The Phoenix of the Slums

Tianming’s breath came out in steady clouds, the cold night air biting at his skin as he approached the outskirts of Tiangang. The city loomed in the distance, its towering skyscrapers bathed in the glow of distant streetlights. But here, on the edge of the industrial district, it was a world apart.

The shipyard was a maze of rusting metal and old machinery. The once-bustling hub of maritime activity was now little more than a forgotten relic of a bygone era. Its desolate, barren landscape made it the perfect place for clandestine meetings—where deals were made in the shadows, far from prying eyes.

Tianming had been here before, but tonight, everything felt different. His heart pounded in his chest, his senses heightened as his eyes scanned every corner, every shadow.

His instincts told him to stay low, to move quickly. He knew the Black Falcon Circle wasn’t the only power operating in this area.

There were others.

He slipped past the rusted gates of the warehouse, his boots making no sound on the gravel. Inside, the old space was eerily silent. The only sound was the occasional creak of the building as it swayed in the wind.

Tianming had already disabled the perimeter security, ensuring that no one would see him until he was ready to be seen. He had everything planned out: infiltrate, gather information, and get out before the situation could escalate. But as he walked deeper into the darkness, a strange feeling washed over him.

Something was off.

He paused, listening carefully. The faintest sound reached his ears—a soft, almost imperceptible click, followed by a shadow moving in his peripheral vision.

Instinct kicked in. Tianming dropped to the ground, rolling into the shadows just as a group of figures emerged from the darkness, their footsteps heavy on the concrete. They were armed, dressed in black tactical gear, their faces obscured by masks.

The Lotus Clan’s men.

Tianming’s heart raced. There were more of them than he had expected. But he wasn’t about to back down now. He had come too far.

He waited, his hand tightening around the hilt of his knife. His muscles tensed, every fiber of his being ready for the confrontation he knew was coming.

As the group moved past him, Tianming sprang into action.

In one fluid motion, he rolled to his feet, launching himself at the nearest figure. His fist connected with the man’s throat, cutting off the shout of surprise before it could escape his lips. The man crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

The other two turned, drawing their weapons, but Tianming was faster. He darted forward, sliding between them with the grace of a shadow. His foot swept out, knocking one man off his feet while his hand darted out, grabbing the barrel of the gun aimed at him.

With a twist, he disarmed the second man, sending the weapon skittering across the floor.

Now, the fight was on.

The remaining two men were no slouches. They had been trained in combat, and they came at him with speed and precision. But Tianming was different now. Every movement he made was deliberate, every strike calculated to disable, not kill. He wasn’t here to make a scene. He was here for information.

The first man lunged with a punch, but Tianming blocked it effortlessly, his forearm absorbing the blow as he stepped to the side. He used the man’s momentum against him, twisting his arm behind his back and slamming him into the ground. The man groaned, but Tianming didn’t stop. He grabbed the man’s weapon and tossed it aside.

With one opponent down, he turned his attention to the second. This man was faster, more unpredictable. He launched a series of rapid punches, forcing Tianming to backpedal. But Tianming’s training had prepared him for this. He ducked under the first punch, sidestepped the second, and caught the third with his elbow, sending a shockwave of pain through the man’s ribs.

The man staggered, winded, but he wasn’t done yet. Tianming used the opportunity to close the gap, his foot sweeping the man’s legs out from under him. In one smooth motion, he was on top of him, his knee pressing into the man’s chest as he pinned him to the ground.

“Who are you working for?” Tianming demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

The man snarled, but Tianming applied just enough pressure to make him think twice about resisting.

“I’m not telling you anything,” the man spat.

Tianming grinned. “You’ll tell me. Everyone talks eventually.”

Just then, a loud crash echoed through the warehouse, followed by the unmistakable sound of a door being kicked open.

Tianming’s heart skipped a beat. He didn’t have time to interrogate the man.

He released his grip on the second attacker, standing up quickly and drawing his knife. His senses were on high alert as he backed toward the shadows.

More footsteps.

The figures that emerged from the dark were different from the Lotus Clan’s men. These weren’t mercenaries. They wore suits, their movements deliberate and confident.

Madam Yurei’s personal guards.

Tianming’s eyes narrowed. This was the moment he had been waiting for.

He wasn’t alone anymore.

The sound of footsteps echoed as the group approached. There was no turning back now. Tianming had to make his move.

Tianming quickly slipped behind a stack of crates, his breathing steady as he waited for the right moment. The figures in the suits were speaking in hushed tones, discussing something Tianming couldn’t hear from his vantage point. His fingers tightened around the knife as he prepared himself.

They were getting closer.

He couldn’t afford to wait any longer.

With a sudden burst of speed, Tianming launched himself from the shadows, his knife flashing as he sliced through the air toward the nearest man. He was fast, but not fast enough. Tianming’s blade found its mark, cutting through his opponent’s arm before the man even had time to react.

The guard staggered back, cursing in pain, but Tianming wasn’t done. He moved like a phantom, his foot connecting with the man’s chest and sending him crashing into the crates. The guard was out of the fight before he could even comprehend what happened.

The other two guards reacted immediately, drawing their weapons and opening fire.

Tianming dove behind a stack of crates, the bullets whizzing past him. His mind raced as he assessed the situation. He needed to neutralize these guards quickly, but he couldn’t afford to get careless.

As the guards moved in, Tianming waited for the perfect moment. With a burst of speed, he popped out from behind the crates, dodging the bullets as he rushed toward the nearest guard. He tackled the man to the ground, disarming him in the process.

The second guard tried to make a run for it, but Tianming was already on him. He grabbed the man’s arm and twisted it behind his back, using his weight to slam him into the concrete floor. The guard groaned, his weapon clattering across the ground.

Tianming stood over him, breathing heavily.

“I know you work for Madam Yurei,” he said coldly. “Tell me what I need to know, and maybe you’ll walk out of here.”

The man glared up at him, but Tianming applied just enough pressure to make him reconsider.