Volume One: The Spiral Stone Carving Chapter Fifteen: The Abyssal Maw 4: Narrow Escape from Death

Chen Fan stood behind a jagged boulder, pressing his left hand against the rough stone wall, his eyes fixed intently on the two figures in the distance.

They, too, were hiding behind a massive rock, peeking out with half their heads, staring back at him without blinking.

This was a gunfight—not a game. Once shots were fired, one side was bound to fall.

No one dared to fire the first shot lightly.

All eyes were on Lu Yan, for they all knew deep down that he was the decisive factor on this battlefield.

Whichever side he assisted would swiftly claim victory.

Lu Yan glanced at the two opposite him, then turned his gaze toward Chen Fan. After a moment of silence, he spoke, “The poison they gave me only suppresses the symptoms; it cannot cure me... I’ve known all along that I was doomed to die. But I couldn’t bear to leave my sister, so I endured.”

Chen Fan remained silent. As an outsider, words were futile; better to listen quietly and let him pour out his heart.

“Xiaoya isn’t my biological sister, but she relies on me deeply, treating me like a real brother,” Lu Yan sighed, locking eyes with Chen Fan. “Do you understand?”

Chen Fan nodded. Of course he understood.

Suddenly, Lu Yan smiled, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. “So, can you put down your gun and give up the fight? For Xiaoya’s sake, I must hold on!”

“What do you think?” Chen Fan’s gaze narrowed, a cold sneer curling his lips. “You don’t need to hold on anymore. You have at most half a month left. After that, you’ll die anyway! Whether you die sooner or later makes no difference—might as well die now!”

His words were harsh but necessary. He had to make Lu Yan face reality. If Lu Yan acted rashly, he would be in grave danger.

“And who’s responsible for all this? Those two over there! They’re the ones who brought you to this state. What do I have to do with it?”

“In the end, you owe me your life—I’m your benefactor. If you’re willing to help me now, I will, in turn, help your sister when the chance arises. The choice is yours.”

Lu Yan let out a heavy sigh, torn between decisions. Casting a sideways glance toward the valley, he said, “There are terrifying monsters inside that valley. If you go down there, you’re surely dead. How could you then take care of my sister?”

“I know what I’m doing. You don’t need to worry about that,” Chen Fan replied.

Lu Yan looked at him, puzzled by his confidence. After a brief hesitation, he said, “Open fire. Kill them as fast as possible. I’ll draw their fire!” He pushed his speed to the limit and charged toward the two enemies.

Chen Fan nodded and circled around from the left side.

The two on the other side panicked but, being ruthless killers, raised their guns and unleashed a barrage of shots toward the two men.

The core skill in a gunfight is singular: to kill the enemy swiftly while using environmental cover to protect oneself.

Fifteen minutes later, as the specter’s body was pierced by golden light, the battle ended.

Chen Fan’s bullets had pierced through both their skulls!

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