CHAPTER 384: CHAPTER 233: BLUE ARC ASSASSINATION OPERATION, BLACK COCOON’S REVELATION

The Black Cocoon hung upside down from the rooftop. Gu Wenyu silently observed Su Zimai for a moment, then looked up at Lin Yilong, who had just walked out of Lin Zhengquan’s hospital room.

After pondering for a while, he decided to negotiate with the latter first.

Lin Yilong took the elevator downstairs, registered briefly at the front desk, and then walked out of the hospital.

At the same time, the Black Cocoon loosened the restraint belt and fell straight from the top of the skyscraper, the tail of his trench coat fluttering in the wind. He extended a restraint belt to grip an advertisement board and hung upside down in the alley Lin Yilong often used, waiting while reading a book.

Before long, Lin Yilong arrived as expected.

He stopped in the middle of the alley, looked up, and gazed at the black figure hanging quietly in mid-air.

"Mr. Mu Long... are you planning to make a move against Blue Arc?" the Black Cocoon asked while reading, "Or have you been busy ensuring Lin Zhengquan’s safety these days? You didn’t seem to leave the hospital vicinity much."

"It’s none of your business."

Lin Yilong replied coldly.

"Don’t be so cold; we’re at least in a cooperative relationship. Saying a few more words won’t hurt."

"You say it’s cooperation, but what can you offer me?"

"Uh... I can provide some constructive ideas," said the Black Cocoon. "On August 3rd at noon, which is tomorrow, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Mutants Association, the mayor will hold an annual mutant awards ceremony in the city center."

"And then?"

"At that time, Blue Arc will take the stage under the spotlight to receive a medal personally presented by the mayor," said the Black Cocoon. "If you want to expose Blue Arc’s past crimes and seek revenge, this is undoubtedly an excellent opportunity... As the awardee is Blue Arc this time, no one would doubt Blue Arc’s inability to protect those around him. The venue’s defense will be weak. You could take advantage of it and face Blue Arc in a true man-to-man duel on stage."

Lin Yilong looked up, expressionless, at the Black Cocoon.

He asked, "So, what are you really planning? What do you gain from cooperating with me? I don’t believe you have no ulterior motives, merely seeking fun."

"That’s a very good question." The Black Cocoon suddenly lifted his eyes from the book, "You’re the first collaborator to ask me my purpose for cooperation; it’s a good sign, proving not all my collaborators are completely naive."

"And your answer?"

"Actually... I have no designs on you, nor do I need you to do anything."

"Then what’s the point of approaching me?"

"I have designs on the Ghost Bell," the Black Cocoon spoke softly, "and it was precisely at the behest of the Ghost Bell that I came to assist you. Wasn’t my intention clear from the start?"

"Mr. Ghost Bell?" Lin Yilong pondered.

"Exactly, Mr. Ghost Bell even fought a few battles with Blue Arc for you," sighed the Black Cocoon. "He told me you are a very fine young man, who more than anyone wishes to see you kill Blue Arc to avenge your father."

He paused: "Therefore, the Ghost Bell sent me to assist you. Is this difficult to understand?"

"I still don’t believe he would collaborate with a clown like you."

"Judging by appearances is not a good trait," the Black Cocoon sighed, "I have other matters to attend to. I’ve given you the plan; whether to execute it is up to you. But tomorrow’s awards ceremony is indeed a rare chance; I hope you won’t miss it."

"Why should I listen to you?"

"Years ago, after that earthquake incident, at the same awards ceremony, the young version of you helplessly looked up from the crowd, watching Blue Arc collect a medal in all his brilliance," said the Black Cocoon deeply. "You wanted to scream at him, to make him pay for your father’s death, but you were only dragged away by security, unable to utter a sound..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yilong lowered his head, his face slowly darkening.

He certainly remembered that feeling of helplessness; back then, he was just an average person surrounded by a throng, able only to look up at the ’New Star Hero’ clad in azure armor stepping onto the awarding platform under the spotlight.

In the end, Blue Arc received the medal issued by the mayor amidst cheers from thousands.

Lin Yilong opened his mouth to rage, but his frail figure was drowned by the cheers of the crowd. Under the sunlight, the youth desperately had his mouth open, yet no sound came out, only staring blankly at the frenzied smiles on people’s faces.

Before that day, he had seen with his own eyes his father being blasted into a bloody mist by that deep blue lightning, splattered across his face;

And on that day, he watched his father’s murderer be revered by everyone as a hero while he could only stand lost in the crowd, pushed around, unable to keep his footing.

Lin Yilong suddenly realized that in this era, an ordinary person’s voice was perhaps less than that of insects and ants.

Therefore, he didn’t dare to make a sound.

He feared his roar was too insignificant, so he suppressed the hysterical scream in his throat, chest burning like a flame on the verge of tearing apart.

In the end, to prove he wasn’t worthless, he recklessly charged towards the podium but was stopped by security.

In Blue Arc’s puzzled gaze, he was inexorably pulled away.

That was the most powerless day of Lin Yilong’s life.

It was precisely that hopelessness back then that drove him madly to grow stronger over the past three years, becoming someone who now could stand on the same stage as Blue Arc.

"Things aren’t the same now, are they?" the Black Cocoon’s voice cut through his thoughts, "The familiar award platform, familiar figures—isn’t this a heaven-sent opportunity precisely to prove... you’re no longer that powerless boy."