Chapter 78: Goutou Appears

Xu Mao Song lets out a breath, a trace of gratitude appearing on his face.

"Thank you, Mu Tong."

He speaks softly.

Mu Tong says nothing, merely turning silently, preparing to help Xu Mao up.

At that moment, an anomaly suddenly erupts.

A chill of cold aura suddenly assaults from behind.

Mu Tong is startled in her heart and whirls around abruptly.

The cold aura, like a poisonous snake spitting its fang, approaches silently.

An alarm rings in Mu Tong's mind, and her body reacts before her consciousness.

She spins sharply, and the corner of her eye catches a flash of Black Shadow, rushing at her with a speed faster than thunder.

Black Shadow moves at extreme speed, flickering like a phantom.

A strong sense of danger envelops Mu Tong's whole body, her hair standing on end.

She has no time to think, instinctively pushing Xu Mao, who was in her grasp, to the side.

Yet she didn't expect Black Shadow to suddenly reverse course, heading straight for Zhou Cong.

Zhou Cong is immersed in the joy of Mu Tong's concession, not noticing the approaching danger at all.

"Pfft!"

The sound of a blade cutting flesh is especially clear.

Blood flashes suddenly at Zhou Cong's left ankle.

"Ah!"

Zhou Cong lets out a harrowing scream, his voice tearing his heart.

He looks down, unable to believe his own left ankle.

There, a foot sole, detached from the lower leg, spouts fresh blood, reddening the ground.

The excruciating pain surges like a tide, instantly engulfing Zhou Cong.

His body shakes and he falls heavily to the ground.

"Foot... my foot..."

Zhou Cong trembles, his words incoherent, his face drained of color.

Xu Mao is pushed aside by Mu Tong, falls to the ground, and his pupils contract sharply upon witnessing the bloody scene.

"Zhou Cong!"

Xu Mao exclaims, his voice trembling.

Mu Tong's complexion turns pale, her heartbeat thunders like a drum.

She stares fixedly at that Black Shadow, as if facing a great enemy.

Black Shadow lands a successful strike, yet does not continue the assault, instead slowly revealing its figure.

It is a man clad in a black bodysuit, wearing a black mask that reveals only a pair of eyes.

He is slender, holding a Dagger dripping with blood, his whole body exuding a cold aura.

On the mask, a ferocious Goutou emblem appears, looking especially eerie under the dim streetlamp.

"Goutou..."

Mu Tong grits her teeth, forcing those two words out between her teeth.

Goutou, a member of the Black Shadow organization, is famed for cruelty and bloodlust.

His gaze is icy, sweeping over the three, a cruel smile curling at his mouth.

"No one can run."

Goutou speaks, his voice hoarse, like a night owl's cry.

"I will slowly torment you to death."

His tone is grim, sending chills down the spine.

Zhou Cong lies on the ground, moaning in pain, his blood staining his clothes red.

His eyes are filled with terror, his body trembling continuously.

"No... don't..."

Zhou Cong weeps in agony, pleading,

his voice bleak, like a wounded beast making its final struggle.

He lies on the cold ground, his left ankle a mess of blood and flesh.

Fresh blood flows freely like money, gushing out, reddening the ground.

The excruciating pain assaults in waves, nearly causing him to faint.

"Save me... save me..."

Zhou Cong's voice is hoarse, tinged with sobs, begging Mu Tong and Xu Mao for rescue.

"You bunch of trash, why are you still standing there? Save me quickly!"

Seeing the two unresponsive, Zhou Cong curses loudly.

His eyes are bloodshot, his face feral, like a maddened vicious dog.

Xu Mao clenches his jaw, fists tight, his nails digging deep into his flesh.

He wants to save Zhou Cong, but he is willing yet powerless.

He is now severely wounded, even standing is difficult.

Mu Tong grips the Dagger tightly, shielding Xu Mao.

Her gaze burned like a torch, fixed on Goutou, daring not to relax the slightest.

The opponent's strength was formidable, and his attacks were ruthless.

Mu Tong knew she was no match for him.

But she could not retreat; she had to protect her teammates.

"Heh, just you, and you think you can stop me?"

Goutou sneered, his voice full of contempt.

His figure flickered, turning into a Black Shadow that lunged at Mu Tong.

Mu Tong's pupils narrowed as she brandished a Dagger and charged forward.

The two instantly became a tangled melee.

The Daggers clashed, producing a crisp ringing sound.

Mu Tong was swift and her moves were fierce, but Goutou was even more seasoned.

His movements were uncanny, his strikes lightning‑fast, each aimed directly at Mu Tong's vital points.

After several rounds, Mu Tong fell at a disadvantage.

She bore several fresh wounds, blood seeping out and staining her clothes crimson.

"Jiangnan... that bastard Jiangnan... why hasn't he come to save me..."

Zhou Cong lay on the ground, wailing in pain.

His face was pallid, his lips purple, his body trembling incessantly.

"He... he's just a bastard... he would never come to rescue us..."

Zhou Cong's voice was weak, filled with despair.

In his heart, his hatred toward Jiangnan had reached its peak.

"Shut up!"

Mu Tong shouted angrily, and in the distraction a kick from Goutou struck her chest.

She let out a muffled grunt, was flung backward, and crashed heavily onto the ground.

"Pfft!"

Mu Tong spat out a mouthful of blood, her complexion turning even paler.

"Ha ha, a waste is a waste!"

Goutou cackled wildly, stepping toward Zhou Cong.

"You hate Jiangnan, don't you? I'll take you to see him right now!"

Goutou raised his Dagger, aimed at Zhou Cong's right ankle, and drove it down hard.

"No!"

Zhou Cong screamed in terror, struggling desperately, to no avail.

"Splat!"

The sound of blade meeting flesh rang out again.

Zhou Cong's right ankle was also sliced off.

Fresh blood gushed, staining the ground red.

"Ah!"

Zhou Cong let out a heart‑rending scream, his voice chilling and hair‑raising.

His legs were ruined, leaving him completely immobile.

"Ha ha, what a waste!"

Goutou looked up and laughed, his voice dripping with mockery.

"But rest assured, I won't let you die so easily."

Goutou crouched, tapping Zhou Cong's cheek with his Dagger.

"I'll torture you slowly, making life worse than death!"

Goutou's gaze was cold as a venomous snake, sending a shiver down one's spine.

"As for Jiangnan... he probably can't even protect himself now."

Goutou suddenly shifted his tone, a strange smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"My eldest brother and second brother are waiting for him up ahead."

Goutou's tone was playful, as if savoring a good show.

"With their strength, Jiangnan likely faces a grim fate."

Goutou stood, looking down at Zhou Cong from his height.

"You just enjoy these final moments."

After speaking, Goutou turned and walked toward Mu Tong.

"Next, it's your turn."

Goutou's eyes were icy, his murderous intent evident.

Mu Tong struggled to rise, gripping her Dagger tightly, ready for a final stand.

"Don't..."

Zhou Cong lay on the ground, pleading in despair.

He didn't want to die; he still had many things left undone.

Xu Mao clenched his teeth, his eyes filled with anger and resentment.

He hated his own incompetence, for failing to protect his teammates.

They hate Goutou's cruelty, torturing Zhou Cong into this state.

They hate Jiangnan even more; why hasn't he appeared yet?

Could it be that they really have to watch, eyes wide open, their own teammates die one by one?

"Ha ha, you all go to hell together!"

Goutou cackles wildly, his figure flickering, and lunges at Mu Tong.

The Dagger flashes a cold gleam through the air, heading straight for Mu Tong's throat.

Mu Tong's pupils contract, trying to dodge, but it's already too late.

She closes her eyes, awaiting death's arrival.

At that hair‑raising moment, a figure suddenly appears before Mu Tong.