Chapter Twelve: Didn’t Get Away

The black Viper came to a slow halt before the barricade. Several armed figures in hazmat suits moved in, surrounding the vehicle and signaling for Zheng Nanfang to roll down the window.

Zheng Nanfang’s face was implacable, his gaze drifting between the ambulances behind the barricade and the three women from the Tang Garlic group. The trio of nurses sat as if on pins and needles, their faces marked by awkwardness and anxiety.

“Boss... you have to believe us,” Tang Garlic pleaded, wearing a look of complete innocence. Her head shook like a rattle drum as she hurried to explain, “We’ve been with you this whole time. This has nothing to do with us.”

“I know,” Zheng Nanfang nodded quietly, ignoring the hazmat-suited gunman rapping on the window. “But these people are from Deep Blue Asylum, aren’t they?”

“That’s right.” The three women nodded vigorously, quickly stripping off their nurse uniforms and stuffing them underfoot for good measure. “And judging by this show of force, Sister Hong must be here as well.”

“Um... Boss, maybe you should open the window first...” Li Green Pepper reminded him from the back, “It probably has nothing to do with us.”

After a moment’s thought, Zheng Nanfang lowered the window and asked coldly, “What do you want?”

“Deep Blue Asylum business. Please cooperate,” the man said, removing his mask to reveal a stern, rugged face—a remnant of the old law enforcement spirit in his tone.

Suppressing his temper, Zheng Nanfang glanced in the rearview mirror at the cars tailing them.

Those cars had stopped more than ten meters back, their headlights blinding, engines rumbling.

From the lead desert off-roader emerged a graceful silhouette. Squinting, Zheng Nanfang recognized her as the woman who’d spoken to him in the garage earlier.

“How many people have you managed to offend?” Tang Garlic covered her face with her scarf and whispered to Zheng Nanfang, “Are those people chasing you too? And what about that West Tyrant Wind you mentioned?”

Zheng Nanfang had no explanation—he felt equally wronged. He had done nothing, yet somehow become everyone’s scapegoat.

He figured Deep Blue Asylum had little to do with him. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he complied with the hazmat man’s instructions, pulling the Viper aside and killing the engine.

“I’m leaving town. Is there a problem?” Zheng Nanfang forced a harmless, innocent smile, silently lamenting how the world had changed—now anyone with a gun could moonlight as law enforcement, and there was little choice but to comply.

The hazmat man glanced into the car, his eyes lingering on the three nurses, now in just their undergarments. He coughed awkwardly. “Please wait. Once we’re finished, you’ll be free to go.”

“I’m in a hurry,” Zheng Nanfang said, thinking this man seemed polite—perhaps he’d be reasonable. He spread his hands. “Can you make an exception?”

“No, sorry,” the man replied with a polite smile, picking up his radio. “There are several vehicles at the exit—bring someone to identify them.”

The three nurses huddled in the shadows, whispering among themselves. “Seems like they’re looking for someone?”

“They wouldn’t be after us, would they?” Onion Shu was a bit nervous. With so many staff at Deep Blue Asylum, the three of them were hardly remarkable. It wasn’t surprising the hazmat man didn’t recognize them, but if Sister Hong showed up, that could change.

“Unlikely,” Li Green Pepper said with self-awareness, chuckling. “Would the three of us warrant this kind of operation? It’s probably about the road race.”

Zheng Nanfang’s group remained in uneasy peace, while trouble was brewing behind them.

Laili and her crew were not to be trifled with. They had no dealings with Deep Blue Asylum and, unlike Zheng Nanfang, weren’t acting discreet because of a guilty conscience. Though few in number, they were hardened veterans, used to living on the edge. In this lawless lower city, the strong feared no one, and they had no patience for empty courtesies.

“Pull over and cooperate,” someone ordered.

Doghead Man and his gang burst out laughing, voices full of taunts. The asylum gunmen, faces expressionless, summoned reinforcements, raising their weapons at the group in unison.

But Doghead Man’s crew weren’t pushovers either. Guns were drawn on both sides, the bright headlights gleaming off cold steel as tension crackled in the air.

“You’re provoking Deep Blue Asylum,” a minor leader sneered, blocking Laili’s path with a look of disdain and amusement in his eyes.

Braids Man spat, pressing his short-barreled shotgun against the leader’s forehead with a vicious grin. “Take one more step toward her and see what happens.”

Laili flicked her hair, not bothering to look at the minor leader. She lit a cigarette and, swaying her serpentine waist, sauntered toward the Viper.

The minor leader hesitated, but in the end, did not move. He simply glared at Braids Man, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Zheng Nanfang and his group were almost hoping for a fight to break out—then they could slip away in the chaos.

Onion Shu and Li Green Pepper, in particular, relished the drama, wishing they could get out and cheer for the buxom woman. But then they realized she was walking toward them.

Laili stopped at their window and pointed at the asylum’s people. “Is this why you’re in such a hurry to leave?”

“No,” Zheng Nanfang replied, shaking his head. “There’s someone else. Why are you following me?”

“I told you, I want to form an alliance,” Laili replied with a charming smile, her allure undeniable. “We can compete together and share the spoils.”

“Why are you so sure you’ll win?” Perhaps it was the natural rivalry between women, but Tang Garlic was not impressed. “Besides, it’s an individual competition. There can only be one champion.”

“The organizers never said you couldn’t enter as a team,” Laili replied, unfazed by the hostility. “We all know this road race is just entertainment for the upper city. As long as it’s exciting enough, who cares about the rules?”

“What do you mean, entertainment?” Zheng Nanfang frowned. This was the first time he’d heard such an explanation.

“You must be new,” Laili leaned against the window, her neckline plunging, offering an enticing view.

Zheng Nanfang was at a loss for words. His knowledge of the race came from the previous, ill-fated holder of his invitation—beyond the right to move freely in the upper city, he knew little.

Laili’s smile widened. She extended her hand. “Alliance?”

“I’ve got other problems right now. Let’s talk after I’ve dealt with them,” Zheng Nanfang hedged. If the competition really had no restrictions on teams, an alliance might be beneficial. In times like these, lone wolves rarely thrived—cooperation was an option as long as interests didn’t conflict.

Laili exhaled smoke, flicking the cigarette butt toward the ambulance with a sneer. “If we’re allies, your troubles are mine. Isn’t it better to have more help?”

“So eager to take on trouble? Boss, I don’t trust her,” Li Green Pepper said openly, making sure Laili could hear. “No one is that generous—she must have an ulterior motive.”

“That’s right, let’s ignore her,” Onion Shu chimed in.

Laili didn’t take offense. She smiled sweetly at the trio, who responded with matching eye rolls.

As they spoke, another car arrived. Looking back, they saw it was none other than Hong Xiangcai’s Red Bird.

Red Bird stopped between Laili’s crew and the Viper. Hong Xiangcai stepped out first, and then Zheng Nanfang saw the half-dead Hu Bi dragged out as well.

“Damn.” Zheng Nanfang sensed trouble. If it were just Deep Blue Asylum, he might not be involved, but with Hu Bi appearing again, things were getting strange. Recent bouts of bad luck had made Zheng Nanfang wary—perhaps Shaman had betrayed him. Judging by Hu Bi’s condition, trouble was at hand.

Tang Garlic and her team grew anxious too—having both their former and current bosses in one place was awkward in the extreme.

“Get ready,” Zheng Nanfang hissed, hand silently gripping the gearshift, prepared to bolt at the first sign of trouble.

Hong Xiangcai strolled over, hands in pockets, taking her time. She glanced at Laili’s group, then waved off the hazmat man. “Not them.” She tilted her head toward the Viper and walked over.

The asylum gunmen shifted their focus from Laili’s crew to the Viper, while Laili remained curiously at the car door.

“Are you sure they’re not looking for you?” Laili stepped back, winking at Zheng Nanfang.

He had no answer. He’d been certain before, but now... he really wasn’t so sure.

“Out,” Hong Xiangcai beckoned with a curl of her finger.

“Damn it. The three of you, stay put,” Zheng Nanfang muttered through gritted teeth, giving a quick instruction before stepping out of the car.

“Hello again,” Hong Xiangcai greeted him with a wave, all smiles, as if they were old friends. She patted Hu Bi on the head. “Found your little companion.”

Hu Bi managed a feeble glance at Zheng Nanfang, his expression awkward. He shot a look at the Viper and rasped, “Where’s my car?”

“It broke down. Left at the garage,” Zheng Nanfang replied, uncertain of the situation. He frowned. “Is there something you need? If not, I’ll be going. I’m busy.”

Hong Xiangcai smiled, strolling up to him and glancing at Laili standing nearby.

Sensing the tension, Laili wisely retreated a few steps, giving them space.

Hong Xiangcai’s eyes flickered as she circled behind Zheng Nanfang, leaning close to his ear. Her warm breath tickled, sending shivers down his spine.

“Morita says you know about the existence of the Loop, don’t you?”

Zheng Nanfang was startled, instantly realizing Deep Blue Asylum’s true motive. “I’ve heard about it.”

“And the Hive?”

“I—”

“Think carefully before you answer.” Hong Xiangcai gestured toward Hu Bi. “His life depends on your next words.”

Zheng Nanfang wanted to say he didn’t much care about Hu Bi’s life, but the words caught in his throat. A bold idea had just taken root in his mind.

“So you’re after the Hive as well?” Zheng Nanfang began to see the situation clearly and played along with Hong Xiangcai’s game. “I really don’t understand why you’re all so obsessed with the Hive.”

“Seems Morita didn’t lie to me,” Hong Xiangcai nodded, satisfied. Zheng Nanfang’s words were as good as an admission—he knew about the Hive, and that meant their goal had been achieved.

She gestured, and the others shoved Hu Bi back into the car. The roadblock at the exit was immediately lifted.

Hong Xiangcai turned to face Zheng Nanfang, the playful look vanishing from her face. She said seriously, “Let’s be direct. Take me to the Hive, and you’ll have a friend in me.”

Feigning consideration, Zheng Nanfang gave a half-smile. “A friend? What’s in it for me?”

“Otherwise, you’re my enemy. Your choice.”

Zheng Nanfang actually admired Hong Xiangcai’s straightforwardness—unfortunately, it wasn’t the right time to make friends.

“Let me put it this way: you’re not the only one after the Hive, and Deep Blue Asylum isn’t the only group keeping an eye on me.”

“Oh?”

Zheng Nanfang spread his hands in resignation. “Otherwise, why do you think I’m in such a hurry to leave? If I’m not mistaken, the people from Hoarse Manor should be arriving any moment now.”

No sooner had he spoken than static crackled from the radio in Hong Xiangcai’s pocket.