Chapter 568 - CREATURE OF THE DARK

The sounds of lively jazz could be heard just below the hotel room. However, the person in the colourful room did not seem affected by the festive spirit of New Orleans. She seemed removed from the cheerful atmosphere.

Hu Lei looked into the mirror with cold eyes. She did not look different than usual, but she knew that the person looking back was not just plain Hu Lei. 

It was Jane. 

This thought was strange because there were no differences between them. She was the same person she had always been. It was just a mind-frame that made her shift between her identities. 

The change was not as jarring as it used to be in the past. She did not feel a complete disconnect from Hu Lei, just because she was wearing Jane's mantle. As Aunt Huo had told her, acknowledging both sides of her identity would help her remain integrated. 

After assessing her appearance for a long time, she picked a dark maroon lipstick from her small bag and touched up her look. The deep colour was a little bold for her skin tone, and it gave her an almost undead look. 

But she was pleased with the result. 

The unusual make-up choice matched with her black lace dress and the small black veiled hat. She adjusted the hat over her hair in a tight bun. Then, she checked the light veil that covered her forehead and eyes. 

The outfit was a good match for the ice in her gaze. Against all the black, the golden eyes stood out even more behind the flimsy fabric. She looked like a creature of dark legend. But to Hu Lei, the reflection was strange but familiar. 

Like a shadow of her former self… 

That person in the mirror was someone she had already begun forgetting. Still, she felt like the dark creature was an integral part of her. It was the part that had allowed her to live on during the toughest of times and get the happiness she did not think possible. 

She was thankful to Jane, and she was glad to be her again.

Her phone rang, breaking the silence in the simple hotel room. She checked the device and saw the words 'Evil Emperor' on the screen. Her lips quirked into a smile, and the ice in her eyes melted completely. 

She was once again the cute Hu Lei as she picked the call. 

"Did you miss me?" She asked. 

"Mhmm." The man replied. 

"You take out the fun from teasing you." Hu Lei laughed. 

"How should I respond?" Zhong Feng asked. 

"With something more romantic. You cannot be always so straightforward. This is the reason I am taking a pre-emptive strike to find a future girlfriend for Xiao Bao. If he becomes unromantic like you, he will be living with us forever." Hu Lei said while looking through the window. 

The sun had already set, but in New Orleans, the night was just starting. The city was always alive with music, food and parties. More so, when they found a reason to celebrate. And the locals always found something to commemorate. 

This attribute of New Orleans made her work easier. 

Zhong Feng, on the other side of the world, did not reply to the mischievous taunt. He was too worried about Hu Lei to think about casual banter. When he thought about her last target, he wanted to fly to her and protect her. 

He should not have let her do something dangerous. 

But he could also not stop her. It was something she wanted to do, and he knew she needed it.

So far, in the past few months, she managed to take out the targets that Yuan Haoran had put forward. Some of them were powerful and dangerous, holding significant authority around the world. These were the people who protected Martial Island. 

In essence, these individuals were an integral part of the global deep state. It was through their help that Martial Island had thrived for years. These people had done a lot of cover-up work to protect the secrets of that hidden place. 

Zhong Feng did not care about Yuan Haoran's bid to expose and destroy Martial Island. His only concern was about the safety of his wife. 

"How are things?" Zhong Feng asked after a long moment. 

"You promised that you would not nag." Hu Lei pursed her lips, but there was a glint of delight in her eyes. She liked it when he worried about her. 

"I cannot stop it." Zhong Feng said. 

Hu Lei's eyes softened. "If there is something I cannot handle I promise that I will call you right away. Do not think I am unaware that you are prepared to make a move at all times." 

Zhong Feng did not confirm or deny the accusation. He was indeed prepared to take action if something unexpected happened. So far, everything had gone smoothly for Hu Lei. Her preparations were meticulous, ensuring nothing was left to chance. 

However, he did not stop watching Hu Lei's back. 

If it were not for the fact that he understood Hu Lei wanted and needed to do the work herself, he would have taken action to fulfil her deal with Yuan Haoran personally. His eyes darkened as he thought of that man. 

In the past, he wondered how Hu Lei was able to move forward after fighting and even make friends with past opponents. He found it unacceptable because he always removed his enemies from the roots, never giving them a chance at recovery.

But now, the more he learnt about Hu Lei's world, the more he understood her thoughts. Sometimes, once you understood the enemy and their thoughts and motivations, it could help in letting the past hatred go. 

For instance, he always believed that he would never be able to put the event of Hu Lei being kidnapped behind him. But now, he did not see the need to hold on to hatred. It would only cloud his happiness and even contaminate his love. 

If Hu Lei could move forward, he could be right next to her. 

"When are you coming back?" Zhong Feng asked. 

"In a couple of days. I am going to unearth another of my father's manuscripts." Hu Lei replied. 

"Alright. Be careful." 

"I always am. Kiss Wang Lei for me. Or you know, pat him on the head and give him an 'attaboy!', depending on his mood.." Hu Lei added.