Translator: CinderTL
"A bunch of fools!"
Deep within an uncharted underground cavern, inverted conical stalactites hung everywhere. Black-robed figures knelt prostrate on the ground.
"After all that effort to feign an attack in the east and divert the Serpent Spirit Sect's attention..."
"Now you tell me we might have left traces?"
A figure stood in the center of the cavern, her voice cold as she berated them. Only the vague outline of a woman's face could be seen beneath her hood.
The black robe bore the emblem of a black crow with outstretched wings. Her high-bridged nose and eyes with two crimson points of light, along with her exceptionally fair skin and facial features, indicated she was not a native of the Red Nation.
"Lord Envoy, Xing..."
"Ge Ma and his group may have simply encountered an accident. I can assure you that no one currently knows our true location."
The black-robed Envoy kneeling on the ground trembled as he spoke. The black-robed woman narrowed her eyes.
"So what?"
"You should know I hate explanations more than anything."
As the words fell, the Envoy's eyes widened in terror.
Eerie green phosphorescent flames materialized out of thin air, engulfing him. All that remained was a piercing scream echoing through the cavern.
The other black-robed figures knelt trembling, watching as the Fourth-Tier Mid-Rank Envoy vanished completely, leaving only a few charred remnants and ashes.
"I don't want this to happen again," the black-robed woman said coldly. The crowd nodded repeatedly, as if granted a reprieve, and quickly retreated.
The entire cavern was left to her alone. Finally, a Black Bat silently swooped into view.
"After this, I'll have Peng Gang and his team pull some people back to Nanjiang," Chu Shihong said gravely in the United Coalition Building, not disputing Chen Feng's suspicions. The sudden appearance of these Cults was highly unusual, and he felt a growing sense of urgency.
"Yes, that's best," Chen Feng agreed. While he didn't know why these Cult members had come to Nanjiang, it was clear they meant no good.
The two men discussed the matter in detail for over ten minutes. As Chen Feng was about to leave, Chu Shihong stopped him.
"Wait, there's one more thing."
"Oh?"
"Radiant Star Academy—you know about it, right?" Chu Shihong asked with a subtle smile.
"Yes," Chen Feng nodded. It was the academy where Chen Yun had been sent by the Nanjiang Research Institute for advanced studies. Located in Yun Port, it was one of the few top-tier academies in the Red Nation, with numerous research projects in modification technology.
Moreover, he had heard that this academy was also planning to open a branch in Nanjiang.
"That's right. The martial arts path discovered by that person in the North has caused quite a stir and is highly valued by the higher authorities."
"Furthermore, Martial Artists from the Saint Sect have visited the Red Capital Academy to conduct related exchanges, demonstrating and proving certain things."
Seeing Chen Feng's confusion, Chu Shihong smiled and explained.
"As a result, various academies have recently added martial arts research topics and even established special martial arts courses."
"The Radiant Star Academy is no exception. They hope to meet you and may need you to demonstrate some of the unique aspects of martial arts."
Chen Feng frowned upon hearing this. He disliked the feeling of being studied.
"Don't worry, it's not what you think," Chu Shihong reassured him gently, knowing Chen Feng's personality. "They'll only be recording comparative data, such as the destructive power, punching force, and physical limits of martial arts, to guide their future martial arts courses and research projects."
He concluded with a final remark: "And their attitude is quite sincere. They've offered compensation: two Advanced Life Elixirs. I'm just relaying the message; it's up to you to decide whether to accept."
"No problem," Chen Feng nodded.
"I'm happy to contribute to the Red Nation's martial arts research," Chen Feng said.
As he spoke, their eyes met.
One nodded with a half-smile, the other with a righteous gaze.
Finally, the discussion concluded.
Chen Feng left the building and departed by car.
Along the way, holographic projections floated in the air, and giant screens on building exteriors broadcast news.
Recently, Councilor Xu Heng of the United Coalition was attacked by the Dead Crow Cult on the outskirts of our city. His death has been confirmed.
Councilor Xu Heng was twenty-five years old. He was born in Yun Port and was the only son of Director Xu Hai of Jadeite Biotech. He was elected to the council just a month ago.
...
"They moved quickly," Chen Feng murmured, watching the news report. People on the street had stopped to watch, their expressions surprised. Some shook their heads in silent mourning.
He opened his phone to find related news notifications. After a quick glance, he set it aside, closed his eyes, and rested until the car stopped.
"Senior Brother, someone's waiting for you," the driver said. Chen Feng looked up and saw a figure standing at the Martial Hall entrance.
Short, crisp hair, a combat uniform, and the striking black crystal emblem on her left chest, along with her empty left sleeve, made her instantly recognizable.
It was Zhao Meng of the Black Crystal Group, carrying a square metal briefcase.
"Grandmaster Chen."
"Zhao Meng?"
Chen Feng stepped out of the car and approached her, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
He had already used his Perception to see the contents of the briefcase.
A piece of Radiant Alloy, about a dozen centimeters in size.
"Someone asked me to deliver this to you," Zhao Meng said with a smile, catching Chen Feng off guard.
In the next moment, she produced a new black phone.
"The delivery is complete. Goodbye, Grandmaster Chen. Enjoy your conversation."
With a slight smile, Zhao Meng handed him the briefcase and the phone before turning to the group's flying car waiting by the roadside.
Turning his gaze back, Chen Feng felt the phone vibrate. An unfamiliar number was calling.
Already suspecting who it was, he answered.
"Fengzi, it's me."
The voice that answered was instantly familiar.
Chen Feng smiled wryly and entered the Martial Hall.
"Did everything go smoothly?"
He could sense the fatigue in the other person's voice.
Xu Heng was dealt with, and Zhong Yan perished alongside him.
Despite the Dead Crow Cult being used as a smokescreen, anyone with eyes could see the truth: this was undoubtedly connected to the other party.
Therefore, Chen Feng knew Lin Hao had been working tirelessly these past few days.
"Things are barely holding together," Lin Hao said with a chuckle from inside his aircraft. "Some of the older uncles still remember old favors. They didn't dare bet before, but now that they see the tide turning, they're starting to make their intentions known."
Chen Feng nodded slightly, understanding the situation. Jadeite Biotech wasn't a monolithic entity; Xu Heng and his father, Xu Hai, had enemies. Otherwise, Lin Hao wouldn't have been able to quietly grow his power in the first place, receiving support from the Yun Port Black Market to gradually build Tian Hao Security.
"This matter is too sensitive for me to show my face and seek you out," Lin Hao said sincerely, without asking how Chen Feng had learned of his situation or why he had appeared just in time. "The items Zhao Meng brought on my behalf are a token of my appreciation. Please don't refuse them."
After a moment's thought, Chen Feng agreed. "Alright, I'll accept them on behalf of Blue Demon and the others."
Lin Hao knew that if he refused, Chen Feng would feel awkward.
Moreover, he genuinely needed a large quantity of advanced metals as nutrients to nourish Steel Bones' growth.
"Alright," he said. "Also, please thank the White Giant and the others for me."
Lin Hao added, leaning back in his leather chair in his gray suit, his smile hinting at something deeper as he expressed his gratitude.
Chen Feng fell silent, realizing that Lin Hao had likely already guessed his connection to the Blue Demon. After all, Lin Hao had already made some speculations during the Southern Martial Arts Conference when Chen Feng had fled back to Nanjiang.
"Mm," Chen Feng replied with a nod, choosing not to dwell on the matter.
After exchanging a few casual remarks, he learned that Lin Hao was currently en route to Yun Port.
This surprised him, as such a move carried considerable risk.
"The bigger the storm, the more valuable the fish," Lin Hao explained with a smile. "The more dangerous things get, the less likely they are to dare touch me."
The figures inside the aircraft chuckled at his words.
Lu Jian, a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair, read a magazine, while Aunt Mei, a short-haired woman carrying a briefcase, sipped her coffee.
Liu Bo silently watched the aircraft's scanning and alert systems, occasionally taking manual control of specific instruments.
Chen Feng understood the implication: Liu Bo was likely heading to Jadeite Biotech's headquarters to retrieve some items.
Moreover, Chen Feng suspected that Liu Bo was also trying to distract attention from him, minimizing suspicion.
Without further inquiry, Chen Feng immediately thought of the Dead Crow Cult.
"What a coincidence," he remarked.
When asked, Lin Hao set down the coffee Aunt Mei had handed him and recalled, "Xu Heng stumbled upon traces of the Dead Crow Cult near Jadeite Biotech's new factory on the outskirts. They were probably planning to use it to tie up loose ends. He sent people to eliminate the branch, intending to use the remaining corpses as a final smokescreen for the incident. I only learned about it by chance, and since it was convenient, I decided to use it."
Lin Hao's detailed explanation put Chen Feng at ease. It largely matched his earlier speculation.
He was about to hang up when Lin Hao's tone suddenly turned serious.
"Fengzi."
"Hmm?"
"Thanks."
The words hung in the air, followed by a few seconds of silence.
Finally, a beep signaled the end of the call.
Lin Hao smiled as he set down his phone and glanced out the window at the Nanjiang suburbs below.
The newly constructed gray-black high walls, the bustling New City of the future.
His heart filled with emotion. Though the journey to Yun Port would be fraught with challenges, he could already see a vast new horizon opening before him.
And as he reflected on everything they had been through, from their first meeting at the Martial Hall to the present day...
"The most worthwhile thing I've ever done in my life..."
"Is becoming your brother."
Beep!
In the silent meditation chamber, Chen Feng stood motionless, setting down his phone.
"That guy..."
From weakness to strength, the help he had received from the Tian Heng Society, the assistance of Zhao Jianlong and Luo Hui.
Throughout their journey, the two of them had supported each other through countless trials.
There had even been several times when Lin Hao had risked everything to cover his tracks and erase any evidence.
So, if they were truly to thank each other, it was a debt owed on both sides.
Click!
Shaking off his sentimentality, Chen Feng set down the metal briefcase, revealing the Radiant Alloy within.
He knew Lin Hao must have paid a great price to obtain this item.
Therefore.
Buzz!
He raised his palm, activating Steel Bones.
Without hesitation, he absorbed all the Metal Essence. He watched the system notifications continuously appear on his screen as Steel Bones' progress increased once more.
"Friend... strength."
"I need even greater strength to protect what I hold dear."
(End of the Chapter)
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