Chapter 52: My Brother… Was Kidnapped

The conference room was silent, the directors staring at the suddenly unfamiliar boy, their hearts pounding with unease.

Yang Wei threw a document onto the table: “I’ve found the backup plan my father left behind.”

“From today, all group projects are suspended for review—especially the auction hall operations. Seal them immediately.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: “Anyone who dares to touch the group’s vault will regret it.”

Meanwhile, in the Night Watcher branch, Wang Teng was flipping through Yang Wei’s dossier over and over.

“I never expected Yang Wei was Yang Zhibiao’s son—I thought he was just a shareholder of the Yang family.”

Jiang Xia stared at Yang Wei’s photo on the screen, his brow furrowing.

“In high school he was arrogant and reckless, with average grades—just an ordinary student, nothing special.”

Lin Man walked in and placed a report before them: “The Yang Group held a board meeting yesterday. Yang Wei seized control with an iron fist.”

“He’s sealed all auction hall operations. This kid isn’t simple. Itachi two were his high school classmates—find out what he’s hiding.”

The afternoon sun shone brightly over the Linjiang Sports Field.

Jiang Xia and Wang Teng sat on the bleachers beside the track, watching Yang Wei play basketball not far away.

He wore a white jersey, running and leaping across the court, just as he had in high school.

But when he turned to shoot, his peripheral vision swept over the stands—Jiang Xia caught a flicker of wariness in his eyes.

“Let’s go say hello.”

Wang Teng stood up, clapped Jiang Xia on the shoulder, and they walked to the edge of the court. Yang Wei stopped playing, grabbed a towel, and wiped his sweat.

“Jiang Xia, Wang Teng? Long time no see.”

Wang Teng grinned: “Didn’t expect Itachi were the Young Master of the Yang Group. Itachi kept that hidden well.”

Yang Wei smiled: “It’s just family business—nothing worth mentioning. I heard Itachi two work at the Night Watcher branch now?”

Jiang Xia nodded: “Yeah. Itachi must know about yesterday’s auction hall incident.”

Yang Wei’s eyes darkened: “I’m sorry about my father. But I’ve sealed all auction hall operations—this won’t happen again.”

They chatted for a few minutes, then Yang Wei excused himself and left. Watching his back, Wang Teng scratched his head.

“He doesn’t seem off—just quieter than before. Less arrogant and annoying than he used to be.”

Jiang Xia shook his head: “No. Given his old personality—always craving attention—he’d never have hidden his identity.”

“Either his family forbade it… or he was faking it all along.”

Wang Teng was startled: “Then his cunning and depth are terrifying—he’s hidden it for years without slipping.”

That night, Yang Wei returned home, entered his study, and opened a hidden compartment containing a black box.

He opened it—inside lay a dagger radiating sinister energy.

Just then, his phone rang. The screen showed an unknown number.

He answered. A hoarse voice came through.

“Young Master Yang, Chairman Yang has a message for Itachi: Don’t trust the Night Watchers. He’ll deal with Jiang Xia and Wang Teng.”

Yang Wei clenched the dagger in his hand, his eyes turning icy: “Understood. Tell my father I’ll protect the Yang Group.”

After hanging up, he walked to the window, gazing at the night view, murmuring: “Jiang Xia, Wang Teng… our game has only just begun.”

At dawn, Wang Teng and Jiang Xia sat in the Night Watcher watchroom when Wang Teng’s phone erupted in violent vibrations.

He answered. A distorted, mechanical voice, dripping with unmasked malice, spoke:

“Wang Teng, if Itachi want your brother to live, come alone. Go to the abandoned factory on Hongguang Alley. Don’t notify anyone—especially not the Night Watchers.”

Before Wang Teng could react, the call ended. Instantly, his mother called.

The moment he answered, his mother’s tear-choked voice pierced his ears like ice needles: “Akatsuki Teng… your brother… your brother’s been kidnapped!”

Wang Teng’s face drained of all color. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Jiang Xia noticed his distress and gripped his shoulder: “What happened?”

“My brother… he’s been kidnapped.” Wang Teng’s voice trembled as he repeated the call’s contents.

Jiang Xia’s eyes sharpened instantly: “They’re targeting us—either the Cult of the Evil God or the Yang family.”

Without hesitation, Jiang Xia left a message for Su Changfeng and rushed with Wang Teng toward the abandoned factory on Hongguang Alley.

The factory reeked of rust and dust; only a few dim emergency lights flickered weakly.

“Wang Teng, Itachi came.”

A familiar voice echoed as Yang Zhibiao stepped from the shadows.

Behind him stood several figures in red cloaks, bloodstained tokens hanging at their waists.

Wang Teng’s younger brother sat bound to a chair, a cloth stuffed in his mouth, unconscious.

Yang Zhibiao sneered: “Itachi thought Itachi could uncover anything?”

“From the moment Itachi stepped into the Night Watcher branch and set your sights on the auction hall, Itachi were already dead.”

Wang Teng stared at his motionless brother, his eyes instantly blazing red. He lunged forward.

But Jiang Xia grabbed him: “Don’t rush—they’re Wu Zong of the Cult of the Evil God. Too dangerous.”

“Jiang Xia, Wang Teng, Itachi think your status as scholars of the Literary Academy and Night Watchers lets Itachi interfere in my affairs? Naive.”

He slowly raised his hand. The figures in red cloaks stepped forward.

“Let me introduce Itachi—Red Robe Seat holders of the Cult of the Evil God. Each one can crush Itachi like insects.”

Wang Teng’s eyes burned red as he charged toward his bound brother—only to be blocked by a Red Robe Wu Zong.

The man’s fingers curled into a claw, slicing through the air toward Wang Teng’s face. Wang Teng didn’t retreat—he surged forward, rapidly forming hand seals, muttering:

“Binding Seal·Bind!”

A rune surged from his palm, hurtling toward the Red Robe Wu Zong.

The Wu Zong merely sneered, flicking his wrist—a water blade shattered the black rune.

As the rune disintegrated, two water arrows shot toward Wang Teng. He barely reacted in time, blocking—but the impact sent him stumbling backward several steps, caught and steadied by Jiang Xia.

“These Wu Zong’s power far exceeds our estimates,” Jiang Xia whispered, his gaze growing sharper.

At that moment, Jiang Xia’s eyes changed. His left pupil revealed a crimson tomoe, spinning rapidly into the shape of Kamui.

His right eye glowed a deep purple, etched with Rinnegan patterns.

“Wang Teng, cover yourself!”

Before Jiang Xia finished speaking, a kunai shot out, embedding itself at various points across the factory.

His body vanished from where he stood—next second, he appeared behind a Red Robe Wu Zong, Kusanagi in hand, Chidori crackling, driving straight for the man’s spine.

The Wu Zong reacted instantly, spinning and blocking with his blade—*clang!* A notch appeared on the blade. The Wu Zong’s face twisted in shock.