Chapter 18: Black Dragon Manor

The early morning sun shone brightly on the office buildings of Jiang City, casting long shadows across the streets. Lin Feng stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, holding a map in his hand. The map had been retrieved from a warehouse in the eastern district just the night before, and it contained a crucial piece of information—Black Dragon Manor. The name was now engraved in Lin Feng's mind. The map marked the manor's exact location, and it was the key to his next move. The mention of a meeting by the shadowy figure, Grey Wolf, had sparked Lin Feng's instincts. This was it—the perfect opportunity to flush out the enemy. Lin Feng's fingers tightened around the phone as he dialed the number of his reliable subordinate, the man known only for his thick glasses and sharp intellect. "I need you to investigate Black Dragon Manor. I want every detail."

"Understood, Master Feng!" came the immediate response, followed by the click of the line ending. Lin Feng hung up and turned his attention to Lin Xue'er, who sat across the room, her gaze filled with both worry and anticipation. He knew how difficult it was for her, yet the time for hiding was over. "Xue'er, stay indoors for the next few days. The Shadow's hiding places are running out," he instructed, his voice firm but tinged with urgency.

Lin Xue'er nodded, her usual concerns now being replaced by a growing sense of expectation. The realization that her brother was closer to unveiling the truth seemed to soothe her fears, even if only slightly.

Less than half an hour later, the glasses-wearing man entered, holding a detailed report in his hands. He handed it to Lin Feng, who took it without hesitation and began reading. "Master Feng, Black Dragon Manor is located in the northern mountains of Jiang City. It's officially a private luxury resort, but it's actually a high-level base for the Shadow Consortium. The security there is intense, with soldiers stationed year-round to guard it. It's practically a fortress."

Lin Feng's lips twisted into a cold smile, his eyes narrowing with determination. "A fortress, you say? Then we'll storm it." He continued flipping through the report, his mind already strategizing. He had been waiting for an opportunity like this, and if the Shadow's operatives were meeting at Black Dragon Manor, he couldn't let it slip away. His hand gripped the map tighter as he thought about the course of his revenge. The glasses-wearing man added, "According to our intelligence, next Wednesday is likely their meeting day. There's been unusual activity around the manor lately, which only confirms the timing."

Lin Feng's eyes gleamed with a cold resolve. "Then we'll move a day earlier. We can't afford to wait any longer."

That same evening, Lin Feng convened a meeting with the elite members of Night Blade in the office. The map of Black Dragon Manor was laid out before them. Lin Feng stood at the front of the room, his finger pointing at the location marked on the map. "Next Wednesday, they'll likely be meeting here at Black Dragon Manor. We'll infiltrate the manor a day before the meeting, gather intel on the layout, and strike when the time is right." His voice was steady, full of the authority that he had earned through years of relentless planning and action.

One of his subordinates, a loyal and trusted member of the team, spoke up. "Master Feng, should I send a reconnaissance team ahead to scout the manor's defenses?"

Lin Feng gave a curt nod, his eyes never leaving the map. "Yes, but make sure you remain undetected. We don't want to tip them off. This has to be done quietly." The subordinate saluted before gathering his team and heading out into the night.

Lin Feng leaned back in his chair, lighting a cigarette, the glow illuminating his contemplative face. The smoke swirled around him, a reflection of the turmoil within. The journey to this moment had been long—his mind replayed the countless battles and confrontations he had endured, from the mysterious events at Tianhuang Pavilion to the pursuit of those behind the Shadow Consortium. Every moment had brought him closer to this showdown, and now he stood on the precipice of it all. The pieces were falling into place.

The next day, Lin Feng and Lin Xue'er arrived at the temporary command post in the northern suburbs, where his subordinate awaited them. "Master Feng, the manor is surrounded by three layers of guard posts. Inside, there are at least fifty armed guards. However, we've identified a hidden route that will allow us to bypass the defenses undetected."

Lin Feng's expression softened for just a moment, acknowledging the success of the team's effort. "Good work. We move in tonight." As the shadows of night began to fall over the city, Lin Feng and his elite Night Blade team set out toward Black Dragon Manor. The thick forest that surrounded the manor made it difficult to see, but their movements were silent, fluid. The team navigated the secret path, concealed by the dense woods, the only sounds coming from the distant hum of insects.

As they neared the manor's outer perimeter, Lin Feng's sharp eyes scanned the area. Several figures in black were visible, patrolling the grounds. He raised his hand, signaling his team to disperse. Within moments, the guards were neutralized without a sound. The team moved swiftly and silently toward the manor itself. The lights of the manor glowed brightly through the trees, the shadows of figures moving within. Through a window, Lin Feng could make out a group of masked men seated around a large table, talking in low, hushed voices.

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the room. The Shadow... are they inside? he wondered, his pulse quickening. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the opportunity to uncover the truth. Every instinct he had told him that this was the key to finally exposing the people behind the conspiracy, to confronting them once and for all. He held his breath, waiting for the right moment to make his move.

In the eerie silence, Lin Feng and his team remained hidden in the shadows, watching, waiting for the perfect time to strike. Their patience was unwavering. The Shadow's fortress was now within their reach, and Lin Feng knew that this night would be the turning point. With every calculated step, they were closer to the truth, closer to revenge, closer to ending the Shadow's reign of terror.

The time to strike had come. The time to face the enemy head-on was now.

4o mini