Chapter 57: Deceived

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However, as he approached the door, the noise outside intensified considerably!

“This is bad!”

Lin Tian returned to the bedside, clutching the Xiao family genealogy tightly against his chest.

He knew this genealogy might be his only chance and the key to resisting the “Dark Night Organization.”

At that moment, the doorbell suddenly rang, followed by a suffocating silence…

The chime of the doorbell was accompanied by a silence so thick it felt as if the entire world had frozen in that instant.

Lin Tian’s heart pounded like a drum, his body trembling slightly as he held the Xiao family genealogy tightly.

He realized the visitor could be someone sent by the “Dark Night Organization,” or perhaps Officer Li.

But whoever it was, he had to be prepared.

Taking a deep breath to calm his inner turmoil, he slowly moved toward the door.

Peering through the peephole, he saw a vague figure swaying uncertainly in the darkness.

A chill gripped Lin Tian’s heart; he couldn’t make out the face, but his intuition told him this was not Officer Li.

“Who’s out there?” Lin Tian’s voice trembled slightly, yet he strove to sound resolute.

No response came from outside—only silence, a silence more terrifying than any words.

Lin Tian knew he could not simply open the door; he had to confirm the visitor’s identity first.

He stepped back a few paces, grabbed his phone, and called Officer Li again.

The call connected quickly, and Officer Li’s voice came through: “Lin Tian, what’s wrong?”

“Officer Li, I’m in danger! Someone is knocking at the door, but I don’t think it’s you.” Lin Tian’s voice was laced with urgency.

After a brief silence, Officer Li said, “Don’t panic, Lin Tian. I’m on my way. Stay inside and don’t open the door. I’ll be there as soon as possible.”

Lin Tian nodded, though he knew Officer Li couldn’t see him. He struggled to keep calm.

He hung up and returned to the door, gripping the doorknob firmly, ready for any sudden event.

The knocking grew more forceful, as if someone was pounding hard on the door.

Lin Tian’s heart raced; he knew the other side might have sensed his hesitation.

He had to make a choice: open the door or not.

Just then, a low voice came from outside: “Lin Tian, I know you’re inside. I know you have the Xiao family genealogy. Hand it over, and I might let you go.”

Lin Tian’s heart jolted. Hearing those words, he realized the visitor was indeed from the “Dark Night Organization.”

He clenched his teeth and shouted, “You won’t get what you want!”

A pause outside, then a cold sneer: “You think you can escape? The ‘Dark Night Organization’ wields power beyond your imagination. You’d better cooperate, or face the consequences.”

Anger surged within Lin Tian; he knew he could not yield.

He turned and approached the window, attempting to escape, but it was locked from the outside.

He was trapped.

Time ticked by, the sounds outside growing more violent, as if patience had worn thin.

Anxiety gnawed at Lin Tian; he knew he had to find a way or face disastrous consequences.

Suddenly, the pounding intensified, as if someone was violently ramming the door.

Lin Tian’s heart tightened; the intruders might break in any moment.

He quickly grabbed his phone and called Officer Li.

“The door won’t hold! I can’t hold them off any longer. You have to hurry!” Lin Tian’s voice was strained.

“Hang in there, Lin Tian! I’m on my way. You must find a way to delay them,” Officer Li urged, his tone edged with urgency.

After hanging up, Lin Tian was filled with rage and resolve.

He turned to the window once more, but it remained locked tight.

Trapped, his only hope was to wait for Officer Li’s arrival.

The violence at the door escalated.

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Lin Tian’s anxiety deepened; he knew he had to find a solution or suffer dire consequences.

Suddenly, he recalled some strange words and images he had discovered within the Xiao family genealogy.

He realized these might be his only bargaining chip.

Without hesitation, he opened his phone and compiled the information, preparing to send it to Officer Li.

He hoped these clues would help find a way out of the crisis.

His fingers flew across the keyboard, his gaze focused and resolute.

He compressed the critical, potentially life-saving information into a folder and sent it without hesitation.

The email address was Officer Li’s.

Just as the sending tone sounded, a loud crash echoed from outside, as if something heavy slammed against the door.

The doorframe shook violently, the lock screeched, threatening to give way at any moment.

Lin Tian’s heart sank. Time was running out.

He swiftly called Officer Li again.

“Officer Li, they’re about to break in! I must find a way to delay them. Please hurry!” Lin Tian’s voice trembled with despair.

“Hold on, Lin Tian! I’m coming as fast as I can. You must find a way to stall,” Officer Li replied, urgency clear in his voice.

Lin Tian nodded, knowing he had to stay calm and think fast.

He returned to the door and shouted, “I know what you want, but you won’t get it easily!”

The pounding outside grew fiercer; the lock loosened, and the doorframe began to warp.

Lin Tian knew the intruders would breach soon.

His mind raced, searching for a countermeasure.

Suddenly, he recalled an ancient ritual mentioned in the genealogy, seemingly linked to protection.

He quickly flipped through the pages, seeking the strange words and symbols.

Though he couldn’t fully grasp their meaning, he sensed this was his only hope.

Taking a deep breath, he followed the instructions, drawing a complex symbol in the center of the room.

He dipped his finger in water and traced a circular pattern on the floor, the center bearing an eye-like symbol.

He didn’t know if it would work, but he had to try.

As soon as he finished, a loud crash sounded—the door was finally broken down.

Lin Tian’s heart dropped, but he did not retreat. Rising swiftly, he clutched the Xiao family genealogy to his chest protectively.

From the darkness beyond the doorway, several figures silently stepped inside, moving like ghosts.

A chill crept from his feet upward, but he forced himself to stay calm.

“Lin Tian, hand over the genealogy,” a deep voice demanded, carrying undeniable authority.

Lin Tian raised his head, meeting the gaze of the figure unwaveringly. “You won’t get what you want. What exactly does the ‘Dark Night Organization’ want? Why is the Xiao family genealogy so important to you?”

The figures in the dark shifted slightly, surprised by Lin Tian’s courage.

One stepped forward—the mysterious man, his eyes cold and penetrating as if seeing into Lin Tian’s soul.

“Lin Tian, you are clever and brave. But you don’t realize the ‘Dark Night Organization’ is far more powerful than you imagine. The Xiao family genealogy is not merely a document; it holds an ancient power that can change the world. And you are only a small obstacle.”

Lin Tian’s heart trembled, but he was not intimidated.

He knew surrender would lead to ruin.

“The power you seek—I won’t let you have it,” Lin Tian said firmly.

The mysterious man sneered coldly. “You think you can stop us? The ‘Dark Night Organization’ has existed for centuries. We won’t give up because of your resistance. Hand over the genealogy, and I can guarantee your safety.”

Lin Tian shook his head. “I no longer believe your promises. You’ve already harmed too many. I won’t let you succeed.”

The man’s expression darkened; he realized Lin Tian was not so easily subdued.

Turning to his subordinates, he ordered, “Take him down. We must have that genealogy.”

Lin Tian’s heart tightened. He knew they would not let him go easily.

He quickly retreated, searching for a hiding place.

But the room was small, and soon he was cornered.

Just as the men prepared to strike, Lin Tian remembered the symbol he had drawn on the floor.

He closed his eyes, focusing all his energy, attempting to activate its power.

A low hum filled the room, as though something was vibrating.

He felt a warm force rising from beneath, enveloping him.

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Opening his eyes, Lin Tian saw the symbol emitting a faint glow, as if shielding him.

The mysterious man’s face shifted dramatically. “What is this power?”

Lin Tian’s heart surged. He knew the symbol might actually work.

Quickly, he said, “This is the power from the Xiao family genealogy. You cannot approach me.”

The man’s expression darkened further; he realized Lin Tian might have harnessed a power unknown to them.

Turning to his men, he said, “Fall back! We can’t risk this!”

Lin Tian felt a brief relief, knowing the symbol had bought him some time.

He grabbed his phone and called Officer Li again.

“Officer Li, they’re inside, but I’m safe for now. I’ve activated a power from the genealogy—they dare not come near. Please hurry!” Lin Tian’s voice was urgent.

“Lin Tian, hold on! I’m on my way. You must keep standing!” Officer Li’s voice held an unusual reassurance.

Lin Tian nodded, knowing he could not give up.

He held the Xiao family genealogy close, filled with determination.

Minutes ticked by, and the warm power gradually faded.

He realized the symbol’s energy would not last long.

He had to find a solution, or face unforeseeable consequences.

Suddenly, footsteps rushed outside, followed by the blare of police sirens.

Lin Tian’s heart leapt—Officer Li had finally arrived.

“Lin Tian, hold on! We’ve surrounded your house. They have nowhere to run!” Officer Li’s voice came from outside.

The mysterious man’s face darkened further; he knew the situation had turned against them.

He swiftly turned to Lin Tian: “Do you really think you can stop us? The ‘Dark Night Organization’s’ power is beyond your resistance! We will return—just wait.”

With that, he and his men quickly fled the room.

The warm power vanished, and Lin Tian exhaled deeply, collapsing onto the floor.

The door was flung open, and Officer Li burst in with several officers.

They quickly surveyed the room before rushing to Lin Tian’s side.

“Lin Tian, are you alright?” Officer Li asked with concern.

Lin Tian lifted his head and smiled faintly. “I’m fine, just a little tired.”

Officer Li nodded and said, “You did well, Lin Tian. You’ve given us many important clues. We’ll investigate thoroughly.”

Lin Tian nodded, filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Officer Li. Without you, I might have…”

Officer Li cut him off. “Don’t say that. It’s our duty. Now, rest. We’ll protect you.”

Lin Tian nodded, thankful.

Though the “Dark Night Organization” had been driven away for now, Lin Tian knew they would not give up easily.

The secrets of the Xiao family genealogy remained unrevealed, and the organization’s power was still formidable.

Lin Tian realized he must be more cautious, for he had become a thorn in their side.

Officer Li also understood this battle was only just beginning.

They had to unravel the genealogy’s secrets and find the organization’s weakness, or the consequences would be dire.

Lin Tian sat on the sofa, closing his eyes, trying to calm himself.

Yet, his mind was filled with the eerie dream and the figure of the mysterious man.

He knew the fight had only just begun, and he had to be ready.

“I won’t let them succeed,” Lin Tian whispered, his eyes shining with determination.

Elsewhere, in a shadowed corner of the city, members of the “Dark Night Organization” were urgently conferring.

The mysterious man sat in a chair, his gaze cold and resolute.

“Do you really think you can hide from us like this…”