Extraterrestrial demons invaded; I laid the groundwork eight years in advance.

A surge of spiritual energy emanated from Zhou Zheng.

First level, first grade.

Li Yang's pupils suddenly contracted, and his body was jerked to the side as he rushed forward.

A semi-transparent stream of spiritual energy shot out from Zhou Zheng's palm, grazed his cheek, and with a low whistling sound, slammed heavily against the outer wall of the residential building behind him.

"Bang—"

With a short, muffled thud, the wall shattered, sending shards of stone flying and creating faint echoes between the alley walls.

Li Yang steadied himself, took two steps back, and glanced at the wall.

A hole the size of a washbasin was visible in the wall, with broken steel bars tangled inside, their edges charred and still emitting wisps of white smoke.

He turned his gaze away and looked at Zhou Zheng.

Although the Extraordinary Management Bureau has cultivation requirements for its members, it only sets a cultivation threshold for the combat department. Most of the personnel in other departments are hovering at the intermediate level of apprentice.

Li Yang never expected that Brother Zhou, who usually went to work on time and took care of his children after get off work, would quietly cross the threshold.

To break through to the next level within a month without undergoing intensive training or receiving preferential treatment in resources is a testament to talent and ability that would be considered top-tier even in the core operations department of Dawn or the Bureau.

Just as Li Yang was thinking, Zhou Zheng, holding a dagger, suddenly charged towards Li Yang like a spring compressed to its limit.

He moved very fast, and spiritual energy surged from his palm, covering the surface of the dagger with a very thin, transparent halo.

Li Yang had been keeping a close eye on Zhou Zheng's movements with his mental energy. Just as the other man approached, he dodged to the side, and the blade grazed past Zhou Zheng's chest.

He made a backhand cut with his right hand, reaching for Zhou Zheng's wrist holding the knife.

Zhou Zheng twisted his wrist sharply, thrusting the blade horizontally. The moment it touched Li Yang's arm, it was firmly blocked by the condensed mental energy barrier, unable to advance an inch.

He quickly changed his move, slashing downwards with his dagger, aiming straight for Li Yang's side ribs.

Li Yang did not choose to retreat. His mental energy surged suddenly, wrapping around Zhou Zheng's right arm that was holding the knife like an invisible chain, causing Zhou Zheng's movements to visibly falter.

In that split second, Li Yang grabbed his wrist and twisted it sharply, causing the dagger to fall to the ground with a clang.

  

Immediately afterwards, he turned around and grabbed Zhou Zheng from behind, placing his other hand on the back of his neck while simultaneously kicking him hard in the back of the knee.

Zhou Zheng was immediately slammed to the ground, his knees hitting the hard, dry cement floor with a dull thud.

Guided by mental energy, the dagger silently swooped down and gently pressed against Zhou Zheng's neck. A thin red line immediately appeared on his skin, and a drop of blood slowly slid down the blade.

"Don't move," Li Yang said in a deep voice.

"Zhou Zheng, you are suspected of multiple crimes, including treason, smuggling contraband, and leaking state secrets. I am now formally arresting you in the name of the Action Division of the Extraordinary Administration Bureau."

Zhou Zheng hung his head, the pain in his neck not causing him any ripples.

His gaze fell on the corner of the wall not far away—Ping An was still squatting there, his hands tightly covering his eyes, his shoulders trembling slightly.

The little duckling had fallen to the ground at some point and was lying quietly at Ping An's feet.

Other bureau staff rushed out of the alley, and two of them grabbed Zhou Zheng's arms and pulled him up from the ground.

Li Yang sheathed his dagger and stood to the side. Zhou Zheng's gaze remained fixed on Ping An, and he stopped struggling.

Li Yang glanced in the direction of his gaze, then looked away.

At this moment, Zhou Zheng turned his head and looked at Li Yang, his eyes filled with a pleading look. His Adam's apple bobbed, as if he had something to say but swallowed it back down.

Li Yang was silent for a moment, then said, "Let him go."

The two men holding Zhou Zheng exchanged a glance and slowly released their grip.

Zhou Zheng nodded to Li Yang, turned around, and walked step by step toward Ping An.

He crouched down and gently placed his palm on Ping An's head.

Ping An slowly lowered her hand from in front of her eyes. The moment she saw Zhou Zheng, she suddenly threw herself into Zhou Zheng's arms, hugged his neck tightly, and held him close.

"Dad...who are they...please don't fight..."

Ping An's voice, tinged with tears, was muffled and unclear, nestled in Zhou Zheng's shoulder.

Zhou Zheng put one arm around Ping An's back and gently stroked the back of his head with the other.

Ping An's hair was very soft and was messed up by the night wind.

"They are Daddy's friends. They're taking Daddy to work somewhere, and it might be a very long time." He paused, his voice becoming even softer. "You have to be good during this time, eat well, sleep well, don't cry or make a fuss, and wait for Daddy to come back, okay?"

"I don't want Daddy to leave... I want to stay with Daddy..." Ping An tightened her arms around him, her fingers gripping the back of his coat, leaving deep creases in the fabric.

Zhou Zheng paused for a moment, then straightened Ping An's body, looked into his eyes, and said earnestly, "Ping An, be good, listen to me. You must remember every word I'm about to tell you."

Ping An looked at him, tears streaming down her face, but she still nodded firmly.

"If anyone bullies or misbehaves you in the future, just be good and ignore them. Try talking to yourself and playing with yourself."

Zhou Zheng paused for a moment, then lowered his voice, "You just stay quietly in the corner, all by yourself, and live a quiet life."

Ping An stared at him blankly, her lips moving as she softly repeated, "Living quietly..."

Zhou Zheng raised his hand and gently rubbed Ping An's cheek with the back of his hand, a slight smile appearing on his lips: "Yes, live quietly."

Li Yang stood a few steps away and listened quietly to the conversation between the father and son.

He stepped forward, his voice a few degrees softer than before: "Zhou Zheng, your matter will not affect Ping An. The government will arrange for him to go to a welfare home, where someone will take care of him."

He paused, then added, "I'll visit him often too."

Zhou Zheng continued to gaze at Ping An, remaining silent for a long time before softly uttering two words: "Thank you."

Two bureau staff members stepped forward again, grabbed Zhou Zheng's arms, and led him toward the alley entrance.

Zhou Zheng didn't turn back. The night wind at the alley entrance blew in again, blowing his coat, the edges of the "GG" sticker on the telephone pole, and the stray hairs on Ping An's forehead.

A cold drop, carried by the night wind, landed on Ping An's hand—it seemed to be raining.

Zhou Zheng's figure disappeared at the alley entrance, vanishing into the darkness beyond the reach of the streetlights.

Li Yang withdrew his gaze, glanced at Ping An, and whispered the order: "Fall back."

Ping An bent down and picked up the little duck that had fallen to the ground. She carefully wiped the dust off its body with her sleeve and then hugged it tightly in her arms.

A hand was stretched out in front of him.

"Come with me."

Ping An looked up and saw the gentle smile on the man's face. As if sensing some kindness, he hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the man's hand, and followed him outside.

The wind blew past them, drifting into the distant darkness of the night.