Chapter 77: Jiangnan Departs

Zhou Cong clenched his teeth, each word forced out between his teeth.

Xu Mao had his eyes tightly shut, enduring excruciating pain.

Hearing Zhou Cong's words, he slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze was dim, devoid of light, and as he looked at Jiangnan, disappointment and resentment intertwined.

"Jiangnan..."

His voice was weak, but his tone was full of reproach.

"Aren't you supposed to be powerful? Why didn't you act just now?"

Jiangnan remained silent, standing there quietly, as if everything around him was unrelated.

His eyes were terrifyingly calm, without a ripple.

Mu Tong pressed her lips together, her pearl teeth lightly biting, almost tearing her lower lip.

She scanned Zhou Cong and Xu Mao with a complex look, ending in a helpless sigh.

She wanted to retort, but didn't know where to start.

It felt as if a massive stone pressed on her chest, oppressively suffocating.

She could feel Zhou Cong's hostility toward Jiangnan, solidly intense, almost freezing the air.

But she knew better that Jiangnan was not cold-hearted.

She believed Jiangnan must have his own grievances.

Yet, to whom could she say these words?

Zhou Cong and Xu Mao—would they believe?

They would only think they were covering for Jiangnan.

Thinking of that, Mu Tong felt a bitter pang.

She silently lowered her head, saying nothing.

The surrounding air seemed solidified, oppressively suffocating.

Only the sound of blood dripping from Xu Mao's severed arm was strikingly clear in the silence, like a death‑drumming beat striking everyone's hearts.

Jiangnan stood quietly, exuding an aloof aura, as if isolated from his surroundings.

His eyes lowered, his gaze fixed on the tiniest patch of ground before his toes, expression indifferent, making his thoughts unreadable.

"I did my best."

He spoke, his voice crisp and cold like an icy spring, devoid of any feeling.

The words cut like a sharp blade, stabbing Zhou Cong and Xu Mao's hearts.

Zhou Cong jerked his head up, his eyes bloodshot, staring at Jiangnan as if to devour him alive.

He clenched his fists, nails digging deep into his palms, blood dripping along his fingers, yet he seemed unaware.

His chest rose and fell violently, as if a flame burned inside, ready to erupt at any moment.

Mu Tong buried her head even lower, daring not to look at Jiangnan, nor at Zhou Cong and Xu Mao.

She only felt as if she were in a massive vortex, unable to break free or escape.

Jiangnan no longer paid attention to the three, turning and leaving.

His steps were firm, without any hesitation.

"Since you won't listen to me, there's no need for cooperation."

Zhou Cong stared at Jiangnan's receding silhouette, his inner fury roiling, hot as magma.

He snapped his head around, eyes blazing, fixing on Xu Mao.

"Look at the mess you've made!"

Zhou Cong's voice was hoarse, each word squeezed from his teeth.

"It's because of your reproach that Jiangnan got angry!"

"Now it's fine! He's gone! Who will protect us?"

Zhou Cong roared, his voice echoing in the open space, rattling eardrums.

He hurried forward to stand before Xu Mao, towering above, looking down.

"Do you think you're great? Huh?"

Zhou Cong forced the question, spittle splattering onto Xu Mao's face.

"Do you know that what you're doing will kill us?"

Zhou Cong grew more agitated, fists clenched, knuckles whitening, blue veins bulging on his arms.

Xu Mao's face turned pale, a flash of anger in his eyes. He had clearly tried to save the guy, yet now he was being blamed.

He leaned weakly against the wall, body trembling slightly, his gaze dim and lifeless.

Mu Tong stood aside, watching the scene, a mix of emotions churning inside her.

She bit her lower lip hard, her pearl teeth nearly tearing it.

She wanted to intervene, but didn't know what to say.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

She knew this was not the time to argue.

Black Shadow's scheme was not over; she had to do something.

"I'll go help Mr. Jiang."

Mu Tong spoke, her voice light yet unusually firm.

She turned, walking toward the direction Jiangnan had left.

"Stop!"

Zhou Cong shouted sharply to stop, his voice razor‑sharp like a blade slicing the air.

Mu Tong's steps halted; she stopped in place, yet she did not look back.

"What are you going to do?"

Zhou Cong quickened his pace to Mu Tong's front, blocking her path.

"Are you crazy? He's already gone, and you still want to help him?"

Zhou Cong questioned, his eyes full of confusion and anger.

"We are the teammates!"

"Now, we need you!"

He pointed at Xu Mao, his voice trembling.

"He's injured and needs you to look after him!"

"So you can't leave!"

Zhou Cong's tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt.

Mu Tong lifted her head, looking at Zhou Cong, her eyes complex.

She could understand Zhou Cong's feelings, but his actions were hard for her to accept.

"Mr. Jiang alone would be in danger."

Mu Tong spoke, her voice low.

"So what then?"

Zhou Cong retorted, his tone icy.

"That's his own choice!"

Zhou Cong did not back down,

"We have no obligation to accompany him on the adventure!"

Mu Tong fell silent; she knew she couldn't persuade Zhou Cong.

She lowered her head, no longer speaking.

Zhou Cong, seeing Mu Tong no longer persisting, let out a sigh of relief.

Mu Tong stood where she was, her chest rising and falling violently.

She looked at the two men before her, one selfish, one cowardly.

They kept saying they would protect the citizens of Jinghai City.

Yet now they only cared about their own safety.

"Hehe…"

Mu Tong suddenly burst into laughter, her voice full of sarcasm and contempt.

The laugh, in this silent night, sounded especially harsh.

Zhou Cong's brows knit tightly, his eyes fierce.

He stared at Mu Tong, as if to see through her.

"What are you laughing at?"

Zhou Cong questioned, his tone icy.

Mu Tong stopped laughing, her eyes gradually turning cold.

She looked at Zhou Cong, each word measured.

"I laugh at you; it's utterly laughable!"

Zhou Cong's complexion darkened, a flash of anger passing through his eyes.

"Mu Tong, don't forget, we are the teammates!"

Zhou Cong raised his voice, trying to suppress Mu Tong in the name of the Special Operations Unit.

"Teammates?"

Mu Tong sneered.

"Are you worthy?"

She retorted, her tone full of contempt.

Xu Mao, seeing this, quickly spoke.

"Mu Tong, don't be like that."

His voice was weak, carrying a hint of pleading.

"Zhou Cong also does it for our good."

Xu Mao tried to ease the atmosphere,

"I'm injured now; I need to find a safe place first."

"First take us to a safe place, then go help Jiangnan, okay?"

Mu Tong looked at Xu Mao, feeling a wave of sorrow.

She hadn't expected Xu Mao to side with Zhou Cong.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in her heart.

"Alright."

Mu Tong nodded, her voice low.

She softened.

She couldn't watch Xu Mao and Zhou Cong injured and do nothing.

After all, they were once comrades‑in‑arms.

Zhou Cong heard the words, and a trace of a smug smile appeared on his face.

Zhou Cong knew that Mu Tong still cared about them.