Chapter 011 It seems that the signal from the underworld is quite fast

　　On the crystal-clear sea surface, several people darted back and forth among a few containers at the dock, with small-scale explosions and flashes occurring from time to time. Occasionally, one could hear shouts like "Don't run!" and "Who's afraid of whom?"

　　From petty gang brawls to large-scale clashes between factions, according to Jing City's tradition, such scenes were bound to unfold at the port. No matter how battered and bruised the harbor,was left by these psychic warriors in the dead of night, it couldn't mar the usual bustling prosperity the next morning. This robust vitality was also part of Jing City's unique charm.

　　A shadowy figure swirled the sediment in a glass of red wine and took a delicate sip. It was as if he were admiring the deadly duel at the dock through floor-to-ceiling windows, much like a bettor calmly observing the changing tides at a racetrack.

　　After that incident, both Chen Zhongwei and Feng Gangping had vanished without a trace. The quintet idled away their days cooped up in the house. Their only daily pleasure seemed to be huddled on the sofa, reading newspapers.

　　"Wow, Brother Feng's already worth two or three million at such a young age. Not bad, not bad," Li Lei joked, looking at the image of Detective Feng in the newspaper.

　　"Zhongwei's not doing too shabbily either, with four or five million. I wouldn't read Forbes without them, seriously," Lu Kong said, his expression complex as he glanced at the unfamiliar portrait.

　　"This must be an ad for the security department. I've heard this part of Jing City's been getting more and more restless lately," Su Xuan said, applying eyebrow pencil with a worried look.

　　Jing Lingxiao was sitting in a chair nearby, engrossed in a book. Out of curiosity, Cheng Hao leaned over for a peek. Just as they were getting into it, a commotion outside shattered the usual tranquility and lethargy.

　　"Who's there?" Li Lei yanked open the door handle, but no one was in sight.

　　On the cold floor lay an envelope. Li Lei bent down to pick it up and found it was a challenge letter.

　　"It took every ounce of my blood and essence to crawl back from hell. Now, I demand blood for blood for the affront you've caused me. When walking alone by the seaport, don't dare to look back casually." -- Wu Yu.

　　"This... this can't be true? Wu Yu was supposed to be dead and buried," Jing Lingxiao stared incredulously at the few chilling lines.

　　It was absurd that someone who had been dead for so long was now issuing a challenge to the quintet.

　　"Then I'm going to get to the bottom of who's behind this prank," Lu Kong clenched his fists and turned to grab a thick coat.

　　Jing City had welcomed the snowy season. Through the car window, Lu Kong caught sight of the iron tower in the city center standing tall amidst the night, resembling a long spear piercing straight into the sky.

　　"Since the letter mentioned the seaport, let's each take a stroll around Jing City's harbors," Lu Kong planned methodically. "Given that the sender's strength is unknown, if you spot any suspicious figures, don't act rashly. We must all rally together."

　　With those words, the five split up and went their separate ways.

　　"This is the place," Lu Kong pressed down on his hat and stepped lightly out of the taxi. He had arrived at Port A.

　　The snow had stopped.

　　Several wisps of evening breeze wove through the harbor, causing the containers to hiss, somewhat reminiscent of echoes reverberating in an empty valley. Amidst the profound silence, these containers resembled several slumbering lions lurking in the night, seemingly poised to devour any passing traveler. Lu Kong held an umbrella and made his way toward this cluster of containers.

　　The falling snow had quietly draped the port in a silver-white cloak. Lu Kong's arrival was akin to a mischievous cat leaving a few paw prints on the concrete. After some time, Port A remained deathly still. Just as Lu Kong was about to turn back, there came a clang.

　　He quickly spun around and saw a shadowy figure in the moon's backlight, with only the vague outline of its body visible. But it was clearly no good character. Lu Kong took off running. The sound of his footsteps was muffled by the snow, though Lu Kong alone could feel their weight. As he ran, he sent messages to everyone else.

　　"Useless. On this snow-covered ground, I'm like a hound tracking a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, just following your footprints," the shadowy figure chuckled confidently, nonchalantly following the footsteps.

　　Lu Kong's messages finally got responses, but the content left him dumbstruck. Every member of the quintet was being pursued by an unknown assailant. Lu Kong knew he could only rely on himself this time. As the footsteps in the distance grew louder, he pulled out a handgun, ready for action.

　　The shadowy figure knelt on one knee, observing the various and messy footprints. Only then did it realize Lu Kong had tricked it. Lu Kong had been constantly circling around Port A, filling the snowy ground with his footprints to make his whereabouts untraceable. Though deceived, the shadowy figure calmly clenched its fists, muttering something under its breath.

　　Suddenly, a gust of wind howled. Following the scent carried by the wind...

　　"Gotcha." The shadowy figure had somehow circled around behind Lu Kong.

　　Bang! Lu Kong felt a searing heat in his left shoulder. The bullet had pierced through his body, leaving a sunken hole in the container behind him as well.

　　"Damn it, I underestimated him," Lu Kong groaned, clutching his left shoulder in pain. "But how did he..."

　　"Run, run," under the moonlight, Lu Kong finally caught a glimpse of the true face hidden in the shadows.

　　Snow-white hair contrasted sharply with his relatively young face. He was a man in his early twenties, dressed in a sharp suit. His pale skin seemed bloodless under the moonlight, especially when paired with his cold, grinning smile, making him resemble a vampire just crawled out of a coffin. Seeing the murderous intent in his eyes, Lu Kong knew he had to flee. He dashed toward the nearest cluster of containers. But the shadowy figure seemed unhurried, instead savoring Lu Kong's escape and the trail of blood he left behind.

　　"What's his power..." Faced with such limited information, Lu Kong couldn't even figure out how the figure had found him so quickly. Although he could no longer hear other footsteps, the fear and unease in his heart didn't dissipate.

　　Perhaps due to his injury, Lu Kong couldn't hold on much longer after running for a while. He collapsed in the snow, gasping for breath. At that moment, his phone suddenly lit up. The faint glow was particularly glaring in the dark surroundings, making Lu Kong squint.

　　Looking at the time and weather forecast on the phone screen, he saw no other messages had arrived.

　　"Could they be in danger..." Lu Kong couldn't help but sweat.

　　"Don't hide anymore. I'll make your death quick and painless," from not far away, the shadowy figure's voice echoed, accompanied by the creaking of container doors. He was obviously searching for Lu Kong's hiding spot one by one.

　　Lu Kong quickly propped himself up with his right hand. Everything around him was pitch black. Lu Kong racked his brains and finally realized something...