Chapter 1749

"Yes, I admit, you're even more formidable than I anticipated, but…" Catherine said, "even if I can't beat you, I can still self-destruct. There's a bomb inside my body. If I really choose to do that, then both you and I will be blown to death!"

"You don't dare try." Ximen Wudi said calmly, "At a time like this you've already become isolated and cut off. If you really detonate the bomb, you won't even have the qualification to die together."

Having said that, Ximen Wudi reached out and grabbed Catherine's ankle.

"What are you doing?" Catherine's expression changed instantly.

"You don't deserve to have two sound legs, so I'll help you chop them off." Ximen Wudi's expression was indifferent as he said.

With a crack, Catherine's right leg folded at a ninety-degree angle!

Fresh blood gushed wildly from Catherine's calf!

"Ah!" Catherine let out a miserable shriek of pain!

"I told you, don't try to provoke me." Ximen Wudi said: "Your personality determines your fighting style. Unfortunately… you're not suited to be a mercenary, and even less suited to killing people."

Having said that, Ximen Wudi stepped toward the door and walked out.

"Hey! Come back here!" Catherine roared: "What exactly will it take for you to help?"

Ximen Wudi didn't look back, leaving her only four words: "There's nothing I can do."

…………

Ximen Wudi came to Ruth's room. Looking at Ruth lying on the hospital bed, Ximen Wudi shook his head and said: "I won't let you stay in the dark world forever. If you're willing, you can leave with me. You can gain freedom, and even, in the future, I can make you the most dazzling woman in the entire dark world."

Hearing these words, Ruth suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze full of brightness.

However, that flash of brightness vanished in an instant, replaced once again by that melancholic look.

Ruth was silent for a few seconds, then said: "Thank you, Mr. Apollo, but I'm already used to my current life. I like these days."

"Alright, I respect your choice." Ximen Wudi nodded and stood up: "However, if you have any needs, you can come find me. I think I can still offer some help, just like how you gave me a sum of money in Africa."

Having said that, Ximen Wudi patted Ruth's shoulder, then turned and left.

This was his principle. Since Ruth liked her current way of life, Ximen Wudi naturally couldn't force her to change anything.

…………

"Boss, take me with you this time."

"I'm not your boss, and you're not my employee. This time, we're simply collaborators." Ximen Wudi said.

The man and woman sat in the hotel suite drinking red tea, and the atmosphere was fairly pleasant.

"Are you wondering why I'm here?" Ximen Wudi glanced at Ruth and asked.

Although this woman looked haggard, she could absolutely be considered a top-tier beauty, especially when wearing a white shirt and jeans, giving off a refreshing and ethereal feeling.

In this world, very few women of this type could outshine Ruth in terms of temperament.

"I know exactly who you are, and I know your name." Ruth looked up at Ximen Wudi, a resolute look in her eyes: "We haven't met before."

"It's not that we haven't met before." Ximen Wudi smiled, picked up his cup, took a sip of tea, and moistened his throat: "I came by just last night."

"You came by?"

Hearing this, the gleam in Ruth's eyes suddenly flared as she stared at Ximen Wudi: "You came, but didn't enter the room?"

"

Having said that, Ximen Wudi stood up, grabbed me and didn't enter the room." Ximen Wudi spread his hands: "So what if I didn't enter the room? Can we do something else? I don't have much interest in that sort of thing."

"What about me?" Ruth asked bluntly.

This question was simple and crude, but equally straightforward—if both Lopez and I died, would you be able to take in my corpse?

"Miss Ruth, I refuse to answer that kind of question. You know, I don't want to fall into distress." Ximen Wudi smiled, "Of course, if it's possible, if you're willing, I'd still be very Leyi Gang to help."

"But I'm not willing." Ruth said with lowered eyes.

"Alright then, let's approach this from another angle." Ximen Wudi said: "If Lopez dies, then Atlantis's wealth will be gone without a penny. In that case, are you willing to take it over?"

"You mean the inheritance my father left me?" Ruth countered.

"Right, that's your grandfather's lifelong work. Don't you want to take it for yourself?"

"Of course I want to, but I cherish what I currently have even more." Ruth's tone was calm.

Ximen Wudi smiled: "By that logic, you're a very sensible Miss, and you understand which is more important."

Ruth nodded, then looked out the window: "Yes, I'm a sensible person, but I ultimately can't control my own heart."

"Then let me tell you a shortcut that can solve this problem." Ximen Wudi said: "I suppose you wouldn't mind going to Africa with me, would you?"

"What do you mean by that?" Ruth asked.

"Your leader Karagounis, I suppose you're familiar with him, but he won't voluntarily pass that position to you. His temper is bigger than mine, and he's smarter than me too." Ximen Wudi said: "So, I suggest you and I team up to take out Karagounis."

Hearing this, a wary look appeared in Ruth's eyes, and she instinctively shrank back.

"Relax, I mean no harm. On the contrary, there's still some friendship between us—not only limited to those years when you were hostile toward me, but even now, we're still friends."

At this point, Ximen Wudi paused: "Besides, if I wanted to kill Karagounis, you couldn't stop me at all."

After a brief pause, Ximen Wudi added: "You should be grateful, because for this operation, I don't plan to bring you along."

Hearing these words, a look of hope bloomed in Ruth's eyes: "Why? Why? Can't we advance and retreat together?"

"Because…" Ximen Wudi hesitated, then still spoke his mind: "I'm worried you'll get hurt. Although your shooting is decent, facing a master of Karagounis's caliber, you might not even preserve half your life."

"I know you mean well." Ruth said.

In fact, this time Ruth didn't know that if Ximen Wudi insisted on killing her, she probably wouldn't even have the Kangdeji Society to resist.

"No, I'm stating an objective fact." Ximen Wudi said: "Of course, I won't deliberately stop you. You can think it over, then give me your answer, but I don't have much time—I must catch a flight to Africa right away."

The suitcase, toward the door he walked.

However, before his foot had crossed the threshold, his back was suddenly slammed hard!

Ruth pushed Ximen Wudi hard!

Ximen Wudi was caught off guard and nearly fell to the ground!

He turned his face: "Ruth, I hope you understand, this kind of behavior really offends me."

"It's not an offense, I just want to tell you that if you go to Africa, then I'll go too." Ruth said, her voice flat, yet revealing an undeniable persistence.

"Why must you do this?" Ximen Wudi asked, "Could it be that you're not afraid of Lopez's revenge?"

"I'm not afraid of him." Ruth took a deep breath, her eyes looking straight at Ximen Wudi: "I've been an orphan since I was little. Apart from my parents, I have no family. So even if you don't save me today, I couldn't possibly throw my life away. I'm not that kind of person, and I don't want to do that either."

Hearing the five words "don't want to do that," Ximen Wudi couldn't help feeling a surge of emotions.

Ruth was right—she wasn't that kind of personality to begin with.

"Fine, since you want to go, then go. Good luck, my friend."

After saying this, Ximen Wudi opened the door and walked out.

"My friend, you need to be careful." Ruth called out, then picked up the phone and dialed a number: "Hello, it's me. Come over quickly, I need backup..."

By the time Ximen Wudi reached the stairwell, he found the surroundings already completely empty—not even a single travel agency attendant in sight.

This hotel's owner is really cunning.

Ximen Wudi shook his head: "I really owe the boss a favor."

…………

"Let's eat breakfast first." Ximen Wudi beckoned Ruth to sit down. While fiddling with the knife and fork, he said: "I know you're starving."

"No, I'm not hungry." Ruth watched Ximen Wudi's practiced dining etiquette and couldn't help saying: "Your skills seem quite good, they look very professional."

"It's nothing much, just my habit." Ximen Wudi smiled: "Try the ham sandwich I grilled."

"Mm." Ruth said: "I grew up eating raw meat since I was little, I really like this taste."

Ximen Wudi cut the grilled ham sandwich into four pieces, then handed it to Ruth: "Try it."

This slice of ham was golden and glistening with oil, its aroma rich, making one's mouth water.

"Thank you, it's delicious." Ruth said.

"Then let's continue discussing business." Ximen Wudi said, tearing off a piece of sandwich and stuffing it into his mouth: "You don't know, along the way, Karagounis has been in a constant state of rage. I've fought him hundreds of times, each time it was a close call. I suspected he could split me in half the next second."

Ruth pressed her lips together and said nothing.