Chapter 117: The Dark Group Makes Its Move

Chapter 117: The Dark Organization Takes Action

Wang Cheng retreated, and a dozen awakened individuals quickly surrounded Shen An. These individuals were imbued with a dark elemental energy; even those at the early stage of the First Rank were significantly more powerful than ordinary awakened ones of the same level.

"These people truly have something strange about them," Shen An muttered, gritting his teeth.

"It seems you aren't entirely dull," Wang Cheng said. "The people around me belong to the Dark Organization. They have undergone our special training, and their current strength is far beyond what ordinary awakened individuals of the same rank can compare to. You had better be careful."

Shen An gripped his black iron sword and walked forward. With a single strike for each, he dispatched them one by one—early-stage First Rank, mid-stage First Rank, early-stage Second Rank, mid-stage Second Rank. In just a few breaths, Shen An had already eliminated four of the awakened attackers.

"So-called Dark Organization awakened ones are nothing more than this," Shen An said coldly.

Wang Cheng felt as though his subordinates' strength had suddenly withered. How could this be? He knew their capabilities intimately. With their level of power, it was impossible for them to be killed so easily. There was definitely something fishy going on.

Alert and wary, Wang Cheng shouted to his remaining men, "Be careful! You are so many; surely you can't even hold off one man? Kill him, and I will reward you handsomely!"

The ten remaining awakened ones unleashed a barrage of attacks, yet not a single one could withstand a strike from Shen An’s blade. It was as if, with that black iron sword in his hand, Shen An was invincible.

Wang Cheng gasped, a chill running down his spine. His own strength was only at the mid-stage of the Second Rank; if he were forced to engage Shen An directly, he might not even survive a single blow. If those ten awakened ones fell, he would undoubtedly lose his life as well.

"No matter how you struggle, it’s useless. The mother and daughter you're trying to save are already beyond rescue. Once they reach the Dark Organization's branch, they will be killed—or perhaps they’ll have their limbs severed and bleed to death. Who knows?" Wang Cheng said this merely to pressure Shen An. In his view, as long as he applied enough pressure, Shen An would not dare to act rashly. What he said was the truth; no one targeted by the Dark Organization had ever escaped its clutches.

Shen An was enraged, and his black iron sword moved even faster. *Swish.* A head fell to the ground. *Swish.* Another head followed.

The gap between the ten awakened ones and Shen An was too vast. In this situation, Shen An was unstoppable. Only two of the ten remained, both heavily wounded, dripping with blood as they stared at Shen An with terror in their eyes.

"He... he is a devil! We... we are no match for him... don't provoke him... don't provoke him..." one of them stammered, retreating so violently he could barely keep his grip on his own sword.

"Yes, yes... let's run! If we stay, we will die!" Another wounded man turned and fled.

Wang Cheng retreated into the abandoned factory and hurriedly slammed the heavy doors shut, hoping to shake off Shen An’s pursuit. But Shen An’s intent to kill was absolute; how could he possibly let Wang Cheng go? He cleaved the factory doors in two with a single strike and stepped into the pitch-black interior.

"Come out," Shen An said with a cold sneer. "Tell me where the Dark Organization's branch is!"

There was no reply. Wang Cheng hid in the shadows, watching Shen An with eyes full of fear; he dared not show the slightest defiance. He knew that if he were found, he would die, but he also realized he couldn't hide for long. Suddenly, he felt a chill down his spine—Shen An had appeared behind him.

"You... you... don't come any closer..." Wang Cheng was terrified out of his wits.

"Speak. Where is the branch? I want the truth," Shen An demanded. He had to know the exact location to save Nini and her mother; otherwise, he would be like a headless fly.

Realizing he had no escape, Wang Cheng pulled a hidden dagger and lunged at Shen An. He knew this was his only chance; if he failed to kill Shen An now, he would surely die by his hand. *Clang.* The dagger struck Shen An’s black iron sword and was deflected. Now, Wang Cheng was utterly defenseless.

"You have nowhere left to run," Shen An said. "Tell me the location, and I will make it quick."

"I'll tell you... I'll tell you everything," Wang Cheng begged.

Soon, Wang Cheng revealed all the information he had. While he knew little about the organization’s inner workings, he knew the location of the branch in great detail. At this moment, Nini and her mother had likely already been delivered there.

"Sir, I've told you everything I know. Please, spare my life. I will never serve the Dark Organization again," Wang Cheng pleaded.

Shen An did not grant him mercy. With a single thrust, he drove his sword into Wang Cheng’s throat, ending his life. Wang Cheng had abducted the innocent, and Shen An would never allow him to live.

Soon after, Shen An left the factory.

Inside the Dark Organization's branch, a man wearing a demonic mask held Nini and her mother captive. The pair had no strength to resist; no matter how they struggled, they could not escape his grasp.

"Hahahaha! Did you think you could escape the control of the Dark Organization? What a delusion. No one can save you!" the masked man laughed wildly.

Nini’s mother spat in his face and said coldly, "Bah! You evil villains will meet your retribution sooner or later. Even if we die by your hands, Shen An will surely avenge us!"

"You filthy bitch, how dare you spit on me? I'll crush you to death!" The masked man threw her to the ground like trash and stomped hard on her face. Moments later, blood began to trickle from the marks on her skin.

Nini burst into tears, rushing at the man, raining frantic punches and kicks upon him as if she wished to kill him for her mother. But her strength was too small; to an awakened individual, her attacks were like mere tickles.

"Get lost, you brat! In a moment, I'll mince you into paste, let's see if you dare to be arrogant then!" The man kicked out, and Nini flew across the room, slamming into the wall with blood streaming down her face.

"Oh, Heavens, please save us! These evil people are damned—they deserve to rot in the eighteenth level of hell!" Nini’s mother was on the verge of a breakdown. She could endure her own suffering, but she could not bear to see her daughter harmed.