Chapter 1185: Monsters

Almost the moment Lu Xun stepped forward, the numerous spiders encircling Chu Changqing darted out like lightning. Their sharp legs swept through the deep red glow, as if to slice anyone approaching Chu Changqing into pieces.

Chu Changqing, in his wheelchair, clearly saw all of this reflected in his eyes. However, under the brushstroke confinement, even lifting his arm proved incredibly difficult.

Chu Changqing cried out anxiously, but the spiders seemed to ignore him, instinctively intent on killing anything that approached him.

Boom!

The instant the sharp legs were about to reach Lu Xun, a cluster of starlight burst forth around him, like a surging galaxy, directly sending all the surrounding spiders flying.

The lingering starlight flowed through the small room, resembling molten lava from the depths of space. It incinerated all the cobwebs that filled every corner, and for a moment, the dazzling brilliance made it impossible to open one's eyes.

Scattered embers, accompanied by fragmented starlight, drifted down within the room. Lu Xun's figure moved calmly through them, finally stopping in front of Chu Changqing.

Chu Changqing sat in his wheelchair, staring blankly at the scene before him, speechless for a moment.

"Lu Xun, you..."

Chu Changqing had personally cultivated these terrifying spiders. He had merely intended to use their power to delay the two college students, buying himself an opportunity to escape. However, he had never imagined these spiders would be so ferocious, or that they would disregard his commands.

What he had also failed to anticipate was that these creatures, which he considered utterly vicious, were completely powerless against Lu Xun.

"You're not the only monster," Lu Xun said calmly. "The power you perceive as a symbol of disaster might actually help humanity from a different perspective. Even if Pandora's Box truly spirals out of control one day, there will always be someone among us who can help you close it again."

Chu Changqing stared blankly at Lu Xun, then after a long moment, his gaze shifted to Su Zhiwei and Yang Xiao by the doorway.

Su Zhiwei expressionlessly lifted her foot and directly stomped the large spider's head beside her, causing it to burst. Even the spider's body disintegrated inch by inch, vanishing into thin air.

"Dr. Chu, it's normal not to have full control over your abilities at first," Yang Xiao said gently, offering comfort. "It will get better with time."

Chu Changqing finally relaxed completely, leaning back exhaustedly in his wheelchair, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you... thank you for coming all this way to save me."

Since his detention by the laboratory a few days prior, Chu Changqing had been deprived of his freedom. His abduction by Ying Fu had kept him on edge throughout, and only now did he truly feel liberated.

On one hand, Lu Xun and the others were old acquaintances; on the other, they were all "monsters" who had gained powers from the Red Star. Monsters felt safest only when they were among their own kind.

"We didn't actually do much," Lu Xun said. "Even if we hadn't come, you could have saved yourself." He glanced out the window; the atmosphere in the Huixian Hotel opposite was still bustling. "But now, we need to leave quickly..."

Lu Xun gave Yang Xiao a look, who immediately understood. Yang Xiao raised his hand and gestured at the wheelchair beneath Chu Changqing, causing it to wobble and float upward, startling Chu Changqing.

But this was not the time for explanations. The three quickly brought Chu Changqing down from the third floor. The anxious boss behind the counter was slightly stunned to see Lu Xun and the others actually emerge with the man in the wheelchair.

"Everything resolved, Lu Xun? And... what about those two?"

"Uncle, I'll have someone handle the follow-up," Lu Xun said with an extremely serious expression. "But you must come with us now."

Although they had rescued Chu Changqing, Ying Fu and his group would eventually return to investigate. Upon discovering the two dead college students in the room, they would undoubtedly question the boss, whose fate would then be uncertain.

The boss's face instantly turned pale, but after a moment of hesitation, he locked all the drawers under the counter and quickly left with the four under the cover of night.

***

At the banquet.

Ying Fu's phone in his pocket vibrated slightly.

He frowned, immediately pulled out his phone, and a message from Zheng Zhiqin appeared on the screen:

"We were stopped at the entrance of the Huixian Hotel. It must be their people."

Ying Fu's face was as cold as ice.

He did not reply, instead calmly putting his phone away.

Ying Fu knew perfectly well that Zheng Zhiqin and her companion, being stopped at the entrance, were likely out of commission. This was a 749 Bureau banquet, and forcing their way in with brute force was not an option, as it would draw the attention of the entire 749 Bureau.

"Young Han, how come you're so distracted after just a little drink? Do you have something against me?"

"Mr. Sun, you jest. This junior is simply not good with alcohol... This..."

"Your grandfather could drink much more than this back then! Come on! Keep drinking!"

"...Drink, I'll drink now..."

"Oh, young Han, I just remembered, I think I even held you when you were little..."

At someone's instruction, Sun Zhongliang had already arranged for Han Xiang's table to be moved directly next to Sun Bumian. The youth in the Tang suit, holding a cup of Huiyuan juice, had his arm around Han Xiang's neck, grinning widely and frantically urging him to drink, a perfect picture of drinking-game bullying.

By this point, Han Xiang's face was flushed red from drinking. He forced a smile, but bitter thoughts churned wildly within him.

"Why aren't you eating? Don't you like it?"

Yao Qing's voice sounded beside Ying Fu. Holding his chopsticks, he pointed to the untouched beef in front of Ying Fu. "If you don't want it, give it to me. Don't waste it; wasting food is a sin!"

Ying Fu: ...

Suppressing his anger, Ying Fu expressionlessly handed all the plates of beef to Yao Qing.

Currently, all of Ying Fu's personnel were tied up, and it was unrealistic for him to act alone. The Chess Master, Chen Ling, opposite him, had not yet made a move; if Ying Fu were to try to leave, Chen Ling would certainly not allow it.

And with so much time having passed, Chen Ling had probably already succeeded.

Ying Fu now understood that although he had defeated Chen Ling in Shanghai and taken Chu Changqing, he had still lost this round of the strategic game in Wushan. The ultimate result was that Chu Changqing had fallen back into Chen Ling's hands.

The singing and dancing on stage were magnificent, and accompanied by the cheers and applause of the surrounding guests, the banquet's atmosphere reached its peak.

The silent Ying Fu seemed out of place throughout the banquet.

Meanwhile,

The youth in the Tang suit, who had been focused on eating and watching the musical performance across the room, slowly stood up.

Carrying a drink, he slowly moved along the edge of the banquet hall, his steps light and casual, like a leisurely person out for a stroll to admire flowers. He attracted almost no one's attention.

He finally stopped at Ying Fu's table.