Special Forces Medic-Chapter 616 - 578: The Xiao Family Has Always Been Unprincipled

"None of them!" Hua Qingyi shook his head. He couldn’t explain why he was feeling so fussy and anxious, a feeling that had never occurred before and recently kept appearing inexplicably. He looked gloomily at Xiao Lin, who was in a daze staring at some spot, not noticing his gaze. "Anyway, just listen to me this time."

"Got it!" Another perfunctory answer. Hua Qingyi was utterly defeated by Xiao Lin’s stubbornness. Unable to persuade him, he could only hurry himself to come over earlier. "Your goals are different from mine. I just want to know the origin and course of this channel, as for whether you want to deal with the upper level or the lower level, that’s not within my concern."

"Alright!" After Xiao Lin briefly explained his reasons for staying here, Hua Qingyi climbed onto the bed. He turned naked into the bedding, quickly falling asleep in the soft quilt, while Xiao Lin had already pushed open the window and slipped out.

With the innate instinct of the Xiao Family, Xiao Lin jumped from the third-floor window to the second-floor air conditioner unit, and then slid down the drainpipe to the ground. Just now, there was a figure standing on the rooftop opposite their room. He didn’t tell Hua Qingyi the reason simply because Hua Qingyi didn’t tell him either.

Xiao Lin wanted to prevent any trouble for Hua Qingyi, and he knew someone was across purely by instinct. So when he got up to investigate, he didn’t hesitate before leaping straight from the window.

Realizing this, Hua Qingyi, who was already asleep, opened his eyes, fiddling with his bangs while hesitating whether to follow. Annoyed, he jumped out of bed, grabbed a cigarette, and lit it. As he inhaled and exhaled the smoke, he gradually calmed down, then went back to sleep.

The shadow moved swiftly amid the sporadic stars, yet always stopped after covering some distance, waiting for Xiao Lin. This seemingly intentional pause allowed Xiao Lin to slow his pace with ease. Even without the other leading the way, he knew where they were heading.

The drizzling raindrops on his face were discomforting. He wore loose pajamas, making his midnight stroll on the street seem quite peculiar. The shadow halted in front of the central garden. Standing in the shadow, he appeared somewhat tall. Xiao Lin stopped a couple of steps away, not advancing any closer.

The shadow fumbled to bring something to his mouth, and with a click, the lighter lit the cigarette in his mouth. Accompanied by the smoke, the shadow coughed a few times. Xiao Lin couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows. He initially suspected the person was from the Xiao Family, but now it didn’t seem like it. Someone who would wait at night for him wouldn’t take him here just to let him watch them smoke.

"Go back!" In the darkness, the shadow uttered two words in a hoarse and low voice towards Xiao Lin’s direction. This wasn’t a feigned voice, and from the emerging hisses, it was clear the voice damage was severe.

"Impossible!" Xiao Lin wanted to move closer, but the shadow in the darkness easily dodged, eluding Xiao Lin’s attempt to identify him, moving from one spot of darkness into another. He didn’t want Xiao Lin to see him clearly.

"This isn’t a place you can meddle with." The cracked voice was clearer, like something was stuck somewhere, and with the trembling of the vocal cords, the broken sound split through.

"We shall see the outcome, then." Before the shadow could act, Xiao Lin took a step forward, seemingly aware of the opponent’s next move, thwarting it in its infancy.

"People from the Xiao Family have never been principled." This statement was obviously targeted. Xiao Lin touched his nose.

"Since you already know my identity, why pretend? Wouldn’t it be better to clarify who we are and our intentions?" Xiao Lin cautiously didn’t move closer, defining between friend and foe. The person wasn’t powerless. Judging by the changed postures, he was someone with martial skills. The northern district truly was a place of hidden masters!

"Having someone like you in the Xiao Family is a blessing in disguise. Here’s a warning: go back to where you came from. This murky water isn’t for you."

"Thank you for the warning, sir. But since you know I’m from the Xiao Family, you should also know we never leave things halfway."

"Arrogant brat." The shadow snorted coldly and then went silent. Xiao Lin stood long without moving, even though there was no longer anyone there; he just stood rooted in place.

"Kid, consider this your last warning. You’re not ready." At some unknown moment, the voice came from behind Xiao Lin. It was only now he realized someone was already close. If they had wanted to kill him, he wouldn’t have been able to escape. Here, undoubtedly, he could only be injured but not fatally.

Immediately turning toward the voice, Xiao Lin delivered a chopping strike. The sound of branches snapping echoed as it gradually fell.

"I couldn’t tell you had some skills, inner Heart Method? Did Elder Xiao already teach you the Nine Yang Manual? The raspy voice had a hint of surprise. "So you’re the next-generation inheritor?"

"That’s right!" After missing his target, Xiao Lin moved, forcing the person to emerge from the darkness. Seeing through Xiao Lin’s intent, the shadow turned and returned again into darkness.

"Which of Xiao Zhenfeng’s sons are you?"

"Doesn’t the gentleman know the Xiao Family well? Why ask such childish questions?" Xiao Lin’s relentless approach was unlike his usual demeanor, making the shadow laugh aloud.

"Kid, learning the Nine Yang True Scripture isn’t enough to warrant arrogance, but you do have the capital for it. Didn’t Elder Xiao pass the Nine Dragon Divine Needle down to you?"

"I’m unworthy, yet I’ve mastered both at an advanced level."

"Good, good!" The shadow suddenly changed stances, attacking Xiao Lin’s left abdomen. Seeing this, Xiao Lin withdrew his hand to defend, unprepared for the simultaneous attack on his right side.

"The gentleman seems to know everything about the Xiao Family’s weaknesses." This was a misstep manuever; attacking the left while simultaneously assailing the right was a tactical blind spot for the Xiao Family. Of course, not everyone is qualified to train to this point.

Seeing Xiao Lin easily neutralize his attack, the shadow let out a sound of astonishment. "Indeed, something worth noting." With this, the shadow disappeared into deeper darkness. Xiao Lin no longer waited; this old man wouldn’t return. But who was he, exactly? Someone so knowledgeable about the Xiao Family—if an enemy, he would surely be a formidable adversary indeed. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian [qidian.com]. Your support is my greatest motivation.)