Chapter 32: Road Robbery (Part 3)

The two figures ahead started moving toward them—fast. There was no doubt—they were coming straight for Ji Feng and Tong Lei.

Under the weak light, it looked like they were carrying sticks or rods. It was hard to tell exactly what, but their intentions were clear. Not good.

"Ji Feng, let's run!" Tong Lei's voice trembled as she grabbed his arm tightly. No matter how composed or mature she usually seemed, she was still just a teenage girl. Panic was written all over her face.

"Don't panic!" Ji Feng said calmly, placing his hand over hers reassuringly. His brain kicked into high gear.

He quickly assessed the situation: Two men. Young. Confident enough to pull off a robbery in the open. That meant they were probably strong—maybe even experienced in fights.

There was no way he could outrun them with Tong Lei in tow.

He glanced behind them. They were stuck right in the middle of the path. It would take at least a couple of minutes to run back to safety—time they didn't have.

"Tong Lei, go back. I'll stop them here." His voice was steady, but firm.

"I don't have anything valuable on me. If they catch me, at most, I'll get roughed up. But if they catch you…" Ji Feng didn't finish that sentence. He didn't need to.

"Go! Now!" he said urgently, flicking off the flashlight.

Tong Lei hesitated, eyes full of worry. "What about you?"

"Stop talking! It's too late—just go!" Ji Feng growled, waving her away as he took a step forward.

Tong Lei looked at his back—calm, strong, quietly determined. Something inside her stirred. She bit her lip hard, then whispered, "Ji Feng… thank you."

She turned and ran.

The two thugs, seeing her retreat, suddenly grew frantic.

"Hey! Stop right there!" one of them barked, charging forward.

Ji Feng didn't flinch. Instead, he stared straight ahead, then quietly called out in his mind, "Intelligent brain—can I still use that bioelectric thing you mentioned before?"

"Master, your current physical condition allows for over an hour of intense exertion," the mechanical voice answered instantly. "Would you like me to activate the bioelectric current now?"

"Yes! Now! Or I'm going to be street meat in thirty seconds!" Ji Feng said without hesitation.

The moment he gave the command, a surge of heat washed through his body. Every limb, every muscle, felt like it had been supercharged. Power hummed through him like electricity.

Ji Feng clenched his fists, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. Let's do this.

He began backing up slowly. He wasn't someone who liked fighting. If he could avoid it, he would. But the thugs didn't share his peaceful intentions. They were closing in fast.

There was no time left to run. If they got past him now, they'd go after Tong Lei.

Ji Feng stopped in his tracks and stood his ground.

"What do you want?" he asked, eyes locked on them.

The taller of the two laughed, his voice raspy and mean. "What do you think? We're doing business, kid. Hand over anything useful and we might let you leave in one piece. Otherwise…" he gestured toward the moat, "hope you can swim."

Ji Feng cracked a small smile, feeling the strength burning in his veins.

Let's see what you've got, then.

"What if I don't want to give you anything?" Ji Feng asked coolly, eyes scanning their movements. To his surprise, everything around him seemed brighter—even in the darkness, it was like someone had turned on a light switch in his brain. The world was clearer, sharper.

The intelligent brain must've enhanced his vision too.

"Look at this punk, trying to be a hero!" the other thug sneered.

Ji Feng smirked. "No, no. I'm not brave like you guys—robbing teenagers at night. Real guts, huh?"

"Why you little—!" One of them roared. "If I don't beat you into the ground, I'll change my name!"

They both charged, raising their sticks high.

Time slowed.

Ji Feng didn't even think. His body moved on its own.

A flash of light in his mind—an image, like a muscle memory from someone else's life. A swift leap. Both feet outstretched.

BAM! BAM!

Two perfect kicks—each one smashing into the chins of the thugs like iron hammers.

The men flew backward and crashed to the ground, twitching violently before going completely still.

Unconscious.

Ji Feng landed on both feet, stunned. He stared at the two fallen bodies, then down at his legs.

Did I just… do that?!

It hadn't even been a real fight. It was over in seconds. He hadn't trained. He hadn't planned. His body had just… known what to do.

"Master," came the calm voice in his head, "that was the most basic move from the Super Agent Combat Training Program."

Ji Feng exhaled slowly. So this… was just the beginning?

If this is the basic stuff, then what kind of monster will I become when I master it?

Just then, the distant wail of sirens floated through the night air.

Ji Feng turned toward the sound. A few moments later, the flashing red-and-blue lights of a police car lit up the path.

And running just ahead of them, breathless but determined, was a slim figure.

Tong Lei.

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