Duan Chen saw Li Wei in the water tank at a glance and knew she wouldn't last long, so he had to race against time.
However, what surprised him slightly was that Zhong Xingwen was so honest? Leaving the hostage right under his nose?
He had been through many kidnapping cases, and kidnappers usually wouldn't leave the real, live hostage at the designated spot.
Unless, he had another trick up his sleeve.
Duan Chen fired a shot at the water tank.
The water tank merely hummed, showing no cracks. It seemed as if it didn't exist in this space at all.
"Tsk, another special barrier," Duan Chen frowned, annoyed.
As expected, the dogs of the evil god never did anything openly.
"Hahaha! You found out? Did you think I'd be that foolish? You're a high-level agent, and though I, Zhong Xingwen, don't have your abilities, I've managed to get this far through some skill!"
"Drop your weapon! Li Wei can only hold on for 10 minutes at most. She can't afford your hesitation."
Duan Chen scoffed, placed his black gun on the ground, and kicked it towards Zhong Xingwen's direction.
Then, he raised his hands and walked out from behind the cover. While appearing nonchalant, he keenly observed the water tank, searching for a breakthrough.
Even in an alternate dimension, there had to be a connection point. It was like a mirror, a medium to reach Mirror City. Zhong Xingwen's glass space must also have an entry method.
For an ordinary person, it would indeed be difficult to find.
But Duan Chen was no ordinary person.
He possessed the Divine Pupils.
A faint light flashed in his eyes, the rotating magatama spinning rapidly like a revolver cylinder, then stopping at sequence 008—
Visual Analysis.
Everything in the space was redrawn in his eyes, forming the simplest lines.
The glass container was covered in curse marks. A flickering pinpoint of light emanated from Zhong Xingwen, but it was hidden behind steel, unseen, making complete analysis impossible.
Tsk, damn it, he was truly an incredibly cautious businessman.
He hid the item on his person.
Based on this deduction, the medium should be small, at least something easy to carry.
It seemed he had to find a way to lure him out, expose him to his sight, to conduct further analysis.
Duan Chen blinked, and the Visual Analysis dissipated. He took two steps towards where Zhong Xingwen was hiding.
"Mr. Zhong, I believe we have some misunderstanding. How about we sit down and talk it over?"
"Li Wei and I did have a past, but that's all in the past. Everyone moves forward. To be honest, Li Wei and I haven't been in contact for the past two years. Our meeting that day was purely coincidental, and I didn't expect it to cause a misunderstanding between you two. Why don't we find a bar and drink until we drop?"
Duan Chen's tone was calm, but Zhong Xingwen didn't fall for it and showed no intention of coming out.
Tsk, so cautious.
Duan Chen took a deep breath and glanced at Li Wei. Her skin was turning purplish-blue, her lips were dark, and her body convulsed involuntarily. She was already unconscious, with one foot in the grave.
It was the first time he had seen Li Wei in such a state. The woman he had once cherished and protected was now like this, which indeed made him uncomfortable.
"Hmph, I know you high-level agents are all top-notch experts. You can't possibly win in a direct confrontation, but you'd better not think I'm too stupid. Coincidence? Misunderstanding? Hmph, my reputation was ruined at Shengxin Hospital. This debt must be paid with your life!"
Zhong Xingwen sneered. Suddenly, two mutated hounds sprang from his hiding place, opening their mouths wide and spitting out two red lasers.
Duan Chen's eyes narrowed, and he dodged quickly. However, the dogs were extremely fast, their attacks interweaving. They were clearly well-trained.
"Mr. Zhong, that's not fair. I wanted to talk, and you unleashed dogs?"
Duan Chen shot one dog in the head, unaware that a bomb was embedded in its brain. With a bang, he was sent flying far away.
Scorching heat rushed towards him, and the other dog, using the black smoke as cover, fired a surprise shot.
*Puff!*
A laser pierced Duan Chen's left shoulder. The stinging pain made him frown. He leaped towards a stone pillar for cover.
Zhong Xingwen's lips curved into a triumphant smile.
That was a trap he had set long ago—
Beneath the cover, Duan Chen's feet lost their footing. His heart leaped, and his body lost balance, tilting and falling.
*Slam!*
He desperately grabbed the edge with his large hand, pushed off with his feet, and sprang up onto a row of steel pipes.
*Whoosh!*
Two lasers shot up from below. The laser dogs guarding the trap below had already locked onto their prey.
The lasers grazed Duan Chen's body. He gritted his teeth, twisted his waist forcefully, and in mid-air, turned around and accurately shot at the laser dogs below.
*Bang bang bang!*
Huge explosions erupted beneath him, shaking the entire floor. Duan Chen moved amidst the flames, blood splattering on the ground.
"I have as many dogs like these as you want," Zhong Xingwen laughed maniacally, his laughter echoing through the vast, abandoned factory like a demon's voice.
"Hmph, with such meager abilities, you could still be appreciated by Lord Nightshade? High-level agents are nothing special."
"Are you sure?"
A light laugh sounded behind his ear. Zhong Xingwen's face changed drastically. He spun around abruptly, scanning his surroundings but seeing no sign of Duan Chen!
"I'm right here."
A steady voice came from above. Zhong Xingwen looked up, his eyes widening instantly, pupils shrinking to a pinpoint.
Reflected in his pupils was Duan Chen's figure—
He hung from the towering steel pipes, supported by the strength of a single arm. The spreading flames resembled scattered fireworks, and the black smoke served as his perfect concealment.
This guy did it on purpose!
He pretended to be cornered by the laser dogs, making Zhong Xingwen relax his guard, while actually leading the dogs in a roundabout way, circling behind him stealthily!
Zhong Xingwen understood in an instant, but it was too late to react. Duan Chen's lips curved into a faint smile, his eyes filled with resolute coldness.
He raised his free hand, the dark muzzle of his gun pointed at Zhong Xingwen. Zhong Xingwen gasped, his body frozen by immense shock.
"Checkmate."
At this moment of life and death, suddenly—
*Bang!*
A bullet from afar tore through the air, creating shockwaves.
Immediately after, Zhong Xingwen's body, like a tattered rag doll, was pierced diagonally through the chest and abdomen. A gush of blood sprayed out. He fell to the side, his eyes rapidly losing their light.
"Not good!"
Duan Chen exclaimed in alarm. There was still an ambush??
The opponent actually shot Zhong Xingwen before he could?