You Have a Death Wish!

Before long, night fell.

The neon lights of S City gradually flickered to life.

After parting ways with Cheng Xiaoyu and Liu Chenhao, the city's neon lights had already painted the streets in a dazzling glow.

The evening breeze carried a hint of chill.

Xu Feng walked back to the auction house alone, still thinking over everything that had happened in the dungeon that day.

Cheng Xiaoyu's sudden burst of recovery, Liu Chenhao's seemingly sweet and innocent demeanor, and the trouble that might be lurking behind Huang Dongshi...

The information slowly replayed in his mind.

Damn, I'm going to have to start thinking!

Xu Feng shook his head. As he passed an old, established shop wafting with rich spices, he stopped.

The wooden sign hanging over the entrance read, "Chen's Secret-Recipe Roasted Pigeon."

Behind the glass window, golden-brown, glistening pigeons sat in neat rows, their aroma irresistible.

Xu Feng remembered that a few days ago, while chatting with Mai Xiao Wen, she'd mentioned that she'd tried roasted pigeon once near the orphanage where she grew up, and had never forgotten the taste.

Unfortunately, the shop had moved away afterward, and she'd never had it again.

"Sis Xiao Wen..."

Xu Feng's lips curled up before he pushed open the door and went inside.

"Boss, one of your signature roasted pigeons to go. Extra sesame seeds and chili powder, please."

He remembered that Mai Xiao Wen loved spicy food.

Carrying the fragrant paper bag outside, he hadn't gone far before he spotted an old woman's roadside stall selling handmade glutinous rice balls. The plump white balls bobbed in brown sugar and ginger syrup, looking warm and comforting.

He bought a steaming portion of glutinous rice balls too.

With food in one hand and the other tucked into his pocket, Xu Feng made his way back to Wanbao Auction House at a brisk pace.

The building was still brightly lit, though most of the staff had already gone home.

He took the private elevator straight to his office area on the top floor.

The office door was ajar, and soft light spilled through the gap.

Xu Feng stepped inside quietly. A slender figure was bent over the large desk, focused on the computer screen. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, pausing now and then to click the mouse.

The screen's glow fell across her intent profile, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath her eyes.

It was Mai Xiao Wen.

She had changed out of the pale yellow dress she'd worn during the day and into a cream-colored knit sweater and casual trousers. Her hair was loosely tied at the back, leaving her fair neck exposed.

She looked softer and more at home than she had during the day, though a look of concentration remained between her brows.

Xu Feng crept up behind her without a sound and glanced at the screen.

She was organizing information on items for several upcoming major auctions, security assessments, and a schedule of events that required him, as the "head of security," to review or attend in person.

An open notebook beside the computer was densely covered with notes.

His heart softened. He raised a hand and gently rested it on Mai Xiao Wen's slender shoulder.

"Ah—!"

Startled by the sudden touch, Mai Xiao Wen jolted. The wireless mouse flew out of her hand and slid a long way across the smooth desk.

Still shaken, she turned around. When she saw Xu Feng's mischievous grin, her brows shot up.

"Xu Feng! You scared me to death!"

She gave him a light, annoyed punch on the arm. It was less a real hit than a playful scolding.

"Why didn't you make a sound coming in? Are you a cat?"

Then she remembered something, pointed at the computer screen, and launched into her complaint.

"Just look at this! You get to be a hands-off boss while you go out and have fun, leaving all this work to me!

I'm here organizing your documents, checking the procedures, and figuring out which auctions need the big boss himself to show up! My legs have gone numb from sitting here!"

Despite her words, she wasn't truly angry.

And when Xu Feng's warm hand remained on her shoulder, the heat seeping through her thin sweater...

A faint blush crept up Mai Xiao Wen's ears, and her voice softened without her meaning to.

Xu Feng's smile didn't change. He raised the bag in his other hand and gave it a little shake in front of her.

"Here you go, my all-purpose assistant. Isn't this exactly what assistants are supposed to do? The more capable you are, the more you do."

He deliberately drew out the words, teasing her.

"Here's your hard-earned reward."

Mai Xiao Wen's gaze immediately snapped to the bag. When she caught the mouthwatering aroma of the roasted pigeon, her eyes lit up.

She took the bag and opened it. Sure enough, there was roasted pigeon inside!

And a portion of steaming glutinous rice balls!

"Hmph! A few days ago, it was 'Sis Xiao Wen' this and 'Sis Xiao Wen' that, so polite and respectful. Now I'm just your little assistant? Hah, men really are fickle!"

She didn't hold back with her words, but the corners of her mouth kept rising. Carefully taking out the still-warm roasted pigeon, she breathed in its aroma, her face lighting up with a contented, happy smile.

"Wow! It's really my favorite pigeon! How did you know I wanted this?"

"I guessed."

Xu Feng answered casually. Seeing how happy she was made him feel cheerful too.

Mai Xiao Wen's heart warmed. She knew Xu Feng must have remembered something she'd mentioned in passing.

Holding the roasted pigeon, she suddenly tilted her head and leaned gently against Xu Feng's chest. She nestled into a comfortable spot and rubbed against him like a cat seeking affection.

"At least you have a little conscience..."

She mumbled softly, her cheeks flushed.

But Xu Feng's body tensed slightly.

Years of martial arts training and fighting in dungeons had made him instinctively wary of physical contact, especially contact near his chest.

The moment Mai Xiao Wen leaned against him, the blood and energy in his dantian nearly surged on instinct. The muscles in his right arm tightened too, and he almost threw a textbook uppercut.

Fortunately, he forced his battle instincts back down.

He lowered his head and looked at Mai Xiao Wen leaning against his chest, quietly enjoying the food's aroma. Her soft hair brushed his chin, carrying the faint scent of shampoo.

The coldness in his heart thawed a little, like ice touched by a spring breeze.

He relaxed and let her lean against him. He even lifted the hand that had been resting on her shoulder, hesitated, then gently placed it on top of her head and rubbed it like he was soothing a small animal.

Mai Xiao Wen felt his hand move. She stiffened for a moment, then leaned against him even more comfortably. Her smile widened, and even the tips of her ears turned red.

The office fell quiet, save for the low hum of the computer and the faint sounds of Mai Xiao Wen nibbling at the roasted pigeon.

Outside the window, S City was alive with nighttime bustle, its neon lights flashing and traffic streaming by.

But in this small space, the air was warm and peaceful.

After a long while, Mai Xiao Wen reluctantly straightened up. The blush lingered on her face, but her eyes had returned to their clear, work-focused look.

She took a tissue and wiped her hands and mouth, then said to Xu Feng, "All right, enough cuddling. There's a medium-sized auction in Underground Auction Hall One at eight-thirty. A few antiques worth over fifty million and a B-class monster crystal are up for auction. You should keep an eye on things, just in case."

"Understood, Your Majesty, Little Assistant." Xu Feng readily nodded and pointed at the food on the desk. "Finish eating first, before it gets cold. It's not good for your stomach."

Mai Xiao Wen's heart warmed again. She hummed in response and went back to enjoying her hard-earned reward.

A specially designed glass booth overlooked Underground Auction Hall One at Wanbao Auction House.

It had an excellent view of the entire auction hall, but people outside couldn't see into the booth.

The soundproofing was superb, keeping out the bidding below completely.

The booth was simply and comfortably furnished, with a leather sofa and a solid wood coffee table topped with a fresh fruit platter and drinks.

Xu Feng held a cup of warm water and leaned back on the comfortable sofa, gazing through the one-way glass at the auction stage below, where the lights were focused. He was bored out of his mind.

The auctioneer was enthusiastically presenting a blue-and-white porcelain vase from the Ming Dynasty. Dozens of bidders sat below, and the atmosphere was fairly lively.

Keeping an eye on things was a truly easy job for him.

The auction's security was already more than adequate. All he had to do was step in and intimidate or deal with anyone if he sensed an unusually powerful energy fluctuation or some fool tried to take the items by force.

He could relax and enjoy himself.

He took out his phone and began looking up information through the auction house's private network.

The first name he entered was Liu Chenhao.

The search results made his eyebrows lift slightly.

Liu Chenhao, age twenty, second son of Liu Zhenbang, chairman of Liu Chen Group.

Liu Chen Group was one of the top ten large conglomerates in H Country, with businesses spanning energy, finance, high technology, and hunter supplies. It was especially influential in the hunter industry.

The group owned a large raid team, an equipment research and development center, and a materials processing plant. Its market value was conservatively estimated at over a trillion.

"Sure enough, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth... No wonder he's decked out in gear that could blind you, yet still ran off to experience life."

Xu Feng smiled but didn't think much of it.

The scion of a top-tier rich family had a powerful background, but his mind seemed relatively uncomplicated. There was no harm in getting to know him, but there was no need to curry favor.

Next, he looked up Huang Dongshi and the members of his raid team.

As he read, his brow gradually furrowed.

Huang Dongshi, age forty-two, high-level C-class Hunter, registered independent Hunter. Reputation... abysmal.

Hunter Association records showed that he'd been reported multiple times for deliberately sabotaging temporary teammates during missions and stealing their spoils. But with no direct evidence, and most of the victims having "accidentally" died or disappeared, he'd never been convicted.

Most members of his raid team had a similarly unsavory record. People in the trade privately called them the "Vulture Squad."

They specialized in taking what others left behind, feeding on "carrion."

What made Xu Feng's expression turn serious was Huang Dongshi's family information.

Younger brother: Huang Dongshu.

Age: thirty-five.

Hunter rank: low-level S-class.

Attribute: physical enhancement.

Personality assessment: brutal, vindictive, suspected of involvement in several cases of Hunters disappearing overseas, but no conclusive evidence.

"An S-Class Hunter... with a personality like that..."

Xu Feng lightly tapped the sofa's armrest with his fingers, making a steady, muffled sound.

Trouble really had come knocking.

Given Huang Dongshi's underhanded nature, it was possible he'd left behind some kind of contingency or information before he died.

And Huang Dongshu, an S-Class powerhouse, had been described as "brutal" and "vindictive." If he learned that his older brother had died violently, he'd almost certainly take his anger out on everyone involved.

Cheng Xiaoyu was the main one who'd killed Huang Dongshi, but Xu Feng had been there too, and had shown B-class strength. It would be hard for Huang Dongshu not to see him as a primary target.

"We take out the younger one, then the older one shows up... A real classic."

Xu Feng's lips curled with a hint of coldness.

"S-Class... I'm high-level B-class in my normal state. In Blood Dragon State, I might be able to hold my own against an A-class Hunter for a short time, but against an S-class..."

He slowly exhaled, feeling a sense of urgency he hadn't felt in a long time.

He still wasn't strong enough!

He closed his eyes slightly, his grip on the cup tightening.

His brow furrowed deeper.

Why did they have to push him?!

All he wanted was a peaceful life!

So, Huang Dongshu...

Xu Feng opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them.

He set down his cup and reached into the pocket close against his chest, pulling out the blue invisibility orb.

His fingertip rubbed the cool surface, feeling the magic power contained within.

An idea gradually took shape in his mind.

Late that night, while the city slept...

An unremarkable post appeared on the S City Hunters' Forum. The title was brief:

["Wind Hidden One" spotted in S City? Helped raid teams clear two C-class dungeons and one B-class dungeon in a row!]