to get there fast."
But just as they neared their target, Shen Qiu suddenly raised his hand, signaling them to stop.
"Got people ahead." His voice was quiet, but his sharp gaze had already locked onto a few shadows in the darkness.
Li Chuan immediately held his breath, slipping behind an abandoned container for cover. Su Man and Shen Qiu also found their own hiding spots.
Seconds later, a black SUV slowly rolled into the alley, its headlights casting eerie reflections on the damp concrete walls. The car door opened, and several men in black tactical gear stepped out.
"'Night Falcon's' people." Shen Qiu's voice was grave.
Li Chuan nodded slightly, his expression turning cold. The enemy had not truly retreated—they had predicted their escape route and were lying in wait.
The men exchanged hushed words before splitting up to search the area.
"We cannot let them see us," Su Man whispered, her fingers already resting on the grip of her gun.
Li Chuan took a deep breath, his gaze scanning the surroundings until he locked onto a narrow alley nearby.
"Go that way," he murmured. "Move careful."
The three of them slipped through the shadows, silently making their way toward the alley's exit.
Just as they reached the edge of the safe zone, a sharp voice called out from behind—
"Stop right there!"
Flashlights swung toward them, catching them in the beams!
Su Man reacted instantly, pulling out her gun and firing a quick shot toward the light source—
BANG!
The bullet shattered the nearest flashlight, buying them a few seconds. The trio quickly vaulted over a low wall, disappearing into another, narrower street.
Heavy footsteps thundered behind them as the black-clad men pursued.
"Li Chuan, give me the box!" Su Man called out while running.
Without hesitation, Li Chuan tossed the black box to her. Su Man caught it smoothly, pressing it tightly against her chest to secure it.
"We split up," Li Chuan said in a low voice. "They only want the box. Su Man, you take it and leave first. We hold them off."
Su Man hesitated. "You guys sure can handle?"
Shen Qiu let out a cold chuckle. "Relax lah, we play this kind of game not first time already."
Without wasting another second, Su Man darted into a side alley, vanishing into the dark.
Li Chuan and Shen Qiu turned to face the approaching enemies, their expressions unreadable.
The black-clad men slowed their steps, realizing their main target was no longer here.
The leader of the group sneered. "Li Chuan, hand over the black box, and maybe we let you walk away."
Li Chuan let out a light laugh, his eyes sharp like a blade. "Since when 'Night Falcon' so naive one?"
The man's face darkened, his hand lifting in a signal.
"Take them."
Gunfire erupted in an instant!
Li Chuan and Shen Qiu dodged behind cover, returning fire. The alleyway lit up with flashes of gunfire, the air thick with smoke and tension.
A man peeked out from behind a dumpster—
BANG!
Li Chuan's bullet slammed into his shoulder, sending him staggering back.
Shen Qiu was even more ruthless—three rapid shots, two men down.
"Time to go!" Shen Qiu shouted.
Li Chuan nodded, quickly retreating with him, their figures melting into the shadows.
Elsewhere, Su Man arrived at the extraction point. She slipped into a waiting car, her breath unsteady from the chase.
She clutched the black box tightly, her mind racing.
What exactly was inside this thing? Why was 'Night Falcon' willing to risk everything to reclaim it?
Without hesitation, she started the car and sped toward the safe house.
Meanwhile, Li Chuan and Shen Qiu had finally shaken off their pursuers and were making their way toward her location.
But deep down, they all knew—
This wasn't over.
The aftermath of the failed deal was just beginning.