Feng Yue had long been prepared for death, and once that acceptance set in, she felt strangely at peace.
"Of course I believe you. There's nothing you wouldn't dare to do."
Her expression was calm and indifferent.
"Boss, hurry and give the order — they'll be here any second!"
The young man beside Lin Yang urged anxiously.
Lin Yang hesitated for a moment, then swept his gaze across Feng Yue and Mu Qingying.
"I don't intend to go against the Dragon Nation directly. Catching you two was only because of Xu Mu. Let's end this matter here."
As he spoke, Lin Yang pressed his hand against a nearby rust-covered metal machine.
Boom!
A violent tremor shook the ground as the steel machine caved inward with a deep rumble.
Feng Yue was already aware that Lin Yang was a martial artist, so she wasn't too shocked.
But Mu Qingying was utterly dumbfounded.
"If I wanted to kill you, it would be as easy as crushing an egg. When the security division questions you, you'd better not say too much — otherwise, death will be the least of your worries."
Lin Yang was preparing to withdraw. He had once served as an instructor for the Dragon Nation, training new recruits.
He knew well how powerful the nation was — he wasn't foolish enough to challenge the state head-on.
This whole situation, he thought grimly, was merely a matter of using the wrong people.
That bastard Nine Fingers — he'd find time to deal with him later.
As for Xu Mu, he wouldn't be spared either.
"Let's go."
Lin Yang looked at the young man beside him.
The youth quickly packed the laptops from the table into his bag, and together they slipped out from the back of the steel mill.
At that moment, Xu Mu and his group arrived at the steel mill's front gate.
The team leader, Wang Wei, immediately gave the order to surround the area.
Xu Mu extended his senses, probing the interior of the factory.
At the edge of his perception, he detected Mu Qingying and Feng Yue — but not Lin Yang.
"Mr. Xu."
Meng Wanyue approached him quietly. "I checked just now — there are surveillance cameras nearby."
Hearing this, Xu Mu suddenly understood.
It seemed Lin Yang had realized the police were coming.
A man like him clearly knew the consequences of opposing the nation — so he must have fled.
With that in mind, Xu Mu said to Wang Wei, "Captain Wang, since the enemy was after me, why don't I go in first?"
"No way! That's too dangerous. If they dared to kidnap two people, there must be many of them."
Wang Wei wouldn't allow Xu Mu to take such a risk.
After the incident was reported, higher authorities had strictly ordered them to protect Xu Mu. Xu Shou had close ties with many powerful figures in Jiang City.
Besides, every patrol vehicle in the local security division — even those in subordinate branches — had been donated by the Xu Group.
If anything happened to Xu Mu, they'd lose all face.
"It's alright. I'll just try to talk to them — tell them they're surrounded. Maybe it'll help."
Xu Mu said calmly.
After all, there was no one inside; he just needed to act the part.
He couldn't exactly tell Wang Wei that he'd already sensed the place was empty.
"Xu Mu, you've got guts! Don't worry, I'll ensure your safety!"
Wang Wei gave Xu Mu a thumbs-up, then immediately ordered his team to arm themselves.
"Mr. Xu…"
Meng Wanyue reached out and grabbed his arm.
"Wanyue, don't worry. I don't believe they'd dare kill me in front of all these people."
With that, Xu Mu walked into the factory.
"All units, be ready!"
Wang Wei barked into his Bluetooth earpiece.
"Lin Yang, I'm here! Let's talk this out — you're surrounded! Surrender now while you still can!"
Xu Mu shouted into the factory, peering into windows and doors as he moved to keep up the act.
Outside, Wang Wei watched nervously, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
"Lin Yang…"
"Xu Mu, Lin Yang's not here! He ran! We're over here!"
Just then, Mu Qingying's voice echoed from inside.
Hearing that, Xu Mu rushed into the building where the two women were held.
As soon as he stepped inside, black text appeared above their heads:
[Favorability +20]
[Favorability +20]
Xu Mu glanced at them briefly, said nothing, and immediately exited the building.
He shouted toward Wang Wei outside, "Lin Yang's gone!"
Wang Wei raised his hand, and he and over twenty officers rushed in.
Sure enough, they found Feng Yue and Mu Qingying tied up.
It was clear Xu Mu hadn't lied.
"Lin Yang ran! He had cameras set up along the main road. Once he spotted the police cars, he escaped through the back of the factory!"
Feng Yue said quickly.
She no longer feared Lin Yang's threats. Since he didn't dare face the police head-on, it meant he was afraid.
Now that they were enemies, Feng Yue would drag him down even if it cost her life.
Wang Wei was inwardly shocked — this Lin Yang wasn't an ordinary man.
Several officers untied the women, and both finally relaxed.
"You two should be grateful to Xu Mu. He risked his life to come in for you. If those criminals hadn't fled, his life would've been in danger."
Wang Wei looked at the two women and openly praised Xu Mu.
Feng Yue and Mu Qingying exchanged glances — and more Favorability points popped above their heads.
Still, their Favorability toward him was negative, so the increase wasn't much.
"Xu Mu, thank you."
Mu Qingying came forward, deeply moved, especially since he had faced that assassin alone earlier.
"No need to thank me. It's my fault you were dragged into this. Since you're safe now, I'll take my leave."
Xu Mu's tone was calm.
A flicker of surprise crossed Feng Yue's eyes. So it seemed Xu Mu had finally given up on Mu Qingying.
"Xu Mu, you can't leave just yet," Wang Wei said with a grin. "We still need you to give a statement."
"Alright, I'll cooperate."
Xu Mu nodded.
The statement didn't take long. Xu Mu fully cooperated, providing phone records of the threatening call that morning.
Afterward, he and Meng Wanyue left first.
Mu Qingying and Feng Yue hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to stay quiet — to preserve their lives, they gave vague answers during questioning.
As Wang Wei wrapped up the case, another call came in — a report of a body found at the old fertilizer plant.
He immediately led his team there.
When they arrived, they found Nine Fingers lying dead.
"Captain Wang, we checked — gunshot wound," said the first officer on scene, his face grave.
Wang Wei's own expression darkened. A violent crime in his jurisdiction could easily cost him his job.
"Have you confirmed the identity?" he asked.
"No record — it says we need your clearance." The officer handed him a black tablet.
"What? My clearance?"
Wang Wei leaned in and used facial recognition. The moment the identity appeared, his face turned pale. He quickly took out his phone and made a call.
As dusk fell, Wang Wei and his team waited patiently. Before long, a woman appeared in the distance.
She looked to be in her early twenties, wearing a janitor's uniform — but not the usual orange.
Hers was entirely black, with two white stripes across the chest.
Hands in her pockets, she chewed bubble gum.
Pop!
A bubble burst, breaking the silence around them.
Cold sweat beaded on Wang Wei's back. Two white stripes—!
An Intermediate Cleaner!?