Volume One: First Signs of Brilliance Chapter Sixty-Two: Brother, This Is All a Misunderstanding

"Alright, I understand," Wang Jue replied gravely, nodding his head. At first, listening to Lan Yiyi's account that most members of the Black Dragon Gang were ordinary people with physical abilities inferior to his own, he hadn't thought much of it. But now, upon learning they possessed firearms, he realized he could not afford to be careless. With his current physical condition, he would stand no chance against guns.

"Get ready to move. Surround the area. I'll take him with me." Lan Yiyi showed no courtesy toward her team, issuing orders directly. "Yes, Captain," the hunting squad members responded, and without any hesitation, all eight dispersed in different directions. From this, it was clear they had already been assigned their targets in advance.

As he watched the hunting squad leave, Wang Jue, following Lan Yiyi, couldn't help but ask, "With this arrangement, won't they have any objections?" "What I've given you, just take it. I have other arrangements for them," Lan Yiyi replied without turning her head. Anyone she brought along was someone she could trust. There was no possibility of conflict over a few energy stones.

Wang Jue was at a loss for words, not being a fool; he knew Lan Yiyi was offering him benefits. He needed energy stones, true, but if these benefits could affect Lan Yiyi adversely, he would rather refuse. There were many ways to obtain energy stones. Before, when his cultivation hadn't broken through, he could only covet those tasks. Now that he had advanced, most tasks were no longer a challenge.

Seeing Wang Jue's concern, Lan Yiyi explained, "Once the Black Dragon Gang is dealt with, anything found will be confiscated. It's our mission, so you won't have a claim." It was a reasonable arrangement. Since Lan Yiyi had taken action, bringing her squad, it had essentially become their hunting team's mission. By using her authority to issue the task, Wang Jue had earned ten energy stones—a generous reward. As for the spoils after eliminating the Black Dragon Gang, naturally, he would not be entitled to them. Though he sensed the gang might hide greater value, those matters were not his concern. Lan Yiyi would handle them.

...

Soon, Wang Jue followed Lan Yiyi to their destination on the fourth floor. They chose the stairs over the elevator. "Here we are. Each room on this floor is occupied by members of the Black Dragon Gang, usually responsible for lending money and petty crimes. The one who assaulted your father is also inside," Lan Yiyi said, stopping at the stairwell and turning to Wang Jue. "I've investigated. Most of the gang is here—six rooms, eighteen people total. No outsiders. You can do as you please."

"I understand," Wang Jue replied, somewhat nervously. Seeing Lan Yiyi's squad stationed at the room entrances, he suddenly felt as if he were the villain. Lan Yiyi and her hunting team did not resemble official agents; rather, they seemed more like figures from the underworld—assassins, killers, and the like.

Wang Jue needed to do nothing; the hunting squad had already opened the doors for him. Of the six rooms, four were dark, two were lit. Lan Yiyi gave no further instruction, and her teammates, after opening the doors, melted into the shadows, hiding near the stairwell. Wang Jue realized they were likely preparing for anyone who might try to escape.

The pitch-black rooms suggested the occupants were asleep. Wang Jue no longer suppressed the murderous intent surging in his heart; without hesitation, he slipped silently inside. To avoid waking anyone, he moved with utmost stealth, while Lan Yiyi followed close behind.

Upon entering, Wang Jue closed his eyes, adjusting to the darkness before opening them and heading toward two tightly shut doors. He wondered whether these people locked their doors when sleeping. As it turned out, the rooms were unlocked, saving him much trouble. Without further ado, he pushed open the first door and, unexpectedly, encountered a familiar face.

The room was small, with a bunk bed. The upper occupant was unseen, but the lower one was one of the two men Wang Jue had met at his house entrance. The man was as thin as a monkey—what a coincidence that he was the first Wang Jue found.

Seeing the sleeping man before him, Wang Jue realized the act was nothing like the 'raise sword, strike, and be done' decisiveness he had imagined. His grip on the sword tightened and loosened several times, unable to bring himself to strike.

Lan Yiyi stood silently at his side, merely watching Wang Jue's struggle. She said nothing, offered no reminders, and her expression was blank. She understood his conflict well—killing for the first time, especially driven by emotion, was always like this. If the target resisted, perhaps the momentum of battle would carry the act. But when the victim lay unaware, helpless before him, could Wang Jue truly do it? She wanted to see if he could take a life from someone utterly unsuspecting. Since Wang Jue had decided to unleash his murderous intent, she would help him. That was why she had chosen this time and place.

"Who is it? Old Lin, what time is it? Aren't you going to sleep? Why are you standing there?" During Wang Jue's hesitation, the monkey-thin man awakened and mumbled, assuming it was his roommate. At this hour, who would expect anyone to break in and kill him? Especially in the Black Dragon Gang's headquarters—the chance was negligible.

"Hmm?" The thin man was about to go back to sleep, but as he closed his eyes, he suddenly noticed a cold gleam from the sword in Wang Jue's hand. His face turned pale with terror. "Who are you? Old Lin? Old Lin!" He began to slide backward, hoping to find something to protect himself. Unfortunately, behind him was only the wall, blocking any escape.

"Damn you, Blondie! Are you howling for ghosts? It's late—why aren't you sleeping?" The man on the upper bunk, Old Lin, was awakened by the commotion and grumbled, "Damn, even in dreams you think of me? Maybe you've had your eye on me for a while. No way, tomorrow I'm changing rooms." He muttered his complaint and tried to fall back asleep.

"Old Lin, don't sleep..." The thin blond, hearing Old Lin's familiar voice from above, spoke in a trembling tone, "Someone... someone broke in."

Now, he was certain the intruder wasn't one of them. Who among their own would come at midnight carrying a sword to their bedside? It was enough to scare anyone out of their wits.

"Hmm? Someone? What's going on?!" Old Lin flipped over and, fumbling for a hidden switch, flooded the room with light. Seeing the two strangers standing by the bed, Old Lin's face contorted with panic. "Who are you? What are you doing?"

With the room illuminated, Wang Jue and Lan Yiyi's faces were fully revealed. Lan Yiyi remained unmoved, her gaze fixed on Wang Jue. Wang Jue, seeing both men awake, gripped and released his sword, sliding it in his hand. His expressionless face betrayed nothing of his thoughts.

"Hey... it's you?" While Old Lin was guarded, the blond below recognized Wang Jue, recalling their previous encounter. Seeing Wang Jue's sword, he shrank back, nearly pressing himself against the wall.

"What, they're acquaintances of yours? Here to see you?" Old Lin noticed the tense atmosphere, especially the sword in Wang Jue's hand, and began reaching under his pillow.

"Hey, brother, it's all a misunderstanding. After that last incident, we haven't taken any jobs from you," the thin blond said, struggling to keep his composure. "Your family getting hurt has nothing to do with me. I only found out yesterday. The one who hurt them is in another room."

He knew Wang Jue and what had happened to his family. After collecting the money, the others had boasted and taunted him, even though the payment had been willingly made.

The blond swallowed, seeing the murderous intent on Wang Jue's face. "Trust me, brother, don't do anything rash—let's talk this out. Murder is against the law."

"Blondie, calm down," Old Lin said, unable to bear it. The stranger hadn't said a word, and yet Blondie was terrified. The scene made it clear to him these two were dangerous people.

Old Lin's hand found the pistol under his pillow, and his tone grew louder, "Listen, there must be some misunderstanding. Don't do anything foolish. This is the Black Dragon Gang's headquarters. If anything happens, it won't end well."

He wanted to wake the neighboring rooms and felt emboldened by the gun in his hand. What did it matter if they were dangerous? Even martial artists could be killed by firearms. Especially for gangsters like them, they feared nothing.

With confidence, Old Lin raised his gun and threatened Wang Jue, "Kid, I don't care who you are. Behave yourself, or else..."

As he spoke, he shifted the gun to aim at Wang Jue and Lan Yiyi.

A sudden flash.

A scream.