Boss Yang instructed Pipi to transfer the money to that man’s account, and then addressed the gathered patrons: “My apologies to everyone, but our bar is closing early today. After what just happened, I imagine no one is in the mood to stay, right? I’ll treat everyone to free drinks another day.”

At that moment, someone shouted from below, “Boss Yang, as the leader of the Dragon Organization, we certainly don’t blame you. But you owe us an explanation—who exactly is that woman?”

Once this person voiced the collective sentiment, others began to chime in, “Right, right! Boss Yang, we were badly shaken; we deserve an explanation.”

Seeing the uproar, Boss Yang realized he couldn't refuse, so he stated, “Fine. This incident is connected to the Ma family massacre last time. This woman is the daughter of the Ma family, related to Incident Number 6. As for the source of the incident, we are still investigating.”

Hearing "Number 6," a ripple went through the crowd, faces etched with horror.

Only I remained utterly confused, muttering to myself, “What is Incident Number 6? Why does everyone here seem to know about it?”

I thought about asking someone, but I figured if it was a code name, people wouldn't speak of it openly anyway, even if I inquired. Moreover, with so many people present, asking rashly might get me branded as an outsider.

I decided I would ask someone who looked friendly after the crowd dispersed.

“Alright, considering I’ve given everyone face, please leave quickly. I will notify everyone immediately if there are any new developments, as Incident Number 6 concerns the safety of us all.”

Hearing this, the patrons began to murmur amongst themselves and headed toward the exit without pressing further.

I followed the flow of people toward the door, but just as I did, Boss Yang called out from the stage behind me, “Sir, please wait! The gentleman in the black trench coat!”

I glanced around; only I was wearing a black trench coat. I turned, pointing to my own chest, and asked, “Me?”

Boss Yang looked at me, smiled faintly, and nodded. “Indeed. Sir, may I ask your name?”

“Me? I’m called…” I started to say Nie Chuan’s name, then paused, sensing it was inappropriate, and instead offered, “My surname is Hu.”

Boss Yang laughed heartily. “What a coincidence! Since ancient times, the Hu and Yang families have been one. I’d be pleased to call you a friend, Mr. Hu.”

I felt a bit bewildered, thinking what kind of familiarizing tactic this was. Historically, the Hu and Yang families didn't have any particularly deep connection. Was it because of the existence of the Hu Yang tree, suggesting they were one family? Or was it because Hu Bayi and Yang Xue Li from Ghost Blows Out the Light were a couple, thus making Hu and Yang one family?

Before I could puzzle it out, Boss Yang had already stepped down from the stage, resting a hand on my shoulder. “If Mr. Hu is free, I’d like to grab a late-night snack together, if that’s alright?”

Seeing his beaming expression, coupled with the formidable combat strength he’d displayed earlier, I also felt inclined to connect. I replied, “I’m free anytime. I’m quite idle.”

Boss Yang patted my shoulder and leaned close to my ear, whispering, “You aren’t by any chance a Wandering Knight, are you?”

I froze, asking, “Wandering Knight? What Wandering Knight?”

Seeing I didn't appear to be feigning ignorance, he clapped my shoulder again. “Never mind, just asking casually.”

Before I could respond, he continued, “Wait here for me a moment while I clean up the mess. Then I’ll take you for the best Beijing mutton hot pot.”

I didn’t know how to react, so I just nodded and stepped aside.

Boss Yang ordered Pipi, Jiao Jiao, and a few other thugs to come up and move the monster’s corpse pinned to the wall.

However, as Jiao Jiao, wearing white gloves, touched the corpse, its skin instantly withered, like an over-inflated balloon deflating rapidly. Beneath the monster, a black, frothy liquid slowly spread, emitting plumes of black gas.

Even from a distance, I could smell a vile stench of decay. The black gas emerging from its cavity wasn't smoke, but rather something solid, like coal dust, rapidly volatilizing in the air. Soon, it shrank and collapsed, until even its outer skin melted into a thick fluid.

At that moment, I noticed the dagger Boss Yang had used as a throwing star, hilt and all, was completely embedded in the wall, leaving behind only a small black hole. I was instantly astonished. Even a bullet might not have penetrated that deeply, and judging by his casual throw, he hadn't exerted much force.

With the monster reduced entirely to sludge, there was nothing else to do. Boss Yang had someone bring a mop to deal with the mess, and then they burned the shed human skin and clothing left on the stage.

Once the cleanup was finished, Boss Yang instructed Pipi to call the renovation crew to fix the wall. Then, he took me by the arm and led me outside.

Passing through the narrow alley in front of the door, we arrived at the main street. Boss Yang pressed the key fob, and the lights of a Lexus SUV flashed. He motioned for me to get in, then opened his own door and sat down.

As he started the engine, he asked me, “You’re an Awakened, right? What’s your ability?”

I looked at him; it seemed wrong to hide everything, so I vaguely replied, “Object manipulation.”

Boss Yang’s eyes lit up, and he asked with slight excitement, “How large an object? Can you manipulate a car?”

I shook my head. “I can manipulate pebbles.”

Boss Yang removed his black-framed glasses and put on a pair of sunglasses. “Alright. Then do you know what my ability is?”

I considered it. “Super strength? I saw you throw that dagger and almost shoot through the wall.”

Boss Yang smiled. “It seems you can do more than just move objects; you also have night vision. The light was very dim back then; most people wouldn’t have seen clearly.”

I simply smiled and said nothing.

Boss Yang continued, “My ability is Instant Teleportation.”

I asked with some surprise, “How far?”

Boss Yang replied, “One meter!”

With that, he slammed the accelerator. The SUV roared, and after a powerful surge of G-force, the car shot forward. In just two blocks, I saw the speedometer already exceeding 150 mph. Watching the scenery blur past, I hurriedly told Boss Yang, “I’m very idle, there’s no rush. You don’t need to drive so fast.”

Boss Yang said, “I’m driving slowly already. For me, anything under 200 mph isn’t considered driving.”

A chill ran down my spine; I thought, I’m in trouble today.

Just then, Boss Yang stomped the gas pedal again, and the car rapidly accelerated to 180. The view outside began to blur into streaks. Fortunately, Beijing streets were relatively empty at night; otherwise, at this speed, we would have certainly crashed and died.

But I really couldn't stand his reckless driving. I said to Boss Yang, “This… this… this is too fast. My heart can’t handle it.”

Boss Yang turned to me with a slight smile, seeming about to say something. Suddenly, a blinding high beam flashed in front of us. I saw a massive truck speeding toward us, already less than fifty meters away.

“That’s it, we’re done!” My heart nearly stopped. At this critical moment, Boss Yang was looking right at me, completely unaware of the oncoming vehicle. I desperately reached for the steering wheel, knowing it was too late. The light was like the glare from an open Gate of Hell; my face turned deathly pale.

But a second later, I didn't hear the violent crunch of impact I expected, nor the sensation of my body being crushed and my brains splattering. The car had stopped. I heard the rushing sound of water nearby.

Boss Yang was still looking at me, maintaining his smile. I almost thought I had hallucinated the entire near-crash.

Taking ten seconds to catch my breath, I asked Boss Yang, “Just now…”

Boss Yang turned his head, took off his sunglasses, and let the cool smile fade. “Just now? Just now we nearly collided head-on with a large truck loaded with gravel. At the last possible second, you tossed the entire car into the air, and I used Instant Teleportation. We are now by the riverbank under the overpass, a hundred meters from where we would have crashed.”

I was stunned and asked, “Didn’t you say you could only move one meter?”

Boss Yang countered, “Didn’t we agree on moving small pebbles?”

I was choked for words, unsure how to reply.

We stared at each other for a long moment, then simultaneously burst into loud laughter, as if we had found a confidant we’d been searching for years.

After laughing, Boss Yang started the car again and said, “Actually, before I killed that monster, I sensed your exceptionally strong aura. It’s just that I was a bit faster than you; otherwise, I wouldn’t have been the one to slay the creature.”

“So, that’s why you kept me behind, wanting to be friends?” I inquired.

Boss Yang confirmed, “Exactly. I like befriending the strong. You suit my taste. However, I noticed you are very good at concealing your presence. For a while on the drive over, I honestly thought you were just an ordinary person.”

I looked down at my own hands, feeling strange myself. The demonic item given by Shen should have worn off its temporary effect, yet I was somehow able to lift a truck in that critical moment. This was truly…

“Can I ask you a few questions?” Boss Yang asked as he accelerated the vehicle again.

I glanced at the speedometer and replied, “Sure, as long as you don’t drive over 150 mph, I’ll answer anything.”

Boss Yang chuckled. “We’re two supermen in a car. No matter how fast we drive, we can’t die, right?”

I shook my head. “No. Superman has an iron body, but we are just flesh and blood. We only have one life.”

Boss Yang shrugged. “Alright, I’ll stick to your rules then. Can I ask my questions now?”

I shook my head. “No. You answer my questions first, because I have more. First, what is the Dragon Group? How did you gather the super-ability users? And what’s the deal with that woman who sheds her skin today? Finally, what exactly is Incident Number 6?”