Laurel Lance and Oliver Queen were deep in conversation, the tension between them finally easing. Su Zhan watched the scene through the window, his etheric battle suit already materialized and ready for action. He had no interest in Laurel beyond her connection to Oliver, but he kept a close eye on the situation, knowing trouble was near.
Inside, Oliver's laughter faded as he suddenly grew alert. "Did you hear that?" he whispered to Laurel.
She shook her head, confused, but Oliver's instincts told him something was wrong. He picked up a fruit knife from the table and moved quietly toward the door, Laurel following close behind. Just as they reached the entrance, a loud crash shattered the silence. The door burst open, and a man stormed in. Oliver grabbed Laurel and ran. Gunshots rang out, bullets spraying wildly, forcing them to duck and scramble for cover. They dashed into the bedroom, but another attacker crashed through the window, cutting off their escape. Desperate, they turned to find another way out, only to be blocked by a striking woman with long white hair, dressed in black leather and wielding twin short blades.
Oliver's eyes narrowed. He recognized her instantly: China White, the infamous Triad assassin.
At that moment, the man who had burst through the door charged at Oliver, gun raised. There was nowhere left to hide. Instinctively, Oliver shielded Laurel with his body, bracing for the worst.
A gunshot echoed through the room.
But it was not Oliver who fell. The gunman dropped to the ground, a look of shock frozen on his face. Another shot rang out, and then silence.
"It seems I arrived just in time," came a familiar, slightly amused voice. Su Zhan stepped into the room, his presence commanding.
Oliver's relief was palpable. "It's you!"
Just then, Su Zhan heard the system's prompt: "Arrow: Oliver Queen, friendship increased by 30%!"
He was not surprised. He had planned to intervene at the critical moment, knowing that saving both Oliver and Laurel would have a significant impact. He had not expected such a large jump in friendship, but it brought him just one step away from completing his task.
Laurel stared at Su Zhan in astonishment. "So, he's the Green Lantern who saved you?"
Oliver nodded, but before he could say more, Su Zhan cut him off. "We can talk later. I'm going after the white-haired witch!"
Only then did Oliver realize that China White had vanished during the chaos. While he stayed to comfort Laurel, Su Zhan sprinted after the assassin.
Meanwhile, John Diggle, Oliver's new bodyguard, arrived on the scene, gun drawn. He quickly assessed the situation, then helped secure the area. It was not long before Quentin Lance, Laurel's father and a Star City police officer, arrived with a squad of officers. After confirming that Laurel was safe, he questioned Oliver about what had happened. When he learned that the Green Lantern had saved them, his curiosity was piqued.
Quentin Lance had already been investigating the mysterious Green Lantern. He knew that before Oliver's kidnapping, this hero had saved him once before. The Green Lantern had first appeared in Coast City, then vanished, only to resurface now in Star City and save Oliver twice. Why? The pattern was too deliberate to ignore.
He pressed Oliver for answers, his tone stern. Oliver, of course, claimed ignorance. In the end, Quentin could only warn him to stay away from his daughter.
While Oliver dealt with the aftermath, Su Zhan was already in pursuit of China White.
Chen Na Wei's experience as a Triad assassin served her well. The moment she sensed the situation turning against her, she bolted, expertly using anti-tracking techniques to cover her escape. Half an hour later, she reached the port, where a boat was waiting for her. She boarded swiftly, and the vessel sped away from the dock.
Inside the cabin, Chen Na Wei finally allowed herself a moment to breathe. She had seen Su Zhan's power firsthand. The energy he wielded was mysterious and overwhelming, unlike anything she had encountered in her years as a killer. Her first instinct had been to run, and she was sure she had made the right choice. At least, she thought, he did not chase me.
But as she relaxed, she sensed a presence beside her. She spun around, blades drawn, and found Su Zhan standing there, a faint smile on his lips.
"How did you catch up?" she demanded, her voice cold and wary. "You should know the Triads don't take kindly to interference. I suggest you mind your own business."
Su Zhan chuckled. "Are you afraid? Only people who are scared use threats like that. If you weren't afraid, you'd just attack me."
Chen Na Wei's eyes flashed. "Afraid? I've never been afraid!" She snapped, but her grip on her blades tightened.
"Good," Su Zhan replied, his smile widening. "That's just how I like it."
Outside, the boat's engines suddenly cut off. Chen Na Wei realized with a sinking feeling that Su Zhan had somehow taken control. She was left with two choices: fight or jump into the sea. Neither option seemed promising, but she refused to back down.
With a sharp cry, she lunged at Su Zhan, her blades flashing. In a blur, she closed the distance, aiming straight for his heart.
But just as her blade was about to pierce him, she found herself frozen in place, unable to move. No matter how hard she tried, the knife would not advance another inch.
Su Zhan looked into her eyes, calm and unafraid. "Is that all?"
Chen Na Wei's heart pounded. For the first time in years, she truly felt fear.