100%

"Phew..."

After exerting great effort to reach the rooftop, Ye Feng immediately began scanning the surrounding buildings using the three-dimensional model displayed on the radar. As expected, he spotted two oddly dressed individuals standing outside a building directly ahead. They seemed to be on lookout duty, and it was clear that something was happening inside.

Xie Yuyan was probably in there, and these people were likely members of the Dark Palace...

However, asking for help from Li Jing or Su Wanli might cause trouble for Xie Yuyan and even himself. It seemed he had no choice but to rescue Xie Yuyan on his own.

He had to admit, the side effects of the Limit Capsule were unbearable, but it was truly useful in critical moments. Now, the only option was to rely on his combat skills and engage those people in close combat. If even Xie Yuyan wasn't a match for him, these people probably weren't much of a threat either.

With that thought, Ye Feng immediately set off toward the building where Xie Yuyan might be.

"Phew..."

One of the Dark Palace members standing at the entrance let out a sigh of relief. His teammate, noticing this, couldn't help but ask,

"What's wrong, Number Three? You look like you just swallowed a fly. Anyone would think you're about to die."

"Newbie, huh? Heh, I'm just relieved to live another day. You wouldn't understand."

The member codenamed Number Three shot his teammate a look as if he were an idiot.

"Do you know who's trapped in that building?"

"Yeah, isn't she just an assassin from our organization? Mountain Goat already told us."

"Just an assassin? Heh, do you think she's some ordinary assassin? That person is Cold Snake, the assassin with a 100% mission completion rate since the founding of the Dark Palace! Her skills surpass all other assassins, and she's known as the top assassin of the Dark Palace. Even your direct superior, Mountain Goat, ranks far below her."

"She's that strong?"

"That's why I say you're inexperienced. They didn't tell you because they wanted you newbies to act as cannon fodder. But you're lucky—at least you got assigned to a relatively safe and easy mission."

"Listening to you, it does seem pretty safe—"

Before the man could finish his sentence, a figure suddenly appeared behind them. In the blink of an eye, the man was knocked unconscious with a single punch.

"Thud."

Number Three reacted quickly. Seeing his teammate collapse, he immediately pulled out a pistol from his pocket. After all, they were on a mission in Shu City, where strict regulations meant they could only carry small devices and firearms. Except for the higher-ups, who had access to better equipment, ordinary assassins like them were lucky to even have a pistol.

"Damn it!"

Number Three aimed his gun at Ye Feng and prepared to pull the trigger. However, Ye Feng wasn't about to let him keep his distance. After taking down the newbie, Ye Feng swiftly closed the gap, kicked Number Three's heel, and as he lost balance, Ye Feng grabbed the hand holding the pistol and stepped on Number Three's neck.

"Ugh..."

Number Three gritted his teeth, struggling in vain. Looking at the stranger before him, he realized this must be the person helping Xie Yuyan hide. But he couldn't make a sound—this man... was terrifyingly strong...

"Cough... cough..."

As the man's struggles grew weaker, he eventually lost consciousness.

Seeing the two men lying motionless on the ground, Ye Feng took the pistol from Number Three's hand and without hesitation, headed deeper into the old building...

"Finally found you, Cold Snake."

Leaning weakly against the wall, Xie Yuyan looked at Mountain Goat, Evil Wolf, and the others, her heart sinking to the depths.

"Tch... So you found me after all."

Evil Wolf sneered, clearly satisfied to see Xie Yuyan in such a state. "Heh, I told you there's no escaping me. I wanted to bring you back nicely, but it seems you prefer the hard way."

Xie Yuyan ignored Evil Wolf's words, instead recalling the moments she had shared with Ye Feng.

Ye Feng...

"Enough, Evil Wolf. Let's take Cold Snake back before anything else happens. We've stayed here too long. We need to leave immediately."

"Got it."

Evil Wolf calmly ordered his men to tie up Xie Yuyan. Just then, several bullets shot out from the shadows, instantly taking down the men approaching Xie Yuyan.

"Bang! Bang!"

"There's someone else! Take cover!"

Evil Wolf, the quickest to react, immediately retreated behind cover and reached for a smoke grenade on his back.

Mountain Goat also pulled out a small bomb, identical to the one Night Cat had used, and threw it in the direction of the gunfire. The other Dark Palace members drew their pistols, ready to fire at any moment.

Sensing the chaos, Xie Yuyan clenched her teeth and, leaning against the wall, crouched low as she made her way toward the corner of the corridor. She didn't know who was behind the gunfire, but she could at least use the confusion to escape. She wouldn't give up as long as there was even the slightest chance.

"Xie Yuyan, are you there?"

When Xie Yuyan heard a familiar voice, her footsteps came to an abrupt halt. Seeing Ye Feng just on the other side of the wall, she wished she could punch through it and throw herself into his arms.

He came... He really came...

"Ye Feng... Is that you? Am I dreaming?"

"Dreaming at a time like this? I'll hold them off while you escape. Got it?"

"So it's not a dream after all..."

A faint smile appeared on Xie Yuyan's cold, beautiful face, as if she were seeing the most beautiful scene.

"Stop dreaming! Did you hear me?"

"Yes..."

Just then, Xie Yuyan suddenly heard the sound of a small object hitting the ground from behind the wall. It sounded exactly like the bomb Night Cat had used earlier. She immediately shouted,

"Ye Feng! Run!"

"What the—"

Before Ye Feng could react, an explosion erupted from behind the wall. The intense blast tore through the wall, filling the corridor with dust and the smell of gunpowder.

"No!"

Xie Yuyan, her ears ringing from the explosion, screamed in despair. Her pupils trembled as she stumbled toward the spot behind the wall. When she saw a bloodied hand sticking out from the rubble, her eyes lost all light.

50%

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100%

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"How is it? Any movement inside?"

After Mountain Goat threw the explosive, the surrounding members cautiously approached the blasted opening. The smoke and dust temporarily obscured their vision. Just as one of the Dark Palace members reached the opening, a bullet shot out from the smoke, hitting him squarely in a vital spot.

"Fall back! Retreat!"

Mountain Goat, hiding behind cover, immediately issued the order. The members, following the command, fired randomly toward the opening while retreating.

But their movements seemed to be completely anticipated. Bullets continued to fire from the opening, and no matter where they fled, each one was shot dead. Finally, as the last member fell, the sound of an empty magazine being ejected echoed from the opening.