The moment the order was given, the villa that had lain in silent darkness suddenly blazed back to life, like an exploding star. Amid deafening gunfire, bursts of muzzle flashes erupted from the dark, and dust and debris shook loose into the air as a torrential rain of metal poured forth.

From the first floor, second floor, third floor, basement, left wing, right wing, and even from the depths of the overgrown shrubbery, dormant firearms rose from hidden mounts and opened fire on every living thing in sight. Crossfire swept through everything.

During the nearly week-long stay in the villa, Ji Jue had not wasted a single day. Piece by piece, bit by bit, he had practically renovated the entire place. After installing fire-control stations behind dismantled walls, he had sealed everything back up with plasterboard, putty, and fresh paint. Under his deft handiwork, it blended almost perfectly with the original decor.

Electrical rewiring, plumbing, bricklaying, masonry—he knew a little of everything. And now, the moment the disguise was torn away as that monstrous side of the villa finally revealed itself before the intruders.

Steel-core bullets punched through...