Chapter 21: The Assassin's Path

Li Wei's life began in the unforgiving streets of a bustling city, an orphan struggling to survive in a world that seemed intent on crushing him. His earliest memories were of hunger, cold, and the constant fight to stay alive. Raised in a dilapidated orphanage, he witnessed daily brutality and learned quickly that only the strong survived.

Despite the harshness of his environment, Li Wei developed a strict moral code. He was a protector of the weak, an avenger of the oppressed. This moral compass was sharpened into a deadly edge the day a powerful businessman set fire to the orphanage for the sake of land, murdering all within and leaving Li Wei as the sole survivor.

Li Wei vowed revenge. He trained in the shadows, honing his body and mind to a razor's edge. By the age of fifteen, he had tracked down and assassinated the businessman, marking the beginning of his career as the world's most feared assassin. He accepted only those jobs he deemed just, targeting the corrupt, the cruel, and the wicked.

Now, in the year 2021, Li Wei was a master of his craft. His expertise spanned across hacking computers, wielding cold weapons, and handling any gun or bomb with deadly precision. His network was vast, and his reputation unmatched.

On June 7th, he received a new assignment: eliminate Dr. Henrikson, a researcher conducting inhumane experiments. The details were clear, the payment substantial, and the moral justification undeniable. But as Li Wei delved deeper into the assignment, a nagging sense of unease began to creep in.

His preparation was meticulous. He hacked into the research facility's security systems, mapped out the building, and planned his entry and exit down to the last second. Equipped with his trusted blades, silenced pistols, and a series of discreet explosives, he infiltrated the facility under the cover of darkness.

Everything went according to plan until he reached Dr. Henrikson's lab. The room was too quiet, too empty. As he stepped inside, the door behind him slammed shut and the lights blazed on, blinding him momentarily.

Li Wei's instincts screamed at him. He spun around, ready to fight, but he was too late. An electric shock coursed through his body, dropping him to his knees. As he struggled to stay conscious, masked figures entered the room, securing him with heavy chains.

"Welcome, Mr. Li," a voice echoed through the room. Dr. Henrikson stepped into view, a malicious grin spreading across his face. "Did you really think it would be that easy?"

Li Wei glared at the doctor, his mind racing. How had he been so thoroughly deceived? He had checked every angle, every possibility.

"It's over for you," Dr. Henrikson continued, "but don't worry, you won't be wasted. You'll make an excellent test subject."

With those words, Li Wei was dragged into a cold, dark cell, his body weakened but his spirit unbroken. Even in captivity, he began to plan his escape, determined to turn the tables on his captors and continue his quest for justice.

The chapter ends with Li Wei in chains, yet undeterred. His path as the world's top assassin had led him into a trap, but this is just beginning