Darkness engulfed Imperial to sleep. While others were in their deep slumber, a run down building was still busying itself. The clicking of the keyboard echoes inside the shop while all was silence.
Uncle Zhi takes a seat and sighed. He glares at the design team then to Yue Ling. However, when his eyes landed on her, his expression softened. His glare is for the fact that these youngsters did not tell him in advance. Of course, he can never glare at the only child left behind his good friend.
"Young Miss, you mean to tell this old me, that while I was having a heart attack here, everything was staged?"
Yue Ling sat across from Uncle Zhi, she pout her lip for a second then nod her head.
"Mm. I already knew Chu Li Xiang had sent men to follow me. I was just waiting for them to make a move. I do apologize for not telling you in advance. I didn't want to worry you so I asked no one to say anything.."
Hearing her answer, Uncle Zhi nod his head in understanding. How could he forgot who this young woman was? She is the daughter of his old friend and the granddaughter of his old master. Everything she does has it's meaning.
He wasn't upset that she didn't tell him, he was upset that he had allow such thing to come to this. He couldn't help but sigh again.
"You were never one to attack without reason. If the other side had not made their move, you wouldn't have made yours."
Remembering something, Uncle Zhi looks at Liu Shan then back to Yue Ling.
"Will Lin Hui and Qi Li be alright?"
"They'll be fine. I trust those two won't be defeated so easily."
Yue Ling assures the middle aged man. Turning to look at her remaining design team, she nods her head. Seeing her movement, everyone stood and prepares themselves to leave.
"Boss, I've found their location."
Liu Shan calls out. His finger pointing to a screen then to a map on his laptop.
"It seems they're heading in the direction of Retro."
Hearing the place, Uncle Zhi furrow his brows. He stood from his chair and walks over to Liu Shan.
"Shan, isn't Retro the nightlife in Imperial for the underworld gangs? Wouldn't Lin Hui and Qi Li be in more danger?"
"They'll be fine. Liu Shan, send the location to Alpha Team."
Yue Ling spoke as she too stood from her seat. Walking over to the twenty mannequins, she takes another look at them.
"Uncle Zhi, I trust you can help me keep these designs in a safe place?"
Uncle Zhi: "Of course. It will be over my dead body if someone wants to steal from me."
Yue Ling nod her head in response. She knows she could always count on the man to keep her things secured. Uncle Zhi is a man of words, anything he says he will follow through with it.
"Liu Shan, let's go."
Not wanting to waste time, she leaves Uncle Zhi's shop. Following behind her was Liu Shan and his laptop.
Until Yue Ling was no longer in view, Uncle Zhi signals to the two security guards.
"Secure the shop, no one outside is allow to enter without my permission."
The middle aged man commands to the two security guards. He glance in the direction Yue Ling went for a quick second, then he heads in another directions of the shop. However, when his eyes landed on his expensive items on the floor, he was dumbfounded.
Squatting down, he carefully picks each item up and check for any signs of damage. His expression frowning as he does so.
"Zhong Hui, that brat. How dare he do this to my precious?! Oh my precious..."
—————-
In another part of Imperial, far from Uncle Zhi's shop, two motorcycles raced through the silent street. Lin Hui and Qi Li parked their motorcycles in front of the street that soon lit up with crowds of people and lights glistening everywhere.
Qi Li removed his black glossy helmet and scanned for the members of Black Dragon they had followed. The area is overly crowded with people, except, these weren't just your regular people, these people were from different gangs in China that held a peace treaty together. Not only that, this area of Imperial was their turf, their clubs and bars for entertainment.
Reaching into the pocket of his suit jacket, Qi Li takes out a cigarette and light it up.
"What now?"
"What else?"
Lin Hui replies as he also removed his helmet. Lifting his hand, his finger stroke through his hair combing it back.
"There's only one place they can go here."
He had already did some research in advance about all of Black Dragon's hangout spots. From what he found out, every member of their's always come to a specific bar and club. Getting off his bike, he glance at Qi Li and sized the man. Putting his Bluetooth ear piece on, he gestured with his head.
"Let's go."
Both men stood at the same height as they walked through the crowded street. Neither one having a care of the murderous glares they were receiving upon arrival.
Lin Hui was like a bad boy, both his hands in the pockets of his motor jacket. He was calm and didn't have an ounce of care in his expression. His aura could have blended in with the crowd, but none had seen his face in the area before.
As for Qi Li, he was the opposite, he looked like an innocent boy lost in the area. His rimless glasses and features made the gang members want to bully him. Only thing giving him a different look was the cigarette in his hand. Yet, no one dare to make a move. Until....
"Yo, kids! Are ya lost or something?"
Stopping in their steps, both men turn to look at the person who spoke. Their expressions were still the usual indifferent and calm. The person who had spoke was a bulky man with a long cut stitch on one corner of his mouth to his ear.
He sneer and walks up to Lin Hui and Qi Li. Stopping in front of both men, he sized them up. He was a few inches taller so he looked down on them.
Looking at Qi Li, his sneer widen and it turned malicious. Taking a step forward, he stood one feet away.
"Look at you, coming to Retro thinking you're hardcore. What? You think by smoking a cigarette you are a badass?"
Seeing the bulky man was the first to step, all the other gang members move in pursuit. Each one grinning with excitement. The bulky man was one of the leaders here in Retro, so as his comrades, it's only natural for them to follow along.
Lin Hui tilt his head lazily to the side and looked at the bulky man. His lip pursed and he sighed.
"Qi Li, ignore the guy, we have more important things to do."
Finishing his words, Lin Hui takes a step forward. Watching him, Qi Li remained indifferent and follows his move. However, just when Lin Hui's figure passed the bulky man, Qi Li was blocked by a large figure.
"Do you know who's territory you're in?"
The bulky man spoke with a sinister grin while Qi Li stare with heavy eyes. He looks at Lin Hui and sighed inside. Maybe he should start changing the way he dresses. Why is it that he is always the first to be picked on?
From behind the bulky man, Lin Hui yawned and shook his head. He cross his arms over his chest and watch the show. Trouble always seems to love blocking their paths when they're in a hurry. However, it's fine too, since they have to wait for their boss. It's just a pity these hooligans thought Qi Li an easy target.
Seeing how Qi Li was not intimidated by his threats at all, blood boiled inside the bulky man. His lip press tightly together and without warning, he swings his fist aiming for the calm man's face. From the side, the other gang members laughed and sneer in excitement.
"This kid is going to die."
"No one ever survives his punch."
However.....
Before the bulky man's fist could touch Qi Li's face, a palm captures the fist.
"..."
Lin Hui yawned again while everyone's eyes shot open. No one could put the pieces together at all.
The bulky man's eyes widen in shock. He stare in disbelief at the kid in front of him. Their height and weight were a huge difference, yet...
Qi Li's left palm held the bulky man's fist like he was catching a fly. Blinking once at the man, his right arm swiftly swung and his fist landed on the man's face.
"Ughh!!"
The bulky man cried in pain and takes a few steps back, his hand pressing on the side of his mouth. Clenching it tightly, blood dripped through his closed fingers. His red eyes glaring at the man who just punched him. His long time wound is suddenly reopened by Qi Li's one punch. He clench his jaw tightly and adds more pressure to his cheek.
——-