148 To kill? Or not to kill?

Taking advantage of the chaotic scene, Zhong Yun swiftly and decisively killed seven people in succession, incapacitating the entire power team. Up to this point, he had killed a total of ten.

A member from another group happened to witness the process; seeing seven people’s necks snap one after another, he collapsed in terror, his scream echoing through the main control room.

Without pause, Zhong Yun continued killing several more.

Once the crew became alert, it was no longer easy to strangle them. Zhong Yun instead used his fists to shatter their hearts. He had learned a technique akin to the Seven Wounds Fist from martial arts novels—though the punches appeared normal on the surface, the heart was already destroyed beneath.

Everyone revealed that seemingly otherworldly killing hand, emitting a terrifying violet aura that struck dread into the soul; each appearance of this hand meant a life lost.

Terrified beyond measure, all fled their seats, rushing toward the exit.

“Stay calm! Everyone, keep calm!” someone shouted, trying to maintain order. “Organize yourselves! The more afraid you are, the faster you’ll die.”

Zhong Yun caught up in a few strides and snapped that man’s neck. The man gasped twice, his hands flailing as if to grasp something, then went limp.

The others panicked even more, pressing toward the door. Zhong Yun killed another dozen stragglers. That man was right—in battle, the more afraid you are, the quicker you die.

Forty-five people in total—with no effective resistance—more than half were slaughtered. Even though Zhong Yun wore an invisibility cloak, this was still astonishing.

He finally stopped; after all, he was not a man addicted to killing.

Killing—indeed, it was brutal to the point of weariness.

Looking upon the scattered corpses, Zhong Yun sighed.

However, controlling the main control room so smoothly was beyond his expectations. It seemed these crew members were all civilian staff.

Upon hearing news of the main control room’s fall, Wang Jingze’s vision darkened, nearly causing him to collapse. He finally understood why Zhong Yun had disappeared.

But how had Zhong Yun penetrated the heavily guarded defenses to reach the main control room?

The messenger who came to report was a guard stationed in the corridor. After learning of the event, he immediately reported to the captain.

Wang Jingze steadied himself. At this stage, blaming anyone was useless. The urgent priority was to reclaim the main control room.

“Indecision breeds chaos,” Wang Jingze pounded the wall harshly. “All armed personnel, fall back from the warehouse immediately!”

Issuing this order, Wang Jingze’s heart felt as if pierced by a knife. Fifteen years of painstaking infiltration and planning were now ruined.

I won’t accept this! he roared inwardly.

There’s still a chance. Wang Jingze clenched his fists tightly. As long as they retook the main control room—where Zhong Yun was alone—they just had to kill him…

At this moment, the armed personnel had lost over half their number, fewer than sixty remained. It was not that Yu Daoqing was inefficient; rather, Wang Jingze was extremely cunning, sending only small five-man squads to their deaths. Yu Daoqing sought only to buy time and cooperated willingly.

This demonstrated the strict discipline of these armed troops. Knowing they were marching to death, they remained resolute without hesitation.

As the killings continued, Yu Daoqing grew faint-hearted. These were living beings—she was no cold-blooded butcher. Killing so many pained her deeply.

Yet now was a matter of life and death. There was no room for leniency.

After dispatching another five, she waited anxiously for reinforcements; when none came, she exhaled in relief—only for her senses to alert her that the enemy was withdrawing.

“Zhong Yun has been spotted,” Yu Daoqing’s heart jolted. She leapt into the air, pursuing the enemy.

The thought of Zhong Yun possibly in danger ignited fierce killing intent within her. She quickly caught up with a group of about ten enemies. Opening her mouth, an invisible sound wave enveloped them—all staggered as if drunk, then collapsed.

This was a sonic wave inaudible to human ears but capable of instantly shattering the brain into pulp—killing without a trace.

Inside the main control room, Zhong Yun had shut down the ship’s power, communications, and weapons systems, then activated all surveillance cameras. Seeing a squad of armed personnel approaching, he sealed off the corridor ahead of them.

Yu Daoqing’s speed was impressive—she would arrive soon.

“Brother Wang, it seems this time you’re utterly defeated,” Zhong Yun teased mockingly, seated comfortably in the captain’s chair, watching Wang Jingze’s surveillance feed.

Wang Jingze was rushing toward the main control room with a group when he heard Zhong Yun’s voice. The last flicker of hope in his heart was extinguished.

He actually knows how to control the ship?

In that instant, Wang Jingze felt his limbs freeze and his spirit die.

With control of the entire ship and a Level Ten powerhouse on his side, wiping out Wang Jingze’s group would be effortless. The tide had completely turned.

From victim to prey, Wang Jingze was now utterly at their mercy.

“My greatest failure was not killing you at the start,” Wang Jingze said bitterly.

“You sure are a loner,” Zhong Yun shook his head. Just then, Yu Daoqing arrived; Zhong Yun opened the door and let her in.

“You spent fifteen years setting this trap—what was it for?” Zhong Yun asked. “Insect Bee No. 2” and “Insect Bee No. 3” would still take time to arrive, so he intended to clarify a few doubts while waiting.

Wang Jingze seemed to find the question laughable; his lips twitched, but no smile came. “The first time I saw Yu Daoqing, I was deeply captivated. I never imagined a woman could be so beautiful. I was utterly conquered by her. At that moment, I told myself I had to have her, absolutely had to…”

“Dream on,” Yu Daoqing spat bitterly.

Wang Jingze laughed this time. “Dream on? If it weren’t for Zhong Yun, tell me, would I be dreaming…”

“Aren’t all the people on this ship your subordinates?” Zhong Yun interrupted, noticing Yu Daoqing trembling with anger.

Wang Jingze said nothing—neither confirming nor denying.

“If I asked where exactly they’re from, I guess you wouldn’t tell me,” Zhong Yun said.

“Cut the crap,” Wang Jingze snapped impatiently. “What do you plan to do with us?”

His words showed he had truly surrendered.

Zhong Yun was silent.

Those around Wang Jingze grew tense. They knew the moment deciding their fate had arrived—life or death rested on the whim of that young man.

Yu Daoqing glanced at Zhong Yun, curious how he would handle these prisoners—would he kill them, or spare them?

P.S.: Today, the house is undergoing major renovations; both chapters today were typed in an internet cafe. I haven’t even had dinner yet—tears! Finally managed to write 5,000 words. Please, in appreciation of my hard work, cast a few monthly votes.