Chapter Sixty: Do You Want to Kill Me?

Ten minutes later, outside Cheng Zhi’s building.

Fatty and Sophia were already waiting by the roadside. When they saw Zhou Yi’s car approaching, they hurriedly climbed in. Zhou Yi turned to look at the two in the back seat. Joy was barely contained on Sophia’s face—a single mission world, and they’d captured two Hunters. Such gains were extraordinary.

Zhang Lina was panicked; the woman’s gaze made her feel dangerously exposed. She looked at Zhou Yi in distress.

“You’re a liar. You promised me. I told you the truth and you said you’d let me go. You broke your word!”

Zhou Yi nodded. There was no awkwardness, no remorse. Was survival more important?

“Yes, I broke my word… and indeed, I lied to you. But what does that change? If today you had caught me, I suppose my fate would be just as dire—perhaps even worse.”

Zhang Lina fell silent.

Sophia glanced at Zhou Yi. Clearing out Cheng Zhi was important, but capturing two Hunters alive was an achievement unmatched by anyone. Even if Cheng Zhi wasn’t dealt with, it hardly mattered now. As for Fatty’s status, a few words in his favor could smooth things over.

“The prisoners must be sent back immediately.”

Zhou Yi nodded and looked at Fatty.

“You drive. Take Sophia to the previous location, so we avoid unnecessary trouble. I’ll stay here and keep watch.”

Sophia hesitated. “It might take longer this time—not just one or two hours. Why don’t you head back to your place first? I can contact the base and send another team later to handle Cheng Zhi.”

Zhou Yi shook his head.

“No need. You two go ahead. He’s been quiet so far; I’ll watch and see what happens. If you haven’t returned by morning, I’ll head home myself. I can take care of my own safety. As for the task, I’d like to give it a try—there’s still time.”

Sophia thought for a moment, then nodded. Zhou Yi’s arrangement was reasonable. The determination he’d shown while rescuing Fatty proved he wasn’t reckless. Besides, more than twenty days remained—ample time.

“Alright, we’ll go first. I might not be back by morning, so just return home. Fatty has to stay there, and we’ll need to bring a few more people along.”

Zhou Yi had no objections. He got out of the car. Fatty whistled into the darkness, and several men emerged. Fatty whispered instructions, left Zhou Yi a vehicle and two companions, and then departed without headlights, careful not to draw attention.

The two who stayed with Zhou Yi stamped their feet, clearly chilled to the bone. The night’s temperature was bitterly low; standing guard for hours was bound to freeze anyone.

Zhou Yi looked at them and smiled.

“There’ll be plenty of days like this. It’s no way to keep watch. I’ll stay here; you two should go grab something hot to eat. Just bring me a drink when you come back.”

The two exchanged glances. Though tempted to claim they could tough it out, the cold was real—their noses were running, and they weren’t warmly dressed. The lure of hot food was irresistible.

“Well… we’ll go get something to eat. We’ll be quick, boss, and come right back!”

The other lad grinned at Zhou Yi. “Boss, what would you like to drink?”

Zhou Yi waved it off.

“Anything hot will do. This damned weather—late nights are hard. If you can find a thermos, even better!”

The two paused, then stood up.

“There’s a 24-hour shop on the east side of town, but it’s a bit far. We’ll hurry.”

Zhou Yi nodded and tossed them five hundred yuan. He grabbed a baseball bat from the car and held it tightly.

“No rush. Get a large thermos, or even a jug, and buy some snacks. It’s easy to get sleepy late at night. Spend it all if you need to.”

The two left cheerfully, driving without headlights to avoid attention. Now Zhou Yi was alone outside the apartment complex.

He rubbed his face, recalling the sensation he’d had outside Meng Xiaojiao’s room at the military compound. He was now certain this ability came from the spirit stone. He didn’t know exactly what it was, but it was undeniably useful.

Sending the others away was also an excuse to probe Cheng Zhi alone—even if he alerted him, it didn’t matter.

As Sophia had said, they’d already achieved so much in this mission world; whether or not Cheng Zhi was dealt with was no longer crucial.

Zhou Yi glanced at the window of the eastern apartment on the second floor of Unit 4. The distance was just a bit far.

He entered the complex, which had no security guard—it was an open community, with a narrow lane running through it. Even at midnight, cars occasionally passed.

Arriving below Unit 4, Zhou Yi walked to the landing between the first and second floors, closed his eyes, and concentrated, trying to sense everything inside the apartment.

It was an ordinary three-bedroom. The living room wasn’t spacious, and the furnishings were casual. The small room to the north was filled with cabinets, nothing else. The first room to the south seemed to be a study, also lined with cabinets.

Zhou Yi paused, then focused on the master bedroom. It was quite large. Two people lay on the bed. The room had a wall covered with cabinets.

He frowned slightly. What was this guy’s obsession with cabinets? Even someone who’d accumulated things for years wouldn’t hide valuables here. What could be inside?

Just as Zhou Yi was about to probe further, someone on the bed moved.

A figure sat up suddenly, looking toward Zhou Yi’s position, tilting his head as if puzzled.

Zhou Yi shivered, quickly opening his eyes and gripping the baseball bat. In that instant, he sensed the person was Cheng Zhi—the same man he’d met in the corridor.

When Cheng Zhi looked up, it was without clear purpose, but the sensation was strong. Not wanting to risk anything, Zhou Yi strode to the door and knocked.

Knock, knock, knock!

A confused male voice responded.

“Who is it?”

Zhou Yi didn’t answer. He covered the peephole with one hand and knocked louder. The noise triggered every motion-sensor light in the hallway.

With a creak, the door swung open. Zhou Yi stood at the threshold, looking in. Cheng Zhi wore only pajama pants, barefoot and holding a large vase, staring at Zhou Yi. The two stood in silence.

Neither spoke. Cheng Zhi seemed to sense Zhou Yi’s difference, but he didn’t flee—a surprise to Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi smiled, leaned the baseball bat against the door, and spread his hands.

“Sorry to disturb you so late, but I think you might want to talk.”

Cheng Zhi stared at Zhou Yi’s eyes for a long moment, exhaled, set the vase on the cabinet by the door, turned on the living room light, and stepped aside.

Zhou Yi entered. Cheng Zhi was tall but much thinner than Zhou Yi. Zhou Yi felt confident—if he could subdue Zhang Lina, Cheng Zhi wouldn’t be able to harm him.

“Who are you?”

Zhou Yi sat on the sofa, glanced at the open master bedroom door.

“Are you sure Li Mei can hear our conversation?”

Cheng Zhi glanced at Zhou Yi, hurried into the bedroom, slipped on slippers and a robe, then closed the door and came back out.

He looked at Zhou Yi sitting on the sofa, pulled up a chair, and sat opposite.

“Have we met before?”

Zhou Yi nodded. Cheng Zhi squinted, searching his memory, then suddenly widened his eyes.

“The comprehensive lab building at Shanda?”

Zhou Yi nodded again. The kid had a sharp mind.

“I assume you went to the geology storeroom to look for the spirit stone?”

Such directness caught Cheng Zhi off guard. His gaze flickered—just as he was about to deny it, Zhou Yi raised a finger.

“No need to deny it. Meng Xiaojiao and Zhang Lina have already been captured. There’s no point in hiding anymore.”

Cheng Zhi lowered his crossed leg, staring hard at Zhou Yi.

“So you took the spirit stone. If you’ve already got it, why come to see me? Did you come to kill me?”