"Catch!"

Ercha's voice erupted like thunder as he threw Zhuge Xiyu toward Zhuge Haoran. Like a cheetah, Zhuge Haoran dashed forward and caught her securely.

BANG!

However, at that moment, a roar echoed from behind Chen Zheng. Ercha's face twisted ferociously. He rushed toward Ri La, tossing him backward, and then charged at Chen Zheng like a tiger descending a mountain. Simultaneously, a bullet and a dark shadow shot out from behind Chen Zheng.

Chen Zheng snorted. A torrent of True Qi erupted from his body like a violent storm.

CRACK!

A speeding bullet eerily halted mid-air. Its spin carved a scorching trail, threatening to ignite the very atmosphere.

Slick was sprinting for his life, his eyes wide with terror. The next moment, the bullet shot back like a boomerang, striking his dagger with pinpoint precision. The fine steel blade dented instantly, and the terrifying force ripped the weapon from his grasp.

How terrifying...

Slick's heart skipped a beat. His legs lost their rhythm as if they were notes scattered from a score, unable to move forward. An invisible, colossal force slammed down like a tempest, pinning him mercilessly to the ground.

Ercha's eyes bulged, his heart turning to ice with fear. He knew he had to escape immediately, or he would be consumed by endless darkness.

"Stay."

Chen Zheng's voice was like the north wind in a harsh winter, cold and merciless. His gaze was resolute, forbidding Ercha's escape.

With a flip of his palm, a spear of condensed ice materialized in his hand, like the scepter from a frozen throne. He swung it with the grace of a descending ice god, instantly piercing Ercha's calf and nailing him to the ground.

Ercha screamed in agony. Amidst the chaos, Zhuge Haoran successfully caught the airborne Zhuge Xiyu. It all happened in the blink of an eye, leaving everyone speechless.

"Daughter, how do you feel?" Zhuge Haoran asked, gently helping up Zhuge Xiyu as she slowly came to from the impact.

"I'm fine, Dad." Zhuge Xiyu shook her head gently. Her gaze fell upon Chen Zheng, and a wave of tranquility washed over her.

"Thank heavens! Master, your timely arrival was like a god descending!" Zhuge Haoran exclaimed, deeply moved. His eyes shone with endless reverence for Chen Zheng.

Zhuge Haoran already held Chen Zheng's medical skills in the highest regard. Now, the godlike Soaring Flight he had just witnessed shook him to his very soul.

Is this truly power a human can possess? It's nothing short of a miracle! I am incredibly fortunate that at that decisive moment, I chose not to be his enemy. To make an enemy of a god... isn't that just a death wish?

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the selection task. You have received the following reward: Puppet Card.]

[Friendly Reminder: The Puppet Card can be used on any designated target. Once used, you can control the target's life and death and monitor them in real time.]

"Who... Who are you?" Ercha stammered, utterly terrified.

Chen Zheng ignored him, his gaze shifting to Slick. As the oppressive aura around him lessened, Slick felt a sliver of relief. He knew he couldn't escape, so he didn't try to run.

"Tell me everything you know," Chen Zheng's voice was as cold and unyielding as the winter wind.

A chill ran down Slick's spine, but his eyes burned with a defiant flame. "Never!"

Chen Zheng wasn't surprised. He knew these mercenaries were hardened men, veterans of life-and-death struggles. If they broke so easily, they wouldn't have survived in their line of work. He said nothing more. He simply lifted his hand, and a black card materialized in his palm.

He focused on Slick and mentally activated the card. The black card shattered instantly. In the next moment, Chen Zheng felt a peculiar connection form with Slick—it seemed a single thought was all it would take to extinguish the man's life.

Slick, who had been wondering what Chen Zheng was doing, suddenly felt the same strange sensation. When he looked at Chen Zheng again, his gaze held no trace of defiance.

"Speak," Chen Zheng said flatly.

"Yes, sir!" To the utter astonishment of Ercha and Ri La, their leader, Slick, replied in a completely subservient tone.

He continued, "We are an international mercenary squad—the Wolf Sky Team. We accepted a bounty mission from Lan Luo Zi to acquire the formulas for the Beautiful Face Cream series and the Spirit Cleansing Liquid series.

"The reward was one hundred million. We planned the operation meticulously, starting with the Yan Shuiyu headquarters. If we couldn't get the formulas there, our next step was to come to Yun City and find you."

Slick proceeded to explain their entire plan and mission specifics. His teammates, however, were shocked and bewildered. "Boss! What are you doing?" they demanded. "Have you lost your mind?"

Revealing a client and mission details is the ultimate taboo for mercenaries. Once word got out, they would be blacklisted from the industry forever. The puppeted Slick, however, ignored their warnings and revealed everything.

Just as I suspected! Zhuge Haoran had already had an inkling, but having it confirmed still made his anger flare uncontrollably.

Lan Luo Zi... Chen Zheng's eyes narrowed, a murderous light glinting within them.

[Ding! You have triggered a selection mission.]

[Option 1: Take revenge on Lan Luo Zi. Assassinate one of their senior executives. Reward: Enhanced True Qi Cultivation.]

[Option 2: Confront Lan Luo Zi with commercial power and defeat them. Reward: Lan Luo Zi's cosmetic sales channels.]

Chen Zheng chose Option One without hesitation.

"I have a mission for you, Slick," Chen Zheng said with grave seriousness. "You will go to Lan Luo Zi and eliminate one of their people in power. When you take that life, your two brothers will be spared from death."

"As you command!" Slick agreed without hesitation, a fire igniting within him. Even in servitude, his convictions held firm. The team's earlier willingness to trade their lives for his proved he wasn't a man with a heart of stone. For him, nothing was more important than the survival of his two brothers.

"Boss!" Ercha and Ri La cried out in unison, their eyes brimming with grateful tears.

"I'll be back," Slick said curtly. He then left the villa, his car speeding into the distance.

"Take good care of them. Make sure they're safe," Chen Zheng instructed quietly.

"Yes, Master!" Zhuge Haoran replied respectfully.

"Daughter, please show the Master to a room to rest."

"Okay, Dad."

Chen Zheng followed Zhuge Xiyu into the villa. After asking if he needed anything, she quietly departed. Unnoticed by anyone, a faint sadness glinted in her eyes.

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