–Wuying’s communicating with me right now. He told you to stay out of those mountains for now. He’s tailing my teammate, looking for a chance to enter the tunnel that leads into that mountain,– Zhou Liren said.
–Oh? He actually took the initiative to have you tell me this?–
Yang Zicang was somewhat surprised. The one who might have been locked in a standoff with him for several hours had revealed himself so easily?
–Yeah, just get in touch with him yourself. He’s nearby.–
No more than a few seconds after Zhou Liren finished speaking, Yang Zicang spotted the silver-white thread refracting in the air.
[Wuying wants to perform Pro-Invest on me.]
[Wuying has Invested 1R on me.]
Wuying, could it really not be Mingying?
Yang Zicang accepted, a suspicion stirring in his mind. Could there be another person with the ability to turn invisible with a Moxel? If that were true, there might be many out there with similar powers.
{Greetings, Commander of the Jiazi TermCargo Crew.}
In the sensing projection, the man looked only two or three years older than himself, clearly satisfied with his current appearance. His attire, though casual, was obviously carefully chosen—effortless yet deliberate.
His features were completely different from the earlier invisible figure, Mingying.
–Hello, so it’s Wuying? Do you happen to know Mingying?–
As Yang Zicang questioned, he swiftly pulled in Robin Lo through the mental link, along with Zuo Feixian and Professor Chen. Since none of them were nearby, Wuying remained unaware that his whereabouts were already being watched with bated breath by observers.
……
Far away, hundreds of miles from the scene, Robin Lo, who was guarding the home base at the backdrop, had just finished the dinner prepared by Xiao Liu when he received this mental link. He
Immediately understood that Yang Zicang wanted him to prepare for gathering intelligence on this person.
In response to Yang Zicang’s questions, Wuying smiled noncommittally and said in a gentle and approachable tone:
{_-I’ve heard of the name. The reason I, Wuying, am here today is because I’ve heard you’re also after the one who can enter the mountain, so I’ve come specifically to inform you that I can get close to that person.–_}
At the wooden door, Yang Zicang spoke softly: –Just for this matter?–
If it were only that, the visitor’s deliberate announcement of being able to enter the mountain could be seen as a gesture of goodwill.
The other party spread their hands:
{_-Indeed, I know that Master Zijian has the ability to enter quickly. So, if you happen to catch up while I’m inside, and you two start fighting and end up killing Lee Zhinan, without the scent, I’d go mad—that would be terrible.–_}
–Lee Zhinan?–
Yang Zicang pondered this for a moment.
–So, you’re sure that it’s only because of Lee Zhinan’s uniqueness that you can follow him into the cave? And Shadowless intends to head in with him within the next two days, right?–
The other side offered no reply.
In the sensory vision, the figure near the settlement finished speaking and disappeared on the spot. Yet the psychic link’s perspective didn’t fade; it persisted.
Only now, the –host of the perspective– in that third-person viewpoint was gone.
Zuo Feixian had already rushed over in panic the moment the psychic link connected.
–So this is invisibility?– Yang Zicang murmured.
On the other side, Robin Lo remained silent, but shock surged within him all the same.
This was the first time everyone felt the overwhelming pressure of an invisible Moxel:
The perspective pressed forward, yet the surrounding crowd paid it no heed. Some people even walked right through where Shadowless was. Those witnessing it all shivered involuntarily.
Having someone like this lurking near you at all times—it was an unimaginable horror.
Zuo Feixian whispered, –If such a person launched an attack, who could possibly defend?–
{Oh? Hah…}
At Zuo Feixian’s words, Shadowless let out a low chuckle, realizing that Yang Zicang must have shared the psychic perspective with others.
However, he didn’t mind; in fact, considering the audience watching this scene, he took the initiative to move toward a busier stall. As he passed a box storing incense pellets, three pellets visibly vanished from within, yet the two women chatting nearby remained completely oblivious.
{Damn it, you bastard!}
The sight in Syn-Link instantly made Robin Lo fume with anger, smoke practically rising from his nose.
That’s a loss of three to four hundred years’ worth of Chronos income in one fell swoop—a blatant provocation!
{It’s no big loss for you all, is it?}
Upon hearing Robin Lo’s furious rebuke, which he could no longer hold back, Wuying chuckled with a sense of mischievous satisfaction. Then, utterly composed, he continued walking forward, quickening his pace only when reaching a less crowded area.
–Indeed, as soon as you start running, a silhouette and footprints start showing up.–
It was almost identical to Moxel’s Shadow of Darkness. Just as Yang Zicang tried to get a closer look, the connection was cut off.
–Alas, what a terrifying bastard.–
The moment Wuying’s manifested form vanished, it meant this person could appear beside anyone, anywhere, at any time.
Such an unparalleled ability made everyone envious, yet for those who did not possess it, it felt like a fishbone stuck in the throat.
……
On the barren lands, Wuyin, as he ran, was quite pleased with the pressure he had brought upon Yang Zicang.
–Only when possessed of the power to truly threaten others does one’s goodwill deserve respect…–
He halted, glancing back at a faintly raised black line on the distant horizon, where specks of light flickered subtly within.
–But there is one place from which one cannot completely conceal their trail… I must get my hands on a hovering cart eventually. That way, I can guard against any possible other stealth-modules… Though, such a module should not— Ideally, would not— appear again.–
……
In the dead of night, Yang Zicang returned with Lyu Zhi and the others who had come to relieve the watch at the –Scene Curtain Plot,– and prepared some gear for heading into the mountains.
–Are you really going in right now? Don’t you think that’s a bit reckless? Shouldn’t you at least consult with those greenhouse managers?–
Robin Lo felt a pang of worry in his heart. If the treasure inside were truly taken, there would be no point continuing the incense ball business in the mountains.
This was a truly one-of-a-kind money-printing business! In just a few days, they had earned over two hundred thousand Chronos. Even after splitting the take later, just the two of us would pocket a hundred thousand or more.
Where else in the world could such a sweet deal be found?
–Why not wait another two or three weeks? If we go and harvest the treasure inside right now, with the spiritual hallucination interference gone, this business will be truly ruined.–
Yang Zicang let out a sigh. –Sometimes I really wonder, back on Earth, were you the interrogator or the one being interrogated?–
–Ahem…– Robin Lo gestured with his hand, pressing it down. –As the saying goes, ‘The past cannot be pursued.’ Let go of those vain thoughts. Let go.–
–It’s ‘The past cannot be undone, but the future can still be pursued~’–
Yang Zicang, while packing his things, turned his head to glare at the fatty impatiently:
–Hey, can you even get a clue? The Solo Frequency Inn is gone! You know how big of a deal this is, right? And you’re still hung up on those Chronos. Don’t end up earning it only to never get to spend it.–
–But with that phantom guy guarding them, how are you getting in?–
–By going in with that Li guy, of course.–
Robin Lo’s expression changed. Struggling internally, he urged, –Didn’t that Shadowless guy just tip you off? He’s going to tail Lee Zhinan.–
–If he can do it, why can’t we? And besides…–
Yang Zicang paused his motion of organizing the ability orbs and fell into thought.
–That guy suddenly showing up in our market, besides swiping a few incense pills, I feel like he’s intentionally telling me he’s heading into the mountains. Doesn’t it feel like a challenge?–
Robin Lo’s small eyes darted left and right. He feared that Shadowless guy might suddenly appear right next to them, but he knew it’d be impossible for him to get here that fast.
–Alright, you two perverts, go ahead and bully a poor little thing controlled by an even bigger pervert. Tsk tsk. Oh, I hear little Matt Chao coming back.–
The slow-moving train gently stirred the air, and the door materialized inside the wooden cabin.
{This is much better—I can run freely, and no one bothers me no matter how slow I go.}
Little Matt Chao had dashed around outside and looked quite exhilarated.
Yang Zi Cang picked up the bundle he was taking to the market. –I’ll go with you.– Robin Lo couldn’t wait to climb aboard the train door, turning back to take the weapons, dried rations, and medical supplies Yang Zi Cang handed over.
[I have consumed 1N of capital; the midnight train is departing.]
[Next station: Zhou Liren Station, estimated time: six and a half minutes.]
The train vanished inside the cabin.
……
Dozens of miles beyond this scene, two figures carrying a stone slab were walking steadily closer through the night.
……
The mountain forest.
In the forest, a person covered head to toe in branches and leaves was hiding on a hilltop, the small insect he controlled keeping watch near where Lee Zhinan was walking.
–Captain Xue Lin, Lee Zhinan is indeed getting ready to enter that mountain again tonight.–
{Let me have a look.}
With a concrete target in sight, Yuan Xuelin lived up to his title as head of security for the Wuyou Cargo Free Zone. After a few days of effort, he managed to track down Lee Zhinan, who had once again entered that mountain range.
Ever since Squad Leader Jiazi TermCargo Crew eliminated those vines last time, this kid had been making far more frequent trips into the mountains—almost always under the cover of deep night.
Buzz, buzz—a few small insects kept fluttering around him.
Lee Zhinan shot them an irritated glance before loosening his belt and stepping into the bushes.
{Does this reconnaissance work of mine cover f*cking peep shows?}
The complaint of the person controlling the insects murmured through the squad’s mental link.
Yuan Xuelin said, –I’ll submit a request to Penglord after this is done.–
{Captain, I think asking Chief Zijian for it would be way easier than begging that spineless Penglord.}
–Dream on, you horny bastard.–
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