Oliver Queen was not used to being watched so intently by Su Zhan and Carol Ferris. He had always used his arrows for survival and for justice, not as part of a performance. Now, under their gaze, he felt oddly self-conscious, as if he were showing off at a circus.
Still, Oliver opened his case, took out his bow, and began to adjust it. The moment he gripped the bow, his entire demeanor shifted. His posture became sharper, his eyes focused, and a sense of calm strength radiated from him.
Without warning, Su Zhan conjured a tennis ball out of green energy and sent it flying toward Oliver. Instinctively, Oliver turned, drew his bow, and released an arrow. The arrow pierced the tennis ball in midair and pinned it to the wall with a satisfying thud.
Su Zhan did not speak. Instead, he created three more tennis balls, launching them at different angles and speeds. In quick succession, Oliver fired three arrows. Each one struck its target, pinning the balls to the wall with flawless precision.
Carol could not hide her amazement. "That's incredible…"
Su Zhan clapped his hands, genuinely impressed. "Your archery is truly remarkable. I know another guy who's just as skilled with a bow. He's called Hawkeye. I've always wondered who would win in a contest—you or him."
Oliver's eyes gleamed with confidence. "Hawkeye? I've never heard of him. But if there's ever a chance, I wouldn't mind a little competition."
Su Zhan grinned. "Maybe one day I'll introduce you. For now, I think Carol finally believes me."
Carol nodded repeatedly. In her mind, superheroes were people with extraordinary powers, like Su Zhan. She had never imagined that someone without superpowers could be so formidable. Watching Oliver's speed and accuracy, she was genuinely awed.
"My mission here is done," Su Zhan said, smiling. "I know you have a lot of personal business to handle, so I won't keep you. Here's my number. I'll be in Star City for the rest of the week. If you need help, call me anytime."
With a wave of his hand, Su Zhan used energy to project his number in the air. Once Oliver had memorized it, Su Zhan and Carol took their leave.
Not long after, Su Zhan received a system notification: Friendship with Oliver Queen increased by another five percent. He smiled to himself. Even if Oliver was not likely to ask for help soon, Su Zhan was determined to keep building their bond and complete his mission.
Later, Oliver Queen left the courthouse, having officially restored his citizenship and legal status. As he stepped outside, he ran into Laurel Lance. She was preparing to take legal action against a Triad-connected gangster named Martin Somers, a man Oliver recognized from his father's list. Back at his secret base, Oliver researched Somers and discovered the man's deep criminal ties. The Star City police and local prosecutors would not—or could not—touch him.
Oliver knew Laurel's determination. She believed she was the only one willing to stand up to Somers and bring him to justice. But Oliver, as the Arrow, had his own way of handling things.
That night, in a dim storeroom, Arrow confronted Somers. He easily dispatched Somers's henchmen and threatened the gangster directly, demanding that he surrender and confess his crimes. Oliver believed that the threat to his life would be enough to make Somers give in. In truth, he was still a bit naïve.
Some people will not cry until they see the coffin.
After being questioned by the police, Somers wasted no time. He called in a specialist—a killer from the Triad.
Su Zhan, who was familiar with the plot, had been following the situation closely. He kept an eye on Somers, knowing that the gangster would soon hire someone very interesting. When Somers reached out to the Triad, Su Zhan was already nearby, curious to see the infamous assassin in action.
Her name was Chen Na Wei, known in the underworld as China White.
She was a Triad leader, instantly recognizable by her striking appearance: a flowing red dress, straight white hair cascading over her shoulders, and an air of cold, mysterious authority. Her codename, "White Porcelain," suited her perfectly. When she appeared, Su Zhan could not help but think of her as a white-haired witch.
Somers had provided the Triad with access to the city's port, making them business partners. Now, he called in China White to eliminate Arrow. However, Chen Na Wei had her own agenda. She believed that Laurel Lance was the real threat. If she could kill Laurel, the problem would be solved at its root.
Su Zhan did not intervene. He saw this as a perfect opportunity to observe and perhaps earn more of Oliver's trust. He trailed Chen Na Wei discreetly, making sure he knew exactly where she was headed.
Chen Na Wei's hideout was well hidden, likely one of the Triad's secret locations. Su Zhan found a concealed spot on the upper floor of a building opposite her room and watched her every move.
Inside, Chen Na Wei stood near the window, slowly slipping off her red dress. Su Zhan's eyes lingered on her elegant, statuesque figure. Unlike Carol's pure Western beauty, Chen Na Wei was clearly of mixed Chinese descent, perhaps even more striking than Skye. Her features were cold and proud, and the white hair gave her an exotic, dangerous allure.
Men are drawn to the new and the exciting, and Su Zhan was no exception.
After changing into a tight black leather suit, Chen Na Wei looked even more formidable. The outfit was far more practical for action, and it accentuated her athletic build and long legs. Su Zhan could not help but compare her to Carol Chen. Na Wei's figure was every bit as impressive, perhaps even more so.
Clearly, she was preparing for a fight.
Soon, Chen Na Wei left her room with two associates and got into a van. Su Zhan smiled to himself and floated silently into the night sky, following from above.
The van stopped a short distance away. The three emerged, armed and ready, and entered a building.
Su Zhan could see through a window that inside, Laurel was sitting on a sofa with Oliver, deep in conversation.
The pieces were in place. The night was about to get interesting.