A certain country in South Arica.
"Weren’t we investigating in Europe? How did we end up here?"
"Johnson was assassinated here; he was my best undercover agent. If he’s been killed, do you think this isn’t a big deal?"
In the congested traffic, horns and curses alternated ceaselessly. In a sowhat worn-out jeep, a man and a woman sat in the driver and passenger seats, discussing sothing.
Upon closer inspection, weren’t the two of them Soul Destroyer and Demoness? Since leaving Yanjing, they hadn’t had a mont’s rest between the various branch bases of the Netherworld Palace. Everything Ye Shikai needed to investigate was handled by them, and this ti they had co to South Arica.
"The constant honking is really annoying." Demoness tapped on the box in front of her, clearly displeased. This was a city where wealth and poverty were separated by just one wall, a characteristic in its own right. Here, motorcycles and electric bikes weaved in and out of the moderately wide streets, severely affecting traffic.
"Calm down." Soul Destroyer leaned back, pulled out a cigarette, and started smoking. They were not here for vacation, but because the branch base was having trouble.
Four days ago, a subordinate nad Johnson was attacked during an operation and killed on the spot. Johnson was a key mber at the Netherworld Palace’s South Arican branch base, known to Soul Destroyer. He had infiltrated institutions in a few small countries to gather intelligence; he was a professional "spy," and his skills as a cultivator led to remarkable achievents after joining the Netherworld Palace.
A spy being assassinated isn’t uncommon, but shortly after, the South Arican base was mysteriously attacked, causing casualties. Soul Destroyer ordered everyone to halt all activities and await their arrival.
The Netherworld Palace is a powerful force within global underground circles; generally, no one would dare target them, especially not using such "blunt and crude" ans. Thus, Soul Destroyer ca to investigate personally.
"We should be almost there." Soul Destroyer glanced at the GPS and said flatly as the vehicle struggled through traffic.
"Everyone, be alert. This area has heavy foot traffic. Until we reach the base, remain vigilant," Soul Destroyer said to everyone through the earpiece. They were not alone; seven vehicles behind carried Netherworld Palace mbers.
"Yes."
"Yes."
"Yes."
......
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly, a tapping sound ca from the car window. Demoness rolled it down, revealing a local kid laughing at her.
"Perhaps he’s here to beg." Demoness didn’t think much of it, reaching into her pocket for ten US Dollars to give to the kid.
"Kid, this is for you." Demoness extended her head, offering the bill, but surprisingly, the child didn’t take it and instead lowered his head to unbutton his jacket.
"What’s this kid trying to do?"
When the child fully opened his jacket, Demoness was shocked; the child had hand grenades strapped on him.
"Drive away!" Demoness lunged at the steering wheel, turning it sharply left, and stomped the gas pedal, crashing into the adjacent vehicle.
Boom.
A violent explosion rocked the scene, and the imnse shockwave nearly flipped the jeep they were in; if Demoness hadn’t maneuvered sharply, the vehicle might have been destroyed.
"Damn! What was that?" Soul Destroyer hadn’t reacted yet, only registering the massive explosion.
"It was the kid who triggered it; get out now!" Demoness called urgently.
Bang, bang, bang.
Before Soul Destroyer could respond, gunfire erupted, leaving nurous bullet holes in the front windshield. Soul Destroyer grabbed Demoness, signaling her to duck.
"Everyone out, follow !" Soul Destroyer shouted, grabbing a rifle and jumping out of the car. Demoness quickly followed; as she opened the door, another volley of bullets struck, leaving more holes.
"Lady Demoness, over here!" The call ca from Netherworld Palace mbers behind them, each equipped with rifles. The congested road was the best cover, yet also the place with the highest risk of collateral damage.
The crowd, hearing explosions and gunshots, instantly started running and screaming. Demoness, ard with a pistol, rolled over, hiding behind another jeep’s side.
"Lady Demoness, we’re under attack!"
At that mont, gunn sward from all directions, wielding high-caliber rifles. Their faces were covered with cloth, they wore no uniforms, but they clearly had... a common target.
"Everyone, co over here!" Soul Destroyer shouted, firing short bursts at the distant gunn.
"Quick, converge with Soul Destroyer!" Demoness commanded as twenty Netherworld Palace mbers engaged in a "firefight" with nurous unidentified shooters on the street.
"Damn, RPG!" Soul Destroyer glanced at a distant building and shouted urgently, but before he could suppress the threat, a smoking rocket was already launched at them.
"Dodge!" Soul Destroyer leapt away; his cultivator agility allowed him to jump six or seven ters in one bound.
Boom.
Another loud explosion erupted as the rocket struck a vehicle, blowing its roof skyward. Fortunately, Soul Destroyer’s quick reflexes saved him; otherwise, it would have been over. With so many vehicles jamd tightly together, using a rocket launcher risked triggering a chain explosion.
"Everyone, follow into the alley!" Surveying the surroundings, Soul Destroyer spotted several alleys. Inside, large-scale weapons could not be used.
"Hurry, everyone get inside." With a few people covering, Demoness led the rest into the alley as Soul Destroyer tossed a smoke grenade at the entrance. They had just arrived but faced intense attacks, adding to the mystery. Soul Destroyer’s sixth sense told him that those gunn were orchestrated by the sa entity behind the South Arican base assault. Johnson must have discovered sothing, inciting panic on their side, leading to such drastic asures.
"Is everyone alright? Any casualties?" They took cover in a decrepit room, seemingly abandoned for so ti. Being newcors, they didn’t realize they were in a "no man’s land," filled with local gangs and chaos.
"Vincent and Wenna are injured; quickly, bandage them up," Demoness instructed, pulling a bandage from her pocket for the injured mbers.
"These people clearly have a purpose; everyone must stay cautious."
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