Chapter 804: Midnight Doorbell Chime

Boundless fear completely consumed Du Jie's mind and spirit, his back already soaked through with cold sweat.

He hid in a concealed corner of an abandoned shop on the city outskirts, his body trembling uncontrollably.

He knew Qin Bore's methods well; once caught, he would definitely come to no good end.

Desperate, Du Jie immediately pulled out his private encrypted phone and contacted the New Faction Groups in Jiangnan.

The moment the call connected, he pressed down his extreme panic and spoke at breakneck speed, begging for help.

He told them in full how the Divine Phoenix Group had locked down the entire city, leaving him trapped in a desperate situation.

To secure a chance to escape, Du Jie immediately promised huge sums of money, even offering to relinquish part of his commercial interests.

The New Faction Groups had long‑standing grudges against the Divine Phoenix Group and had secretly feared Qin Bore's rapid rise.

After learning of this, the senior leaders of the New Faction Groups promptly agreed and decided to intervene to help Du Jie break out.

They understood that rescuing Du Jie would mean gaining a powerful ally to counterbalance the Divine Phoenix Group.

After a brief discussion, the New Faction Groups quickly settled on a breakout plan that feigned an attack east while striking west.

Large numbers of elite New Faction Group personnel immediately rushed to the blockade points in all main districts of Hangcheng.

They deliberately revealed themselves to provoke, actively clashing head‑on with the plainclothes forces of the Divine Phoenix Group stationed there.

Scuffles and minor confrontations erupted one after another across the streets, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.

The incessant clashes generated huge commotion, successfully drawing the attention of the vast majority of the Divine Phoenix Group's sentry personnel.

Divine Phoenix Group troops stationed everywhere hastily dispatched forces to suppress the sudden outbreaks of conflict.

Taking advantage of the Divine Phoenix Group's disrupted lines and depleted manpower,

The covert escort squad pre‑arranged by the New Faction Groups silently arrived at Du Jie's hiding place.

The entire team kept a low profile, disguised themselves, acted meticulously, and left no trace of abnormality.

They had Du Jie transfer to several inconspicuous civilian private cars, avoiding all major checkpoints.

Throughout the journey they chose only weakly controlled remote side roads, perfectly evading all inspection lines of sight.

Relying on this feint‑east, strike‑west tactic, they successfully broke through Hangcheng's blockade.

The party hurried nonstop, racing full speed toward the direction of Shanghai Sea.

By the time the clashes in the main districts were completely quelled and the Divine Phoenix forces regrouped their lines, it was already too late.

The subordinates in charge of the outer perimeter search immediately reported the anomaly to Qin Bore.

Qin Bore, who was commanding the overall situation from her office, heard the report and her expression instantly darkened.

She immediately ordered a full‑scale search for Du Jie's whereabouts, only to discover that he had already vanished without a trace.

All monitoring points, checkpoint records, and personnel searches turned up no trace of him whatsoever.

……

But Qin Bore had no intention of letting Du Jie off.

She knew better than anyone Du Jie's nature—narrow‑minded and prone to repaying grudges.

Having let him escape by luck this time, he would certainly feel no gratitude, only wait for a chance to retaliate.

If Du Jie were allowed to leave unharmed and build up his power, he would surely become a grave future threat.

To eliminate future trouble once and for all, and to ensure Lin Yuan would face no danger, Qin Bore hesitated not at all.

She immediately issued to all her trusted subordinates the highest‑level lockdown and interception order.

She fully mobilized all covert forces and elite personnel of the Divine Phoenix Group stationed in Hangcheng.

From major transport arteries, airport stations, to highway entrances and exits, she re‑established the blockade along the entire line.

Dense inspection points were laid out again, weaving once more an impenetrable net of heaven and earth.

All troops stood ready, vowing to guard every outbound checkpoint and capture Du Jie on the spot.

Du Jie, who was secretly rejoicing at his escape, soon received news of the full‑scale blockade.

Upon learning that Qin Bore would spare no expense and would not let go, he was instantly terrified out of his wits.

A massive panic swept over him in an instant, and cold sweat instantly soaked his inner garments.

He knew Qin Bore's methods well; once intercepted, he would have absolutely no chance of survival.

In his frantic haste, he immediately tapped all his connections to urgently contact the remnant forces of the New Faction Group.

The New Faction Group had previously suffered heavy blows, its foundation greatly damaged, and was no longer the flourishing power it once was.

The remaining senior leaders lived in constant dread, fearing that Qin Bore would utterly wipe them out and absorb them.

They desperately needed a sufficiently weighty external ally to restrain the rapidly rising Qin Bore.

Du Jie and the New Faction remnants already had deep‑seated mutual interests, each taking what they needed.

Even though some old grudges existed between them, in the face of this great survival crisis all contradictions were insignificant.

Du Jie offered generous benefits and earnestly begged the New Faction remnants to intervene, lifting his siege and covering his breakout.

The senior elders of the New Faction remnants, although deeply fearful of Qin Bore's terrifying strength in their hearts,

but they feared even more waiting passively for death, being settled one by one and completely erased by Qin Bore.

After weighing the pros and cons, they decided to go all‑in, throwing every remaining member into a desperate all‑out effort.

They quickly devised a breakout plan, splitting their forces into two routes to act.

One contingent marched straight to the major blockade points, deliberately provoking and creating large‑scale chaos.

They intentionally clashed head‑on with the Divine Phoenix Group's net‑laying troops, firmly pinning down the enemy's main force.

Clashes broke out everywhere on the streets; fighting and arguing voices rose and fell, and the scene descended into total loss of control.

Both sides fought and stalemated, each suffering casualties; the scene was littered with heavy losses, and the situation escalated to fierce intensity.

Meanwhile, another elite squad operated covertly, quietly arranging backup vehicles and planning a secret escape route.

Throughout, they avoided all surveillance cameras and key inspection checkpoints, staying low‑key and leaving no trace.

The Phoenix God's forces were drawn into sudden conflicts erupting everywhere, and their defenses instantly revealed multiple gaps and weak points.

The originally unbreakable heavenly net and earthly web was forcibly torn open, leaving several gaps.

The forces of the Divine Phoenix Group and the remaining New Faction launched full-scale war on all major thoroughfares in Hangcheng.

The intense fighting continued to escalate, with casualties mounting on both sides, making the situation increasingly perilous.

The already tense antagonistic relationship completely turned irreconcilable at this moment.

The New Faction Group and the Divine Phoenix Group under Qin Bore's command saw their hatred deepen wildly once again.

The two major forces tore apart all facades, plunging into an absolute hostile state of mutual annihilation.

Taking advantage of the huge chaos created by the frontal clash, Du Jie awaited an opportunity to break through under the desperate cover of an elite squad.

He dared not have the slightest hesitation, bending low and ducking his head, using the chaos to swiftly weave through and escape.

All the way he smashed through layer after layer of blockade gaps, completely breaking through the heavenly net Qin Bore had set.

But he had not completely escaped the Divine Phoenix Group's pursuit.

The Divine Phoenix Group's elite forces in charge of outer interception promptly spotted the fleeing Du Jie.

Several top experts immediately abandoned their entangled foes and gave chase with all their might.

Both sides instantly erupted into fierce melee on a deserted suburban road.

Du Jie was already frantic and disoriented in his flight, utterly unwilling to face them head‑on.

Wearied from constant dodging, he could barely parry the Divine Phoenix elites' fierce onslaught.

After a few exchanges, his flaws were exposed and he was completely on the defensive.

A Divine Phoenix master seized an opening and landed a fierce heavy blow hard on his back.

The powerful force exploded instantly; Du Jie felt a suffocating blow to his chest and spat out a mouthful of blood.

His viscera suffered a violent shock, his whole body ached and went numb, and his injury worsened at once.

Immediately another assault came, ruthlessly grazing his shoulder and tearing the flesh open into a gruesome wound.

Blood instantly soaked his garments, dripping steadily down his arm, a sight especially grim.

Under such grievous wounds, Du Jie's strength ebbed rapidly, his whole body swaying on the verge of collapse.

He knew well that any further delay would surely kill him on the spot.

Clinging to the last thread of survival, he endured the pain and fought desperately to break free from the entanglement.

Heedless of his grievous injuries, he mustered his remaining strength and sprinted madly toward the city's outskirts.

The New Faction's remaining support vehicles seized the chance to pull forward, briefly blocking the Divine Phoenix pursuers.

Having broken out of the encirclement, Du Jie remained filled with panic, daring not to relax in the slightest.

He traveled nonstop day and night, putting as much distance as possible between himself and Hangcheng at top speed.

In the end, battered and gravely wounded, he fled through the night and successfully returned to the Huhai region.

Upon reaching the Huhai region, Du Jie's taut nerves finally eased a fraction.

A tearing pain like his whole body being ripped apart surged through him, leaving him unable to endure any longer.

He pressed his bleeding wound, his face ashen as paper, sweat pouring cold over his entire body.

He slumped limp in the car seat, his breath faint, his condition wretched to the extreme.

Du Jie dared not waste a moment; he immediately rushed to the Shangqing Group headquarters.

Enduring the pain in his body, he personally met his father Du Wanxiong.

Du Wanxiong was the true behind‑the‑scenes controller of the Shangqing Group, holding all actual power.

Du Jie reported in full detail everything that had befallen him in Hangcheng.

From being city‑wide blockaded by Qin Bore, to being heavily wounded by the Divine Phoenix forces, to nearly losing his life.

Including the New Faction's desperate cover‑up and the fact that the two sides had forged an irreconcilable grudge, all of which he explained.

Seeing his son covered in wounds, his qi and blood depleted, Du Wanxiong instantly flew into a rage.

A thick murderous aura welled up in his eyes, his whole face darkening to a frightening degree.

Father and son burned with raging fury in their hearts, hatred taking deep root.

They had never suffered such humiliation, nor could they swallow the bitter resentment of this crushing defeat and grave injury.

At this moment, father and son resolutely decided they would surely seize a chance for revenge.

The target of their revenge pointed directly at Qin Bore, and also at Lin Yuan, who had started it all.

Du Wanxiong immediately gave a secret order, mobilizing all the hidden trump‑card forces the Shangqing Group had gathered.

The covert forces that were never shown to the outside world were all quietly roused.

Countless lurking personnel, resources, and channels all entered a state of war readiness.

Du Wanxiong's mind was ruthless; he never dawdled, nor did he care for formalities.

He knew ordinary commercial maneuvering could no longer suppress Qin Bore's sharp edge.

To eradicate the hidden threat once and for all and wipe away past shame, only the most extreme measures would do.

He covertly mobilized the top‑tier assassin squad the group had cultivated for years.

This assassin team comprised members each skilled and fierce, ruthless in action, and veteran in experience.

Throughout they concealed their movements, erased all traces of their travel, and acted low‑key and covertly.

Unnoticed by anyone, the entire assassin squad silently slipped into Hangcheng's territory.

They lay hidden in the darkness, lurking on standby, ready at any moment for Du Wanxiong's assassination order.

A deadly assassination plot aimed at Qin Bore and Lin Yuan silently shrouded all of Hangcheng.

The daytime turmoil completely ended, and Hangcheng's surface gradually returned to its former tranquility.

Qin Bore, who had been busy all day, finished all work for the Divine Phoenix Group.

She left work on time and drove back to her usual river-view flat.

These past few days, Lin Yuan has stayed at her house to recuperate, not going out.

To help the still-injured Lin Yuan regain his strength.

Qin Bore had earlier instructed Lin Yun'er to deliver a large batch of fresh ingredients.

Each ingredient was carefully selected, nutritionally rich, suitable for nourishing and strengthening the body.

The car parked smoothly; Qin Bore pushed the door open and entered the spacious, luxurious river-view flat.

On the living room's soft sofa, Lin Yuan sat leisurely.

At this moment, he lowered his head, gently playing with the well-behaved Sweet Cone cat.

The scene of one person and one cat was quiet and healing, especially warm.

Unnoticed, time had quietly reached seven o'clock at night.

Outside the window, the sky grew completely dark, and night fully enveloped the entire city.

The city streetlights came on one by one, but only the interior of this mansion remained lit with warm yellow light.

With a soft pop, all the lights in the entire house instantly went out.

The sudden darkness made Qin Bore instinctively stop her steps.

The originally bright and warm room instantly plunged into deep darkness.

She was slightly stunned, her eyes flashing with doubt and surprise.

The supporting power supply system uses independent dedicated lines, with top-tier and stable equipment.

The house's power supply, security, and smart systems are all top-tier.

Doubts welled up, and Qin Bore and Lin Yuan both rose to their feet.

The two used the faint streetlight seeping in from outside the window to feel their way toward the indoor electricity meter box.

They carefully checked all the meter's data and indicator light statuses.

The meter operated normally, with sufficient balance and no fault error prompts.

Yet the entire house's circuit was completely cut off, not even a glimmer of light.

Qin Bore, full of confusion, quickly walked to the balcony, lifted the floor-to-ceiling window's curtain, and looked outside.

She looked down at the neighboring households below and found they were also completely dark.

Almost all the households in the entire building had suffered this sudden power outage.

This strange, uniform power outage made Qin Bore's doubts grow stronger.

She didn't have time to think further, instinctively turning to open the door and go out to check the situation.

She wanted to go downstairs to find the property management and ask about the specific cause of the building's power outage.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch the doorknob, Lin Yuan suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.

His motion was swift and decisive, with steady force, directly stopping Qin Bore in her tracks.

At this moment, Lin Yuan's face no longer bore the earlier relaxed, easygoing expression.

His brows were tightly furrowed, his face especially solemn, his tone full of vigilance.

"Don't go out, something's not right."

Qin Bore froze instantly upon hearing that, her eyes full of suspicion as she turned her head to look at Lin Yuan.

In the dark environment, her voice carried a hint of confusion.

"What do you mean, something's not right??"

Lin Yuan's sharp gaze swept over the dark living room as he calmly began to analyze.

"The electricity meter box at home is clearly fine, with no fault issues."

"Yet the main circuit breaker for the whole house suddenly tripped without any warning."

"This is definitely not an electrical fault; it's likely someone deliberately sabotaging the main circuit breaker."

Hearing this speculation, Qin Bore's heart sank sharply, finding it hard to believe.

"You mean someone is deliberately targeting me? That's impossible."

"Our mansion's security system is the top tier in all of Hangcheng."

"With layered protection and 24-hour rotating guards, outsiders simply cannot sneak in at will."

Lin Yuan remained stern-faced, clearly continuing to dissect the situation at hand.

"It's precisely because the whole building lost power together that it better explains the issue."

"After a sudden power outage, all the households downstairs will go down to find the property management and ask about the situation."

In a short time, the downstairs crowd surges, noisy and chaotic—this is the perfect moment when many people and many eyes create confusion. Such chaos is ideal for ill-intentioned people to sneak in and wait for an assassination opportunity.

Just as his words fell, a sharp doorbell sound suddenly pierced the indoor silence.

Ding-dong!

Ding-dong!

The clear doorbell sound repeatedly echoed in the quiet, dark room, especially jarring.

Someone was outside the door, pressing her doorbell one after another.