CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: WHO ARE YOU REALLY?

Ying Huang led Ji Ning into a very dilapidated courtyard, surrounded by piles of junk, looking even less reliable than the general store You Le had taken Ji Ning to.

Ji Ning casually glanced around and saw some special parts scattered among the many pieces of junk.

This person is quite clever.

Ying Huang, who was walking ahead, stood in the yard and touched something unknown, and a guiding light suddenly lit up, directing them to turn right.

But Ying Huang led her in the opposite direction.

Ji Ning glanced to the right, detecting traces of danger hidden in the dark environment, an aura of killing intent faintly perceptible.

Ying Huang might have sensed this killing intent too, which is why she led her in the opposite direction.

The left side appeared relatively safe, and the two of them walked all the way to a makeshift little house.

The inside of the house was lit, the brightness seeping through the cracks in the door.

Ying Huang once again reminded Ji Ning before knocking on the door in a rhythmic pattern.

Soon, the door opened from the inside, revealing a young man in his twenties, who solemnly told Ying Huang, "Come in."

The man had a crew cut, wore a camouflage vest, matching pants, and leather military boots.

Inside, there was only a single bed and a wooden cabinet, with no extra furnishings.

"What are you here for?" the young man asked.

Ying Huang replied, "To buy some stock, HK series, 97F and M series, suitable for her."

The young man turned to look at Ji Ning, a flash of surprise in his eyes, but he said nothing, just pressed a button at the head of the single bed, and one side of the bed suddenly lifted, revealing a hidden compartment beneath.

"Follow me." The man headed down first.

Ying Huang gave Ji Ning a look, indicating to follow the man downwards.

The staircase down wasn’t long, and they soon reached the bottom where the man turned on the light, illuminating the entire room.

This room was about a dozen square meters, circular like a sealed barrel, with walls coated with lime, appearing barren.

The man approached one wall and tapped a brick.

A dull thud was heard, followed by the gear-turning sound of "clang, clang, clang..."

Ji Ning clearly saw the walls seemingly rotate, quickly revealing a narrow door just wide enough for one person.

"Wait here." This time, the man didn’t let them follow, entering the door alone.

A few minutes later, he returned with a black briefcase, handing it to Ying Huang, "Here’s your goods."

On the spot, Ying Huang opened the briefcase for inspection and found three black, controlled firearms inside.

"You take a look." Ying Huang called Ji Ning to inspect the goods.

Ji Ning walked over, picked up a weapon, and examined it briefly; accustomed to chaos as she was, she had to admit that the craftsmanship of these three weapons was exquisite, though the accuracy and range were unknown.

Ji Ning proficiently disassembled, reassembled the weapon, tested its feel, light enough for Ye Tong to use.

"Where can I test it?" Ji Ning looked at the man.

He pressed another brick on the wall, and the movable wall turned out another door.

Ji Ning picked up the briefcase and walked into the door.

The space inside was vast, with various targets arranged.

The man held a remote, controlling the distance of the targets, "Your HK97 has a range of 30, holds 8 rounds, with automatic calibration."

Ji Ning changed magazines, seemingly casually raised the gun, not even looking at the aim line, and pulled the trigger three times in succession.

With the sound of "bang," a round hole appeared right at the center of the target.

Next to her, Ying Huang’s eyes showed a hint of astonishment; all three shots hit the exact same spot at the center, flawless—what kind of precision was this?

Who exactly is she?

"Not bad, this is more precise and lightweight than the 47."

The man glanced at her, "We also buy antiques; if you have any, the price is negotiable."

Ji Ning paused slightly, then nodded.

After verifying all three controlled weapons, Ji Ning paid a large sum and took the black briefcase away.

The man, seemingly intrigued by the "antique" Ji Ning held, offered a discount on the price.

Ying Huang looked at Ji Ning with a complex expression; in all her years of buying stock, she’d never seen the boss offer a discount.

"Who exactly are you?" Ying Huang couldn’t help but ask.

Ji Ning paused slightly in her steps, turned to look at her, "Just the same as you."

Ying Huang’s pupils constricted instantly, her gaze even more complicated.

Outside the small courtyard, You Le squatted idly by the motorcycle, looking up at the sky. Hearing the gate open, he couldn’t help but jump up from the ground, "Did you get it?"

Ying Huang gestured silence, "We’ll talk later."

The three immediately rode the motorcycle away at high speed, as if trying to shake someone off.

Sitting at the back, Ji Ning glanced back at the gradually distant courtyard, extending her palm for a closer look, wiping off a string of numbers with her thumb.

It was already late at night, with the roadsides quiet and the streetlights appearing somewhat dim.

Ying Huang’s motorcycle slowly decelerated, dropping off the two at home before heading back to her place.

As soon as she opened the door, Ying Huang swiftly dodged a pillow attack, simultaneously reaching for her outer thighs, sending two silver blades shooting toward the other side.

"Hey, you’re going too hard?"

Just then, a casual, yellow-haired man deftly dodged the blades, flipping off the couch.

Ying Huang gave him an annoyed look, took off her motorcycle jacket, carelessly tossed it aside, opened the fridge, and grabbed a beer, taking a big swig.

The yellow-haired man pulled out the silver blades embedded in the wall, walking over to Ying Huang, cheekily asking, "I heard you took a stranger girl to see the old ghost."

Ying Huang pushed his head away with one hand, sat down by the couch, "He sure has a big mouth."

"Is that girl reliable? Who is she to you?" The yellow-haired man leaned in again.

Ying Huang glanced at him, picked up the remote on the couch, and pressed it toward the display screen on the wall, "She’s my student."

"Student? From Anhe Middle School?"

Ying Huang answered with a "hmm," drinking beer while browsing the screen’s content.

She found a student file:

Name: Ji Ning

Age: 20

School: Anhe Middle School, Grade 11 (Special Enrollment)

...

***

Elsewhere.

Ji Ning, who was supposed to be home, stood on a quiet street with You Le, who also hadn’t gone home.

"I just knew you’d come back to take a look." You Le said somewhat proudly.

Ji Ning frowned, handing the black briefcase to her, "Keep this for me, I’ll come for it later."

"What about you?" You Le was displeased with Ji Ning acting alone.

But she said nothing, her gaze slightly cold, her meaning clear.

You Le stubbornly looked to the side, not moving, until three words reached her ears: "Suit yourself."

You Le lit up with joy, just about to follow, when a cold voice from the figure in front called back: "If you want your grandmother to see your corpse tonight, keep following."

"You..."

You Le watched as Ji Ning’s silhouette faded into the distance, her foot mid-step never completely landing.