The Pursuit Descends

Another secret base of Old Gun was located in an abandoned factory on the edge of the black market. It used to be a mechanical processing plant, but was abandoned after an explosion a few years ago. Now, it has become Old Gun's hideout.

We entered the factory; it was very dark inside, with only a dim emergency light in the corner. Old Gun turned on a brighter light, illuminating the entire factory.

The factory was piled with all kinds of discarded mechanical parts and tools, but in the corner there was a room partitioned off with steel plates, which seemed to be Old Gun's bedroom and workspace.

"You two rest here for a while," Old Gun said. "I'll go outside to check the situation."

"I'll go with you," I said.

Old Gun glanced at me and nodded. "Alright."

Old Gun and I walked out of the factory and onto the street outside. The street was quiet, with only a few patrolling black market guards walking around.

"The Genesis Group people should still be searching inside the black market," Old Gun said. "They won't think we've already come out for now."

"But they'll find this place sooner or later," I said. "We can't stay here too long."

Old Gun nodded. "I know. Old Zhou should send someone to pick us up soon. Until then, we have to keep a low profile."

Just then, I suddenly heard rapid footsteps. Old Gun and I exchanged glances, both seeing alertness in each other's eyes.

We hid around a corner and peered out. Several people in black combat suits were walking toward us. They wore masks and carried weapons, looking like Genesis Group operatives.

"How did they find this place?" I whispered.

Old Gun frowned. "I don't know. Maybe someone leaked our whereabouts."

"What do we do?"

Old Gun thought for a moment. "We can't fight them head-on. Go back and inform Su Wei and Black Fox, then leave through the back passage."

I nodded and followed Old Gun back.

But just as we were about to reach the factory entrance, a voice suddenly rang out: "Stop!"

We halted and turned around. A tall, muscular man stood before us, wearing a black trench coat and sunglasses, looking like the leader of these people.

"Old Gun, long time no see," the man said, his tone tinged with sarcasm.

Old Gun's expression changed. "You?"

"It's me," the man said, taking off his sunglasses to reveal a cold face. "Didn't expect to meet again, did you?"

"How are you here?" Old Gun asked.

"Why shouldn't I be here?" the man sneered. "Genesis Group has known you were here all along. Old Gun, did you think you were well hidden?"

Old Gun was silent for a moment, then said, "What do you want?"

"Simple," the man said. "Hand over that woman and come with me. Then I might consider letting you and your apprentice go."

"Dream on!" Old Gun roared. "I won't hand Su Wei over to you!"

The man's eyes turned icy. "Then don't blame me for being rude."

He waved his hand, and his subordinates immediately raised their weapons, aiming at us.

I gripped my Pulse Gun tightly, ready to fight.

"Haozi," Old Gun whispered, "when I fire, you take the chance to run back to the factory and tell Su Wei and Black Fox to leave through the back passage."

"What about you?"

"I'll hold them off," Old Gun said. "Go quickly!"

I looked at Old Gun, moved with emotion. He was my master and like a father; I couldn't let him face danger alone.

"No," I said. "I'm not leaving. We fight together."

Old Gun glanced at me, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Alright, let's fight together."

Just then, the man suddenly raised his hand, and a red beam shot from his palm toward us.

"Watch out!" Old Gun shouted, pulling me aside.

The red beam hit the wall behind us, blasting a large hole in it.

"He's a gene-modified warrior!" I exclaimed.

The man sneered. "That's right. I'm one of Genesis Group's finest gene-modified warriors. You're no match for me."

"We'll see about that!" Old Gun roared, raising his Pulse Gun and firing at the man.

The Pulse Gun roared, bullets flying toward the man. But the man's body suddenly became distorted, and the bullets passed through him, hitting the wall behind.

"How is that possible?" I said in astonishment.

"It's one of the abilities of gene modification," Old Gun said. "He can make his body intangible to avoid attacks."

The man stepped toward us, a disdainful look in his eyes. "Give up, Old Gun. You're no match for me."

Old Gun said nothing, just tightened his grip on the Pulse Gun, ready to fire again.

Just then, I suddenly felt a strange sensation. My body seemed to heat up, and a surge of power welled up from within.

"What's happening?" I murmured.

My vision began to blur, and everything around seemed to slow down. I saw the man walking toward us, his movements incredibly slow in my eyes.

Then, I felt my body become light, as if I could easily dodge any attack.

"Haozi, what's wrong?" Old Gun asked, his voice sounding distant in my ears.

I didn't answer; I just felt the power inside growing stronger. I raised my hand and aimed at the man.

A golden beam shot from my palm, flying toward the man.

The man's expression changed. "What is this?"

He tried to dodge, but the golden beam was too fast; he couldn't react in time. The beam struck his chest, sending him flying into the wall.

"Cough..." The man climbed to his feet, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "You... you're also a gene-modified?"

I stared at my hand, shocked. Did I also have gene modification abilities?

"No," I said. "I don't know what's happening."

The man sneered. "Whatever you are, you all die today!"

He raised his hand again, a more powerful red beam shooting toward us.

I tried to use that power again, but found it had vanished.

"Haozi, watch out!" Old Gun shouted, stepping in front of me.

The red beam hit Old Gun's shoulder, sending him flying into the wall.

"Old Gun!" I cried, rushing over to support him.

Old Gun's face was pale, and there was a large wound on his shoulder, blood gushing out.

"I'm fine..." Old Gun said. "Go quickly..."

"I'm not leaving!" I said. "I'm taking you with me!"

Just then, I heard rapid footsteps. Su Wei and Black Fox ran out of the factory.

"What happened?" Su Wei asked, her expression changing when she saw Old Gun injured.

"Old Gun is wounded," I said. "We have to get out of here now."

"This way!" Black Fox pointed in a direction. "I know a shortcut."

I helped Old Gun up and followed Black Fox and Su Wei, running toward the shortcut.

Behind us, the man's voice came: "Don't think you can escape!"

He chased after us, but Black Fox led us through twists and turns, quickly shaking him off.

We ran into an abandoned subway station, which was dark except for the faint light of emergency lights on the walls.

"Is this safe?" Su Wei asked.

"Temporarily safe," Black Fox said. "But we can't stay here too long."

I set Old Gun down and examined his wound. It was deep but hadn't hit the bone.

"Old Gun, how are you?" I asked.

Old Gun shook his head. "I'm fine. Just a minor injury."

"Minor injury?" I said. "Your shoulder is almost blown through!"

"Alright," I said. "Let's head to the spaceport."

Just then, a sharp alarm suddenly sounded from the ship's communicator.

"Incoming communication!" Black Fox said nervously.

A line of text appeared on the screen: "Chen Hao, you can't escape. Your genes... are ours."

I stared at the line, my heart racing. Genesis Group not only knew where I was, but they also knew something was wrong with my genes.

"What did they do to me?" I whispered.

Su Wei turned her head, a hint of fear in her eyes. "I think... I know the answer."

Her fingers quickly swiped across the data terminal, then stopped.

On the screen, the contents of an encrypted file were displayed—"Project C: Chen Hao - Success rate 97%."

And the signature below the file was a name I couldn't believe: Zhao Tianxiong.