Chapter 8

After receiving the message, the four hurried to the meeting point Guo Jing had specified; when Gou Tou Lao Gao saw the three arrive, he laughed heartily: “I heard Guo Jing say you’re joining the investigation into Zhang Haiyan, but this isn’t a trivial matter—I need you to prove yourselves.”

Nie Huaishang stepped forward to Gou Tou Lao Gao, clasped his fists, and said: “I humbly request your instruction.”

The moment Nie Huaishang lowered his head, Gou Tou Lao Gao kicked straight for his face; the sudden attack caught Nie Huaishang off guard, but his quick reflexes let him dodge just in time.

Seeing Nie Huaishang’s questioning gaze, Gou Tou Lao Gao grinned: “That’s your first lesson. The battles we face are life-or-death struggles—not sparring matches. Don’t waste time on so-called rules.”

Those words struck like a thunderclap; Nie Huaishang realized he couldn’t underestimate Gou Tou Lao Gao just because his own physical condition far surpassed the man’s.

Gou Tou Lao Gao, platoon leader of the Wolf Fang Battalion, rank of Major, formerly a lay disciple of Shaolin, enlisted at age sixteen.

Participated in major military operations of our army; served as captain of the Wild Wolf Squad, 12th Reconnaissance Battalion, awarded the title “First Reconnaissance Warrior of the Western Front.”

Rendered crucial service in hostage-rescue missions, annual military exercises, and border anti-narcotics campaigns.

Ordinary people tremble at the mere presence of his killing aura, forged in mountains of corpses and rivers of blood.

Fortunately, Nie Huaishang had seen the world; in the cultivation realm, bizarre monsters were countless, and compared to them, Gou Tou Lao Gao’s pressure meant little.

But Gou Tou Lao Gao’s assault came crashing down the moment Nie Huaishang hesitated; as a battle-hardened veteran, his combat experience was unmatched.

His strikes were sharp, efficient, and relentless; after Nie Huaishang deflected the first wave, the second surged in immediately.

Had his physical condition not far surpassed Gou Tou Lao Gao’s, he would have been defeated within three moves—even with his superior physique.

His initial strategy of pure defense was grueling; every time he thought he could relax, Gou Tou Lao Gao struck with unexpected ferocity.

Even if his limbs were pinned, he used his head, elbows, and knees as weapons, adapting to the situation.

Nie Huaishang had barely experienced combat; early on, he barely survived, but after twenty moves, he had adapted to Gou Tou Lao Gao’s style.

No matter how fierce Gou Tou Lao Gao’s attacks became, Nie Huaishang deflected them effortlessly; this stunned Gou Tou Lao Gao—have students become this strong?

He was holding his own against a Special Forces captain—just as Gou Tou Lao Gao doubted himself, he spotted Nie Huaishang’s opening and knocked him down cleanly.

Next came Zhang Chu’an and Zhang Xiaofan; unlike Nie Huaishang, Zhang Chu’an’s fighting style was underhanded, targeting the lower body—but Gou Tou Lao Gao had no complaints.

After all, in life-or-death struggles, there’s no such thing as “underhanded”—only two outcomes: life or death. He didn’t despise Zhang Chu’an’s methods; he approved of them.

Finally came Zhang Xiaofan—his combat style left Gou Tou Lao Gao stunned.

Everyone has their own style: Guo Jing’s was grand and open, his moves majestic and bold, radiating the aura of daring to face ten thousand troops alone.

Nie Huaishang favored steady defense; no matter how fierce Gou Tou Lao Gao’s attacks, he deflected them easily, as if he could see through every move.

Zhang Chu’an’s techniques were underhanded, without limits—anything to win.

Zhang Xiaofan’s style was outright insane; his earlier simple demeanor clashed violently with his later ferocity.

Gou Tou Lao Gao had seen insane men—drug lords, terrorists—he often dealt with them; their madness sometimes chilled him.

But for some reason, Zhang Xiaofan felt even more insane than them; this madness pressed down on Gou Tou Lao Gao with overwhelming force.

Yet in the end, he defeated them all.

After the trials, Gou Tou Lao Gao was exhausted—he had to give his all against all three.

It took over a hundred moves to decide each victory; in the entire Wolf Fang Battalion, no one could match him this closely—and today he faced four.

And they were all top students from the National Defense University; watching the three fallen, Gou Tou Lao Gao nodded approvingly: “Good. Your skills rank among the best in the Wolf Fang Battalion—but you still have much to learn. Don’t grow arrogant.”

Hearing this, the three were baffled—what had they done to deserve pride? They didn’t even know.

Nie Huaishang quickly asked: “Captain Gao, since we’ve passed your test, can we now join you on the investigation?”

“No problem—but don’t act rashly.”

Gou Tou Lao Gao hurried to warn them.

Hearing his warning, the three nodded vigorously—but as for not acting rashly? That was impossible.

How could they ever eliminate the Black Cat and complete their first mission if they didn’t act rashly?

At that moment, in the group chat, Guo Jing and the others were already discussing their next plan.

Guo Jing: “We’ve successfully joined the investigation into Zhang Haiyan. Next, do we target the Cockcomb Mountain Lab or arrest Secretary Yao?”

Nie Huaishang: “Zhang Haiyan is currently neutral—she wants to protect her daughter and escape K2, but fears the Black Cat and won’t betray him. We can force her to side with us.”

Zhang Chu’an: “How?”

Nie Huaishang: “Using minor cultivation techniques, I’ve extracted information from the assassins’ minds. I’ll impersonate a K2 assassin and arrange a meeting with Secretary Yao, ordering her to kill Zhang Haiyan.”

“When Zhang Haiyan is under Yao’s control, I’ll have grounds to arrest her. With my skills, subduing both is effortless. Then we can have Captain Gao publicly claim Zhang Haiyan cooperated with the military to capture a K2 assassin.”

Zhang Chu’an: “Then she’ll have no choice but to oppose K2.”

Zhang Xiaofan: “Zhang Haiyan’s betrayal is something the Black Cat will never accept. He’ll come for her.”

Guo Jing: “When he comes, I’ll make sure he never leaves.”

The next morning, Nie Huaishang called Secretary Yao; after confirming the code phrase, they arranged to meet at a café.

Seeing Nie Huaishang’s youthful face, Secretary Yao was startled—but she kept her composure; the code was genuine.

Seeing Secretary Yao arrive, Nie Huaishang smiled and greeted her: “Hummingbird, hello. I’m the operative sent by the Black Cat to execute a major operation. I’ll need your cooperation.”

“What mission did the organization assign you?”

Secretary Yao sat upright and asked.

“The organization plans a major operation here requiring Zhang Haiyan’s cooperation as a mole. But lately, I’ve sensed she’s been corrupted by luxury—she won’t cooperate.”

Here, Nie Huaishang sighed helplessly.

Secretary Yao immediately assured him:

“Don’t worry—I’ll make sure Zhang Haiyan is under control.”