Among the three young men, Gou Feng was the one who stood out the most.
His long hair, naturally white with a faint silver sheen, was a rarity. Yet he was no albino.
The young man's complexion had simply been unusually pale since birth, giving him an almost ethereal appearance that often drew attention wherever he went.
He was one of Hei Bao's most trusted subordinates.
Calm, courteous, and impeccably disciplined, Gou Feng carried himself like a true gentleman. Every task entrusted to him was completed with exceptional precision, earning Hei Bao's unwavering confidence over the years.
After all, Hei Bao had been the one who saved him.
Years ago, while driving home late one rainy night, he had spotted a small figure standing alone beneath a flickering street lamp.
The child looked no older than five.
His clothes were torn to rags. Bruises covered his tiny body, with dried blood stained on his skin, and tears mixed with snot as he cried so hard that his little shoulders trembled uncontrollably.
Hei Bao rarely involved himself in other people's affairs.
Yet, for reasons he couldn't explain, he slowed the car before eventually stopping beside the child.
Rolling down the window, he looked him over with his usual cold expression.
"Oi."
His deep voice echoed through the empty street.
"Are you a beggar? Where are your parents? Stop crying so loud. It's annoying."
The harsh tone of his voice frightened the child, but somehow it also helped as almost instantly, the sobbing ceased.
The little boy hurriedly wiped his face with the sleeve of his tattered shirt before looking up at the unfamiliar man with swollen, tear-filled blue eyes.
Hei Bao studied him for a moment.
"Why is your hair white? You're still just a kid."
The child said nothing.
He simply stared back, his watery blue eyes silently pleading for help.
The sight made something tighten unexpectedly inside Hei Bao's chest.
It was unfamiliar. An emotion he neither recognized nor cared to understand, and yet for some reason he can't seem to bring himself to ignore this kid in front of him.
"Get in."
His voice remained stern out of habit.
The child flinched even more. It wasn't intentional. He had been using this harsh approach for so long because of his occupation that he had forgotten how to speak gently and offer comfort instead of instilling fear.
Hei Bao sighed and tried to soften his voice, repeating his words.
"Get in. I won't hurt you."
A brief pause followed before he added awkwardly,
"This... um, Gege will help you."
The years slipped by, and through relentless training, the once-frightened little boy grew into the tall, composed young man now kneeling before him.
Though born an ordinary human, Gou Feng's life changed forever after consuming Hei Bao's Lycan blood at the age of ten.
The transformation made him a half-breed and a member of the Lycan clan. From that day onward, his loyalty to the man who had rescued him never wavered.
"Rise."
Hei Bao's calm command echoed through the room.
Gou Feng, Shen Jiu, and Huan Zhan immediately obeyed, rising to their feet while keeping their heads respectfully lowered.
None of them feared death. The only person they truly feared was Hei Bao.
It was a fear forged through years of strict discipline, absolute authority, and unwavering respect. A feeling deeply engraved into them since childhood.
Gou Feng quietly straightened his posture, his expression returning to its usual composed calm.
Behind him, however, Shen Jiu and Huan Zhan struggled far more.
Shen Jiu, whose gray hair framed a pair of brown eyes, unconsciously tightened his grip on the hem of his shirt, trying to hide his nervousness.
Beside him, beads of sweat rolled down Huan Zhan's temples and traced the curve of his neck, soaking into the collar of his black shirt despite the room's cool temperature.
Outside, the sun's rays pierced the lingering shadows and gently illuminated the landscape. The cool air started to warm, and the world slowly stirred from its slumber.
The sky transformed into a canvas of vibrant oranges, yellows, and blues, creating a breathtaking masterpiece.
Birds began their morning songs, melodies blending with the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze.
The dew on the grass sparkled like tiny diamonds, reflecting the growing light of the new day.
Each moment felt like a promise, a gentle reminder of the beauty and tranquility that the world could offer.
Yet a man who had endured many struggles and injustices saw only the cruelty of it all. That man is none other than Hei Bao, whose presence made the illuminated room silent.
Still holding his wine glass, he strode to the other couch and sat down. Gou Feng, Shen Jiu, and Huan Zhan remained silent the entire time, not daring to speak or even move their fingers. The air around them felt heavy.
Suddenly, Cheung Qi's phone rang, making three of them flinch.
"Sorry, I need to take this first," He said, glancing at his elder cousin, who only waved him off.
Without further delay, he headed outside.
With him gone, the atmosphere in the room grew even more oppressive. The air seemed to thicken with unspoken anxiety.
Gou Feng, unable to bear the oppressive silence, opened his mouth to speak, but was immediately cut off by Hei Bao.
"Stop addressing me formally. We're alone," Hei Bao said, his voice carrying a cold edge as he took a measured sip of his wine.
Gou Feng glanced nervously at the two men behind him, his unease evident.
Shen Jiu and Huan Zhan locked eyes with him, their faces reflecting confusion and dread. They silently exchanged looks that seemed to scream,
What?
Is he angry because we threw up outside his office earlier?
Are we doomed?
Hua Zhan, prone to overthinking, shivered uncontrollably, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios, while Shen Jiu, composed but still anxious inside, waited for Gou Feng to speak.
However, this only sighed and turned back to face their pact leader, leaving them both visibly agitated and puzzled.
"Ge," He began, while the two young men behind him remained respectfully silent.
Back then, after rescuing Gou Feng, Hei Bao had taken the battered child to one of the pacts elders for treatment, Shen Jiu's mother.
It was during that visit that Gou Feng first met Shen Jiu.
As fate would have it, Shen Jiu's first cousin, Huan Zhan, happened to be visiting during his school vacation as well. That chance encounter brought the three boys together for the very first time.
From that day onward, they became inseparable.
They trained together, hunted together, fought side by side, and grew up under Hei Bao's guidance, forming a bond stronger than that of ordinary friends.
Over the years, their exceptional teamwork, absolute loyalty, and flawless execution of every assignment earned them a reputation throughout the pack.
Together, they came to be known as the Men in Black, recognized as Hei Bao's most trusted young subordinates and the first people he entrusted with his most confidential tasks.
"How are the three of your studies going?" the pack leader asked, drawing their attention back to the present.
His gaze shifted past Gou Feng to Shen Jiu and Huan Zhan.
"And how have the two of you been?"
The pair instinctively straightened their backs.
Although their expressions gradually settled, the nervousness lingering in their hearts had yet to fully disappear.
Hei Bao casually raised one hand and flicked his fingers forward, silently signaling them to step closer.
The two cousins obeyed immediately, stepping forward to stand beside their childhood friend. All three kept their eyes lowered to the floor.
"Huan Zhan."
The young man stiffened.
He hurriedly lifted his head to meet Hei Bao's gaze, only for the words to stumble over one another.
"I-I... to answer your question, my Lord... I've been well—"
"A lie." Hei Bao cut him off without the slightest change in expression.
Huan Zhan's throat bobbed as he swallowed nervously.
"You're not well."
Hei Bao studied his pale face for a moment before adding flatly,
"You look paler than the corpse the three of you just sealed inside that bag."
Huan Zhan immediately nodded, too intimidated to argue.
"...Y-Yes, my Lord."
A brief silence followed, before somewhat unexpectedly, they heard Hei Bao chuckled.
It wasn't loud, but it was enough to dissolve the suffocating tension that had gripped the room.
The three young men exchanged puzzled glances.
Even after all these years, none of them had ever fully understood their pact leader's temperament.
One moment he was frightening enough to make their hearts stop; the next, he would laugh over something no one else found amusing.
"Oh, Huan Zhan..." Hei Bao shook his head with faint amusement.
"You never fail to entertain me."
His tone returned to its usual calm.
"Go home after this and get some rest."
Relief washed over Huan Zhan's face.
"Thank you, my Lord."
Hei Bao's gaze then shifted to Shen Jiu.
Without waiting to be addressed, the young man stepped forward half a pace.
"I am well, my Lord. Thank you for your concern."
His voice remained steady, betraying none of the frantic heartbeat pounding against his ribs.
Among the three, Shen Jiu was the most imposing in appearance.
Broad-shouldered and powerfully built, his ruggedly handsome features naturally commanded attention. He possessed the physique of someone born to stand on the front lines.
In contrast, Gou Feng and Huan Zhan possessed a different kind of presence.
Their refined features and graceful bearing softened their masculine sharpness, giving them an almost ethereal elegance that was difficult to overlook.
"A-Feng."
Hei Bao's gaze settled on the last of the three.
"How about you?"
Gou Feng straightened instinctively.
"I've been well, my Lord. I woke up early this morning and trained at the training grounds with A-Zhan and A-Jiu."
"Good." Hei Bao gave a single nod before his eyes swept across all three young men.
"Was the sight of the corpse too much for the three of you?"
Without hesitation, all three shook their heads.
"No, my Lord."
"Really?" Hei Bao arched his brow, expression turning stern.
"Because I distinctly remember watching the three of you vomit earlier."
"...Then why even ask?"
Huan Zhan muttered under his breath before he could stop himself.
Shen Jiu's eyes widened. He immediately jabbed his cousin in the ribs with his elbow, silently warning him to watch his mouth.
Huan Zhan stiffened, instantly realizing what he had just said.
The three young men hurriedly lowered their heads.
"No, my Lord. You weren't imagining it." Gou Feng was the first to answer, his voice steady despite the embarrassment.
"We did throw up."
His honest admission earned another quiet chuckle from Hei Bao.
"Good." He leaned back slightly.
"It's always better to tell the truth than to lie. Remember that."
The three young men quickly nodded in perfect unison, as synchronized as machines.
A faint look of satisfaction crossed the pact leader's face.
"You may leave."
With that, he rose from the couch and walked toward his office bedroom, hand still holding the half-full wine glass.
A soft click echoed through the room as the door closed behind him.