Chapter Fifty-Six: Lying in Wait for Zhao Zhilong

Yi Shen had, in fact, been mentally prepared for his exposure. After all, whether it was attacking the convoy in the street or directly clearing out the Peach Blossom Dock’s base, neither operation could possibly be executed with perfect silence. Yet Yi Shen didn’t much care. Clad in black and masked beneath the cover of night, it would certainly be ideal if no one recognized him, but even if someone did, it hardly mattered. After all, nothing could possibly be worse than his current predicament. He had nothing left to lose and was determined to cause a stir.

From a distance, Yi Shen watched the chaos that had overtaken District Three, his expression grave. Earlier, when he launched his assault to seize the supplies, that old indifference toward life surged up within him once again. Although he restrained himself from killing other explorers outright, the collateral damage from tonight’s operations had nonetheless claimed quite a few lives. The reinforcements Zhao Zhilong had called for had now all arrived—some were high-ranking explorers from other districts, others dispatched by Jingbei Industries and the task force. Yi Shen did not strike again, instead settling quietly into the shadows and biding his time. His work tonight was not yet finished; he intended to wait a little longer, hoping Zhao Zhilong might separate from the group, giving him an opportunity to have a “chat.”

Within Peach Blossom Dock, scattered bits of information were slowly being gathered and compiled. There was an urgent desire to unravel the events of the night. As darkness deepened, the aftermath of the battle gradually subsided. Because there were no existing records of Yi Shen, whether in Peach Blossom Dock or with Jingbei Industries, the investigation into tonight’s attack proved exceptionally difficult. Still, the people of Peach Blossom Dock and Jingbei Industries were no fools. Through various methods and piecing together the clues, they finally arrived at a startling revelation—one that sent a chill through every heart. All of tonight’s attacks seemed to be inextricably linked to a peculiar sorcerer clad in black. The term “Black Sorcerer” began to circulate among them, and from the reports, this sorcerer was far more extraordinary than expected. There were even accounts of Yi Shen using multiple teleportations and casting several spells in rapid succession.

These reports were not confined to Peach Blossom Dock; they soon spread throughout the various guilds as well.

At two in the morning, Zhao Zhilong lay sprawled on the district chief’s office sofa, cursing under his breath. “Damn it, useless idiots.” With no substantial clues uncovered—perhaps because no one truly intended to investigate—both the Jingbei Industries and task force personnel had already departed. The incident had been reported up the chain, awaiting further developments. The only thing Zhao Zhilong could say with certainty was that tonight’s assault originated from this so-called “Black Sorcerer” and his mysterious backers. But as for who this person was, where he had come from, or why he had targeted Zhao Zhilong’s convoy, Zhao hadn’t the faintest idea.

Today’s events had earned Zhao Zhilong a thorough scolding from An Qing. These materials should have been stored securely in Peach Blossom Dock’s treasury, protected by defensive wards and a well-fortified underground vault. If not for Zhao Zhilong’s unilateral decision to handle this batch of goods, there wouldn’t have been such a commotion at this critical juncture. Or perhaps, An Qing’s grip on Peach Blossom Dock had always been tenuous. Now, however, it was common knowledge that An Qing’s appointees had been moving the Dock’s resources both openly and in secret. To save face, Zhao Zhilong had been stripped of his title as district chief, and District Three was now under the control of a deputy from another district. At this moment, the blow to An Qing’s influence within the guild was immense.

Not only that, but everyone now recognized that Zhao Zhilong had become a spent pawn. Even if his position were restored in the future, by then Peach Blossom Dock itself might not even exist. “Don’t let me catch any of you,” Zhao Zhilong muttered, surveying the wreckage of his office before venting his rage and sweeping everything from his desk onto the floor. He still hadn’t grasped why Yi Shen had targeted him, believing instead that he had simply been unlucky, marked by a coalition of enemies.

He sighed, his face clouded with gloom. Only yesterday, he had been secretly pleased with the haul he’d managed to snatch amid the chaos—yet today, someone had come for him. If he truly lost his post, the coming days would be hard indeed; more trouble would surely find him. He had always worked for An Qing, but now An Qing refused to take his calls, telling him to lay low until the storm passed.

“No, this won’t do,” Zhao Zhilong thought quickly, a shadow crossing his eyes. If he admitted defeat now, his future would only grow bleaker. He had to confront An Qing, demand an explanation. Tonight’s disaster wasn’t solely his fault—someone had broken the rules, launching an attack after the official announcement. Peach Blossom Dock was grievously wounded, but even a dying camel was bigger than a horse; he could not shoulder all the blame.

Besides, Zhao Zhilong knew plenty of An Qing’s secrets. On this point alone, he decided he must go see An Qing in person. Yet just as Zhao Zhilong stood, a chill swept over him. An icy crust formed on his body out of nowhere, freezing him in place and instantly stripping away more than two thousand points from his health.

Yi Shen had anticipated a possible confrontation with Zhao Zhilong, but with his recent enhancements and new skills, facing Zhao Zhilong now was little more than an exercise in overwhelming force.

As Zhao Zhilong was struck, he glimpsed a shadow in black. He wanted desperately to fight back, but a quick appraisal spell told him the truth—he was utterly outmatched.

[ID: ???]
[Level: ???]
[Class: ???]

Such unreadable appraisal results could only mean the opponent’s level was far too high, or that he possessed a skill or item that concealed his information. But with a C-level appraisal spell and his health being cut by thousands in a single blow, Zhao Zhilong knew, whatever the reason, he was hopelessly outclassed.

The man in black before him was a complete stranger—no one Zhao Zhilong knew possessed such strength, nor dared violate the rules of Jingmen Safe Zone so brazenly. For someone to wait from afternoon until now, so late into the night, and come straight for him—it was clear this was no random act.

“Sir, I don’t believe I’ve offended you,” Zhao Zhilong stammered, trembling, “but if I have, I apologize. I can offer compensation. You see how badly I’ve fared tonight, and you’ve already taken everything—surely there’s no need to wipe me out completely?”

Despite his fear, Zhao Zhilong had fought his share of battles, and managed to maintain some composure, addressing Yi Shen directly. Since his adversary had not killed him outright, he must want information—this, Zhao Zhilong realized, might be his only hope tonight.

(End of this chapter)