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Chapter 324 The Night Watchman in the Lighthouse, One Finger Pointing Upwards
Guanlan District, on a cliff along the coast.

A lighthouse, abandoned for many years, stands alone in the wind and rain.

The sea breeze, carrying salty raindrops, howled in through the arched window without glass, rustling the scattered debris.

The mournful wailing echoed continuously, as if ghosts were hovering and whispering.

The interior of the lighthouse was pitch black and silent.

Only the faint glow of the distant city shone through the window openings into the tower, barely outlining its blurry shape.

A tall, thin figure leaned against the cold, damp wall, his arms crossed over his chest.

Even in the pitch-black darkness, those deep pupils reflected a cool and sharp light.

The figure stood silently, gazing through the window at the vast night and the surging sea.

It seemed as if it was waiting for someone, or perhaps it was pondering some unspoken thoughts.

His figure stood upright like a pine tree, his well-tailored dark trench coat billowing slightly in the wind.

In the occasional flashes of lightning that pierced the sky, one could see raindrops wetting a few strands of hair on his forehead, which slid down his handsome, fair cheeks.

Even in such harsh conditions, he maintained a good physique.

Like a professional model, standing in front of the camera, preparing to shoot photos for a fashion magazine.

The surrounding environment was inappropriate, and the atmosphere seemed somewhat gloomy and terrifying.

"Why haven't you come yet?"

Cheng Jiashu frowned slightly, raised his wrist, and used another flash of lightning to check the time displayed on his watch.

"Didn't we agree to meet here?"

He silently repeated the date details written on the note in his mind:

"The abandoned lighthouse on the west side of Clearwater Bay...that's the right location."

"Midnight...it's already past 3 a.m..."

My thoughts drifted back to a few hours earlier.

At 11:30 p.m. last night, the night was deep and the wind and rain were raging.

Cheng Jiashu arrived quietly at the abandoned lighthouse in a precarious location, as if by ghost.

The cold rain and the deep darkness provided him with natural cover.

He was equally experienced in stealth and assassination, and he believed he was no less skilled than those elite soldiers from special forces.

Cheng Jiashu carefully inspected every corner of the lighthouse.

From the spiderweb-covered tower top to the damp stone steps at the bottom, no possible trap or ambush could escape his sharp eyes.

After confirming that it was safe, Cheng Jiashu did not intend to wait for the date so openly.

He first set up some small traps, then concealed himself and hid in the darkness.

Prepare a surprise for the upcoming visitors.

Cheng Jiashu had envisioned dozens of ways the other party would appear, and how he would respond appropriately.

Even a few sarcastic opening lines and how to question the other party were rehearsed many times in my mind.

However, the midnight bells had long since vanished without a trace, carried away by the howling wind and rain.

Time ticked by slowly, but the promised figure never appeared.

The carefully laid plans were washed away by the heavy rain, and anxiety inevitably began to grow.

Cheng Jiashu was initially able to remain calm and walk out of the ambush corner.

Sometimes he would peek out at the dark night view, and sometimes he would retreat back into the tower, pacing back and forth, pondering a solution.

Now, I simply stand with my arms crossed, gazing listlessly at the wind and rain outside the window.

A wait of nearly four hours is enough to wear down most normal people's patience.

Moreover, it was during such a violent storm, in the pitch-black early morning hours.

But Cheng Jiashu is not a normal person.

Seeing that the torrential rain outside was showing signs of abating, his eyes flickered and his mind raced.

Should we wait a little longer?
Since the other party took the initiative to request a meeting, they shouldn't break their promise without a reason.

Perhaps something unexpected happened along the way, such as the car breaking down on the road.

Perhaps his whereabouts have been exposed and he is being hunted by the Noah Organization. Survival is his top priority, and he can't afford to keep the appointment.

Or perhaps, something simply kept him from getting there.

Various thoughts surged and ebbed like the waves crashing against the cliff outside the window.

Finally, Cheng Jiashu took a deep breath of the slightly salty, damp air.

Suppressing his chaotic thoughts, his eyes regained their firmness.

Since we've already waited so long, why not give them a little more time?

After all, someone who possesses that level of intelligence is no ordinary person, so it's understandable that they would act cautiously.

Time passes minute by minute.

Outside the lighthouse, the sound of wind and rain gradually subsided, but the roar of waves crashing against the rocks remained clear.

Occasionally, a few faint and distant police sirens could be heard from the direction of the city, quickly dispersed by the night wind.

This added a touch of inexplicable tension to the lonely and long wait.

Cheng Jiashu maintained his good posture, as if he had become one with the wall behind him.

Only the occasional slight adjustment of his posture showed that he was not asleep.

After an unknown amount of time, the torrential rain outside the window finally stopped completely, leaving only fine raindrops and howling sea wind.

The tower was still dark inside, but through the arched windows, one could see the eastern horizon, where a faint pale light was quietly spreading, dispelling the remaining darkness.

The outline of the city in the distance gradually became clear in the darkness.

Like a huge, wet silhouette just washed by the rain, it lies quietly on the horizon.

Dawn has arrived.

But the person Cheng Jiashu was waiting for never appeared.

It seems that he had completely forgotten about this important date.

....................................

Midnight Forest Bar, Wenchuan District.

The early hours of the morning have passed, and the hustle and bustle has subsided.

The giant disco ball in the center of the dance floor hangs silently at this moment.

Most of the lights were off, with only dim work lights remaining behind the bar and in a few corners.

The lingering scent of alcohol, perfume, and tobacco still lingered in the air.

Several uniformed bar staff members were pushing cleaning carts, tidying up bottles, tissues, and other mess scattered between the booths.

The deep hum of the vacuum cleaner echoed in the empty hall.

Occasionally, a few suppressed snores could be heard from some hidden corner, but they were quickly drowned out by the sounds of cleaning work.

A young waitress walked to a row of booths by the window and reached out to pull back the heavy velvet curtains.

wow-

The curtains were suddenly pulled open, and the faint morning light rushed in, dispelling the darkness in the booth.

The waiter paused, then let out a soft gasp of surprise:

"Oh dear!" On the sofa in the booth, a man was curled up, his hair dyed with a striking yellow streak, fast asleep.

"Brother Hao? Why are you sleeping here?"

Xu Hao was startled awake by the sudden light and sound. He groggily opened his eyes and rubbed them, still sleepy.

He looked around somewhat blankly, then turned to look out the window.

The sky was overcast, and it seemed that the rain from last night had stopped. The ground was wet, and the air was fresh after the rain.

"what time is it?"

Xu Hao asked vaguely, his voice hoarse from just waking up, looking at Xiao Qing standing in front of him.

"Brother Hao, it's almost eight o'clock."

Xiao Qing answered with concern.

"Eight o'clock?!"

Xu Hao sprang up from the sofa like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

Under Xiao Qing's surprised gaze, he didn't even have time to tidy his messy, bird's nest-like hair before rushing up the stairs.

The door to the VIP lounge on the second floor was tightly closed.

Xu Hao tiptoed and carefully pushed the thick soundproof door open a crack.

His eyes paused slightly the moment he opened it.

What came into view was a muscular back view with his upper body bare.

The man, with only his right index finger, firmly hooked onto the sturdy metal security grille above the window, like an eagle's claw.

This almost supernatural balance and power instantly captured Xu Hao's attention.

As the man exerted force, the bulging muscles in his arms seemed to come alive.

From the flexor muscles to the biceps brachii, from the deltoid to the latissimus dorsi.

Nearly half of the body's muscle fibers bulged and rolled, forming a coiled, dragon-like knot.

In this extreme burst of power, the man also displays astonishing flexibility.

When you pull yourself up, your latissimus dorsi muscles spread like an eagle's wings; when you fall, they contract like mountains.

Each rise and fall carries an almost artistic rhythm and a sense of oppression.

His bronze skin shimmered with a subtle, crystalline sheen.

His strong and healthy physique exuded a captivating power and beauty in the morning light.

Xu Hao swallowed hard, subconsciously holding his breath, not daring to disturb the other person's exercise.

Watching that man hook his finger around the windowpane and complete hundreds of such difficult pull-ups in one go.

Moreover, he showed no signs of exhaustion, his body hanging steadily in the air. He switched hands slightly, hooked the window frame with his left index finger, and continued to pull upwards.

Xu Hao felt an indescribable shock welling up inside him.

When I'm in good form, I can only manage about forty repetitions of pointing one finger upwards.

This already represents an astonishing level that surpasses even top-tier rock climbers by tenfold.

Moreover, the process could never have been so easy and carefree.

The person in front of me could do hundreds of them in a row, as if his weight of over 100 pounds was as light as a feather and no burden at all.

This is far beyond the physical capabilities of a normal human being; it's practically a monster in human skin!

What shocked Xu Hao even more was that this man, who was already so powerful, was still so diligent and self-disciplined, relentlessly honing his skills every day, clearly pursuing an even more extreme realm or power.

Is this the spirit of a martial artist?
Xu Hao's gaze became complicated, filled with awe and deep thought.

"Uu——"

The young man exhaled, seemingly having finally finished his practice, and nimbly jumped down from the security window, landing steadily on the floor.

He shook his hands, and there wasn't even a hint of redness on his fingertips.

"Has there been any news from Noah's side?"

Without turning his head, he asked in a calm voice.

Xu Hao snapped out of his shock and quickly stepped forward, replying:

"Brother Cheng, not yet."

This address, compared to the past, seemed to carry more heartfelt admiration.

After a pause, Xu Hao added an explanation:

"Last night, after we retreated separately, all of our communication devices were completely destroyed in accordance with the organization's regulations, and all related contact information was deleted. We are now in a state of temporary silence."

"How about I find a chance to contact that kid Ma Biao later and subtly probe how Noah's reaction is right now?"

Fang Cheng turned around, looked at Xu Hao with a deep gaze, and shook his head.

Last night's "Demon Hunt Operation" caused such a big commotion that the Special Investigations Team even got directly involved.

The Noah organization is probably in a terrible predicament right now, and its primary task must be to lie low and find a way to shake off the special search team's pursuit.

We'll only consider other things after we've resolved this pressing problem.

Fang Cheng pondered for a moment, then asked:

"What about the special investigation team? What's their attitude? How many people did they arrest last night? Did they capture any important figures?"

Xu Hao scratched his head, a look of frustration on his face:
"Well... I did want to ask, but I got a severe scolding from the special investigation team. They said I deliberately concealed information and misled their operation."

"However, I still managed to glean some information from their tone."

"They did arrest quite a few ordinary members of the Noah organization, but they probably didn't catch many of the truly influential senior officers."

Fang Cheng's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked:
"They're questioning your motives?"

Xu Hao quickly waved his hand, his face full of confidence, and said:
"Boss, don't worry, absolutely not. I've successfully fooled them. I just said that I only joined the Noah organization not long ago and it was already very difficult for me to get into this operation."

"Originally, I thought I could get more detailed plans and solid evidence before telling them all at once. Who knew that when I got to the scene, I found out that the Noah Organization had made such a big show of things."

"Besides, the situation was so urgent at the time, and communication conditions were limited, so it's normal that some information wasn't explained clearly."

After Xu Hao finished speaking, he pursed his lips and couldn't help but complain a few words in front of Fang Cheng:

"I didn't completely deceive them. Those bastards really got the benefits and are now complaining. We're already being generous by giving them credit, yet they're still picking and choosing!"

As Fang Cheng cracked his wrists and cervical spine, making a crisp snapping sound, he casually remarked:

"If the special search team brings this up again afterward, you can openly tell them the whole story."

"Take the Noah Organization for example, they are actually hunting down a mysterious expert who is specifically opposing them."

At this point, Fang Cheng paused slightly, organizing his thoughts as he continued:
“You can retell Cheng Jiashu’s glorious deeds to them, embellishing them as you go.”

"Then you said that after much effort and inquiries, you finally uncovered a shocking secret—"

"It turns out that this mysterious expert was once a member of the Noah Organization. His code name was 'White Owl,' and his real identity is that idol singer Cheng Jiashu."

"Due to certain emotional entanglements, he had a fierce conflict with two other high-ranking leaders in the organization, surnamed Luo and Li, which turned from love to hate. After the fight, he chose to defect from the organization."

"That's why Cheng Jiashu was hunted down, made enemies of the Noah Organization, and opposed them at every turn."

"And the reason why Minister Luo personally came to Dongdu seems to be to deal with this unspeakable old friend..."

Xu Hao was stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"Brother Cheng, your story... is just... too melodramatic!"

Fang Cheng's lips curled into a smile:
"The more sensational the story, the more believable it becomes."

"Basically, this 'White Owl' only kills members of the Noah organization and never targets ordinary civilians. In a sense, he and the Special Investigation Team are actually on the same side."

(End of this chapter)