CHAPTER 308: CHAPTER 308 - THE QUIETLY INSERTED PRELUDE_1

Besides, what was Wang Zhan’s strength, and what was theirs? Bribing them was out of the question; they were just a few small fries, not worth Wang Zhan spending his effort on. Of course, if real treasures were placed before them...

Damn it, this is so frustrating! I really want to beat the hell out of them...

Hey, wait a minute! Wang Zhan snapped back to reality; he could clearly sense the relentless pursuit in their line of sight. This had gone far beyond what any mission could explain; it was a craving, a craving for Wang Zhan himself! The problem was, Wang Zhan had only just met them for the first time!

Why is this happening...

Wang Zhan darted into an alley without arousing their suspicion and found a random place to hide.

Why would they be interested in me?

How could two headless flies like them understand Wang Zhan’s means? So, these supposed hunters blindly charged ahead and, in the blink of an eye, lost Wang Zhan’s trail.

"Wait, he’s gone!" the first man said, a hint of annoyance on his face as he looked left and right.

Scarface, unwilling to give up, pursued for a good distance before finally cursing at no one in particular, "Damn it, he didn’t run this way! Now we’ve really lost him..."

Wang Zhan could clearly see the frustration on their faces and, naturally, heard their words, detecting the strange undertones. Unfortunately, he had been too caught up in his act earlier and had forgotten to eavesdrop on their conversation, resulting in a small gap in his information. But it didn’t matter anymore. Wang Zhan lay low, letting the two headless flies run around in circles, cursing him angrily.

Once they finally confirmed they had been shaken off, Wang Zhan’s senses picked up another group, even more formidable than these two, who were also searching the area. Even when encountering resistance or complaints, this new group would drag people out with a slap, showing no courtesy whatsoever. Wang Zhan wouldn’t miss his chance this time; he had to figure out who his friends and foes were.

Then, someone shouted, "Found them! Boss!!"

"They went in that direction! Two men, definitely from Snakehead’s group..."

Immediately after, a man in a suit so tight it looked like it would burst stood before everyone and ordered in a deep voice, "Find them. Kill Snakehead’s men. Keep the young man alive and... entertain him well."

Wang Zhan, who was eavesdropping, grinned. So, they really are allies.

"Nice work, quite capable!" Wang Zhan mentally complimented the shopkeeper.

Being able to deploy such a powerful group was beyond Wang Zhan’s expectations. Their strength was so incredible that even Wang Zhan found it hard to believe, completely refreshing his understanding of the Black Market. They were all Martial Masters, with a few Martial Generals leading them. The man in charge was even more formidable—a Grandmaster Realm expert.

Just then, Wang Zhan overheard more.

"What do we do now? Are we really going to let that kid get away?" Scarface said, livid. "If we could hand him over to them, forget being rewarded by the boss—we could become bosses ourselves!"

The ordinary-looking man, though somewhat regretful, was more clear-headed and chided, "Shut up! Don’t let the boss hear you say that, or he won’t let you off. Besides, do you really think if we caught him and handed him over, someone would reward us? We’d be lucky if they didn’t use us as experimental subjects!"

Huh? Wang Zhan’s mind raced, a sharp glint in his eyes as he pieced together these scattered clues.

He muttered to himself, "Hand over... reward... benefit... those people..." and immediately understood the crucial point.

They appeared because they received orders from their boss, definitely not because of me personally. At most, it was because I annoyed the Internal Affairs Department and caused them some trouble, so they wanted to give me a warning. Therefore, something must have made them change their minds... My speed! Or... my bloodline talent!

Wang Zhan hit the nail on the head, instantly connecting the cause and effect. Only this could explain why these two changed their minds so quickly and targeted me. This explanation also accounted for the unusual attention I’ve been getting, even if it wasn’t my intention. Damn it, no wonder they were chasing me so relentlessly! That was the reason!

Anyone, not just me, would never dare imagine that in a small Underground City, the filthy Black Market not only harbored criminals from the Federation but also some malicious entities. And an organization like the original organization, which conducts genetic experiments on living people and human bodies, had long extended its claws into these ignored corners, lurking in the darkness while maintaining an ordinary facade.

So, I would never have guessed that by merely appearing in this little corner, I could unearth such a valuable lead! If I could follow this trail, I could definitely expose some minor pawns of the original organization, fulfilling a long-held wish and dealing them a heavy blow. You think you can hide? You think you’re such a clever rat? Go on, keep hiding!

What a shame. Right now, I’m really busy and don’t have much time to deal with them. For instance, I first have to complete my current mission. After completing it and submitting my share of the reward, I hope to persuade Wei Daoming to help find my sister. That is the most urgent matter. However, even if these are just two minor figures... although, apart from the person behind them, no one else is of any value to me.

Yet a glint of fierceness flashed across Wang Zhan’s face. "If you have to blame someone, blame yourselves for being reckless and daring to target me!"

Of course, there was another reason. Of all the people here, only these two had seen my true face. If I wanted to keep them as potential leads for later without leaving two loose ends, they had to die. As for my new allies, it was better if they always stayed by my side as allies.

Immediately, Wang Zhan called out, "KEKEKE, mad man, come out for me!"

Instantly, an illusory figure appeared before Wang Zhan. Of course, it was only visible to Wang Zhan; others would merely see a wisp of Spiritual Energy, without any discernible form.

"Tsk tsk, I told you earlier, Wang Zhan! Let me kill them! You hesitated too much!" As soon as he appeared, the mad man licked his lips. But his actions were worlds apart from those of the two men. From a certain perspective, those two pitiable souls stood in the mortal realm, while the mad man was entrenched in Hell.

Wang Zhan ignored him, too lazy to explain, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. Ironically, it was this very ruthlessness that earned the mad man’s profound agreement and respect.

"Kill them for me. Remember, use your cruelest methods! I want anyone who sees them to shiver in terror!"

Naturally, I’m doing this to clear myself of suspicion and eliminate future troubles. For this, I’ve even infused the mad man with ten times my own mental energy, giving him a vaguely corporeal form and a hint of a bloodthirsty aura. As if he has truly been revived...

"KEKEKE..." The mad man savored the abundant mental energy coursing through him and the intoxicating, almost tangible aura surrounding him. It feels like I’ve come back to life!

"As you wish, my Student Wang Zhan!"

I might not feel much, but seeing the mad man like this, I’m quite satisfied. Very good. Only someone naturally brutal and bloodthirsty can make enemies shudder with fear and clearly distinguish my existence from the mad man’s. An ordinary person and a great god of calamity—no one would ever connect the two.

But accompanying Wang Zhan’s thoughts was the beginning of a true nightmare for the two men.

Just as they were preparing to leave, the lights in a nearby Underground City residence suddenly began to flicker erratically, carrying a hint of blood and terror, as if some malevolent spirit was awakening.

"What is that?" the Scarface Man keenly sensed a baleful aura and looked towards the house. Now, from that house across the street, it seemed as if someone was about to emerge. The air was thick with the oppressive anxiety of a horror film!

However, the other middle-aged man merely glanced at it, a flicker of annoyance rising in his heart. Who did they think they were? Letting Wang Zhan escape had already cost them dearly. And now some dilapidated, long-uninhabited house dared to try and spook them? Did they think this was still the ignorant era before the Spiritual Energy disaster, when tales about ghosts and strange happenings were rampant? They were Martial Artists, indomitable Martial Artists, the true masters of this era!

So, a trace of ruthlessness flashed across the middle-aged man’s face. "Damn it, I’m in a bad mood! Let’s go! Whatever’s in there, let’s teach it a lesson and have some fun!"

Although the Scarface Man felt the oppressive atmosphere, his own ruthlessness was ignited by the other man’s words. "KEKEKE, let’s teach it a lesson then!" Saying this, he licked his lips with relish, as if they were coated in honey.

Just then, with a BOOM, the two men burst through the door and shouted ominously, "Come out!"

"Son of a bitch, daring to scare us? You’re really courting death! Come out!"

BANG!

A perfectly good chair was kicked by the Scarface Man against the wall, splintering into pieces that scattered everywhere.

The lights continued to flicker.

"KEKEKE, it’s good to be young!"