Gu Nian gritted her teeth and lifted her feet off the window ledge, finding no purchase. Her whole body started to fall, but she managed to grab onto the steel rod, suspending herself.
She exerted all her strength, shaking the rod until it loosened further, gradually becoming more unstable. Finally, it gave way under her weight, and she fell.
Gu Nian landed on her feet, bending her knees to absorb the impact, then paused silently, listening for any movement outside the door.
When she heard nothing, she sighed in relief. After a moment's thought, she decided to hide the steel rod under the mattress.
Luckily, the room wasn't large, clearly not intended for comfortable confinement by Chi Xingduan's standards. The furniture was old and worn, suggesting it was a temporary accommodation in this castle.
Apart from a single wooden bed, there was nothing else in the room—not even decorations. Even the crystal lamp above was covered in dust.
In ancient times, this room might have been for servants, with a low ceiling and barely enough space for a bed, leaving no room for extra amenities.
To conserve her strength, Gu Nian sat back on the bed. She wasn't sure what Chi Xingduan planned to do with her. Typically, prisoners were deprived of food and water, confined in a small space until they broke down physically and mentally.
Gu Nian's gaze fell on the water bottle. She suspected Chi Xingduan intended to start with this method.
For now, she stayed still on the bed, sitting with her knees bent and arms crossed.
Her eyes then settled on the wedding ring on her left ring finger. She absentmindedly twisted it, knowing that it concealed a chip inside.
Fortunately, it hadn't been removed. Perhaps Chi Xingduan didn't find her marriage ring suspicious. Initially, the chip, crafted by Lan Shan Manor, was hidden in her anklet. After being kidnapped, the anklet was removed.
Although it was later found, suspicion arose regarding the anklet, so Chu Zhaoyang stopped her from wearing it.
She returned the anklet to Lanshan Manor and retrieved the chip to check it. It contained no suspicious implants.
Three years later, she hid the chip in her wedding ring.
The chip was a creation of the Wen family, enhanced for security. Even if scanned, its presence couldn't be detected by machines
Gu Nian was grateful for Chu Zhaoyang's caution, hoping he would find her soon.
***
"Thorns," Lanshan Manor, and the clan forces in Country Y quickly assembled to meet Chu Zhaoyang.
Chu Zhaoyang was surprised to see Fu Yinxi personally arrive.
"I received information that the leader of the Organization R is in Country Y, so I came to see for myself," Fu Yinxi explained.
Upon hearing this, Chu Zhaoyang's pupils constricted.
Fu Yinxi understood his suspicions and nodded. "I share the same suspicion."
Chu Zhaoyang couldn't afford further delay. He took out his phone and pinpointed Gu Nian's location.
***
"Young Master."
With a respectful call, Chi Xingduan slowly turned to see Chi Yiheng striding towards him.
"You came sooner than I expected," Chi Xingduan said, looking at Chi Yiheng with a smile that wasn't a smile.
"Father," Chi Yiheng approached Chi Xingduan and called out.
Pak.
Chi Xingduan suddenly slapped Chi Yiheng across the face, the force leaving a red imprint on his left cheek.
"You still dare to call me father!" Chi Xingduan demanded sharply. "Have you forgotten your identity, your responsibilities? Nearly risking your life for a woman, nearly getting yourself killed and needing my men to rescue you. What qualifications do you have to be the Young Master of the Organization R?"
Chi Yiheng turned his head, the swollen red mark on his cheek hiding his eyes behind his bangs. He remained in this position, silently standing still.
After a while, Chi Yiheng turned back to face Chi Xingduan directly. "I was wrong."
Chi Xingduan silently watched him for a while before saying, "To become the leader of the Organization R, you must have no emotional weaknesses. Be ruthless to others, be ruthless to yourself."
"Yes," Chi Yiheng replied with lowered eyes.
This man before him had truly taken those words to heart.
Thirty years ago, Chi Xingduan's wife and child were kidnapped by adversaries. The adversaries demanded a part of his influence as a trade.
During the standoff, Chi Xingduan held a gun and, in front of the adversaries, personally shot his wife and child.
He started by killing his own son, making a decisive and drastic move—no room for regrets or hesitation.
Then he ordered his subordinates to shoot the adversary's leader with a random gun.
The adversaries, from their leader to the subordinates, were all stunned into immobility by his act of personally shooting his wife and child.
Their shock paralyzed them, causing a lapse in their actions.
It was this opportunity that Chi Xingduan seized to completely eliminate them.