Chapter 140: Li Chen vs Agent 17 (end)
As the intense battle unfolded, Agent 17 could feel the tide turning against him. Every move he made was countered with fluid precision, and it seemed as though his opponent anticipated his strikes before he could execute them. The God of War, driven to conclude the fight, accelerated his movements, displaying a level of agility and skill that surpassed mortal comprehension.
Watching from a distance, Shadow and Ding Chengxi couldn’t help but be astonished by the unfolding events. Ding Chengxi, with a hint of surprise, commented, "Well, I didn’t expect this. I think we won’t be needed here."
Shadow, his voice gravelly and low, added, "It’s like he’s two different people. His fighting has changed from when he started the fight."
Ding Chengxi pondered the observation and replied, "We both know there’s no such thing as a person being two people. I think he upped his game when the fight intensified."
Shadow, harboring suspicions he couldn’t articulate, simply responded with a contemplative "Hmm." Even he, a seasoned operative, found himself unable to decipher the mysterious transformation taking place within Li Chen. The enigma of the situation left both Shadow and Ding Chengxi with a sense of uncertainty, as if they were witnessing a convergence of mortal and divine forces beyond their understanding.
The clash between God of War and Agent 17 reached a critical point as a powerful punch from the divine spirit landed on Agent 17’s chest, causing him to stumble backward and expel a mouthful of blood. Li Chen, caught between the mortal and the divine, inwardly reminded God of War, "I said don’t kill him."
God of War, defiant, responded, "I am sure he can take a little punch."
Li Chen retorted, "You call that a little punch?"
God of War countered, "If I don’t do it, he will kill you. Hell, he will kill us. I still have some unfinished business. You know, if you die, I will go back to wandering around. I am tired of that."
Li Chen, resigned, instructed, "Finish the fight."
God of War charged forward, determined to conclude the confrontation. Agent 17, still recovering and clutching his chest, was momentarily distracted. In that vulnerable moment, God of War landed a punch squarely on Agent 17’s face. The force of the blow caused Agent 17’s mask to fall to the ground, revealing his true face. Agent 17, in disbelief and pain, touched his face.
Li Chen, shocked, stared at the unmasked Agent 17. God of War remarked, "If you two are not twins, then there is some unexplained mystery between you two." Li Chen remained silent, his gaze locked onto Agent 17, as the revelation of his adversary’s identity hung in the air like an unanswered question.
Ding Chengxi, standing not far away from the intense confrontation, was equally shocked by the unexpected turn of events. He turned to Shadow and uttered, "He..."
Shadow, already aware of the resemblance, completed Ding Chengxi’s sentence, saying, "Looks like Li Chen... I know."
Ding Chengxi expressed his regret, saying, "Too bad it’s nighttime, and we are a bit far. I would have taken a picture for Ma’am to see."
Sensing Li Chen’s intense gaze, Agent 17 swiftly raised his head, taking advantage of the moment to throw a powdery substance on the ground. The powder created a thick smoke that quickly enveloped the scene. Li Chen, shielding his eyes from the smoke, struggled to maintain visibility.
When the smoke finally cleared, revealing the aftermath of the confrontation, Agent 17 had vanished, leaving only his mask behind on the ground. Li Chen, still grappling with the shock of the unmasking and the sudden disappearance of his enigmatic adversary, surveyed the empty surroundings. The night had once again shrouded the city in secrecy, concealing the mysteries that lingered beneath the surface.
Li Chen examined the strands of hair in his hands, a silent acknowledgment of the narrow escape from a perilous situation. He expressed his gratitude to the god of war, saying, "Thank you."
The god of war, acknowledging Agent 17’s formidable skills, commented, "He is skilled, I have to say. He would have killed you."
Li Chen nodded, acknowledging the danger he had faced, "I know." Understanding the risk he had taken, he urged the god of war to rest, saying, "I think you are safe now. Let me rest a bit."
The god of war relinquished control over Li Chen’s body, allowing him to fully return to himself. Li Chen picked up the mask from the ground, finding strands of hair within it, a tangible memento of the mysterious encounter that had just unfolded in the shadows of the night.
Li Chen took the mask with him, the cold night air sweeping through the dimly lit street. He faced the direction where Shadow and Ding Chengxi stood, their silhouettes barely visible in the shadows. With a determined nod, Li Chen acknowledged their presence before making his way to the car. The engine roared to life as he started the vehicle, the low hum filling the quiet night.
As he drove back to the villa, the rhythmic sound of the engine was accompanied by the occasional glint of the moonlight reflecting off the mask in his hands. Li Chen’s eyes kept glancing at it, his thoughts a whirlwind of questions and uncertainties. The events of the night had unraveled a mysterious connection, and he couldn’t escape the feeling that more revelations were yet to come.
Shadow and Ding Chengxi maintained a vigilant distance behind him, their own contemplative silence mirroring Li Chen’s introspection. The journey back was filled with an air of tension, as if the night held secrets waiting to be unveiled. The villa loomed ahead, its grandeur contrasting with the enigma that surrounded Li Chen’s encounter with Agent 17.
When Li Chen reached his villa, the clock had already struck 1 am. To his surprise, he found Li Yanyan seated while Sun Lixia paced up and down, worry etched on her face. As he walked in, with Shadow and Ding Chengxi following closely, Sun Lixia rushed towards him, her eyes scanning him from head to toe.
"Son, how are you? Are you hurt?" she asked anxiously, concern evident in her voice. Li Chen reassured her, "I’m fine, Mom. Don’t worry." Li Yanyan observed that only Li Chen showed signs of a recent fight—torn and dirty clothes—but Shadow and Ding Chengxi appeared as if they hadn’t lifted a finger.
Li Yanyan commented, "I guess you two didn’t have to do anything." Sun Lixia, just noticing their presence, directed her frustration towards them. "You allowed my son to fight that monster alone?" Shadow lowered his head, while Ding Chengxi explained, "He had it under control. We were actually not needed. He almost killed Agent 17."
The revelation stunned both Li Yanyan and Sun Lixia. The gravity of the situation sank in, leaving them to grapple with the aftermath of Li Chen’s encounter with the mysterious Agent 17.
Li Chen calmly reassured his mother, saying, "I told you not to worry. By the way, his mask fell, Mom." Sun Lixia, filled with curiosity and anticipation, asked, "What... what does he look like?" Li Chen calmly responded, "Like me, but with more of Dad’s and Aunt Yanyan’s features." Li Yanyan gasped, realizing the implications, and said, "Oh my... that really means..."
Li Chen interjected, "DNA is needed for confirmation, but I think I already know the results." Sun Lixia inquired, "You managed to get his hair?" Li Chen nodded and handed Sun Lixia the mask containing Agent 17’s hair. Li Chen added, "He also took a chunk of my hair." Li Yanyan remarked, "I guess he is also suspecting something like us." Sun Lixia pondered, "That could be my son, sister-in-law."
Li Yanyan affirmed, "The organization will pay for this." Sun Lixia determinedly stated, "We’ll go to a doctor tomorrow. I need this done before the banquet this coming Friday." Li Chen, feeling the weight of the night, agreed, "Well, goodnight. It’s been a long night." With that, he left to wash up and rest, leaving the tense atmosphere behind for a moment of peace.
Li Chen, feeling the exhaustion of the night’s events, went to his room, and after a soothing shower, he climbed into bed. The weight of the revelations and the intense confrontation with Agent 17 were temporarily set aside as he succumbed to the embrace of sleep. The night had been filled with surprises and dangers, but for now, Li Chen sought respite in the realm of dreams, letting the events of the evening fade away as he drifted into a much-needed rest.
Meanwhile downstairs, Li Yanyan and Sun Lixia found themselves in a quiet moment of reflection. The air was thick with tension, each passing second a reminder of the challenges awaiting them in the days to come.
Li Yanyan, with her sharp gaze and resolute demeanor, broke the silence. "We should also rest. After tomorrow, our lives will change forever. We won’t have any more moments of peace."
Sun Lixia let out a heavy sigh, her eyes reflecting the weariness of a woman burdened by the weight of her past and the uncertainties of the future. "I don’t think I will be able to fall asleep," she confessed, her voice a whisper in the dimly lit room.
Li Yanyan, understanding the gravity of their situation, replied with a mix of empathy and determination. "You need the rest, sister-in-law. Once we start the war with the organization, resting will be a luxury. You know it won’t be easy to get him back."
Sun Lixia sighed again, the weight of her losses palpable in the silence that followed. "I know," she admitted, her eyes resolute. "But I will fight them to the death. They have taken too much from me."
The room held echoes of a shared commitment, an unspoken pact forged between the two women. The impending battle against the organization would require every ounce of their strength, resilience, and unity. As they prepared to face an uncertain future, their bond became a stronghold, a source of solace in the face of the storm that awaited them.
