Xu Wenwu burst from the room like a man possessed. Hong Fei turned just as their gazes locked. The tension in Xu Wenwu's jaw, the faint redness around his eyes, the burning intensity of his stare—Hong Fei saw hope rekindled there.
"His acting chops rival mine," Master Hong remarked.
Hong Fei gave a slight nod before raising his arm skyward. A streak of Dragon Power spiraled upward like a living serpent. Across the valley, Big Head spotted the signal and banked the helicopter hard toward them.
With a flick of his wrist, two rings detached from Hong Fei's forearm and shot toward Xu Wenwu. The man caught them by reflex, his fingers closing around the familiar weight. As the golden glow faded to blue then vanished entirely, Hong Fei offered no explanation.
The helicopter's rotors kicked up dust as it touched down. Big Head came running, his oversized head bobbing with each step.
"Hand it over," Hong Fei demanded, palm up.
Big Head fumbled inside his jacket, producing a small black case which he passed over with both hands. His eyes kept darting to Xu Wenwu—his boss had just silently announced this stranger was now family. The case contained their rarest treasure: resurrection elixir forged from dragon bone. Not some contingency plan, but the last of The Hand's dwindling stock, painstakingly crafted by Master Hong himself despite having an entire dragon skeleton gathering dust in his basement.
Xu Wenwu's entire being focused on the box in his hands. Though desperation thrummed through his veins, his discipline held. Instead of tearing it open, he lifted his gaze to Hong Fei's face, waiting for the inevitable price.
Master Hong scoffed at the unspoken expectation.
"You think I'd haggle over this?"
With an effortless toss, he sent the case arcing through the air.
Xu Wenwu caught it with the care one might show a newborn.
"Place it in her mouth," Hong Fei said. "Handle your business first. We'll talk terms after."
A sharp nod. A glance to his lieutenant. Then Xu Wenwu was sprinting back toward the house, the box clutched to his chest. Around them, Ten Rings operatives exchanged glances—someone actually possessed resurrection artifacts? The hunger in their eyes would've turned to violence if not for the certain knowledge they'd be slaughtered before laying a finger on Hong Fei. These were criminals, not philanthropists.
A masked figure in blue-gray tactical gear stepped forward to escort Hong Fei and Big Head inside. The others watched their every move like starving jackals.
Passing through the front hall, Hong Fei's sharp eyes caught movement in the courtyard bushes—something small and furry darting between the hydrangeas. His hand shot out. Dragon Power coiled through the air, returning with a squirming bundle clutched in its grasp.
Hong Fei's laughter boomed as he cradled the creature.
"Damn, you're solid!"
The thing—whatever it was—seemed utterly unfazed. It wriggled in his grip, four tiny wings flapping energetically as six stubby legs found purchase on his forearm. Two more legs braced against his chest as it rotated to present a perfectly smooth, featureless hemisphere toward his face.
Big Head gaped.
"Boss... where's its face?"
Still grinning, Hong Fei spun the creature around to reveal an identical blank surface on the opposite side.
Big Head blinked, then suddenly spoke in flawless Mandarin: "There exists a god—its form resembles a yellow sack, crimson as cinnabar fire, with six legs and four wings. Featureless and chaotic, it knows song and dance. Truly, the Dijiang."
At this, the creature turned—if something without a proper head could be said to turn.
Though clearly lacking a mouth, it emitted a series of chirps that somehow conveyed delight.
"Whoa, you're full of surprises! Picked up quite the education, haven't you?"
Big Head ducked his head with false modesty.
"Just a passing interest. Barely scratched the surface, really."
Hong Fei grinned.
"I'm impressed. You've got a quick mind and real curiosity."
He scratched Dijiang's fuzzy flank.
"Whatever reason you had for learning Chinese or reading the Classic of Mountains and Seas, trust me—it wasn't wasted. Stick with me, I'll show you better tricks."
"Appreciate it, Boss."
The masked attendant watched their exchange in silence. His distinctive armor and weapons marked him as one of Xu Wenwu's inner circle—the only Ten Rings member who hadn't worn standard gear earlier. After ushering them into a living room furnished with ornate Chinese hardwood, he vanished once they were seated.
Hong Fei sprawled bonelessly across his chair, letting Dijiang clamber over him. Setting aside its mythological significance, he'd never encountered a creature so utterly blank-faced, its voice seeming to resonate directly from its core. The thing was all fluff and no teeth—absurdly satisfying to pet.
Big Head scanned the room, then leaned in.
"Boss... what if he refuses?"
"He won't."
Hong Fei didn't look up from scritching behind Dijiang's wing nubs.
"He can't take me. To keep his family breathing, he'll say yes. Any other concerns?"
"None. Boss is always right."
"I know what's eating at you. 'Forced fruit tastes bitter,' right?"
Hong Fei's fingers stilled.
"But here's the thing—this melon's already ripe. I'm hungry now. Why wait for it to drop when I can pluck it? Steam it, stew it—that's tomorrow's problem. Got it?"
"Crystal."
Half an hour later, footsteps echoed outside. Xu Wenwu strode in, his arrival snapping Big Head to attention. Hong Fei merely straightened slightly in his seat.
Xu Wenwu halted before them.
"Her body temperature's stabilizing," he said, voice measured. "When will she wake?"
Hong Fei kept one hand buried in Dijiang's fur while pointing lazily at Big Head with the other.
Big Head cleared his throat.
"Consciousness in three hours, but motor function will take another twelve. Our studies suggest three days' bed rest with six-hourly full-body massage for optimal recovery. After that—good as new."
Xu Wenwu's nod was infinitesimal, but his eyes burned. He inhaled sharply, raised his arms, and the Ten Rings slid from his wrists, drifting toward Hong Fei.
"The Rings are yours. The organization too. But I have terms."
Hong Fei caught the hovering rings. Their hue shifted instantly under his touch.
He didn't wait for Xu Wenwu to state his conditions, but asked directly: "Surrendering the Rings and your life's work—that can't have been easy."
The Ten Rings had gifted Xu Wenwu power and immortality; the organization was his legacy. Both foundations, willingly offered.
The Ten Rings organization might as well have been a kingdom, with Xu Wenwu as its undisputed king. Yet now this king chose to abandon his throne—for his wife and children, surrendering the very means of his survival. Hong Fei saw nothing wrong with that decision.
If anything, the only flaw was that Xu Wenwu's power no longer matched Hong Fei's. The true initiative had shifted. Still, the man was scrabbling for whatever control he could salvage from his defeat.
Xu Wenwu's demands were simple: protection for his family, and the identity of his wife's killer—vengeance would be his alone. After a moment's consideration, Hong Fei rose and approached him.
"Your proactive stance shows we've established preliminary trust."
"Granted, that trust stems from comparing our strengths," Hong Fei continued, "but it's a start. To foster genuine cooperation, I'll reciprocate with equal—no, greater—trust."
He turned his palm, and the Ten Rings slid back onto Xu Wenwu's arms with metallic precision.
Xu Wenwu studied the returned artifacts with visible confusion. Hong Fei shrugged.
"Truthfully, I needed to take them earlier. Now? Not so much. Consider this a gesture of goodwill."
A slow smile spread across Xu Wenwu's face as he examined the rings.
"What you require now must be far greater."
Hong Fei barked a laugh. "That's why I enjoy our talks. You cut straight to the heart of matters. I suspect we share similar approaches to... most things."
"Perhaps."
Xu Wenwu shook his head.
"That may not bode well for me."
"Self-awareness suits you."
Hong Fei's grin didn't waver as he guided the other man to sit.
"The Ten Rings are lifeless tools—mere weapons to me. But people? People hold real value."
Xu Wenwu nodded.
"The foundation lies in manpower. I grasp your meaning. State your terms plainly—with both power and reason on your side, I've no grounds for refusal."
"I appreciate reason. Our first meeting may have been... contentious, but the outcome serves us both, wouldn't you agree?"
"Indeed."
Xu Wenwu's reply carried the weight of hard-won perspective. For him, this was the best possible resolution—loss and restoration, life's bitterest yet sweetest cycle.
Hong Fei leaned forward.
"Since you know my name, you've likely researched my associates. I'm assembling a team. Join us."
Xu Wenwu showed no surprise, his nod almost casual—as if he'd anticipated the offer. The conclusion was inevitable. If Hong Fei wanted neither the Ten Rings nor their organization, his ambitions dwarfed both. And what greater asset existed than Xu Wenwu himself?
"Nine members including myself," Hong Fei continued. "Skill levels vary, but the camaraderie's solid. I rarely dictate personal paths, and our annual missions are few."
He spread his hands.
"In other words, here, except for some guys who need constant reminders, there are no detailed and strict rules and regulations."
Xu Wenwu's gaze flicked toward Big Head, one eyebrow arched in silent question: You're the one needing reminders?
Big Head beamed and gave an enthusiastic nod—guilty as charged.
Turning back, Xu Wenwu murmured, "No written rules, because your strength renders them unnecessary."
Hong Fei's smile remained warm and easy. He waited patiently as Xu Wenwu considered his words.
Xu Wenwu finally spoke, his voice steady and open.
"I need time."
"No problem," Hong Fei replied. "You can wait until your wife fully recovers before making your decision."
Xu Wenwu shook his head.
"No need. At this stage, I don't believe there's any deceit left."
Hong Fei's smile deepened.
"That's the power of trust. I'm glad. I'll have my people help track down the killer—once we find them, you can deal with them personally."
"Thank you," Xu Wenwu said.
"One more thing," Hong Fei added. "Your wife might object to you coming out of retirement. I could help convince her."
Xu Wenwu hesitated.
"This..."
"Don't worry," Hong Fei assured him smoothly.
"Negotiation is my specialty."
In the card slot, the halos of the three skill cards seemed to have fused together, their combined brilliance casting a hypnotic, intoxicating glow.