072 Unspoken Fears and Hesitations

Beneath the silvery moonlight, a vivid, striking figure stood alone. Her night attire traced out graceful curves, with various weapons strapped to her waist and limbs. A mask, made from the same material as her outfit, covered her face, casting a dim and enigmatic glow under the moon’s gaze. Her entire presence was cold and restrained, her aura so sharp and thin it seemed to clutch at one’s heart. Like a finely crafted dart, she could take a life in a single instant.

“She’s really a woman?” Sinan exclaimed in surprise, his eyes fixed on the figure not far away.

Sitting at the forefront, Si Qingchen frowned slightly. Hearing Sinan’s astonished words, he felt an inexplicable discomfort rise within him.

At that moment, the figure stepped forward, her voice breaking the silence. “Where are my people?”

Her voice had clearly been altered by a voice modulator, yet one could still discern its original clarity—crisp and melodious, like the ringing of a bell.

“They’re with me,” Si Qingchen replied, moving to meet her.

Soon, both were fully exposed beneath the moonlight. The small clearing was shrouded in a silver mist, enveloping the two figures standing at its center. Facing each other, their auras clashed with equal force, sparks of confrontation flaring between them as neither yielded an inch.

“Speak. What will it take for you to release them?”

“Why not let me see your real face?”

“You must be… dreaming!” she retorted.

“Yes, I know,” he said.

Faced with his impossible demand, Mu Qingcheng’s eyes widened slightly, a thousand thoughts flickering through her gaze. Memories of the so-called “Shadow” leader she’d encountered on previous missions surfaced in her mind… It didn’t seem quite like the person before her now. At the very least, not entirely. The usual fierce chill and domineering control over the situation were somehow different from this person’s current demeanor.

A strange feeling stirred within her, mixed with the suspicions she’d harbored these past days.

“Then perhaps I should see your true face first—” she began, but before her words could fully land, the girl before him suddenly stepped forward and launched a swift, ruthless attack.

Si Qingchen was ready. He instantly leaped back, raising a hand to block the kick that sliced through the air toward him.

A dull, heavy thud echoed as their strength collided.

Crackling sounds erupted behind them as weapons were cocked, but before anyone could finish, a man’s fierce command rang out:

“Drop them—now!”

“Boss!”

“I said drop them! No one is to be harmed!”

“…”

Sinan could hardly believe it. The “Shadow” leader, always ruthless and decisive, was actually holding back. And the person standing before them was none other than the infamous “Trace”—the one who always appeared and vanished without a trace, whose rebellious, unrestrained ways defied all rules. And this person was the very leader of their adversaries! If they could capture her, the entire “Trace” organization would fall into their hands. Not only would they seize all those high-tech weapons, but even the research personnel would be theirs to command. So why, at this critical moment, was there hesitation?

Sinan looked at Si Qingchen, frustrated, but obeyed the command and had everyone lower their weapons.

Little did he know, Si Qingchen’s caution and hesitation were not for “Trace,” but for the one who haunted his thoughts—the one who had just run off in fright—Mu Qingcheng. If it truly was her…

Si Qingchen continued to fend off the onslaught before him, yet he gradually sensed that the “Trace” leader seemed… hesitant as well.

Just then, a sudden rumble echoed from the distant sky. In moments, four or five helicopters appeared overhead, their arrival abrupt and menacing. Before either could react, several red laser dots simultaneously landed on both Si Qingchen and Mu Qingcheng.

For a moment, both were stunned. Yet, almost involuntarily, they rushed straight toward each other.