Something Beautiful And Wicked

The next evening, Yuan Ning didn't come over to the apartment. He had assigned work that held him back, and he told Wu Genji that he'd visit the next day, though she no longer needed his help. Her skin had stitched itself over her wound, leaving a scar that would fade over time. She was able to do everything on her own, and soon enough, Yuan Ning would no longer need to drop by, and they could finally part ways for good. 

Wu Genji felt like she could finally do something she itched to do since she had recovered. 

She went to her room and changed into something dark and tight. She tied up her hair, putting on a surgical mask to cover her face. She then left the apartment, locking it tight as she left. 

She took the stairs, heading for the back exit, toward the street. Her destination was a twenty-minute walk from her apartment. She walked through alleyways, her hoodie covering her head, her dark-blue hair tucked in. 

Wu Genji walked until she arrived at a factory that made linen bed sheets. She broke the lock of the gate, and she stepped up the flight of stairs of the fire escape toward the roof. She used a flashlight to hop through a narrow drop in the upper level of the building. She landed with a soft thud, and then she began to observe the area, finding sowing machines, and others she couldn't name down below. 

She walked around, slowly and carefully. Shi Yen gave her this assignment, which meant that she trusted her enough to find something of value to report back to her.

It was dark, save for the small flash of light she had. She flashed the machines, the carts, and tables, finding nothing but ordinary folded linen bed sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers. 

Wu Genji didn't know what she could find here. It was vast, filled with storage and skids of stock. If Shi Yen expected her to observe every inch of the building, it would take her at least a week. 

She decided to give herself a full tour before coming up with a conclusion as to what Shi Yen wanted her to do. The instructions were vague: Potential lead with the enemy at this location. Observe, watch, and search.

Which enemy? Wu Genji wondered. She knew that people had betrayed the Empress and Emperor, but for what reason? 

Wu Genji turned a corner and halted, feeling a presence trail behind her. She then sped up, turning more corners, running down flights of stairs, but the person was just as fast. Impossible. 

They were quick and quiet, nearly concealed as a shadow. She jumped over a railing, landing at the next staircase. The person followed in pursuit. Wu Genji made it to the lower landing, whirling to kick the person in the gut. They blocked. 

Wu Genji threw a right hook, and he, a man, blocked it again. He counterattacked, forcing Genji to sway left and right, avoiding any direct hits. Every time she moved, he was faster, more fluid, and very good. It pissed her off. 

She then launched herself toward him, taking him down. He struggled from her grip, but his strength overtook hers, and he flipped her beneath him. 

"Miss Wu?" he questioned. 

"Ugh! What are you doing here?" she asked bitterly. 

Yuan Ning had her wrists pinned to the ground, his frame leaning over hers. "I was assigned to come here."

Wu Genji clicked her tongue. "So was I. Now, can you get off me?"

Yuan Ning released her. "I didn't know it was you. I thought you were someone that would lead me to find whatever it is the Empress is looking for." 

Wu Genji shook her head. "I'm searching for it, too, but I can't find anything." 

Yuan Ning stood up, helping Wu Genji up. "I didn't think the Empress would allow you to participate in any assignments, so soon." 

Wu Genji scowled. "I am capable of doing anything she requests on my own. I didn't expect her to assign us together!"

"Why not?"

Yuan Ning lowered his mask. "Perhaps," he said, wearing a subtle smile. "I've only known the Empress for a short time, but I believe she has good judgement. I think she trusts us. If not, this could help us prove our loyalty to her." 

Wu Genji considered what he said. "I guess so." 

They heard a door shut, and some shuffling footsteps. Without thinking, Yuan Ning grabbed her, and they ducked into a shadowy part of the factory, away from the peering moonlight. 

A group of people had come in, speaking in low, hushed whispers they couldn't hear or decipher. They gathered together. 

Yuan Ning held Wu Genji close, keeping her crooked beneath his arms. "We need to get closer," she whispered to him. 

Yuan Ning nodded. He then went first, ducking behind towering, fully stocked shelves. Wu Genji followed his every step, stealthily, until they got closer. 

Yuan Ning paused. He then carefully moved some items out of place, creating a small space for them to look through. They nearly pressed their faces against each other, trying to peer at the people in front of them. 

They were all masked in white, but none of them were what Wu Genji had seen within the Black Society before. 

What were they doing?

"Have you found the identities of the Empress or Emperor?" said a voice. 

The man was barefaced, smiling. "No," he said. "Unfortunately, those who know of them don't break easily or at all. But what did you expect?"

"You were supposed to help us, and our Master to take full control of the Black Society," said another voice. "And you'd get a generous reward in return. That's why you betrayed your king." 

"Right," said the man, idly. "We can still do that. In fact, a little bird had told me that his son, the first Scorpion Prince, is not in the city. We've sent people to find him. If we can't hit the Empress directly, we might as well hit the others, one by one, until the entire Empire falls." 

Wu Genji stilled, and Yuan Ning froze beside her. They were both one of the seven, meaning they were on their hit-list. But who's hit list? 

"Tell the Mountain Dragon that we're still on it," the man continued. Wu Genji's breath caught. "No," she whispered, eyes wide. "The Dark Forces?"

Yuan Ning eyed her curiously. Wu Genji backed away, her mind restless, and she backed against a table, items collapsed and clanged on the floor. 

Yuan Ning grabbed her hand, and without another thought, they dashed away. He led her toward a different exit than the one she took before, but the men had heard and were on pursuit. 

Yuan Ning pushed her to go ahead of him, and he slowed, knocking down tables and machines to get in their way. He caught up to her, and they made it through the exit. Yuan Ning grabbed the crowbar he left outside, and he shut the double doors together. He led Wu Genji to his car, and they sped off onto the street. 

Yuan Ning reacted fast. He made a sharp and loud U-turn, going in the opposite direction. He made another turn, and then he fluidly drove down an alleyway, parking behind a restaurant, blending in with other parked cars. They both were silent, hearing cars speed past, away from them. 

Heart racing, Wu Genji sighed. They lost them. 

She chuckled while removing the surgical mask from her face. Yuan Ning scrunched his brows, but he couldn't help but chuckle, too. They both laughed nervously, a normal reaction after a threatening situation. 

Their laughter died, slowing transitioning into slight, breathless panting. 

Yuan Ning then looked at her, his smile fading. His expression darted from her eyes to the swell of her mouth. His face carried hunger, d.e.s.i.r.e, a carnal look of longing, and a sensuality that made Wu Genji dazed and weak. His aura was entirely too dangerous and so very s.e.x.u.a.l. Her eyes widened, and her breath stopped short. 

She wondered if he knew how he was looking at her. 

Yuan Ning then turned to start the car again. His expression changed quickly; the carnal look disappearing. 

"We have to report to my sister-in-law," was all he said. 

"Right," Wu Genji replied.