Chapter 27: Infiltration and First Strike

Bai Mengqi had already reached the ground floor. A glance at her watch confirmed it was already nine in the evening.

She stood concealed within the building’s shadows, poised like a cheetah ready to strike.

As the chairman of a large corporation, Liu Kang was undoubtedly surrounded by formidable bodyguards and extraordinary individuals. Bai Mengqi understood perfectly that tonight’s mission would be far from easy.

“It seems I’ll have to employ some unconventional methods,” Bai Mengqi murmured, her gaze fixed on the lower floors.

Her deep, golden eyes shimmered with an almost sacred light in the darkness. They seemed capable of piercing through the building’s numerous defenses, discerning every hidden danger within.

After a brief observation, her figure flickered, and she reappeared at the building’s rear, moving with the silent grace of a phantom.

This secluded spot, far more discreet than the main entrance, presented the ideal point for her infiltration.

باذنGazing at the towering, frigid wall before her, she drew a deep breath. After a short run-up, a truly astonishing sight unfolded.

She scaled the sheer wall, moving with the impossible agility of a gecko.

Her form was both light and nimble, each step seeming to find a miraculous purchase on the vertical surface. Without the slightest hesitation or slip, she swiftly ascended towards the upper echelons of the building.

****

Meanwhile, within one of the building’s opulent residences, Liu Kang seethed with frustration over a recent mission’s failure.

The dim lighting of the room cast long shadows, accentuating the rage that contorted his features.

“Over thirty men! I shelled out more than ten million to hire those bastards, only for them to be wiped out by a single individual! That Zi Yanran now has such a formidable ability user by her side. Damn it all!”

Liu Kang was a tempest of anger and anxiety. He paced the room, his heavy, erratic footsteps echoing his simmering resentment with every stride.

He simply couldn’t fathom how the individuals he had meticulously prepared and lavished immense sums upon could prove so utterly fragile, all vanquished by that enigmatic ability user.

This setback had undeniably ripped a gaping hole in his meticulously crafted plans, delivering a devastating blow to his ambitions.

His residence also housed numerous ability users, though these were different from the ones he had previously employed. These were his personal bodyguards, and their average strength was considerably greater.

A palpable tension permeated the room. The bodyguards, some seated, some standing, maintained solemn expressions and an unwavering vigilance, as if anticipating an imminent attack.

Beside him sat an elderly man, dressed in a traditional, somewhat retro style, appearing to be in his sixties or seventies.

He was clad in a deep blue robe, his hair a distinguished white, and his face etched with the lines of time. Yet, his eyes held a profound, piercing glint that instantly marked him as no ordinary elder.

“To defeat numerous F-class and a single E-class ability user all by themselves, the opponent is likely a C-class ability user or higher. Mr. Liu, you absolutely cannot underestimate them,” the elder stated slowly, his voice a low, gravelly murmur.

Liu Kang glanced at the elder, a flicker of doubt in his eyes quickly overshadowed by a surge of hope.

He ceased his pacing, approaching the elder with an urgent question. “Master Yang, if they come seeking retribution, do you have the confidence to stop them?”

After a moment of contemplation, the elder slowly shook his head, a deep frown creasing his brow as a grave expression settled upon his face.

“It’s difficult to say. If they are merely a C-class martial artist, this old man would possess some confidence. However, if they prove to be a C-class sorcerer or a super-powered individual, then we face true trouble.”

He understood implicitly that within the world of ability users, different types possessed distinct powers. Sorcerers, in particular, were often more enigmatic and their methods far more elusive.

Just as their conversation continued, the elder’s ear twitched subtly, as if catching a faint sound.

His already profound eyes sharpened instantly, appearing capable of piercing through the very walls to perceive the movements beyond.

“This is not good, Mr. Liu. We have a situation,” the elder announced abruptly, rising to his feet and casting his gaze towards the window.

His movements were startlingly swift and agile, utterly betraying his apparent age. The deep blue robe billowed around him, creating a faint whisper of air.

The elder’s hearing was indeed incredibly keen. In an instant, the remaining bodyguards moved to Liu Kang’s side, forming a protective barrier around him.

They swiftly encircled Liu Kang, positioning him at the center of their formation. Each bodyguard clutched their weapon tightly, their eyes gleaming with a mix of tension and unwavering vigilance as they prepared for an assault.

“Master Yang, what exactly is happening?” Liu Kang inquired, his voice laced with palpable anxiety.

His voice quivered slightly, and fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead as an ominous premonition coiled in his gut.

Liu Kang’s gaze was fixed sharply on the window. The very next instant, a figure plummeted from above, smashing through the bulletproof glass. Shards exploded outwards, scattering with a piercing, crisp sound that echoed jarringly in the silent room.

Immediately, a figure burst into Liu Kang’s private chambers.

There was no need to look further; the intruder could only be Bai Mengqi.

With so many individuals guarding him, a quiet, stealthy completion of her mission was clearly impossible.

She hurtled into the room like a cannonball, generating a fierce gust of wind that sent various objects tumbling and scattering.

“Who goes there?”

Master Yang, his expression grave, positioned himself protectively before Liu Kang.

Upon entering, Bai Mengqi calmly brushed the glass fragments from her clothes before lifting her gaze to face them.

She wore a hat and a mask, leaving only her eyes visible.

Her eyes, cold and sharp, fixed directly on Liu Kang, Master Yang, and the others, radiating an utterly chilling aura.

“You’re Liu Kang, I presume? I have a matter to discuss with you. Shall we chat?” Bai Mengqi said, utterly disregarding the bodyguards and Master Yang.

Her tone was flat and detached, as though she were discussing a mundane trifle with an insignificant acquaintance. Yet, every person in the room perceived the undeniable, crushing pressure in her words.

Liu Kang erupted in a furious rage.

“Forcing your way into my residence in the dead of night, and you want to ‘chat’ with me? Talk about your grandmother’s bear! Deal with her!” Liu Kang, a man of decisive action, issued his command without a moment’s hesitation.

His face flushed crimson, his eyes blazing with fury, and his voice, amplified by his indignation, rose to an exceptionally sharp pitch.

The moment the words left his lips, several ordinary bodyguards charged forward without delay.

They shouted, brandishing their weapons, and lunged at Bai Mengqi, their eyes burning with reckless courage. They were utterly oblivious, however, to the immense power of the adversary they faced.

Yet, Bai Mengqi merely grinned, her smile a faint, teasing curve beneath her mask, radiating a distinct air of mockery.

In the next instant, her figure flickered several times, moving with a blinding speed that seemed to transform her into a mere streak of light.

She returned to her original position just as swiftly, while the attacking bodyguards collapsed, clutching their abdomens, clearly having suffered severe blows.

Their faces contorted in agony, pained groans escaped their lips, and their weapons lay scattered across the floor.

Her speed was terrifying. Aside from Master Yang, none of the others had even clearly perceived Bai Mengqi’s movements.

A jolt of alarm ran through Master Yang. He knew intimately that this woman’s strength was exceptional, far beyond the capabilities of mere ordinary bodyguards.

“Incredibly fast, Mr. Liu! This individual is exceedingly powerful,” Master Yang declared, adopting a Tai Chi starting stance before launching himself towards Bai Mengqi.

His steps were light as he advanced, his body twisting with the fluidity of flowing water. The Tai Chi opening form he executed was impeccably standard, imbued with an ancient and mystical grace.

In a fleeting instant, he struck a palm towards Bai Mengqi. From his hand, an invisible surge of internal energy erupted, hurtling towards her with the ferocity of an unseen python.

Bai Mengqi evaded the strike just in time. Her figure flickered, effortlessly sidestepping Master Yang’s assault.

The invisible internal energy struck the wall, leaving a deep palm print embedded in the surface. Slight cracks radiated outwards from the imprint, silently testifying to the immense power of that single blow.