Chapter 117: Escape from Peril

Knowing that Jianwu Wu wouldn't return anytime soon, Ze Yan dared not act immediately; he needed to avoid drawing attention.

After Wu Jianwu left, the guards stationed there undoubtedly stayed behind to carry out the task Wu had assigned. They stripped the clothes off the two innocent young men, bound their hands with ropes, and hung them from the rooftop, then made a small cut on their bodies...

Once finished, the guards withdrew—they lacked the patience to linger. Their original curiosity or personal ambitions had brought them to this old city, but constantly engaging in such cruel acts made them restless and impatient with everything.

After the guards left, Ze Yan found an excuse to turn back. Of course, he did not return empty-handed; he dragged two people along—though they did not look like corpses, merely unconscious.

At this moment, Brother Long and Da Min were still struggling, blood dripping steadily from their legs. Fortunately, they hadn’t lost too much blood yet and had not fainted. But if they couldn’t escape soon, even divine intervention might not save them.

“Stop struggling! Even if you break free from the ropes binding your hands, you’ll fall and be impaled by the barbs on the ground like a wasp’s nest! You’d better save your strength and live a little longer!” Ze Yan said coldly, watching their futile efforts.

In theory, Ze Yan should have been recognized by Long and Da Min—they had known each other well enough. But to conceal his identity, Ze Yan had undergone minor plastic surgery, altering both his appearance and voice. His facial features became more refined, and his voice deeper and richer. Even he sometimes doubted whether the reflection in the mirror was truly himself.

Since they did not recognize Ze Yan, upon hearing “stop struggling,” Long cursed loudly, “You lackey of Jianwu Wu, even as a ghost I won’t let you off...”

Ze Yan was unfazed by Long’s curses and replied indifferently, “You cursed me the first time we met too! I originally thought your injuries were more severe and planned to save you first. But seeing you so spirited now, you’ll have to wait your turn.”

Without waiting for Long’s reaction, Ze Yan turned to save Zhang Xingmin. He approached the control panel, operated the device to transfer Zhang to a safe area, then gently laid him on the ground and untied his ropes.

“Why are you saving us?” Zhang Xingmin asked, unable to recall who this man was. His tone suggested they had met before—perhaps even well acquainted.

“So many questions! Such a hassle! You’d better bandage that wound first, then hang the one over there back up!” Ze Yan avoided the question.

“Is this really appropriate?” Zhang hesitated.

“If you don’t want a scapegoat, I’ll hang you back up!” Ze Yan threatened, ready to act.

Zhang quickly wrapped his arm wound with gauze and, following Ze Yan’s instructions, hung the person Ze Yan dragged back in the original spot. From a distance, the deception was flawless.

While Zhang was busy, Ze Yan had already rescued Brother Long.

“Thanks, brother!” Long, bleeding heavily and feeling dizzy, supported himself on Ze Yan’s shoulder.

“I just didn’t want you to die from shock. And I expect you to keep your promises!” Ze Yan said coolly.

“Is that really you? How did you get yourself looking like this? If it weren’t for the scent of your cologne and your words just now, I wouldn’t have been sure it was you!” Long exclaimed. After Ze Yan’s comment and careful observation of his facial contours and scent, Long finally confirmed his identity despite the plastic surgery.

Ze Yan remained calm upon being recognized. He told Yang Dalong to rest aside while he went to handle the aftermath and hang the other scapegoat back where Yang Dalong had been.

Zhang hurried over to check Long’s injuries. Fortunately, they were not severe, though a wound near his thigh affected his walking.

“Brother Long, have you figured out who this guy is yet?” Da Min asked, noticing their relaxed conversation.

“That guy! What’s his name again? We even promised to help avenge him!” Long struggled to recall Ze Yan’s name.

“Ze Yan?” Zhang guessed.

“Yes, yes! That’s him!” Long exclaimed after being reminded.

“I said Xiao Feng must be busy on Ghost Island and couldn’t have come. No one else knew we were here, so who else could have saved us? Turns out it was him—didn’t expect he’d track us down all the way here...”

“Can you two keep your voices down? Afraid no one’ll notice, huh?” Ze Yan scolded the two, finding their lack of caution noisy and reckless. How had they survived so far without any sense of security?

Realizing Ze Yan’s warning, Da Min and Long suddenly remembered they were not yet safe. The room fell silent at once, and footsteps could be heard approaching outside. Their earlier noise had drawn attention.

Ze Yan quickly led Long and Da Min along a pre-planned escape route.

As the three had just left the room, the alerted guards arrived, counted carefully—no one missing—and suspiciously retreated.

Hiding in the adjacent room, the three held their breath in newfound caution. Long’s hurried escape had loosened the bandage on his leg, and fresh blood seeped from the wound. He pressed his hand firmly against it, fearing further trouble.

...

At last, they escaped without incident. Da Min and Long quietly slipped back to the hotel, both wearing masks to avoid recognition. It was a local custom to wear full-face or half-face masks when going out, which conveniently helped conceal their identities.

After bringing them back, Ze Yan separated from them, needing to return quickly before the shift change. If he delayed any longer, he would be discovered. The two he had rescued would have to be found later anyway—he knew where they were staying.