72. Hanging by a Thread (Massive Release Tomorrow—Please Subscribe and Send Flowers)

No sooner had he stepped into the alley than an alarm blared in Ye Feng’s ear. Following his predetermined escape route, he darted aside just in time for a bullet, thick as a thumb, to graze his right arm and whizz past him.

“An anti-materiel sniper rifle…” Ye Feng’s pupils constricted sharply. Though he’d mentally prepared himself, having such a heavy weapon fired directly at him was still terrifying.

He had barely avoided the sniper’s shot when a rocket came hurtling toward him. “Damn it! They really hate me,” he muttered.

He managed to dodge the rocket, which skimmed over his head and exploded with a deafening roar behind him, gouging a deep crater in the alley. Shards of concrete flew toward him, many striking his body—painful, to say the least.

Before Ye Feng could catch his breath, another rocket streaked his way. He had no desire to be blown to pieces and swiftly leaped aside.

A few more steps would have let him slip into the gap between buildings, where he guessed the sniper would likely take another shot. As long as it didn’t hit anything vital, he could survive.

But fate was unkind. While dodging, Ye Feng accidentally stepped on a chunk of broken concrete, losing his footing. Although he didn’t fall, his movement was hindered—and at that moment, the damned sniper fired again.

With his usual speed, Ye Feng could have ensured his own safety, taking a bullet in the arm if needed. But the slip meant he couldn’t evade the shot.

Despite his desperate efforts to dodge, Ye Feng knew it was hopeless as the bullet entered his field of vision. At the moment it pierced his body, only one thought filled his mind: Man proposes, but heaven disposes.

Blood blossomed in the air as Ye Feng collapsed onto the hard cement, staring wide-eyed at the blue sky above. Yet the sky grew ever more blurred in his gaze.

The assassins had wanted to fire another rocket to finish him off completely, but Xu Wen and his team arrived just in time, apprehending all three assailants. Unfortunately, aside from Xu Wen’s group, the other two captured killers bit down on poison concealed in their mouths and ended their own lives. Xu Wen, warned in advance by a tip, promptly dislocated the last killer’s jaw, preventing suicide.

Only then did Xu Wen notice Ye Feng lying in the middle of the street. Luckily, Ye Feng had called emergency services before entering the alley, and an ambulance was already on scene.

When Xu Wen saw the deathly pale Ye Feng loaded into the ambulance, his eyes flashed with fury. Dragging the surviving assassin, he hurried back to the station, determined to find out who was behind the attack.

When Zhao Dabao received Xu Wen’s call, anger surged within him. Only one thought remained: to avenge his master.

The two quickly concluded that Ye Feng’s enemies were responsible, and among those with the capability, only a few families fit the bill. Of these, the Bai family hated Ye Feng most.

Conveniently, they possessed incriminating footage of Bai Weiqi. Immediately, both men turned their attention toward the Bai family.

When Wu Tian and his companions received the hospital’s call, they were stunned—especially Huang Luan. In just half an hour, Ye Feng had been shot and hospitalized, with a critical condition notice issued. The three rushed to the hospital in a panic.

Huang Quanlu also received word from Xiao Hei that Ye Feng had been shot and was at death’s door. After a moment’s thought, he ordered the news be spread to all major families—directly to the heirs. Then he went to a secure room and made a phone call. In that instant, the city of Haifeng was roiling with turmoil.

Upon hearing Ye Feng was gravely injured, Bai Shaofeng was delighted, thinking the heavens had finally intervened to deal with his adversary. Yet an uneasy feeling gnawed at him, as though something ominous was about to occur.

His joy was short-lived, for Bai Weiqi came swaggering in to claim credit.

“Dad, guess who pulled the trigger!” Bai Weiqi beamed with pride.

Seeing Bai Weiqi’s smug expression, Bai Shaofeng felt a sudden foreboding. “Don’t tell me you hired someone to do it?”

“Of course it was me! Aren’t I capable?” Bai Weiqi failed to notice his father’s change in tone, still basking in his achievement.

“Who did you hire?” Bai Shaofeng pressed.

“Shitian—the organization. Pretty impressive, right?” Bai Weiqi savored his success.

Shaofeng felt slightly reassured, but the unease lingered.

“Who told you to act on your own!” Bai Shaofeng roared.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Weiqi was dumbfounded, unable to understand his father’s sudden fury.

“You’re hopeless! Don’t you realize the situation we’re in now?” Bai Shaofeng was furious beyond measure.

“What situation?” Bai Weiqi remained oblivious.

“You… Fine, listen closely! The entire Haifeng elite know our Bai family has a grudge with Ye Feng. Now he’s been attacked, and anyone would suspect us! Do you realize what a blow this could deliver to the family?” Bai Shaofeng nearly slapped him.

“He’s just an orphan. What’s there to be afraid of?” Bai Weiqi still missed the point, his face full of disdain.

Smack! Bai Shaofeng finally lost control and slapped Bai Weiqi across the face.

“Do you have any idea the city is already investigating our family? Do you know Zhao Dabao is siding with Ye Feng? Do you realize all those powerful figures in Beijing are demanding I hand you over? I’ve told you time and again not to waste your life in idle pleasure—look at you, after all these years, what have you learned? Besides drinking, gambling, whoring, what else?” Bai Shaofeng was utterly enraged.

“Well…” Bai Weiqi, unwilling to submit, glared back indignantly, unable to comprehend why he’d been slapped.

“Get out!” Bai Shaofeng pointed at the door, refusing to speak further. He urgently dialed to inquire about the situation, hoping the world’s second-ranked assassin organization would keep their mouths shut. But before he could get through, a squad of police entered.

Zhao Dabao and Xu Wen had already begun their operation, ordering Bai Weiqi’s arrest and summoning Bai Shaofeng for questioning. Bai Shaofeng’s spirits plummeted, though he remained composed, knowing Xu Wen and the others had no solid evidence and he should be safe.

With Bai Weiqi and Bai Shaofeng taken to the provincial headquarters, chaos erupted across Haifeng. Rumors spread that the Bai family’s days were numbered, triggering a chain reaction—the stock market began to tumble, especially Bai Corporation’s shares.

Most people guessed the Bai family was responsible, but since Ye Feng had no significant background, the other clans never imagined Bai Shaofeng and Bai Weiqi would actually be arrested. When they tried to take advantage of the market turmoil, they discovered that every single Bai Corporation share had been acquired by Maple Leaf Financial Investment Company. This revelation made all the families realize Maple Leaf Financial must have powerful backing—how else could they marshal such vast funds? Yet after extensive investigation, no one could uncover the company’s true identity.

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