CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: HUO YAN IS IN DANGER VIII

With every move made by Huo Yan, the ropes bit deeper into her wrists. Sweat trickled down her forehead as she leaned her head back against the chair.

Her eyes burned, her chest heaved with exhaustion cursing through her entire body. But that didn’t stop her from glaring defiantly against the man across her.

His lips curled into a faint smirk as he lit another cigarette. "Save your energy. No one is coming to save you." He sneered at her pathetic appearance.

Huo Yan coughed. Her throat was parched due to lack of water. "My brother... he will save me. He will come." She said hoarsely, but her voice was firm.

"Your brother? Ha!" The leader burst into a mocking laughter. "He’s already walking into a trap on his own. And by the time he realizes it, you’ll be long dead." He laughed even more loudly.

Despite her stubborn resolve, a shiver ran down her spine. She clenched her fists as her chest rose and fell. She wanted to scream, she wanted to curse at him. But she forced herself to remain silent. Every word she uttered was enough to strengthen him.

Come on, don’t waste that glare on me. If you’re going to hate someone, then hate your brother for offending someone he shouldn’t have. Besides, I’m just a lackey, the real mastermind is someone else." He cackled.

Huo Yan’s eyes widened as her lips parted. "There is someone else?"

Instead of giving her a reply, he rose to his feet with a smirk on his face.

Her heart thumped painfully. If there was truly someone pulling the strings behind, then her brother was walking into this battle... blind. Every step has already been prepared. She was afraid... extremely afraid.

They didn’t want money. They were after something else. Huo Yan’s heart sank as she watched the leader walk out.

Outside, engines roared sharply. The kidnappers stiffened as they exchanged wary glances.

"They’re here," one muttered, grabbing his weapon.

The leader’s smirk deepened. "Good. Let’s give them the welcome they came for."

_______________

"Stay sharp. No one moves without my order." His voice was clipped, lethal.

Beside him, Yue Ning gripped the door handle, her knuckles pale.

Her system chimed in her head. ’Host, traces of human movement detected inside, east wing. Multiple signatures.’

Her lips trembled, but she whispered, "They’re inside. Second floor, east side... Xiao Yan is there."

Huo Feng’s gaze snapped to her. There was no hesitation in her tone. He gave a sharp nod. "Ah Si, you heard her. Split the men—half to cover the exits, the rest follow me."

Ah Si’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t argue. Orders were orders. He had to follow them.

The men moved swiftly, shadows in the night. Guns ready, steps silent.

Yue Ning forced herself to keep calm, though her leg ached with every movement. Her system’s cold voice anchored her: ’Host, remain behind Huo Feng. Your role is guidance, not combat.’

"I know," she whispered inwardly. "But if it means saving Xiao Yan... I’ll risk it."

Suddenly, her eyes snapped to the window, and her eyes widened.

"Mr. Huo, it’s a trap. They knew we were coming." She whispered.

Just as she whispered, a sudden burst of gunfire shattered the silence. Bullets ricocheted off metal, sparks flying.

"Ambush!" Ah Si roared.

"Form cover!" Huo Feng ordered, dragging Yue Ning behind a concrete block. His arm shielded her instinctively as he returned fire with ruthless precision.

’Host, the enemies are stationed both ground level and higher points. It was prepared. They were waiting.’ The system warned.

Yue Ning clenched her jaw. A trap indeed. But through the chaos, she forced herself to focus, her mind reaching for the faint bond she’d glimpsed before. Images flickered. Huo Yan tied to a chair, terrified but alive.

She gasped, exclaiming. "Third floor now! North side! They’re moving her!"

Huo Feng didn’t question how she knew about it. His eyes flashed with danger. "Cover me. I’m going in."

Huo Feng rushed forward like a shadow with Ah Si and two men covering him from behind. His movements were sharp and efficient. Every shot he fired dropped an enemy.

"Boss, left side clear!" Ah Si shouted.

Huo Feng didn’t give any reply. His eyes stayed locked on the staircase ahead. That was his path. That was where Huo Yan was.

Behind the cover, Yue Ning clutched the wall, her breathing ragged. The sound of gunfire shook her, but her system’s voice echoed steadily in her mind. ’Host, maintain focus. Her presence is nearby.’

She shut her eyes, pressing her palm to the concrete, forcing her mind to link again. The pain was sharp, but she endured. Flashes surged—Yan’s muffled sobs, the scrape of shoes dragging her across the floor, the leader barking, "Move faster!"

Her eyes flew open. "They’re on the third floor! Corridor on the east side!" she yelled.

Ah Si heard her over the chaos and relayed, "Boss! Corridor on the east side! She’s there"

Huo Feng’s gaze flickered back at Yue Ning briefly. Even in this madness, he believed her. Without any hesitation, he stormed the stairs.

Two men rushed down towards him, but Huo Feng dropped them in two clean shots. His expression didn’t change, his aura was colder with every step.

"Boss, backup incoming!" Ah Si called, holding off more enemies at the base.

"Hold them!" Huo Feng barked without looking back. "No one should pass you."

Yue Ning staggered out from cover, her body screaming in protest, but she refused to stay behind. She limped after Huo Feng. Her every step was filled with agony, but the thought of Yan gave her strength.

’Host, your vitals are unstable,’ the system warned.

"I can’t stop, she has to be saved," she whispered.

Upstairs, Huo Feng kicked a door open, his gun raised. It was empty. Another door was kicked, but it was empty. His eyes narrowed, cold fury burning.

"Yan’er..." he muttered under his breath.

Yue Ning caught up, panting with her face pale.

Her System said urgently. ’Left side... three rooms down.’

She grabbed Huo Feng’s sleeve, whispering hoarsely, "Left side... three rooms down."

He didn’t hesitate. He stormed forward with his gun ready .

At that exact moment, a chair scraped inside the room, followed by Yan’s muffled cry.

"Brother!"

Huo Feng froze only for a heartbeat. Then his jaw tightened, and with a brutal kick, the door flew open.