Chapter 1150 - 1147: Shadow
Lin Chuan did not notice the black shadow; he continued to support Zhou Rui as they walked forward.
Zhou Rui was almost leaning entirely against Lin Chuan, her pretty face flushed. Suddenly, she raised her hand to embrace Lin Chuan's neck, pressing her whole body against him, and her luscious red lips proactively kissed Lin Chuan's lips.
Lin Chuan did not refuse; he embraced Zhou Rui with his opposite hand and began to kiss her.
The alley was flanked by tall buildings. Lin Chuan's body was agile, scaling the tall building on the right like a gecko.
Suddenly, the black shadow moved, like a bat spreading its wings and swooping down toward Lin Chuan and Zhou Rui.
Lin Chuan was kissing Zhou Rui when he suddenly felt an impending danger. He wrapped his arm around Zhou Rui's supple waist, employing the Heavenly Heart Skill and Sealing Heart Skill, leaped into the air, and flew backward.
The black shadow closely pursued Lin Chuan like a shadow tracking its master. Under the lamp's reflection, a cold glint flashed from the black shadow's hand, aimed at Lin Chuan and Zhou Rui swiftly.
Zhou Rui was yet unclear about what was transpiring. As she was about to speak in a daze, she suddenly saw a black shadow and a cold glint rushing toward them, which scared her into letting out a scream.
Lin Chuan retreated swiftly over ten meters, evading the black shadow's attack, and put Zhou Rui down before swiftly turning around.
Zhou Rui distinctly saw a black shadow and a cold glint charging at them, but in that split second, the cold glint vanished, and the black shadow, like a ghost, disappeared as well.
Zhou Rui's body was shielded by Lin Chuan, her face paled with fright, and she clung to Lin Chuan's body, exclaiming, "Lin Chuan, there's a ghost."
Lin Chuan absolutely disbelieved in the existence of ghosts. He scanned the surroundings but couldn't see any black shadow.
Lin Chuan's turning speed was swift, but the black shadow was swifter. Moreover, the black shadow appeared to possess some special invisibility skill, disappearing instantly.
Some ask whether there actually are ghosts in the world. The answer is simple; there are no ghosts. When people die, although the soul may remain, it certainly doesn't transform into a ghost.
People believe in ghosts because of psychological effects. As the saying goes, "If you've done nothing wrong in life, you'll have no fear of ghosts knocking at your door at midnight." Few people haven't done anything wrong, and those with a guilty conscience will feel insecure, which gives rise to doubts and the delusion of ghosts.
The human heart is the ghost; the ghost resides in everyone's heart.
Lin Chuan elevated the Heavenly Heart Skill and Sealing Heart Skill to their full potency, vigilantly scanning the surroundings. Zhou Rui was clinging to Lin Chuan, her body trembling in fear.
The adversary was definitely targeting him, and Lin Chuan couldn't let Zhou Rui be harmed. Suddenly, he embraced Zhou Rui with his opposite hand, his body darting rapidly toward the end of the alley.
Once out of this alley, they would reach Changlin Factory's residential area. This invisible figure dared not act recklessly there.
Lin Chuan escalated his speed to the maximum, swiftly reaching the alley's end within moments. Zhou Rui hadn't anticipated Lin Chuan's capability, merely perceiving the streetlamp glow flashing by, too fast to discern the surrounding high-rises clearly.
Lin Chuan, holding Zhou Rui, arrived at the alley's end, almost dashing out. But suddenly, the black shadow reappeared, floating in mid-air, a cold glint flickering in his hand.
This entity was more terrifying than Feng Lingfeng. Lin Chuan dared not halt and turned around, exerting all his energy to race out of the alley. But the cold glint from the black shadow's hand glanced over Lin Chuan's back, leaving a cut on his back.
Lin Chuan felt a searing pain from his back but couldn't afford to linger, desperately clutching Zhou Rui and sprinting forward.
Finally, Lin Chuan emerged from the alley, placing a terrified and weak Zhou Rui on the ground, then turned back with both palms channeling full force, fiercely sweeping across.
The palm wind roared through with a sound of breaking air, yet not even a trace of a ghost remained in the alley.
"Damn it," Lin Chuan cursed under his breath, then shouted loudly, "A coward veiling and revealing; if you've got guts, show yourself and fight me openly!"
"Hehehe..."
From between the tall buildings on the alley's left, a black shadow emerged, appearing elusive like a ghostly figure.
Lin Chuan, glaring at the elusive black shadow, coldly asked, "Who are you and why do you want to ambush me?"
The black shadow's voice sounded ephemeral as it spoke, "I am the Shadow, Lin Chuan. Tonight, I've got to kill you."
Blood gushed from Lin Chuan's back where the cold glint had cut him, soaking through his clothes. He scoffed, "Well, let me see how you plan to take my life tonight."
With that, his body flickered, swiftly rushing toward the black shadow.
The black shadow, like a specter, vanished before Lin Chuan could reach him.
Shadow, indeed this guy lived up to his name; his speed was spectral. Lin Chuan remained totally focused on surveying the surroundings, prepared for a sudden attack.
This is not a viable approach; dealing with this guy necessitates a strategy.
Lin Chuan slightly closed his eyes, directing the energy cluster from his Dantian to the Bai Hui Acupoint in his head, standing motionless.
If the enemy doesn't move, I won't move; to deal with this guy, this method is necessary.
Even though Lin Chuan had closed his eyes, he could clearly sense every sound around him, from the buzzing of insects flying around the streetlights to the flow of the air.
Even the best Ghost, the airflow created by their body when they pass through, can't disappear.
Lin Chuan continued to stand there without moving. Ghost seemed to be a professional assassin, and to deal with assassins like him, one must compare their patience. Whoever loses patience first will be at a disadvantage.
Time slowly ticked away, and the alley turned eerily silent.
Eventually, Ghost could no longer contain himself. He lunged down from between the high buildings like a phantom, aiming straight for Lin Chuan. At that moment, the airflow caused by Ghost's swift movement was felt by Lin Chuan.
Without hesitation, Lin Chuan suddenly turned around, releasing a powerful tenfold Heavenly Heart Skill energy with both hands before Ghost could reach him.
Clearly, Ghost did not expect Lin Chuan to know his position and attempted to dodge, but the energy released by Lin Chuan's palms was already upon him.
Ghost's speed was indeed terrifyingly fast, and even so, he managed to dodge most of the energy from Lin Chuan's palms, but a small portion still hit his body.
Ghost was hit by Lin Chuan's energy, causing his speed to slow noticeably. Before Lin Chuan could strike again, he leapt into the air and quickly climbed the wall of a high building, grabbing the wall as he ascended towards the roof.
Lin Chuan did not pursue because the pain from his back injury was too severe.
Seeing Ghost disappear rapidly onto the rooftop, Lin Chuan exhaled deeply. This guy was really tough to deal with; who sent him?
With a little thought, Lin Chuan soon realized that it was certainly sent by Maoshan Tao. He had dismantled the Jiangbei City branch of Maoshan Tao, and after a fight with Qin Zhengnan at Double Dragons Mountain, obtaining the Red Fruit, they wouldn't easily let him off.
Feeling the intense pain from his back, Lin Chuan turned and walked towards the end of the alley. Just outside the alley, he saw Zhou Rui still sitting on the ground, clearly scared out of her wits.
Approaching, Lin Chuan helped Zhou Rui up and said, "Xiao Rui, it's over. I've driven that guy away."
Zhou Rui, trembling, looked at Lin Chuan and suddenly threw herself into his arms.
As Zhou Rui hugged him, Lin Chuan's back wound caused piercing pain, and he couldn't help but cry out.
Zhou Rui hurriedly pulled away, her hands inadvertently stained with blood from Lin Chuan's wound. Upon realizing he was injured, she started to cry.
"Xiao Rui, I'm fine. This wound won't kill me," Lin Chuan quickly comforted her gently seeing her cry.
Amidst her sobs, Zhou Rui checked Lin Chuan's back wound, seeing his shirt soaked in blood, she hurriedly pulled him back inside to bandage the wound.
Zhou Rui's aunt saw the severity of Lin Chuan's injuries and quickly brought antiseptic and gauze, asking what had happened while dressing the wound.
Zhou Rui herself didn't quite grasp what happened, finding it difficult to explain to her aunt, just saying, "Auntie, please don't ask now, let's bandage his wound first."
At the main hall of Maoshan Tao, Qin Zhengtian was instantly informed of Ghost's unsuccessful assassination on Lin Chuan, his face showing surprise.
He was very aware of Ghost's abilities; for Lin Chuan to evade Ghost's assassination and even injure Ghost was quite incredible.
Ghost had never failed an assassination; even those more skilled than Ghost couldn't escape once within his grasp.
Qin Zhengnan was present as well, Qin Zhengtian's face darkened as he said, "It seems Lin Chuan is indeed quite formidable; we cannot allow him to remain as he will complicate our future plans greatly."
Qin Zhengnan frowned, saying, "Sect Leader, even Ghost couldn't handle him, what other strategies do we have?"
Qin Zhengtian's darkened face twisted into a sly smile, saying, "If we cannot handle him directly, we'll target those around him. Zhengnan, arrange the manpower immediately to identify those connected to Lin Chuan."
Qin Zhengnan said, "Sect Leader, we've already gathered that information. Lin Chuan has a few important women around him; one named Tang Yumeng is his fiancée, also Jiangbei City's City Committee Secretary. Another named Song Xiaojia, whose father is the daughter of Provincial Committee's Secretary Song."
Qin Zhengtian was silent for a moment before stating, "These two women's backgrounds are too significant; it's not advisable to target them. Are there others?"
Qin Zhengnan said, "There's also the Jvyi Gang established by Lin Chuan, all key members are his close brothers. Furthermore, supposedly the Sichuan University Group's hidden boss is Lin Chuan."
Qin Zhengtian's cold eyes lit up with delight, saying, "Good, we will strike at the Jvyi Gang and Sichuan University Group. I believe Lin Chuan won't remain indifferent."
"How should we proceed?" asked Qin Zhengnan.
Qin Zhengtian chuckled darkly and whispered a few words into Qin Zhengnan's ear. After hearing them, Qin Zhengnan nodded without speaking further and turned to leave.