The Phoenix of the Slums

The tension in the shipyard was palpable as Tianming stood over the incapacitated guard, his grip firm on the man’s arm. The guards surrounding him lay motionless, but the weight of the situation hung in the air. The information he sought was just out of reach, yet he couldn’t afford to fail now. Not when everything he had worked for was leading to this moment.

The guard under Tianming’s control groaned, his breath shallow, but his defiance remained. His eyes glinted with fear, but there was something deeper, something calculated beneath the surface.

Tianming squatted down, lowering his face to the man’s level. “Who is behind the biological deal with Madam Yurei?” he demanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife.

The guard struggled against Tianming’s hold, but his face contorted with pain. He wasn’t about to break easily, not without a fight. “You think you can scare me into talking?” he sneered.

Tianming didn’t flinch. “You’ll talk,” he said calmly, tightening his grip until the man gasped for breath. “I’m not asking anymore.”

The guard’s defiance faltered for a moment, but his lips remained sealed. The coldness in his eyes told Tianming all he needed to know—this man wasn’t just a lackey. He was a player in something far larger than Tianming had anticipated. If he didn’t break now, he would break later. But Tianming needed answers sooner rather than later.

A distant rumble echoed through the warehouse, followed by the sound of an approaching vehicle. Tianming’s instincts screamed at him that time was running out. He had to make the decision now—push harder or retreat.

His eyes narrowed as he made his choice. With a swift motion, he pressed the blade of his knife against the man’s neck. “Don’t make me do this,” he said in a low voice.

The guard’s eyes widened in terror. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he glanced frantically around, searching for any means of escape. “You won’t get away with this,” the man muttered, his voice strained.

Tianming’s expression remained cold, but inside, his mind raced. He could hear the approaching footsteps—reinforcements, no doubt. He couldn’t afford to be caught here. He had to know more before leaving.

“Tell me what I need to know,” Tianming pressed, his knife inching closer to the man’s throat.

The guard’s resolve cracked. His breath hitched as he let out a resigned sigh. “Madam Yurei’s deal... It’s with a man named Wei Long,” he muttered. “He’s connected to the Lotus Clan, but he’s working with someone else... someone much higher up.”

Tianming’s mind raced at the mention of Wei Long. He had been tracking this name for weeks, but the connection to the Lotus Clan was a dangerous new piece of information. Who was this mysterious higher-up? And why had Madam Yurei become involved?

Before he could press the guard for more, the sound of multiple footsteps grew louder, drawing closer. The reinforcements were almost upon them. Tianming had no time to waste.

He gave the guard one final look, his expression cold and unreadable. “I’ll be back for you,” he said, before he swiftly released the man and retreated into the shadows.

The guard, still reeling from the encounter, remained silent, too afraid to call for help. But Tianming knew that this wasn’t over. He had his first lead, but there were still far too many unanswered questions.

As Tianming moved deeper into the labyrinth of rusting metal and concrete, he kept to the shadows, moving with the precision of a predator. The sound of the reinforcements grew fainter, but his danger wasn’t over yet. The path he had chosen was fraught with risks, and the more he uncovered, the more he realized just how high the stakes had become.

Wei Long was a name that had been floating at the edges of his investigation for months now. The connection to Madam Yurei was new, but it only deepened the mystery. Who was this man? What kind of deals was he involved in? And what was his ultimate goal?

Tianming couldn’t afford to let his guard down, not even for a moment. Every move he made had consequences, and one wrong step could lead to disaster.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a loud engine revving. The vehicle he had heard earlier had arrived. Tianming paused, hiding behind a large stack of metal containers as the sound of the vehicle grew louder.

He dared a glance around the corner. A black SUV pulled into the yard, its headlights cutting through the darkness. The vehicle came to a stop, and the doors opened.

Tianming’s heart skipped a beat as he recognized the figures emerging from the vehicle. It was none other than Madam Yurei herself, flanked by two of her most trusted bodyguards. She moved with a grace that belied her reputation, her every step calculated, her presence commanding.

Her gaze swept across the warehouse, a flicker of recognition flashing across her face as she spotted the unconscious men lying in the shadows. Her lips curled into a small, amused smile.

“So, it seems we have an uninvited guest,” Madam Yurei’s voice rang out, smooth and unruffled. “I was wondering when you’d make your move, Tianming.”

Tianming remained hidden in the shadows, his mind racing. He hadn’t expected Madam Yurei to arrive so soon, but it made sense. She had her fingers in every pie, and her knowledge of the situation was no doubt as extensive as his own.

He had to act fast. If she found him, all his hard work would have been for nothing. The stakes were too high to fail now.

Without another thought, Tianming made his move.

He darted out from the shadows, moving as quickly as a shadow in the night. Before the guards could react, he was on them. His first target went down in a blur, a swift strike to the throat leaving him gasping for air.

The second guard attempted to draw his weapon, but Tianming was already on him. He disarmed the man with a fluid motion, sending the gun skittering across the floor.

Madam Yurei stepped back, her expression cool as she watched the scene unfold. “Impressive,” she remarked, her voice dripping with intrigue. “But it won’t be enough, Tianming.”

Tianming didn’t respond. He was focused, his eyes locked onto her as he advanced. There was no time for words, no time for distractions. He had to end this now.

With lightning speed, he closed the gap, his body low and ready to strike. But before he could reach her, Madam Yurei moved with an elegance that was almost otherworldly. She sidestepped his attack, her hand flashing out to strike him across the face.

The blow landed with a resounding crack, sending a shockwave through Tianming’s body. He staggered back, momentarily stunned by her unexpected speed.

But there was no time to dwell on the pain. He recovered quickly, his training kicking in as he launched himself at her once more.

The fight had only just begun.