Chapter 435: Exposed

After a brief moment of shock, the others also came to their senses. Their gazes turned cold and vicious, staring fixedly at the gun-wielding Night Owl. A fierce killing intent erupted from each of them.

Judging by their ferocious expressions, they looked ready to tear Night Owl apart on the spot.

Night Owl’s behavior had already violated the rules of the Purifiers, giving the others an excuse to make their move.

These people were all ruthless and bloodstained individuals. If it weren’t for their fear of Night Owl’s sharpshooting, they would have already swarmed him and ripped him to shreds.

“He provoked me for no reason. He sought death. He deserved it,” Night Owl said, not holstering his gun, but keeping it in hand. He tilted his head and looked at Black Wolf. “What, you want to stand up for him?”

“You killed him just because he insulted you? I think you’ve grown arrogant and lawless. I don’t need to stand up for him, your actions have already enraged everyone,” Black Wolf swept his gaze around and raised his voice. “Everyone, violating organizational rules and killing a comrade without authorization, what punishment should that deserve?”

“Death by a thousand cuts! Execution by dismemberment!”

Seven or eight people stepped out from the crowd, slowly closing in on Night Owl, their eyes glinting with a cruel red light like a pack of wolves circling their prey.

A cold light flashed in Night Owl’s eyes behind his mask. The muzzle of his gun, hanging at his side, subtly lifted.

Just as a battle was about to break out, a cold voice suddenly rang out from the rear of the crowd. It was Purple Fox.

“What’s going on? Who just fired a shot?”

“Lady Purple Fox, Night Owl has returned. He was the one who fired. He killed one of our members,” Black Wolf quickly stepped forward to report. “We were just about to seize him and deal with him according to the organization’s rules.”

The crowd parted, revealing Purple Fox’s tall and alluring figure.

She strode in with feline grace, walking into the group and stopping before Night Owl. Her bright eyes scanned him up and down. 

“Why did you kill him?”

“Because that man deserved to die, Lady Purple Fox,” Night Owl lowered his proud head in front of her despite his usual arrogance. “I completed my mission and came to report directly to you, but he dared to insult me. I wouldn’t be able to rest if I didn’t kill him.”

Purple Fox let out a soft laugh from behind her mask. “That’s your reason for killing? I don’t think so.”

“Why do you say that?” Night Owl asked calmly.

“Because you’re not Night Owl.” Purple Fox stepped back two paces, her voice turning icy cold. “Drop the act. You may have fooled them, but not me.”

Her words instantly caused an uproar.

“What?!”

“He’s not Night Owl?”

“That outfit, that body shape, that mask, and that annoying tone… It’s exactly like Night Owl! If he’s not, then who is he?”

“Yeah! And if he’s not Night Owl, how would he know this base?”

Everyone whispered among themselves, casting strange looks toward Night Owl—some suspicious, some shocked, some wary, some hateful, some vicious, and some cold.

As the murmurs continued, Night Owl’s gaze began to shift. The cold, emotionless eyes gradually deepened with calm stillness, and even his voice changed, becoming a low, magnetic male baritone. 

“How did you figure it out?” 

Purple Fox said coldly, “Because the feeling you give me is far more dangerous than Night Owl. Night Owl was merely a Black-rank member, I could kill him with ease. But you, standing right in front of me, I can’t see through you at all. If I’m not mistaken, you’re the one who killed the operatives we sent to Jinghai, aren’t you?”

Facing her firm accusation, “Night Owl” took off the mask, revealing a young face. It was plain and unremarkable, yet carried an indescribable air of composure.

“You guessed right. I’m the one you’re after. Originally, I wanted to infiltrate your headquarters first and gather information before making a move, but plans can’t keep up with change. Now I’ll just have to do it another way.”

This fake Night Owl was Lin Xiao.

The Purifiers were an extremely secretive organization. Lin Xiao even suspected their leader might be a Flowing Force-level martial artist, forcing him to act cautiously.

He had intended to use Night Owl’s identity to infiltrate the Purifiers and destroy them from within while gathering intelligence. But he hadn’t expected Purple Fox’s senses to be so sharp, her mind so meticulous. The plan had failed before it even began.

He was only human, not a god. He could do his best, but couldn’t account for every unpredictable variable.

Still, even after being exposed, Lin Xiao remained calm and collected, his expression unruffled.

But deep in his heart, his killing intent blazed fiercer than ever, like a snow-capped volcano, quietly waiting to erupt with earth-shaking fury.

At this moment, all around him, the Purifier members stared with bloodshot eyes, like ghouls in the dark, exuding a savage and bloody aura. They looked terrifying and monstrous.

How could they not be furious at being played by Lin Xiao?

“You fool, heaven had a path and you refused to walk it. Hell has no gate, and you barged in,” the tall man wearing a tiger mask growled. “I’ll crush your bones one by one, and make you scream for three days and three nights before you die.”

Black Wolf also gnashed his teeth. “Bastard! After I kill you, I’ll chop your corpse into pieces and feed it to the dogs.”

Others pointed at Lin Xiao, spewing venomous curses.

“Shut up!” Purple Fox barked impatiently. “Bunch of blind fools. If I hadn’t seen through him, you’d still be dancing in the palm of his hand. Guard the exits, don’t let him escape.”

“No need. I have no intention of running,” Lin Xiao said as he twisted his neck slightly, a cold smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He crooked his finger toward Purple Fox. “So, who’s coming to die first?”

“Before we start, I have a few questions for you,” Purple Fox raised a hand, stopping the others who were eager to attack. “Why did you kill our people?”

“Because they deserved to die. And it just so happened that I was there to do it.”

“So you think you’re some kind of righteous enforcer?” Purple Fox’s eyes flashed with faint mockery. “You’re soaked in blood yourself. What gives you the right to judge others? Don’t you deserve to die too?”

“Yes, I’ve killed many,” Lin Xiao replied calmly. “But everyone I’ve killed had it coming. In a world where evil runs rampant and good goes unrewarded, I follow my conscience and act accordingly. I ask only to live with no regrets.”

Though his tone was mild, it carried an unyielding and indomitable resolve.

“Well said, ‘follow your conscience and act accordingly, with no regrets.’ I rather admire you now,” Purple Fox said, a playful gleam in her eyes. She crossed her arms and stepped back from the crowd, clearly with no intention of fighting. “Alright, I’ve asked my questions. Do what you will.”

As soon as Purple Fox stepped back, all the Purifier members’ eyes gleamed with killing intent. They drew their pistols from their waists and aimed them at Lin Xiao.

“Don’t shoot! Let me play with him for a bit,” the tall man in the tiger mask sneered. “How could we waste such a fine opportunity to torment our prey?”