Hope You've Been Well

In less than ten minutes, two middle-aged men dressed in black tactical uniforms strode into the rear courtyard.

Jiang Peng, on the left, was broad-shouldered and powerfully built. His square face carried an imposing air even in repose, and he radiated the fierce presence forged through years of military service. He was the captain of the Wang Family's first security team.

Sun Biao, on the right, was lean and capable, with thick, protruding knuckles that marked him as a veteran of hand-to-hand combat. He oversaw the second security team.

Both were peak Martial Apprentices. They had served six years in the City Defense Army in their early years before being recruited by the Wang Family with generous salaries after retirement. They were Wang Dalong's two most capable enforcers.

"Young Master."

The two spoke in unison.

Wang Dalong tossed them his phone, his tone casual. "See for yourselves. Ghost isn't dead. He asked me to meet him at the abandoned sugar factory in the eastern outskirts tonight for the exchange, and he even dared demand another five hundred thousand."

Jiang Peng quickly read through the message, frowning. "Young Master, this may be a trap. An assassin who vanished for a month suddenly reappears and dares raise his price on the spot. Something doesn't feel right."

"So what if it is a trap?" Wang Dalong sneered, lifting his wineglass for a sip. "He's only a peak Martial Apprentice assassin. What can he possibly do? We'll kill him when we get there, save the final payment, and take back Lin Yun's things. Kill two birds with one stone."

Sun Biao pondered briefly, then nodded in agreement. "Young Master is right. Even if Ghost has some tricks up his sleeve, he's still just a lone assassin. We have numbers. If we set things up beforehand, he won't be able to escape."

Seeing that both men agreed, Wang Dalong made the decision at once. "Jiang Peng, take the first team in with me for the exchange. Sun Biao, take the rest and wait outside for support. Don't get too close. Ghost is highly alert, so don't scare him off. Move only after you receive my signal. Make sure he stays there."

"Understood."

Jiang Peng answered, then paused before speaking again.

"Young Master, should we notify Third Master? Third Master is a Martial Master. It would be safer with him there."

"No need." Wang Dalong waved a hand, his tone carrying a hint of disdain. "Do we really need to trouble my third uncle over a Martial Apprentice assassin? If word gets out, people will think the Wang Family has no one left. Besides, this isn't exactly honorable. The fewer people who know, the better."

He was already calculating it in his heart.

Kill Ghost and swallow up Lin Yun's belongings. No one would ever know.

If he brought his third uncle along, the family elders would inevitably lecture him about it. That would only be troublesome.

Jiang Peng and Sun Biao exchanged a look and said nothing more before turning to arrange the manpower.

Wang Dalong reclined on the lounge chair again, swirling the wine in his glass as the smile on his lips grew wider.

Lin Yun hid in the dense woods outside the Wang Family estate, concealed by thick branches and leaves.

He watched the convoy file out through the estate gates. There were three black SUVs, fifteen people in total including the drivers.

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

Wang Dalong was quite cautious, bringing so many security guards.

Judging from their auras, most were mid- to late-stage Martial Apprentices, while the two leaders were peak Martial Apprentices. Anyone qualified to serve as guards for the Wang Family had to be skilled.

If he confronted them head-on, his current peak Martial Apprentice strength, combined with combat stimulant potions, might be enough to win. But he could not guarantee he would escape uninjured, and he was even more worried that too much commotion would draw out the Wang Family's Martial Masters. Acting alone was too risky.

It seemed he needed to find some help.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Yun turned and left the woods.

At ten that night, the abandoned sugar factory in the eastern outskirts was deathly silent.

The vast factory building was covered in rust. Broken glass windows moaned in the night wind, while discarded sugar sacks and rusted machine parts littered the floor. Moonlight streamed down through holes in the roof.

Wang Dalong sat atop a relatively clean wooden table, idly playing with a silver dagger.

Jiang Peng and six security team members stood scattered around the area, their wary gazes sweeping over every entrance and exit, hands resting on the hilts of the blades at their waists.

"Young Master, the time has come, but that guy still hasn't shown up. Could he be playing us?"

Jiang Peng spoke in a low voice.

"What are you in such a hurry for?" Wang Dalong sneered. "Assassins are all like this. They love showing up at the last minute. He wants the money, so he'll definitely come."

The moment he finished speaking, slow footsteps sounded from the factory's main entrance.

Tap, tap, tap.

The footsteps echoed through the empty factory, unhurried and carrying a strange air.

Everyone instantly tensed and turned toward the entrance.

A figure draped in a loose black cloak walked in. The hood was pulled low, concealing most of his face and revealing only the hard lines of his jaw.

He was wrapped up tightly, making his build impossible to discern, and carried a heavy cloth bundle in one hand.

Jiang Peng stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Wang Dalong. His eyes were sharp as an eagle's as he stared fixedly at the newcomer.

Wang Dalong pushed Jiang Peng's arm aside and jumped down from the table. Spreading his arms in a deliberately relaxed manner, he plastered a fake smile across his face.

"Ghost, you really kept me waiting. Where are Lin Yun's things? We exchange the money and goods at the same time."

As he spoke, he gave Jiang Peng a meaningful look.

Jiang Peng nodded slightly. The security guards behind him quietly shifted their footing and spread toward both sides without drawing attention, faintly forming an encirclement.

The moment Lin Yun saw this formation, he guessed that Wang Dalong intended to rob him outright. He no longer hid anything and removed his cloak.

"Young Master Wang, I trust you've been well." Lin Yun's lips curved slightly, revealing a row of white teeth.

His smile was incomparably cold.