"Don't rush things, can't we just sit down and talk properly?"
Xi Wei'er said pleasantries, but her movements were ruthlessly swift.
She closed in on me at lightning speed, her short baton aimed directly at my neck.
My nerves tensed, and my body instinctively dodged to the side.
Xi Wei'er's attack made me shed any previous underestimation I had of her. I hadn't expected this girl, looking so slender, to possess an explosive power that even I found difficult to handle.
In a battle between experts, every move is fatal.
My mind and body fully engaged, she and I fought back and forth, neither gaining the upper hand.
Xi Wei'er, worthy of her special forces training, attacked with movements as elusive as a phantom's trace. I could only contend with her by relying on my immense physical strength.
But soon, I noticed something.
Xi Wei'er didn't seem to be trying to kill me; she appeared to want to knock me out and take me back?
It seemed my value to them was indeed substantial.
Since you're not aiming for the kill, don't blame me for showing no mercy!
As I sparred with Xi Wei'er, I secretly studied her techniques, and gradually the tide of victory began to turn in my favor.
Xi Wei'er, who could previously match me blow for blow, and even hold the advantage, began to falter, unable to keep up with my rhythm.
She also sustained several wounds.
It made sense, really. My physique already far surpassed that of ordinary people, and Xi Wei'er was a woman, naturally lacking in stamina. A prolonged fight was not her strong suit.
I was now fighting with renewed ferocity!
If I could subdue Xi Wei'er here and force her to retrieve Qu Xiangyun's chip, it would be ideal.
If not, I absolutely could not let her escape.
I decided to kill her on the spot, to eliminate any future trouble!
Xi Wei'er was panting heavily, struggling to cope with my relentless onslaught. Suddenly, her foot slipped, exposing a vulnerability. I seized the moment, lunging forward and cleaving her short baton in two with my blade.
With no other recourse, Xi Wei'er was forced to retreat rapidly, creating distance between us.
Now that you're disarmed, how can you possibly fight me!
To my surprise, Xi Wei'er showed no panic despite being weaponless. Instead, she appeared confident, as if she had everything under control.
My mind instantly became alert.
I feigned conversation to disrupt Xi Wei'er's focus, slowly closing in on her.
"Little girl, now you should be begging me to let you leave!"
Xi Wei'er's face had regained its smile. She scrutinized me, as if looking at trapped prey.
"Lu Ziye, I truly underestimated you! I didn't expect your skills to be this good. It seems my extra preparations were indeed useful!"
"See who I have here!"
Just as I was about to leap forward and capture Xi Wei'er, a sound suddenly came from the bushes behind her.
Hearing the noise, I quickly turned towards the rustling grass.
There, Hathaway, with a dagger at Qu Xiangyun's throat, was escorting her towards us.
Qu Xiangyun's hands were bound behind her back, and her mouth was taped shut. Only her beautiful eyes betrayed her unease and fear.
Upon seeing me, Qu Xiangyun's eyes filled with despair. She let out a muffled sound, only to be slapped across the face by Hathaway.
They had captured Qu Xiangyun and were using her to threaten me!
Damn it!
My eyes turned red. With a surge of power in my legs, I lunged at Xi Wei'er without a second thought!
With a hostage in hand, if I didn't act decisively, I would be captured. The only option now was for me to subdue Xi Wei'er, giving me leverage to negotiate!
But Xi Wei'er was cunning. As Hathaway emerged with Qu Xiangyun, she had already retreated swiftly, giving me no chance for a surprise attack.
"Lu Ziye, you've proven your abilities. Now, if you don't want anything to happen to Qu Xiangyun, put down your weapon and join us."
Xi Wei'er nonchalantly took the dagger from Hathaway and gestured it near Qu Xiangyun's face, as if searching for a spot to strike.
"Wait! Put the dagger down first. We can discuss this."
My face regained its composure as I placated Xi Wei'er.
Meanwhile, my left hand subtly reached behind my back.
My revolver was holstered there, a fact they were unaware of!
If I could seize the opportunity, the outcome of this fight was far from decided!
"Lu Ziye, we sincerely want to be partners. After all, you saved us before, didn't you?"
Xi Wei'er was still trying to sway me with words, to make me give up my resistance.
"Lu Ziye, let's work together, return to the outside world. Wouldn't it be wonderful for you and Qu Xiangyun to be together forever?"
"So you admit I saved you ungrateful wretches? If you had approached me honestly from the start, perhaps I would have agreed. But now you're threatening me with Qu Xiangyun's life, how despicable!"
By now, I had already grasped the handle of my revolver. I was confident I could fire eight shots within a second.
Everything was ready; all I needed was for Xi Wei'er to expose a weakness, and I could shoot both her and Hathaway dead!
As expected, my words infuriated Xi Wei'er.
"You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
Xi Wei'er reversed her grip on the dagger and plunged it fiercely towards Qu Xiangyun's thigh!
Now!