He arrived near the black market.
Zhou Chen parked his car a good distance away and sat in an outdoor chair in front of a milk tea shop. Sipping an ice-cold lemonade, he watched a bustling noodle shop across the street.
That was the black market.
Black markets were filled with shady dealings, so they could never operate in the open. Most used a legitimate business as a front, and you often needed a referral and the right password just to get in.
Zhou Chen had no intention of going inside. A fight in the noodle shop could endanger innocent bystanders. Besides, he still didn’t know what tier of Ascender the target was. If he was dealing with a Tier Two or even a Tier Three, rushing in would be suicide.
The Special Operations Team was on its way. There was no need to go it alone.
Just then, his phone vibrated with a ssage from Birdman: The killer had bought grenades, a bulletproof vest, and three Blood Bottles in the black market. He had also switched to a different travel bag and paid with his dark web account balance, leaving no traceable records.
A few seconds later, another ssage arrived, containing only two words:
"He’s left."
Zhou Chen stared at the noodle shop’s entrance, studying every custor who left. A few minutes later, a young man whose build matched the killer’s description erged. He was carrying a new style of travel bag and holding a plastic bag full of noodles.
He must have thought that wearing sunglasses and a mask in broad daylight was too conspicuous, because now he only wore a hat, leaving his face exposed.
He wasn’t a foreigner; he had a very common-looking Asian face.
Zhou Chen took out his phone to contact the command center. He told them to pull data from nearby surveillance and identify the killer. anwhile, he picked up his half-full cup of lemonade, stood up, and casually began to follow.
After tailing the killer across an intersection, he received a ssage from the command center. He gave it a quick glance, committing the contents to mory.
Wang Ziqian, 21, native of Jinzhu City. Left Jinzhu three years ago to attend university in Arica. One year ago, he and seventeen other students were kidnapped by mbers of the Arican Chainsaw Murder Association. Only six survived, including him.
Suspected to have awakened as an Ascender six months ago. Linked to multiple disappearances, but a lack of crucial evidence and a perfect alibi prevented further investigation. His status as an Ascender could not be confird.
Family background: His parents founded a food company that went bankrupt due to mismanagent, leaving them with massive debts. Their company was bought out for a low price, and they subsequently committed suicide by jumping from a building.
’He’s actually from Jinzhu... He was kidnapped by mbers of the Saw Murder Association in Arica, and now his thods have their signature style. I wonder if he joined them back then...’ Recalling the intel, Zhou Chen was surprised.
’The suspected awakening six months ago must be true, which would make him a Tier One Ascender. But why did he smuggle himself back into the country? To stay off the radar? He doesn’t seem to be trying that hard to hide his identity. And why co back at all... For revenge?’
Suddenly, the possibility struck Zhou Chen. Business competition often involved dirty, underhanded tactics. If Wang Ziqian’s parents had been driven to suicide, it was highly likely he had returned for revenge.
As the thought crossed his mind, Wang Ziqian ca to a sudden halt up ahead. Zhou Chen relaxed, careful not to show a reaction. He casually walked over to a trash can, finished the last of his lemonade, and tossed the cup inside.
’Wait... who’s that?’
Zhou Chen stared in shock at a figure on the street. He noticed that Wang Ziqian was watching her too.
A young, beautiful university student was walking down the street, carrying a large bag of snacks. She wore a white short-sleeved shirt that revealed her fair forearms and hot pants that showed off her long, pale legs. Her calves were slender and straight, her thighs full and rounded, and her rear was firm and perky. It was clear at a glance that she had a toned, athletic figure.
’Li Xiaoxiao!’
’A girl as beautiful as a campus queen would naturally turn heads on the street. Who knew how many eyes were on her at that mont—filled with admiration, jealousy, envy, and... hunger?’
Zhou Chen caught the flash of greedy hunger in Wang Ziqian’s eyes, and his mind reeled.
’Of all the people to target, he had to pick Li Xiaoxiao? She’s a Fanatic of the Eternal Fire. If a fight breaks out, it’s hard to say which of them will be the one to die...’
However, Wang Ziqian was now like a hyena that had spotted a tasty al. He wasn’t about to give up so easily. He silently crossed to the other side of the street and started following Li Xiaoxiao.
’Unbelievable. What are the odds of running into her... Wait, could this be Birdman’s doing?’
Zhou Chen frowned with suspicion. It was too much of a coincidence, almost as if Li Xiaoxiao had been deliberately sent his way so they could make contact.
’But if Birdman was behind this, how could he have been certain that Wang Ziqian would target Li Xiaoxiao?’
’If not, the odds were just too low...’
Doubts aside, the tailing had to continue.
On the bustling pedestrian street, Li Xiaoxiao strolled along, humming a song. Not far behind her, Wang Ziqian tailed her in silence. And at the very rear, Zhou Chen followed at a leisurely pace.
It was a case of the stalker being stalked.
Before long, Li Xiaoxiao reached the entrance of a park next to Jinzhu University and went inside.
The path through the park was a shortcut back to Jinzhu University. But by now, it was getting late and the park was nearly empty. The stark white streetlights cast an eerie, sinister glow.
On the cobblestone path, Li Xiaoxiao suddenly glanced back. She saw a strange man with a nacing expression approaching from behind. After a mont’s hesitation, she turned and bolted, screaming for help.
"Help! Help!"
Hearing her scream, Wang Ziqian’s expression faltered. He hadn’t expected her to be so decisive. He imdiately sped up, intending to knock her unconscious and carry her off as quickly as possible. ’It’ll be a problem if her screams attract attention,’ he thought. ’I could kill them all, but that would definitely draw the attention of the Star Association.’
But just then, a figure suddenly stepped out from behind a large tree up ahead.
It was Zhou Chen, who had taken a detour to lie in ambush. He raised his ornate Flintlock Pistol, aid it at the killer behind Li Xiaoxiao, and pulled the trigger.
BANG.
A fleeting, brilliant flash erupted from the darkness as a crimson Alchemy Bullet whizzed through the air. Wang Ziqian instinctively twisted his head to dodge, but the bullet still grazed his left cheek, tearing the flesh and sending a spray of blood into the air.
Almost instantly, another shot rang out. Wang Ziqian dodged to the side without hesitation, using a tree for cover. At the sa ti, with lightning-fast movents, he ripped open his travel bag, pulled out a grenade, yanked the pin, and hurled it at Li Xiaoxiao.
Zhou Chen’s eye twitched. He had no choice but to pull Li Xiaoxiao behind a tree for cover.
BOOM! The massive explosion sent countless sharp pieces of shrapnel flying, shredding the nearby plants and embedding themselves deep into the tree trunk.
In that brief mont, Wang Ziqian had vanished without a trace.
Zhou Chen narrowed his eyes, feeling little frustration. It didn’t matter if it was Li Xiaoxiao or so random bystander. If Wang Ziqian was dead set on escaping, all he had to do was toss a grenade at an innocent person, and Zhou Chen would be too busy to pursue.
’Still,’ he thought, ’even though I didn’t catch Wang Ziqian, I’ve now made contact with Li Xiaoxiao. All things considered, it’s not a loss.’
’I just don’t know if this was Birdman’s plan or Li Xiaoxiao’s.’
Li Xiaoxiao was a high-ranking mber of the Eternal Fire in the Jinzhu Region, a subordinate of the Steward known as "Cyan Whale." She might even be one of the mbers who "distrusted" him. It was very possible she was using this incident to make contact and test him.
’Good thing I’m a double agent. I know everything,’ Zhou Chen grumbled internally. He then turned to the panicked Li Xiaoxiao and asked in a low voice:
"Are you okay?"
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