By dusk, snow finally began to fall. Flakes as large as coins drifted gently from the sky, blanketing the world in a soft silence.
Xiao Feng and Old White were heading to dinner when the snow caught his eye. A smile of delight blossomed across his face. "Isn't it beautiful?"
"It's just snow," Old White replied gruffly. "What's so special about it? You'd think you've never seen snow before."
Xiao Feng chuckled. "Uncle, would you believe me if I said I actually haven't?"
"Huh? You from the South or something? That doesn't add up. You're clearly an Asian kid."
"I'm serious. I've never seen snowflakes this stunning in my life."
"Well, since it's snowing tonight, there's no chance of a hunt. Let's eat early and get some rest—we've got to take Alice to the hospital for her eye checkup tomorrow."
"Alright."
—
The next day, the corpulent Brada drove Alice and Xiao Feng towards the city center.
The snow had ceased. The desolate plain now lay beneath a thick white shroud, and the morning sun cast a lazy glow upon the snowflakes, making them shimmer with ethereal beauty. The landscape, once barren, looked like a serene dream.
The jeep carved two deep tracks into the snowy ground as it slowly approached the city.
Upon entering Godo City, Brada eased up on the gas. The streets were slick with ice, and he drove with deliberate caution.
But as the jeep turned into a side street, a crowd abruptly emerged, forming a blockade ahead of them—rowdy voices, crude insults, chaos.
Brada honked twice—beep beep—but several of the men turned, cursing and gesturing obscenely.
Irritated, Brada muttered, "Damn it… Are these idiots looking for death?"
He brought the jeep to a stop.
Both Brada and Xiao Feng stepped out, their expressions far from friendly.
Bolstered by Xiao Feng's presence, Brada roared, "Get the hell out of the way!"
The ruffians hesitated. Their bravado faltered—not because of Brada's bluster, but because of the figure beside him.
Xiao Feng, clad in a dark leather jacket, his long black hair falling untamed across his eyes, exuded a quiet menace. His gaze alone struck fear into their hearts.
These were no ordinary men, but the notorious bandits of Godo City.
Xiao Feng's eyes swept over them with evident disdain. Among the group, he spotted a man lying motionless on the ground, his body marred by grime and boot marks. Clearly, the man had suffered a brutal beating at their hands.
Xiao Feng felt an unexpected surge of pity.
Hands in his pockets, he strode forward.
The bandits, recognizing the quiet intensity of a true fighter, instinctively stepped back, haunted by memories of Xiao Feng's previous clash with powerful espers.
To them, Xiao Feng was no mere man—he was a force.
He stopped before them and spoke, his voice like ice: "Leave."
The leader of the bandits tried to salvage his pride. "There seems to be a misunderstanding here…"
"Misunderstanding?" Xiao Feng's eyes narrowed. "What I hate most is scum like you ganging up on the weak. You'd best disappear before I lose my patience."
"This is our business. Doesn't concern you," the man retorted, grasping at defiance.
Xiao Feng glanced down at the man on the ground—he recognized him. The man was known as Mongrel, one of the lesser thugs of the gang. But it puzzled Xiao Feng why even their own would be so savagely beaten.
"You're in my way," Xiao Feng said flatly. "So I'm telling you to move."
Suddenly, the bandit leader brandished a handgun, pointing it at Xiao Feng. "Don't think just because you've got some power, you can throw your weight around. One shot and I'll blow your brains out!"
Xiao Feng didn't flinch. He casually rolled his neck, flexed his wrists, preparing as if for a warm-up.
The bandit leader tensed. "Take one more step, and I swear I'll shoot!"
At that moment, Alice climbed out of the jeep. When she saw the gun aimed at Xiao Feng, she knew a fight was imminent.
Xiao Feng met the bandit's gaze, unfazed. "I'll give you three seconds. If you're still standing there, I won't hold back."
"Three seconds? That's more than enough time for me to kill you ten times over!"
Xiao Feng shook his head slowly. "Are you stupid, or just forgetful?"
"Bastard!" the man snarled, pulling the trigger—
But nothing happened.
His finger, poised on the trigger, refused to move.
Alice stood a few paces behind Xiao Feng, her right hand outstretched. She was the one stopping him, using her telekinetic ability to paralyze his motion.
Xiao Feng smiled, stepped forward, and with a swift kick to the man's chest, sent him flying. "I don't repeat myself. Get lost."
Bang! The thug's body crashed into his fellow bandits.
They scrambled to catch their leader.
"Boss, you okay?!"
"You alright, man?!"
Xiao Feng gave a cold laugh and shouted, "All of you—scram!"
Like flies before a storm, the bandits scattered.
"Let's go—he's an esper!"
"We're no match for him!"
Carrying their incapacitated leader, the gang fled the street in haste.
Xiao Feng walked over to the battered Mongrel.
"Still alive?" he asked with a sneer.
Mongrel groaned, rolled over, and looked up sheepishly. "Barely."