Special Forces Medic

Chapter 1147: The Battle of Women

The skeletal right arm, stripped of flesh, glowed a ghastly white under the cold light, but Xiao Lin’s speed, fully unleashed, was beyond anything a junior ninja could compare to. Just like a thunderbolt, Xiao Lin appeared beneath the midair junior ninja at the precise moment he soared, trailing right behind the steel knife.

With a beast-like roar, Xiao Lin’s hands suddenly struck straight, aiming to pierce the junior ninja’s lower back and cervical spine.

Crack... Xiao Lin’s full-force blow broke the junior ninja’s spine in two places with terrifying strength, yet his steel-like hands continued to unleash fierce power without restraint, one penetrating his throat, while the other deeply plunged into his abdominal organs, causing a torrent of blood to spray from the gaping wounds.

"Who on earth are you?" Xiao Lin coldly eyed Liu Yi, surprised by the weakness of the man’s skills that defied his expectations. "You’re not Liu Yi. Where did that person from before go?"

His only reply was a sinister, echoing laugh in the air.

’The Xiao Family has found a decent heir, alas!’

Alas what? Standing before Liu Yi’s corpse, Xiao Lin brushed his fingers across the expressionless face, recoiling from the chilling skin not out of fear of the corpse’s coldness, but of the secret hidden behind the face.

If he hadn’t personally experienced the transformations earlier, he’d never believe that another ’person’ or something inexplicable was concealed behind Liu Yi, defying conventional explanation.

His hands rested on Liu Yi’s face—a sewn-on human skin mask. Though the scars had faded to the point of invisibility, the delicate needle marks remained in discreet spots. It would take decades for them to fade so deeply. These people had likely worn these masks since childhood, as time and skin blended with muscle fibers until they fit like natural skin. Thus, the expressionless facade had its origins.

This person named Liu Yi was dead, leaving Xiao Lin with an even larger mystery.

That night! The storm over the sea brought wind and rain’s scourge to the entire city of Palermo. The streets were deserted, people staying indoors unwilling to step out. Only necessary vehicles, wipers on, sped along the empty roads, while the mall lights remained brightly lit. Though not yet off-hours, employees’ thoughts drifted outside, concerned if the storm would sweep them away on their way home.

Due to its coastal position, Palermo often basked in sunshine, but climatic disturbances brought squalls and torrential rains from sea cyclones. However, such a fierce, enduring storm was rare, and its sudden onset was unprecedented. When meteorological alerts of yellow warnings were broadcast, people were skeptical. Those too close to coasts had been swiftly evacuated to safety, awaiting the storm’s passing. Speculation of rare tsunamis arose, fear parallel in their hearts as with the storm.

Many could not sleep soundly, nor did they wish to!

In Palermo’s divided territories, four kinds of people faced the unexpected storm with differing emotions, yet shared a unified direction.

The coast! They stood at different heights, staring towards the endless dark horizon, expressions heavy, perhaps pondering or penetrating something. Yet all were waiting, for news, for certain people’s return.

That night was destined to be sleepless.

The room door gently knocked, and Xia Xue folded her arms, instinctively pulling her gaze from the window. Since yesterday afternoon, she had received no updates from the ship. Unsure of what was happening, she wanted to reach out, but the foul weather disrupted signals, growing her anxious. In solitude, anxiety escalated with wild thoughts. A rare drinker, she downed a gulp in one go.

Xia Xue’s secretary, Miss Lorin, was very competent, her best assistant during the ’Rhine’ period, instantly resigning and coming to Palermo upon knowing Xia Xue intended to stay long. Without questions, she stayed at her side, still surprising Xia Xue with her presence after all.

"There are visitors!" Lorin, not very beautiful but exuding elegance in her OL outfit, showcased her full grace. Xia Xue always thought privately she was made for this job, not that she was always strong, but attractive to foreign suitors, composed, and understanding humility. As for gentleness, Xia Xue only smiled without speaking; it depends on whom she meets.

"You should be home now, not here," Xia Xue mildly grumbled at Lorin’s diligence. After Sin City’s reconstruction, commercial operations were still starting, many areas requiring improvement and redeployment. Though its performance delighted the mayor, stable growth needed time, and more so, beyond Sin City lay the economic support needed for Black Street. Xia Xue wouldn’t hide this from Lorin. Financial flows were easy to spot, better explained early than breeding resentment later. Stay or leave depended on her preference; after all, no one wanted ties with the mafia.

"Just the difference between upstairs and downstairs, no big deal." Lorin eyed the half-empty bottle. "Still waiting for news, but you’ll be disappointed. The storm ruined some lines along the way, fixed only by tomorrow."

"Oh, I see." That counted as information, at least identifying line faults, not human ones. "You mentioned we have visitors, who in this weather would come?"

"A woman and a man, a beautiful woman." Lorin deliberately emphasized ’beautiful,’ not out of jealousy, but to hint at the visitor’s identity.

"Beautiful?" Francis could be considered such, but she’d barely call her a girl, a willful spoilt girl. As for other women she knew, besides Francis, only Murong Lengyue remained, entirely unfamiliar. The mayor’s wife wouldn’t aimlessly seek fashion discussion in such weather. "It has to be Murong Lengyue!"

"Shall I let them in?"

"Though I don’t want to, can’t let her make the trip in vain with this weather. Taking the small conference room would be better, more intimate and soundproof." The office reeked of alcohol, unfit for such a prestigious visitor. "Do we have tea leaves?"

"Second drawer has some." Lorin quickly arranged the reception, Xia Xue using the gap to chew tea leaves, removing alcohol breath and keeping clarity in mind, changed into a new outfit, heading to the small conference room.

Few made Murong Group’s ruler wait; Xia Xue was one. Even in informal meetings, basic etiquette mattered, yet Xia Xue overlooked this, lateness keeping this big shot for ten minutes. One coffee was finished, another serving arrived before Xia Xue entered.

"I apologize for making you wait." Up close with Murong Lengyue, Xia Xue’s surface composure belied her awe. How could anyone be this beautiful, without a flaw? A golden ratio governed those angelic features, captivating even women like her, let alone men.

"I intruded without notice. Your secretary told me of your next quarter’s exhibitions planning. I respect your fashion intuition greatly, hoping the Murong Clan collaborates with the Xia Family’s ’Rhine.’"

"Miss Murong’s flattery, yet I’ve exited all management and operations with ’Rhine,’ afraid it’s a disappointment."

Murong Lengyue hadn’t expected Xia Xue’s blunt decline, scrutinizing the woman Xiao Lin repeatedly rejected both families for.

An awkward silence hung, mutual smiles exchanged, yet neither broke it, persisting until Lorin arrived with red wine.

"Red wine aids sleep; a daily glass for women enhances blood flow, beauty, and skin," Xia Xue abruptly commented. She detested such awkward stillness, perhaps unwilling to yield to this woman, righteously defying. "Why here so late, I doubt you leisurely seek a love rival."

Ha! Murong Lengyue found part of why Xiao Lin favored this woman. "He tells you everything, even this? So you’re aware I’m his fiancée?" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, we welcome your recommendations and votes at (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)