Chapter 1: Awakening in the Night

The night was deep, and the city was wrapped in layers of neon lights, like a slumbering beast. The occasional flicker of lights resembled its half-opened eyes, coldly observing the souls wandering in the darkness.

Lin Feng stood atop a tall building, his gaze profound, overlooking the city lights. His figure blended seamlessly with the night, as if he were the very ghost of this city. A cold wind swept by, lifting a corner of his coat, but the icy air did nothing to stir any emotion within him. To him, this had become a habit. He had long since learned how to coexist with the night.

A low voice in his earpiece broke the brief silence. "The target has appeared. Prepare to move."

Lin Feng didn't respond immediately. His gaze remained fixed on a small, inconspicuous alley in the distance, where four men were conversing quietly. The air was thick with unease, their body language betraying their tension. They thought they were hidden in the shadows of the city, that no one could see their actions. But Lin Feng knew that secrets, no matter how well hidden, would eventually be exposed.

Since that betrayal three years ago, Lin Feng had grown accustomed to walking alone, standing on the edge of darkness. That night, he lost more than just love—he lost the faith and pride he once held dear. The woman who had promised to love him forever, who swore she'd never leave, had turned her back on him and fallen into the arms of his greatest enemy, Han Li. Along with her departure came the doubts of his comrades, the abandonment of his brothers. Every bit of trust crumbled in a single night.

He had tried to find answers, to understand why she had betrayed him, to figure out why Han Li had targeted him. But every time he got closer to the truth, he was met with more confusion, as if the city's darkness concealed even deeper secrets—a massive conspiracy yet to be uncovered.

The voice in his earpiece came again, more urgent this time. "Lin Feng, it's time to move."

Finally, he tore his gaze away and responded quietly, "Copy that." Then, like a ghost, he disappeared from the rooftop, melting into the night.

As he approached the target, his phone screen suddenly lit up, displaying a message from an unknown number. The message was brief:

"Do you think you can escape the judgment of fate?"

Lin Feng's footsteps faltered slightly, his gaze turning cold. He quickly scanned the surroundings but found nothing suspicious. The sudden appearance of this message was like an invisible bomb, unsettling him. Who sent it? Why now? And what did it mean?

He had no time to dwell on it. The target was close, and he needed to focus. Yet that unsettling feeling in his gut refused to go away, as if an unseen pair of eyes were watching his every move.

Lin Feng quickly regained his composure, pocketing his phone as he crept closer to the group. The four men stood deep in the alley, speaking in low voices, occasionally glancing around nervously, as though they were waiting for something. The tension in the air grew thicker.

Hiding in the shadows, Lin Feng held his breath, waiting for the right moment to strike. But then, he heard a voice—a familiar one. A woman's voice, hoarse yet hauntingly recognizable.

"The timing of the delivery is wrong." Her voice was low, but it carried a commanding tone. "Did you really think I'd just trust you like that?"

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. He would never mistake that voice. It was her—Su Yi.

What was she doing here? Hadn't she left? She had betrayed him, chosen Han Li, and vanished from his life. Yet now, her voice echoed in this dark alley once again. Who was she dealing with? Why was she here?

Unease surged through him once more. The pain of the past, unanswered questions, and words left unsaid—all came rushing back in an instant. Lin Feng clenched his fists, suppressing the storm of emotions inside him, though a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He knew now—this was no simple transaction. Things were far more complicated than he had anticipated.

The conversation in the alley continued, and the hunter in the shadows was ready to strike.....