Xiao Feng was not so naïve as to enter Godo City through its main gates, nor did he choose the same route as White and Lin—slinking in via the sewers. Instead, at a deserted spot along the city's massive defensive walls, he sprang high into the air. In the next moment, the Slaughterer appeared in his hand.
With a swift and silent motion, Xiao Feng plunged the blade deep into the crevice of the wall and began to climb, inch by inch, ascending with calculated precision.
In under ten seconds, he had scaled the ten-meter-high barrier and vanished into the city.
Upon landing within the city limits, Xiao Feng intercepted a passing vehicle. He flung the car door open, and with a calm, measured tone, pressed the blade of the Slaughterer against the driver's throat.
"To the League's Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Now."
The driver, his eyes fixed on the razor-sharp edge, stammered, "Y-yes... right away…"
The blue sedan trembled as it accelerated toward the League's subdivision headquarters, its engine growling like a beast unleashed.
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Kaili sat tightly bound to a chair, and Henry dared not approach her too closely. He had already experienced the fury of her electric abilities—and it was not an encounter he wished to repeat. Thus, he kept a wary distance.
Her expression was stormy as she spat venomously, "Do you know what the consequences of kidnapping me are?"
"Hmph. The consequence is that it will draw Xiao Feng out—and then I'll destroy him. He's gone too far. Just this afternoon, we lost three armored vehicles and seven soldiers trying to apprehend him. I now have every reason to end his life. Allowing a man like him to live is a ticking time bomb."
"You'd best release me now, or I swear—you will regret it," she growled.
Henry chuckled coldly. "Miss Kaili, I'd truly love to see how you intend to make me regret this. And your brother? I imagine he's already regretting helping you set Xiao Feng free. A year in solitary confinement, trapped in a pitch-dark cell—don't you think that's... agonizing?"
Disgust twisted Kaili's face as she stared at Henry's smug expression. She hissed, "Director Henry, you'll release Kaili within two days, mark my words. Do you believe me?"
He shook his head. "Miss Kaili… don't delude yourself."
She smirked. "Shall we place a wager?"
Henry spread his hands and shrugged. "Why not? I've always enjoyed a good gamble."
"We wager on Kaili's release. If you lose and he walks free in two days, you resign as Bureau Chief. If you win… I'll be yours—to do with as you wish."
Henry's gaze lingered on her figure, particularly the seductive curves accentuated by her tight leather outfit. His mind blanked for a moment. Then, with a sinister smile, he said, "Your words, not mine. Deal."
Kaili smiled dangerously. "I only hope you won't back out… or I'll kill you."
Henry glanced at his watch and sneered. "Kill me? You're dreaming. Time's almost up. And yet your precious Xiao Feng has not come. Is this the man you gave your heart to?"
Kaili's smile faded. Deep down, she too was hoping that Xiao Feng would appear soon. Her heart fluttered at the thought of him—dashing in his sharp suit, bold and untamed.
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From the rooftop across the street from the Bureau, Xiao Feng lay prone at the ledge, peering through the Blood Ghost's scope, his sights fixed squarely on Henry's office. When he saw Kaili bound to a chair, a pang of guilt pierced his heart. She had been the first woman he'd ever truly known, and though he didn't love her to the core, she had undeniably become his.
If he couldn't even protect his own woman, what kind of man was he?
The crosshairs of the Blood Ghost, a sniper rifle powerful enough to slay even E-rank monsters, rested steadily on Henry's skull. A slight twitch of Xiao Feng's finger could end the man in an instant.
But he hesitated.
Killing Henry wouldn't save Kaili. It might only trigger a worse outcome.
He shifted his scope, sweeping the building. Floor by floor, he spotted heavily armed League soldiers lurking in wait, particularly beneath Henry's office. Every level teemed with dozens of men, primed for an ambush.
They were waiting for Xiao Feng to take the bait.
Yet above Henry's office—those floors were deserted. No ambush. No soldiers. Nothing.
A spark of strategy ignited in his mind.
Xiao Feng slung the Blood Ghost back into its black case, hoisted it over his shoulder, and slipped silently from the rooftop.
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Henry was growing impatient. With no word from Xiao Feng, all he could do was pace nervously before Kaili.
"So this is the man you adore? An hour has passed and he still hasn't shown. Is this the depth of his affection for you? Seems you misjudged him."
Kaili scoffed coldly. "What does my judgment have to do with you?"
"Absolutely nothing. But Xiao Feng—he's clearly a bastard."
Deep inside, Henry was beginning to suspect his plan had failed. If Xiao Feng didn't care about Kaili, then Henry had no leverage. And he couldn't really kill her—her offenses weren't punishable by death.
Kaili, radiant even in defiance, raised her chin and said disdainfully, "You're no woman. You could never understand Xiao Feng's allure."
The mere memory of Xiao Feng's passion made her heart race—his wild charm, the way he had claimed her like a storm. No man compared.
Henry sneered. "Allure? Bah. He's nothing but a coward."
"He is not a coward. In my eyes, he's a hero—a knight-errant, a wanderer with fire in his soul. You will not speak ill of him again."
Henry's eyes darkened with lust as he stared at her alluring figure. The temptation was maddening—but he dared not touch her, still fearing the sting of her electric wrath.
"Hero? Knight-errant?" he scoffed. "I see nothing but a pathetic, useless man."
Just as Kaili opened her mouth to retort, her eyes flickered toward the window—where a shadow had just appeared.