Side Story: Su Mingyu I

"Crack!"

A sharp sound echoed as a young child with delicate features was struck across the face. Though indeed only a child, his eyes, hidden beneath dark, choppy hair, held no sorrow. He lowered his head, his expression remaining gentle, and waited in quiet submission.

Before him stood a tall, middle-aged man named Su Hai, a real estate mogul. "Go," Su Hai commanded. "Help me kill that man."

"Yes."

The boy, Su Mingyu, nodded and walked silently out of the room. A light, ethereal aura seemed to radiate from his body; simply standing near him gave one the sensation of being able to move with effortless speed.

Watching the boy leave, Su Hai slumped into a sofa. "Useless thing. If it weren't for the fact that you can kill my rivals, I would never have kept someone like you as my child."

Had Su Mingyu done something wrong? No, nothing at all. Yet, as far back as he could remember, his father’s gaze had always been this way—as if viewing him as nothing more than a disposable tool. Su Mingyu possessed the gift of "speed," and this had become the very reason his father despised him and treated him as an object. Su Hai seemed to harbor a deep-seated prejudice against anyone born with special abilities.

Emerging from the most brutal assassin training, Su Mingyu had become one of the world's premier killers by the age of eight. He never spoke of his killings, nor did he discuss friendship. No matter where he went, Su Hai kept him close. Su Mingyu always kept his head bowed, concealing his gentle eyes and tranquil mouth, yet he meticulously memorized every person he saw, for they were likely his next "targets."

Initially, people often wondered why Su Hai constantly traveled with a child. Su Hai would smile and say, "This is my own child," yet his expression was always cold. Regardless of the setting, Su Hai rarely looked his "child" in the eye.

As Su Hai’s business expanded, it was not only his influence that grew; it was the fear he inspired in others. No one could ever find leverage against him, even though many had died along his path to success.

Su Hai’s status rose and his business empire swelled. Everyone knew he was a wolf who could laugh, make witty jokes, and wear a mask of kindness, and that they themselves might be the next to be devoured.

No one could remain calm in Su Hai’s presence. He was a wolf, and the name of his young child became deeply etched into the lives of those who died. Their deaths varied, but all were caused by cold weapons; since emerging from the "Death Journey" training camp at eight, Su Mingyu had never used a firearm.

People feared the quiet, gentle-looking boy even more. He appeared harmless, yet he treated life as nothing and obeyed only Su Hai’s commands. While Su Hai was satisfied with Su Mingyu’s efficiency, it never stopped him from occasionally teaching the boy a "lesson." A slap was his preferred greeting. Su Hai never held back, yet even when his lips bled, Su Mingyu would not utter a sound or complain, merely keeping his head bowed in silence.

When Su Mingyu was nine, a girl was born. Su Hai named her Su Yuxian. As an older brother, Su Mingyu finally showed a smile, though only in the presence of his sister. She was still too young, crying in her cradle, which always left him at a loss. After Su Hai established the gargantuan "Three-Color Group," Su Mingyu’s "assignments" decreased, and Su Hai was often away from home. They purchased a villa in Hong Kong, facing the vast ocean of Victoria Harbour.

Su Mingyu would often hold his sister on the rooftop garden, basking in the sun and watching the night sky. He was happy; his sister was favored by Su Hai, so there was no need to worry about her being slapped, nor would she have to endure assassin training. She was like a normal child, which was the greatest joy of Su Mingyu’s life, though he never spoke of it.

When Su Mingyu turned ten, Su Hai gave him a mission: "Complete this, and you will be free. I won't have to look at your ugly face ever again."

"What is the mission?" Su Mingyu asked, a rare question from him.

"Enter the 'Falling Feather Pavilion' and become a member," Su Hai stated. By this time, Su Hai had ascended to the throne of Asia’s richest man, and on the world stage, he was a premier merchant whose words could determine the prosperity or decline of nations. Yet, his ambition did not stop there; he reached out toward the "Falling Feather Pavilion," the symbol of individual martial prowess in the world.

Simultaneously, Su Hai engaged in dealings with the "Apocalypse" organization. In terms of weapon research, he pushed beyond the limits of a domestic merchant, collaborating to create new armaments. Out of respect for the government, Su Hai handed over all the technology, though whether he kept anything for himself remained unknown.

On a remote island, a youth with a serene expression appeared, his face suggesting he had grown indifferent to all things. He stood at the island's highest point, surrounded by seagull nests and waves crashing against the reefs. The half-kilometer island was like a cage, an impassable chasm of sea and sky for the land-bound.

Two other children, appearing of similar age, stood in confrontation on the island. The black-clad youth with the tranquil expression spoke: "The two of you will stay here. The winner shall join the Falling Feather Pavilion. You may use any weapon and any combat method. In three days, the one left standing will become an official member of the Pavilion. Or, you will die here."

One of the boys, with unruly short black hair, asked, "So, we can use any firearms? That’s my specialty. I hear this guy over here is just a fool who only uses cold weapons. Won’t it be bullying if I use a gun?"

"As you wish," the black-clad youth replied calmly. "By the way, you may call me Falling Feather Dust. I am Number Six in the Pavilion."

With a mysterious smile, Falling Feather Dust turned and stepped away, dissolving into actual dust and vanishing from the island. The display left the two boys deeply unsettled, and even the usually silent and gentle Su Mingyu showed a flicker of emotion.

Zheng Chao remained flippant. "This guy calling himself Falling Feather Dust can’t be much older than us. Seeing that ability to turn into dust, I should probably think about how to shoot him."

Su Mingyu did not reply, instead gripping a simple, silver-white dagger. A light, agile energy began to emanate from him. Zheng Chao pulled out a black handgun. "I modified this gun myself. I call it 'Black Snake.' It has a range of 500 meters, which means I can cover this entire place. So, how do you plan to beat me?"

The dark muzzle aimed at Su Mingyu. There was almost no cover on the island, meaning Su Mingyu was completely exposed, yet he had chosen only a dagger.

Zheng Chao raised his hand, aimed the black barrel at Su Mingyu, and pulled the trigger.

"Bang!"

A spiraling bullet instantly struck Su Mingyu’s left shoulder. Blood flowed, but his expression remained unchanged, his face still gentle. He reached out his right hand and held the dagger horizontally before him.