On the undulating gravel-strewn terrain, Yang Zicang frowned and turned around.
–You, the one who dares not give your name, hand over what you’ve stolen!– From the crowd behind, a person wielding a wooden stick topped with a sharp iron piece shouted, tilting their head up.
–Jiazi, give back the Shin Engine now!–
The crowd surged forward in a swarm, surrounding the seven of them.
Fan Xiuyun took a step back and said, –Are you out of your minds from eating too much urea?–
–Return the stolen water well, or die!– The crowd brandished their clubs and shouted menacingly.
Seeing this commotion, Wang Chong quickly gripped his blade with both hands, while Shiu Siuchuan, Qian Zhongsheng, and the others clasped their hands together and pulled open several force fields.
Their expressions tense, they watched the growing crowd rushing toward them, piecing together the general gist of the matter from the chaotic noise.
–Bullshit! That well is a gift from us big shots to you bastards—get the hell out, or I swear I’ll take one of you down with me!–
Having never been treated like this before, even surrounded now, Lyu Zhi’s bulky frame could no longer contain his fury, and he burst out into a torrent of curses.
Chin Mong beside him was visibly furious, repeatedly tempted to unleash his Moxel but held back.
–Yeah, we’re the ones who built the Shin Engine in the well. Screw you—why would we steal it? What’s next, stealing planks from your ancestors’ coffins to make toilets?–
–What did you say? Say that again if you dare!–
The crowd glared at Fan Xiuyun and the burly man.
Shiu Siuchuan, both worried and angry, retorted, –Brother Jiazi, I told you these people aren’t worth our sympathy. We should’ve taken the engine long ago and headed to build the Peng Zone ourselves.–
–Oh, look at that—they just confessed!– Someone pointed at Shiu Siuchuan.
–They’ve had their eyes on the well all along!–
–Kill them, make an example of them!–
Amid the crowd, several figures lit up like flashbulbs on their chests, and before Captain Jia could even issue an order, they surged forward, raising illusory silver-white glows—some even tinged with a phantom shimmer of gold.
Facing several fists swinging toward him, Wang Chong, unskilled in using weapons, instinctively shut his eyes.
[Night of Deep Sinking!]
The air suddenly came to a standstill.
A suffocating pressure seized everyone, making them feel as though they could not breathe.
Oxygen, moisture, the ground, the sky—the entire world seemed to resist them, to reject the fragile lives that depended on it for survival.
They seemed to hear an ethereal chant, as if some ancient master were making the heavens and earth cast them away, plunging them into a dark night that would never dawn into morning.
As soon as the Chant of the Sleepless Night was unleashed, these people, battered by life, had no will to resist. Many clutched their throats, gasping for breath, collapsing to the ground and writhing wildly, their combat effectiveness instantly halved.
Those still standing barely held on, their minds tormented by a sense of instability so profound that, though they stood on solid ground, it felt as if they teetered on the edge of an abyss.
–Everyone, don’t be, afraid, this is a mental… spell.–
One man roared, raised a broad wooden club radiating golden light, and charged at Yang Zicang.
Boom!
Before he could get close, a burst of force overturned him, and he slammed heavily onto the ground dozens of meters away.
The wooden club in his hand was wrenched into the air by a bizarre power the moment he was thrown back, its sudden acceleration reducing it to just a black dot in flight.
Captain Jia’s pupils wavered as he gazed up at the sky. This was too absurd!
This was no human power, yet… this was no longer a human world anyway.
Yang Zicang strolled forward, crossing a dozen meters in just two or three strides, appearing before Captain Jia.
He plucked a button from the security captain’s uniform.
–Go back. I won’t hold this against you.–
With a flick of his fingertip, the button shot into the sky with a whoosh, colliding with the falling wooden club.
The wooden pole was blasted into countless fine fragments.
The fragments rained down like falling petals, yet most of them were seized by an invisible force above the heads of the crowd, shaking abruptly like ink-wash painting strokes, whistling through the air and trailing dazzling golden-silver phantom lights!
It seemed like a glimmer of celestial glow, woven with threads of gold and silver scales!
All who beheld this golden cloud were utterly horrified—those were hundreds of splinters radiating with brilliance! How many Chronos must that be!
–He-Help! Help!–
The suffocating pressure suddenly ceased, receding like an ebbing tide.
Whissssh, thu-thud-thud-thud-thud!
Yang Zicang turned around and walked forward, while the spiral of splinters circling faster and lower around the crowd scattered abruptly, embedding themselves like nails firmly fixed by everyone’s feet—almost three per person.
The crowd was paralyzed with terror.
None dared to move, dreading that the slightest shift would cause these splinters to accidentally pierce their bodies.
……
Only when those seven figures disappeared beyond the horizon did the oppressive silence begin to lift, and some finally collapsed limply to the ground.
–M-Mommy, this is a demon!– one person stammered, his voice choked with tears.
It was then that some in the crowd noticed an unexpected damp warmth spreading across their crotch.
–He could really wipe us all out. Damn it, what kind of shitty world is this!–
That ultimate mental intimidation, those gleaming wood chips that could pierce the body at the slightest misstep—unquestionably, Death’s scythe was dancing right beside their throats.
–Captain Jia, the well water, we…–
–The well, Master Zuo can still… uh, produce stuff.– Only after a long while did Captain Jia manage to catch his breath, his hand stroking his chest as he tried to save face.
–Yeah, yeah, Master Zuo, as long as he’s still here, everything’s fine.– The others finally snapped back to reality.
Now that the danger had completely vanished, Captain Jia slumped onto the ground, still pondering how to break the news to Ning Yang.
To tell him that his entire Peng Zone had been threatened by that man?
He would have to believe it, right? After all, so many witnesses could attest to it. Everyone could tell him, –You, Ning Yang, the Penglord, were lucky enough to not have to go through this firsthand.–
–Let’s go back.–
–It’s all on Master Zuo now.–
No one dared utter a single word of complaint. They all knew that this Peng Zone had truly walked through the gates of hell.
Wei Yuanxin, who had forged the Coldward Hearth engine, stood outside the shed, holding in his palm a small three-cylinder engine that was as transparent as glass yet shimmered with a hint of metallic luster.
Everything around him was cold and deserted. No one paid him any attention. Even his assistants had dwindled to just one person.
Amidst the gentle dust-laden wind, the man’s slightly calmer heart died completely.
With a sigh, a voice reached his ears.
–Hand it over,– said the sole remaining assistant.
–Useless.– Chang Yuanxin sighed.
A Moxel’s fold lines flickered on his chest as he sneered and tucked the engine into his pocket.
Then, a golden, phantom-like form emanated from him.
–Get lost!–
The assistant was startled, then snarled, –Who do you think you are to tell me to get lost? You, who knows nothing but stealing from others…–
Chang Yuanxin kicked his leg bone, snapping it, and the man screamed as he collapsed to the ground.
From the edge of Peng Zone, a clamor of voices rose. Hearing people returning, Chang Yuanxin rushed outside, but after a few steps, he turned back, kicked over the box still containing a bit of liquid, and then dashed out again.
……
Near a low thicket, Ning Yang, who was searching for usable wood alongside Zuo Feixian, picked up a stone. –This stone is pretty clean. It could be used to work something out of.–
–Not bad, but Ning Penglord, it seems like you don’t have a clear goal today. What kind of material are you actually trying to choose?–
–Haha, new goods, of course! I’ve prepared a checklist, some everyday items. I’ll show it to you when we get back.–
A faint crease suddenly emerged from the void beside him, speeding toward his chest.
The joy that had been lingering on Ning Yang’s face gradually faded, and as he had done for most of the past three years, his brow furrowed.
–What’s wrong?– Zuo Feixian straightened up.
After a silence of over ten seconds, digesting the report from the other end, Ning Yang forced a strained smile and said, –That beast Chang Yuanxin—ran off with the Shin Engine he built.–
Master Zuo was utterly stunned.
He found it hard to equate the name –Chang Yuanxin– with the word –ran off.–
After snapping out of it, Zuo Feixian asked in disbelief, –And Captain Jia? And all those people—were they just dead weight? How did they let him get away?–
The two bodyguards accompanying Ning Yang exchanged incredulous looks upon hearing this, but what truly shocked them was Penglord’s next statement.
–Because they’re off chasing the thief. Master Zuo, I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I’ll need to trouble you once more—to build another well engine.–
Zuo Feixian had a sinking feeling of dread.
He sensed that the man before him was about to drop a bombshell.
–Explain yourself. What do you mean by ‘another’ one? You aren’t up to something, are you?–
–Well, it’s like… your Shin Engine has been stolen. Captain Jia and the others went after the thief, and Chang Yuanxin seized the opportunity to run away.–
Zuo Feixian felt as if a clap of thunder struck his mind.
–Have you caught anyone?–
–No, they got away. The other party is Quad,– Ning Yang said, deeply ashamed.
It was a relief that he had brought Master Zuo out today. Otherwise, if Jiazi Term were really that strong and tried to forcefully abduct Master Zuo, he wouldn’t have been able to stop them.
–Let’s head back. Master Zuo, tell me the materials you need, and I’ll have someone prepare them right away.–
–I’ll check.– Zuo Feixian’s Moxel on his chest flashed and a beam of light shot into the air and vanished, but there was no reply.
The other party was probably contacting someone else.
Ning Yang frowned. A bizarre thought suddenly occurred to him.
–Master Zuo, let’s not mess around. I’m not going to do anything to you. Just tell me about the materials, the details, and I’ll get them ready for you. Got it?–
Hearing Ning Yang’s somewhat impatient tone, Zuo Feixian grew angry as well.
–I’ve told you several times, I’m not the creator. Ning Yang, do you think I’m the kind of person who would joke about something like this? I’ve emphasized this many times.–
Ning Yang’s expression darkened.
His entire heart suddenly felt unmoored.
–You… How can you still talk nonsense at a time like this?–
–That person won’t let me say he made it, and I can’t get through to him right now—the line’s busy!–
Zuo Feixian planted her hands on her hips indignantly, swiveling her head to exhale a turbid breath. –But that Shin Engine really wasn’t something I cooked up, and neither was the Coldward Hearth. Damn it! Now both are gone in one fell swoop!–
Ning Yang felt as if the heavens had collapsed and the earth had split asunder.
Seeing his pathetic state, Zuo Feixian’s anger subsided a little. –It’s fine. When I get back, I’ll just ask him. For him, making those two things is as easy as turning over his hand.–
–Oh, uh-huh.–
Ning Yang, still dazed and confused, followed Zuo Feixian, who was strutting forward with her chin up.
Strolling along, he said, –You mean that Master has actually been living in our Peng Zone all along?–
–Yeah, he is. Hmm.–
–Oh.– Ning Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and forced a strained smile. –Well, then he truly is… a real master. I promise I won’t ask who he is—just learn your lesson from him properly.–
–That’s good, then.– Zuo Feixian nodded.
–By the way,– Zuo Feixian asked casually, –Who was that thief? So many people went after him and still couldn’t catch him; he must be pretty formidable.–
Ning Yang’s heart tightened.
–Ahem, that thief was a spy who came to our Peng Zone a few days ago.–
–A spy? Oh, wait, hold on—the other day? Wait, did you say Quad, and you shooed him out?–
Zuo Feixian stopped in his tracks, turned around, and carefully looked Panglord up and down.
Ning Yang touched his own face: –What are you staring at?–
–Don’t tell me that thief was from Jiazi Term.–
–Mm, you guessed it. It’s eight out of ten likely him.–
–Guessed it, with an ‘eight out of ten,’ huh…–
Zuo Feixian suddenly clutched his lower abdomen.
–My stomach hurts. You guys go ahead and wait for me up front—I need to take a leak.–
With that, he grabbed his pants and crouched down into the bushes.
……
Dark clouds spread and drifted slowly.
Wang Chong and the others, stunned, trudged forward beside that shadow, their faces all dramatically changed, daring not speak a word.
–Bro, are you still going to play the good guy?–
The hearts of those on the wasteland all jumped in unison, turning to look at Shiu Siuchuan, whose sense had apparently gone haywire.
Yang Zicang cast a sidelong glance at Shiu Siuchuan, whose waistband hung loose beside him.
The atmosphere tensed instantly.
Originally, Shiu Siuchuan had thought he’d found another tidbit for a joke, but now he no longer dared to bring it up.
Beside him, Fan Xiuyun lightened the mood by asking, –So where are we heading next, Brother Yang?–
Over the endless black soil, a desolate wind swirled and blew by.
–Sightseeing.–
……
When Ning Yang realized that Master Zuo had already slipped away, more than ten minutes had passed.
Where in that thicket of bushes could his figure still be seen?
Ning Yang, on the contrary, felt a sense of inner calm, hardly a ripple in his heart.
After returning to Penguin Zone, Penguinlord went first, without a word, to inspect the makeshift shelter Chang Yuanxin had used and the people he had injured—fortunately, it was just fractures.
A heavy atmosphere loomed over the entire settlement; many were busy drawing water from the well, hoarding the precious sweet springs that would vanish by tomorrow.
–Brother Yang, we really poked a hornet’s nest this time…–
–Jiazi Term can take down floorboards with one strike; the whole sky was filled with golden light.–
Captain Jia no longer maintained the typical decorum of a security chief, and with him leading, everyone started gabbling about their troubles.
–He even called us trash and said he wanted to topple the coffins of Old Master Penguinlord’s ancestors.–
–Those guys not only humiliated us, but also claimed we could never have built the well or the Coldward Hearth without them.–
–Big shots are so cool? Well, one day I’ll be a big shot too.–
Ning Yang, who had been unmoved throughout, glanced over.
The thin man in the crowd, the moment Penguinlord looked at him, immediately lost his nerve: –I-I can’t ever be a big shot…–
Captain Jia scanned the crowd for the shadow of Zuo Feixian.
–Ning Bro, where old man’s Zuo at?–
A sudden wave of dizziness hit Ning Yang.
–Hey, Brother Ning?–
Captain Jia noticed Ning Yang’s slightly unsteady steps and reached out with concern.
Ning Yang took two steps, brushed past the people around him, and looked toward his own hut, as well as the stone hut next to it that belonged to Master Zuo.
–Master Zuo… went away on business… for a few days,– Ning Yang said, somewhat dazed.
He had already realized who Master Zuo was referring to. But he was unwilling to admit it… How could it be that person? If he could build a well, what was he doing holed up in his own Peng Zone? Better Peng Zones would have welcomed him as an honored guest, surely?
Ning Yang tried forcefully to shift his thoughts… the tableau and blueprints that the Cargo Crew mentioned… right, and that tableau that might have produced the blueprints.
–We need to pool our Chronos and prepare for the…– A sudden commotion rippled through the crowd as Penglord toppled forward, hitting the ground in a faint.
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