Starforce Warriors

Chapter 178: Pointing

The room was a complete mess. Chairs and tables were overturned. A half-naked middle-aged woman lay in a pool of blood. Her body was disheveled, clearly having suffered abuse and mistreatment before her death. It was Kong Yan, Kong Xinyue's mother.

Li Xiaofei was greatly surprised. He quickly searched the other two rooms but found no one else. It was apparent that the perpetrator had already left. Judging by the mess, the assailant had also ransacked the place for any valuables.

Li Xiaofei crouched down, covered the woman's body with some clothes, and examined her to determine the cause of death. She had been struck forcefully in the chest, causing multiple fractures to her sternum and ribs...

Just then...

"Mm..."|

Kong Yan suddenly exhaled sharply as her limbs began to convulse violently.

She's not dead?

Li Xiaofei was startled and quickly took out a blood-activating pill. He placed it in her mouth, unsure whether it would help. Gradually, Kong Yan's ashen face showed slight improvement, and her eyes slowly opened.

"Xinyue, Xinyue..."

She instinctively cried out, struggling to get up. But her fatal injuries and excessive blood loss made it impossible for her limbs to move. When she saw Li Xiaofei, her pupils suddenly contracted.

"Where is your daughter?" Li Xiaofei asked, "Did you send her to lure Li Jie out of the slum?"

"No..." Kong Yan seemed to remember something and broke down into tears. "It's not Xinyue, she didn't know... don't kill her, please don't kill her..."

Li Xiaofei frowned and said, "Explain clearly, and I might spare both of you."

Kong Yan's mind was in disarray. She continued to cry and plead, "It has nothing to do with Xinyue, it was all me. You can kill me, but it really has nothing to do with Xinyue... she knows nothing... I was forced. If I didn't do it, they would sell Xinyue. She's so young..."

Her life force was weakening as she spoke.

"Your daughter and Li Jie are both missing," Li Xiaofei said in a low, stern voice. "If you want to save her, tell me exactly what happened."

Save her?

Kong Yan struggled to lift her head and look at Li Xiaofei, trying hard to focus.

Yes, I have to save my daughter.

When this thought emerged, all her previous fear and pain seemed to fade away.

"I'll tell you, I'll tell you. Please save her. Xinyue is truly innocent..." said Kong Yan desperately as her eyes gradually cleared.

It turned out that earlier that morning, a Dragon Claw Gang Incense Master named Jin Yi had come to Kong Yan and ordered her daughter Kong Xinyue to lure Li Jie out of the slum. Kong Yan hadn’t wanted to provoke someone as powerful as Li Xiaofei, but the other party didn't give her a choice. If she didn't comply, they threatened to kill both her and her daughter.

Kong Yan had no choice but to deceive her daughter. She gave her daughter 100 star coins and repeatedly instructed Kong Xinyue to invite Li Jie and the others out of the slum under the pretext of treating them to snacks.

Unexpectedly, Jin Yi and his men had no intention of sparing Kong Yan after accomplishing their goal. After subjecting her to humiliation, they had intended to kill her to eliminate any witnesses.

Kong Yan had no martial arts skills and had suffered severe injuries. She was on the brink of death. However, perhaps due to her concern for her daughter, she had miraculously clung to life just long enough to encounter Li Xiaofei.

After recounting everything, Kong Yan's breath rapidly weakened. The middle-aged woman, who had struggled to raise her daughter in the harsh world of gang conflicts, somehow found the strength to tightly grasp Li Xiaofei's sleeve, tears streaming down her face.

"Please, I beg you... save Xinyue. She... she's changed. It's my fault I didn't teach her well. She... she's really a good... a good child... please..."

Her eyes were fixed on Li Xiaofei.

"I will save her," replied Li Xiaofei.

Li Xiaofei's heart softened when faced with the desperate plea of a dying mother. He had never been a selfish person. A true martial artist must harbor a sense of chivalry.

Once she heard Li Xiaofei's promise, Kong Yan's remaining strength faded instantly. Her hands fell limp, and the last glimmer of light in her eyes disappeared. Li Xiaofei extended a hand and gently closed her eyes.

Although he arrived too late, it was now clear that the Dragon Claw Gang had orchestrated the kidnapping. Li Xiaofei quickly contemplated his next move. The fact that the kidnappers had not immediately killed Li Jie and the others but had instead chosen to abduct them indicated that they had further demands.

For the time being, Li Jie and the others were likely safe. However, as someone who had grown up in the gang world, Li Xiaofei was well aware of the filth and treachery within these organizations. He needed to act swiftly to rescue them.

As he was thinking, footsteps approached from outside. Soon, a figure burst in.

"Don't move... hands up."

Li Xiaofei turned around and saw a familiar face. It was none other than Su Yuke, the policewoman he had encountered at the hot pot restaurant.

She had long legs, a slim waist, and had a high ponytail. The valiant policewoman looked serious as she leveled a star energy pulse pistol at him. This type of pistol was quite powerful and posed a significant threat to anyone below the Limit Breaking Realm. In Great Xia, only police officers were equipped with such firearms.

A young male colleague was standing behind her and was also holding a gun trained on Li Xiaofei.

"It's you?" Su Yuke immediately recognized Li Xiaofei and demanded, "What are you doing here? Did you kill this person?"

"Don't get excited." Li Xiaofei remained still and replied, "Don't misunderstand, she was already gravely injured and dying when I arrived. I tried to give her medicine, but it was too late."

He didn't want to have a confrontation with the police.

"Hands on your head, and stop talking." Su Yuke ordered sternly, "You are now a prime suspect in a serious crime. I am arresting you on behalf of the Congtai Road police station. Do not resist, and save your explanations for the station."

"Sorry, I cannot." Li Xiaofei shook his head. "My sister has been kidnapped, and I'm trying to find her. I don't have time to go to the police station. Once I find her, I will personally go to the station to explain everything to Officer Su."

"That's not up to you—" The male police officer sneered.

Before he could finish his sentence, Li Xiaofei's figure blurred. Both officers only saw a flash, and Li Xiaofei was no longer in front of them.

Smack.

Su Yuke’s wrist felt numb as her star energy pulse pistol slipped from her grasp. Before she could react, a hand was around her neck.

Li Xiaofei had one hand around the policewoman's neck and the other around her waist, pressing them tightly together. His head was hidden behind hers, revealing no part of his body.

He addressed the male officer, "Put down the gun."

"You..."

The male officer was both shocked and furious. He hadn't even had time to react, and his captain had already become a hostage.

Su Yuke was seething with anger. Her eyes blazed as her chest heaved. Initially, she had been the one pointing the gun at Li Xiaofei. Now, it was Li Xiaofei who was threatening her.