Ignoring Wu Shuang's shouting, Xiao Lin pressed one foot on the accelerator and steered with one hand, his eyes focused on the retreating road. He wasn't sure if these people were after their lives, and if Lao Jiu stayed there to kill them, he couldn't guarantee Wu Shuang's safety.

Currently, these people were merely watching from the darkness. It felt annoyingly like beasts glaring at their prey in the night, and under this veil of night, gun muzzles hidden in the dark might have their bolts constantly cocked. They were unarmed, and as a police officer, the bullets he carried were limited. He dared not risk the people around him.

Wu Shuang's foot hurt from being pressed, she bit her lip without a word, and simply abandoned the clutch with the other foot, giving up the brakes altogether. This madman, she cursed silently to herself, certain that meeting him marked the beginning of a streak of bad luck.

"Clutch!"

Xiao Lin reminded Wu Shuang; they were already off the trail, and racing onto the highway at night like this was extremely dangerous. You never know when a speeding vehicle might ram into you from behind.

"You can let go of my foot now." Wu Shuang retorted defiantly, the pain from being stepped on had left her entire foot in a numb state.

Xiao Lin withdrew, sitting steadily in the car seat. With a thud, an airgun arrow shot onto the car window, tied with a ribbon.

"What is it?" Wu Shuang lowered the window, pulled out the arrow, and opened the note on it, letting out a cold laugh, "What exactly is this?"

"Just a greeting." Xiao Lin tossed the note to Wu Shuang, which read, 'Military Doctor, until we meet again.'

The handwriting was delicate, seemingly from a woman's hand, reminding him of the woman with the mask and beautiful lips, who was good with a whip and blushed easily.

"Are you a military doctor?" Wu Shuang turned her head, enjoying the speed as she raced down the unobstructed road.

"You haven't been here for the first time or do you know them?"

"I think I said I was a doctor in the army before retiring!" Xiao Lin dodged the topic; identity wasn't that important.

"That's not the point!" Wu Shuang shouted. What was wrong with this person, changing faster than turning a page, previously full of killing intent now acting like a rogue?

"What I'm asking is how you know this place, know about the underground city."

"This..." Xiao Lin didn't know how to respond.

"Don't try to fool me; if you were just an ordinary retired doctor, your actions wouldn't match your current profession. Your disguise isn't convincing enough."

"This is just troubling, everyone has secrets, Officer Wu." Xiao Lin pouted at the window, reminded by Wu Shuang that he might be a bit self-important, since he currently has the identity of an ordinary person.

"I just pulled you from the brink of death, you can't treat your rescuer like this, my little heart will be hurt." Saying this, Xiao Lin actually put a hand on his own chest, showing a hurt expression.

"Then besides being grateful, I must find out your identity; otherwise, how can I repay you in the future?"

"Hey hey! You better not repay me." Xiao Lin couldn't help but sigh, then looked seriously at Wu Shuang: "The killer can hire someone here to make human skin, which means he might have connections with the underground city. Before confirming any ties to the underground city, don't act rashly."

"The underground city deals in assassins, doesn't it mean as long as there's money, someone takes the task?" The underground city isn't just a legend, many know about it, but no one really seeks such a place. It's like a chemically polluted area, existing but nonexistent, its name means death; normal people wouldn't think of going there. Wu Shuang is among them.

"Human skin is also a trade, a method of killing, only relatively more brutal. The underground city itself is an assassin among assassins, providing everything an assassin needs and also having its own network of killers."

Understanding a bit, but still vague, Wu Shuang continued asking: "You're saying this person is also an assassin?"

"That's pretty much the gist of it!"

"How did you provoke those characters?" Wu Shuang couldn't help but gasp; ever since she barged into the Xia Family and took Young Master Qu, problems have continuously arisen—from big explosions to minor skirmishes to assassination attempts by killer organizations. Perhaps many cases unknown to her were concealed. Who exactly is this person, attracting such trouble?

Xiao Lin thought seriously for a moment, then lowered his head: "Maybe my existence blocked their path!"

For the first time, Xiao Lin seriously considered Wu Shuang's question; if not for his appearance, maybe there wouldn't be so many issues. Perhaps his presence brought these hidden grievances to light, accelerating events.

"Are you returning to the Xia Family or Yan University?" The off-road vehicle slowed down as it entered the city, Wu Shuang asked Xiao Lin.

"Let's go back to Yan University!"

Dawn started to break, a night spent on the road, and yet he had gained nothing—or so it seemed. At least he knew the underground city was involved, regardless of the form. He couldn't let his guard down. Earlier nightmares may only be the beginning, they targeted innocent people now, and he couldn't forgive.

"Officer Wu, don't mention anything about the underground city in the report." Xiao Lin instructed Wu Shuang as he got out of the car.

"Got it. You get some rest."

Xiao Lin sat on a bench at Yan University, facing the underground city for the first time. He wondered what would happen if he had acted tonight, Lao Jiu having so many people watch them, definitely not for mere surveillance. With Lao Jiu's character, he wouldn't do something pointless. Was it to provoke a battle with the underground city or 'Black Crow'? If so, who would benefit in the end?

Xiao Lin exhaled; the symbols Hua Qingyi left on the paper became clear, forming a network, filtering out the eliminated. What remained were Dragon Soul, Black Crow, Hua Family, Xiao Family, and the underground city, while excluded outside were Fourth Master and the mysterious person.

He stood up, early morning dew impeding his contemplation. No news had come from Hua Qingyi's side until now, he felt passive for the first time, contrary to Xiao Lin's way of acting. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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