Chapter Twenty-eight: The Phantom’s Trail

After the battle in the southern mining district, Lin Feng stood outside the abandoned factory, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the aftermath. The remnants of the Black Shadow's forces had been uprooted, their power completely dismantled. Yet, the elusive figure of the Phantom remained like mist—intangible, impossible to grasp. Exhaling a slow stream of smoke, he turned to his lieutenant.

"Take everything we found back to the office. I want to see if there's any trace of the Phantom."

"Yes, Master Feng!" The lieutenant nodded before rallying his men to gather whatever intelligence they could find. Lin Feng then slid into his car and drove back toward the city center.

The battle in the southern district had been swift and decisive, but something unsettled him. The Phantom's continued silence wasn't a sign of weakness—it was the calm before the storm. A greater catastrophe was brewing, and Lin Feng needed to be ready for it. His fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel as he drove, his mind cycling through every possible move the Phantom could make. He had seen this pattern before—an enemy withdrawing, not out of fear, but out of preparation. The question wasn't whether the Phantom would retaliate, but when and how.

Back at the high-rise headquarters, Lin Xue'er was already waiting when he arrived. She approached him with a mixture of concern and curiosity.

"Brother, how did it go in the southern district?"

Lin Feng sank into the leather couch, tapping a cigarette against the armrest before lighting it. He inhaled deeply before answering, his voice calm yet heavy with intent.

"The Black Shadow's men are finished. Now, it's just the Phantom."

Lin Xue'er hesitated before asking, "Can we find him?"

A cold smile touched Lin Feng's lips. "Oh, we will. He can't hide forever."

As if on cue, the bespectacled strategist entered the room, holding a stack of documents. He walked over to Lin Feng and placed them on the table.

"Master Feng, we uncovered some encrypted communications from the dark web at the southern district site. One particular set of messages mentioned that the Phantom is scheduled to attend a meeting overseas next month. The location—a private island in the United States. It's called 'Shadow Isle.'"

Lin Feng picked up the papers, scanning the contents with narrowed eyes.

"Shadow Isle?" he murmured. "Next month? Do we have an exact date?"

The strategist shook his head. "The logs only mention that the meeting is set for mid-month. No specific day is listed."

Lin Feng scoffed, tapping the document with his fingers. "Mid-month, huh? That gives us time to prepare."

He rose from his seat and walked to the window, staring at the city skyline. His mind was already racing, formulating a strategy. He had spent years hunting enemies, tracking them down to the darkest corners of the world. But the Phantom was different. Elusive, calculated, always a step ahead.

"Phantom," he thought, "if you dare step onto foreign soil, then I'll be right there waiting for you."

Turning back to the strategist, he gave his next command.

"Contact the overseas branch of Dark Night's Blade. I want a full intel report on Shadow Isle—who owns it, what kind of security it has, every single detail. I need to know that island inside and out."

The strategist nodded. "Understood. I'll get on it immediately."

Lin Xue'er stepped forward hesitantly. "Brother, are you really going to the U.S.?"

Lin Feng's expression remained unwavering. "Yes. Until the Phantom is eliminated, my vengeance isn't complete."

Lin Xue'er bit her lip, a determined look flashing across her face. "Then I'm going with you."

Lin Feng frowned. "It's too dangerous. You need to stay here."

"I'm not afraid!" Lin Xue'er's voice was firm. "Brother, I want to avenge our parents too! I refuse to stand by while you take all the risks alone."

For a long moment, Lin Feng studied her. He saw the fire in her eyes—the same fire that burned in his own heart. He was torn. He wanted to protect her, keep her away from the dangers that had shaped his own life, but he also knew that the thirst for vengeance was something she would never let go of. Finally, he gave a small nod.

"Fine. But you'll follow my orders without question."

A faint smile broke through Lin Xue'er's determination, though unshed tears still glistened in her eyes.

That night, Lin Feng called an emergency meeting with his core team. They gathered in the conference room, where a large map of the United States was displayed on the digital board. Lin Feng stood at the front, his presence commanding the room's attention.

"Next month, the Phantom will be attending a secret meeting on Shadow Isle," he announced. "We're moving ahead of time. One week before the meeting, we'll be there, studying the terrain, identifying weaknesses. When the day arrives, we strike. No escape."

One of his most trusted lieutenants, a veteran named Gao, spoke up. "Master Feng, I'll reach out to our overseas contacts and make arrangements for transport. We'll need boats, weapons, and safehouses."

Lin Feng nodded approvingly. "Good. Make sure everything is in place. We can't afford loose ends."

The strategist adjusted his glasses. "Master Feng, there's one concern—Shadow Isle is privately owned. It's not just a remote island, but a fortress. Security will be top-tier. We're talking mercenaries, surveillance drones, and who knows what else. This won't be like taking down a gang in the city."

A slow, dangerous smile spread across Lin Feng's face.

"Good. That just makes it more interesting."

He leaned back, exhaling a trail of smoke. "The Phantom has been playing in the shadows for too long. It's time we drag him into the light. This time, I'm making sure he has nowhere left to run."

The room fell silent as his words settled over them. They all understood—this mission wasn't just about revenge. It was about ending an era of darkness.

Gao clenched his fists. "I'll see to the preparations immediately."

Lin Feng gave a final nod. "Make it happen."

As the team dispersed, Lin Feng remained by the window, staring into the night. The city lights flickered like distant stars, but his mind was already far away—on an island across the ocean, where his final battle with the Phantom awaited.

He took a last drag of his cigarette before crushing it in the ashtray.

"Phantom," he whispered, "this time, you won't escape."

The storm was coming. And he was ready.