After finishing, his subordinates surged forward, launching an attack on Lin Beichen.
Lin Beichen watched the group, the smile on his face gradually disappearing. He knew that this time, he was truly caught in trouble.
However, he didn't feel afraid because of this. He slightly leaned down, following the force of the first person rushing at him, and easily dodged a strike. Then he used his strength to pull this person to the left, blocking the attack of the second person.
Just like that, he relied on his excellent combat skills and calm judgment to successfully respond to this sudden ambush.
However, the middle-aged man was neither surprised nor afraid. He still stood there calmly, watching Lin Beichen's performance.
When Lin Beichen stopped his movements and looked at him, he said, "Stop fighting."
Lin Beichen casually tossed aside the person in front of him and mocked, "Scared?"
The middle-aged man shook his head, "I just think it's unnecessary."
He continued, "Your skills are indeed good, but if these novices fight you in close combat, it would be no different from seeking death. What if I have three people who specialize in coordinated attacks against you?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Beichen's face fell. He knew that if what the middle-aged man said was true, then he might indeed face a bitter battle.
"In this era of modern weapons, why would you use precious soldiers to practice close combat?" Lin Beichen directly hit the core of the issue.
The middle-aged man glanced at Ji, "You ask him, he's Joseph's top melee fighter." His tone carried a chill.
Lin Beichen was unmoved, if not for considering the safety of Xia Luyao and others, he would have left a long time ago.
Ji raised his head, his voice cold, "He indeed has three experts who practice coordinated killing tactics, with a strength unmatched by what you previously encountered."
After speaking, he gave the middle-aged man a deep look and said no more.
The middle-aged man showed a sincere smile between his brows, leaned forward and whispered to Ji, "Now you understand why I'm discussing business with you? You're miles ahead of Five." Ji's gaze remained cold, showing no ripples.
Lin Beichen quietly produced a pen and talisman paper, causing the soldiers to look at each other in confusion. His figure suddenly vanished.
The middle-aged man looked up, confirming Lin Beichen had left.
"Why not capture him?" Ji asked in confusion.
The middle-aged man shook his head, "I have a hunch that provoking him would be unwise. Otherwise, not only wouldn't we keep him, but it might also bring disaster upon ourselves." Ji fell silent.
"Can we talk business now?" Ji asked calmly, the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man smirked, "You're actually sent by Joseph, aren't you?"
Ji ambiguously replied, "Joseph is dead, I assure you of that."
The middle-aged man laughed heartily, "Joseph's disciples inherited his honesty." The soldiers, hearing this, showed fear in their eyes.
Ji and the middle-aged man shook hands firmly, expressing their willingness to cooperate.
After everyone had left, the middle-aged man's gaze became deep, "Joseph never gained this honor." He seemed to mention it unintentionally, yet it hit right at Ji's heart.
Ji nodded and began to outline the cooperation plan, "Joseph leaned towards Li Qiao, all resources went to him. Five loyally follows, but I don't. I'm willing to join forces with you against Li Qiao."
The middle-aged man's smile carried sarcasm but quickly recovered, "Why choose me?"
Ji answered, "I sense you are the one person Joseph truly feared."
The middle-aged man stared at Ji for a moment and laughed heartily, "Then that's right!"
The smile was eerie, sending chills down one's spine.
Ji's heart tensed, yet he found the middle-aged man's face gradually overlapping with Joseph's.
In another scene, a young man squatted in front of a broken corpse, his gaze frantic.
He called the old man behind the scenes, "Siphet is dead."
The old man laughed and praised, the young man silently hung up.
His eyes carried murderous intent, yet he showed tenderness towards the body before him, "Siphet, why were you in such a hurry to leave..." He stood up, his emotions complex and difficult to understand.
Earlier, to vent his emotions, he ruthlessly killed all remaining subordinates.
Even though Siphet was extraordinary, managing to kill twelve in a thirty-person ambush, he was ultimately just human.
The young man was acutely aware that every one of them was twisted and abnormal, they took life lightly but were absurdly obsessed with certain feelings.
Money, family, power, status, love all appeared so distorted in their eyes.
Though the young man understood this, he couldn't change, leaving him in unbearable pain.
He stood up and decided to find his father.
In the afterglow of the sunset, he murmured Siphet's name as he gradually moved away.
As the sky darkened, he felt somewhat fatigued. He wished to meet the person who led Siphet to forsake everything to help him, whoever that divine being might be. He wanted to know what kind of person could make Siphet endure years of painful struggle, waiting for salvation.
The beauty of the sunset reminded him of the heartfelt words Siphet once said to him.
At that time, Siphet's gunshot wounds were still bleeding, yet her words were filled with sorrow and determination.
"I've lost my family and betrayed my friends, all caused by your father. I won't resent you nor trust you." Her words pained the young man deeply. Siphet continued, "You rich kids have lived too well, you truly don't understand your father's callousness. Your sincerity might just be another tool for him."
Siphet's words conveyed her valuing of true feelings, "I won't betray my heart for profit nor those who are sincere to me. You should give up." Her pain seemed to intensify, making the young man feel even more heartache.