The Operation

The tension in Xiao Ning’s chest had been building for days, ever since Dong Fenro’s blackmail message. But now, with the full support of the Army Ministry Intelligence, the time had come to take action. He was done playing defense. Tonight, he was going to end this.

As dusk fell over the city, Xiao Ning stood in the shadows of an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town, waiting for the operation to begin. He wore his Night Owl gear—a dark, sleek uniform designed for stealth and combat—hidden from view as he blended into the surroundings. His sharp eyes scanned the area, alert to every detail.

His earpiece crackled to life with the voice of his commander, General Wen.

“Night Owl, are you in position?”

Xiao Ning pressed a finger to his earpiece. “In position. The target’s location has been confirmed. I’m ready to move.”

General Wen’s voice was calm but commanding. “Proceed with caution. We’ve got your back, but this is a delicate operation. We need the antidote and we need to ensure that Dong Fenro doesn’t get away. No one can know about this operation—not even the police. Understood?”

“Understood,” Xiao Ning replied, his voice low and steady.

The plan was simple: infiltrate Dong Fenro’s hideout, retrieve the antidote, and ensure that the villain could no longer use the poison against him—or anyone else. The Army Ministry Intelligence had been tracking Dong Fenro’s movements for days, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Now, with all the pieces in place, it was time to make their move.

Inside the Hideout

Xiao Ning moved silently through the shadows, his every step calculated and precise. His senses were heightened, the effects of the poison weakening under the cover of night. This was his time, his domain, and nothing would stop him from completing his mission.

As he neared the entrance to the hideout, two armed guards stood watch. With a swift, silent movement, Xiao Ning incapacitated them both, leaving no trace of his presence. He slipped inside the building, his eyes adjusting quickly to the dim light.

The hideout was filled with crates and equipment, all part of Dong Fenro’s criminal empire. Xiao Ning’s gaze narrowed as he spotted a large metal case on a table in the center of the room. His instincts told him that the antidote was inside.

But he knew better than to let his guard down. Dong Fenro wasn’t the type to leave something so important unguarded.

As he approached the table, Xiao Ning heard the faintest sound—a creak of floorboards behind him. In an instant, he spun around, his reflexes sharp as ever. Dong Fenro stood there, a twisted smile on his face, surrounded by a handful of his most loyal men.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the infamous Night Owl,” Dong Fenro sneered, his voice dripping with malice. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”

Xiao Ning’s expression remained unreadable as he stood his ground. “You have something that belongs to me.”

Dong Fenro chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with cruelty. “Oh, you mean this?” He gestured toward the metal case. “The antidote to that little problem of yours. It’s quite the prize, isn’t it? And all you had to do was give up your company. But here you are, trying to take it by force instead.”

Xiao Ning’s muscles tensed, but he remained calm. “You never planned to honor your deal. You just wanted control.”

Dong Fenro’s smile widened. “Of course. Power is what I’m after. Your company was just the beginning.”

Before Dong Fenro could say another word, Xiao Ning acted. In a blur of movement, he launched himself toward the villain’s men, taking them down with a flurry of precise strikes. His martial arts skills were unparalleled, and within seconds, the guards lay unconscious on the floor.

Dong Fenro’s eyes widened in shock. He had underestimated Night Owl’s abilities.

Xiao Ning advanced toward Dong Fenro, his voice low and dangerous. “The antidote. Now.”

Fear flickered across Dong Fenro’s face, but he tried to maintain his composure. “You think you can just take it from me? You’re nothing but a—”

Before Dong Fenro could finish, a sharp whistle filled the air, followed by a sudden burst of activity. A team of Army Ministry Intelligence operatives descended upon the room, surrounding Dong Fenro in an instant. General Wen stepped forward, his presence commanding.

“Game over, Fenro,” the general said coldly. “You’re coming with us.”

Dong Fenro looked around wildly, realizing too late that he had been outmaneuvered. The Army had been watching him the whole time, tracking his every move. He had no escape.

Xiao Ning retrieved the metal case from the table, opening it to reveal the antidote.....a small vial of liquid that shimmered in the dim light. Relief flooded through him as he held the vial in his hands.

General Wen approached him, nodding in approval. “Good work, Night Owl. We’ll make sure Dong Fenro faces justice for his crimes. And as for the antidote, our medical team will make sure it’s safe for you to take.”

Xiao Ning gave a small nod, his expression stoic but relieved. “Thank you, General. This ends tonight.”

Back at Headquarters

Later that night, Xiao Ning sat in a private medical room at Army headquarters, the antidote vial placed carefully in front of him. Hei Fen, his best friend and trusted doctor, stood by his side, monitoring his condition.

“This is it,” Hei Fen said quietly, glancing at Xiao Ning. “Once you take this, the poison that’s been weakening you all these years will finally be gone.”

Xiao Ning stared at the vial for a long moment. The thought of finally being free from the poison, of no longer having to hide his true strength during the day, filled him with a sense of hope he hadn’t felt in years.

He picked up the vial and, with a deep breath, drank the antidote.

The effects were immediate. A warmth spread through his body, erasing the lingering effects of the poison that had plagued him since childhood. For the first time in years, Xiao Ning felt whole.

Hei Fen smiled, patting his shoulder. “You’re free now. Dong Fenro’s hold on you is over.”

Xiao Ning exhaled, feeling lighter than he had in a long time. But as much as this victory meant to him, he knew that his journey wasn’t over. Dong Fenro was in custody, but his schemes weren’t fully unraveled yet. And Xiao Ning still had secrets....secrets he had yet to share with Bing Rong.

The Days Ahead

Over the next few days, Xiao Ning maintained his usual routines, carefully balancing his work at Ni Magic, his Army duties, and his growing relationship with Bing Rong. The antidote had worked perfectly, and for the first time in his life, he didn’t have to worry about losing his powers during the day.

But even though the poison was gone, Xiao Ning knew that his biggest challenge was still ahead. He had kept so much from Bing Rong, and sooner or later, the full truth would have to come out. And when that day came, he could only hope that their relationship would survive.

For now, though, he allowed himself to enjoy the small victories. Dong Fenro was no longer a threat, and his identity as Night Owl remained safe. But the path ahead was still uncertain.

And Xiao Ning was ready for whatever came next.

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