Chapter 83: Hetian's Friends (Part One)

In this world, there exists a group of people whose actions are utterly untraceable from the perspective of ordinary folk. Among them, Hetian stands as an elite. Of course, Hetian now lives differently—he travels in a very ordinary manner, taking a taxi to the airport.

He did not enter the arrivals hall, but waited outside. Faces surfaced in his mind, bringing a faint smile to his lips. The passage of time had not erased his memories of them, and Hetian believed they felt the same.

No one could truly guess how many people Hetian had met, or how many things he had experienced since he started missions at the age of eleven. The seeming allure of Dragon Soul’s power and freedom intoxicates, but who could imagine what Hetian endured behind the scenes? No one knows.

Tianhai is an international metropolis, its airport ever bustling, crowds surging ceaselessly. A man who appeared to be in his thirties, carrying a simple travel bag and wearing oversized sunglasses, exited the arrivals hall. His gaze swept through the lenses, quickly locking onto his target. A smile appeared on his lips as he strode forward.

Lazy Cat.

This name represented a legend—a legend in the world of assassins. It was said this man worked alone; even his mission contacts never knew where he was or what he looked like. All anyone could glean came from traces left at his targets, clues pieced together from the aftermath. Rumor had it he was lazy, and when not killing, he was as gentle as a cat. Thus, he earned the name Lazy Cat.

He was ranked among the top twenty assassins in the world. Well, rankings were based on mission counts and points, which hardly meant much. But Lazy Cat’s skills were beyond question.

There’s a saying: a policeman who turns thief knows best how not to get caught; a thief who turns policeman catches thieves with ease. Lazy Cat was a professional assassin—his expertise and skill were unquestionable.

Such a top-tier killer, employed as a bodyguard, would undoubtedly know how to protect someone, and sense danger the moment it arose.

Hetian and Lazy Cat embraced warmly.

“Cat Brother!” Hetian punched Lazy Cat hard.

“Little Emperor!” Lazy Cat returned the blow, laughing softly. “No, you should be called King of Soldiers now!”

“King of Soldiers, my foot. If you were after me, I’d lose that title in no time!” Hetian grinned. “Sometimes I think, thank heavens you’re my brother, or I’d be living with my head tucked in every day!”

“Enough, you. You’ve reached the third level of inner strength! I remember last time we met, you were at the second level,” Lazy Cat smiled. “A few more years, and you’ll surpass me.”

“Come on, Cat Brother, don’t put me down! I can’t keep up with you even if I tried!” Hetian asked curiously, “Are you in the middle fourth tier or the upper fourth tier now?”

“My last mission was rough, got injured, barely kept my life! Progress is out of reach,” Lazy Cat smiled lazily once more.

Hetian patted Lazy Cat’s shoulder without another word. If Lazy Cat needed help, he would ask—there was no need for Hetian to probe. If he didn’t ask, it meant he could handle it himself. Besides, in their line of work, expecting everything to go smoothly was unrealistic. Failure, setbacks, even losing one’s life—all were normal. It was, after all, a profession that danced along the edge of life and death.

“What am I here for?” Lazy Cat asked.

“To protect someone,” Hetian replied with a smile.

“Are you serious? Me, protecting someone?” Lazy Cat looked at Hetian in surprise. “You sounded so urgent, I thought you needed help! Turns out it’s just protection.”

“The person to be protected is very important to me,” Hetian smiled. “Besides, Cat Brother, I’ve always said that leaving this industry is best. You’re here because you have no choice.”

“You know I love money,” Lazy Cat said with a wicked grin.

“I know very well… But I can offer even more money!” Hetian laughed.

“Hahaha, I knew you’d be generous! Ah, Tianhai—my first time here without a mission! What’s a normal life like?” Lazy Cat stretched and looked at Hetian with curiosity.

“From my own experience, it’s absolutely marvelous,” Hetian shrugged.

“Well, I’d like to try it too! How long?” Lazy Cat asked.

“A long time…” Hetian replied without hesitation.

“You’re out to ruin my career!” Lazy Cat growled. “I want freedom! I want money!”

“I love your straightforwardness, Cat Brother!” Hetian tossed him a card and said, “Ten million. If you spend it all, ask for more!”

“Hahaha, Little Emperor, I adore you!” Lazy Cat beamed, holding the card.

Hetian laughed as well.

Love money? Yes, Lazy Cat truly loved money. But not every kill was just for money. In his words, even assassins needed to distinguish their targets when earning. And if one claimed Lazy Cat would choose money over his brothers, they’d be dead wrong. He genuinely put brotherhood first. Though, from Hetian’s knowledge, he seemed to be Lazy Cat’s only brother—which made Hetian feel all the more deeply.

“How many people did you recruit?” Lazy Cat suddenly asked in a low voice.

“Cat Brother, I really should introduce you,” Hetian said with a smile.

“Damn it, Little Emperor, you’re insulting my abilities! You don’t trust me!” Lazy Cat glared fiercely.

“Easy, Cat Brother! Easy! There are two people to protect, and the enemies are strong—very strong!” Hetian replied seriously.

“Very strong, very strong? Little Emperor, you’re really trying to get me killed! With enemies that strong, how am I to stay safe? I hate you… poor choice of friends!” But excitement flashed in Lazy Cat’s eyes.

“Come on, Cat Brother, I’m enriching your experience! Quit acting!” Hetian chuckled, then spread his arms wide and called, “Oh, my lovely Rose! I’ve missed you so much!”

A woman, about twenty-five or twenty-six, fragrant and beautiful, flung herself into Hetian’s arms.

“Hetian… Finally, I see you again!” She was a blonde foreign beauty, from a Pacific nation called Avarua. Well, who knew where she was born—her nationality was that Pacific island.

She was stunning, possessed that classic Western beauty. But no one would guess she was a pirate…

Well, after Hetian rescued her from the drifting sea, she was no longer a pirate! Who could say what she was up to now?

“Rose, it’s been hard on you!” Hetian smiled.

“No, Hetian, not at all! You finally let me come to you—I’m so happy! I told you, I’ll pursue you… always!” Rose boldly gazed at Hetian, her large, watery eyes filled with longing, like a she-wolf ready to devour her prey.

“Oh, Rose, you know I’ve never considered that! I’m still young, so young. You must know that—you speak Chinese so well, you must understand!” Hetian smiled. “So, you have to give me time, or wait for me, understand? All right, I’ll take it that you do, so put away that look—I know my Rose isn’t some lovesick girl!”

“You’re not young! I know!” Rose glanced down at Hetian’s lower body, serious and solemn.

“Hahaha!” Lazy Cat finally burst out laughing. He had never seen Hetian like this—oh heavens, a beautiful woman declaring love in public, such a stunning Western girl, and maybe she had even seen Hetian’s assets? Surely there was a story here…

Lazy Cat was curious.

“Who are you?” Rose looked at Lazy Cat with hostility, her face darkening with murderous intent.

“Little girl… restrain your aura—too weak!” Lazy Cat said with disdain.

“Is that so?” Rose made her move—a cold flash, a dagger! Who knew how she managed to keep it on her—the security check hadn’t found it?

Hetian reached out and grabbed Rose’s wrist. Compared to Lazy Cat, Rose was indeed too weak. Hetian couldn’t let Lazy Cat retaliate, or something bloody might happen.

“All right, Rose, he’s my friend. You can call him Lazy Cat!” Hetian looked at Lazy Cat and said, “Although I chose a place without any cameras, there are too many people here. Remember, in this place, you’re ordinary—be reserved! Be reserved!”

“Well, for the sake of almighty money, I won’t argue with her!” Lazy Cat grinned, extending his hand. “Miss Rose, I’m Lazy Cat! Call me Cat Brother—I like that.”

“Oh God, you’re Lazy Cat, that assassin?” Rose’s mouth hung open in shock.

“Dear Rose, that expression isn’t good—not at all! Too easily invites wild imagination,” Lazy Cat said seriously.

“Cat Brother, since when did you study women?” Hetian ‘shocked’ stared at Lazy Cat.

Hetian remembered Lazy Cat had another nickname: ‘The Eunuch’.