Xiao Feng kept his hand steadily on the grip of his pistol as he approached the door. His eyes scanned the dilapidated courtyard, where rust clung to every surface—a scene straight out of a post-apocalyptic world.
"Come in," came a calm voice from within.
Xiao Feng stepped inside, his eyes swiftly adjusting to the gloom. The first thing he saw was a man dressed in a sleek black trench coat, a crisp white shirt beneath it, and a toothpick dangling between his lips, exuding insolence.
Xiao Feng's gaze sharpened. The man had jet-black hair, yellow-toned skin, and dark eyes—features that startled him. "Are you Asian?" he asked coldly.
The man smiled lazily, biting the toothpick. "Used to be, I suppose. But now, aren't we all citizens of the Planetary Federation?"
Compared to Lin's refined attire, Xiao Feng appeared much more modest. He wore a handmade calfskin jacket, a worn gray shirt, and jeans with a tear across the thigh. Yet, despite their age, his clothes were immaculately clean—untainted by even a speck of dust.
As Xiao Feng squared off with Lin, Kaili slipped inside, pistol in hand. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the room and discovered that Lin was not alone—several muscular men were seated around a small table, playing cards, utterly unconcerned by the intruders.
Lin's gaze lingered appreciatively on Kaili's alluring figure as he chuckled, "You must be Kaili—Kairui's sister?"
Kaili raised her pistol, the scope aligned squarely with Lin's head. Her voice was steely, "Hand over my brother."
"Relax," Lin replied with a grin. "I don't intend to kill him. I only wanted to teach him a lesson. Just because he's reached level four as an esper doesn't mean he's invincible. Doesn't he know there are level fives and sixes… even monstrous sevens and eights beyond that? He's just a fledgling."
Lin casually pointed to a beer keg nearby. "He's in there. Take him, if you must. But Xiao Feng stays."
Xiao Feng smirked at Lin's arrogance. "If I wanted to leave, you wouldn't be able to stop me."
"Hah! Feel free to try."
Kaili strode to the keg and kicked it over. Inside lay Kairui, bound and gagged with duct tape.
She quickly freed him, removing the tape. "Go. Leave this to us."
Kairui blinked in disbelief when he saw Xiao Feng. "Why is he here?"
"If not for him, I'd never have found you," Kaili snapped. "Can't you see? He's here to rescue you. Now go—I won't leave him behind."
Kairui stretched his limbs and smiled. "Then I'm staying too. I won't leave if you won't."
Adjusting his fine suit, he walked to Xiao Feng's side. "Xiao Feng, who would've thought we'd end up on the same side?"
Xiao Feng chuckled. "A strange honor, indeed."
Lin, watching the two similar-looking men, scoffed. "Idiots, both of you."
"What did you say?" Kairui barked. "You're the idiot, daring to mess with our Alliance!"
Xiao Feng snorted. "Your Alliance isn't anything worth boasting about. Take your sister and go. I'll handle this."
Kaili stepped beside him, pistol raised. "If you stay, so do I."
Xiao Feng glanced at her as though seeing a stranger. He'd never expected such words from a woman who'd wished him dead just days ago. He sighed in irritation. "Miss, please. You're only going to get in the way."
Lin, still chewing his toothpick, spoke coolly. "You two can leave. Xiao Feng stays. I won't repeat myself again."
Kairui tugged at Kaili's arm. "Let's go, sis."
But Kaili stood firm. "He came for you. I won't abandon him."
"If he changes his mind, we may not get another chance," Kairui warned, fully aware of Lin's power.
Yet his words fell on deaf ears. Kaili's resolve only hardened.
Lin clapped mockingly. "Touching. Truly touching. Well, if you refuse to leave, then you'll all stay."
At that, the burly men around the table rose to their feet, aiming their heavy weapons at the trio.
Though Kaili held a pistol, it was no match for the firepower aimed at them.
"Don't move, sweetheart. Drop the gun."
"Yeah, girlie, one twitch and we'll riddle you with holes."
"Boss, should we open fire?"
Lin spat out the toothpick, smiling disdainfully. "Go ahead. Try leaving."
In a blur, Xiao Feng surged forward. In the blink of an eye, he stood before the four gunmen, lifting both arms. Instantly, their weapons were redirected skyward.
The display of speed and power left no doubt of his abilities. Lin's eyes glimmered—not with hostility, but admiration, as though a master had spotted a rare stallion.
But Xiao Feng didn't hesitate. From his body burst a surge of electricity, crackling with pale blue arcs that danced across the four men. Their muscles seized, fingers losing grip, weapons clattering to the floor as they collapsed, foaming at the mouth.
Lin's expression turned from amusement to awe. "You possess electric powers as well?"
Xiao Feng turned to him with a smile. "Care to try it for yourself?"
Let me know if you'd like to continue with the next chapter or refine this one even more.