The thought of taking down the Wild Wolf gang had been simmering in Xiao Ke for a while, a low-burning fire Qin Bing had always kept stamped out. So when she, of all people, brought it up tonight, he was floored.
"Let's go take out the trash," she'd said.
He shot to his feet, energy crackling through him. "Alright! I'll round up the other decurions and their squads. We'll be ready to move out with you in minutes, Centurion."
Qin Bing just gave him a deadpan look. "Were you not listening? I've been putting up with these animals for days, saving them for you. What kind of training is it if I bring the whole damn army?"
The words hit Xiao Ke like a physical blow. He stared at her, incredulous. "Lord Centurion... you can't seriously expect me to take on their entire pack by myself?"
"You're not by yourself," she shot back, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "I'll be there to back you up. What are you so afraid of?"
A knot of anxiety tightened in his gut. Just the two of them against two or three dozen trained mercenaries? It was insane. It was suicide.
But then he looked at Qin Bing. She was completely unfazed, her confidence a tangible force. She didn't see the Wild Wolves as a threat at all. And while Xiao Ke knew he was nowhere near her level, he also knew he couldn't back down. A woman was standing here, fearless, and if he showed even a hint of cowardice—especially with that dismissive look she was giving him—he'd never earn her respect.
Screw it, he thought. What's the worst that can happen?
He snapped to attention, his back ramrod straight, and delivered the cleanest salute of his life. "Yes, Centurion. I'm with you. Let's go take care of those bastards."
For the first time that night, the corner of her mouth ticked up in a faint smile. "There. That's more like a soldier."
They slipped out of the temporary camp unnoticed, melting into the shadows of North-South Avenue. The main street was mostly deserted, the only signs of life the huddled shapes of homeless men and scavengers sleeping in doorways. As they walked toward the old Ye family estate where the Wolves had made their den, Xiao Ke instinctively fell in half a step behind her. To any casual observer, they were just a female officer and her subordinate out on patrol.
He noticed the number of street-sleepers dwindling the closer they got to the estate. It wasn't hard to figure out why. The Wild Wolves were muscle-for-hire, paid by the town's wealthy medicine merchants to be their personal guard dogs. Their only job was to protect the merchants' assets, and in a backwater place like Ginkgo Town, that meant there were no real threats. No scavenger would be stupid enough to try anything.
The result was a pack of bored, heavily armed predators at the top of the local food chain. They spent their days drinking, carousing, and terrorizing the locals. They were a textbook example of what happens when you give men with guns absolute power and no accountability. The little beggar girl they'd tortured to death a few days ago was just one of their many victims.
Their target was the Ye estate, but as they passed the town's only tavern, Qin Bing suddenly stopped. She gave a subtle nod toward one of the windows.
Xiao Ke followed her gaze. Inside, gathered around a table, were four men. He instantly recognized Hu Benan, the town master, and sitting across from him was Hei Lang—Black Wolf—the gang's second-in-command. Two of Hei Lang's thugs flanked them.
Xiao Ke's brow furrowed. "Looks like Hu Benan is cozier with those scumbags than we thought. A real den of snakes."
"Let's get closer," Qin Bing whispered. "Tonight, I want every last one of them gone. No exceptions."
They crept toward the tavern, using the deep shadows as cover. Ginkgo Town was a wreck, no different from any other slum, and the streets were pitch black. From their vantage point in the darkness, they were invisible. Hu Benan and his guests, illuminated by the tavern's dim light, had no idea they were being watched, that two figures were now pressed against the thin wooden wall right outside their window.
Hei Lang was a mountain of a man, built like a bear with a thick chest covered in dark, curly hair. He had his shirt open, and his coarse features were twisted into a brutish sneer that made him look more animal than human. His voice boomed through the wall.
"So, Old Hu," he rumbled, "any trouble from that Imperial officer, Qin Bing?"
Hu Benan nervously poured him another drink, a sycophantic smile plastered on his face. "Heh, not at all. Qin Bing and her soldiers are only here on garrison duty, waiting for that zombie horde they're so worried about. They have no interest in town business. Besides, they're stretched too thin as it is. If the horde actually shows up here, they'll be wiped out. She needs you and your men on her side; she wouldn't dare start a fight."
Hei Lang grunted, satisfied. "Good. But our captain wants you to keep a close eye on that bitch. If you see her making any moves, let us know immediately."
"Yes, of course, of course!" Hu Benan stammered.
"You need to remember something," Hei Lang continued, his voice dropping to a low threat. "Qin Bing and her soldiers are temporary. They'll be gone sooner or later. But the Wild Wolves? We're staying. We have a good thing going here with the merchants. You play ball with us, and you'll get your cut. You try to screw us over... well, you saw what our captain did to that last guy who crossed him. You don't want that to be you."
Sweat beaded on Hu Benan's forehead. "No, no, I know which side my bread is buttered on! Vice-captain Hei Lang, it's getting late. Shouldn't we be heading back? Is there... anyone in town you've taken a fancy to? I can have my men grab her for you right now!"
A wicked grin spread across Hei Lang's face. "Ha! You know us too well, Old Hu. That little beggar girl from the other day... filthy, but she was a real beauty. A shame we broke her so quickly. But if you want to talk about the most beautiful woman in this town, it's got to be that officer, Qin Bing. That body, that attitude...啧啧."
Hu Benan laughed nervously. "Anyone else would be easy, but I'm afraid she's a bit out of my reach, much as I'd like a piece of that myself."
Outside, rage burned in Xiao Ke's eyes. He glanced at Qin Bing and saw something even colder in hers: pure, unadulterated killing intent.
But she didn't move to act. Instead, she looked at Xiao Ke and gave him a look that said everything: Go. Your practice has arrived.
Inside, Hei Lang was still laughing. "You're a real piece of work, Hu. Even if you could get your hands on Qin Bing, you'd take first dibs yourself before ever bringing her to me! Hahaha!"
As his laughter echoed in the small room, a calm, cold voice cut through the night from just outside the window.
"No need to grab her. We came ourselves."
The atmosphere in the room froze. Hu Benan and Hei Lang's faces went pale.
"Who's there?" Hei Lang roared, jumping to his feet. "Who's skulking around out there?"
His two men were already on the move, drawing their pistols. With a mix of bravery and sheer stupidity, they charged straight for the window.
But Xiao Ke was already a step ahead. He raised his standard-issue sidearm, peering through a crack in the wooden planks. He saw their silhouettes, lined them up, and didn't hesitate.
Pop-pop-pop-pop!
The gunshots were deafeningly loud. Splinters of wood exploded inward as the bullets tore through the thin wall. The two mercenaries staggered back, their chests erupting in red, and collapsed to the floor with choked screams.
Xiao Ke emptied the clip. Then, with a running start, he slammed a powerful kick into the wall. With a deafening crash, the rotted planks gave way, creating a jagged, man-sized hole.
Before the dust even settled, he and Qin Bing stepped through the opening, their heads held high, into the stunned silence of the room.