Chapter 47: Chu Yan Is Always Unlucky

Chapter 47: Chu Yan's Unending Bad Luck

They had to capture the targets silently, absolutely without alerting the film crew.

Killing them outright or secretly burying the bodies was out of the question; that would attract the police and expose the village’s secrets.

Two people were staying in the dilapidated house. That afternoon, they might have stumbled upon the forbidden zone—or perhaps not.

But it was better to be safe than sorry. If there was any doubt, eliminate them.

If anyone else came to the dilapidated house tonight, they were to be killed as well.

The village’s secrets must never be exposed.

These were Niu Laosi and Zhang Feng’s tasks for the night.

Their superiors had provided them with the "good stuff." Their job was to tie up anyone who came to the dilapidated house and then use the "good stuff" to send them to their demise.

Niu Laosi and Zhang Feng had infiltrated the dilapidated house before dark, patiently awaiting their moment.

This "good stuff" only required a single drop to send a person soaring to euphoria, experiencing ultimate pleasure. However, it was highly addictive, and even a slight overdose could be fatal. Television constantly warned about the destructive nature of drugs; they certainly didn't want their families ruined. Besides, their superiors strictly forbade them from touching it.

Now, they were about to inject these two celebrity young masters, barely older than their own sons, with doses more than ten times the usual amount of the "good stuff."

The "pleasure" they would experience would be amplified exponentially.

But they would die.

Inevitably.

Two infamous celebrities, dying in a dilapidated house from a drug overdose after filming wrapped—it wouldn't be surprising.

The entertainment industry was a murky pond, and such incidents were all too common among its inhabitants.

And these particular celebrities were rumored to be unsavory characters—two wealthy and powerful young masters, the kind who indulged in the darkest games and operated outside the law. So, it would be entirely plausible for them to be involved with such substances.

Furthermore, this incident would undoubtedly be a major scandal, particularly damaging to prominent families who went to great lengths to conceal family disgrace.

Precisely.

Therefore, rather than discreetly killing these two, allowing them to die "happily" was clearly the more effective way to safeguard the village’s secrets.

Niu Laosi and Zhang Feng exchanged glances. This was their first time undertaking such a task. They weren’t intelligent, but they followed the directives of those who were—their superiors had clearly outlined what needed to be done.

They simply had to execute the plan.

However, as the moment of truth approached, they were undeniably nervous.

If caught, they would surely face death.

But to die for the sake of the entire village—they should consider it an honor.

They looked at each other again. Niu Laosi focused on Chu Yan’s arm, while Zhang Feng aimed for Zhou Yun’s thigh.

Just one jab, an injection, and then they would wait until dawn. If no one else appeared, their mission would be complete.

"Don't be afraid, this will be very pleasurable."

"If you become ghosts, remember to haunt your film crew; don't come after us."

The villagers were quite superstitious.

"Now!"

Just as the two crouched to administer the injections, Chu Yan suddenly bellowed and slammed his knee into Niu Laosi’s.

At the same instant, Zhou Yun mirrored his action.

Their hands were tied behind their backs, and they had been forced to sit against the wall, making it difficult to stand. However, they could use the wall for leverage.

The two men had crouched to inject them, a highly unstable posture. Chu Yan and Zhou Yun’s sudden impact sent Niu Laosi and Zhang Feng sprawling.

Chu Yan, using the wall for support, sprang to his feet.

He immediately rushed forward, stomping on the syringe in Niu Laosi’s hand and crushing it, then kicking away the one in Zhang Feng’s grip. Without a pause, he delivered a barrage of vicious kicks to their chests and abdomens.

"Ugh—stop… stop… damn it…"

Blindsided, the two men were now reeling from the blows. However, they had been chosen for this task precisely because they were capable fighters.

Just as they were about to recover, Zhou Yun also managed to stand.

But with their hands still tied behind their backs, their movements were restricted. These men were clearly intent on killing them; if pushed too far, they might resort to knives, and then Chu Yan and Zhou Yun would be in grave danger.

So, after delivering a few more brutal kicks, Chu Yan yelled at Zhou Yun to run with him.

Their sole objective was to escape.

Zhou Yun had intended to follow Chu Yan’s lead and land a few more kicks, but Niu Laosi was already getting up. The two dashed outside without hesitation.

Chu Yan led, Zhou Yun followed, both panting heavily and struggling for breath.

Their tied hands severely hampered their speed, but they dared not stop for even a second.

The dilapidated house was located at the back of the village. Chu Yan clearly remembered the path back to the village; the two furthest houses were not far from the dilapidated house, visible just beyond the mountain path.

"Don't run, you little brats!"

The two men had already chased them out of the dilapidated house, moving significantly faster than the two pampered celebrities.

"Zhou Yun, faster! Hurry!"

Chu Yan’s only thought was to reach the nearest house and call for help. But just as they were about to clear the mountain path, a chilling thought flashed through his mind.

The village’s inexplicable wealth and the ubiquitous poppy fields seemed so out of place. What if those two men were indeed villagers?

What if the entire village was in on it?

"No, we can't go there!"

Chu Yan abruptly stopped, nearly causing the stumbling Zhou Yun to collide with him from behind.

"What… what’s wrong? Why… aren't we running? Hah…"

Both were physically weak, especially with their hands still tied. Zhou Yun was already gasping for breath, his face pale.

"They're coming."

Chu Yan was in no better shape. Niu Laosi and Zhang Feng’s footsteps were rapidly closing in. But Chu Yan dared not gamble; if his suspicion was correct, running into the village would be like walking into a trap, leaving them no chance of escape.

"Don't go into the village, run into the mountains!"

Chu Yan made an immediate decision.

"Wait, why?"

Zhou Yun was confused. Just then, two figures from the village were rapidly approaching their location.

The silhouettes were indistinct but moving swiftly, clearly running.

Chu Yan’s mind reeled—the worst-case scenario had materialized.

They were surrounded.

With no time for further deliberation, Chu Yan plunged into the woods, calling over his shoulder to Zhou Yun.

"Split up! Good luck!"

Survival instinct kicked in before Zhou Yun could fully process. Though he didn’t understand, he turned and dashed into the woods in another direction.

Mere seconds after they vanished into the trees, Niu Laosi and the other two figures collided.

"Where are they?"

Both parties were in a state of panic.

"Didn't they say they were heading for the village?"

"Ugh—"

Just then, Chu Yan, stumbling blindly through the woods, accidentally snapped a dry branch. With a loud *snap*, four pairs of anxious eyes simultaneously darted towards the sound’s origin in the woods.

"This way, hurry!"

See? That’s why we split up.

With any luck, at least one might escape.

But luck was never on Chu Yan’s side.

Unable to see clearly, he crashed recklessly through the woods, tripping and stumbling, his face stinging from scratches and his body covered in bruises.

Yet, even as he pushed himself to the limit, his pursuers were closing in, and Chu Yan was nearing exhaustion.

Was this truly how he would die here?

It was too unfair.

He had just begun to find a sense of belonging in this world, just found something to care about…

What a pity…

But he was so, so tired.

Though only a few minutes had passed, every second of this desperate escape felt incredibly long.

His foot caught on something unseen, and Chu Yan tumbled forward down a small slope.

But the expected pain never came; instead, he seemed to crash into something warm and solid—like a person.

Chu Yan felt tightly enveloped in warmth, the familiar scent instantly filling his nostrils. An unprecedented sense of security enveloped him, and his tightly wound nerves instantly relaxed.

As his body uncontrollably rolled down the hillside, he heard a man’s muffled grunt. Wrapped in the man’s embrace, he remained largely unharmed.

When the dizziness finally subsided, Chu Yan found himself sprawled across the man.

Indeed, it was Wang Xing.

"You finally came," Chu Yan gasped for breath.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

"No—"

They spoke almost simultaneously. Fu Junhang quickly helped Chu Yan up and swiftly untied the ropes around his wrists.

Chu Yan ached all over, but his biggest issue was exhaustion and the overwhelming fatigue that followed his narrow escape.

"I'm fine, just… can't run anymore… no strength left…"

In the darkness, the man's blurred outline radiated a chilling intensity, his perfect features cast in a shadow that sent shivers down one's spine.

Yet, for some reason, Chu Yan found this terrifyingly intimidating man strangely comforting.

"Don't worry, I'll handle the rest."

"Mhm."

As they spoke, rustling sounds surrounded them. In the blink of an eye, Niu Laosi and the other three slid down the slope with flashlights in hand, quickly encircling them.

"You little brat," Niu Laosi wheezed, "you're one hell of a runner… huff…"

"We grew up in these mountains. No matter how fast you run, you can't outpace us."

"A complete waste of our time," the two villagers added.

Zhang Feng caught his breath before speaking to Niu Laosi.

"This kid’s been nothing but trouble, made us chase him all over. What now, Fourth Brother?"

"What else? Can't let him die out here. Tie him up and drag him back."

Fortunately, their superiors had provided extra backup just in case.

While the four were talking, Fu Junhang didn't even glance at them. He remained focused on checking Chu Yan's condition, only relaxing once he confirmed it was merely exhaustion from running.

Just as the four prepared to drag them back to the dilapidated house, Zhang Feng suddenly yelped in surprise. His flashlight beam landed squarely on Fu Junhang's cold, stern face.

"Wait, Fourth Brother… this… this isn't the same brat from before!"

Niu Laosi was startled by the revelation. Upon seeing him, he was indeed shocked.

They had clearly chased two people, yet now one of them had inexplicably transformed into someone else. Was this a ghost?

Could this actually be a ghost? How could someone's gaze be so terrifying? Without uttering a single word, just one look from him made their legs tremble with fear.

It turned out that this man was more terrifying than a ghost.

For the next few minutes, Chu Yan could only stare blankly as Fu Junhang fought.

It was a one-sided beating—one against four.

Or perhaps "kicking" was more accurate, because Fu Junhang didn’t even use his hands the entire time. He simply sent them flying with single kicks, then proceeded to methodically kick them one by one.

At first, there were still screams, but soon, only the muffled thuds of boot meeting flesh could be heard.

The man before him was ruthless, powerful, exuding an overwhelming presence that enveloped him.

Chu Yan stared blankly at his decisive and brutal movements. The oppressive, domineering aura around him seemed to merge with the suffocating darkness, as if even the endless night had to bow before this man.

By the time Chu Yan regained his senses, the screams of the four men had already ceased.

Had he beaten them to death?

Chu Yan jolted in alarm and immediately rushed over, wrapping his arms around the man’s waist.

"Stop! You'll kill them!"

Panicked, he didn’t notice how the man stiffened at his touch, the ferocity in his eyes instantly dissolving into calm, deep pools.

"Don't be afraid. They won't die."

Though unseen in the darkness, he was most familiar with it—his vision was sharper than anyone else’s in the dark.

He always knew his limits. And he hated trouble.

So he wouldn’t kill them. At worst, they’d be crippled.

Chu Yan’s heart pounded as he stared at the four motionless shadows on the ground, the faint metallic tang of blood lingering in the air.

Who wouldn’t be scared? Even ghosts would tremble.

"How did you get here? Did you see Zhou Yun? This village is dangerous—we need to call the police! And the director and the others, we have to warn them—this place—"

Chu Yan babbled in panic, his body still trembling slightly from the earlier ordeal.

"Don’t worry."

Fu Junhang’s voice carried a calming power, instantly soothing Chu Yan’s agitated state.

"I’ll handle the rest. For now, let me take you somewhere safe, okay?"

"Mm."

Chu Yan nodded numbly.

This bodyguard… was truly dedicated.

Fu Junhang knelt down slightly with his back to Chu Yan.

"Get on. I’ll carry you."

Chu Yan hesitated. The mountain was pitch-dark—finding his way while carrying a grown man would be difficult. Besides, this man had broken his fall earlier—had he been hurt?

But before Chu Yan could speak, Fu Junhang had already pulled him onto his back.

"Let’s find Zhou Yun first. He was tied up with me—we split up while running…"

The man moved swiftly through the dark forest, pushing aside branches to prevent them from scratching Chu Yan’s face.

Despite the total darkness, his speed remained unaffected, as if he were born of the darkness itself.

"He has a fiancée."

Chu Yan blinked. "What?"