The two massive wolves were still barking, but the young guard hadn't returned. The other guard frowned.
He got up to check. As he entered the kennel, he saw his brother lying by the side, motionless.
"What happened?" he hurried forward, unaware that Cao Yang had already appeared behind him.
Snap.
Cao Yang silently broke his neck from behind.
Both men were Liu Zhenhu's trusted lieutenants, known for doing plenty of dirty work. Killing them brought Cao Yang no remorse.
"Woof! Woof!" The dogs continued barking.
Cao Yang searched the two men and found their handguns. He considered shooting the wolves but worried the gunfire would alert those upstairs.
He glared at the wolves with murderous eyes. The two dogs met his gaze, whined, tucked their tails, and squatted quietly, no longer barking.
Next to the kennel was a small room. Cao Yang opened the door and saw Bozai sitting on the bed, bloodied, deep in thought.
Bozai was still pondering how Liu Zhenhu had discovered his connection to Cao Yang.
His first suspect was Cao Yang—but why would Cao Yang betray him? If Cao Yang had sent the video to Liu Zhenhu, he would have been shredded long ago. Moreover, Liu Zhenhu didn't even know Liu Yu had been killed by him.
Then he thought of his girlfriend, Xiaoling. Only Cao Yang and he knew about Liu Yu's murder, but Xiaoling was the only other person aware of their connection.
Gritting his teeth, Bozai swore to himself that if he survived, he would kill that wretched woman.
Just then, the door opened, and he saw Cao Yang walk in, hand gripping a gun.
"How did you get here?" Bozai was shocked—didn't Cao Yang leave?
"Out," Cao Yang ordered coldly, pointing the gun at him.
Bozai had no thought of resistance. Under Cao Yang's threat, he stepped out of the room.
"Which floor is Liu Zhenhu on?"
"Third floor."
"How many of them are there?"
"Around ten, all armed."
"Lead me up!"
Cao Yang pressed the gun against the back of Bozai's head, using him as a shield while letting him guide the way.
They quietly reached the third-floor door. Cao Yang signaled Bozai to open it.
Bozai turned the handle and pushed the door open.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
As soon as the door cracked open, a hail of bullets rained down.
Cao Yang slammed the door and swiftly backed away. Only unlucky Bozai was hit—one bullet to the thigh, another to the abdomen—collapsing in pain.
"Damn it, there's an ambush!"
Two men stepped out, wearing only underwear, guns in hand, searching for Cao Yang.
Before they could react, Cao Yang fired two shots.
Both screamed in pain, hit but not fatally, and scrambled back.
Seeing their attire, Cao Yang smirked. Clearly, they had been startled awake by the dogs, rushing to defend in panic.
Cao Yang had prepared two homemade Molotov cocktails, intending to set the villa on fire after the job. Now, he would use them immediately.
He lit one and hurled it into the room.
The bottle shattered, gasoline splashed everywhere, and flames surged.
"Burn to death, you bastards!"
This wasn't a bar; these people had tried to kill him. He showed no mercy.
Cao Yang held his guns on the door. Trapped by the fire, the men had no choice but to rush out or jump.
Inside, chaos erupted. Liu Zhenhu's face turned pale; seven or eight lieutenants shielded him.
"What are you all huddled together for? Want to burn to death together?"
"Go out and kill him!"
Liu Zhenhu roared. Four lieutenants braved the flames to attack.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Cao Yang, dual-wielding, fired at any exposed head. Though he had only trained with a shotgun before, his talent and proximity allowed him to hit all four men.
Unfortunately, he was also hit—a bullet tore a hole in his thigh.
"Boss, jump!" The remaining lieutenants at the window hesitated, seeing their comrades fall.
"Pathetic! A bunch of losers!" Liu Zhenhu cursed. Even so, some had to jump.
He climbed to the window, peering down. Fear crept in.
Twenty years ago, he would have jumped without hesitation. Now, older and softer, he valued his life more.
"I'll go first, Boss! I'll catch you below!"
A-Wei jumped, landing awkwardly and twisting his ankle. Pain shot through him as he struggled to recover.
He opened his arms, signaling Liu Zhenhu to jump.
"Two of you cover them!" Liu Zhenhu ordered two lieutenants, then had another jump to assist.
The two hesitant lieutenants barely exposed themselves before taking bullets—Cao Yang had anticipated their movement.
Finally, Liu Zhenhu jumped, landing with the two below. All three were slightly injured.
"Boss, hurry!"
"Damn it! Where are our men? Tell A-Fa to bring help fast!"
Liu Zhenhu didn't want to flee in humiliation. His home had been breached by a single man; his pride couldn't allow it.
"They're on the way. Let's hide for now," A-Wei advised.
He understood his boss—Liu Zhenhu wanted to flee, but for appearances, he had to vent a little bravado.
Cao Yang, on the stairway, glanced at the flames engulfing the room. Anyone remaining inside would be burned alive.
No screams came. He knew Liu Zhenhu and his men had jumped.
Looking down at the fallen men—some shot in the chest, others in the head or legs—he didn't bother checking if they were dead.
His priority: kill Liu Zhenhu. Delay too long, and reinforcements would arrive, trapping him.
Cao Yang hobbled down the stairs, ignoring the pain in his leg.
At the bottom, he spotted A-Wei and another lieutenant helping Liu Zhenhu escape.
Cao Yang raised his gun and fired from behind—a natural advantage. Four bullets hit the backs of the three men, but not fatally.
The three returned fire, striking Cao Yang in the chest and abdomen. He rolled quickly, taking cover at the stairwell.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Gunfire erupted continuously, the three aiming to empty their magazines to shred him.
"Stop! You can't even see him!" Liu Zhenhu yelled.