The Hidden Evil: Villainous Cultivator

Three days later, a ship carrying five boys hidden within its cargo hold set sail towards Europe. The journey lasted twenty days, and when the ship finally docked at a shipyard in the Netherlands under the veil of night, five figures dressed in black silently emerged, their movements swift and precise as they blended into the shadows.

Ye Feng, holding a communicator and a digital device in his hand, glanced at the glowing red marker displayed on the screen. That was their destination—a safe house where they would regroup and plan their mission. Moving separately, each boy used the darkness to evade the patrol cars, ensuring they remained undetected.

When they finally arrived at their designated location, they kept silent, confirming each other's identities only by briefly removing their masks. They were in front of a house that was located in an alley .One of the boys stepped forward and knocked on the door six times in a rhythmic pattern. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing an old man who peered at them, silently counting their numbers before stepping aside.

"Come in," he said in English, his voice calm but firm.

As they entered the dimly lit house, he continued, "My name is Arnold. I am a retired member of Zero. You will stay here until you receive further instructions. Rest assured, once your mission is complete, this place will remain safe for you."

The safe house, tucked away in a narrow alley, was well-furnished. The interior bore a distinctly European style, with a comfortable-looking sofa, a wooden table, and a television in the main hall. There were three rooms downstairs and two more upstairs. Each of them was assigned a room.

Ye Feng sat on the bed in his assigned room, glancing around as he let out a quiet sigh. This was the first time he had felt any semblance of freedom. His body felt light, almost unburdened. After taking a warm bath, he ensured the door was properly locked before lying down. That night, for the first time in a long while, he slept soundly.

—

The next morning, Ye Feng strolled down the streets, blending into the bustling crowd. Dressed in a black hat, black coat, white shirt, and black pants, he kept his face shadowed beneath the hat to avoid surveillance cameras.

It was a Sunday, and the streets were filled with people enjoying their day off. He continued walking until he reached an open park, where he casually surveyed the area, taking note of every detail—the layout, the roads leading in and out, the positioning of security cameras, and the general movement of the crowd. After finishing his inspection, he spent the rest of the day observing before quietly slipping back into the safe house under the cover of darkness.

Inside, the other four boys were already seated around a wooden table. A map was spread across its surface, various locations marked in red ink. Ye Feng approached and took a seat.

Mark, one of the boys, looked at him. "Hades, report your findings."

Ye Feng nodded and began explaining everything he had gathered—the layout of the park, the possible escape routes, and other relevant details. The team listened intently, occasionally adding their own observations. They spent an hour finalizing the plan, marking key points on the map. Once satisfied, they packed up and retired to their rooms to rest before the mission.

—

The next day, Monday morning, a black car cruised down the street towards the same park Ye Feng had surveyed. Two identical vehicles flanked it—one in the front and one at the rear—each carrying four bodyguards dressed in black suits, their hands gripping SMGs.

Inside the middle car sat Liam, the city's mayor. Today, he was scheduled to deliver a speech addressing the ongoing controversy surrounding the establishment of an iron smelting industry on the city's outskirts. He opposed the project, arguing that it would lead to deforestation and heavy pollution. However, many supported the factory's construction, believing it would generate employment and economic growth. The ongoing debate had reached a standstill, and the company chairman, facing mounting losses due to the delay, had reached out to Zero with a simple request—eliminate Liam.

For Zero, this was a routine mission. Ye Feng's team had been assigned to carry out the assassination.

At precisely 10 a.m., Liam stepped onto a small stage in front of a gathered crowd, his bodyguards positioned strategically around him. He began his speech, passionately arguing against the project. Time ticked by, and after an hour, he concluded his address. Journalists swarmed him with questions, and he patiently responded before finally stepping down from the stage to engage with the public.

In the crowd stood Ye Feng, a microphone in his hand, blending seamlessly into the sea of people. Beneath his coat, concealed from view, was a silenced pistol. His expression remained unreadable as he calmly uttered two words into his communicator.

"Do it."

In one swift motion, he pulled out his pistol, aimed at Liam's temple, and squeezed the trigger. A suppressed shot rang out, the bullet piercing through the mayor's skull. Blood instantly gushed from the wound as Liam's body crumpled to the ground.

Almost simultaneously, more gunshots echoed from a distance. The coordinated attack created mass panic, sending people into a frenzied retreat. Screams filled the air as the crowd scrambled to flee, pushing against one another in a desperate attempt to escape.

Liam's bodyguards, reacting instinctively, assumed the shot had come from a distant sniper. In the chaos, they failed to notice Ye Feng's precise movements.

Taking advantage of the disorder, Ye Feng moved swiftly, running alongside the fleeing masses. The moment he reached a secluded alleyway, he spotted a large dumpster and immediately climbed inside, covering himself beneath the discarded waste.

Hidden in the darkness, he remained perfectly still, listening as the city above him descended into mayhem. He knew that by nightfall, when the search efforts would weaken, he would make his next move.