When Lin Jie approached Doctor Qin’s lab, he sensed several eerie presences lurking nearby.
Atop a distant skyscraper, three men and one woman watched the institute through binoculars.
“We’ll move at night. Rest for now,” one man said.
“I still don’t get why the young master wants that woman,” the woman muttered.
“Not our concern,” the man replied.
“Where are Three and Five? They should’ve reported back by now,” the woman snapped, rolling her eyes. “Can’t even handle a simple task.”
“You mean these two?” Lin Jie landed beside them, slinging two flushed, panting women over his shoulder.
“Three and Five!” the leader barked. “Who are you?”
“I should ask you that,” Lin Jie shot back. “What’s your business staking out my sister’s workplace?”
“That’s none of yours,” the leader growled. “What did you do to them?”
“These two?” Lin Jie glanced at the unconscious women draped over him. “I was gonna ‘cleanse’ them with Xiao Zhan’s Stain Remover Rod—maybe squeeze out some intel. But I cranked the power too high. Knocked ’em out cold.”
“You pervert!” The lone woman lunged at him, energy flaring from her palms. The leader tried to stop her—too late.
A thick energy beam blasted from the rooftop into the distance.
She collapsed beside the others, face flushed and breathless. Lin Jie twirled a mosaic-covered rod. “Gotta say, Xiao Zhan’s gadget really works.”
Before he could savor the moment, the remaining three surrounded him. Each held B Rank strength or higher. Their uncanny footwork alone could overpower A Rank fighters.
Too bad they met Lin Jie.
Necks snapped sideways mid-lunge. All three hit the ground unconscious before their powers even sparked.
“Troublesome.” Lin Jie bound them with rope. “Better add insurance.” He dialed Glasses Bro. “Yo, Glasses. Got a favor to ask…”
“This damn cashless society!!” Lin Jie glared at the credit cards in his hand. “I was counting on robbing them.”
***
Dragon Junior’s face turned glacial as he watched the news. Bai Hao beside him didn’t dare breathe.
Footage showed three naked men and three clothed women pinned beneath them on a street corner—arrested by police.
“Did the Ouyang or Dong families catch wind of us?” Bai Hao whispered. “They’re Heaven Group. Even six A Ranks wouldn’t guarantee victory.”
“No injuries. No poison,” Dragon Junior hissed.
“Who could subdue them instantly?” Bai Hao paled. “An S Rank?”
Dragon Junior nodded slowly.
***
Lin Jie reunited with Xiao Zhan at the institute. Inside Doctor Qin’s lab, Lin Wan greeted them. “Bro! You’re here. You can take Doudou home now.”
They followed her to a room. A Siberian Husky sat intently flipping pages of a book.
“What’s he reading?” Lin Jie asked.
“Quantum mechanics. Taught him during breaks.” Lin Wan beamed. “World’s first dog to understand it!”
“Make us dumbass humans feel worthless, why don’t you?!” Lin Jie groaned. “Even dogs get quantum physics now…”
“I’m unfazed—I mastered it years ago,” Xiao Zhan shrugged. “But your experiment… evolving a dog’s brain like this? Imagine humans—”
“Humanity’s next evolution,” Lin Wan declared. “This research changes everything.”
“Overkill much?” Lin Jie muttered.
“I only do groundbreaking work.” Lin Wan handed them a leash. “Take Doudou. I’ve got lab duties.”
“Here.” Lin Jie pressed a pendant into her palm. “Press this button if trouble comes. I’ll be there faster than anyone your brother’s ever faced.”
Lin Wan tightened her grip on the pendant. “Got it.”
***
At the Hourglass Tower penthouse, Doudou’s husky instincts exploded. He bounced wildly, paws scraping fresh walls.
“Hey! This place is newly renovated!” Xiao Zhan lunged to grab him—then froze. Doudou had triggered a hidden door, bypassed its lock with eerie precision, and yanked out a mosaic-covered rod. He flicked a switch, lapped milk oozing from its tip, and shot Xiao Zhan a withering glare.
“I think he mistook your armory for a snack fridge,” Lin Jie deadpanned.
“MY SECURITY SYSTEM WAS CRACKED BY A DOG!” Xiao Zhan shook Lin Jie. “And he just insulted me!”
“Master, you’re back.” Bu Feiwu emerged from a hallway.
Doudou dropped the censored rod at her feet, tail wagging furiously.
Bu Feiwu’s gaze flickered between dog and Xiao Zhan. “Is this… your new hobby?” She blushed. “If you insist, I might… accommodate you tonight.”
“ACCOMMODATE MY SISTER!” Xiao Zhan yelled. “The dog did this! He broke into my weapons locker!”
“It had a password,” Bu Feiwu said flatly.
“He hacked it! He reads quantum physics!”
Bu Feiwu stared at Xiao Zhan for ten silent seconds. “I’ll call the psych ward.”
“Wait! I’m cured! Seriously!”
“Of course you are. You just need rest.” She pulled out her phone.
“No—let me explain—”
***
In H City’s luxury district, Thirteen watched surveillance teams from the shadows.
“Just as I thought.” He dialed. “It’s Thirteen.”
“F*CK!” Black Gold’s voice crackled. “We’ve got no beef! Whatever I did, I’ll fix it!”
“I need backup. Winter Xueer’s residence. Bring everyone.”
“Please, boss—”
“Refuse, and I camp outside your door forever.”
“...I’m mobilizing the Muscle Alliance. Now.”
“Be late, and I haunt your doorstep daily.”
“On my way!” Black Gold yelped.
Thirteen hung up, texting Lin Jie and Xiao Zhan. As he pocketed his phone, a black hovercar glided into the compound. Armed men shielded a young man stepping out.
Winter Xueer stood waiting below.
“Ouyang Zihao. How kind of you to fetch me personally,” she said coolly.
“Family orders. They don’t trust you not to cause trouble… my fiancée.”
“Let’s go.”
“So you’ve stopped resisting?” Ouyang Zihao frowned. “Pity. I looked forward to… disciplining you after a struggle.”
“I never intended to resist.”
“Foolish woman.” He smirked. “Though I owe you for dealing with that nuisance, Ouyang Rui.”
“Your family is revolting.”
“Know your place.” He yanked her hair. “If the elders hadn’t forbidden touching you before the wedding, you’d know exactly what you are.”
Winter Xueer stayed silent.
“Don’t worry—I cherish beauty.” His thumb traced her jaw. “What the clan does to you afterward? Not my concern.”
“Kill me now.”
“I’d never spoil our wedding night.” He grinned. “Get in the car, fiancée.”
“Hold it! Where are you taking Miss Winter Xueer?!” Black Gold and the Muscle Alliance blocked the gates.
“Made it,” Thirteen murmured from the dark. “But the Dong Family’s about to ignite a war…”
