Shen Rong's Confession

Huo Xuan immediately sensed the extraordinary status of the man before him—otherwise, Wei Rongguang wouldn't have excused himself so deferentially. He remained silent, waiting for the other to speak.

The man studied him for a moment before smiling. "Let me introduce myself. I'm the chief instructor of State Security's X Unit, codename: Malevolent God."

Huo Xuan's eyelids twitched. "Instructor Malevolent God, I've long heard of X Unit's reputation. May I ask why you've sought me out?"

A trace of sinister amusement flickered in the man's eyes—oddly, even his most benign smile carried an unsettling aura, one that chilled to the bone.

"Ever since the jewelry store heist, our leader has had me monitor you. Later, you cracked major cases single-handedly, even collaborated flawlessly with Teams C and B. And just recently, you rescued Shen Rong alone, effortlessly." The instructor listed Huo Xuan's achievements methodically.

Huo Xuan stayed quiet, listening intently.

"These facts prove you're exceptionally capable, with immense potential. After deliberation, X has decided I'll recruit you into X Unit for advanced training," Malevolent God declared.

Huo Xuan was taken aback. Recruited into X Unit? After a pause, he asked, "What if I refuse?"

"You won't." That eerie smile returned. "Because X already consulted your master, Hua Buyi. He supports this decision."

Huo Xuan immediately dialed Hua Buyi. After explaining, he asked bluntly, "Master, do you want me to join X Unit?"

A brief silence followed before Hua Buyi replied, "X Unit can teach you much. Moreover, X promised you'd retain significant autonomy. But the choice is yours—decline if you see no need."

Hanging up, Huo Xuan turned to Malevolent God. "I need to know X Unit's structure, my responsibilities, benefits, and freedoms. Only then will I decide."

The instructor shrugged. "This demand is excessive. I'd never indulge it—were it not for X's direct order." Then, he began outlining X Unit's framework.

X Unit was an extraordinary organization. Though affiliated with State Security, it wielded immense authority. During operations, it could demand full cooperation from police, armed police, military, and even government agencies at all levels.

The leader of X Unit was known simply as "X"—few beyond a select inner circle had ever met him.

X Unit comprised four divisions: the Assault Team, the Protection Team, the Intelligence Team, and the X Team. The Assault Team specialized in neutralizing high-risk targets and hostage rescues; the Protection Team safeguarded high-ranking officials; the Intelligence Team, an invisible force answering only to X, focused on information gathering.

Among these, the Assault Team saw the most action, but the true core was the X Team—the soul and backbone of X Unit's combat prowess.

Every member of the X Team possessed unique abilities, serving across national institutions. Some could rival mid-sized computers in mental calculations; others manipulated electricity or summoned lightning; still others wielded telepathy to influence minds.

Currently, the X Team had over a hundred operatives, ranked by capability. New recruits started as Level 1; with training and experience, they advanced to Level 2.

The highest-ranking member was a Level 7 operative—a prophet who could foresee events within a 100-kilometer radius over the next three days, regarded as the X Team's trump card.

Members retained their civilian lives but had to mobilize immediately when summoned. However, Malevolent God assured Huo Xuan of greater autonomy: the right to decline missions and significant independence.

Huo Xuan cared most about the benefits, and they didn't disappoint. First, operatives held sweeping authority to commandeer resources during missions.

Second, they earned substantial salaries, with families covered by premium insurance, free healthcare, and elite privileges.

Neither perk interested Huo Xuan. What hooked him was the third: joining X Unit meant comprehensive skill enhancement. A state-backed training regimen could unlock potential beyond imagination.

After hearing the pitch, Huo Xuan said, "I'll consider it carefully. Expect my answer in three months."

Malevolent God smiled. "Three months, then." With that, he stood and vanished.

Moments later, Wei Rongguang reentered, cheerfully steering Huo Xuan back to the celebration as if nothing had transpired.

After the celebration ended, Shen Rong pulled Huo Xuan into her car and drove straight toward her home.

"Huo Xuan, my parents want to thank you by inviting you for dinner tonight," she said, eyeing him expectantly. "Will you honor us?"

Huo Xuan feigned shock. "What? Meeting the parents already? I'm not prepared!"

Her cheeks flushed as she pinched his arm. "Stop joking! It's just gratitude—don't read too much into it."

He grinned. "Good. That's a relief."

Yet a pang of bitterness struck her heart. She'd long known from Li Yunfei that Huo Xuan already had a girlfriend—which was why she'd kept her distance.

But after he'd saved her from danger twice, she could no longer deny it: her heart was irrevocably his.

Noticing her subdued mood, Huo Xuan asked, "What's wrong?"

Forcing a smile, she said, "Nothing. Just worried Dad will drink you under the table."

Huo Xuan studied her, silently acknowledging the unspoken emotions he'd sensed in her gaze for so long.

"Shen Rong," he said gently, "I'm returning to Jiangzhou tomorrow. I might not be back for a while."

Abruptly, she slammed the brakes, pulling over. Then she turned and crushed herself against him, pressing her scorching lips to his.

Soft jade in his arms, her warmth intoxicating, her floral scent enveloping him—resistance was impossible.

"I don't care if you have someone else," she gasped between kisses, her body melting into his embrace. "I don't care if you love me back. I love you—that's all that matters!"