Aftermath

Xiao Ning sat in silence, staring at his hands. For the first time in years, his body felt… different. The poison that had plagued him since childhood was gone, but with it, his martial arts powers had vanished as well.

He could feel the absence like a weight pressing down on him. The power he had relied on for so long, the strength that had made him the top assassin in the Army Ministry Intelligence, was now just a memory.

Hei Fen, his best friend and the Army doctor who had been by his side throughout the ordeal, entered the room, checking his vitals one last time.

“How are you feeling?” Hei Fen asked, his tone cautious.

Xiao Ning gave a small shrug, his gaze still fixed on his hands. “The poison is gone. But so are my powers.”

Hei Fen nodded, already expecting this outcome. “That’s to be expected. The antidote neutralized the poison, but it also removed the martial arts energy that had been compensating for it. Your body’s been through a lot, Xiao Ning. It’ll take time for you to regain your strength—at least five years of consistent training.”

Xiao Ning sighed, the weight of the situation settling on him. “Five years…”

Hei Fen placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “I know it sounds like a long time, but you’ve been through worse. Your body needs to heal, and once it does, you’ll be able to train and regain your power. But for now, you need to rest.”

“What about my work with the Army?” Xiao Ning asked, his voice laced with concern. Being the top assassin, Night Owl, had been his life for so long. The idea of stepping back felt foreign to him.

Hei Fen gave him a sympathetic look. “I’ve already spoken to General Wen. He understands the situation and has agreed to give you an extended leave. You’re not out of the Army—you’re just taking a break until you recover. This isn’t the end of Night Owl. It’s just a pause.”

Xiao Ning nodded, but the uncertainty lingered in his mind. He was grateful to be free from the poison, but the thought of being powerless, even temporarily, weighed heavily on him. Five years of training felt like a lifetime.

Later That Day: The Decision

That afternoon, Xiao Ning sat in his office at Ni Magic, staring at the documents spread out on his desk. His company was thriving, and for the first time in a long time, he had the chance to focus solely on it.

The decision to take a break from the Army had been difficult, but he knew it was the right choice. Without his powers, he couldn’t continue his duties as Night Owl. For now, his focus would be on his company—and on Bing Rong.

He picked up his phone and sent a quick message to her.

“Hey, I’ve been thinking… How about we take a break this weekend? Just the two of us.”

A few minutes later, her reply came.

“That sounds perfect. I’ve missed spending time with you.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He had spent so much time hiding his secrets from her, constantly worried about his double life. Now, for the first time, he could focus on their relationship without the weight of his secret identity looming over him.

A New Beginning

In the days that followed, Xiao Ning adjusted to his new routine. He officially took a leave from the Army Ministry Intelligence, informing General Wen that he would be focusing on his recovery and Ni Magic. The general had been understanding, reassuring Xiao Ning that his position would be waiting for him when he was ready to return.

At Ni Magic, Xiao Ning immersed himself in the business, taking over the day-to-day operations that he had previously delegated to his managers. The company was growing rapidly, and he found a renewed sense of purpose in building it even further.

But the most significant change was the time he now had with Bing Rong. Without the pressure of his secret life as Night Owl, he could finally be fully present with her. They spent their weekends together, going on quiet dates, taking long walks, and enjoying each other's company in a way they hadn't been able to before.

Bing Rong noticed the change in him, too. She didn’t know the full extent of what had happened, but she could tell that something had shifted in Xiao Ning. He was more relaxed, more open with her, and for the first time in their relationship, it felt like they were truly building something solid.

One evening, after a quiet dinner at a small restaurant, Bing Rong looked across the table at him, her expression soft.

“You’ve changed, Xiao Ning,” she said, her voice gentle. “You seem… lighter. Happier.”

Xiao Ning gave her a small smile, feeling the truth of her words. “I feel like I’m finally able to be myself. No more secrets. No more hiding.”

Bing Rong’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, but she didn’t press him for details. She had sensed that there was more to his story, but she trusted him enough to let him share when he was ready.

“I’m glad,” she said softly. “I’ve missed this side of you.”

Xiao Ning reached across the table, taking her hand in his. “I’ve missed it too. And I’m going to make up for all the time we lost.”

Looking Ahead

As the weeks passed, Xiao Ning settled into his new routine. His powers were gone, but he found peace in the quiet moments of his life. He spent his mornings at Ni Magic, overseeing projects and expanding the company’s reach, and his evenings with Bing Rong, slowly deepening their relationship.

He knew that regaining his martial arts skills would take time, but for the first time in years, Xiao Ning didn’t feel the pressure of having to be the strongest or the best. He was learning to enjoy life in a different way—a way that didn’t involve constant danger and secrecy.

But deep down, he knew that this peace wouldn’t last forever. Dong Fenro had been taken down, but there were always new threats lurking in the shadows. One day, his powers would return, and when that day came, he would be ready.

For now, though, he allowed himself to breathe, to rest, and to focus on the things that truly mattered.

And with Bing Rong by his side, Xiao Ning knew that he wasn’t alone in facing whatever challenges lay ahead.

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