Dark Confrontation

"Waaah—"

Le Yu had just gotten up when his stomach rebelled, churning and spewing out even stomach acid. He'd been throttled until he couldn't breathe, then kicked in the gut.

Luckily, his Low Health Constitution's pain suppression was incredibly effective. Not only did Le Yu feel no pain, but even the dizziness and nausea from asphyxia and lack of oxygen only caused "slight discomfort." While physiological reactions were unavoidable, he could immediately return to his fighting stance after throwing up.

He turned to glance at Yin Yinyin in the shadows, then at the pained, pale-faced girl with the braided pigtails. He wanted to say something but held back.

Le Yu didn't have Yin Yinyin's masterful vocal disguise. If he spoke, Kui Zhao would surely recognize him. That's why he hadn't cursed "motherfucker" even when Kui Zhao had choked him until he couldn't breathe. He didn't even dare to use his Biting Combat Arts techniques. Although his disguise was excellent thanks to the "evil art of makeup," his height and build hadn't changed. If he used a combat technique, it would easily trigger Kui Zhao's memories of Qian Yuliu.

Kui Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, coldly watching Yin Yinyin and Le Yu, not uttering a word.

He didn't demand that Yin Yinyin release Kui Nianruo.

Nor did he utter any threats.

Yet, this silent Kui Zhao made Le Yu feel even more unnerved, as if he were being stared at by a wolf.

Sometimes, wordless silence can convey one's resolve more effectively than communication, because communication itself is the art of compromise, the skill of concession, and the bridge to cooperation. In many entertainment works Le Yu had seen, if an enemy was willing to communicate, it meant they would inevitably be persuaded, understood, or even whitewashed, their stance no longer firm. And an enemy with an wavering stance could be converted into an ally.

Anything Kui Zhao said would imply the possibility of further concession and compromise. But his current silence made Yin Yinyin and Le Yu deeply realize that he would no longer accept any threats.

Refusing to communicate meant refusing to be constrained.

He had already placed his chips on the scale; whether the transaction succeeded or not, he would absolutely not pay any further price.

"Break those two streetlights," Yin Yinyin commanded.

Hearing this, Kui Zhao took a step forward, moving from the edge of the streetlight's illumination into the dark. Blood energy gathered around his body. But even so, he kept half his body within the illuminated area, making no further move.

"Deputy Director Kui, tonight was just an accident." Yin Yinyin's voice was light, even a little playful, completely unlike his true self. "Our assassination list only had Dong Heng's name on it. Believe me, we were the last people who wanted to encounter you. This was supposed to be a pleasant, simple mission, but not only were we exposed, we also offended you. This business deal was a huge loss for us."

"We have no intention of becoming your enemy. Once this matter is resolved, we'll find a way to leave Star Engraving Prefecture. We hope you won't retaliate against us. So you can rest assured, to avoid incurring your greater hatred, I won't do anything to your daughter. When it comes to killing, we're professionals. I avoided vital points with both stabs. If you send her to the Medical Officer Department tonight, she'll be walking tomorrow, and not even a scar will remain."

At that moment, Le Yu also found two pebbles and threw them forcefully at the streetlights behind Kui Zhao.

As Le Yu threw the pebbles, Kui Zhao was already retreating; by the time the streetlights shattered, Kui Zhao had retreated to the illuminated area behind him, never letting himself be completely swallowed by darkness for a single moment.

Le Yu understood perfectly why Kui Zhao didn't advance but instead retreated—because Kui Zhao knew very well that he was absolutely no match for Sword Hider in the dark. Whether it was to save Kui Nianruo or capture the two assassins, Kui Zhao first needed to ensure his combat power held an overwhelming advantage, otherwise, he'd just be throwing his life away.

But that being said, Kui Zhao's ability to make rational judgments at this moment, undisturbed by emotions like anger or worry, also made Le Yu recognize the gap between himself and Kui Zhao—not in skill, but in mind. Their difference was as vast as that between an elementary school student who wouldn't even curse and an old veteran from Zaun whose parents were still alive after eight years.

The dark street fell silent again. Kui Zhao stood motionless at the edge of the light. Two minutes later, two Patrol Guards carrying lanterns appeared on the main road. Seeing Kui Zhao's figure, they didn't dare to approach, asking loudly, "Who's there?"

Kui Zhao hooked backward, and his blood energy transformed into a claw, snatching the Patrol Guards' lanterns. He flung them into the darkness ahead, where they shattered on the ground with a crack. The glowing, charged Luster Stone rolled a few times on the ground, re-illuminating the area.

The road was empty, save for the weak Kui Nianruo, who lay slumped against a large tree by the roadside. Kui Zhao lunged forward, crouching beside her to quickly assess her injuries. He turned and shouted, "Go find a rickshaw!"

The Patrol Guard whose lantern had been taken couldn't suppress his anger and was about to say something, but the other Patrol Guard held back his reckless companion. Recognizing Kui Zhao's distinctive long braid, he respectfully said, "Yes, we'll go now. That Light Burst Bomb just now, was that you, Deputy Director Kui? Is there anything else you need us to do?"

"Yes, notify your Judicial Department personnel to come here. There's been a homicide."

"A homicide..." Though they had a vague premonition, hearing that a homicide had occurred in the affluent district, the Patrol Guards knew they were in trouble. They sighed and asked, "May I ask who died?"

"Your Judicial Department Director, Dong Heng."

The two Patrol Guards froze, then their faces turned pale. They immediately ran frantically towards the nearest Judicial Department branch. They weren't rushing to investigate the case for their director, but rather to drag more people into it—this kind of major incident was far too much for just the two of them to handle!

"Father..." Kui Nianruo called out weakly.

"If you had mastered Wolf-Eagle Fist, how could you have been captured?"

Kui Zhao's tone was as hard as cold iron, but he picked up a glowing Radiant Stone and shined it on Kui Nianruo. He crouched down, gathered himself for a moment, and an invisible glow emanated from his fingertips. He gently pressed and swiped it over Kui Nianruo's wound. Kui Nianruo groaned in pain, but the wound, which had still been bleeding moments ago, immediately stopped.

Kui Zhao had also learned healing combat arts. Or rather, very few people who had served on the front lines in the Coastal Army hadn't learned them. There was no need to be as skilled as a medical officer in bringing the Living Dead back to life; simply knowing how to stop bleeding at least doubled your and your comrades' chances of survival on the battlefield.

Kui Nianruo asked weakly, "Who... were they?"

Kui Zhao looked at Kui Nianruo's clothes and saw a small knife mark on her left chest. Along with a surge of anger, a chill ran through him. The indecision he'd felt when discussing with Dong Heng now solidified into a decision.

"Just a bunch of rats hiding their identities."