Chapter 33

"Brother Luo..."

He called softly as he carefully used the dagger in his hand to lift the blanket on the bed.

At the same time, he held his breath, every muscle in his body taut and ready.

The bulging blanket was slowly lifted.

But beneath it was no one at all, only a few upright dead branches.

The shadowy figure's heart jolted. He hurriedly raised his dagger and backed into the corner behind him, his gaze darting suspiciously around the room.

Where was he?

He had clearly seen that kid in this first room just moments ago!

He was both startled and baffled. I've been keeping watch outside this whole time. How did that kid get away?

Hm?

Just then, the tinderbox in his hand flickered.

Its dim yellow light fell beside the bed.

He suddenly noticed what looked like a corner of clothing showing from the darkness beneath it!

Under the bed!

That kid was actually hiding under the bed!

His heart leapt with joy, and his eyes gleamed. It was as if a lost treasure had suddenly turned up again. He lowered the tinderbox, tightened his grip on the dagger in his other hand, and slowly approached the bed. In a warm voice, he said, "Brother Luo, what are you doing under the bed? Your brother here isn't a bad guy. I was just worried about you and came to check on you. Come on out."

There was no answer from beneath the bed, but the outline of half a shadow could be seen.

"Brother Luo..."

A cold smile spread across his face. Still calling warmly, he inched closer until he reached the bed. Then he dropped to one knee and slowly extended the tinderbox and dagger, carefully lowering his head as well.

The dim yellow light immediately illuminated the darkness beneath the bed.

The shadow under the bed was exposed in an instant!

It was a black piece of clothing.

"Damn it!"

He couldn't help cursing, the muscles in his face twitching uncontrollably.

"Where the hell did that little bastard hide?"

He stood up and raised the tinderbox, searching every corner of the room again. Frustration at being played mingled with anxiety at being unable to find his target.

The more the other acted this way, the more it proved he was frightened and weak right now.

He had to find him quickly!

"There's still the third room. Could that kid be hiding there? But how did he get over there?"

As he wondered, the corner of his eye caught a shadow appearing by the window.

His heart jumped. He immediately put out the tinderbox, crouched, and slowly backed into the corner behind him, disappearing into the darkness.

Just then, a thin tube slipped silently through a crack in the window.

Then a wisp of green smoke curled up from its opening.

The smoke soon filled the entire room.

A little while later, the window latch was quietly pushed aside.

The window opened.

A shadowy figure poked his head inside and looked around. Then, dagger in hand, he carefully climbed into the room.

He shut the window behind him and fixed his eyes on the bed, then walked toward it one step at a time.

When he was almost at the bed, he suddenly halted. Without warning, he spun around, his dagger flashing coldly as it shot like lightning toward the corner on his right.

The first shadow, hiding in the corner, leapt up as well. He dodged the incoming dagger while thrusting his own.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

The two men darted back and forth like rabbits and falcons, trading several blows without landing a single one.

One was thin and small, the other burly, but both moved with great agility and struck with vicious intent.

Just then, as the first, smaller shadow dodged another attack, he stepped right onto several iron spikes. A cry of pain escaped him, and his movements faltered for an instant.

In that instant, the burly shadow who had just entered seized his chance and slammed a hard punch into the other man's chest.

"Bang!"

A muffled thud rang out.

The first, smaller shadow was sent flying straight into the wall behind him, then tumbled awkwardly to the floor.

But he immediately endured the pain and scrambled up, dropping to one knee and raising his dagger, ready to fight for his life. His face was twisted with pain, and his eyes were full of bestial ferocity.

The burly figure who had just entered was about to press his advantage when he suddenly stopped. The muscles in his face began to twitch.

It turned out he had stepped on iron spikes too.

One man stood, the other knelt, and both gripped their daggers. Breathing heavily, they faced each other in silence.

At that moment, neither seemed willing to strike first.

Who knew what other corner of the room might hold a trap?

The brothers Wang Long and Wang Hu were a warning enough.

They continued their standoff for a while.

The smaller figure on one knee suddenly gasped, "Boss? Is that you?"

The burly figure standing before him seemed to freeze at the sound. "Chen Ju?"

They fell silent for a moment, then both let out bitter laughs.

"Looks like that sly kid played us both, huh?"

Chen Ju's tense tone seemed to ease a little, but he still gripped his dagger tightly, every muscle in his body just as taut as before.

"Looks like he did. I thought you were him."

As Zhang Jiu spoke, he kept his own dagger clenched tightly, his gaze still fixed on Chen Ju.

Chen Ju gave a bitter smile. "I didn't think you'd let that kid play you time and again, Boss."

Zhang Jiu narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean? This is my first time here tonight."

Chen Ju smiled. "Is that so?"

Their eyes met in the darkness, and they both fell silent.

The tension thickened again.

Chen Ju suddenly sneered. "I really am injured, but if you're planning to kill me tonight, Boss, I doubt you'd get out unscathed. There might be others watching outside. That kid could even be waiting in the shadows. If you get hurt, are you sure you'll make it out of here alive?"

Zhang Jiu remained silent in the darkness.

A few seconds later, he slowly put away his dagger and said, "We're all brothers. Tonight was a misunderstanding. I hope you won't take it to heart, Brother Chen."

Chen Ju smiled as he put away his dagger too. "Of course, it was all a misunderstanding. I hope you won't take it to heart either, Boss."

Both men smiled.

The air seemed to shift at once from a hair-trigger standoff to calm.

"I'll be going, then."

Zhang Jiu lingered no longer. After giving Chen Ju another look, he turned toward the door.

He moved slowly, dragging his feet along the ground rather than lifting them. The pain in his soles made his body tremble and his face turn pale, but he didn't dare show it.

His whole body remained tense. Extremely cautious of what was behind him, he edged toward the door one step at a time, keeping sideways and sliding his feet.

At last, he reached the doorway. With a trembling hand, he opened the door, then turned his head and, enduring the pain, said with forced calm, "See you tomorrow, Brother Chen."

"See you tomorrow, Boss."

Chen Ju remained on one knee, smiling, his voice just as calm.

Zhang Jiu looked into the darkness outside, gritted his teeth, and lifted his feet, leaving as if nothing were wrong.

Once his figure disappeared into the darkness outside, Chen Ju, still kneeling in the room, suddenly swayed and collapsed onto the floor. He panted heavily and clutched his chest, then looked down at his feet. His face twisted with pain, his body shook, and sweat poured from his head.

"You vicious little bastard! Just you wait!"

He hissed as he sucked in several breaths, cursing venomously. Then he bent over, braced both hands on the ground, and prepared to crawl out.

"Brother Chen, were you cursing me?"

But then a cold, familiar voice suddenly rang out above his head.