How could there be a bomb in such an inconspicuous bar in the middle of the city? That’s also what He Juan wanted to know. Feeling an oncoming headache, he wanted to knead his temple only to hiss in pain once he lifted his arm.

Jia Molei instantly exploded in anger when he saw this. "Did you even listen to me? I told you to cease any movement as much as possible. Right now, your right arm is fractured, three of your ribs are broken, your head is concussed and your body is literally covered in bruises all over. It’s a miracle for you to wake up so fast, you know!" Even though he said that, he still stepped forward to check He Juan’s arm, making sure that he had not aggravated the injury.

He Juan had read somewhere before that no matter how powerful you are, you should still fear your doctor, simply because they were the ones who could bring you back to life in critical moments.

Perhaps that was why Jia Molei could thrive in the underworld by running this underground clinic. Despite not being a part of any organization, people seldom dared to offend Jia Molei because of his superb medical skills.

In the underworld, being injured was a grave trouble. Such news had to be kept under tight lid because you wouldn’t know who would seize the advantage to bring you down once and for all.

Staying in public hospitals was not an option either. It was the most risky place to be in, especially when one’s condition was worse for wear. Anyone could sneak in and disguise themselves as a doctor or nurse to kill you within a heartbeat – without even leaving a trace. In the end, you wouldn’t even know how you died and who had done it.

That’s why He Juan really appreciated Chen Youzhi’s quick thinking of transferring him and the others out of hospital before their enemies could catch wind of the news. Because once they did, He Juan’s life could be considered over. The number of enemies he had amassed for the past few years could make a line around the Earth twice and they would not hesitate to take him out once they discovered a chink in his armor.

He Juan was no stranger to this place. He had visited this mansion-slash-clinic a couple times before, both for himself and also to visit others. But so far, he had not seen anyone in charge other than Jia Molei.

It made him wonder sometimes. With the level of skill Jia Molei had, it would not be hard for him to land a secure position in renowned hospitals. Hell, he could even become a chief surgeon if he wanted to. But no, he chose to remain under radar and perform illegal surgeries for people in the underworld, bearing the risk of being dragged into muddy waters every single second of the day.

But no matter how curious He Juan was, he and the doctor were not close enough to discuss something like this.

Jia Molei must have his own reasons for doing so.

Resigning to his fate, He Juan closed his eyes and mumbled, knowing that he was in the wrong this time. "Sorry, I won’t walk around anymore. Also, if... if there is any news about Ma Ping’s condition, can you please inform me?"

"Sure," Jia Molei nodded. He sensed the subtle atmosphere in the air and promptly excused himself, "I will check on Huang Zhiyan and Mo Feng. Call me if you need anything."

He Juan nodded and offered his thanks, and it was not until Jia Molei left and closed the door behind him that he turned toward Chen Youzhi, his expression somber. "Someone has killed Blue Lotus’ men, at least... two people. One of them is an unregistered superior Alpha."

He Juan recalled the corpse in the bathroom stall with a bullet hole on his forehead and the appearance of the men in the private room who died with blood and brain matter oozing out of their five orifices. The modus operandi was too different; there was no way it was one person’s work.

Chen Youzhi’s brows twitched. "An unregistered superior Alpha?"

He Juan heaved a sigh. Until now, he still got shivers down his spine when he recalled the oppressive pheromones. "It’s nothing like I have ever sensed before, Chen’er. And lastly, the bomb was there to clean up the scene. Now we can’t even investigate it anymore because all of the evidence has already been destroyed along with the explosion." His lips curved into a mockery sneer.

Chen Youzhi rubbed his chin in contemplation. "So, does it mean that someone – no, it may be a group of people – are out for Blue Lotus and his men, and we are being implicated because we were there at the wrong place and time?"

He Juan furrowed his brows. "Keep in mind that Blue Lotus is missing. He was not there when we broke in."

"How?" Chen Youzhi was startled. "We have been monitoring the front and back door. There is no way he can disappear just like that!"

"Still as naïve as ever, XIU."

He Juan and Chen Youzhi’s head snapped to the door only to find a tall and lanky figure leaning against the doorframe since God knows when, his lips curving into a devil-may-care smile. Seeing that the two men had noticed him, the man strolled into the room with a fruit basket in his hand, which he placed on the foot of the bed. "Sorry for being late. I can’t possibly come empty-handed, can I?"

Chen Youzhi stood up and subtly covered He Juan from the man’s line of sight, his gaze wary and alert. One of his hands already slipped into his pocket to hold his gun, ready if the other man were to make a sudden movement.

However, He Juan was still as composed as ever. "Manipulator," he greeted the other man with a placid smile. "Thank you for coming to visit me. It’s kind of you to bring a gift."

"Aiyah, don’t be so polite." Ku Jin unceremoniously dragged the chair Chen Youzhi had been sitting on to himself and plopped down on it, acting as if he did not notice Chen Youzhi’s hostility at all. "I was planning to come here anyway before I heard the news of your... misfortune." His grin widened when he said the last word, causing the corner of He Juan’s left eye to twitch.

To be completely honest, He Juan had never liked interacting with the Manipulator, despite them being in the same organization. He had no idea why, but the man gave him a nasty feeling. Perhaps it was his cruel method of handling things, perhaps it was the fact that he had not even seen this person’s real face before, or perhaps it was those dark and bottomless eyes that gave off the impression as if no light could be reflected within.

In short, he’d prefer not to breathe in the same air with this person if it was possible.

He was well aware that Ku Jin was not the kind of person who could care about an injured member, so the fact that he was here, with a fruit basket at that, was extremely weird. No wonder Chen Youzhi was on his full alert.

"Do you have something to say?" he asked politely.

Ku Jin blinked. "Ah, what are we talking about again? That’s right! You haven’t changed at all, XIU. Still so naïve and trusting," he let out a smooth and deep laugh, but still unpleasant nonetheless. "Do you think it’s a total coincidence that the bomb detonated once you guys were there?"

"What do you mean by that?" Chen Youzhi demanded in agitation. "Are you saying that... it’s a trap?!"

"Shut up." Ku Jin’s smile instantly vanished as he fixed Chen Youzhi with a flat dark stare. "You have no right to talk to me, weakling."

As soon as his words settled in the air, the atmosphere turned still.