Flame War Anthem: Beyond the Galactic River (GL) - Chapter 12

When she found herself back in the midst of this extraordinarily lively party, the faintly cold smile that had been hidden in her heart once again bloomed on her face.

Compared to the slightly subdued atmosphere earlier, people now flocked to her one after another to offer their toasts.

On the surface, they all wore ingratiating smiles, congratulating her on expanding into new profitable ventures.

But in reality, their minds were as clear as mirrors—they knew full well that this was merely Venos’ disguised way of exiling her.

Yet, no one could guess her true thoughts. From the very beginning, it had all been her deliberate orchestration. Otherwise, how could someone like him ever hope to control her?

Looking back on the past, when she carried out dangerous missions in the military, though peril lurked at every turn, it was far less filthy and complicated than the scheming and power struggles before her now.

These people often spoke of human nature with seemingly endless eloquence and insight. But for the profit-driven crowd gathered here, only money and benefits could truly make them take human nature seriously.

Otherwise, their so-called discussions about humanity were nothing more than a fleeting, weightless fart—gone without a trace after a couple of puffs.

They always considered themselves extraordinary, believing their bloodlines to be of the utmost nobility. Ordinary business could no longer satisfy their bottomless greed.

Thus, most of them chose a path strewn with thorns, attempting to amass more wealth and power through unscrupulous means, unwilling to take steady, step-by-step strides.

Over the years, Wu Chen’s achievements had indeed stirred envy in many.

But in this intricate world, it was all just a drop in the ocean.

No matter the profession, people only ever saw newcomers basking in the limelight—who ever heard of the old guard lamenting in the shadows?

For this very reason, she felt not the slightest attachment to this place.

After all, she had been away from home for far too long. Never before had she yearned so deeply for the warmth and solace that family could bring her.

She set down her wine glass, her footsteps slightly heavy as she made her way through the castle and arrived at the restroom door.

Along the way, there wasn’t a single guest in sight—not even Sen Jie, who usually followed close behind her.

The atmosphere was far too quiet.

A cold smile curled at the corner of Wu Chen’s lips as she turned the lock and stepped inside.

Though it was just a single room, the interior was quite spacious, even housing a generously sized bathtub.

She pushed the door wide open and carefully inspected the space, finding nothing suspicious.

Then, she slowly locked the door and stood quietly by the sink, her gaze fixed on her reflection in the mirror.

Her mind grew hazy, as if everything she had experienced over the years was nothing but an illusory dream—one from which she would wake to return to her former identity, to her loved ones…

Just as she lost herself in thought, a faint, unusual sound came from the wall behind her. A hidden door swung open without warning, and a shadowy figure raised a gun and fired at Wu Chen.

Fortunately, she had been prepared. With agile swiftness, she twisted her body to evade. The bullet struck the mirror with a sharp bang, shattering it into countless fragments that scattered across the floor.

In the blink of an eye, she lunged forward two lightning-fast steps, her hand darting out like a gust of wind to seize the assailant’s gun-wielding wrist. Her right leg drove forward with explosive force, delivering a powerful strike to the chest.

The sudden, intense pain left the opponent unable to fight back. She forcefully twisted their arm backward, locking it tightly in place.

Without hesitation, she snatched the gun from their hand and flipped their suit jacket over their head.

The black barrel of the silenced pistol pointed directly at their skull—she pulled the trigger without a second thought, ending their life in an instant.

Every movement flowed seamlessly, executed with ruthless precision, leaving no room for hesitation.

Wu Chen glanced indifferently at the bloodied corpse on the floor. Gripping the gun, she tried to push open the hidden door, only to find it locked.

She tossed the pistol into the toilet, then turned to the sink, washing her hands and smoothing her slightly disheveled hair and dress.

Calmly, she stepped out of the restroom, casually locking the door behind her.

When she returned to the main hall, even amidst the bustling crowd, she immediately caught Venos’ gaze—before he quickly averted his eyes.

How absurd. Did he really think such a weakling could take her down? He must have severely underestimated her.

But this confirmed one thing—his determination to kill her was resolute, unshakable.

Perhaps she had truly threatened something vital to him.

But so what? After countless life-and-death battles, her heart had long hardened into unbreakable stone.

A brutal confrontation was inevitable, and she wasn’t the least bit afraid to tear off all pretenses.

“Hey… why does my beauty seem in a bad mood tonight?”

A familiar, warm voice suddenly reached her from nearby.

Wu Chen turned, her mood instantly brightening.

“Klo… I didn’t think you’d come tonight.”

She spread her arms, embracing the curly-haired Black man tightly.

“Came back just for you.”

Klo grinned, revealing a row of perfectly white teeth, his eyes sparkling like scattered starlight.

When they finally pulled apart, Wu Chen’s icy gaze had softened into warmth. “How did things go on your end?”

“Let’s talk somewhere quieter.”

Klo picked up two champagne glasses from a nearby table, handing one to her.

In a relatively secluded corner, Wu Chen gently swirled her glass, her eyes occasionally scanning the party. Klo, knowing her cautious nature, didn’t press further.

“Chen, are you really sure about this?”

He had been puzzled from the moment he heard.

She had already built formidable power in North America—leaving now risked losing everything, all her efforts going to waste.

“Do you doubt me too?”

“No, I’ve never doubted you. I just think it’s not worth it.”

Klo took a sip of champagne, his gaze conflicted.

“There’s an old saying in China: ‘You must lose in order to gain.’ You’re the one I trust most—you know I don’t make bad deals.”

Her eyes grew distant. Though Klo understood her better than anyone, even he sometimes felt she carried too many hidden secrets.

“But the situation in China isn’t like here. Guns and drugs are practically banned nationwide—”

“I know.”

“And you still insist on going?”

He truly couldn’t grasp her reasoning.

“Enough about me. Let’s talk about your situation.”