Chapter 6: The Revenge Strikes

“So hungry. Why don’t we eat out today?” Feng Dan-yan muttered in the dormitory.

“Sure.” “Okay.” “Whatever.” Wang Qing, Zhou Jie, and I all replied at the same time.

Bathed in sunlight, we stepped out of the school gate. Feng Dan-yan headed straight for a well-known restaurant, but to get there, we had to pass through a deserted alley. As soon as we turned in, a gang of tall, burly men appeared, faces hidden behind black masks, each gripping a wooden club or something resembling an axe, their eyes fixed on us with menace.

The sight immediately brought to mind what the suspect had said yesterday—was this revenge finally upon us?

Before I could react, the mob lunged at us, weapons swinging. I spun around, pressing myself against the wall, hiding in the darkest corner, silently witnessing everything unfold before me.

A group of men in black moved like phantoms in the night, their cold weapons glinting as they blocked the alley’s exit. Zhou Jie and Wang Qing stood back to back at the center, eyes steely with resolve. Outnumbered several times over, they showed no fear. Every punch, every kick was quick and precise, driving the black-clad attackers back with seamless coordination.

But they also had to shield the panicked Feng Dan-yan, whose terror made the scene even more suffocating. Each clash rang with the sharp sound of metal striking metal, echoing through the alley thick with the scent of gunpowder.

Yet despite Zhou Jie and Wang Qing’s courage, two fists could not hold back so many hands. Their movements slowed, each blow growing weaker. Sweat and dirt streaked their faces; they were clearly no match for these professionally trained assailants.

Feng Dan-yan, pale with fright, cowered in a corner, helplessly screaming for aid. But the alley was deserted; no one came. Seeing this, the attackers only pressed harder, clubs and axes whistling through the air, smashing into Wang Qing and Zhou Jie with dull, heavy thuds. My heart clenched. If I didn’t act now, disaster was certain.

Taking a deep breath, I darted from the shadows.

Alone, I faced the black-clad mob. I moved like a specter, appearing behind one man in an instant and flooring him with a backward punch. Shocked, the others barely registered my presence before I swept through their ranks like a violent wind. My fists struck with deadly accuracy, my kicks landed with stunning force. One after another, the attackers fell like dominoes.

My figure flickered through the alley, and wherever I passed, groans and cries followed, weapons clattering to the ground. My eyes were cold as ice, instilling an inexplicable terror in the remaining men.

Taking advantage of their confusion, I swiftly retrieved two vials of powder from my pocket and flung them toward the attackers. As the powders collided in the air, sparks and smoke erupted in a blinding flash.

The smoke and fire formed a wall between us.

I hurriedly helped my three companions to their feet and rushed us away.

But the men in black were relentless, hot on our heels. My heart pounded like a drum; every step was a gamble with death. Yet my concern wasn’t for myself, but for my three roommates. My gaze darted about and caught sight of a hidden chamber entrance nearby. The thought flickered in my mind but was quickly dismissed—if my identity was exposed, the consequences would be dire.

While I hesitated, the attackers’ footsteps grew ever closer.

In desperation, I gritted my teeth and pulled from my pocket a small device—my latest invention, a miniature fuel explosive. With all my strength, I hurled it ahead of the pursuers. It arced through the air and landed precisely where I intended. With a thunderous boom, the alley was engulfed in dust and flying debris, a storm of fire and rubble swallowing the area in chaos.

Cries of pain rang out; most of the attackers were left writhing amid blood and wreckage. Only a few at the rear escaped, their eyes burning with ferocity as they threw themselves after us.

Staggering under the weight of my three friends, I dragged them toward the doors of the police station. I had to admit, their combined weight was truly formidable. Behind us, the sound of our pursuers grew louder. I pushed open the heavy doors of the station; a wave of tense, oppressive air greeted us, but I had no time to care.

Inside, several officers lounged and chatted idly. Seeing us, their faces turned to confusion and disdain.

“Stop! What are you doing here?” one of them barked, hands on his hips, impatience in his eyes.

Anxious, I pulled out a slightly worn trainee officer’s badge from my pocket—one issued to each of us by Officer Nong Yun just yesterday. It wasn’t of much importance to me, so I hadn’t taken great care of it.

I slapped it onto the desk. “Emergency! Dangerous suspects are after us!” The officers froze, eyeing us with suspicion. Taking advantage of their hesitation, I dragged my roommates past them and dashed into the depths of the station. The doors had barely closed behind us when the furious shouts and pounding of our pursuers echoed from outside. The officers’ faces turned grave; the air seemed to freeze.

I brought my three friends to the infirmary, then collapsed outside to rest. The heat was stifling, and carrying three heavy roommates would have exhausted even Superman.

Just then, two officers approached. Glancing at my trainee badge, they mocked, “A trainee’s always a trainee, huh? Only your first day and you’re already in this state.” I stayed silent, unwilling to argue, but their jeers only grew worse.

Unable to bear it anymore, I pulled out the lowest-ranking ID I possessed and threw it in their faces—a senior officer’s badge from the station. They first thought it fake, but on closer inspection, realized it was real. They immediately panicked and apologized profusely.

Since my roommates were still unconscious and I had no wish to tangle with these two, I waved them away.

Over an hour later, Feng Dan-yan finally woke up. The doctor told me her distress had caused mild carbon dioxide poisoning, but after some rest, she would be fine.

Wang Qing and Zhou Jie, on the other hand, had suffered extensive bruising, their bodies marred with black and blue, but a few days’ rest would see them recover.

The police academy granted us three days off to recuperate.

That night, back in the dormitory, my three friends fell asleep without even washing up, utterly spent. And after a quick wash, I joined them in slumber.