Chapter 93: The Past

Melissa’s final answer caught Zhang Wen completely off guard.

“I’ve never seen those people before,” she said.

“Oh?” Zhang Wen sensed that the countess wasn’t lying. Besides, Melissa had no reason to deceive him. The clue he had hoped for most had suddenly vanished at the last moment. Zhang Wen sighed in disappointment.

“I’m sorry…” Melissa initially seemed genuinely helpless. But soon after, it was as if she suddenly understood something, her eyes sparkling with an unusual gleam.

“Can you tell me why you’re so desperate to find those six people?” Melissa fixed her gaze on Zhang Wen, her seductive smile concealing excitement.

“What’s the point in talking about it now?” Zhang Wen couldn’t figure out her intentions.

“Of course there’s a point!” Melissa affirmed firmly. “I truly don’t know the origins of those six individuals, but I can assure you of one thing—they definitely have something to do with the Black Viscount!”

Suddenly, after falling into the abyss of despair, hope reemerged for escape from hell. Even Melissa, a seasoned diplomat, couldn’t conceal her inner excitement.

“Is that so? And then what?” Zhang Wen asked, his expression unreadable.

“And then? Don’t you want to find out who those six people are? If we find the Black Viscount, everything will naturally become clear!” Melissa smiled slightly, speaking with the utmost certainty.

Throughout her life, Countess Melissa had experienced countless crises. She had once believed that even when facing life and death, she could remain composed. However, a recent brush with death made her realize for the first time that she still had an immense attachment to life’s beauty and to this world. Now, she felt frustrated again, realizing she still had a long way to go in terms of composure compared to those old foxes in the Alliance. Looking at Zhang Wen across from her, she felt a tension so intense that she could hardly breathe.

This intense nervousness mixed with a hint of excitement caused a charming blush to rise on Melissa’s delicate face. Her breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling dramatically with each breath.

Due to her yet-unrecovered strength, Melissa had to bend forward, supporting herself against the wall with her left hand. Although she crossed her right arm over her chest, the slender limb did nothing to conceal her alluring figure; instead, it made her already sensual and well-proportioned body even more tempting.

However, Melissa, completely focused on Zhang Wen, had long since forgotten such concerns.

Melissa knew clearly that whether she could accomplish her mission as an envoy to the Empire and reverse the desperate situation depended entirely on this crucial moment.

What made Melissa even more nervous was that after hearing her suggestion, Zhang Wen didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he wore a smile that was hard to interpret.

“Heh, just find the Black Viscount, is that all?” Zhang Wen curled his lips, shamelessly eyeing Melissa’s tempting body.

Only half a step separated Melissa and Zhang Wen, so Zhang Wen didn’t even need to move his gaze to take in every inch of her body. Melissa’s well-proportioned and sensual figure naturally needed no introduction, but even her proud bosom was almost entirely exposed before him. Since Melissa seemed unbothered by his gaze, Zhang Wen naturally had no objections to indulging in the view.

Undeniably, this enchanting countess was among the most seductive women Zhang Wen had ever known. Except for the equally sexy Linoah, Zhang Wen hadn’t met any other woman who could exude such maddening sensuality from her toes to her hair like Melissa.

Moreover, while Linoah still carried a touch of innocent naivety in her interactions with Zhang Wen, Melissa was like a fully ripened, irresistibly tempting fruit!

She was charming, sexy, and her mature body was enough to hold any man’s gaze forever. At the same time, Melissa knew precisely how to leverage this maturity. She always knew how to display her most sensual aspects in just the right way, stirring the most primal desires in men’s hearts, yet never becoming repulsive like those women who overdo it, like fruit that’s too ripe!

Especially those two full, perky breasts on her chest—truly a treasure every man dreams of!

According to Zhang Wen’s estimation, this sexy countess’s cleavage was at least a 37F. Not only were they full enough that one hand couldn’t possibly contain them, but their pale, tender skin was as smooth as congealed fat. Without any undergarments to support them, and even slightly compressed by her right arm, those perfectly rounded, tantalizingly erect breasts still proudly stood upright, their nipples slightly upturned, displaying unbelievable firmness and elasticity!

Perhaps it was the intimate atmosphere in the moonlit alley, where she was almost completely naked with a stranger. Or perhaps it was the extremely close proximity between them, which made Melissa, accustomed to skillfully maintaining a proper distance from men despite her flirtatiousness, feel quite uncomfortable.

In any case, upon noticing Zhang Wen’s burning gaze, even a sensual and mature diplomat like Melissa couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. And when she realized she was blushing like a young girl, the countess felt even more flustered. Instinctively, she quietly raised her right hand, grabbing the torn edge of her battle suit that Zhang Wen had ripped earlier, trying to press it under her arm to cover the exposed skin.

Unfortunately, Melissa’s full, perky breasts seemed unwilling to be constrained by clothing. Soon, they pushed the piece of fabric she had forced under her arm back out, making her actions not only fail to cover her but instead draw even more attention.

At the moment the battle suit slipped from under her arm, Melissa’s pale, round breasts suddenly sprang out from beneath the black leather. She hurriedly raised her right arm, but it was too late to hide. At that moment of exposure, the fullness and paleness of her chest were almost secondary. What was truly irresistible was the expression that appeared on her face at that unexpected moment!

For a woman like Melissa, who possessed both sensuality and intellectual beauty, it was probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for anyone to witness her looking so flustered and shy, so adorably at a loss!

Her hurried breathing only added to the lewd atmosphere of the moment.

“What benefit would I gain from deceiving you?” Covering her chest again with her right arm, Melissa tried hard to suppress the deep embarrassment rising within her and hastily countered Zhang Wen.

From another perspective, the fact that Melissa, the Alliance envoy, resorted to such a clumsy tactic to change the subject showed just how flustered she was.

“I didn’t say you were lying to me,” Zhang Wen continued with his enigmatic smile, his gaze sweeping over Melissa’s face, though his tone gradually turned colder. “Still, I did just save your life. Even if I’m willing to do a good deed without expecting anything in return, you’re already trying to use me again so soon… Miss Melissa, don’t you think you’re being a bit too greedy?”

“I just…” Melissa gently bit her lip, raising her head to defend herself, but Zhang Wen mercilessly cut her off.

“Hey, Miss Melissa, don’t give me that nonsense about how everything you’re doing is for my benefit. You’ve been trying every trick to steer the conversation toward the Black Viscount because you want to use me against him, right?”

His cold gaze left no room for argument, making Melissa realize that no matter how she tried to justify herself, she couldn’t shake Zhang Wen’s judgment.

“Yes! I do want to use you against him,” Melissa stared at Zhang Wen for a moment, then clenched her teeth and admitted his accusation. “But it’s not because I’m greedy—it’s because I have no choice. You can’t imagine the devastation the Black Viscount can unleash unless you’ve seen the two planets he destroyed. A peaceful, beautiful planet can become hell in the blink of an eye!”

Leaning against the wall with her left hand, the pitiful smile on Melissa’s face added to her helpless charm. Her fragile, weak appearance was enough to stir any man’s desire to protect her at all costs.

The tremor in Melissa’s voice as she spoke those last words stirred something in Zhang Wen. However, Zhang Wen wasn’t the kind of man easily swayed by emotions.

“Perhaps,” Zhang Wen smiled and shook his head. “The Black Viscount might indeed be important. Unfortunately, you’ve miscalculated. People should only take on tasks matching their abilities. I know exactly how much I can handle. I can’t even deal with those six Saint-level individuals connected to the Black Viscount on my own. Moreover, if he sent those six to attack you, surely he must have even stronger guards around him?”

“Then why are you inquiring about those six people?”

“I have some friends who might be in their hands…”

“If you want to save your friends, wouldn’t you still have to confront the Black Viscount?”

“That’s different. Confronting the Black Viscount directly and rescuing my friends from his stronghold are two different things. As I said, people should only take on what they can handle. With my abilities, I believe I still have a chance of rescuing my friends by using some clever tricks to create chaos and slipping in during the confusion. But to directly take down the boss behind the scenes? I don’t think I have that capability.”

“How can you know unless you try?” In her anxiety, Melissa blurted out before her expression of regret and the sudden paleness of her face made it clear she had said the wrong thing.

Exactly! For Melissa, the Black Viscount was an enemy that she and the Alliance had to eliminate at all costs. It was reasonable to risk her life to fight him by any means necessary.

But Zhang Wen was an Imperial citizen! What reason did he have to risk his life to help Melissa with a mission that had little hope of success? He didn’t owe Melissa anything—in fact, he had just saved her life!

Greedy! Zhang Wen’s smile reminded Melissa of the very accusation he had made against her earlier. Melissa’s sudden silence made Zhang Wen frown.

“Countess, it seems you won’t tell me what I want to know unless I help you deal with the Black Viscount.”

Zhang Wen’s slightly mocking tone stung Melissa’s heart. Feeling ashamed for trying such a despicable form of blackmail against her savior, Melissa lowered her head in humiliation. Still, she stubbornly kept her silence, even in front of Zhang Wen.

Logically, Melissa was far too old to be acting like a stubborn little girl. With Zhang Wen’s clear refusal, she should have accepted reality.

In truth, if Melissa were facing any other mission—even one as important to the Alliance as dealing with the Black Viscount—she might have given up by now. But with the Black Viscount, she simply couldn’t let go! Even though she knew her last bargaining chip was insignificant, she still desperately clung to it, refusing to let go.

“Fine,” Zhang Wen said mockingly, smirking as he shook his head. Getting help from Melissa wasn’t his only option, after all. He still had an ace up his sleeve—he wasn’t limited to just this path.

However, just as Zhang Wen turned to leave Melissa behind and walked a few steps toward the end of the alley, he suddenly heard Melissa shout at the top of her lungs.

“Wait!”

“Oh? Did you suddenly change your mind?” Zhang Wen turned around.

“No, not really,” Melissa shook her head firmly.

“Then there’s nothing more to say. Unless, Miss Melissa, you’ve forgotten the way and need me to escort you back to the Alliance embassy?” Zhang Wen retorted sarcastically.

Even a woman as beautiful as Melissa would become repulsive if she were selfish enough to forget gratitude and stubbornly cling to her demands.

“I’m from Norma,” Melissa said calmly, meeting Zhang Wen’s gaze directly, allowing his eyes to pierce straight into her heart.

“And then what?”

“Norma was one of the two administrative stars destroyed by the Black Viscount. Six months ago, when that man launched that massive rebellion on Norma, I happened to be there, tracking him down. In the end, I failed just like today, falling right into his trap!”

Then, Melissa took another step forward, close enough for Zhang Wen to smell the faint fragrance of her naked body.

“Kill him, and I’m yours.” Melissa let go of her chest with her right hand, fully exposing her full, tempting bosom to Zhang Wen’s gaze. Finally, she bent her knees and knelt gracefully at his feet.

“Miss Melissa,” Zhang Wen said, surprised by her actions, raising his eyebrows and responding coldly, “I’ve already told you, my current strength isn’t enough to confront the Black Viscount directly. Besides, don’t you think you’re betting too much on a complete stranger you’ve just met?”

“No! You don’t understand! On the day of Norma’s rebellion, the first place attacked was my home. Those bastards manipulated by the Black Viscount suddenly stormed in. I watched helplessly as they killed my family one by one, completely powerless to do anything! My older sister protected me by hiding me in the cellar, facing those bastards alone! I will never forget the sound of her crying out that day for as long as I live!”

Melissa’s voice trembled, her eyes tightly shut in pain, tears quietly sliding down her cheeks. When she opened her eyes again, however, she wore a smile of relief.

“This mission, I’ve fallen into his trap again. Whether or not I can return to the Alliance, this will definitely be my last chance for revenge. Therefore, even if the hope is the slimmest, I won’t give up. Especially since someone like you, who can make the Physical Combat Department of Almice Academy surpass that of Themis Academy, creating even more miracles wouldn’t be surprising at all.”

“You’re overestimating me,” Zhang Wen shook his head.

As Melissa spoke, Zhang Wen could sense her grief was genuine. Her tragic past was heart-wrenching; even someone with a heart of stone couldn’t remain unmoved. Zhang Wen wasn’t some heartless bastard. In fact, due to his former profession, the hero complex hidden deep within him might have been even stronger than that of an average person. However, his former profession also made him far more rational and clear-headed than most.

Zhang Wen didn’t mind helping others seek justice. However, if one were to force themselves to do something beyond their capabilities merely out of sympathy or a sense of justice, that wouldn’t be bravery—it would be foolishness.

“Is this still not enough to move you?” Melissa smiled bitterly, her face growing paler, “Unfortunately, aside from my own body, I have nothing else to offer.”

So saying, Melissa slowly stood up.

“Don’t be nervous. Consider this, as a parting gift, repayment for saving me.” She smiled faintly, pressing her warm body tightly against Zhang Wen, her full bosom pressing against his chest, letting him feel the delightful softness and elasticity. Then, she rose onto her tiptoes and kissed Zhang Wen’s lips passionately.

Frankly speaking, Melissa’s passion surprised Zhang Wen. However, he sensed no malice from her at all. With such a stunning beauty willingly throwing herself into his arms, what reason could Zhang Wen possibly have to refuse the enjoyment every man dreams of?

Zhang Wen wrapped his arms around Melissa, feeling the smooth, slender sensation of her beautiful back and waist. Melissa’s passionate body and soft lips made Zhang Wen’s Spring Water Technique surge rapidly.

The heightened senses allowed Zhang Wen to even more vividly experience just how wonderful it felt for a man to receive everything a beautiful, sexy woman willingly offered when she let down her guard.

Zhang Wen and Melissa’s passionate kiss lasted for several minutes before they finally parted, both panting. As Zhang Wen gazed at Melissa’s flushed face after the intense kiss, a sudden strange feeling arose in his heart.

However, the anomaly Zhang Wen sensed wasn’t a direct threat to himself, which was why his reaction was a beat slower. By the time he figured out the source of that strange sensation, it was already somewhat too late.

Melissa suddenly smiled and pushed Zhang Wen away, pulling out a dagger and plunging it toward her own chest. The sharp blade gleamed coldly, with several elegantly carved script letters: “NIGHT K.”

“Hey! Stop fooling around!” Zhang Wen shouted angrily, swiping his hand to knock the dagger from Melissa’s grasp. The dagger clattered to the ground, echoing through the alley. Then everything fell silent, except for the two of them panting heavily.

“Why did you save me?”

“What kind of question is that? Do you think I’m some cold-blooded creature? How could any normal person remain indifferent when a woman who kissed him just seconds ago tries to commit suicide in front of him?”

“Sorry. I didn’t consider your feelings. I just wanted to repay you a little before my death.”

Melissa lowered her head. “Norma is destroyed, and I’ve had nothing left to rely on for a long time. When I was locked up on the rooftop of TK Division earlier, I was actually a bit scared. Thinking back now, it’s really laughable.”

“What’s so funny about it? Who in this world doesn’t want to live?”

“Hehe, live…” Melissa shook her head forcefully. “This time, to deal with the Black Viscount, I mobilized all the elite secret agents from the Alliance across the entire Southern Border, angering many people. Now, not only did the mission fail, but I also lost seven elite agents. Do you think I can return alone and expect a good outcome? Earlier when I mentioned exile, that was already the mildest result! The filth within the Alliance’s secret agent department is unimaginable. After causing such losses, do you think they’d let me off easily? What else can they take from me besides this body?”

As she spoke, Melissa became increasingly agitated. She stared unflinchingly at Zhang Wen, deliberately emphasizing her sexy body by thrusting her bare chest forward and placing her right hand over her heart.

“Rather than going back alive only to become someone else’s plaything, it’s better to end it all myself!”

“Melissa, do you really think I’m a three-year-old child?” Melissa’s words genuinely angered Zhang Wen. He stared into the countess’s eyes and coldly said, “Perhaps you truly do wish to die. However, if you just wanted to die, why not find a quiet place to do it alone? You deliberately stole a dagger from me to commit suicide—it’s obvious you’re trying to force my hand, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” Melissa didn’t deny it, but gave Zhang Wen a sorrowful smile, “I’m forcing you with my own life. So what? If you really didn’t care at all, what else could I possibly do?”

“You…” Melissa’s twisted logic momentarily left Zhang Wen at a loss for words. He could only shut his mouth tightly and express his anger through silence.

“Yes, I’m a greedy woman! Just saved by someone, yet I immediately try to manipulate my savior. But it’s because I still want to live!” Melissa leaned against the wall, covering her chest with her right arm again, bitterly laughing as she sighed deeply, “Contradictory, isn’t it? Just moments ago saying I wanted to die, now suddenly claiming I want to live.”

“My older sister, she’s still alive.” Seeing that Zhang Wen still wouldn’t speak, Melissa smiled again, “I owe her so much that I can’t repay in this lifetime, so I don’t want to die, don’t want to make her unhappy again. However, if my continued existence endangers her, I’d rather choose death.”

“An impressive story.” After a long silence, Zhang Wen finally spoke in a low voice, “But no matter how many reasons you have for wanting to kill the Black Viscount, one fact remains unchanged. That guy has at least one Over-tier expert by his side. In fact, he might even be an Over-tier expert himself. With my abilities, I might have a slight chance against one or two Saint-tier opponents. But facing an opponent of Over-tier strength, I’m afraid I’m powerless.”

“Can’t we at least try?” Seemingly sensing a slight softening in Zhang Wen’s tone, Melissa reignited her hope.

“It seems you still don’t understand the kind of opponents you’re facing. That’s why you lost so badly.” Zhang Wen sighed, shaking his head with a bitter smile, “The people around the Black Viscount now are definitely not ordinary gangsters. They’re a group specially trained, existing solely to kill. Charging in recklessly, it’s nearly impossible to not only confront their hidden boss but even to escape unscathed. Also… my friend is still in their hands.” Zhang Wen sighed lightly, bending down to pick up the dagger.

Compared to his previous firm refusal, this second refusal from Zhang Wen was clearly much softer.

“How do you know about those people?” Melissa asked in disbelief.

“Instinct. My former profession wasn’t much different from theirs. The scent of hell that clings to someone who crawled out of it—you can smell it just by taking a breath.”

“I see. You can go now.” Melissa smiled calmly at Zhang Wen, turned her gaze away, and said nothing more. Zhang Wen also had nothing else to say. He nodded lightly at Melissa, turned his body, and disappeared into the depths of the alley.