No sooner had Han Xingqian finished speaking than Xiao Xun cried out urgently, though forced to lower his voice: “Bro Han! I didn’t!”
Han Xingqian chuckled: “Is that so? But that’s exactly what I had in mind.”
Xiao Xun: “……”
Bai Chunian: “Huh? What? What did he say? Good dog, did he mute me?”
“N-nothing… he didn’t say anything.” Xiao Xun’s face and ears turned bright red. Thankfully, Dr. Han had muted everyone else when he spoke; otherwise, he wouldn’t have had the face to join them.
“Come to think of it, if he could mute everyone, why did he leave only my channel open… Could it be so I’d hear it?” ” At this thought, Xiao Xun’s face flushed with shame and anger. With a crimson complexion and a racing heart, he sprinted toward the vantage point.
Bai Chunian crouched atop the clock tower, observing the main hall of the main building through his Water-to-Steel 8x scope. Since all factory employees had been petrified by the Gagantel and the alarm had been triggered, drones from the Lingti Clan’s armory automatically took off and flew toward the factory to assess the situation. All security personnel within the Lingti Clan, alert to the presence of intruders, quickly formed ranks and converged on the main building.
Although the sons of the Lingti Family’s main branch were not particularly high-ranking, they focused on business; with wealth and influence, they never lacked skilled operatives willing to risk their lives for them.
The Lingti Family had over a thousand security personnel. The dozen or so guards who arrived at the main building the fastest were all M2-level Alphas, and their primary mission was to protect the safety of the main family’s uncles, cousins, and descendants.
The two M2-level Alphas who had been stationed at the main building had already rushed to Old Master Xiao’s side at top speed, using their blast shields to shield him as they escorted him to safety.
Bai Chunian: “Lanxing, you two go meet them.”
Although Bi Lanxing was seriously injured, he was able to spring into action the moment the order came. Through their long period of working together and building rapport, they had already established sufficient trust; it seemed that as long as Bai Chunian said he could do it, he could—without a second thought.
Bai Chunian: “Target Xiao Changxiu is leaving the main hall. Security personnel will reach the main building in thirty seconds. Lan Bo and Xiao Xun, prepare to snipe. If the mission fails within thirty seconds, withdraw unconditionally.”
Old Master Xiao was the second phase of this covert assassination mission. The Lingti Clan had already begun collaborating with Institute 109, giving the IOA—which had long operated under a veil of secrecy—sufficient justification to take action against the Lingti Clan. With Old Master Xiao at the helm, the Lingti Clan remained orderly and unchallenged; the IOA intended to deliver a stern warning.
Lan Bo narrowed his eyes and took aim, the reticle of his 16x water-cooled steel scope locked onto the bulletproof-vested security guard holding a riot shield and standing beside Old Master Xiao.
The bell tower where Lan Bo, the secondary sniper, was positioned formed a sixty-degree angle with the windowed room where Xiao Xun was stationed, creating a firing line that maintained a sufficient distance from the primary sniper, Xiao Xun.
Lan Bo cocked the bolt and chambered a round; the hydro-steel rifle emitted a clicking sound akin to a bullet being loaded: “Mm.”
A transparent bullet pierced the glass first, cleanly shattering the helmet of the security guard holding the riot shield.
The two security guards firmly protecting the old man were instantly breached. As the gunfire erupted, Xiao Xun, lying prone by the window, also pulled the trigger.
Lu Yan suddenly shouted, “Watch your back!”
Behind Xiao Xun’s position, a climbing rope silently appeared on the small window. A Lingti Clan security guard in riot gear scaled the window and entered the room, holding a tactical dagger to Xiao Xun’s throat from behind. The shot that had seemed certain to shatter the old man’s skull instead struck the floor, sparking a flash of blinding sparks.
With his throat locked from behind, Xiao Xun jerked his head back violently, knocking the attacker’s head aside. He then pushed off the windowsill with both feet, slamming himself—and the security guard still clinging to his back—hard into the table frame inside the room.
The security guard let out a cry of pain and released his grip, but his trained reflexes wouldn’t let him be defeated so easily. He immediately regained his balance and lunged at Xiao Xun. Xiao Xun picked up the sniper rifle, stepped onto the windowsill with his long legs, and leaped out the window without hesitation.
Then, mid-air, he spun around, cocked the rifle, and reloaded, firing a shot that blew the security guard’s head off.
Bi Lanxing’s vines had grown to the right height just in time. Lu Yan grabbed one with one hand and reached out the other toward Xiao Xun: “Xiao Xiao!”
As Xiao Xun fell, he grabbed Lu Yan’s hand, and Lu Yan flung him onto the vines. Using the momentum from their switch, Lu Yan swung himself into the windowed room.
More security guards climbed up using the ropes attached to the window. Lu Yan, holding a silenced pistol in each hand, faced a dozen or so fully armed security guards inside and outside the window. In close-quarters combat, no one had ever been able to defeat Lu Yan.
“Mission over time, withdraw.” Bai Chunian gave a hand signal.
Bi Lanxing: “He can do it.”
Xiao Xun: “Give me three seconds.”
But by then, more than a dozen security guards had already rushed to the main building to protect the old man, and one of them, armed with a sniper rifle, had taken aim at Xiao Xun, who was hanging from the vines.
Xiao Xun wasn’t staying still on the supple vine; instead, he was bouncing up and down due to gravity. While maintaining his balance on the vine, he cocked the trigger, reloaded, and took aim—all in one fluid motion.
The security guard on the ground, who had been locking eyes with Xiao Xun, pulled the trigger at the same moment—but a crimson spray of blood erupted from his forehead a split second before the bullet left the barrel, and he collapsed instantly.
Inside the windowed room, Lu Yan, having exhausted his pistol ammunition, began hand-to-hand combat with two daggers, yet he didn’t lose ground in the slightest. He even managed to spare a glance at Xiao Xun and said with a tone of pride, “A marksman actually dares to go head-to-head with us orthodox snipers? That’s laughable.”
The recoil from the sniper round jolted Xiao Xun violently on the vines, but it didn’t affect his composure. He chambered another round, narrowed his eyes coldly, and with a single shot, the glass rattled.
Old Man Xiao collapsed at the sound, his head submerged in a pool of blood.
Xiao Xun: “Target confirmed dead. Mission complete.”
Lu Yan holstered his tactical knife and the spent pistol, wiping the blood from his hands. “The room has been cleared. Prepare to withdraw.”
Bai Chunian paused, stunned.
He didn’t know when exactly it had happened, but these trainees no longer needed his constant protection and guidance. An indescribable emotion welled up inside him.
Lan Bo placed a hand on his head and ruffled his hair. “Is this the joy of raising children? I think you’ll feel the same way when you grow up.”
Bai Chunian puffed out his cheeks, then let the air out.
“Go, go, go, go, go. You’re annoying.”
Bi Lanxing took Xiao Xun and Han Xingqian with him, leaving the main building through the side of the windowed room that Lu Yanqing had cleared. Bai Chunian and Lan Bo followed closely behind to clean up after them.
Xiao Xun even took the opportunity to take a hostage.
Xiao Zizhe, held at gunpoint, began cursing furiously: “Xiao Xun, you bastard! You slut who slept with a foreign man! Mom and Dad! Save me!”
As an Alpha, he was completely helpless against an Omega of his own kind. His neck was being choked painfully, and due to the height difference, he was occasionally dragged along the ground.
Xiao Xun was already of a higher rank than him, and having undergone prolonged, rigorous training at the Aphid Island training base, he held the upper hand against anyone his age who wasn’t exceptionally skilled in combat or of comparable rank.
His older brother, Xiao Zichi, was the first to fly into a rage: “Xiao Xun! How dare you team up with outsiders to scheme against us! How dare you!”
His eldest uncle roared, “You’re rebelling! How could the Xiao family have produced a traitorous bastard like you!”
My third uncle, concerned for the safety of his own son, quickly ordered the security guards not to shoot and shouted loudly to calm Xiao Xun down. He was terrified that Xiao Xun would seek revenge and take out all his hatred for the Lingti Clan on his son.
“Xunxun! You must understand we’re all doing this for your own good. We arranged this engagement hoping you’d have a family and live a stable life raising children! You can’t possibly repay kindness with hatred! Look, since you don’t like it, we won’t force you anymore. You can go wherever you want—is that alright?”
The other uncles joined in, pleading and begging.
“No need to be so merciful. I’ve always been free to go wherever I please. Once I’m gone, your precious son will be returned to you.” Xiao Xun dragged Xiao Zizhe away with him.
After leaving the Lingti Clan’s main building and gardens, Xiao Xun turned into a deserted corner. He knew the Lingti Clan’s grounds well; this spot was very secluded.
Xiao Xun stopped and released his grip.
Xiao Zizhe immediately stumbled back several steps, covering his mouth as he coughed painfully. Exhausted from the prolonged suffocation and terror, his legs gave way, and he collapsed onto the ground.
Though his voice trembled, Xiao Zizhe knew Xiao Xun wouldn’t dare kill him. He raised his hand and pointed fiercely at Xiao Xun, his words harsh but his resolve weak: “If you dare touch me… my dad won’t let you off the hook… Once you’re out of the Xiao family, you’re nothing but a stray dog…”
“Is that so? What about us, then?” Lu Yan crouched on the lid of an abandoned oil drum in the corner, holding his gun upside down. He clutched the bullets in his palm, feeding them one by one into the magazine, muttering under his breath, “How did we end up meeting here? I’ve been looking for you for ages.”
Bi Lanxing sat on his vine, his bandage had come loose, so he looked down and rewrapped it.
Dr. Han walked over, brushing the dust off his white coat, still holding a scalpel in his hand: “Xiao Yang got away. “I was planning to chop off a couple of his fingers, but he was smart enough to spill everything. Might as well let him go. He and Ailian… seem to have quite a history.” He seemed to notice Xiao Zizhe on the ground for the first time and pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up his nose. “Oh, isn’t this our big nephew?”
“My dear nephew?” A flippant laugh came from the wall. Bai Chunian hung from the wall with both hands, his snow-white lion ears twitching slightly as he eyed Xiao Zizhe. “What kind of nobody are you? Shut up! Can you even fight? Go find a class to join already!”
Xiao Zizhe looked fearfully in Bai Chunian’s direction, but something cold seemed to press against his back.
Lan Bo, coiled around an abandoned water pipe behind him, swept the tip of his icy tail lightly across Xiao Zizhe’s cheek: “A stray dog, huh… I’ve learned another new human word.”
A powerful electric current surged from Lan Bo’s tail tip, and Xiao Zizhe was knocked unconscious.
Bai Chunnian scaled the wall to get in, scooped up Lan Bo, and ran toward the exit: “The backup squad has arrived.”
As Lu Yan left, he pressed the detonator for the bomb.
Chaos reigned in the main building of the Lingti Clan. Shrill cries and angry shouts rose and fell in waves, yet only the door to the eldest sister-in-law’s bedroom remained tightly shut, blocking out the chaotic noise from the hallway.
The eldest sister-in-law, Song Feng, was still standing at the window soothing her child, with an additional figure by her side.
Xiao Yang pressed his hand against the bullet wound still oozing blood. His face was pale, and his body slightly hunched, yet he wore his usual smile.
“My niece-in-law seems quite at ease. I suppose you’re enjoying this spectacle, aren’t you?”
His sister-in-law continued to stare coldly out the window.
“Here, take this.” ” Xiao Yang pulled a handgun from his pocket. “It’s so chaotic down there; no one will notice if you fire a few shots for fun.”
His sister-in-law stared at the gun, startled. After a moment, she gently placed the baby back in the stroller, walked slowly back, and took the gun from Xiao Yang’s hand.
“Do you know how to use this?”
“No.”
“I’ll show you. Like this: push it back to chamber a round, then here—align the front sight with the person you want to shoot, and pull the trigger. There’s a bit of recoil, so hold it with both hands for better stability.”
Song Feng fumbled to raise the muzzle, aiming it at the chaotic lobby below. The distance was actually quite close; even without experience, it wouldn’t matter.
A loud bang echoed, and Xiao Zichi, who was walking through the lobby, was hit in the calf. The baby in the stroller was startled and began wailing.
Xiao Zichi was her Alpha husband.
“Not bad aim,” Xiao Yang praised with a smile.
“It wasn’t accurate,” Song Feng said, her slender hands trembling from the recoil, yet her expression remained impassive. “I was aiming for the head.”
“Alright, just a little fun. ” Xiao Yang reached out to help her away, but Song Feng suddenly curled her lips into a smile. Mimicking the technique Xiao Yang had just taught her, she clumsily chambered a round, gripped the gun with both hands, and pulled the trigger repeatedly. Some shots missed, others hit non-vital areas, but every single shot was aimed at her husband, Xiao Zichi.
The lobby grew even more chaotic. Someone had spotted Song Feng upstairs and was already charging up the stairs with a gun.
Song Feng broke into a deeply satisfied grin, so happy she didn’t even bother to soothe her crying child.
Xiao Yang stood by, watching, and remarked casually, “I did pretty much the same thing on my wedding night. It was truly exhilarating. “That Alpha was still staring at me with wide eyes even after he died. I kicked him, but his eyes wouldn’t close.”
“Let’s go. We’ll wait in the basement for a while.” Xiao Yang supported Song Feng, took the child from her, and they took the elevator down to the lowest level.
The basement served as a sort of bomb shelter, capable of withstanding air raids and earthquakes.
No sooner had they entered the basement and closed the door than a violent tremor shook the ground beneath their feet. Song Feng could barely stay on her feet and had to brace herself against the wall.
The baby let out a piercing cry, followed by a deafening explosion. The sound of shattering glass and porcelain came in rapid succession from upstairs.
The shockwaves came from the direction of the factory. Xiao Yang knew full well that the raw materials inside were beyond saving, but he didn’t panic. He was exhausted and just wanted to see Ailian and ask her some questions in person.
After a long while, Song Feng asked softly, “Did Xunxun do this too?”
“Pretty much. I’ll leave once the tremors die down. I didn’t give my great-nephew a red envelope this time, but I’ll make it up to him next chance I get.” Xiao Yang smiled warmly, kissed the little baby, and handed him back to Song Feng. “I’ll leave you the gun as a keepsake, too. There’s still plenty of ammunition in it.”
As he was leaving, Song Feng called out to him, “Sixth Uncle, where are you going?”
Xiao Yang spread his hands. “To work for my boss. As long as I’m not at the Lingti Clan, anywhere is fine.”
——
The Lingti Clan’s factory had been reduced to a sea of flames. Just as Bai Chunian and the others were leaving the Lingti Clan’s territory, Bi Lanxing’s watch sounded an alarm.
“Warning: High-level special operations test subjects approaching. Number: 3. Pheromone levels detected: M2, M2, A3.”
The hum of wings already swirled around his ears. Bai Chunian knew his team members were in poor condition; even with Han Xingqian present, it would be difficult to continue fighting off three high-level test subjects.
Two jeeps suddenly drove up from the intersection directly ahead—one from the IOA, the other from the PBB.
The sunroof of one jeep opened, and Ying leaned out, forcefully tossing two flash-bang grenades. “Get down!”
Bai Chunian: “Quick, get down in the shade!”
The flash grenades exploded behind Bai Chunian and the others, sending solidified beams of light stabbing outward at the pursuing experimental subjects. Yu Xiaochen got out of the car, and a brilliant golden sea anemone bloomed behind Bai Chunian and the others. The anemone’s tentacles sprayed out in all directions, and a toxic mist spread through the air.
The nearest Bird-type test subject dove downward to launch an attack, but its wings were suddenly entangled by a viscous web, immediately halting its dive.
Bai Chunian looked toward a nearby tree branch, where a slender, spider-web-covered mummy stood, leaning against the branch. The Golden Thread Worm was at the base of the tree; its ten fingers, connected by spider silk to the mummy’s limbs, manipulated the mummy as it nimbly navigated between the branches.
The Flying Bird test subject, its attention drawn by the Golden Thread Worm, screeched and charged toward him. The mummy somersaulted to the ground, scooped up the Golden Thread Worm with one hand, raised its arm to release a web, and activated its J1 ability, Pharaoh’s Cocoon.
The door and sunroof of another jeep swung open simultaneously. The He twins, dressed in crisp bulletproof vests and military helmets, charged down with their rifles at the ready.
He Suowei, a half-smoked cigar hanging from his lips, leaned against the edge of the sunroof, a CRS rifle pressed against his chest as he closed one eye to aim at the Flying Bird test subjects behind them.
“We never get a moment’s peace. We’re here to save your asses again. Are you IOA guys even capable of doing anything?”