Chapter 52: Abduction (Part-2)

Next Morning, at Evergreen Apartments;

The sunlight streamed faintly through the curtains, stinging Zhi Yan’s eyes as she blinked awake. Her head throbbed from last night’s drinks. Li Liu was still sprawled under her blanket, snoring faintly.

Dragging herself out of bed, Zhi Yan rubbed her temple and headed for the hallway, yawning as she made her way to Lin Fang’s room as if seeing his face first thing in the morning was the most natural thing for her.

Well… they were going out for a morning jog together every day for the past week or so. So, it’s not unnatural either.

Knock knock.

On the third knock, where a tad bit more force was used, the door surprisingly slid open. And inside… the bed was empty.

And then a whimper was heard from the corner of the room.

Her eyes dropped to the crate.

Black, the Direwolf pup, was seen curled up inside with its eyes wide and watery, pawing at the bars with desperation. Its whimper grew louder when it saw Zhi Yan.

“Hmm?”

Zhi Yan went ahead and unlatched the crate.

Without hesitation, the Direwolf cub bolted toward the corner where a large bowl of dry pet food, mixed with shredded bamboo shoots, was kept. It dove in, munching hungrily and stuffing its tiny cheeks with the kibbles.

Zhi Yan’s smile faded at the sight. “So hungry? But… didn’t he feed you last night?”

She glanced back at the empty bed and muttered. “I wonder whether he is already out for the morning jog?”

Giving a caress to the Direwolf pup that was busy munching on the food, she walked back into her room, grabbed her phone, and dialed Lin Fang’s number.

However, it went into an automated message. “The wireless customer you are calling is not available at this time.”

*Beep*

“Switched off?”

Her heart sank for a moment as something crept up her spine. “Is it really switched off?”

She couldn’t help but remember Black’s strange reaction when it was released from the crate. Previously, she thought it was just hungry, but now, it seemed like it had been in the crate for hours.

“Did he even come back last night?”

As that thought came to her head, Zhi Yan’s fingers trembled slightly as she dialed another number, this one labeled Old Guardian.

The call picked up in three rings.

A deep, gravelly voice answered, “Yan’er?”

“Grandpa Lin,” she said quickly with her voice shaking slightly, “I think Lin Fang is missing. I think he didn’t come home last night, and his phone’s switched off.”

There was a brief silence from the other side. Then the voice came again. “What happened?”

“We all went to a club last night where he supposedly met a client, but we never saw the client, though. We left early in the cab, and he was supposed to follow us, but I think he didn’t…”

There was a long pause this time.

“Understood,” the voice said, still maintaining calmness. “I’ll deploy the Fourth Knight to investigate, just in case he was abducted. You only ask around publicly, see if he has passed out somewhere, met with an accident, or ended up in a police station…

“Yes, Grandpa.” She hung up, her face tight.

Zhi Yan turned toward the open door again. She was about to go back to her room, but changed directions and marched to Yu Xiaofei and Hao Bin’s room and pounded on the door.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The door creaked open a few seconds later. A half-asleep Hao Bin peeked through with his hair tousled, and his voice sounded groggy. “What is it?”

“Lin Fang is missing,” Zhi Yan said bluntly.

Hao Bin’s face hardened instantly. “What do you mean?”

“I think he didn’t come back last night,” she said in a tight voice. “His phone’s switched off. I think… I think something happened after we left the club.”

“You sure?” Hao Bin asked?

Zhi Yan averted her gaze, glancing to the left. “Not sure. But judging by how his Direwolf was hungry all night and worried, I believe it is the case. I talked to Grandpa Lin. He said we only have to act publicly, like what is expected from friends.”

“Damn it. We are careless.” Hao Bin cursed under his breath and stepped out fully. “Should I wake up, Xiaofei?”

“No,” Zhi Yan stopped him. “Let her rest. She can stay behind and cover for us in case Lin Fang comes back and Li Liu asks about us. Someone also needs to keep an eye on that Direwolf, too. It’s clearly important to him.”

Hao Bin gave a small nod, then turned back into the room to change. “We move in 5 minutes. Go and change.”

Zhi Yan headed back to her room and threw on jeans and a hoodie, tying her hair into a tight ponytail. When she came down, Hao Bin was already waiting in the hallway.

She suddenly paused mid-step, muttering in frustration, “Damn it. I forgot that I left my car at the club.”

“Not a problem. We are going to the club anyway,” Hao Bin said coolly. He walked out into the front yard, raised two fingers to his lips, and let out a sharp whistle.

FWEEEEET.

Moments later, with a mighty screech, a majestic griffin descended from the top of their own apartment building. The King-Tier beast landed with a gust of wind, sending dry leaves swirling around them.

Zhi Yan blinked, caught between awe and urgency. Hao Bin offered his hand as he mounted on its back. She took it and climbed up behind him.

“Let’s go,” Hao Bin said. “Eve, fly toward the east.”

With another screech, the griffin flapped its massive wings and leapt into the sky. Wind rushed past them as they soared high above the city.

Zhi Yan clutched Hao Bin’s back tightly, her voice a whisper lost in the wind. “I wonder where you are…”

Meanwhile, far away near the docks…

In a dimly lit warehouse nestled among stacks of rusting containers, Lin Fang slowly opened his eyes. His head throbbed. His arms ached. He seemed to be bound to a metal chair by thick, rattling chains.

“Ugh…” He groaned, blinking against the flickering ceiling light. He tugged instinctively, but the chains held firm. “Where am I?”

Before he could gather his thoughts, heavy footsteps echoed across the concrete floor.

A towering figure stepped into view… a burly man, wearing a sleeveless jacket and dark cargo pants. A metallic baseball bat rested against his shoulder. Of course, he didn’t need to inspect to know that it isn’t a simple metallic bat, as he could see the layer of mana enveloping the weapon.

Lin Fang stiffened. “W-Who are you? What do you want?” he asked, trying to mask the tremor in his voice. He was absolutely terrified in his heart.

The man stopped in front of him and casually dropped the bat against Lin Fang’s shoulder, letting the weight press down threateningly.

“Relax,” the man grunted. “Orders are to keep you alive and untouched… unless you cause trouble. Play nice, and you’ll be fine.”

Lin Fang forced himself to breathe. “Look… you must have gotten the wrong person. I’m neither rich nor do I think I have offended someone. Wait…”

A person suddenly came to his head. “You… Were you sent by Shang Wei?” He asked. “I’m telling you. I don’t have those monster eggs with me right now. My supplier said he will come in person to collect the money. I have nothing to do with…” Lin Fang said whatever came to his mind to escape this crisis, but a thump on the floor shut him up right away.

*Ting*

The mysterious buffed fellow, after striking the floor and even cracking it slightly, pointed the bat at Lin Fang. “If you don’t shut up, I might have to disobey the orders given to me.”

Lin Fang couldn’t help but gulp his saliva and nodded. But inwardly, he couldn’t help but think. ’Should I summon Black? No. Not yet. I can’t reveal the secret unless it is absolutely necessary.’

An hour later;

The warehouse remained silent, save for the distant crashing of waves and the occasional creak of rusting metal. Lin Fang had his eyes closed and meditated.

Then. Tap… Tap… Tap… footsteps echoed across the concrete.

Lin Fang’s eyes snapped open at once.

A figure approached from the shadows. As he stepped into the light, Lin Fang’s eyes widened.

“Zhi Yan’s friend?” Lin Fang muttered in disbelief.

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