Xiao Feng alighted from the imposing Dodge SUV, cradling Bloodghost in his arms, and made his way toward his destination — a church crowned with a towering steeple.
He chambered a round into Bloodghost, cautiously surveying the surroundings. The dilapidated houses bore silent testimony to the absence of any inhabitants.
Within those forsaken dwellings, a few monstrous beasts lurked—creatures averse to sunlight, finding refuge in such desolate towns.
With a gentle push, Xiao Feng forced open the heavy doors of the church. Inside, the space was eerily vacant, save for a few mutated rats gnawing on abandoned bones. Quietly, he fitted Bloodghost's silencer and dispatched the vermin with a series of precise shots.
Approaching the scattered bones stained with dark blood, Xiao Feng's brow furrowed deeply. The remains revealed that someone had dwelled here merely two days prior. Had he arrived earlier, he might have found the heretical Dragon King he sought. But now, only the charred remnants of a colossal bonfire and discarded bones littered the hollow sanctuary, alongside the repulsive mutated rats.
After a thorough inspection confirmed no other humans remained, a wave of despondency washed over him as he stepped out into the cold daylight.
He glanced up at the fractured cross above and allowed himself a bitter smile. "Lord, have mercy on us mortal souls..."
Returning to the villa in the Dodge, Xiao Feng found the eight armored guardians who had arrived that morning already establishing a comprehensive surveillance network. Employing the most advanced monitoring technology, any armed individual detected would be instantly identified and assessed for threat.
Parking in the garage, Xiao Feng entered the kitchen and began preparing a meal for himself.
Kerry appeared behind him, munching on fruit with a teasing smile. "You really don't treat yourself like an outsider, do you? What did you do with my car?"
As he cooked, Xiao Feng pondered for a moment before revealing to Kerry his hope to glean more information about the Dragon Cult. "I went to a small town a hundred kilometers from here. That's why I came." He recounted his recent encounter with the cult in detail.
Kerry frowned. "The Dragon Cult? Those lunatics? How would I know their whereabouts? But since you saved us, I'll have my people look into it for you..."
Before she finished, Kelly descended the stairs, her eyes lighting up upon seeing Xiao Feng. She hurried to his side. "Xiao Feng, you're back so soon?"
"Yeah, just returned." Xiao Feng plated the finished dishes, and Kelly immediately inhaled the rich aroma.
Surprised, she exclaimed, "You actually cook?"
Xiao Feng grinned at her astonished expression. "Not just cook—I'm quite good at it. Want to try?"
Kelly nodded eagerly, retrieving a fork from the cupboard. One bite, and she was lost in delight. "Oh, this is absolutely delicious!"
Kerry swallowed hard beside her, taking a bite herself. "Wow, this is really good." The two sisters began playfully competing over the food.
Watching the siblings revert to childlike banter, Xiao Feng shook his head with a smile and turned back to his cooking.
Later, seated at Kerry's dining table with a glass of whiskey in hand, Xiao Feng discussed the recent events with Kerry and Kelly. Both understood that Xiao Feng had become a prime target for the Dragon Cult's wrath. They concurred with his strategy: rather than waiting passively for the cult's forces to strike, it was better to seek them out and destroy them preemptively.
Kerry, swirling a glass of red wine, said, "I've dispatched our Alliance agents to track these fanatics. Since they once lingered in Black Whale City, they must have left traces."
Kelly rubbed her overstuffed belly and suggested, "Xiao Feng, maybe you shouldn't blindly chase after them these days. Rest a bit. Or, I could take you to New Capital for a little respite?"
Xiao Feng smiled wryly. "If Kerry guarantees she'll find the Dragon King, I'll accompany you to New Capital. Otherwise, I'll pursue them myself."
Kelly shot Kerry a warning glance. "Better make that promise, or I'll tell Uncle Hebrew you've been bullying me—he might cut your allowance!"
Kerry looked helplessly at Kelly. "Sister, why are you siding with him against me?"
"Come on, I'm serious!"
"Fine, fine. I promise—I'll find the Dragon King!"
"How many days?"
Kerry sighed. "Five days?"
Kelly gave Xiao Feng a sly glance and then queried Kerry, "Can you really find him in five days?"
Puzzled, Kerry asked, "How about ten days?" Growing up together, he knew Kelly's schemes well.
Kelly nodded. "Ten days sounds right. Hehe, Xiao Feng, we'll finally have some good times together."
Xiao Feng wanted to refuse, but seeing Kelly's radiant happiness, he couldn't bear to. He agreed to spend ten days with her.
That night, under the vigilant protection of the eight armored guards, Xiao Feng finally enjoyed a deep, peaceful sleep. Exhausted from the sleepless night prior, he ate dinner but didn't linger with Kelly before drifting off soundly.
Kelly gazed at him sleeping so peacefully, sighed softly with a hint of regret, and quietly lay down opposite him. Looking at his handsome face, a gentle smile crossed her lips before she, too, slowly succumbed to sleep.
In her dreams, Kelly found herself clad in a pristine soul garment, standing within a church adorned with fresh flowers. She waited for her groom, but after an interminable wait, he never appeared. Overcome with sorrow, she wept bitterly...