Chapter 122 - Kings Rising (2) M

Xun Zichen barged through the entrance of the house, his expression confident yet grim, with a man following shortly behind.

Song Luli sighed in relief, but her eyes focused on the two swords strapped to his back, over his coat.

She lifted her eyes directly at him to ask, "Who's he?"

"He knows where Xiang is," replied Xun Zichen.

Song Luli's eyes widened. "Really?" she began to say with sudden hope. "But how do we know that he's not setting us up for a trap?"

"Well, if it's a trap," Xun Zichen replied as he walked towards her. "I'll kill him." He then聽paused. "Besides, I want to go get her alone, and I want you two to stay here."

Song Luli stepped forward. "Why would we let you go alone?"

"Because it's dangerous," Xun Zichen replied. "And unlike you two, I won't be missed."

"Bullshit," snapped Song Luli.

Xun Zichen narrowed his eyes. "I need to find her. If I wait for the others, then something bad will happen to her."

"Then we'll come with you," Song Luli responded.

"No," Xun Zichen replied firmly. "I came back because you told me to, and now here I am, directly telling you that I'm going to get her alone."

Song Luli gritted her teeth. "Don't think I won't follow you!"

Xun Zichen was going to reply when Long Jie interrupted.

"I don't want to let you two argue any longer," chimed in Long Jie, looking directly at Xun Zichen. "But It is easier if the three of us slip in to get her together, we don't need to wait for anyone else. Luli and I will go with you. That is final," he said coldly, not waiting for a response.

Xun Zichen shook his head, responding anyway, "I will go inside to get her; you two can cover me, but only if it's necessary."

Song Luli nodded. "Fair enough," she replied smugly. Xun Zichen scoffed with a subtle smile; there was no point in arguing with someone as stubborn and impulsive as him.

The three of them then prepared to leave.

Both Long Jie and Song Luli quickly changed into dark clothing, hoping to blend in through the dark crevices of where they needed to go. Arming themselves with a few light weapons, they joined the old man who gave them the directions towards Su Xiang's alleged location. He stayed behind at the house, not wanting to risk being found out.

The three then drove and arrived at a casino building shaped like a tower with transparent windows all around, covered with blinds.

Song Luli leaned forward in the passenger seat, her eyes looking around. "Are we at the right place?" she questioned.

"Yes," replied Xun Zichen. "She's at the top."

"This isn't good," Song Luli said, "there are too many people."

"No, I think it's a good thing," added Long Jie. "We can get help if it's necessary."

"But we should try to avoid involving any of the public. Those guests have nothing to do with this," Song Luli replied.

"You're right," Long Jie said.

The three of them entered the building, stepping into the first level of the casino that stretched across with a sea of well-dressed people. The guests laughed, drank, and stumbled over their own feet to get to the next round of a game. Song Luli looked at every direction, and there were security guards stationed at most of the pillars, wearing sharp-black suits and earpieces. Song Luli averted her gaze when one of them attempted eye contact.

She then started to walk again, where the other followed, quickly slipping through the gaps in the crowd, stalking towards the elevator entering in swift and shutting the elevator door behind. The elevator moved and stopped on the next floor, and two people wearing black suits and earpieces entered.

An awkward silence stretched as they kept their mouths shut. Song Luli looked at the men curiously, trying to determine if they worked for the casino or if they worked for Han Ru. Song Luli then glanced between Long Jie and Xun Zichen and over at the security guards once more.

Song Luli could hear the words coming out one of the earpieces: "鈥eep an eye out for two tall men, wearing long black coats, broody-faced, and for a short, lean woman with a ponytail鈥 scout informed us that they're here for the girl."

Song Luli froze.

The two men standing in front of them, turned their heads slightly when Song Luli suddenly struck one of the men in the face and kicked the other in the torso so hard that he stumbled back on the elevator shaft. She then barred her teeth, kicking the man who had fallen repeatedly; the other guard groaned, standing up. She then lifted her leg back to kick him in the face, over the spot she hit before, sending him to unconsciousness. It happened so fast that Long Jie and Xun Zichen watched, stunned.

The elevator doors opened as Song Luli looked out on both sides with no one down the hall. She attempted to glide one of their bodies across the floor, but seeing how heavy they were, she gave up. She looked at Long Jie and Xun Zichen. "Are you guys going to help me? They're kind of heavy," she breathed, rubbing her hand. "And my knuckles hurt too."

Xun Zichen lifted a brow, looking at Long Jie. Long Jie wore a smug smile before they quickly took over, carrying them and shoving the guards in a supply closet.

Song Luli caught sight of their neck tattoos, but they were some she hadn't recognized or seen before.

"Let's go," said Long Jie, breaking her from her hard stare.

The three of them walked down the halls, and as they stepped closer, the lights dimmed.

Song Luli's heart thumped, and she was conscious of her heartbeat, almost counting it. Both Long Jie and Xun Zichen appeared to be unfazed鈥攐r more like determined.

Xun Zichen paused in front of her, looking over at a corner. Again, no one.

Song Luli didn't like the feeling. Why did they not encounter anyone else?

Quickly, but soundlessly, they kept moving, entering a large room full of pallets and piled boxes on top of each other. It was quiet, dark, and almost abandoned.

Song Luli could hear a slight clang of chains grounding against the floor.

Xun Zichen bolted towards the girl bound in chains. Her head bowed and lolled, and he hastily removed them. But when the chains fell, the girl opened her eyes and struck.

Yu Haoran stood up, the cheap long blonde wig fell. She missed as Xun Zichen ducked to the side, where the tip of the blade passed him, kissing the air. She threw the knife, and Xun Zichen crouched down, dodging it.

Yu Haoran drew out two more from the belt she wore, hidden beneath her torn shirt. Xun Zichen pulled out his sword from his back, drawing the brass-steel, tightening his hands around the hilt.

"Go find her!" Xun Zichen shouted at Song Luli and Long Jie. Song Luli gritted her teeth, conflicted, and Xun Zichen saw both their worried expressions. "Go! I got this."

Song Luli and Long Jie dashed away, and Yu Haoran sent a knife flying towards Song Luli's direction. She yelped, bolting out of the way. Long Jie sighed of relief behind her, picking up the knife that missed her.

Yu Haoran then returned her attention back to Xun Zichen.