Chapter 00248: A Winter of Troubles
# A Winter of Troubles
Chapter 248
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 248: A Winter of Troubles
After the troublesome autumn came to an end, a troublesome winter arrived.
After days of fine rain, the rarely seen sunshine finally graced Cliff City with its presence.
Beneath the clear afternoon sky, the streets were illuminated by sunlight, and the puddles at his feet reflected the azure blue of the sky, bringing a glimmer of warmth.
Ji Jue sat in a folding chair, finding a comfortable position, and let out a relaxed sigh.
He remembered the winter days spent in Shuzhou when he was young.
He would dress heavily, yet the biting cold wind still found a way to invade him through the seams of his clothes, chilling him to the bone.
Getting out of bed each morning to reach for his clothes felt as difficult as traversing through hell.
It was truly terrifying.
In comparison, the winter in Haizhou seemed merely a symbolic drop in temperature, to the extent that one could still wear a T-shirt beneath a thin jacket.
Even though the locals would ceremoniously put on a down vest over their clothes, they absolutely refused to part ways with their flip-flops, no matter how cold it got.
Even after all these years of awkwardly blending in as a half-local, Ji Jue still couldn't grasp the enduring loyalty people showed towards flip-flops, as if they would rather face any challenge than abandon them.
An old man from a northern mountain district named Zhang could be seen swaggering through the city year-round with a big palm-leaf fan and wearing a tank top and shorts.
You’d think he was bold because of his skills, but the truth was, that was just how the local customs were.
Mundane and simple—that was the truth.
At this moment, under the afternoon sun, the distant sound of the tide echoed back.
The weather was clear, with clouds spread thin over the horizon.
“What a perfect day for a little mayhem,” Ji Jue yawned, leaning back in his folding chair and squinting against the light.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In the distance, there was a sound of knocking on a door from the other side of the warehouse.
Outside the rusted and peeling iron door, a slender youth, delicate in appearance like a girl, raised his head to compare the address on his phone, confirmed it once more, then lifted his hand.
Another knock.
Until an impatient voice came from within the warehouse.
“Who is it? No deliveries here!”
The observation window slid open, revealing a scruffy face peering out.
His fierce expression faltered when he caught sight of the youthful, delicate face before him, and he unconsciously turned to look behind him. “Damn it, who called this woman?”
Shortly after, he felt a chill around his neck.
His expression froze on his face.
A single finger, light as a feather, extended through the observation window and rested gently on his carotid artery, so tender, yet the slight cold touch sent a chill deeper than any nightmare coursing through him.
“Li Yong?” came a voice.
Li Yong swallowed hard, his body tensing, his expression twitching briefly before he forced a twisted smile, nodded, and opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by the cold voice: “How many people are inside?”
“Three, no, four...five...five people...really only five.” Li Yong blinked vigorously, “B-brother, is there a mistake? We’ve already paid...”
“The money for the head has been paid, but what about the money for the Security Bureau?” Even though An Ran was puzzled, he still imitated Ji Jue's tone and retorted, “Who gave you a guarantee? Xu Chao?“I...”Li Yong's expression twitched again, his hand behind his back desperately signaling to his partner. Just as he began to say something, the opportunity slipped away. The light finger drew back from his neck. And along with it, all of his strength vanished.“Ha...
Ha...”Veins bulged on Li Yong’s face, bloodshot eyes wide with horror, he struggled, wanting to scream, yet no sound escaped his lips. Like mud, he slid down the door, collapsing onto the ground. Finally, the youth spoke.“You’re not being honest.”Ji Jue said that such smugglers who dared to be dishonest about the Security Bureau were not good people. If they weren’t good people, then it didn’t matter. But Ji Jue also said that killing recklessly was not good; even bad people had families and would feel heartache. When a person died, a report had to be made, which was quite troublesome. So it was better to leave them as living corpses. Sent to a friend passionate about medical research, not only could they earn some money, but they could also let that friend contribute to the happiness and future of mankind. Ji Jue had thought it through well; he felt it made sense. So from then on, unless it was absolutely necessary to kill, if someone resisted, he would just have to make them brain dead. But for some reason, Sister Wen and Sister Hua always had complex expressions, as if there was something they wanted to say... Snap! The silver light flashed from his sleeve, and the heavy lock and bolt on the warehouse door instantly split apart. The iron door slowly creaked open, and then a crisp sound of metal scraping echoed from inside. Inside the warehouse, the desperate men, having just received warnings from their companions, hastily grabbed their weapons. They opened fire without hesitation! Footsteps, gunshots, and heartbeats surged as more than sixteen people came out—certainly not just five! The Security Bureau had come, and instead of surrendering, they dared to open fire on themselves… Wait? Did I mention I was from the Security Bureau? It seems like I did… right? It didn’t matter; since they fired. They might as well kill them all! In that brief moment, the youth's anxieties were washed away by the inertia cultivated over many years, replaced by the glimmer of coldness slipping from his sleeve. Scarlet shards of iron screamed as they shot through the air! In the vast and gloomy warehouse, a streak of crimson suddenly emerged from An Ran’s hand, flying through the air against the flashes of gunfire, piercing through walls and cargo with ease, tearing through flesh as blood mist surged outward. Then came the thunderous roar bursting from the youth's fingertips! The violent barrage seemed to pause for a beat. Everyone turned in shock, looking toward the back, where the chosen one of entropy, hidden behind several layers of barriers, was now stunned, lowering his head to only see the terrifying hole that had been fully penetrated through his body. Gore and entrails erupted, splattering against the now blood-red wall.“Save... save...”He looked up in terror, his expression twitching momentarily, and right before everyone’s eyes, he was split in half. The energy that had accumulated within him surged beyond control, erupting suddenly. Flames spread, thick clouds of smoke billowed, and bones turned to ash! And the booming sounds echoed unceasingly. The wailing that pierced through the air didn’t stop; in that moment of hesitation, those who had sought refuge behind barriers were precisely picked off by shards that penetrated the walls. Even the wastrel who had attempted to charge out splintered into pieces instantaneously. It was like the arrival of the Grim Reaper. Holding the ‘little gadget’ gifted by Ji Jue, An Ran’s eyes sparkled with excitement. As expected of Brother Ji Jue, how impressive! Although it looked plain and unremarkable, once the sword song triggered, the skill and destructive power it possessed surpassed the high-priced items he’d previously bought by countless times! Such a good thing, surely no one would use it better than him, right?! Thinking this, he couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride, his mood lifted again as he moved his hand once more, yet stopped abruptly, eyebrows slightly raised. It unexpectedly missed? Boom! In the midst of the thunderous noise, Yue Ting’s eyes widened in shock, collapsing to the ground. He looked up at the crimson shard that had rammed into the steel, feeling a warm, moist sensation in his pants, trembling involuntarily. What the hell is this?! If it weren’t for the instinct of“Cicada’s Knowledge”urging him to instinctively duck, he might have already lost his head. In less than half a minute, not only had the rabble he had hired with money from Qindao suffered severe casualties, even half of his brothers, who had battled alongside him on the sea for so many years, had fallen! Under the unprecedented shock, he felt darkness creeping in and instinctively glanced toward the distant figure, that subordinate who seemed to be shrinking in anticipation of death, and he could no longer hold back his fury.“What are you standing there for?!”he shouted angrily,“Release that thing in the cage! Don’t just stand there, quickly! Otherwise, we’re all going to die!”“B-but...”The subordinate startled for a moment and then revealed a face that was more pained than crying, lifting a half-broken chain in his hand,“The cage… has already been cut open, Ting Ge.”Instantly, a piercing roar erupted from the massive cage beneath the fabric. The beastling, freed from its shackles, roared in a frenzy, suddenly bolting out, a bizarre amalgamation of viper, python, and insect dragging its long tail behind it and pouncing forward. In a sudden move, it gulped down half of the subordinate’s body, chewing ravenously as flesh and blood spattered everywhere. The exposed lower half squirmed terrifyingly, its legs flailing in a frantic struggle. Soon it vanished into the jaws of the creature. The beast's multiple eyes glinted viciously, and as the sedative that had been pumped into its body gradually seeped out with the flow of blood, its aura turned more ferocious and terrifying. Under the instincts of a wild beast, it focused on the greatest threat in the warehouse. That youth, who curiously raised his head and gazed back at it. Tilting its head, it stared. Though that face was entirely unthreatening, it nonetheless sent shivers down its spine, making it recoil instinctively. Yet, in the next moment, a flash of crimson erupted, and an iron shard impaled the wall right in front of it.“Shh, back, back!”Little An raised his hand, gesturing towards the beastling several times larger than himself, pointing back to its original cage, but alas, the creature could not understand human words. Realizing it could not escape, it turned violently, making a desperate counterattack! Boom!!! The continual explosions erupted from behind, and Yue Ting scurried on all fours on the ground, stumbling, yet running faster than he would have using his legs. This time, it was over. There was no escape. But the life was paramount; he could always earn back the money, refill the goods, but if he lost his life, it would all be over... It was just like any ‘boss’ who would abandon ‘brothers’ without hesitation once shares were cashed out; sensing the danger, Yue Ting had no thoughts of retreating together with his comrades. He spun on his heel and fled! He locked the secret passage behind him, hoping to delay his pursuers just a little longer. His movements grew quicker and more skillful, almost instinctual. He couldn't help but smile at the thrill of escape. Until, covered in dirt and grime, he pried open a manhole cover. Then, his smile froze on his face. Surrounding the manhole cover, four red and white traffic cones bore yellow-black caution tape, as though a trap was set, lying in wait for a cornered rabbit to stumble upon it.“Sorry, please turn back.”A voice called from behind, yawning nonchalantly,“City maintenance, please take a detour.”Yue Ting froze, turning to see a folding chair propped up behind him, with a young man lazily reclining on it, resting his chin on his hand, drowsily watching. That was a handsome face marred with a long, winding scar, giving it a slight flaw. His hair was cut short to ear-length yet seemed faded, hinting at a touch of gray. A strange-looking cane rested across his knees, as if he had difficulty walking. But most striking were his drooping eyes, black within but glimmering a hint of crimson. When they glanced his way, an eerie chill ran down his spine. Like the unquenchable coals in a furnace. Yue Ting's expression twitched as he struggled to suppress his impulse to fight back,“Brother, a little help here, give me a way out, I owe you one.”“How do you want to repay me? Card or cash?”Ji Jue grinned,“I don’t have a habit of helping people in installments.”“…”In the brief silence, Yue Ting's expression grew increasingly twisted,“If you want to play blackmail, you need to have your life first, don’t act recklessly!”Ji Jue laughed instantly.“Did you see that?”Ji Jue pointed to one of the traffic cones next to him, where a silvery gleam flickered—it was a pair of handcuffs that had already been set up,“Count to three, and I'll let you put them on, do you believe me?”Yue Ting’s face turned ashen, his hand beneath the manhole cover drawing forth a half-broken black blade, murderous intent erupting,“You’re asking for…”Snap! A sharp sound resounded boldly from the folding chair. Then, a shadow loomed over the stunned face. Accompanied by the crisp sound, the enormous armored SUV that looked both bizarre and menacing shook suddenly, as if a giant was stretching its body. Countless mechanical components whirred fluidly, expanding, with arms unfurling and fierce beast faces appearing beneath the shedding armor. In an instant, it transformed into a more than five-meter-tall mechanical monster, with razor-sharp claws raised, a mounted machine gun freshly removed from its compartment thrust into Yue Ting's face. From the blackened barrel, the wind of hell blew forth.“Three.”Ji Jue declared. Crack! The sound of the short blade clanging against the manhole's bottom and handcuffs echoed through the air.“Dad, I was wrong!!!”Yue Ting knelt on the ground, hands handcuffed over his head, as if completing the act at light speed, hysterically bowing his head:“Great sir, don’t hold a grudge against me, please spare my dog’s life!”
(End of this chapter)