Chapter 224: Friendly Fire
The dense gunfire within the white smoke crackled like firecrackers on New Year’s Eve, making Fang Xiaocao’s heart race with anxiety. It felt as though every shot was striking directly at her soul.
She silently prayed for Tom and Taotie, hoping both were safe.
After about five minutes, the gunfire gradually subsided, tightening the knot in Fang Xiaocao’s stomach.
“That fast? The battle is already over?” she thought in shock.
It seemed way too quick. A bad premonition crept into her mind.
Given how intense the gunfire had been, the enemy’s numbers must have been significant. No matter how skilled Tom was, there was no way he could have located and eliminated all of them in such a short period.
Which meant…
“Could Tom be in trouble?”
Fang Xiaocao’s heartbeat skyrocketed.
If even someone as formidable as Tom had fallen, then her and Taotie’s fate was as good as sealed.
Dead. No doubt about it.
A shiver ran down her spine at the mere thought.
Just as fear took hold, a sudden explosion echoed from within the white smoke, followed by agonized screams and another burst of gunfire.
Fang Xiaocao let out a breath.
Tom was fine!
That explosion? Definitely his doing.
The battle continued in the smoke, but suddenly, something caught her attention.
A faint noise came from behind her—left rear, to be exact.
A twig snapping.
Fang Xiaocao tensed. Was it a person? Or just an animal?
Either way, she couldn’t afford to let her guard down.
Then came the unmistakable sound of approaching footsteps, rustling against the leaves. Someone was running. Fast.
“Friend? Or foe?”
She couldn’t tell.
All she could do was focus on the sound and keep her finger on the trigger.
If it was an ally, great. If not…
She’d fight to the death.
Fang Xiaocao knew that getting captured would be worse than death itself. The people they were up against were ruthless killers. If they got their hands on her…
The thought alone made her stomach churn.
The footsteps drew closer.
Just a few meters away.
Then—sudden silence.
Fang Xiaocao’s breath hitched.
She tightened her grip on the gun and aimed straight ahead, heart hammering against her ribs.
The tension was unbearable.
She swallowed hard.
This was suffocating.
Then—
A massive figure lunged from the darkness.
Fang Xiaocao instinctively pulled the trigger.
BANG!
A single shot rang out.
“Sh*t!” a deep voice cursed before the figure collapsed.
Fang Xiaocao sat frozen in shock.
That voice…
It sounded familiar.
A horrifying realization struck her like a bolt of lightning.
Had she just shot—
No. No way.
It couldn’t be…
“Taotie?!”
Panic surged through her as she scrambled forward, stumbling towards the fallen figure.
Had she actually… killed him?
No. No, no, no!
That couldn’t be right!
Taotie was a monster in human form, practically invincible. There was no way she could’ve hit him.
Right?
Her thoughts were a chaotic mess.
“Please, please, please…”
Tears welled up in her eyes.
She hadn’t even seen his face yet, but the outline, the gear—everything screamed Taotie.
A choked sob escaped her lips.
“Taotie… No, no, no…”
Her hands trembled as she reached out.
She had shot him.
She had actually shot him.
Just as the tears spilled down her cheeks, a hand extended a tissue towards her.
“Here, wipe your tears, Princess.”
“Thanks…” Fang Xiaocao murmured automatically, taking the tissue.
Then she froze.
Wait.
Wait a damn second.
That voice.
She stiffly turned her head—and there, standing beside her, was Taotie.
Alive.
Perfectly fine.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
She rubbed at them furiously and looked again.
Still him.
Still very much alive.
She whipped around to check the body she had shot—except, it was gone.
Fang Xiaocao gawked.
What the hell?!
“Princess, your aim ain’t bad, huh?” Taotie chuckled.
With a grin, he pulled a warped bullet from his bulletproof vest.
“If I wasn’t wearing this, you would’ve actually taken me out.”
Fang Xiaocao blinked at the deformed bullet, then at the dented area over his heart.
She had actually hit him.
And directly in the heart.
“You okay?” she asked hesitantly.
“Yeah, just smarts a little.”
Taotie grinned. “Got the wind knocked outta me for a sec. Heart took a hit, but I ain’t goin’ down that easy.”
Fang Xiaocao’s stomach twisted.
A normal person wouldn’t have gotten back up from that.
“Taotie… I’m so sorry.”
She lowered her head. “I was too nervous. I didn’t check first…”
“Don’t sweat it!” Taotie waved it off. “I should’ve spoken up. You did the right thing.”
“Huh?” Fang Xiaocao looked up, confused.
“You did good, Princess,” he said, patting her head. “If you’re unsure whether someone’s a threat, take the shot. Don’t hesitate. It could save your life.”
Fang Xiaocao swallowed hard and nodded.
These were the survival instincts of a true warrior. If Taotie said it was the right move, then she would remember it.
She didn’t want to be a helpless burden.
She wanted to be strong.
“Tom’s still inside?” Taotie asked, nodding towards the white smoke.
“Yeah… It’s been a while.”
“And now it’s quiet again,” she added, uneasily.
(End of Chapter 224)
