Breaking Through The Clouds

Chapter 33

Nobody dared to call him by his name, only by his title of respect, 'King Of Spade'...

Dizziness.

Excruciating pain.

...

Chu Ci's body twitched slightly. He opened his eyes, then closed them tightly.

His senses were paralyzed by the high fever, and it took him several minutes for his nerves to feed his brain sluggishly with information about his current environment, like the hard wall behind his back and the dusty ground beneath him, after which he realized in a trance that he had been kidnapped.

Scattered memories of all the dramatic changes from the previous day and a half flitted through his mind-meeting the security guard in the warehouse, being forced to answer his mentor's call at gunpoint, his attempts to leave behind a distress signal, getting knocked out after ending the call...

Chu Ci exhaled a mouthful of hot air and tried to sit up, but as soon as he moved, the jolt of pain from his ribs was so intense that he sucked in a cold breath.

-Oh right, I got hurt, he thought to himself.

The kidnappers had set the car on fire then pushed him towards the highway. Given how dark it was and how far off they were from the beaten path, it was impossible for him to glimpse even a hint of a soul even if he called for help. Hence, he bade his time until he saw an opportunity in the form of a clump of shrubbery and leapt into action. Ramming one of the kidnappers into the bushes, he tried his best to leave behind the kidnapper's blood traces on the broken branches and dead leaves in the ensuing struggle.

It didn't take long before he was pulled to his feet by several men and punched viciously several times, losing his consciousness in the process.

Why didn't they kill me? The thought flashed through Chu Ci's dazed mind.

Everyone knows I was born into poverty, and I don't really have many social connections to speak of, so even if I'm kidnapped, there isn't much possibility of extorting a high ransom. From the kidnappers' point of view, it is unrealistic to be on the run with a living person who will make a break for it and call for help at any point in time. If they did away with me in the wilderness and buried me there, it would undoubtedly be a lot more convenient for them...

Unless I still have value.

What is that value?

Chu Ci was trying to force himself to calm down to weigh his situation when a sudden rustling caught his attention. He forced his eyes open. After letting his sight adjust to the dim environment, he was stunned by what he saw.

...Ding Dang?

This was a dilapidated room of no more than five or six square meters across, the only source of light being the concrete window sealed with iron bars overhead. There was no telling whether it was early morning or evening outside. The subdued light of the sky outlined the silhouette of a young girl on the ground, delirious mumblings spilling past her lips as she underwent the painful awakening from her previously unconscious state, "Save...save me...!"

Chu Ci's gaze immediately darted towards the door. Fortunately, Ding Dang's cry wasn't loud, so it shouldn't arouse the vigilance of the kidnappers outside.

"What's going on..." Ding Dang mumbled, struggling to sit up. However, she was too weak, for that little bit of exertion was enough for her body to crumple-luckily for her, Chu Ci reached out to support her in time, otherwise she would've gotten a concussion on the spot.

"...Chu Ci? Thank goodness, I knew you'd be okay!"

Chu Ci placed his index finger against her lips, shushing her immediately.