Xiao Feng arrived at the repair factory alone, unarmed save for a single alloy blade sheathed on his back.
K's eyes widened in surprise at his sudden appearance. "What brings you here...?"
Xiao Feng chuckled dryly. "And why shouldn't I come? Our Kill leader is poised to assassinate me—surely I have the right to ask why?"
"There is no hidden motive. Lin must have informed you. Now that you know, you must understand: my lover and child remain captives of the Alliance forces. I must trade your life to secure theirs—or, should you kill me, I will depart this world and no longer worry for their fate."
"Hmph, you think it so simple. If I kill you, what then of your lover and child? Do you imagine those scoundrels in the Alliance would spare them? I offer you another choice—care to hear it?"
K regarded Xiao Feng silently. "Another choice? What might that be?"
Xiao Feng slipped his hands into his pockets, his tone confident. "We will help you rescue your lover and child from the Alliance's grasp—on one condition."
K's brow furrowed with suspicion. "If you can truly rescue them, I will consent to any condition."
"And you don't ask what it is?"
"Isn't it obvious? You want us in Kill, don't you?"
Xiao Feng smiled wryly. "As expected of Kill's leader. Ha. Just agree to the terms. Prepare yourself—we are going to rescue your family."
K's expression remained guarded, tinged with doubt. "What if we fail?"
Xiao Feng smiled assuredly. "There is nothing I cannot accomplish."
At that moment, Lin emerged, startled to see Xiao Feng. "Xiao Feng, what brings you here?"
"To negotiate with K. So far, things seem promising…"
K nodded. "Yes, we'll gather our gear and set out."
Xiao Feng inquired, "Do you know where they're held?"
"Yes. We've located someone who can reveal their whereabouts."
…
When Rush learned that Xiao Feng intended to take him and K along to rescue K's family, he replied sternly, "I'm not going. My business with K isn't settled. His family troubles are none of my concern."
"If you won't come willingly, I'll go alone. Should I fall into peril, how will you answer to Jason?"
Rush scoffed, "Don't use Mr. Jason to threaten me!"
"Then I shall wield Mr. Jason as my weapon. What will you do?"
Irritated, Rush glared at Xiao Feng. "Fine. If you insist on dragging me along, so be it. I'll only protect your safety; the rest is not my concern."
"Why must you be so stubborn?"
The four—K, Lin, Xiao Feng, and Rush—departed Godo City in a modified sports car.
Their vehicle surged forward at speeds exceeding one hundred kilometers per hour. Despite their haste, the journey consumed an entire day. Night had fallen when they reached a city unfamiliar to Xiao Feng.
Avoiding the main gates, they parked beneath a formidable defensive wall.
Xiao Feng emerged from the car, scolding Lin, "Damn it, Lin, can't you drive any slower?"
Lin laughed lightly. "Time is of the essence."
K and Rush flanked Xiao Feng, K's lingering doubt evident. "How confident are we?"
"Since we're here, let's not ponder odds. We either succeed or we don't."
With that, Xiao Feng eyed the nearly ten-meter-high wall, took a few steps back, then charged forward with increasing speed. Leaping high, he drew his alloy blade from his back and plunged it into the concrete. With a powerful vault, he grasped the wall's edge.
Carefully, he slipped past the electrified wires strung atop the wall, exhaling in relief before tossing down a prepared rope.
Xiao Feng's seamless maneuver elicited renewed admiration from Rush, K, and Lin. No fortress could bar his way.
Lin climbed the rope first, followed by K and Rush.
Once all four stood atop the wall, Xiao Feng surveyed the city below. It was smaller than Black Whale City, yet the buildings gleamed with pristine modernity—a metropolis brimming with technological marvels.
Lin explained, "This city, Aidenway, was built after the Great Purge. It serves as a vital military base for the Alliance."
"Looks impressive. If only our X Mercenary Corps had such a base. It far surpasses Black Whale City. Look at those rooftop helipads—I wager they're fit not just for helicopters but for fighter jets as well."
Lin nodded. "Their air force is formidable. The fighters that intercepted Brom Company's transports likely hail from here."
Xiao Feng nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Let's put aside such thoughts for now. This city will be ours one day. For now, let's find the person we seek."
Without hesitation, Xiao Feng leapt down from the ten-meter wall.
Lin and K gasped, but the rope secured their descent.
Rush, however, was unfazed; such walls posed no challenge to him. Yet Lin and K's abilities were ill-suited for such an approach.
Once on the ground, K turned to Xiao Feng. "Follow me…"
Their silhouettes soon vanished around a corner.
Behind them, an armored patrol vehicle rolled past, blaring heavy metal rock. Inside, soldiers clutched bottles of alcohol, their spirits visibly high—even the driver held a beer bottle in hand.