Everyone believed Xiao Feng had just shot Captain Locke point-blank. Wide-eyed and stunned, all eyes were fixed on him in disbelief.
A wisp of pale smoke still curled from the barrel of the P2 handgun clutched in Xiao Feng's hand. His brow was slightly furrowed, long strands of hair falling over his eyes, veiling their light. The fierce defiance he had worn just moments ago had vanished, replaced by a heavy stillness—because he had seen it clearly. At the moment he pulled the trigger, a figure had flashed in front of him, yanking Locke aside in the nick of time. The bullet grazed Locke's hair and embedded itself in the stone wall behind them.
Xiao Feng stared at the man who now stood before him. The stranger was half a head taller than Xiao Feng—easily over 1.9 meters. His features were brutish and intimidating, his head shaved bald, revealing a black viper tattoo coiled across his scalp. A long, jagged scar stretched from his left brow down to his chin, etching a cruel line across his already fearsome visage. His muscular frame dwarfed even Old White's, and the battle-worn camouflage uniform he wore made it unmistakably clear—this was a man who had survived countless wars, one who exuded a chilling aura of bloodshed.
This was Turner, the infamous "Viper" and captain of the Viper Mercenaries.
Though Ivy and Turner were blood siblings, they were opposites in every way. None would believe that the radiant, elegant Ivy shared blood with this monstrous man. No one could imagine that this beast of a soldier was the brother of a woman as stunning as Ivy.
Turner's sharp, glacial eyes gleamed like blades of ice. "You've got guts, kid," he said coldly.
Xiao Feng's eyes lingered on the tattooed serpent on Turner's head. He couldn't help but ask, "You're Viper Turner?"
Turner remained impassive. "Yes, I am the captain of the Viper Mercenaries. Good thing I showed up when I did—or you would've been in serious trouble."
Xiao Feng smirked. "They were the ones who picked the fight. They tried to steal our prey. Even if it cost me my life, I'd never hand it over without a fight."
Turner found himself impressed by the young man—bold beyond his years, capable, and with courage far beyond the average soldier. A youth like this, properly tempered, was bound for greatness. He turned to look at the man he had just saved.
Locke's pallid face was drenched in sweat. The gunshot had left his ears ringing, his balance off. Rage contorted his features as he staggered to his feet, glaring at Xiao Feng. "You little b*st*rd… I'll remember this."
Turner pulled a cigarette from his pack, lit it, then handed another to Locke. "Let it go. He's just a boy."
Locke spat back, "What did you say? I can't hear a d*mn word. Whatever it is, I'm going to kill him today!" He raised his arm and barked to his men, "All of you, move in! Kill that brat!"
But before he could take a step, Turner seized his wrist in an iron grip. His expression turned cold and sharp as he leaned close to Locke's uninjured ear and whispered, "I said let the boy go. I won't repeat myself a third time. If you don't, I promise—you won't live to see tomorrow."
Then Turner released Locke, turned to his squad, and barked, "We're leaving. Let's see who dares try and stop us."
Without another word, Turner led his mercenaries, along with Xiao Feng and Old White, calmly through the gates into the sanctuary.
Xiao Feng couldn't help but admire the towering warrior beside him. In Turner's presence, even Locke had been reduced to nothing—completely dominated.
Once inside the sanctuary, Ivy approached Xiao Feng with a smile. "We'll sell this magical beast for a good price. When it's done, I'll make sure you receive half of the earnings."
Xiao Feng was about to decline when Old White gently stopped him. "We trust the Viper Mercenaries to keep their word. Take the beast for now." With that, he began to walk away with Xiao Feng.
But Ivy, ever perceptive, called after him. "Old White, you took a serious blow from the black bear earlier. Are you badly hurt? If so, you should come with us—we'll have a doctor look at you."
Only then did Xiao Feng remember that White had been struck so hard he had coughed blood. He rushed forward in concern. "Uncle, are you alright? Let me see the injury!"
Old White chuckled, thumping his solid chest. "Don't worry. I'm fine. Let's head back."
As the pair departed, Ivy turned to her brother, puzzled. "Brother… don't you find it strange?"
Turner raised a brow. "Strange? What do you mean?"
"Old White clearly suffered a serious injury. But now, he looks completely recovered. Isn't that odd?"
Turner frowned deeply. "Are you sure?"
"I'm certain," Ivy nodded.
Turner watched White's retreating figure. A sudden thought flashed through his mind, and he muttered under his breath, "Could it be…?"
Back home, Xiao Feng was still troubled by what he had seen. How could White, who had vomited blood just hours before, now look perfectly fine? He had asked the question more than once during their walk back.
White now sat beside the fireplace, a bottle of strong liquor in hand. After taking a sip, he sighed and said, "Xiao Feng, you want to know why my wounds healed so quickly? Come sit—I'll tell you."
Xiao Feng joined him, grabbed the bottle, and took a burning gulp of whiskey.
White frowned. "I knew I'd have to tell you someday. Since you're asking now, so be it. After all, you are my child now."
Xiao Feng nodded silently. In his heart, he had long seen this old hunter as family—from the moment White had saved him from the jaws of the wild.
White stared into the fire. "You ever wonder why I insist on hunting alone? Why I refuse the Viper Mercenaries' offers time and again? It's because I carry a secret—one that, if revealed, would make me a hunted man."
He took another sip before continuing. "They say I can strike with a force of a thousand kilograms. That's not so rare—others can do the same. But very few can do what I can."
With that, White drew a dagger from behind and, without hesitation, sliced a shallow wound across his arm. Blood welled up and began to trickle down.
Xiao Feng sprang forward, alarmed. "Uncle, what are you doing?" He reached for a handkerchief.
But White stopped him. "Don't panic."
In the flickering light, Xiao Feng stared closely at the wound. As the seconds passed, his eyes widened in shock—the gash on White's arm was slowly closing, the skin knitting itself back together.
White gave a bitter smile. "Do you see now, boy? The truth is…"
Xiao Feng gasped, "You're… an Awakened?"