第108章 "Embers of Betrayal"

**Chapter 108: The Fiery Reunion (Part 1)**

Xiao Zhan's eyes flashed with a mixture of surprise and disdain as he took a step forward, his hand instinctively reaching for the knife sheathed at his waist. Lin Feng, the infamous 'Ghost' of the special forces, was the last person he wanted to see again. Their past clashes had left deep scars, and Xiao Zhan had thought he'd left those demons behind.

"You're the last person I expected to run into," Xiao Zhan said, his voice low and even. His gaze never left Lin Feng's face, probing for any sign of deceit or hidden agendas.

Lin Feng's eyes, like two cold steel blades, seemed to bore into Xiao Zhan's soul. "And I'm the last person you want to mess with," he replied, his voice dripping with venom. The air was thick with tension as the two former enemies faced off, their past animosity crackling like a live wire.

Xiao Zhan's grip on his knife tightened, his mind racing with strategies and countermeasures. But before he could react, Lin Feng's eyes flicked to the side, and a sly smile spread across his face.

"Ah, but I see you're not alone," Lin Feng said, his gaze drifting to the group of thugs lurking in the shadows behind Xiao Zhan. "You've managed to gather an impressive crew of misfits. How quaint."

Xiao Zhan's eyes followed Lin Feng's, and his grip on the knife relaxed slightly. The group of thugs, a motley crew of ex-military and underworld figures, looked like they'd been recruited from all corners of the city. Xiao Zhan had been gathering them for weeks, piecing together a network of informants and enforcers to help him navigate the treacherous landscape of urban warfare.

"What do you want, Lin?" Xiao Zhan asked, his voice a low growl. The words hung in the air, heavy with foreboding.

Lin Feng's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a mischievous light. "Oh, I have a proposal for you, Xiao Zhan. A chance to put our differences aside and work together. For a price, of course."

Xiao Zhan's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications. What could Lin Feng possibly want from him, after all these years? And what kind of price was he talking about?

As the two former enemies stood there, locked in a silent standoff, the air seemed to vibrate with tension. The city pulsed around them, its neon lights and hum of activity a distant backdrop to the impending conflict.

And then, just as it seemed like the moment was about to become explosive, Lin Feng's face contorted into a snarl, and he spat a single word:

"Start."