EM 70. Apology

Song Feng quickly looked Bai Xuyao over.

His face was pale. There was a gash on his forehead, and blood was running down his cheek, trailing all the way to his ear. His clothes were covered in patches of dark stains and a layer of dust. Song Feng recognized it as blood, but he still couldn’t tell how badly he was actually hurt.

He turned back to the screen, his eyes fixed on the man inside. His gaze radiated unfiltered killing intent, a vicious glare sharp enough to reshape his entire presence.

The man stared back and felt a chill rise in his chest.

That look again.

The same look that had haunted him over and over in his nightmares. The one that never stopped chasing him. As long as those eyes existed, he would never have peace. All he could do was run, keep running, endlessly. His face stiffened, and then he let out a twisted laugh of rage.

“Feng, I bet you really want to tear me apart right now. Funny, I was just thinking the same. But I don’t like having other people around. It ruins the mood. This is between us.”

He toyed with the detonator in his hand and glanced at the objects Bai Xuyao was holding. Bai Xuyao was annoyed by the look and stepped forward, waving the pile of wires in front of the camera.

“Take a good look. You think I’m bluffing? If you don’t believe me, press the button and see if anything happens. Go on, see if we get blown—ow!”

Before he could finish, there was a loud bang. A nearby cabinet window exploded outward. Song Feng and the others dropped to the floor immediately. Glass and splinters rained down, pelting them on all sides. Song Feng shook his head and shouted behind him.

“Comrade Xiao Bai, I thought you said you got them all! What the hell was that?!”

Bai Xuyao coughed and brushed some wood off himself. He looked guilty. “There wasn’t enough time. You think I can find every single one? It’s normal to miss a couple. But see, you’re still alive, aren’t you? So it’s fine, right?”

Song Feng stared at him in silence.

Bai Xuyao raised his chin. “Come on, press it again. I swear that was the last one.”

The scum: “…”

Song Feng pushed himself upright. That blast had tugged at his wound. Sweat was now pouring down his forehead. Xiao Mingxuan caught him, eyes sweeping the mess on the floor. Amid the debris, he spotted the broken pieces of a medical kit. He searched quickly and found a roll of bandages that was still intact. He tore it open, lifted Song Feng’s shirt, and began wrapping the wound. At the same time, he gave an order.

“Check the wine rack. See if there’s an oval-shaped switch.”

Bai Xuyao dropped the things in his arms and moved to carry it out.

Xiao Mingxuan tied the bandage tight and looked up at Song Feng. The blood had drained from his lips, and his skin had gone cold. Even though the stab had avoided his vital organs, he was still losing blood at a dangerous rate. Xiao Mingxuan’s brow tightened. His mind raced. They had to kill that man immediately.

Dian was still under Shao Xiujie’s control, but this was his turf. He could escape at any time. Shao Xiujie didn’t have many men with him, and Xiao Mingxuan himself was injured. If anything went wrong and Dian managed to turn back, they would be in real trouble.

Song Feng kept his eyes locked on the screen, unwilling to blink for fear the man might disappear.

The man met his gaze. His eyes were filled with hatred too, but not like Song Feng’s. His was messier, more convoluted. He stared for a while, then gave a low laugh.

“How many people have you driven to ruin, hmm?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Of course it is. I told you, you’re mine. And anyone around you deserves to die.”

“That’s just your delusion,” Song Feng said, catching his breath. He stood up slowly, raised his gun, and walked forward. “You’d better sit there and wait. I’m coming for you now.”

The man smiled. “Feng, do you really think I’ll just sit here and let you kill me? Don’t be stupid.”

Song Feng turned sharply. His eyes went ice-cold.

Xiao Mingxuan looked over at the same time.

The man raised his hand and waved, his expression almost gentle.

“Feng, I’ll be waiting for you to come find me.”

Song Feng’s face twisted in a way it never had before.

“You’re not getting away…”

Before he could finish, the screen went black.

Song Feng turned and left. His hand gripped the gun so tightly the veins on the back of it stood out.

Xiao Mingxuan followed at once.

Just then, Bai Xuyao ran back in. “I found it!”

Song Feng didn’t even seem to hear him and rushed out.

Bai Xuyao blinked. “What happened?”

“He ran,” Xiao Mingxuan said. “He knows we’re here. There’s no way he’d come out that way. There has to be another exit. Even if we go now, it’ll be useless. He might’ve left more bombs behind too.”

Bai Xuyao took that in quickly, raised his gun, and followed.

Song Feng moved fast. His wound split open again, but he seemed not to feel it. He looked like a wild animal on the brink, charging blindly through the house, heading deeper inside.

The comms were back up. Xiao Mingxuan stayed close and spoke through the earpiece. “Bring the cars in. Any movement around the perimeter?”

Song Feng’s vision was starting to blur. He leaned against a tree, took a few breaths, and asked quietly, “You had Xiao Bai handle the bombs. What about the other two?”

“One went to get the car. The other is checking suspicious spots,” Xiao Mingxuan said, coming up beside him and studying his face. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m fine. Have they found him?”

“Not yet.” Xiao Mingxuan steadied him. His eyes were dark. “Song Feng, are you really all right? Stop pretending.”

“I’m okay.”

“No, you don’t.” Xiao Mingxuan looked straight at him. Song Feng’s condition was dangerous. He had to hold himself back from throwing him over his shoulder and carrying him straight to the hospital. He was starting to think he shouldn’t be indulging him like this anymore.

Song Feng was silent for a moment, then pulled away and walked further down the path.

“My mentor…” he said. “There wasn’t even a full body left in the end.”

Xiao Mingxuan felt his chest tighten.

Song Feng’s voice dropped lower. “Do you know what his last words to me were? He said, ‘Xiao Feng, your sister-in-law’s about to give birth. I’m going to be a father. My transfer request got approved. I’ll be home just in time for her delivery…’”

“Song Feng, stop.”

Song Feng kept walking.

“He said I had to give them a big red envelope. It hadn’t even been five minutes since he said that to me when…”

He stopped, raised a hand to cover his face, and spoke in a hoarse voice.

“I made my sister-in-law a widow. I made Xiaolin be born without a father.”

Xiao Mingxuan pulled him into a hug and held him tightly. “That’s enough. Don’t say another word.”

Song Feng took a breath and said slowly, “Everyone else in this world can live. Only that scum can’t. Even if I have to die with him, I don’t care.”

Xiao Mingxuan stayed silent. Before he could respond, a voice came through the comms.

“Off-road vehicle in the back yard!”

“Stop them!” Song Feng snapped, pulling himself together to go after them.

Just then, an engine roared behind them. Headlights flared on. He turned back, squinting to check. It was one of theirs.

The group jumped into the car and sped toward the rear yard. The comms crackled with the sound of gunfire, then a grunt of pain. Everyone inside tensed at once.

Song Feng’s voice shook. “Talk to me. What happened?”

“I’m fine…” The voice was faint and strained. “It was Dian. He came back. I couldn’t stop him. I’m sorry…”

Song Feng opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, the car whipped around a sharp turn and charged into the yard. Headlights lit the scene. A man lay on the ground, his thigh soaked with blood.

They jumped out. The injured man gritted his teeth.

“Don’t worry about me. Go. Chase him.”

Xiao Mingxuan hesitated for only a second, then looked to Bai Xuyao and the driver. “You two take him to the hospital. Now.”

Neither of them wasted time. They tore a strip from a shirt and tied it tight around the wound, then lifted him up. Just as they were about to help him into the car, the injured man caught their sleeves and said quickly, “Captain, take this car. I saw another one parked over there. We’ll take that. Go. Hurry!”

Xiao Mingxuan and Song Feng exchanged a look, then climbed back into the vehicle and gave chase.

The road was still quiet. There were barely any cars in sight.

It did not take long before Song Feng spotted another off-road vehicle speeding ahead. “That’s them.”

Xiao Mingxuan nodded and floored the accelerator. The engine roared.

Song Feng inhaled deeply, trying to steady his body and focus. While driving, Xiao Mingxuan reached over and gently ruffled his hair.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let him get away. He’ll die tonight.”

His voice was hoarse.

Song Feng turned his head. He noticed immediately how unsteady Xiao Mingxuan’s breathing was. Under normal circumstances, this bit of action would never leave him like that.

“You…”

“I’m fine,” Xiao Mingxuan said again, and touched his head once more.

Song Feng fell silent.

All of them had been injured, whether it was driving through gunfire or getting shot in the yard. Every one of them had been a mess, just like Bai Xuyao. He should have known sooner. After a blast like that, there was no way any of them had come out unharmed.

Now that he thought about it, the ones who had stayed behind had simply decided they could still move, so they endured it and didn’t go to the hospital. The two who had been taken away must have been the ones in real danger.

He closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry. This all happened because of me.”

“Song Feng,” Xiao Mingxuan cut in, “this isn’t your fault. Everyone acted of their own will. No one blames you.”

“No. I was too stubborn. You don’t have to talk me down. I know exactly what I did.”

Xiao Mingxuan said nothing and clasped his hand. His grip was firm, and where their hands touched, the warmth spread steadily between them.

Song Feng looked at him through the dim light. After a long pause, he gripped him back and turned to face the window.

This time didn’t feel like last time. He wasn’t alone. Someone was beside him, step by step, helping him end this for good. That made him feel at peace.

Xiao Mingxuan had to focus on driving. He soon let go. His driving was excellent. After a few tight turns, the distance between them and the other vehicle began to close.

Song Feng narrowed his eyes. The car ahead was a convertible. Without hesitation, he grabbed his submachine gun and leaned out the window. Once they were in range, he would fire.

The car ahead had already spotted them and was picking up speed.

Xiao Mingxuan floored the gas. The gap closed rapidly.

Dian turned back and fired. Sparks burst from the muzzle. Both Song Feng and Xiao Mingxuan ducked. Several holes instantly tore through the Humvee’s windshield, with some bullets grazing past Xiao Mingxuan’s head.

Song Feng glanced over. Once he confirmed Xiao Mingxuan was unhurt, he raised his weapon and fired.

Dian was forced to duck. With the threat neutralized for the moment, Xiao Mingxuan rose slightly, checked their position, and accelerated again.

Song Feng stood as well. Everyone in the other car was ducked down, making it impossible for them to aim. He paused, waited, then saw Dian stretch an arm out from the back seat. He pulled the trigger. A jet of blood sprayed out. The gun flew from Dian’s hand and hit the road with a loud smack.

Even after landing the hit, Song Feng didn’t stop. He shifted his aim down toward their tires, but just as he fired, the other car lurched forward. The bullets hit the pavement, spitting up sparks in the dark.

He pulled the trigger again and again.

“Out of ammo,” he cursed.

Xiao Mingxuan tossed over his own weapon. “There should be a few rounds left.”

Song Feng raised the gun and fired. One of the rear tires burst. The enemy vehicle skidded hard and veered toward the side road, scraping against the guardrail as it climbed the mountain path.

Xiao Mingxuan stayed on them. The sharp light in Song Feng’s eyes showed no sign of fading. He fired again.

The gun clicked empty.

Song Feng: “…”

“Don’t look at me like that,” Xiao Mingxuan said. “I told you there wasn’t much left.”

The car ahead was slowing down. The distance between them shrank quickly. Xiao Mingxuan glanced at the fuel gauge.

“Good news. We’ll catch them before we run dry.”

Song Feng gave a short reply and climbed into the back seat. He opened the door.

“Get me closer.”

“What are you doing?”

Song Feng’s voice was cold. “I’m going to kill him with my own hands.”

Xiao Mingxuan stayed silent for a moment, then accelerated and pulled closer. Once they were side by side, he held the speed steady. Song Feng watched carefully, timed it, then leapt onto the other vehicle.

The scum had lost an arm and a leg in the explosion. Dian had not been wrong. His movements were slow.

Dian himself had taken a bullet to the shoulder. His entire side was soaked in blood, but not a trace of pain showed on his face. When he saw Song Feng jump over, he kicked at him, landing squarely on the wound in his abdomen. Song Feng had not yet found his balance. The blow knocked the breath out of him. Cold sweat poured down his back.

Dian pressed forward, ready to strike again. Song Feng narrowed his eyes and forced himself upright. He reached behind his waist, drew his combat knife, and met the attack.

The scum pulled a gun from inside his jacket and raised it, his eyes burning.

“Feng, you were always going to be mine.”

“No. He belongs to me.”

Xiao Mingxuan’s voice cut through the air as he jumped over as well.

The Humvee behind them lost control and crashed into the side of the mountain, flipping twice before it finally stopped.

Xiao Mingxuan landed on the passenger seat. The driver had been struggling to hold the wheel steady. When he saw someone jump in, his grip slipping. The car hit the guardrail with a jolt and everyone inside was thrown.

The scum slammed into the door. His gun slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor.

Dian had been on top of Song Feng. The impact sent him staggering. Song Feng seized the opening, grabbed his injured wrist, and squeezed. Dian’s face going pale. Song Feng did not let go. He pulled him down by the arm and stabbed the knife directly into his chest. His body gave one final twitch before going still. Song Feng shoved him aside and stood up.

The scum stared at him without a trace of panic. There was even a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

“Feng, what are you going to do to me?”

Song Feng grabbed him by the throat and looked down at him. His skin was ghost-white, but his eyes were razor-sharp, lethal enough to cut flesh.

“I want to watch you die. Slowly. What do you think?”

“I don’t like it,” the bastard choked out. His lips still carried a twisted smile. “Feng, I want you to die with me.”

“Keep dreaming.”

He clung to Song Feng’s arm. “It’s a beautiful dream.”

Xiao Mingxuan had just finished off the driver. He was about to hit the brakes when he heard those words.

Song Feng could not see what he saw, but Xiao Mingxuan could. The bastard’s suit jacket had ridden up. Underneath, strapped to his waist, was a bomb. The timer showed ten seconds.

He lunged forward and pried the man’s hand away. The grip was impossibly tight. Even as his breath faded, he still refused to let go.

Song Feng saw the turn ahead.

“Forget him. Turn the car. If we go any farther, we’re going straight off the edge.”

Xiao Mingxuan knew the curve was coming. He drew his knife and severed the bastard’s wrist. He grabbed Song Feng and shoved him toward the rear. But just then, the SUV lurched violently. The vehicle had broken through the guardrail and was tipping forward. There was no foothold left.

Xiao Mingxuan reacted at once. He kicked Song Feng out of the car, sending him flying onto the road.

Song Feng’s pupils constricted. He stared at him, that moment stretching out like the end of time. In that flash, he thought he saw Xiao Mingxuan’s lips move.

Song Feng, I love you. I’m sorry.

“No—!”

His scream ripped through the air. He crawled forward half a meter.

The explosion ripped through the night.

The ground shook under him.

Song Feng froze. Everything went black. He could no longer hold himself up.

Darkness swallowed him whole.