Xu Que lunged forward in an instant, his steps swift and precise.
Before the man in the pink pajamas could react, Xu Que delivered a powerful punch directly to his chest, sending him crashing to the ground in pain.
"Seriously?!" Xu Que exclaimed, incredulity written all over his face.
He paused, the reality dawning on him. *Soft?* It was soft! This man was... not exactly a man.
Disgust surged through him. Unable to hold back, he knelt on the ground, retching violently.
"Fang Xiu, you bastard! You're truly something else!" Xu Que cursed bitterly under his breath. He swore to himself that the moment he reached the holding cells, he would dismantle whatever perverted schemes Fang Xiu had concocted.
Never in his wildest imagination did Xu Que think Fang Xiu would have *this kind of preference*.
"You're insane!" the man in pink whined pitifully, clutching his chest. "Who are you, and why would you..."
Before he could finish, Xu Que silenced him with a sharp kick.
"Damn it! The heavens gifted you a golden staff, but you insist on being a filthy stir stick!" Xu Que spat, his frustration palpable.
This time, the kick was harder, and the man passed out on the spot.
Looking down at the unconscious figure, Xu Que felt a mixture of disdain and revulsion. Killing him outright wasn't an option—the man still had value.
Rummaging through the villa, Xu Que eventually found two keys in a vanity drawer. Though he couldn't be certain these were the keys to the mysterious mechanism, he decided the trip hadn't been entirely in vain.
He stuffed the man into a large suitcase, then summoned his flying sword and headed straight for the northern second encampment.
***
Colonel Tian Shengli had barely lain down when the commotion stirred him. Realizing Xu Que had returned, he got up and sprinted toward Fang Xiu's office.
The sight that greeted him left him stunned. Xu Que was crouched beneath the desk, carefully extracting a hidden box from a concealed compartment.
As the hidden mechanism was revealed, Tian Shengli's shock deepened. He'd never imagined Fang Xiu to possess such cunning safeguards.
Xu Que meticulously placed the box on the desk, deftly unwinding a set of fine wires.
*Click!*
With a crisp sound, a small lock appeared in the middle of the metal box.
Exhaling a breath of relief, Xu Que wiped the sweat from his forehead. "This thing's precision is impressive. Even a single broken wire would've set off the grenades inside."
He was grateful for his expertise in handling forbidden relics; otherwise, he wouldn't have dared attempt such a task.
With the box cautiously opened, Xu Que inserted his hand, holding the grenade's pin firmly while detaching the wires one by one.
When the wires snapped loose, Xu Que dashed out of the room and hurled the grenade into the sky.
*BOOM!*
The explosion echoed like thunder, jolting the camp awake.
"Notify everyone—it was just a controlled detonation. Let them go back to sleep," Tian Shengli quickly instructed.
"Yes, sir!"
The sentries saluted and dispersed.
"Thanks for your help," Xu Que said with a smile.
"Not a problem," Tian Shengli replied, his gaze lingering on the oversized suitcase.
Something about it seemed oddly familiar, though he couldn't quite place it.
Xu Que, offering no explanation, headed back into the office. Opening the box, he found a blinking receiver and a mobile phone.
"How did he even get this stuff inside?" Tian Shengli asked, astonished.
Xu Que chuckled. "If you don't know, how could I? I'll take it to the command center for analysis."
"Understood."
As Xu Que left, Tian Shengli released a heavy sigh, the weight of earlier warnings from General Peng still fresh in his mind.
***
In the command center, the late hour caused the guards to hesitate. Xu Que, dragging the suitcase and carrying the box, presented a peculiar sight.
"These are evidence and a key suspect," he explained calmly.
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. One of them cracked open the suitcase, revealing the unconscious man in pink pajamas. His expression shifted to one of disbelief.
After a brief inspection of the receiver and phone, they nodded.
"Proceed."
Xu Que didn't disturb the higher-ups but arranged for the suspect to be taken to the underground holding cells.
When he entered Fang Xiu's room, the man stirred, groggily opening his eyes.
"Well, well, sleeping soundly, are we? Truly impressive," Xu Que mocked with a smirk.
Fang Xiu turned his head away, his expression resigned. "Ask your questions. Whatever I know, I'll tell you."
"Oh? Willing to cooperate now?" Xu Que's smile widened.
Fang Xiu stayed silent, his eyes closed as if awaiting his fate.
"How do you contact the others? Who remains in your organization?" Xu Que began.
"Through the phone. As for members, you've already captured most of us."
Xu Que chuckled darkly. "Fang Xiu, I was considering giving you a quick death, but now I see you think I'm a fool."
Fang Xiu opened his eyes, his gaze meeting Xu Que's with a flicker of unease.
"Feel free to curse me all you like," Xu Que continued. "But I won't let you off that easily. I'll make sure you beg for death."
Dragging the suitcase into the room, Xu Que opened it, revealing the man in pink.
Fang Xiu's face contorted with rage. "Xu Que, you bastard! You'll die a thousand deaths!"
Xu Que's smirk deepened. "Isn't this a lovely reunion? Now, shall we see who breaks first—you or him?"