In the mist-shrouded hot spring, only Tran and a few women remained. This scene should have been thrilling, but now, thick killing intent filled the air.

"Mary, weren’t you with me since childhood? Why betray me!" Bai Xing cried, her voice trembling.

"Sorry for deceiving you for over a decade. I’ve always served the minister. I only got close to you to reach the king," Mary said. "But the time has come. The minister ordered me to extract what’s inside you. You must die."

"What thing? The sealed Soul Beast? Humans can’t control it! If you take it out, the country will fall!" Bai Xing clung tightly to Tran’s arm, speaking nervously. Tran didn’t grasp the situation, but this perk felt very real.

Mary saw Tran’s silly grin and assumed he was scared witless.

"We’ve found a way to control it. So, my apologies. For over a decade of companionship, I won’t strike personally…" Mary turned away, her eyes revealing a trace of grief and reluctance. "Do it!"

"Yes!" The five women activated their Superpowers instantly. Their abilities were perfect for assassination—once unleashed, their figures blurred into elusive shadows.

"So many ninjas? That’s seriously cool," Tran remarked, watching the assassins’ afterimages.

"I’m sorry, Tran. I’ve dragged you into this!" Bai Xing sobbed, tears streaming. She never expected to die so soon, or for someone to die because of her.

"It’s fine, not a big deal…" Tran grinned foolishly. The reason? Bai Xing pressed even closer while crying, the sensation on his arm… Oh no, Tran felt a nosebleed coming on.

In an instant, five daggers thrust from five directions like black lightning—terrifying, venomous, lethal on contact. But all five clashed mid-air and snapped simultaneously.

"What? Where is he?"

"Boss, above!"

"Huh?"

The five looked up to find Tran standing atop the rockery, cradling Bai Xing.

"You’re serious? Do you know how dangerous that was?" Tran set Bai Xing down, complaining.

"Who are you?" The leader pulled out a new dagger. This girl had escaped their ancient coordinated strike—a theoretically impossible feat.

"I’m Tran. Why kill Bai Xing? What did she do wrong?" Tran fashioned underwear from a bath towel and stretched.

Mary answered instead. "Bai Xing is blameless. Her lineage and the sealed Soul Beast are the problem. For the country and the minister, she must be sacrificed."

"Oh, I see…" Tran rotated his shoulders. He’d stopped listening after her first sentence. Since Bai Xing was innocent… who did they think they were? Daring to kill such a pretty girl?

"We apologize for the offense, Your Excellency. This is family business. We’ll visit later to make amends. Here’s two million dollars as a gesture." Mary produced a black card.

"Holy cow… I’ve never seen this much money!" Tran glanced at the card, then at the weeping Bai Xing beside him.

*Boom!* The leader flew into a hot spring.

"What does this mean? Is our offer insufficient? We can increase it," Mary said, reaching for another card.

Tran swaggeringly wagged his finger. "Hey, do you know why guys like us always get friend-zoned?"

Mary froze, confused. *Man? She’s a man?* She shook her head instinctively.

"Because we give everything to girls! No regrets, even with no reward!" Tran activated his Superpower, appearing before the assassins. "Two million? Two hundred million won’t save you!" He punched rapidly, sending them flying.

"Do you realize the consequences? The minister’s faction will hunt you to death!" Mary warned.

"Seriously? This is neutral territory. I’m from the World Superpower Elite Academy. I don’t buy it!" Tran carried Bai Xing down. "Cute is justice! Justice never loses!"

Mary stared blankly—maybe her Chinese wasn’t good enough.

"Mary, tell the minister I’m coming back soon!" Bai Xing declared.

"Do you really think you’ll escape alive? More than us are waiting outside. The minister wants what’s in you—he sent S Rank Cyborgs fueled by forbidden drugs!"

"Uh… Miss Mary, which side are you on? You just spilled all your strength," Tran muttered. Even he sensed it—Mary didn’t seem like a villain.

"It doesn’t matter now. You can’t escape anyway," Mary replied.

"Mary, do you have a hidden reason? I don’t believe you want me dead!" Bai Xing stepped toward her, ignoring the recent betrayal.

"Hey, Bai Xing, you’re too close…" Tran cautioned.

Suddenly, metal spheres crashed into the spring.

"What’s that? Huge!" Tran stared.

Mary’s expression shifted instantly. "Princess Bai Xing, run! Those are drugged Cyborgs!"

"Huh?"

"Your Excellency, help us!" Mary pleaded.

"Damn, plot twist much? Since when did you switch sides?" Tran groaned.

"Details later! Assassin quintet—protect the princess!"

The five women leaped from the water, disheveled but unharmed.

"Mary! So you planned betrayal…" A mechanical voice echoed.

Everyone turned. From a sphere emerged a fully mechanized figure, gripping a walkie-talkie.

"M…Minister!" Mary stammered.