THE UNDERCONSTRUCTED SKYSCRAPER
The sky pressed heavy and gray over the jagged bones of the city's tallest new structure. On the sprawling rooftop, thunder rumbled somewhere distant and the air felt ripe for rain. Amid the swirling wind and the threat of a coming storm, two figures stood side by side––Yei Feng and Lee Chen––faces steady in the dim light.
Kneeling before them was Hua Jin, clothed in a torn jacket, his muscular frame bent, blood dribbling from his split lips. Desperation had replaced arrogance. Hua Jin's voice trembled as he pleaded, "Chen… Young master Lee, please, spare me! I swear, I won't touch any of this again. I'm sorry. I'll do anything you ask." Thoughts flashed behind his eyes––Best to submit... for now. That guy Lee brought can't be ordinary. My backer wouldn't want trouble with someone so ruthless. If I want to survive, I'll beg now and wait for an opening when they drop their guard.
Yei Feng studied him, cheeks cold, preparing to speak. But then he swayed, his knees buckling. Lee Chen's eyes widened in alarm.
Suddenly, Yei Feng collapsed to the ground, his breathing ragged. "I... used too much energy," he whispered faintly. "Should've… held back…" His eyes fluttered shut as he fainted.
Lee Chen's voice caught in his throat. No! How can he fall now? How am I supposed to protect him, or myself? Feng… I brought you here. You saved me. You're in this state because you tried to defend me. Panic set his heart thundering.
Just ahead, Hua Jin's groveling faded into sly laughter. "Ahahah! I knew it. That brat burned through all his power fighting us. Now he's nothing but an empty shell!" He rose, wiping away the blood. His eyes danced with malice.
"You, Lee Chen—I'll make you suffer for every word, every slight. Maybe I'll burn you both alive up here, let the whole city see what happens when you cross Hua Jin!"
Lee Chen, trembling, clutched at reason. He pleaded, "Hua Jin, please! I'll give you whatever you want. Double the money you asked for! Just let me go. I'll transfer it now, anything you want."
Hua Jin's face twisted into a mocking grin. "You think I'm stupid? I could kill you and take everything myself." He paused, eyes glinting wickedly. "No... I feel generous. I'll let you both live. On two conditions."
Lee Chen's hope flickered. "What conditions?" His voice shook.
Hua Jin stooped and threw a knife at Lee Chen's feet, the blade glinting on the concrete. "The first condition: until I see the money in my bank, you don't leave my sight. You're under my watch, every second."
Lee Chen nodded, swallowing his pride. "Fine."
Hua Jin's smile sharpened into cruelty. "The second condition... Kill your friend. Kill Yei Feng with your own hands. Or both of you die by mine. No delays, no arguments." The command echoed with menace as the wind gathered strength around them.
Lee Chen froze, knuckles white. How can I kill the man who nearly died for me? He's the only reason I lasted this long. I owe everything to him… Sweat mingled with rain droplets as he wrestled with himself. The storm broke overhead, lightning flashing across the city. Slowly, with shaking hands, Lee Chen knelt and lifted the dagger, his breath uneven. He's already unconscious. He won't feel it. He won't blame me. I just need to move my hand—
But as the dagger trembled in his grip, rage and loyalty warred in Lee Chen's mind. At the last instant, he spun around and lunged—not at Yei Feng, but at Hua Jin. "I won't betray my friend! If I have to die, I'll go out fighting!" he shouted, the blade slicing the air.
Hua Jin reacted in a flash, easily deflecting Lee Chen's attack and knocking him to the rooftop. He laughed coldly, towering above Lee Chen, voice thick with disdain. "Idiot! So much for loyalty! You should've picked life over pride—now you'll both die for nothing."
Hua Jin raised his arm to strike the killing blow.
But before his fist could descend, a blur shot upward from the ground. Yei Feng, eyes now clear and cold, was suddenly on his feet. He surged forward, fist blazing, and slammed into Hua Jin's chest, sending the boss flying backwards like a broken doll. Hua Jin crashed into the rooftop's steel wall with a sickening crunch.
Lightning split the sky above them.
Yei Feng turned to Lee Chen, voice steady despite the chaos. "I wasn't unconscious, Chen. I needed to see if you were truly loyal—if you'd give up everything rather than betray me."
Lee Chen stared, shock and relief crashing through him. "Feng… you…"
Yei Feng put a hand on his shoulder once more—this time warm, certain. "You're worthy, Lee Chen. With loyalty like yours, there's nothing we can't survive."
Thunder rolled above as the two allies stood together, the storm-torn city beneath them—and the future opened wide before their feet.