Ximen Wei deftly weaved through the winding alleys and bustling streets, his heart pounding as he desperately tried to shake off Old Mao's pursuit. Though he was accustomed to evading capture by guards or law enforcement, this was his first time being chased by someone as formidable as Old Mao.
Ximen Wei's speed surpassed the limits of what one might expect from a child of his age, as the ominous threat of death hung heavy over him.
Ximen Wei knew that his only hope for survival was to escape the Criminal District and blend in with the crowds of people in Green Lotus City. The city was home to numerous bustling markets teeming with people, but he needed time to reach one. Unfortunately, Old Mao was not giving him that opportunity.
"Filthy rat, you are commendable for your speed, I wonder how you will fare against this!" Old Mao's voice boomed behind Ximen Wei, as he sprinted through the streets. Just as Ximen Wei was wondering about the implications of Old Mao's words, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end as a gust of wind brushed past his cheeks. Old Mao, still in pursuit, raised his sword and with a flick of his wrist, a peculiar energy materialized at the tip of his sword. "Qi Technique – Energy Sword!" he shouted, as he brought the sword down with a powerful slash. A blast of wind followed, and the energy caught up to Ximen Wei, slicing through his back. Despite the searing pain, Ximen Wei pushed forward, his speed not slowing in the slightest.
Qi trainees, and particularly Qi experts, possess extraordinary abilities and techniques that seem to defy common sense and logic. Even from a distance of three to four meters, Old Mao was able to magically strike Ximen Wei, though the hit was not powerful enough to pose a mortal threat to him
Even so, if Old Mao's pursuit continues, Ximen Wei will inevitably succumb to death. Old Mao's voice echoed once more, this time, it seemed to ring inside Ximen Wei's very ears. "Kiddo, running is futile. I'll show you why Qi trainees and experts are feared by the masses. Rat, I want to end this quickly! You should feel honored to have forced me to this extent," Old Mao taunted.
'Force you? What did I do? I am just running for my dear life! Please, whatever it is, do not do it!'
Ximen Wei's plea for mercy went unanswered as he felt the oxygen levels around him drop and his movements become stiff. "Qi Technique - Enfeeble!" The words echoed in his mind as he felt his legs weaken and become wobbly. He struggled to catch his breath as sweat poured down his face. All of his energy seemed to drain out of his body, leaving him unable to continue running. He stumbled and fell to the ground, feeling defeated and helpless.
A desperate expression surfaced on Ximen Wei's face as he thought, 'Is this it? Is this my end?' But just as he was about to accept his fate, he heard Old Mao's voice once more, "Qi Technique - Flash!" His body turned into a blur as he appeared in front of Ximen Wei, the old man sneered, "No matter who it is, they are mere ants in front of Qi Trainees and Qi Experts! Rat, let this be a lesson for you, when you go to the afterlife, remember to not provoke the Song family!"
Ximen Wei's vision became blurry as Old Mao's voice continued to echo inside his ears. His senses dulled as a hazy feeling overwhelmed him, just like a person who had drunk too much beer. Old Mao raised his sword, ready to deal the final blow when a new voice rang out. "Leave him alive, I've got uses for him." It was Song Peizhi, the fatty, and a malicious, creepy smile surfaced upon his face as he rubbed his hands together, clearly thinking about how he was going to spend the night with all the new toys he had acquired.
Behind him, Ximen Wei saw a line of children of all ages, their hands and feet roped together, rendering them unable to escape. The sight made his face pale even further, fear and despair taking hold of him as he realized the true nature of his captors.
Ximen Wei's chances of escape now seemed impossible, the two figures standing beside Song Peizhi were emitting even more powerful energy than Old Mao. He knew that if he even tried to pull off a trick in front of these powerful individuals, he would be caught instantly. He struggled to get up, his body weak and trembling with fear. He knew that there was no point in resisting and obediently handed himself over, his head hung low in defeat. The thought of what might happen to him at the hands of these cruel captors filled him with dread, and he could only hope that somehow, he would find a way to survive and escape.
Ximen Wei tried to hold onto a shred of hope, telling himself, "Hey, look at the positive side, at least I get to keep my life, right?" But deep down, he knew that his life was going to be a living hell from now on. Song Peizhi was one of the cruelest nobles in Green Lotus City. Just the stories of his "dungeon" were enough to instill fear in the hearts of the common people and make children cry all night long. The terror of Song Peizhi's dungeon could be seen in Jin Bao's actions. Nightmares haunted the poor boy as he used to wake up every night, sobbing quietly in the corner. Now, Ximen Wei was going to visit that same dungeon. The thought of it made him shiver with fear, knowing that he might not come out alive or the same person. He felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead as he imagined the endless possibilities of what horrors awaited him in that dungeon. His heart was pounding in his chest as the reality of his situation set in, and he knew that he might never see the light of day again.