Chapter 126 - Kings Rising (6) M

Hours later, many have gathered in Song Luli and Long Jie's home to discuss how their plan would go down. The problem was there weren't enough of them, to begin with; the numbers were short due to the abrupt notice, and the word of Long Jie's ascension seemed to have gone stagnant.

"We haven't got word back from the Dragon Organization. It is radio silent on our side," reported Su Feng.

Xun Zichen nodded, seeking out for the old man that helped them before. "I know you don't know me all that well but I think word would spread faster if you go to the heart of the city and let former members know that Long Jie is now the Head of the Dragon, and let them know that I'm coming for Xun Yaozu if he isn't too much of a coward to escape again."

The old man nodded, sprinting towards the door as he left.

Xun Zichen looked out the front porch from where the old man left, and the afternoon sun slowly dimmed, and sunset was when they needed to go.

He stepped back into the dining hall, where Long Jie stationed everyone to work together, and it looked as if they transformed it into a makeshift military base with all their mismatched computers connected side-by-side. Long Jie provided everything he already had in his home since he owned a conglomerate, but with the late notice, everything looked out of place, but they did their best.

Weapons were placed safely and delicately in cases, waiting to be used, beckoning.

But Xun Zichen wanted to do everything he can to prevent another war between the Organizations, something that hadn't occurred in three decades since the last one.

He heard more people arrive, and Xun Zichen whirled, disappointed to see Song Meiling, Song Zhen, and no doubt, their companions.

"What are you doing here?" he asked them.

"We're here to help," Song Meiling replied.

"Go home," ordered Xun Zichen.

She then glanced around the room. "I think you need us," she said.

"For what?" he questioned.

Song Meiling pursed her lips. "Um...I can land a few good punches."

Xun Zichen pinched the space between his brow, sighing. But then it hit him. "Of course," he said to himself, as an idea popped into his mind.

He recalled Song Meiling being the fastest runner when they raced as children. He then took her and the others to a room.

"You four really can't join me, but you will fight. I need you to do this for me..." He explained to them their roles in full detail, and after they looked at him eye-wide before scurrying off to prepare themselves for their tasks.

When everyone split up, Long Jie and Song Luli stepped down the staircase from their bedroom. Long Jie's face was hard and tight; he wore an embroidered long-sleeve shirt with high and round collars. The first few lapels of his shirt were undone, revealing the stark Dragon tattoo on his chest. He wore a long black coat that billowed behind his knees. His eyes were cold and lethal.

Xun Zichen knew that look, that promise of death. It was the same way he felt, and maybe, they weren't so different from each other after all. He recalled the words of Long Yuntian, something that never left his mind: 'There's a saying that you often see a phoenix with a dragon, as they both represent a balance of forces that harmonize the world.'

Long Jie stalked towards him, Song Luli beside his side, wearing all black. Her sleeves were rolled up, showing the matching tattoo that began at her wrist, wrapping around her forearm.

In front of him, they both paused.

Long Jie was only two inches taller him, but it felt like a big difference when he looked at him so impassively.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Xun Zichen said.

"I hope that for all our sakes, you don't lose. Good luck," Long Jie changed the subject.聽Xun Zichen glanced at him and to Song Luli, nodding.

Long Jie stepped into their makeshift base, and spoke with everyone in the room, making sure everyone knew what they were doing, and joining in.

There were only 20 of them, Xun Zichen counted. And Xun Yaozu could have dozens if he summoned them all. He oversaw all of them working hard.

Xun Zichen could see the way Long Jie stole glances at Song Luli. He knew Long Jie was determined to protect his wife, just as he was determined to save Su Xiang.

Long Jie stood up suddenly. He then said, "we've prepared everything. Let's go."

Song Luli and Xun Zichen followed him out.

Outside, the sun began to dim into orange, periwinkle, and blush pink.聽Xun Zichen took a deep breath before they loaded the trucks, heading towards Su Xiang's location.

They arrived at a shipment facility by the loading docks, near water.

Their small team split up, positioning themselves at where they needed to be at the exact moment.

Xun Zichen, Long Jie, and Song Luli didn't bother sneaking around. The three of them directly headed straight for the henchmen that were posted all around.聽They immediately armed themselves with their weapons, surrounding Xun Zichen, Long Jie, and Song Luli.

The three of them lifted their hands in surrender.

One of the Flock members stepped forward.

"Tell Xun Yaozu I'm here and to face me if he's not the coward we all know he is," Xun Zichen said with a threatening and promising tone.

The Flock member nodded and left, but they were still being watched by two dozen people, wearing dark clothing, heavily armed, with tattoos in various spots of their bodies. Some wore face masks while others kept their face bare, not bothering to hide their identities.

Shortly after, Xun Yaozu, along with a crowd of people joining them. There were at least 60 or more; Xun Zichen couldn't bother counting.

Xun Yaozu, in his swagger, walked towards him, dragging Su Xiang by the chains wrapped around her wrists. "Zichen," she cried out. Xun Zichen took a step forward, knowing the聽pavement on the ground was rough, and how painful it must be for her bare legs to graze against it.

"Give me Song Luli in exchange for this girl," Xun Yaozu said coldly.