This all happened in a flash. With a desperate gamble, Wei Anguo pressed the button and rushed behind the bookshelf.
The bookshelf activated its switch, emitting a rumbling sound. Dust cascaded down, and a narrow passage opened behind it.
The moment Kai looked up, Wei Anguo had already slipped into the passage like an eel, and the bookshelf was about to return to its original position.
A few throwing knives flashed from between his fingers, glinting ominously. Kai’s brow furrowed as he flung them towards the passage.
The sound of blades sinking into flesh was clear, followed by Wei Anguo’s screams echoing through the passage.
"Damn it!"
Kai quickly drew the silenced pistol from his waist and fired a volley into the dark path. The bookshelf had already rotated back.
The passage vanished as silently as it appeared, taking Wei Anguo with it. The study was eerily quiet, as if no one had been there.
Kai holstered his weapon, his expression grave. He returned to the safe, knelt on one knee, and quickly scanned the documents.
They were all old matters, a pile of useless paper. There was no evidence, just as Wei Anguo had claimed.
He had sensed Wei Anguo’s deception earlier but agreed to come up as a precaution.
He hadn’t expected such a cowardly and self-serving man to play such a trick on him!
"I must have them come up."
A killing intent emanated from Kai. He surveyed the study with a cold gaze and reached for the doorknob. It didn't budge.
"I don't let anyone into my study. Only my fingerprint can unlock it."
Wei Anguo's words echoed in Kai's mind. Realizing this, he suddenly gripped the doorknob tightly.
Even an ant would have its tricks.
Kai lowered his head expressionlessly, looking at the red characters displayed on the lock: Fingerprint Error. With a sneer, he aimed his pistol at the lock and took a step back.
After a few flashes, the lock was completely destroyed. Kai emerged from the room, and the five men outside heard the commotion, converging at the doorway.
"Boss, we heard something heavy moving in the room just now." Xiao Mu looked at Kai and then peered eagerly inside.
"There's a secret passage in the study. Wei Anguo escaped. He was hit by my knife and, without timely medical attention, he's doomed to die."
Kai described the recent events with casual indifference. He checked his empty pockets where several throwing knives had been.
The five men were stunned by Kai’s words. They couldn't believe someone had escaped from under Kai’s nose.
After all, Kai had a one hundred percent mission completion rate on the list, never leaving survivors. Anyone who tried to escape was mercilessly eliminated.
Yet now, a middle-aged man with no martial prowess had escaped from Kai…
"Boss, Wei Anguo was hit by your knife; he certainly won't see tomorrow’s sun. Shall we withdraw now?" Xiao Huo tentatively asked Kai’s opinion, proposing.
Kai shook his head, rejecting Xiao Huo’s suggestion. The lady’s mission had to be foolproof. Even if Wei Anguo’s chances of survival were only ten percent, he would see it through to the end.
"Xiao Jin, investigate where the passage leads. Xiao Mu and Xiao Shui, go to the vicinity to intercept. Xiao Huo and Xiao Tu, stay here and clean up the Wei family, leaving no trace of our presence."
The men quickly acknowledged and went to execute their orders.
Xiao Jin approached the bookshelf, and Xiao Mu stayed with him. Xiao Shui followed the general direction, tracking where Wei Anguo might appear.
"The button is here. Truly shoddy craftsmanship."
This was his specialty. Xiao Jin easily found the button for the passage, which opened with a click. Blood dripped onto the floor, winding its way inside.
Kai’s throwing knives were firmly embedded in the wall. Xiao Jin had to exert considerable effort to pull them out. With a hint of germophobia, he frowned and tossed the knives into Xiao Mu’s arms dismissively.
Xiao Mu carefully took out a clean tissue, wiped them until they gleamed, and presented them to Kai.
"Discard them," Kai said coldly. The presence of these knives served as a constant reminder of his failure.
Xiao Mu, met with a cold shoulder, silently put the knives away like a child who had made a mistake.
"Xiao Mu, follow these bloodstains and hurry to chase Wei Anguo."
Xiao Jin patted Xiao Mu’s soft hair reassuringly, urging him to go quickly.
Xiao Mu nodded. He glanced at Kai, his mission compelling him to dash towards the end of the passage.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, the force of that throw. It was deep enough."
Xiao Jin measured the deep imprints left on the wall. Those throwing knives had certainly pierced Wei Anguo’s body before embedding themselves in the wall.
"Anyone who didn't know might think you had a deep-seated hatred for Wei Anguo."
"I also fired ten rounds."
In response to Xiao Jin’s teasing, Kai replied indifferently. He then walked to the bookshelf and meticulously leafed through each book, not overlooking any detail.
Xiao Jin watched Kai’s retreating back speechlessly. Peering into the passage, he indeed found traces of bullets.
Unless Wei Anguo received immediate medical attention upon exiting, he might very well end up as carrion in the wilderness…
Combined with the interception by Xiao Mu and Xiao Shui, Wei Anguo’s chances of survival were even slimmer. Poor Mr. Wei.
Xiao Jin shook his head in lament, but being hunted by the notorious figures on the list, Wei Anguo could consider himself to have died somewhat meaningfully.
"You never get distracted, and you never let a target escape. Did the lady give you another secret mission?"
Xiao Jin playfully slapped Kai’s shoulder. Among their group, he understood Kai the best.
Kai ignored Xiao Jin’s chatter. After quickly scanning rows of books, he began rummaging through cabinets and drawers.
"Stop looking. It’s obvious that was a lie Wei Anguo concocted to trick you and escape."
Xiao Jin could guess with his knees that Wei Anguo must have told some nonsense, and that this nonsense was probably related to the secret mission assigned by their dear lady, which was why their boss was so easily deceived. Love, indeed, makes one blind!
Since Kai had made up his mind to search, he naturally didn't listen to Xiao Jin. No evidence was found, but the possessions of the Wei family were unearthed.
"Boss, let me give you some advice: ‘Have no woman in your heart, and your sword will be divine.’" Xiao Jin spouted nonsense while typing furiously on his keyboard.
However, Kai’s body stiffened. He stood there like an unyielding mountain.
He looked at a document he had accidentally unearthed. His gaze focused on a particular spot. The paper was a bit yellowed, but the words were still clearly visible to Kai.
"Boss, what's wrong?"
Xiao Jin noticed Kai’s daze and began to ponder. Perhaps the boss found his words reasonable and was simply stunned.
"It's nothing."
Kai came back to his senses, discreetly hid the item in his pocket, and then slowly stood up.