With a sharp screech of brakes, the military trucks encircled the jeeps of the X Mercenary Corps. One by one, uniformed alliance soldiers leapt down in unison, their standard-issue rifles held tightly in hand, swiftly forming an impenetrable perimeter around the mercenaries, barrels raised, locked in cold precision.
Unfazed, the mercenaries of the X Corps lifted their own weapons—diverse, menacing, and well-worn—training their sights on the soldiers without hesitation. The air thickened, taut with the potential of sudden, explosive violence.
At the very heart of this standoff stood Rice, exuding a formidable dominance. His fists clenched, eyes like daggers scanning the ranks of soldiers, he embodied the defiance and authority of a warlord unbent by fear.
Xiao Feng, a long, slender black case strapped across his back, sauntered up behind Rice, his usual smirk still playing at the corners of his lips.
From the lead truck, a towering officer jumped down, draped in a deep green military trench coat. Standing well over 190 centimeters, he clutched a thick cigar between his teeth, a cocky grin splitting his face as he strode toward Rice.
"Hahaha! Rice, my brother! What's this chaos? You stir up such a scene, I had to mobilize an entire battalion just to come meet you!" His laughter boomed through the alley.
Rice pulled a cigarette from his pocket, slipped it between his lips, and—without a word—raised his middle finger at the officer. A snap of flame burst from his fingertip, lighting the cigarette with effortless flair. He took a deep drag and exhaled a plume of smoke. "What can I say? Someone came for my brother's life. I had no choice but to bring my men and pull him from the fire."
The officer swaggered up to Rice, towering a full head above him, and looked down with a forced grin. "But those two are Espers, Rice. If you kill them on my turf, how the hell do I explain that to my superiors? Come on, little brother, give me something to work with here."
Rice tilted his head back and locked eyes with him. "Think about you? Sure. But you show up with this much firepower—have you spared a thought for my dignity?"
The officer's expression darkened. "Don't push me, Rice. I've already given you enough face. It's time you gave me some in return. After all, in Godo City—who's the boss here? Huh? Is it you… or is it me?" His final words were a roar, eyes blazing with fury as he glared down at Rice.
For a moment, the fire in Rice's gaze flickered. He gave a resigned shake of his head. "You, of course. Always you. I'm just a roughneck feeding his crew with what scraps I can scrounge. You're the one who rules this city."
The officer's face broke into a wide grin as he threw his head back in laughter. "That's more like it! We're brothers—let's not make life hard for each other. I'll take the Espers, you take your boy. No one died, so we'll call it even. Tonight, drinks on me, eh? A little peace offering!"
Rice took another drag of his cigarette and exhaled slowly. "Well, if big brother insists, I can only obey. Hand the Espers over. We're done here." With that, he stormed off to a jeep, yanking open the door and climbing in. As the vehicle rolled past the officer, he threw a smirk over his shoulder. "Pierre, you owe me one."
Pierre laughed uproariously. "Rice, my man! Tonight I'll find you a couple of fine ladies. You'll thank me in the morning!" He waved a casual farewell as the jeep roared down the war-torn street, heading east toward the camp.
Xiao Feng stood beside Brada, a frown playing on his lips. "Fatty, is there something between Rice and that officer?"
Brada chuckled. "Of course there is. That guy Pierre? He's Rice's cousin—his aunt's son. You think Rice could get this far in Godo without backing? If not for that blood tie, Pierre wouldn't have let him walk after capturing two Espers, right?"
Xiao Feng spat blood-tinged saliva onto the ground. "I see. Still… I can't just let those two bastards beat me for nothing."
Brada's eyes widened. "What are you thinking?"
"We'll talk tonight. First, let's get this money to Uncle White." With a grim smile, Xiao Feng turned and led the way.
As the mercenaries of X Corps departed, Captain Pierre quickly ordered the restraints removed from Kai Li and Kai Rui. Kai Li glanced at the four deep, bloodied bite marks on her wrist and turned toward Pierre, her expression cold and furious.
"Captain, explain to me—why did you let them go?"
Pierre offered a strained smile. "My dear Envoy, had we not released them, they would've killed you. And that… I simply cannot afford."
Kai Li clutched her bleeding wrist, eyes burning as she watched Xiao Feng and Brada vanish down the alley. Through clenched teeth, she cursed, "D*mn you, Xiao Feng… One day—I swear—I'll kill you with my own hands."