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Ming Junwei drew his gun and loaded the bullets, exchanging a few simple words with Liu Yan before each taking three people and spreading out to enter the floor. The lighting inside was dim, and the smell of gunpowder mixed with smoke was pungent. Liu Yan leaned against the cold wall and signaled to the Young Man beside him. The Young Men understood immediately, pointing their guns forward as they rushed into an unfinished room, checking around before coming back to shake their heads at Liu Yan.
Suddenly, a series of gunshots erupted from the other side. Liu Yan's expression changed, and he hurriedly led his team over. As they rushed into the passage, they saw Ming Junwei crouched beside a corpse, searching for something. Liu Yan glanced over and saw another Field Duty, similarly stabbed in the chest with a serrated blade—this was not a gunshot wound.
Ming Junwei noticed the confusion in Liu Yan's eyes and tilted his head slightly. Liu Yan turned to look and couldn't help but chuckle. Ming Junwei had not shot a Field Duty but rather a Zombie that resembled the "band" downstairs. "You guys are impressive," Ming Junwei said, rubbing his stubble. "Two down below, two up top—all killed with knives."
"There should be four more," Liu Yan replied. Just then, the gunfire on the floor ceased, and both Ming Junwei and Liu Yan frowned, hearing hurried footsteps approaching them. The soldiers' expressions tightened as they quickly raised their guns. Ming Junwei gestured for them to step back to avoid friendly fire, signaling everyone to lower their weapons slightly.
The layout of the floor was strange; typical residential buildings had only one corridor with rooms on either side, but this corridor twisted around in a loop. To see the shape of the residences, one had to enter through doorways on all sides; it was spacious and had a maze-like quality with many turns.
Ming Junwei and Liu Yan retreated into adjacent compartments, their eyes fixed on the corner as they awaited the owner of the footsteps to appear. The running sounded frantic at first, seemingly from just one person, but as it neared the corner, it became chaotic. Ming Junwei slowly raised his gun, wanting to call out but fearing it would alert their target; he held his breath instead.
In just a few breaths, a figure flashed around the corner—a burly Foreigner clutching his neck as he ran in, blood pouring from his wound and staining his dusty combat uniform. The few people lying in wait were momentarily stunned; before they could fire, another figure darted around the corner at high speed. This newcomer made a sharp turn without slowing down and threw something that struck the fleeing Field Duty in the back—unfortunately, it lacked force. The Foreigner let out a pained cry but stumbled forward without pausing to remove the blade embedded in his back.
Liu Yan froze upon recognizing who was chasing after him—it was that Fake Taoist. Covered in blood and wearing a Daoist robe, he leaned against the wall to catch his breath and shouted loudly, "He's gone!"
Ming Junwei and Liu Yan exchanged glances across the corridor before quickly turning their attention back to the fleeing Foreigner, who had just rounded another corner but froze there for a moment. A bloody blade protruded from his body; he twisted slightly before it was pulled out completely, causing him to collapse onto his back as a slender figure stepped out.
Liu Yan smirked slightly at Ming Junwei and mouthed, "Our person."
"Hey!" A sudden shout rang out, startling several people who were peeking from across the corridor. They quickly turned their guns toward the sound only to see Song Jiu jumping out from behind Liu Yan's room. He shook off blood from his serrated blade and looked at Liu Yan with an odd expression before jokingly scolding him: "What are you doing? Holding your gun but not helping? Just sitting there like you're laying eggs?"
Ming Junwei's face flushed with embarrassment at being called out for "laying eggs," and he cleared his throat twice before stepping out to greet everyone. Song Jiu felt awkward too; he hadn't expected anyone else would be there. He chuckled nervously and tried to brush off what he had just said.
"Hey? Did you guys finish up over there?" Song Jiu asked while patting Liu Yan on the shoulder.
"Yeah, we didn't get into a fight," Liu Yan replied with a shrug as he briefly recounted what had happened on the rooftop earlier while pointing at Ming Junwei. "We came here for support."
Ming Junwei wore an ambiguous smile as he glanced at the dead Foreigner and asked casually, "Did you guys handle it too?"
"There's still one left; my sister went after him," Song Jiu said offhandedly, causing both Ming Junwei and Liu Yan to pause in surprise.
Ming Junwei's expression shifted as he cautiously asked, "Your sister?"
"Yeah," Song Jiu turned away but then remembered that these two knew nothing about it. He grinned widely at Ming Junwei and teased, "You wouldn't happen to be my brother-in-law, would you?"
Ming Junwei's face stiffened awkwardly as he forced a smile and replied, "Nope; I'm just a friend of your sister."
"Aren't you the leader of Roundabout?" Song Jiu wiped sweat from his brow while beckoning everyone to follow him as they walked along. "What does your brother-in-law do? Sounds pretty important if you're involved."
Just then—bang!—another gunshot echoed through the corridor. Moments later, Song Yao came running up with her gun drawn. Seeing everyone together brought a smile to her face as she approached Ming Junwei for a high-five before affectionately pulling Song Jiu close for an introduction: "You guys have met already?"
"Yes," Ming Junwei smiled gently as he reached out to ruffle Song Yao's hair playfully. "Siblings reunited; we should celebrate tonight."
Song Yao made a face and spat playfully before scolding him: "All you think about is drinking! By the way, I heard you're trying to chase my brother away!"
Luo Yu and Liu Yan exchanged glances filled with amusement as they shrugged helplessly.
"Qixi! Come down!" Ming Junwei called into his walkie-talkie for Luci who was still up on the rooftop enjoying some fresh air while laughing: "Of course not! Your brother is my brother too; who dares kick him out? I'd be first against that!"
As Ming Junwei bantered with Song Yao, Song Jiu felt somewhat awkward—like being dragged along by parents while they chatted away—standing aside like an outsider.
"Ahem." Song Jiu cleared his throat awkwardly and sighed: "This is what it's like being a younger brother; always feeling like you're beneath everyone else."
As dusk settled over the horizon behind West Mountain, four vehicles lined up outside Bright Phase II before slowly making their way toward Roundabout. Two SUVs were registered under Song Jiu’s name while Luo Yu and Old Lin drove one each behind Ming Junwei’s Fire Truck. They paused briefly at Intersection to pick up Xiao Wei who had been walking above ground since entering Old Lin’s Jinghui Temple two days ago—an exhausting journey filled with Luzhan.
Now seated in their returning vehicles allowed everyone to finally relax; fatigue washed over them like waves as snores began echoing throughout the cabin.
When night fell completely, all four vehicles finally arrived at Roundabout where they opened iron gates leading inside only to find bright lights illuminating outside of bars filled with chatter.
Ming Junwei’s group exchanged puzzled glances filled with surprise before stealthily parking behind Greenhouse while peeking curiously ahead.
A crowd gathered outside of bars comprised of women who remained behind at Roundabout—currently animatedly shouting something while onlookers cheered them on from below balconies above where a young beautiful girl stood raising her arms high in excitement.
Delicate Hands waved dramatically causing those below her to part into two lines revealing a Young Man lying on a stretcher holding onto a snake-skin bag from which he pulled out gleaming Steel Saw Blades one by one distributing them among blushing women below.
"This... what is happening?" Ming Junwei stared dumbfounded alongside Song Yao and Luci who exchanged glances before turning towards Song Jiu for answers.
Song Jiu blushed deeply watching Xin Mengfan directing everyone below unable to find words initially until Luo Yu sighed heavily taking charge by pushing through curious spectators calling out loudly: “Dream Fan!”
The girl on stage froze momentarily letting out an excited gasp before her cheeks flushed crimson as she hurriedly descended towards Luo Yu.
"You guys are back?" Dream Fan exclaimed rushing towards Luo Yu only to notice Ming Junwei and Song Jiu standing in shadowy corners observing her curiously.
"What are you doing...?" Luo Yu couldn’t help but chuckle seeing her flustered demeanor teasingly asking: “Is this how things go when there’s no tiger in sight? Dream Fan has taken charge?”
“Not at all!” Dream Fan protested hurriedly explaining: “I just wanted to help you guys since I had nothing else going on…”
“Where’s Sister Jia?” Song Jiu interjected quickly scanning through crowds looking for Chef Jia or Effie but finding neither.
“Sister Jia went cooking saying she wanted to prepare you guys a victory feast,” Dream Fan quickly sold Chef Jia out feeling embarrassed enough that beads of sweat formed on her nose whispering: “Jiu Jiu please say something nice for me.”
Just then Ming Junwei burst into laughter breaking character after observing everything unfold beside him prompting others including Song Yao also chuckling heartily waving away curious Militia members while leading Song Jiu’s group into bars together.
“Yao Yao! Your brother isn’t bad; all his men are impressive too,” Ming Junwei cackled gleefully rummaging behind bar counters pulling out bottles of alcohol eyeing those still standing dumbfounded demanding: “Move tables!”
Feeling somewhat embarrassed still Song Jiu followed closely behind Dream Fan blushing furiously trying stammering: “Um… she…”
“Go go go! Move chairs!” Ming Junwei interrupted not allowing any chance for explanation holding onto cigarettes between lips rushing outside yelling back towards Song Jiu: “Little bro! Tell your chef we need some snacks!”
Luci followed suit laughing alongside others leaving behind only bewildered expressions worn by Song Jiu’s group remaining silent amidst chaos unfolding around them.
Song Yao casually approached wearing smiles still holding onto both Luo Yu’s hands along with Dream Fan tugging gently urging towards Song Jiu & Liu Yan tilting heads slightly: “Stop standing there like fools; let’s clean up preparing dinner.”
“Sis…”
“Stop dawdling! We’ll talk later during dinner,” Song Yao smiled brightly pulling along two new “sisters” outside calling loudly towards empty stretcher parked nearby: “Someone come help carry our injured back!”
“Brother Jiu! I want some drinks too!” Jiao Ziqian quickly chimed in seeking attention looking towards Song Yao pleadingly: “Brother Jiu is my brother so if you’re Brother Jiu’s sister then you’re also mine! Good sister please let me bask under moonlight too?”
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