American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

Alan looked up at Lynn, a slight smile playing on his lips, his eyes gleaming with confidence. His voice was deep and clear: “You don’t understand.” He paused, as if recalling something, “Scott gave me life, gave me strength, he made my life meaningful. What you call crime, what you call betrayal, are nothing but things you don’t understand in my eyes.”

Lynn frowned slightly. He increasingly felt that the man before him was not an ordinary gangster; his eyes revealed an unfathomable coldness and determination. "You work for Scott, don't you consider your future? Do you think Scott can protect you forever?"

Alan was silent for a moment, as if pondering Lynn's words. He raised his head, a gentle yet firm glint in his eyes: "Why do you think I work for Scott?" His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable conviction. "Scott is not only my boss, but also the person who changed my life. You all think he's a criminal, but in reality, he's the source of my rebirth."

A sense of unease welled up in Lynn's heart. Alan's aura was so powerful, as if he were no longer an ordinary criminal, but someone with an extraordinary background. "Rebirth? What are you talking about?" Lynn's tone was somewhat urgent; he wanted to squeeze some useful information out of Alan. "What did Scott give you? What's this power you're talking about?"

Alan lowered his head, a slight smile playing on his lips, as if he had been prepared for this question: "You don't understand, Lynn." He raised his head, his eyes clear. "I used to be an ordinary person, an insignificant ordinary person with no future. But Scott saw potential in me, gave me a chance, and gave me real power. I never imagined I would get to where I am today, and all of this is because Scott made me understand what true life is."

Lynn didn't respond immediately. He knew there were many ambiguities in Alan's words, yet he couldn't help but be curious. "What kind of power did he give you?" Lynn asked through gritted teeth, his tone becoming even more forceful. "All the deals you've been involved in, all the crimes you've committed, are all backed by Scott. Don't you have even a shred of conscience, haven't you considered the possibility of betraying him?"

Alan didn't answer immediately. He sat quietly in his chair, his gaze deep, seemingly lost in memories. After a while, he spoke, his voice carrying a barely perceptible emotion: "You ask me what power is? You might think it's the power of a fist, a strong physique. But in fact, what Scott gave me was a power to change my destiny, a spiritual awakening." He paused. "When I was at my most troubled and confused, it was Scott who reached out to me. You people simply cannot understand; he was not just an arms dealer, but a game-changer."

Lynn felt a jolt. He began to realize that Alan wasn't simply a thug or a weapon, but a manipulated pawn, driven by a far more powerful force. The veiled meaning in his words deepened Lynn's suspicions. What kind of person was Scott? How could he possess such immense control? Did Alan's talk of "changing fate" truly refer to some illogical means?

"Change your destiny?" Lynn countered. "What exactly did you go through?"

Alan's eyes flickered slightly as he seemed to recall that period: "I used to be a small-time street hustler, homeless, not even knowing if I would live to see tomorrow. Like many others, I lived a meaningless life." His voice lowered, "Until one day, Scott found me. No one knows how he knew my name or how he got in touch with me. But that day, he gave me an opportunity, a completely different world."

Lynn froze, a sudden shock washing over him. "Scott found you? How did he do that?"

“He didn’t need to ask questions.” Alan’s tone became unusually calm. “He knew what I wanted, he could see my potential. He gave me a different way of life, a different kind of power.” He took a deep breath. “He changed my body in some way, giving me power that ordinary people couldn’t achieve. I’m no longer that fragile street kid, but someone who can survive in any situation.”

Lynn was overwhelmed with mixed feelings, barely able to process the information before him. Scott's power could actually grant an ordinary person extraordinary abilities? A bigger question was vaguely emerging in his mind: was this "power" obtained through some kind of experiment or illegal means? Since Alan could possess such unusual abilities in such a short time, the truth behind it might be more complex than he imagined.

"Is what you call power real?" Lynn suppressed his shock and asked in a low voice, "What exactly did Scott give you? Was it drugs, experiments, or..." He didn't continue asking because he knew that Alan in front of him clearly didn't intend to reveal all of this easily.

Alan's eyes grew even colder, as if a taboo subject had been touched upon. "You don't understand," he said, his tone almost contemptuous. "Your so-called 'justice' is nothing but a joke. The power you seek cannot change lives at all. But Scott, he gave me real power."

Lynn grew increasingly uneasy. Alan before him was completely absorbed in Scott's plan; his eyes held no confusion, only fervent reverence. No matter how Lynn tried to pry open Alan's mouth to learn Scott's whereabouts, Alan remained exceptionally resolute, refusing to divulge any valuable information. Lynn knew that Alan's loyalty stemmed not from fear, but from a deep trust and reliance—a trust so profound it was willing to do anything.

Lynn remained silent for a moment, realizing that directly threatening Alan would obviously not work. He had to adopt a different strategy, or a more covert approach, to slowly uncover Scott's true colors. Alan looked at Lynn with a cold glint in his eyes, as if everything was under his control.

“You can ask me any questions,” Alan said again, his voice icy, “but you can never expose Scott’s secrets. His plan is already set in motion, and no one can stop it. You may think you can uncover the truth, but let me tell you, the truth has already changed.”

A chill ran through Lynn; he knew the gap between him and Alan was widening. No matter how hard he tried, Alan seemed deeply bewitched, completely controlled by Scott's schemes.

"What are you referring to in these plans?" Lynn finally couldn't help but press further, but he knew this wasn't just about Alan; it involved a much more complex scheme behind Scott. "What are your plans? What are your goals?"

Alan's lips curled up slightly. "You really want to know? Fine, you've got nowhere to turn anyway, Lynn." He looked at Lynn quietly, his tone somewhat mocking. "Scott's goals go far beyond the simple deals you think you're making. He's changing the rules of the game, pushing towards a completely different world."

Lynn felt a chill run down his spine. Although Alan's words were provocative, Lynn could already feel the invisible pressure; a conspiracy was already looming over them. This contest was no longer a simple pursuit, but concerned a larger, more dangerous secret.

“I will uncover the truth, Alan,” Lynn said softly, his gaze resolute. “No matter how much you try to hide it, the web behind you will eventually be torn apart by me.” Scott paced back and forth in the dimly lit basement, his face grim, his eyes gleaming with an unfathomable light. The air in the basement was stifling, filled with the smell of mildew and decay. The only source of light was a small lamp on the table, which, in its dim light, made Scott's face appear even more somber. He had waited far too long; Alan had not yet returned on time.

“What’s going on?” Scott muttered to himself, his voice echoing in the empty basement. “He never procrastinates, how could he not be back on time today?”

His gaze was deep, as if it could see through everything. Every wait, every silence, was like a taut string, filling Scott's heart with unease. He knew that Alan was his most capable assistant and his most loyal man. Alan's loyalty was unparalleled; he was not only a warrior but also Scott's most effective executor in this dark world.

However, today's silence gave Scott an ominous feeling. Alan should have completed his mission, and upon completion, he should have returned to report on the progress. But now, Alan hadn't returned, nor had any news come from him. Scott couldn't understand how Alan could have disappeared at such a crucial moment.

He looked up, his gaze deep, a resolute glint in his eyes. Scott knew he couldn't wait any longer. If Alan was already in trouble, staying in the basement would only be a waste of time. He had to act, to find Alan himself, ensure his safety, or at least confirm his whereabouts.

Scott barely lingered, leaving the basement immediately. His steps were firm and swift, his eyes showing no hesitation. The basement door creaked heavily, and with Scott's departure, a deathly silence returned. The air grew increasingly heavy, as if some unspeakable crisis was approaching.

The underground passage was winding and twisting, its walls covered in a thick layer of dust. Only a small light bulb flickered dimly, making each step seem to weigh heavier on the darkness. Scott quickened his pace; he knew Alan was likely in grave danger. With Alan's abilities, it was impossible for him to be trapped somewhere for so long, unless… unless something unforeseen happened.

He finally emerged from the basement and onto a secluded street. Night had fallen, and the city's hustle and bustle seemed shrouded in a thick fog, with only the occasional car passing by, emitting a piercing horn. Scott looked around, his gaze sharp as a hawk's. Unsettling scenarios flashed through his mind, and he realized that Alan might have fallen into a trap.

Scott quickly got into a car, started the engine, and sped towards the underground boxing ring that Lynn had tracked down. Since Alan hadn't returned on time, he must have encountered trouble during the mission. And this trouble was very likely related to the FBI's operation.

As the car drove through the silent streets, Scott's eyes grew colder, as if he could read the lurking danger in every detail. He knew that his connection with Alan had never been so fragile; the FBI must have already begun tracking him, and if he were discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable.

As the car approached the underground boxing ring, Scott slowed down, carefully observing his surroundings. He didn't rush into the ring, but instead pulled over into a nearby alley, waiting quietly. The car window was slightly rolled down, letting in a chilly draft. Scott gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes fixed intently on the distant boxing ring.

He knew that Alan's mission was deeply connected to the underground boxing ring, which was one of the central hubs connecting Alan with other criminals. If Alan encountered trouble, it would definitely be directly related to this place.

A few minutes later, Scott finally saw a familiar figure emerge from the boxing ring entrance. The man quickly walked to a car, bowed, and exchanged a few words with the person inside. Scott's gaze remained fixed on the man until he disappeared into the traffic.

“It seems someone has already found Alan,” Scott muttered to himself, a cold glint in his eyes. “They don’t seem to know Alan’s true worth.”

Just then, Scott's phone rang. He picked it up and saw an unfamiliar number on the screen. When he answered, a hurried voice came from the other end: "Scott, something's wrong. Alan's been targeted by the FBI. We've received intelligence that Agent Lynn has tracked him down and is interrogating him."

"What?" Scott's face instantly darkened. "You said Alan was arrested?"

“Yes, Scott, Alan didn’t complete the mission on time, and Agent Lynn likely already knows everything about Alan. We’re not sure if he can get any valuable information from Alan, but once Alan confesses anything…”

Scott abruptly interrupted him: “Contact everyone immediately and make sure Alan is safe. He must be brought back, no matter what.”

“Understood, Scott. We’ll handle it as soon as possible.” The other person’s voice was urgent, clearly indicating that the situation had become very complicated in a short period of time.

Scott hung up the phone, his brow furrowed, and remained silent for a moment. He quickly started his car, changed course, and drove towards the FBI. The situation was becoming increasingly dangerous for him; Alan's disappearance and the FBI's pursuit meant he had to take more drastic measures. (End of Chapter)