Chapter Twenty-four: The Final Battle at the Northern Suburb

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow over the abandoned factory in the northern suburbs. Lin Feng's car came to a smooth stop on an open patch of land near the desolate structure. He stepped out, one hand tucked into his pocket, his sharp gaze sweeping across the surroundings. The elite forces of Dark Night's Blade had already been in position for two hours, concealed within the factory's shadows. The only sound that disturbed the silence was the occasional whisper of the wind. Lin Feng lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply as he waited, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.

His second-in-command approached stealthily and whispered, "Master Feng, all units are in place. No signs of movement from inside the factory yet."

Lin Feng gave a curt nod. "They'll arrive at eight. Keep hidden. No unnecessary actions."

The subordinate retreated swiftly, and Lin Feng leaned against his car, lost in thought. The past few months had been a relentless pursuit—from the skirmishes at the Imperial Pavilion to the deadly encounters across the northern district. Every battle had inched him closer to his ultimate enemy: Black Shadow. Tonight, however, was different. Tonight would mark the end.

At exactly eight o'clock, the distant rumble of engines shattered the stillness. Within moments, a convoy of ten black SUVs pulled up near the factory's entrance. Dozens of men, clad in black, disembarked in unison, their movements disciplined and foreboding. Each held a weapon, their eyes scanning the area with lethal precision.

At the forefront of the group stood a man draped in a flowing black robe, his face obscured by a mask. His voice, low and commanding, rang out into the night. "Where is Lin Feng?"

A smirk played on Lin Feng's lips as he flicked away his cigarette. Taking a step forward, he spoke in an almost lazy manner, yet his words carried an undeniable authority. "Right here."

A hush fell over the gathering. The masked man, Black Shadow himself, turned his head sharply towards Lin Feng, his voice laced with hatred. "Lin Feng, you have destroyed years of my efforts. Tonight, you die."

"Die?" Lin Feng chuckled darkly. "Let's see if you even have the chance."

With a swift motion of his hand, the night erupted into chaos. From every shadow, the highly trained assassins of Dark Night's Blade surged forward. The night exploded with gunfire, flashing muzzles illuminating the battlefield in sporadic bursts. Black Shadow's men fought back viciously, but they were no match for Lin Feng's elite warriors. Within seconds, the ground was littered with fallen enemies.

Lin Feng wasted no time engaging his ultimate target. As he closed in on Black Shadow, a masked fighter lunged at him, wielding a gleaming blade. Without breaking stride, Lin Feng delivered a bone-crushing punch, sending the attacker sprawling. His focus remained locked on Black Shadow, who was now only a few feet away.

Sensing the imminent danger, Black Shadow flicked his wrist, sending a dagger hurtling through the air toward Lin Feng's chest. With lightning reflexes, Lin Feng sidestepped the attack, the blade narrowly missing him. He retaliated instantly, his leg snapping out in a powerful kick that struck Black Shadow's knee. A sickening crack echoed as the man staggered and collapsed to one knee.

Without hesitation, Lin Feng reached out and yanked the mask from Black Shadow's face. Underneath was the gaunt, pale visage of a middle-aged man, his eyes burning with a mix of fury and desperation.

"So, you are Black Shadow," Lin Feng murmured coldly.

Despite his predicament, the man sneered. "Lin Feng, you may have won this battle, but you will never win the war."

A glint of defiance flickered in his eyes as he bit down on a small capsule hidden in his mouth—a cyanide pill. However, Lin Feng had anticipated the move. With a swift, precise strike, he slammed his palm against Black Shadow's jaw, shattering his teeth and preventing the poison from taking effect. The man howled in agony before slipping into unconsciousness.

As the echoes of the battle faded, Lin Feng's second-in-command hurried to his side. "Master Feng, all enemies have been neutralized. Black Shadow has been captured."

Lin Feng nodded, his expression unreadable. "Take him back. I want every secret he's hiding."

With practiced efficiency, the team secured Black Shadow and withdrew from the battlefield. Lin Feng stood amidst the wreckage of the fight, lighting another cigarette. His gaze was distant yet resolute.

Tonight, the leader of the Shadow Syndicate had fallen. The war wasn't over yet, but this was a decisive step. His path of vengeance was drawing to its conclusion, and nothing would stand in his way now.

As the night deepened, Lin Feng walked through the battlefield, surveying the bodies strewn across the ground. The scent of blood lingered in the air, mixing with the acrid smell of gunpowder. He could hear the distant sirens of approaching law enforcement, but they would be too late. The battle had already been won.

He turned to his second-in-command. "Ensure that Black Shadow is secured properly. I don't want any surprises."

"Understood, Master Feng. We will keep him under heavy guard."

Lin Feng exhaled a long breath, watching as his men efficiently cleaned up the scene. The fight had been brutal, but it had reaffirmed his dominance in the underworld. He had been chasing ghosts for too long. Now, with Black Shadow in his grasp, he would finally unravel the web of deceit that had plagued him for years.

As he got into his car, his phone buzzed. A message flashed across the screen: "There's more to this than you think. Be careful."

Lin Feng narrowed his eyes. The war was not yet over, and he would be ready for whatever came next.

A gust of wind swept through the battlefield, rustling the scattered debris and stirring the faint scent of smoke. Lin Feng leaned back in his seat, staring out at the dark horizon. His hands clenched into fists. He had won this battle, but deep down, he knew the real storm was still ahead. The forces lurking in the shadows would not accept defeat so easily. He took a final drag of his cigarette and exhaled slowly, the embers glowing in the dim light. One war had ended, but another was about to begin.