After leaving the black market, Zhou Ming got into Gadelia’s car, his hand rubbing the plastic casing. This was a fully automatic service pistol that fired 9mm rounds, with a magazine capacity of fifteen. He had just used it yesterday at the Dust-Cleansing Union’s training range.
‘This is too much pressure you’re putting on me. I’m still so young. Can’t you give me a break?’
“Remember not to go to the Dust-Cleansing Union. If something happens there, I won’t be able to help you.”
“Then give it back to me!”
“I’m worried about you and your friend. Besides, I can’t use it. I tried it once before, and the recoil hurt my hand so much the bullet went way off target.”
Gadelia wasn’t lying. Her physical strength in her non-powered state was extremely weak. No matter how much she trained or used technological means to enhance it, she couldn’t improve. It was as if her body was under some kind of curse, forever stuck in the state it was in when she was first resurrected.
“It feels different from what I imagined.”
This was completely different from what the books described.
Zhou Ming knew Gadelia could peek into his mind, so he spoke more casually, since she already knew everything anyway.
“Doesn’t that just mean your heart is very pure?”
Gadelia’s tone held a hint of teasing.
“After going to the black market with you today, it’s not pure anymore.”
“And you’re blaming me? Shouldn’t you blame yourself for being too weak? If you were the strongest in the world, you could just suppress everything, right?”
“Then blame me. When I get stronger, I’ll let you be free.”
Zhou Ming went along with her words, knowing she was trying to distract him.
“Oh? I just hope you won’t settle scores with me later.”
Gadelia reached out and adjusted the rearview mirror so Zhou Ming could see her face, giving him a light smile.
***
The car drove for a long time, gradually approaching the location specified by the kidnappers. Gadelia stopped the car and handed Zhou Ming a briefcase.
“Be careful. As long as you don’t kill anyone, everything can be resolved.”
“Can’t you say something more auspicious?”
Zhou Ming took the case. It felt heavy, probably filled with cash. He held it in one hand while using his other hand to tuck the gun into his waist, hiding it under his clothes.
On the other side, Gadelia stood by the car, her expression complicated. She still needed time to adjust to Zhou Ming’s changes.
Zhou Ming dialed the kidnappers’ number.
“Hello. I’ve brought the money.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard movement from inside the building. Soon, five burly men armed with weapons emerged, escorting a bound and gagged Jiang Jialie.
“You’re the one with the money?”
The man at the front asked in a cold tone.
Jiang Jialie’s hands were tied behind her back, a cloth stuffed in her mouth. Her hair was disheveled, her eyes full of fear, and she kept shaking her head at Zhou Ming.
Zhou Ming stepped forward, making sure they were all within the range of his ability.
“Bring the money over!”
The leader shouted.
Zhou Ming tossed the briefcase to the side, his gaze sharpening as he activated his ability to lock onto his targets. He then raised his hands, planted his feet firmly apart, bent his knees slightly, held the gun with both hands level, aimed quickly, and pulled the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Although his stance wasn’t perfect, with the assistance of his ability, his accuracy was extremely high.
The fifteen bullets were soon spent.
Remembering Gadelia’s words, Zhou Ming avoided vital areas, focusing on shooting their limbs. All five men fell to the ground, screaming in pain and unable to move.
He walked over, untied the ropes binding Jiang Jialie, and removed the cloth from her mouth.
“Are you okay?”
“Ah—”
Jiang Jialie snapped back to reality, her first reaction being to throw herself into Zhou Ming’s arms, crying and laughing at the same time.
“Zhou Ming! I was so scared just now! I didn’t want you to come, but I was afraid I’d never see you again!”
After all, she was just an ordinary girl. Even having experienced some things before, she was still terrified facing this kind of danger.
“It’s okay now. It’s over. I’m here.”
Zhou Ming gently patted her back to comfort her.
“Is there someone else?”
“Over there!”
Jiang Jialie pointed to another girl tied up in the corner.
Zhou Ming walked over, untied her ropes, and removed the gag from her mouth.
“Thank you…” the girl said, her voice trembling.
“We should call the police first.”
Jiang Jialie gently tugged on Zhou Ming’s sleeve, looking up at him with a confused tone.
“Zhou Ming, how did you know there was another person? And the gun you used just now… aren’t Lantern Bearers forbidden from using them privately?”
Zhou Ming was taken aback, not knowing how to explain.
“It has nothing to do with the Lantern Bearers. I’ll tell you later.”
He chose to avoid the question for now.
***
When they went downstairs, Gadelia’s car was already parked at the entrance. She was leaning against the car, looking at the groaning kidnappers on the ground. Seeing Zhou Ming, a flicker of a smile passed through her eyes.
“Finished? These people, what do you plan to do with them?”
“Do you have a way?” Zhou Ming asked.
Of course he wanted revenge, but he also knew he couldn’t act recklessly.
“If you trust me, you can leave them to me. I’ll spend some money and send them where they belong.”
“You have to pay money to go to jail now too?”
Zhou Ming didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Just then, he felt his sleeve being tugged again.
Jiang Jialie stood behind him, looking at Gadelia with a wary gaze, and asked in a small voice:
“Who is she?”