Chapter 10: The Shadow Beneath the Dragon’s Ascent

The echoes of the chaos at Jiangcheng Commerce Building had yet to fade when Lin Feng and Lin Xue'er returned to their office. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across the spacious room. Seated in a leather chair, Lin Feng tapped his fingers rhythmically on the desk, deep in thought. The submission of Lin Zhengxiong and Zhao Wanshan had placed Jiangcheng's economic lifeline firmly in his grasp. Yet, the mention of "Longteng Tower" and "Black Shadow" reminded him that his true adversaries were still lurking in the dark.

Lin Xue'er sat on the sofa, cradling a cup of water in her hands. She hesitated for a moment before voicing her thoughts. "Brother, are Lin Zhengxiong and Zhao Wanshan truly finished?"

Lin Feng nodded, his expression calm but resolute. "Their era is over, but the real hunt has only just begun."

Rising from his chair, he walked to the window and fixed his gaze on Longteng Tower in the distance. The towering skyscraper was one of Jiangcheng's most prominent landmarks, a symbol of prosperity and power. Outwardly, it was a commercial hub, a beacon of the city's financial elite. But beneath its polished exterior lay secrets—secrets that only a select few knew about.

Just then, the door swung open, and a man with glasses strode in, carrying a thick stack of documents. "Boss Feng, these are transaction records we retrieved from the northern district's underground casino. Longteng Tower is mentioned multiple times—seems like it's one of Shadow Consortium's key strongholds."

Lin Feng took the documents and flipped through them, his eyes narrowing as he spotted repeated references to Longteng Tower. The financial records detailed a web of high-value transactions, each trace leading to something larger, something hidden beneath layers of deception.

He exhaled slowly. "Tomorrow morning, I'm going to Longteng Tower myself. Have our men keep a close watch. No unnecessary movements. I don't want them spooked."

"Understood." The man with glasses nodded and left the room.

Turning to Lin Xue'er, Lin Feng's voice softened slightly. "Xue'er, stay here for the next few days. Don't go wandering around."

Lin Xue'er nodded obediently, though the concern in her eyes was evident.

As night fell, Lin Feng stood alone on the balcony, a cigarette between his fingers. Wisps of smoke curled around him as he reflected on the past few days—the relentless battles, the strategic strikes, the calculated risks. From the moment he returned from Tianhuang Pavilion to the raid on the northern district, every step brought him closer to uncovering the true face of Shadow Consortium. But he knew all too well: unless Black Shadow himself was eliminated, his revenge would remain incomplete.

At dawn, Lin Feng drove towards Longteng Tower. The skyscraper pierced the clouds, its glass façade shimmering under the golden morning light. It stood as an imposing sentinel over Jiangcheng, exuding both majesty and mystery.

The moment he stepped into the grand lobby, he was greeted by the hustle and bustle of the corporate world. Executives in tailored suits strode past with urgency, while business professionals clutched their briefcases tightly as they moved between meetings.

Without hesitation, Lin Feng headed straight for the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor.

According to the documents, Shadow Consortium's key representative in Jiangcheng often operated from there.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing an opulent conference room. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. At the center of the room sat a middle-aged man in a sleek black suit, a glass of red wine delicately poised in his hand. His sharp, calculating gaze met Lin Feng's with mild surprise before he smirked.

"Lin Feng? Took you long enough."

Lin Feng's eyes glinted coldly. "So, you're Shadow's emissary?"

The man set his wine glass down and rose from his seat. "That's right. My name is Zhang Kun. I represent Shadow Consortium's interests in Jiangcheng."

He paused, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "I must say, I'm quite impressed. You forced Lin Zhengxiong and Zhao Wanshan to their knees. But if you think you can walk away from this unscathed—"

His smile darkened. "—you're mistaken."

Lin Feng chuckled, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "That remains to be seen."

Before Zhang Kun could react, Lin Feng lunged forward, his fist cutting through the air like a blade. Zhang Kun barely dodged, stepping to the side just in time. With a swift flick of his wrist, two black-clad bodyguards emerged from the shadows, their eyes locked onto Lin Feng.

Without missing a beat, Lin Feng advanced. He drove his knee into one guard's gut, sending him crumpling to the ground, while his fist struck the second with bone-crushing force. Both men collapsed, groaning in pain.

Zhang Kun's face twisted in fury. Reaching into his suit, he drew a gleaming dagger and sneered. "You should've stayed in your little empire, Lin Feng. Now, you die here!"

He lunged, the blade aiming straight for Lin Feng's heart.

But Lin Feng had anticipated the attack.

He caught Zhang Kun's wrist in an iron grip and twisted sharply. The dagger clattered to the floor. Before Zhang Kun could recover, Lin Feng's palm struck his chest with a resounding impact. The force sent him staggering backward, blood splattering from his lips.

He collapsed, gasping.

Lin Feng stepped over him, his boot pressing against Zhang Kun's chest. His voice was as cold as the steel of a blade.

"Where is Black Shadow?"

Zhang Kun let out a ragged breath, his lips curving into a bloodstained grin. "You'll never find him."

The moment the words left his mouth, his jaw clenched—biting down on a hidden poison capsule. Within seconds, his body convulsed before going still.

Lin Feng frowned. Searching through Zhang Kun's pockets yielded nothing useful. He exhaled, his gaze scanning the luxurious conference room.

"So, Black Shadow... you think you can keep running?"

Back at the office, Lin Xue'er rushed to meet him the moment he walked through the door. "Brother! What happened?"

Lin Feng tossed his jacket aside and sank into his chair. "Took care of one of their puppets. The real mastermind slipped away."

His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest. "Things are about to get a lot more complicated, Xue'er. Are you ready?"

Lin Xue'er met his gaze, her eyes unwavering. "I trust you, Brother. Always."

Lin Feng lit another cigarette, the ember glowing softly in the dim light. Black Shadow had evaded him this time. But the hunt was far from over.

This was only the beginning.