Without a doubt, the Zhang Group was a formidable force, a top-tier combat talent wherever they were placed.
However, being personally targeted by Lucas, one of their members was struck in the chest by that beast-like ferocity in just a few moves, resulting in the sickening sound of ribs cracking.
If it weren't for the intention to leave him alive, that blow could have easily taken his life.
As for the three Gunmen who followed, after their wrists were incapacitated by Fein's thrown blades, they appeared even more pitiful. Their extreme specialization in training provided them with a significant advantage when wielding firearms, but it also meant that losing their weapons would drastically diminish their combat effectiveness.
Moreover, they were already injured from their shattered wrists.
The three elite members who followed swiftly subdued the three Gunmen with ease.
The situation on the battlefield was instantly reversed.
Although it seemed that the Hive Security Company acted seamlessly and crushed their opponents in an instant, if it weren't for Fein's precise blade work neutralizing the Gunmen's capabilities, they would have faced considerable trouble.
There were plenty of allies present in this confined space, and injuries were inevitable.
No matter how strong a human body might be, without protection, it could not withstand the power of firearms.
Yet this thrilling lightning strike appeared to be a stroke of luck; it was also an inevitable result of their combined strength.
“Tsk tsk, Charles must be feeling overwhelmed right now to still be focusing his attention here. Truly reckless,” Lucas said with a chilling smile after subduing several opponents and ensuring their injuries wouldn’t be fatal.
It seemed he had some prior dealings with that group from Italy due to certain missions.
Upon hearing Lucas's words, the three Gunmen on the ground, their faces clearly showing defiance, revealed a hint of surprise.
After exchanging glances for a moment, one of them hesitantly looked up and asked, "Do you know the president?"
"Haha, I suppose so. But the atmosphere during our last meeting certainly didn't feel like that of friends. Heh, it was when you lost that shipment in Tunisia," Lucas generously explained, a mocking expression crossing his face.
At the same time, Fein casually explained to Yang Xiaoyou that the Italian Mafia had been passively drawn into the civil war in Tunisia due to previous business dealings.
In stark contrast to the Hive Security Company, which was fully prepared and sharpening its knives for a feast, they had not sensed any impending danger. The earlier disturbances were dismissed as insignificant ripples.
This sudden outbreak dealt a devastating blow to their entire industrial chain in Tunisia. As one of the parties poised to profit from the chaos, Hive Security Company played an important role in this turmoil.
However, it was evident that their president might have been trying to mask his own embarrassment, as there seemed to be little concern on his part. The three Gunmen who received this information now wore expressions of shock and horror.
It was precisely because of the collapse of the industrial chain in Tunisia that the unrest made it difficult for them to enter without preparation, prompting an urgent need to find new markets.
Otherwise, even if opportunities were rare, they would not abandon their original 'comfortable' lives and risk venturing into this mysterious land!
But now, whether it was lingering resentment or not, they had unexpectedly run into this gang that had caused them significant losses in Tunisia.
Upon realizing they were facing old enemies, the three Gunmen understood that there would be no easy resolution. The one who spoke glared with malice and shouted with a face full of hatred,
"It’s you! Do you think two ambushes will secure your victory over us? Now that you’re here, you will definitely die! Definitely! Pfft!"
Since sweet words and soft approaches couldn't lead to a better outcome, the frustration erupted without hesitation, serving as a release for Heart's pent-up anger.
However, before the words could fully leave his mouth, Lucas lightly slapped the back of the opponent's head, causing their face to make intimate contact with the ground. A few teeth flew out, their nose was crooked, and blood covered their face, making them look quite tragic.
The others from Beside, who were ready to shout insults, immediately shrank back.
At that moment, Zhang Team Leader, who had been subdued, wore a grim expression. He hadn't expected the opponent to be so powerful!
They had managed to subdue his side without even revealing any controlled weapons. In this situation, they truly had no confidence in handing things over to the police!
Given the previous encounters between the two schools, it would definitely be handled severely. There would be no room for sentiment; once a label was attached, it would be over.
“Liu Team Leader! Our confrontation was also for the sake of the organization. You should understand that if I am sent over there, it will certainly put Leader's arrangements at a disadvantage! We must prioritize the bigger picture!” Knowing that negotiations with Same Beehive were futile, Zhang Group immediately adopted a righteous and sorrowful demeanor as he spoke to Liu Lianyue.
He made no mention of how his own actions might lead to negative consequences; he completely obscured the origin of the situation and spoke only of acting for the greater good.
If this had been the old Liu Lianyue, being pressured under the banner of righteousness might have led her to compromise.
However,
“Better a short pain than a long one. For a malignant tumor, it's better to undergo surgery early—even if it brings pain—than to let it spread and become fatal. This is your personal arrangement, and I believe Leader would make the same choice.” A hint of determination appeared on Liu Lianyue's face.
This surprised Yang Xiaoyou from Beside. After all she had been through, it seemed she had matured significantly in such an environment; ideals and reality were ultimately very different.
"You can't do this! How could you do this! I'm telling you! The Italians have all arrived in the country! They definitely won't leave empty-handed! Since you're not cooperating with our faction and you've even brought in this kind of support, it's very likely you'll go directly to headquarters for negotiations! What you're doing will lead us into an irretrievable situation!" The Zhang Group's representative showed a fierce expression, using both threats and righteousness in his words.
"Well, if we add some conditions, we can help drive them out first." At this moment, Yang Xiaoyou from Beside seized the opportunity to start making a pitch.
Hearing that there would be additional conditions, Liu Lianyue shot him an annoyed glance. However, since the other party had offered a promise that could be accepted, it served as a reassurance; it was indeed true that their side had made a mistake this time.
"Haha, good, good! You actually prefer to trust an outsider! Very well! Since you are ungrateful, don't blame me for being ruthless! When the time comes, I will expose everything and make sure you can't escape!" Seeing that his previous threats had no effect, the Zhang Group's representative laughed instead of getting angry.
"It's normal to accidentally hurt someone when facing armed criminals; losing a couple of lives is nothing." In response to such words, Yang Xiaoyou began to mutter some nonsensical phrases.
This made the Zhang Group's representative feel a chill run down his spine. He quickly interjected, "Wait a minute! I just meant—"
But before he could finish, Liu Lianyue had already placed her delicate hands around his neck. With a snap, his head twisted unnaturally to the side, his eyes wide open in a death stare.
At the same time, she murmured to the corpse, "He has gone through the initiation ceremony too; he's much more reliable than you."
This decisive action drew the attention of everyone nearby.
A seemingly delicate beauty had coldly eliminated her former colleague without any hesitation, creating a strong visual impact.
Among the original four people, one was severely injured while another had become a cold corpse. This living example before them made the remaining gunman obedient.
Not resisting might offer a slim chance of survival; resisting would almost certainly lead to death. Why bother?
Yang Xiaoyou from Beside couldn't help but feel something was off. Liu Lianyue seemed to be in an unusual mental state; perhaps she was under too much pressure lately.
"I think we should find a place to talk after the questioning is over. It's not good to keep some things bottled up inside. Honestly, I don't think you're suited for this job. Really, no one is forcing you from behind; don't put so much pressure on yourself. Your mother wouldn't want you to be like this," Yang Xiaoyou said softly, still holding Liu Lianyue's shoulder after her lips moved.
Having known each other for so long, Liu Lianyue was the first friend Yang Xiaoyou had made since gaining his memories, someone who had no prior connection to him.
There might be conflicts in personality and ideology, but her selfless help on several occasions had indeed made Yang Xiaoyou feel the warmth of friendship. He didn't want Liu Lianyue to continue down this path forever.
However, everyone has their own ideals, and all he could do was occasionally offer guidance and advice.
Having just killed a former colleague with his own hands, Liu Lianyue was feeling somewhat low. Upon hearing Yang Xiaoyou's words, she forced a smile and replied, "You don't need to worry about me; I'm fine."
At that moment, Yang Xiaoyou noticed a glimmer of determination in her eyes. This older sister's obsession was still too strong! While it could provide her with immense motivation, it also served as a kind of restraint.
In the world of martial arts, one is often bound by circumstances. Each person is a cog in the machinery of history, moving forward either passively or actively. Wasn't he also in the same situation now?
Now, he had strayed far from his original intentions. He had wanted to carve out a stable space for himself and those close to him.
Yet as he became increasingly entangled with other Aspects, there were many times when he felt he had lost control over his own life.
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