I am rogue, I am selfish, I am arrogant, but all I want is to better protect the ones I care about. Whether the rest of the world lives or dies means nothing to me. I am who I am. I am the Rogue! — The Memoirs of Yang Yi

"Master!" A middle-aged man suddenly appeared next to Leng Nan and called out.

"What is the situation outside?" Leng Nan asked coldly.

"Our men seem to be... all dead!" The middle-aged man appeared slightly shaken, as if he had witnessed something truly gruesome.

And indeed, he had. Before him lay a pile of corpses—yes, a literal pile of bodies. These were the security guards stationed at the Leng family villa, slain by the masked men in black and unceremoniously dumped in a corner. The scene was incredibly bloody, the dark fluid from dozens of bodies merging into one ghastly pool.

It was precisely this sight, viewed from the window, that had left the middle-aged man trembling.

"They moved so fast. They wiped out our people without us even noticing?" Leng Nan was startled. He had always wondered who these people were, and seeing the attendant's expression, Leng Nan, not a fool, realized anyone capable of such swift action couldn't be ordinary thugs.

"Did you call the police?"

"The phone lines seem to have been cut, and cell phones aren't working either." The middle-aged man desperately wanted to call for help; after all, he had children at home. If he lost his life today, then...

There was no time for contemplation. Leng Nan surveyed the grand hall. He understood these intruders were professional; anyone capable of disrupting both landlines and mobile communications must have planned this meticulously.

In reality, Yang Yi had been somewhat lucky. It was only after Fatty Lin made his call that the attackers severed the lines and began jamming signals. It proved that in emergencies, maintaining calm was paramount; panic only guaranteed self-destruction.

As Yang Yi finished speaking, he glanced back at the two worried women, then smoothly relocated himself to a vantage point offering a clear view of the entire hall. He addressed the air. "Lianxue, how many are there?"

"Fifty-odd in total, and every single one has that dark weapon," Lianxue's voice whispered close to Yang Yi's ear.

"Fifty people?" Yang Yi frowned, a cold smile creeping into his heart. He mused internally, Just who is this Wang Shaodong? To gather this many people at once?

"Any movement from the Leng family staff?"

"Brother Yi, it seems the Leng family people have all been eliminated, piled up in that corner."

"Heh, so it was premeditated. I didn't expect this..." Yang Yi gave a cold, faint laugh.

Just as Yang Yi was contemplating how to resolve the situation, a slightly plump middle-aged man shouted, "Brother A, we have complete control over this area."

"En!" A slender middle-aged man responded, then raised his firearm. "Da-da-da!"

"............"

"Listen up, everyone! Put everything you have—phones, cash, jewelry, everything—into these bags. Anyone who refuses has only one consequence: death!"

"............" Every person in the hall was momentarily silenced. The words of protest that had risen to their lips vanished at the utterance of that single word. All that remained was the painful feeling of handing over their valuables. Money was external; keeping their lives intact was already a stroke of luck.

However, many were already regretting coming to this damned birthday party, now facing ruin and imminent danger.

"Brother A, what about the task the person gave us?" the plump masked man asked.

"Heh heh. Since they let us out, we naturally have to repay them. And it's just a few women, right?" The man called Brother A smirked wickedly.

"Got it!" The plump masked man turned and roared, "Those of you whose names I call out, step forward! Any resistance... heh heh!"

As the plump man spoke, a sinister grin crossed his face. Everyone in the hall gasped. No one misunderstood his meaning, and simultaneously, they prayed their names wouldn't be called. Damn my name, some thought bitterly, cursing the very tag that defined them. Such were the cold realities of the world; as long as their lives were spared, people would think anything.

Yang Yi, who had been waiting for an opportunity, frowned upon hearing this. He understood immediately. Damn it, I'm being too passive. "Once this mess is cleaned up, you bastard Wang Shaodong, I'll ensure your entire family prospers!"

"Brother Yi, Sister Feng and the others should arrive soon," Murong Lianxue said, seemingly aware that while the Black God Gang's A-City headquarters was an hour's drive away, the intention was clearly to stall for time.

"En!" Yang Yi understood Lianxue's implication, but worry still gnawed at him. If he made his move now, he couldn't protect the others. "Lianxue, no matter what happens next, you must protect Sister Shiyun and Sister Qian'er. Understand?"

"Understood!" Murong Lianxue replied.

"First... who is Leng Yue?" The plump masked man pulled out a slip of paper and mumbled the name.

"Buzz—Yue'er!" Leng Nan's mind went blank. He stared in disbelief at his daughter, hidden nearby, and whispered fiercely, "Yue'er, don't come out! Absolutely not!"

Leng Yue’s face paled. She was, after all, just a girl, and this situation terrified her.

"No one is coming out?" The plump masked man brandished his gun higher.

"Just read all the names; it'll save trouble!" Brother A stated flatly.

"Alright!" The plump masked man looked at the paper and shouted, "Leng Yue, Xia Shiyun, Liu Qingqing—the three of you step forward."

"Da-da-da!".........

Another burst of gunfire erupted, causing renewed panic. The plump masked man said coldly, "No one is coming out?"

"Heh heh. I wonder what business you have with me?" A slightly hoarse, playful voice suddenly cut through the tension.

"Who are you? The names I just read are all women. Why are you standing? Squat down!" Without another word, the plump masked man fired a burst at Yang Yi's feet. "Da-da-da!"......

"Ah!" The crowd shrieked, covering their ears in terror.

"This... he really isn't an ordinary person!" Leng Nan stared intently at Yang Yi, observing his composure, his stillness.

"Damn your ancestors, Fatty, Fourth Brother! Hand Qian'er and the others to Lianxue and Third Brother, and wipe these guys out!" Yang Yi cursed viciously, momentarily stunning the masked men.

"Yes, Boss!" Ye Xiaohou and Lin Pangzi were clearly thrilled. They rubbed their hands together, sprang up, and launched themselves toward the masked assassins.

"Swish, swish!" With a strange sound, three slightly shimmering soft swords materialized with uncanny suddenness.

"Damn it... you really betrayed us!" the plump masked man cursed, raising his gun to shoot at Yang Yi.

"Hmph!" Yang Yi snorted coldly, springing upward, his movement incredibly erratic. Two middle-aged men behind him became unwitting shields, falling instantly after being shot.

The plump man saw only a blur, and then a spectral voice materialized by his ear: "Do you know? In this world, no one dares point a gun at me, because they all know that anyone who does will end up in hell. So... you are no exception!"

"Pfft!"

The plump man felt a sudden wetness in his throat, his eyes growing heavy. With a thud, he collapsed. Brother A, witnessing this, looked utterly aghast. Without a second thought, he emptied his weapon toward Yang Yi. "Da-da-da!" The shots came in a dense barrage.

"Second Brother, catch!" Xu Ming retrieved his soft sword after felling two men, swiftly grabbed two firearms, and tossed one to Lin Pangzi.

"Good!" Lin Pangzi also sheathed his soft sword, sprang forward, caught the gun, and a strange smile curved his lips. He unleashed a furious volley at the assassins whose barrels were still aimed at him, moving fluidly. A throwing knife and a dagger simultaneously appeared in his hands.

"Damn it! Brothers, take down these few!" Brother A, seeing the figures suddenly vanish before him, was utterly horrified. Who were these people? Gods? Did immortals truly exist in this world?

Bullshit! he cursed internally, while warily scanning his surroundings. Still no sign of Yang Yi. A creeping dread began to take hold.

"Brother A! Above your head!" one of the masked men shouted in alarm, agilely tracking the spot where Yang Yi had leaped, landing precariously on the chandelier. "Da-da-da!"

"Boss!" Ye Xiaohou cried out in shock.

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