Righteous...

Chapter 3: Confrontations in the Dark

In the alley, the sounds of struggle echoed through the night. A group of men stood in the shadows, facing off against a man dressed in a flowing white cloak. His movements were sharp, swift, and brutal as he fought off each attacker with precision. Yet, despite his skill, it was clear that something was wrong. His body seemed to sway under the weight of some invisible force, and he stumbled as if trying to regain his balance.

"Boss, this one’s not normal," one of the men muttered, his voice filled with unease. "We need to be careful."

The cloaked man seemed unaware of his surroundings, his eyes locked on his opponents as his hands moved like lightning, but then, as if sensing something, he suddenly faltered, his expression twisted in confusion and discomfort.

A wave of heavy, almost tangible energy rippled through the alley. The cloaked man paused, his senses on edge. He shouted, his voice filled with a growing sense of alarm, "Who’s there? Show yourself!"

The group froze, looking around in confusion. They hadn't felt anything, but the cloaked man was clearly reacting to something unseen. Their boss gestured for them to stay back, his face a mask of uncertainty.

"Don't worry, I'm just here to say hello to the righteous son of a righteous Elder," a voice rang out from the shadows, mocking yet calm. "How’s everything been, Venerated Fang Rushi?"

The man who had been fighting with the others—Fang Rushi—turned his head in the direction of the voice, his eyes narrowing as the figure materialized from the shadows. It was a woman, dressed in a dark floral hooded cape, her presence both commanding and enigmatic. As she stepped into the dim light, the men around her stiffened, their senses on high alert. The energy around her was palpable, shifting the very air in the alley.

Fang Rushi, a man whose reputation for cruelty was known far and wide, seemed unnerved for the first time. "How do you know me?" he asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and growing hostility. "And what's with that outfit? Trying to be mysterious? Bah! Identify yourself, now!"

An Hua tilted her head slightly, a smile tugging at her lips. "Sad to say, you’ve forgotten me, huh? After all, it was my father who saved your life that year," she said, her voice tinged with mock sadness. "I suppose my father’s goodwill wasn’t enough for you to remember his only daughter."

Fang Rushi’s eyes widened in shock, his face draining of color. He took a step back, his voice cracking as he stammered, "You… Ling Hua?! How can you be here? Didn’t you and your mother die together? I saw it... no, it can’t be her, she’s—"

Before he could finish, An Hua materialized a flower in her palm. The petals, sharp as blades, glistened with an eerie light before she thrust them forward, the flower darting through the air and striking Fang Rushi squarely in the chest. The man let out a sharp gasp, coughing up blood, though he didn’t fall. He was badly injured but still alive.

An Hua stared at him with cold eyes, her body tensing as her instincts urged her to finish him off. But then, she hesitated, her thoughts drifting back to the other men standing in the alley, watching her. They were not her targets, and despite her personal hatred for Fang Rushi, she reminded herself that she couldn’t lose control like this. Not in front of these people.

Sighing, she dropped her hand, the flower vanishing into thin air as she turned away from Fang Rushi. But as she did, her mind raced. Why do I lose myself so easily when it comes to them? she thought, the memories of that dark time rising in her chest. I need to remain focused.

Before she could continue, she felt the presence of another man, someone who seemed to command the attention of the others. Turning toward him, she saw him standing there—a figure in a dark blue shirt and black pants, his presence undeniable. The way he carried himself suggested authority and power, and yet, there was something distinctly calming about him.

"Don’t worry," his voice was low, but steady. "They’re with me. You don’t need to erase their memories. They can be trusted, and you can trust me as well."

An Hua’s heart skipped a beat. She knew exactly who he was. It was Wang Qiang, the man who had helped her five years ago after the incident. He had been instrumental in helping her stay hidden, keeping a low profile as she tried to rebuild her life. She admired him, not just for his skills, but for the quiet strength he exuded.

She gave him a small, grateful smile as she made her way toward him. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone almost teasing. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your fight. I just couldn’t stand by and let things get out of hand."

Wang Qiang gave her a reassuring look, one that seemed to soften the tension in the air. "It’s alright," he replied. "You actually saved us. We didn’t know Fang Rushi was connected to them, and your presence has stopped a potential disaster. What about you? Are you okay?"

The two stood there for a moment, speaking in quiet tones, before a voice interrupted them from behind.

"Hey! Hey! How come you’re not introducing us, huh?" A man walked up to them with a playful grin on his face. He was tall and lanky, his eyes filled with curiosity. "I’m Jiameng, by the way. Wang Qiang’s cousin. Nice to meet you!"

An Hua couldn’t help but chuckle at his forwardness. "Nice to meet you too," she replied, her smile genuine.

Wang Qiang gave a slight shake of his head. "Jiameng, not now. Let’s get moving."

With that, he turned back to his men, giving them orders to transport Fang Rushi to their base. Then, he opened the car door for An Hua. "Let me give you a lift. It's late, and I know you can handle it yourself, but I'd feel better knowing you’re safe."

An Hua hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Alright, but only because I’m curious about why you're hunting Fang Rushi down."

As she climbed into the car, the night seemed to settle around them. The other men, including Jiameng, took Fang Rushi and drove off, their purpose clear. Wang Qiang’s vehicle pulled away soon after, and the weight of the day seemed to lighten as they drove into the night.

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